C Greg Oden (All B1G, All-American, Defensive Player of the Year, Butler Assistant Coach)

[Buckskin86]

You be the GM: Greg Oden
By Sean Meagher, OregonLive.com
May 19, 2010

Greg Oden
Position: C
Height/Weight: 7-0/270
NBA experience: 3 seasons
2009-10 salary: $5,361,240
Contract status: Greg Oden is signed with the Trail Blazers through the 2010-11 season and will make $6,796,524 next year.

2009-10: Oden posted averages of 11.1 points, 8.5 rebounds, 0.9 assists, 2.29 blocks and 23.9 minutes in 21 games (all starts) ... Underwent surgery to repair a fracture in his left patella on Dec. 6, 2009 ... His 15.6 scoring average from Nov. 20 through Dec. 1 was the highest in any seven-game stretch of his career ... Team leader in rebounding and offensive rebounding (3.0 per game) ... Counted career highs of 20 rebounds and 11 offensive rebounds, tied for most offensive rebounds by a Trail Blazer in franchise history, Dec. 1 vs. Miami ... Notched a career-high tying 24 points (7-for-8 FG, career-high 10-for-12 FT) to go with 12 rebounds Nov. 23 vs. Chicago.

Since being drafted No. 1 overall out of Ohio State in 2007, Greg Oden has appeared in exactly 82 regular season games. While the Trail Blazers' big man can't seem to catch a good break, he showed signs of promise in his 21 games this season.

Oden scored in double figures 12 times, grabbed 10 or more rebounds in eight contests and posted five double-doubles. In 20 games before the injury, Oden ranked fourth in the league in field goal percentage (60.5).

Defensively, Oden anchored the middle for the Trail Blazers. Before his injury, Oden ranked second in the league in blocks, recording at least one block in 18 of 21 games and two or more blocks in 14 games. He led Portland in rebounds eight times and blocks on 16 occasions.

The challenge for the Blazers early this season was finding balance offensively with an improved Oden playing alongside established scorers Brandon Roy and LaMarcus Aldridge. The Trail Blazers only had 20 games to find some cohesion with that rotation and will attempt to build on that heading into next season.

Oden said doctors have told him he is on schedule in his rehabilitation.

You be the GM: Greg Oden | OregonLive.com

 

[Buckskin86]

Greg Oden: a big man making small steps
May, 20, 2010
By Henry Abbott

The story of Greg Oden has always been big. The seven-footer arrived in the NBA to an enormous downtown Portland rally, as the jumbo player slated to have a colossal impact.

Since undergoing microfracture surgery on his right knee before his rookie season, he has been seen, essentially, as a monumental disappointment.

The reality of Oden, in 2010, is a tale of much smaller pursuits. The important factors in his NBA life have become pedestrian. He spends his mornings lifting weights at the Blazers' practice facility, and his afternoons watching shows like "Gossip Girl." His daily goals are little things like keeping his emotional swings in check with professional counseling, controlling his weight with good diet -- he's talking up Whole Foods -- and finding the right doctors to keep him healthy.
Oden's Road To Recovery

Similarly, his game is not as bad as advertised. "I felt like I was starting to get the hang of it," he says of the 21 games he managed to play in 2009-2010. Thanks in large part to his elite rebounding skills, Oden finished the season with eighth best PER in the whole NBA, sandwiched between Chris Paul and Dirk Nowitzki.

"And then," Oden continues, "my kneecap broke in half." There wasn't even contact on the Dec. 5, 2009 play against Houston. The power of his own muscles had snapped his left kneecap. It's the kind of thing that doesn't happen to most players, but does happen to Oden (who has long been ribbed for looking like an old man). Thanks to the microfracture, an ankle injury, a foot issue, and now the kneecap, he has spent the majority of his career in street clothes. He even missed all but two games of his first summer league with a tonsillectomy.

In three seasons, he has played in a mere 82 regular season games -- one season's worth -- plus six playoff games against Houston in 2009.

"They ask me a lot: You think your body's just not made for this, or you're unlucky?" he says. "It has to be I'm unlucky."

Greg Oden: a big man making small steps - TrueHoop Blog - ESPN

The Comeback: Greg Oden - ESPN Video - ESPN

Greg Oden, on looking old - TrueHoop Blog - ESPN

Greg Oden: 22 Is Just A Number - ESPN Video - ESPN

 

[Buckskin86]

The Blazers will meet today with center Greg Oden to formulate a summer rehabilitation plan for the often-injured big man. Pritchard said Oden is committed to remaining in Portland as much as possible this summer, and added that his surgically repaired left knee is supposed to be in excellent shape.

Blazers’ draft options start to come into focus | The Columbian

 

[Buckskin86]

Oden hopes to return to court in July
By Marc J. Spears, Yahoo! Sports

Portland Trail Blazers center Greg Oden(notes) said he hopes to be back on the court by the middle of next month.

Oden missed the remainder of the season after fracturing his left kneecap on Dec. 6. He said he hasn?t had any setbacks in his rehabilitation and hopes to resume basketball activities in the middle of July. His current program has him riding a bicycle, walking on a treadmill and jogging in the pool.

?I just want to get back to playing,? Oden said. ?I?ve been improving so much. I just want to get back on the court and show what I can do.

?I?m 100 percent confident that there will be no setbacks and I will be ready to play ball. Mentally, it?s still tough, especially as the summer goes on and I?m watching the Finals. But I?m not down on myself or doubting myself. I?m going to have a good summer and be back.?

Prodded by his agent, Oden recently met with a nutritionist in Los Angeles to improve his diet. He also has tried to improve his mental outlook after playing in just 82 of a possible 246 games in his first three seasons because of injuries.

?I?m being open-minded to a lot more things,? said Oden, who is eligible for a contract extension this summer. ?I?ve got to stop being stubborn. There are a lot of things I?ve tried and I keep getting injured.?

Oden hopes to return to court in July - NBA - Yahoo! Sports

The plan, McMillan says, is for Oden to be 100 percent by the opening of October training camp. On Wednesday, McMillan said he remains encouraged that the October goal is attainable.

"A big part of it is going to be mental ... him trusting (the knee),'' McMillan said. "But he's been through this before and I thought last year he came into camp and his mind was right.''

McMillan said Oden will rehabilitate in both Portland and his hometown of Indianapolis, with athletic trainer Jay Jensen, strength and conditioning coach Bobby Medina and assistant coach Bill Bayno heading the workouts.

http://blog.oregonlive.com/behindblazersbeat/2010/06/nate_mcmillan_on_greg_oden_i_l.html


[ame="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ru_1HWOZ6_M"]YouTube- Greg Oden Shopping![/ame]

[ame="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mwbeVxiVUTI"]YouTube- Greg Oden on Transformers[/ame]

[ame="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SjmaBXGa2iI"]YouTube- Greg Oden NBA Tour Bus Commercial[/ame]

[ame="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nDiJselZdeY"]YouTube- Greg Oden - ESPN Commercial[/ame]

 

[ScriptOhio]

A list (I'm sure) Greg Oden doesn't want to be on:


Among those who played last season, here are the NBAers who?ve made the most money per minute and per point.

1. Marcus Haislip, Spurs, $18,612 per career point, $6,778 per career minute.
2. D.J. Mbenga, Lakers, $27,054 per career point, $7,770 per career min.
3. Greg Oden, Blazers, $19,450 per career point, $8,279 per career min.
4. Jonathan Bender, Blazers, $21,108 per career point, $7,972 per career min.
5. Brian Cardinal, Wolves, $19,078 per career point, $6,562 per career min.
6. Etan Thomas, Thunder, $18,817 per career point, $6,205 per career min.
7. Darko Milicic, Wolves, $18,251 per career point, $5,943 per career min.

Entire article: Lakers player leads active NBA players in money per point scored | Ben Maller

 

[Buckskin86]

A bust? Or just jinxed?

Because of a death in his family, Oden did not attend the Buckeye Stars youth basketball camp that he was supposed to headline with Conley and Cook last week at Worthington Kilbourne High School.

Just like them, however, he is at a crossroads in his career.

"They said when he was drafted No. 1 that, if he gets the right skill set, the right mind frame, he's going to be a dominant big man in this league," Cook said.

"The injuries have set him back. But he's been working hard on things that will make his body stronger and make him a lot healthier so the injuries won't affect him anymore."

Oden, who was limited by a surgically repaired right wrist in his only season at Ohio State (and still led the Big Ten in rebounding and blocked shots), missed his rookie season with Portland after microfracture surgery on his right knee. Then he missed 20 games his second season with foot and knee issues. Last season ended in the 21st game because of a fractured left kneecap. He was averaging 11.1 points and 8.5 rebounds at the time.

He has spent the offseason rehabilitating in Portland and Indianapolis and has not commented publicly since April. But coach Nate McMillan said in June that the plan is to have Oden back on the court in mid-August and 100 percent for the start of training camp in October.

As for whether Oden's contract will be extended by Oct. 31, new Blazers general manager Rich Cho said when he was hired July 19, "It's kind of tough (to evaluate Oden) with the injuries that he's had. But I think he's a very, very good player, and I think he just needs to stay healthy to be a great player."

NBA: Buckeyes playing for a contract | BuckeyeXtra

[ame="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SYDdtu6aaWE"]YouTube- Greg Oden Interview 7.17.2010 - Reggie Wayne Charity Game[/ame]

 

[Buckskin86]

Greg Oden: 'Things are looking good'
Published: Friday, August 06, 2010
Sean Meagher, OregonLive.com

David Hughes of The Tribune-Star catches up with Greg Oden, who is back in Indianapolis working out and promoting the the fourth annual ?Travis Smith Memorial Golf Classic Hosted by Greg Oden?:

I?m still in rehab, but I?m getting really close to where I want to be for the start of the season. [The rehab process] has been very long ? a lot of ups and downs, good days and bad days. But things are looking good.?

Oden didn?t go into detail about his rehab routine, but he stressed that he?s focused on returning to the Trail Blazers? lineup.

?I?ve just been working out,? he said between signing autographs Thursday. ?I?ve been here and Indianapolis. I?ve been working out really hard with some people who are really good for me ? basically changing my lifestyle, just getting myself right and being around people who I know and grew up with.

?Doctors have told me that I should be 100 percent by the time it?s all healed. I can?t predict the future, but I know I?m preparing myself right now to be an [NBA] all-star.?

Greg Oden: 'Things are looking good' | OregonLive.com

 

[Buckskin86]

Greg Oden's status unclear six weeks before Trail Blazers start training camp
Published: Thursday, August 19, 2010
Joe Freeman, The Oregonian

With roughly six weeks left before the Trail Blazers start training camp, the playing status of Greg Oden remains as unclear as ever.

Oden continues to rehabilitate his surgically repaired left knee and the Blazers insist things are progressing according to schedule. But at the same time, the organization is so intent on keeping once sky-high expectations low for the injury-prone center, officials refuse to say that Oden will be ready to play by Oct. 26, when the team opens the season against the Phoenix Suns.

"I don't really want to put any time frame on it," Blazers general manager Rich Cho said, regarding Oden's return. "I don't want any expectations out there. And I don't want to put any pressure on Greg. The last thing I want him to do is come back earlier (than he should) because people are expecting it."

It's been 8? months since Oden was wheeled off the Rose Garden floor on a gurney after fracturing the patella in his left knee in a game against the Houston Rockets. Since, Oden and the Blazers have maintained that the 7-foot center's rehab was on schedule and he was poised to return for October training camp -- a significant fact considering a healthy and productive Oden is perhaps the biggest key to how much success the team will have this season.

Greg Oden's status unclear six weeks before Trail Blazers start training camp | OregonLive.com

 

[Buckskin86]

Greg Oden: "I'm on schedule to heal."
Published: Saturday, August 21, 2010
Aaron Fentress, The Oregonian

Brent Wojahn, The Oregonian
Portland's Greg Oden, shown here last season against Denver at the Rose Garden, said Saturday that the rehabilitation of his knee injury is progressing.


VANCOUVER - Greg Oden is healthy enough to bowl.

To play Basketball? Not so much. Not yet, anyway. But the 7-foot Portland Trailblazers center says he?s getting there.

?The doctors tell me I?m on time,? he said Saturday while appearing at an Oregon Mentors? event in Vancouver. ?We?re going at a pace that they?ve got for me. Things are looking pretty good.?

Being ?on time,? however, does not necessarily mean being ready for the start of training camp in October or the season opener Oct. 26 against Phoenix.

?By saying ?on time,? means I?m on schedule to heal,? he said.

That at least sounds promising. Two knee injuries ? the first ending his rookie season ? have limited Oden to just 82 games since the Blazers drafted him No. 1 overall in 2007.

Last December Oden?s season ended when he fractured the patella in his left knee in a game against the Houston Rockets. The Blazers have not revealed too much in the way of details on Oden's progress since other then to say his rehabilitation is coming along.

Oden confirmed as much Saturday and appeared upbeat and optimistic.

?I?m feeling good,? he said. ?I have been running. But I have not played yet.?

Greg Oden: "I'm on schedule to heal." | OregonLive.com

 

[Buckskin86]

Making A Case For Greg Oden
By: Jason Fleming Last Updated: 8/27/10

Entering the fourth season of his NBA career Portland Trail Blazers center Greg Oden is at a crossroads. If he plays very well he may find himself in high demand the next time free agency rolls around, whenever the new Collective Bargaining Agreement is hammered out. If he doesn't play well ? or gets hurt this season, again - the market for him may be very, very dry.

See, with Oden that's been the issue: injuries.

When you look at his numbers, they are respectable. In 82 games he has averaged 11.1 points, 8.5 rebounds, 2.3 blocks, and shot 58% from the field. The caveat here is those 82 games represent only parts of two seasons, with a third season ? his first ? lost completely to microfracture surgery on his knee.

Three seasons under contract, 82 games played ? 61 in 2008-09 and 21 in 2009-10 (60 total starts). That's the knock.

But those 82 games? Some of those were pretty dang impressive. Sixteen double-doubles in 2008-09, including twice scoring 20 or more points, five times with 13 or more rebounds, and eight times blocking three or more shots.

Read more NBA news and insight: http://www.hoopsworld.com/Story.asp?STORY_ID=17182#ixzz0xtmkN3AM

Where does Greg Oden stand?

?He?s continuing his rehab. I saw his rehab at the rehab place he?s at. After that he worked out on the court for a couple of hours. He?s progressing along fine. He?s not ready to play in a game right now. He?s working very hard. We?re pleased with his progress. He?s going to be fine.?

So he?ll be ready for opening night?

?I didn?t say that. We?re pleased with his progress and I don?t know whether he?ll be ready to play opening night or not. It just depends on how it?s coming. But we?re pleased with his progress and he?s working really, really hard.?

Transcript: Blazers GM Rich Cho Interview On 1080AM The Fan - Blazersedge

 

[Buckskin86]

Despite rumor to the contrary, Greg Oden will not join his Trail Blazers teammates in informal scrimmage sessions this week at the club?s Tualatin training facility.

General Manager Rich Cho said Sunday that the 7-foot center is running and coming along well in rehab from December microfracture surgery, but not yet playing basketball.

?We?re going to ease him into it ... maybe do some two-on-two or three-on-three, instead of up-and down five-on-five,? Cho said. ?I?m hoping he?ll be cleared to do that in the next couple of weeks.?

That would seem to put in doubt Oden?s availability through the preseason. Training camp opens on Sept. 27, with the first exhibition game Oct. 5 against the Los Angeles Clippers.

?We?re being cautious,? Cho said. ?The longer you wait for the bone to heal, the better.?

Oden is in Vancouver, British Columbia, with strength/conditioning coach Bobby Medina for a few days, working with a physical training specialist there on ?a lot of core stuff,? Cho said.

Not sure if that?s just regular procedure or something to worry about, but it seems clear that Oden?s goal of being ready for the start of the regular season is in jeopardy.

http://www.portlandtribune.com/sports/story.php?story_id=128435740812447600

 

[Buckskin86]

Debate: Critiquing the Greg Oden pick
Kevin Durant is now a superstar, but can we fault Portland for drafting the big man?
By Chris Broussard and Ric Bucher
ESPN The Magazine

Sam Forencich/NBAE/Getty ImagesKevin Durant has taken the league by storm. But many maintain the 2007 draft was still a toss up.

The only thing Ric Bucher and Chris Broussard like to do more than report on the NBA is argue about the NBA. So we decided to combine those two skills for Insider's weekly One-on-One series, in which they'll debate the hottest topics in the Association.

Question: Should we be critical of the Portland Trail Blazers for taking Greg Oden over Kevin Durant in the 2007 draft?

http://insider.espn.go.com/nba/insider/news/story?id=5607275

This is the sound of lowering expectations.

Portland Trail Blazers Director of College Scouting Chad Buchanan told KGW's Joe Becker on Wednesday's edition of 95.5FM's Wheels At Work that he hopes Greg Oden is able to play "60-65" games during the 2010-2011 NBA season.

"People want Greg to be ready at the start of the season... Looking long term, we need everyone healthy, clicking together, come March, April and into May. If we can get Greg to play 60-65 games this year and continue the development curve he was on before he got injured last year, I think we'll have a chance to have some success in the playoffs, this season."

Here's a link to the audio via FanShot superstar two4larue, who also provided the transcription above.

In an August 21 Blazersedge interview, Oden would only say that he would play at some point this season and would not commit to an opening night return. Blazers GM Rich Cho has also urged patience.

http://www.blazersedge.com/2010/9/21/1703486/this-is-the-sound-of-lowering

 

[Buckskin86]

Blazers Insider: Greg Oden's mind appears to be mending quicker than his knee
Published: Monday, September 27, 2010
Jason Quick, The Oregonian

Jamie Francis, The Oregonian
Greg Oden arrived at the Trail Blazers' media day appearing trim and mentally focused, but said he doesn't expect to be ready for the season opener Oct.26.


If you were looking to hear some encouraging news on Greg Oden's health Monday, you were out of luck.

Oden's left knee, which snapped during a Dec. 5 game last season, still hasn't healed enough for him to start practice today. Oden said he would not be ready to play in the Oct. 26 season opener.

And since nobody wearing a Blazers logo will say it, let's call it what it is: Oden is behind schedule and his situation is a disappointment.

But when the television cameras and notepads had swooshed off to the other Blazers soap opera ? disgruntled Rudy Fernandez ? Oden made an important revelation:

He no longer drinks alcohol. No longer goes to clubs. No longer partakes in late-night fast food.

And those three facts might be the biggest news that came out of Monday's media day.

"It's not a big deal," Oden said. "It's just something I wanted to do. It just kept going through my head that I have to change something."

Now, let's be clear. Nobody on the Blazers was willing to say that Oden's affection for the night life had become a concern. Nobody.

And Oden insists, neither his partying nor drinking were ever out of control.

"My first year (2007) was probably my worst," Oden said of his drinking. "But after that, I definitely cut back. I never thought that I had a problem or anything. I actually stopped last season."

http://www.oregonlive.com/blazers/index.ssf/2010/09/blazers_insider_greg_odens_min.html

[ame="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BKdPGkL4WPQ"]YouTube - Greg Oden - Media Day, 9/27/10[/ame]

[ame="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vX97b_wJBmc"]YouTube - Greg Oden on The Fan, 9-27-10[/ame]

 

[Buckskin86]

Greg Oden: Oregon or bust ... but I repeat myself
Published: Saturday, October 02, 2010
Steve Duin, The Oregonian Steve Duin, The Oregonian

Greg Oden has thrown down the gauntlet (or is that a knee brace?):

?Is there any proof that I?m a bust?? the Trail Blazers? fragile center asked.

Good Lord, Greg: After three brutal years, what proof do you have that you are anything but a fiasco, a washout, a flop?

At least, so far?

You signed up for duty in the National Basketball Association - with the expectations and salary demands that attend a No. 1 draft pick - before your bones or your psyche were up to the task.

You have missed 164 games - two FULL seasons - nursing those bum knees. Not only have those injuries stunted your development, but the Sam-Bowie impression is so convincing that even when you do come back, coaches and fans will wince each time you turn into the lane.

Since Oklahoma City?s Kevin Durant followed you into the league, he has played five times as many minutes, scored eight times as many points and imposed another daunting lesson in humiliation on a Portland franchise that saw no reason to draft Michael Jordan or Chris Paul.

A bust, Greg? ?Inconsistent, injury-plagued, unassuming, underachieving near-miss? may be a more accurate summary of your NBA career, I?ll grant you, but ?bust? will do.

http://www.oregonlive.com/news/oreg...f/2010/10/greg_oden_oregon_or_bust_but_i.html

[ame="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-x8UdeSYpSc"]YouTube - Greg Oden Ready After Numerous Injuries[/ame]

 

[Buckskin86]

Canzano: No date for Greg Oden on Blazers' calendar
Published: Monday, October 11, 2010
John Canzano, The Oregonian

JAMIE FRANCIS/THE OREGONIAN
Portland centers Greg Oden and Joel Przybilla practice their fist bumps courtside at the Blazers' exhibition game with the Utah Jazz on Monday at the Memorial Coliseum. The Jazz won 109-100.

Halftime. NBA preseason game. Memorial Coliseum tunnel. No better time or place for a meeting with Trail Blazers general manager Rich Cho.
So it was here on Monday, with the Blazers grinding through a throwaway tune-up game with Utah, that the new guy cast some much-needed sunshine on the season.
Of course, there were a handful of passing fans who strolled by and declared to friends, ?Hey, that?s Rich Cho over there!? And Nicolas Batum?s agent dropped in with a handshake and hello. And one ambitious fan even said, ?I?m sorry for interrupting,? before handing a friend his camera and then mugging for a snapshot alongside the general manager.
But between all that, you and I got some important answers.
?We?re going to slow-play things right now,? Cho said. And he was talking about monitoring the progress of centers Joel Przybilla and Greg Oden, testing where they are in the coming weeks before making a move that could shift the roster.
What we know is that Przybilla began practicing Sunday, with an improbable and inspired return from a twice-ruptured patellar tendon injury. Also, we know that team insiders will tell you that Oden had an impressive display of dunking and running at a practice last week ? and woke up the following morning with noticeable swelling in his knee.
Cho refused to put a timeline on Oden?s return from a fractured patella. And why would he? ?If I knew he?d be back Nov. 30, I?d say it,? the general manager said. This lifts the lid on the mystery that is the front office?s unwillingness to put a timeline or any kind of pressure on Oden.
They simply don?t know.

http://www.oregonlive.com/sports/or...f/2010/10/canzano_blazers_are_counting_l.html