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

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LEG ODEN. Yesterday marked the 13-year anniversary of Greg Oden's selection as the No. 1 pick in the 2007 NBA Draft.

The college kid who might've only looked 60 but unfortunately did have 90-year-old knees never found footing in the NBA thanks to roughly 237 surgeries.



Being labeled the biggest bust in the history of the NBA created some personal challenges for Oden and like the rest of us, he's not perfect, but the dude returned to Ohio State to get his degree, got married and had a daughter, and is paying his dues in hopes of making a mark in the coaching ranks.

Our own Dan Hope wrote a great piece on the big man just before graduation last year that's worth revisiting. It's amazing how Oden remained so positive despite his body betraying him on the path to what could have been.

Not exactly HQ footage here but wow was he a force when on the floor in college, even when playing with only one good hand. Just ask Florida.



Just sayin': I give him all the credit in the world, very few "one and dones" especially those that have had the additional personal problems that he has endured have come back and graduated:

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SKULL SESSION: GREG ODEN HELPED MIKE CONLEY

Greg Oden hasn't been in true basketball shape since injuries derailed his career with the Portland Trailblazers, but that didn't stop him from helping out his best friend, Mike Conley, when he needed a hand preparing for this season.

Oden was once a generational big man prospect, but injuries robbed him of a promising career. But he’s still seven feet tall, still has arms that are freakishly long and is still Conley’s best friend.

So, when Conley called for help, Oden was willingly available.

“I just wanted to see my friend again,” Oden said. “This was a chance to hang out with him because with his schedule we don’t see each other that often. I asked Mike: ‘Is this going to help you?’ He said yes. So once he said that I was going to stay as long as possible.”

Why would Conley seek Oden’s help for basketball purposes? It’s simple. Conley played with Gasol as his big man for his entire career. Gasol was more of a pick-and-pop big. He wasn’t going to catch lobs over the rim. He caught pocket passes, bounce passes. One of Conley’s biggest adjustments last season was playing with Gobert, who is maybe the best vertical lob threat in the league. Only Conley was used to throwing bounce passes, which of course is not Gobert’s strong suit.

Oden and Conley laugh at the fact that Oden is no longer in NBA shape, has put on a few pounds and is no longer the terrific lob threat that he used to be. But, he was good enough to help Conley in the offseason. So, the two worked together consistently, repetition after repetition. They stopped, drank water, went back to it. And then Conley and Gobert and Jazz assistant Alex Jensen did the same in the weeks leading up to training camp.

Entire article: https://www.elevenwarriors.com/skul...-washington-recruiting-pipeline-and-the-49ers
 
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Ran into a guy who is on the Buttler staff when dining out in Indy over the summer. I was wearing something tOSU I’m sure. Greg came up in conversation as they are apparently pretty tight. Had pix to prove it. Anyhow, he more or less validated that story. Said Greg is doing great and loves the coaching side of the game. Glad to see him doing well and happy.
 
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Ran into Jon Diebler and Greg today out in downtown Indy. Told Diebs I was a Buckeye fan and thanks for all the shot making and good years, then he said “oh you’ll really like who’s rolling up”

Diebs is working for Thad and was in Butler gear, knowing Oden was on staff too, I immediately said “oh no is Greg here too??”…had and laugh and sure enough big Oden steps over. I was with a Butler fan friend so it all worked out. Said we’re Bucks and Bulldogs here. Happy to meet them and thanked for the memories.

(Should have won a champ in both their years!! Damn)

(Man Diebs could drill 3’s threes. Last guy where I thought/knew every shot was in when he lined up. That UK three…)
 
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