Greg Oden might still end up being ROY.

by nickagneta on Nov 18, 2008 10:04 AM EST Comment 40 comments

Last Friday night after watching the Celtics I turned on the Hornets-Blazers game and was impressed out of my socks with the play of Greg Oden. Having watched him play just 48 hours earlier in the Portland-Miami game, he looked like a different player. He was getting all the rebounds and was in the proper position to get them, he was swatting shots here and there and was being a presence in the middle, especially defensively. Also, the Hornets didn't have an answer on the defensive end of the floor for the Blazers when Oden was out there with Aldridge.

Now don't get me wrong, Oden still looked slow and way out of shape at times. But the spurts where he played well were awesome. He is definitely in serious need of conditioning and might have a bit too much meat on his frame to be most effective, but the skills are there. The skills and unbelievable potential oozed out of him that night. I didn't see his game against Al Jefferson and the Wolves the next night but the box score looked fairly impressive for a guy only playing 24 minutes with 13 Pts, 8 rebs, and 3 blocks.

Apparently Nate McMillan has said that he will be coming off the bench for a stretch as they stretch him out and slowly feed him more minutes. But after injuring the ankle and having a few weeks off he seems to have knocked the rust off his game pretty quickly. As the season goes on and Oden's experience and strength and conditioning grow and improve, I expect a real big man monster to emerge. He hasn't been completely healthy and playing ball since high school and he's only 20.

So I say watch out!! Oden is primed and ready for a major run at the Rookie of the Year Award and we could be looking at a league MVP before too many years pass. Yes, he is that good, he just needs to stay injury free and be on the court and his greatness will come forth. Now only if we could get him to shave that comically ridiculous beard of his.

Be respectful and keep it clean. Thanks.

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Nice job Nick.

I didn’t see the game, but based on what I have seen of him, I’m very leery. He just seems very stiff and creaky to me, with no fluidity. While he may end up being a nice player, I don’t think he’ll ever attain that franchise status a #1 pick should (i.e. Dwight Howard).

by Green17 on Nov 18, 2008 10:25 AM EST reply actions 0 recs

Keep an eye open. Think about injuries you had when 20

When you’re that young, you heel well. I can’t wait to see KG V Oden.

I'm a really really ridiculously good looking orange mocha frappaccino drinking manhammer sandwich

by hobobob on Nov 18, 2008 2:00 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

I watched his last two games and I agree. He’s a force on both ends. He is a HUGE presence on defense and makes it extremely difficult to score inside. On offense he was backing down Al Jefferson like Jefferson was nothing. It was Shaq-esque. If he ever gets 100% and gets his explosiveness and lift back, I think he’ll be dunking on everyone. He seemed capable of forcing his way to the basket and the defense was forced to foul him. It also looked like he’s a solid free throw shooter.

But yes… very impressed with him in the last 2 games. He’s legit.

by LarBrd33 on Nov 18, 2008 12:54 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

I think the offensive expectations of him were pretty overhyped, at least for now

Defensively they were right. He’s a massive presence down low, and will have a Duncan (hell even KG) like effect on the Blazers. I don’t think he’ll have a great inside game, or much finesse. But he could average around 15 ppg simply by getting put-backs, alley-oops, and having good position down low and just dunking it.

by Ozzie Montana on Nov 18, 2008 1:09 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

Totally right about the offense

although he has the potential to make it happen. He’s smarter than your average big guy, and he knew enough to learn free throws. That’s pretty special. He may not be a natural offensive threat, but he could build himself into one. That might actually be a little more dangerous because if designed, it’s likely to be more effecient and effective. I don’t see why that wouldn’t happen. But, maybe give it three or four years.

I'm a really really ridiculously good looking orange mocha frappaccino drinking manhammer sandwich

by hobobob on Nov 18, 2008 2:02 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

He also seems to be a capable passer. It took Al Jefferson a few years to learn how to pass out of the block, but Oden seems to already get it.

by LarBrd33 on Nov 18, 2008 5:53 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

Nope

Not gonna happen. ROY requires digits and he has too much ground to make up, he won’t get the minutes needed to put those numbers until he gets in shape which will be in a month or longer, by then the other two will only be getting better.

by davemonsterband on Nov 18, 2008 10:00 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

lol

i love when someone makes a statement like this without basis and then a couple hours later is proven wrong. He’ll certainly get minutes. He was going to get 30+ and starters minutes before his little foot injury. They have been working him back off the bench.

Tonight: 30 minutes 22 points (8-12 shooting), 10 rebounds, 2 blocks, 2 assists 1 steal. I expect a lot more of this as the season progresses and he works his way back into shape. The guy is simply a monster. I’ve watched his last 3 games… he’s already a force on both ends. He doesn’t have post moves really, but he’s a monster in the same way Shaq was as a rookie. When he gets some mobility, agility and explosiveness back he’ll easily be getting 20 and 10 every night..

by LarBrd33 on Nov 19, 2008 3:10 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Damn, and I really wanted to see that game too!

I had to restrict my basketball gazing to just the 1st, 2nd and 4th quarters of the Celtics game last night and then had to do some work on the computer thereafter so I didn’t get to watch this game. Counds like he was a factor once again.

How did he look against Biedrins who is quickly becoming one of the better centers out west? I was really interested in that matchup.

by nickagneta on Nov 19, 2008 7:47 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs

He’s too big for Biedrins. He looked great again. His points/blocks/rebounds came at points in the game that mattered. It wasn’t like they were garbage time numbers. He’s just going to get better as the team figures out how to play with him. Brandon Roy had a couple drives to the hoop where he was able to find Oden. Those two seem to be developing a chemistry.

Also there were a couple plays where Rudy would just stand outside the three point line and dump it down low to oden… oden would back down and when Rudy’s defender slacked off to help, Oden found Rudy open for a wide open three. They tried this a couple times. They’d feed each other back and forth until Rudy had enough space and Oden could hit him. But I’m also noticing a lot of the Blazers having trouble getting Oden the ball down low and some forced turnovers, because they aren’t comfortable yet. That’ll all improve with time. They need to learn where to get Oden the ball. Once they do… look out. He’s getting better every game.

by LarBrd33 on Nov 19, 2008 11:55 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs

GS

I’m not proven wrong just yet my man, that’s one game, and I doubt he’ll be able to do that night in night out against the best C’s in the league. I’m not hating on him, but with such an unrefined game without possessing the pure bulk of a D12 or Shaq I just don’t think he’ll be able to stay as consistent as Mayo or Rose, and I think his numbers will suffer because of it. Foul trouble and conditioning for the big fella are going to be an issue. Golden State, it was Golden State.

by davemonsterband on Nov 19, 2008 4:06 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

dude have you watched him play since opening night? Lol.

He most certainly has the “pure bulk of D12 or Shaq”. He is playing pretty consistent right now. Easily will average a double-double.

He’s averaging 10 points, 7.7 rebounds and 2.5 blocks in 20.7 minutes and is noticeably getting better every game as he gets in better shape and his team gets more comfortable with him out there. He’s got “20/10” written all over him.

Dwight Howard averaged 10 points, 12 rebounds and 1.7 blocks as a rookie in 32.6 minutes.

If you project Oden’s early stats to 32.6 minutes (despite his first two horrible games) he’s averaging:

15.7 points, 12 rebounds and 4 blocks a game

The hype is legit.

by LarBrd33 on Nov 20, 2008 11:50 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Nope again.

Absolutely not. Against the worst centers in the league down low, he’s the best. Against real teams, he’s a moron whose only goal is to get as close to the basket to then figure out how he’s going to put it in the hole. He’s not that great man, he’s not, if you can’t see that to be honest I have no clue what you’re seeing cause I sure as heck don’t see it yet. He looks flat out dumb to me. He has the most potential in this draft, easily, but as for refined game, he’s close to laughable. Dribble, dribble, dribble, look up, oh yeah, I’m too deep under the basket, Pau Gasol just blocked me. Fun to watch, but laughable, like D12 but able to shoot free throws. Screw the hype, there’s a long way to go, but he’ll get there eventually. Like any bush league superstar, against the pansy west, stud, against the C’s, Det, Cle, dud. Wait and see.

by davemonsterband on Nov 21, 2008 11:12 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Haha, wow

You got real hateful there.

by shralpster on Nov 22, 2008 8:39 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Dave… what gives? Did Oden have an affair back in the 70s with a family member of yours?

Kid’s a rookie. He’s extremely impressive. I watched him struggle against Shaq, but who doesn’t? I think you lost credibility with this comment: “but as for refined game, he’s close to laughable. Dribble, dribble, dribble, look up, oh yeah, I’m too deep under the basket, Pau Gasol just blocked me.”

Gasol? Admit it… you haven’t watched him play since opening night against the Lakers. Come back when you’ve got a valid opinion.

He looks further along than Dwight as a rookie (but doesn’t have his athleticism, explosiveness or body control yet). Defensively he’s already superior to Al Jefferson.

by LarBrd33 on Nov 24, 2008 12:00 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

When I watch his game and I’m sitting around with the boys that’s exactly what I say, he looks absolutely terrible offensively. He has no concept of how to utilize his size, he has no footwork, he rests on his pivot and waits to spin, if that’s not there he has to reset because he’s massively unrefined. I say it’s laughable to me because I laugh when I watch him, I say he gets blocked down there by wimps and little dudes because he does, he brings the ball down too much. He has no touch around the basket, he has no go to move, he has no j, he has no up and under, he has no left hand. Brad Miller exploited that last night and many players will in the weeks to come. I can envision Leon drawing 3 offensive fouls on him in 10 minutes of play already.

That doesn’t mean there’s not a ton of upside, but right now, that’s how he looks. Yes, I watch, I’ve seen all but 2 of his games, he’s a presence, but far from an offensive talent. Defensively he’s a stud because of pure physical gifts but he has young Perkitus (fouls per minute), and that’s fine, he’s a rook.

This season, he won’t be consistent, he won’t put up big numbers, the discussion’s about ROY and he won’t come close and suggesting that’s even possible means to me people are too impressed by a guy being able to rip the rim off, and he has LMA and all those shooters, he’s a good fit in Portland because there are so many weak side threats but if he was somewhere you could afford to collapse on him at all I think he’d look like a massive bust this season.

I just hope he tries to pattern his game like Mr. Russell’s or Dikemebe’s instead of Shaq’s or Wilt’s, that’s what he’s built for IMO.

by davemonsterband on Nov 25, 2008 10:48 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs

He looks awesome to me. Even in that first game when he got hurt, he looked like an absolute beast going for rebounds and blocks. If he stays healthy he will get the minutes and numbers and of course he could win rookie of the year. He hasn’t missed that much. I love this guy, and yes he looks very much like shaq as a rookie. So athletic with so much power.

by moiso on Nov 19, 2008 9:13 AM EST reply actions 0 recs

Greg Oden has looked incredible.

Derrick Rose is putting up one heck of a case for RoY though. Tough battle for Oden to win.

by Who on Nov 19, 2008 9:25 AM EST reply actions 0 recs

this rookie class

is so amazing! Rose, Mayo, Beasley, Oden, Rudy, then surprises like Anthony Morrow and that Moube a moute fellow. Good year for the NBA for sure, especially after last years lackluster rookie class.

by 50backflips on Nov 21, 2008 1:41 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs

yep, rose looks awesome too. My prediction is that beasley will put up monster numbers eventually, but oden and rose will contribute more to winning teams. Great point guards and centers are more valuable than small power forwards in general.

by moiso on Nov 19, 2008 9:30 AM EST reply actions 0 recs

Let's not forget.....

O.J. Mayo.

He’s currently at 20.4 PPG, 4.5 RPG, 2.4 APG, 1.2 SPG while shooting nearly 45, 40 from 3 point land and 90% from the line.

I still say he will be the best pro from this current draft class.

But Oden was the best from last year’s class and I still say he wins ROY.

by nickagneta on Nov 19, 2008 10:27 AM EST reply actions 0 recs

He is getting WAY up on those dunks

and nearly every time anyone goes up right next to him, they get a facial. He is way quicker than I thought, and I already liked him. Nate will figure out how to get the offense working around him but some of those dunks were because Blazers drove and fired up wild shots up on the glass knowing the big guy was like a vacuum cleaner. It’ll be great for KG to play against him. KG could use the experience of watching a big guy go to the glass hard. It is literally his only weakness

by wahz on Nov 19, 2008 10:29 AM EST reply actions 0 recs

That Golden State Game didn't mean ANYTHING.

2 stats to bring up:
+/-
With Oden on the floor: -11
With Prybilla: +10 (tied for best in game)

This tells us that Oden’s stats were not an anomaly, and that he really messed up Portland’s mojo. He shared the a lot of his time with the starters.

TO’s

Oden: 5 (led team)

Reporter: About a year ago I asked about the Celtics-Lakers thing and you said you'd really only seen it on TV. Now you've been through it, can you talk about playing the Boston Celtics for the NBA championship?
Kobe: It Sucks.

by indeedproceed on Nov 19, 2008 4:14 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

indeed the +/- stats are ridiculous. It’s obvious that a guy who missed the major first part of the season, battling injuries and trying to play the first NBA games of his career would have a little sync issues with his team. I’ve seen Sergio Rodriguez turn the ball over at least 5 times in the last two games simply trying to get the ball to Oden. It’s a trial and error thing for them that they are trying to work out on the floor. A lot of Oden’s fouls have come on stuff like muscling for an offensive rebound or offensive fouls due to his mobility/footwork being off… or trying to chase down a bad pass from his teammates and bumping into someone. I wish there was a stat for this, because it seems that when Oden is defending a guy 1-on-1 he’s getting very few fouls… he’s surprisingly already a very competent defender. These aren’t “Al Jefferson”-esque fouls where he just can’t defend so he hacks.

And Oden’s turnovers will also drop as he gets more comfortable. A few of them have come from him getting the ball in a bad situation with two defenders on him. I’ve also seen him get “turnovers” three times on dunk attempts that were “stripped” (may have been fouls though).

As the team gets more comfortable with him out there… you’ll see the turnovers drop and the +/- level out.

by LarBrd33 on Nov 20, 2008 11:59 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Ridiculous?

Here is another view on Oden’s supposed breakout game. I think his future is bright, if he can stay healthy, but short of Portland winning the West, he is not going to have the #s to win ROY. Ask Al Horford about that.

http://myespn.go.com/blogs/truehoop/0-36-72/Greg-Oden-Arrived-.html?post=true

by KJ33 on Nov 20, 2008 2:56 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Yes… ridiculous.

I’ve read that article. It’s moronic.

by LarBrd33 on Nov 20, 2008 3:14 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

And I dunno if he’ll win ROY. Rose and Mayo are putting up great stats. Oden is statistically 5th behind Rose, Mayo, Morrow and Gasol… and he’s right ahead of Beasley.

Give him a couple weeks at this kind of production and he’ll be right on the tail of Rose. His per minute stats are far better than any rookie. I’m interested to see what he does with 35+ minutes.

by LarBrd33 on Nov 20, 2008 3:17 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

the plus/minus stats just mean he’s not in the flow yet, his teammates aren’t used to him, and he’s not in shape yet. Just looking at his tools, he looks physically incredible- along the lines of a young shaq or dwight howard.

by moiso on Nov 19, 2008 7:46 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

Another better than solid outing

I watched the Portland blowout of Chicago on ESPN last night and if that game was any indication of the ROY race, just give it to Oden. 11PTS, 10 REBS, 3 BLKS, in just 17 minutes. I just get the feeling we’ll be seeing box scores of 18 PTS, 21 REBS, and 7 BLKS a game with some FTs and assists thrown in for good measure before all is said and done.

by nickagneta on Nov 20, 2008 7:49 AM EST reply actions 0 recs

Yup… I see him getting a 20/20/10 at some point in his career.

by LarBrd33 on Nov 20, 2008 12:01 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Check out Rose's numbers in that game

1-8 for 6 points and 1 assist.

Awful game for Chicago in every way, so it isn’t a fair measure of Rose at all, but that kind of head-to-head comparison is the kind of thing that can influence some ROY voters.

The most amazing thing about my amazing ego is I have amazingly little about which to be egotistical.
The pick and roll this year will emphasize "roll" followed by "dunk", followed by the wailings and lamentations of your women.

by jscot on Nov 21, 2008 3:10 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Absolute physical beast. I just finished watching it on dvr. So strong/quick/long going for rebounds. I love him. Can’t wait to see him get comfortable then bang against Howard! If he stays healthy he’s definitely a superstar to build a team around and potentially win championships with depending on the “supporting cast”.

by moiso on Nov 20, 2008 8:08 AM EST reply actions 0 recs

Oden has every defensive tool you could ask for. If he develops an offensive awareness then he can be dominate like Howard. Remember Howard does not have a solid shot but does understand exactly where to be.

Edward in Ohio still remembers #35

by OhioGreen17 on Nov 20, 2008 5:57 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

im sold

not because of two solid back to back games but just the aspects of this beast. The hardest thing to learn in the nba is how to play defense, he has the size, strength and ability to be one of the best defensive centers the game has seen.

having said this, he is still not in NBA shape, and probably wont be for a year or two (look at al jefferson and perk) its common sense that 19-20 year olds havent finished growing into their body. Also oden had trouble getting up and down the floor which will be something i will be watching as he improves his stamina and shape.

he shoots ft’s well for a big man and will learn some low post moves, or enough to make someone have to guard him, if his size isn’t a good enough reason as it stands.

by HoustonRondos on Nov 20, 2008 6:29 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

The guy is coming off Microfracture

He hasn’t played much basketball. Once he gets in shape, gets comfortable, his teammates learn to space a little better and stops thinking and starts playing on instinct, he’s going to be a beast.

Witty Unpredictable Talent and Natural Game

by iDea on Nov 21, 2008 1:51 AM EST reply actions 0 recs

WOW!

You guys are Celtics fans?! I see more scepticism about Oden on Blazers Edge than in this thread. Great to see some objective viewers in awe of Greg. You are SOOO much cooler than L*ker homers!!!

I agree with many of your viewpoints…he’s still getting in shape, and the team is still getting used to having him in the lineup. If both of those issues are resolved by the All Star break, I think the Blazers have a chance to win 55+ games. Granted, I’m a homer, but still…the schedule gets MUCH easier in the 2nd half of the season, and they aren’t doing too shabby right now. If he truly dominates and the team truly excels, he should be a shoe-in for ROY.

For the record, I’m rooting for a repeat this year. KG has been one of my favorite NBA players for years, and I have mucho respect for Pierce.

by fart on Nov 21, 2008 12:40 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

odens presence

is helping open things up for przybilla ,his ofensive production has gone up signifacantly since greg has come back. combined offense from the center position has been pushing 25pts a game.with 20 rbs.joels points last game was 14pts.

by 2phattoplay on Nov 21, 2008 1:38 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

From Blazers Edge

Cool perspective from non-blazer fans.

To be fair, I think he still looks ugly out there. He’s raw, his team and him aren’t in sync yet. Athletically he’s not as explosive or quick as I’d like him to be. that said, it’s amazing to me that he’s doing as well (statwise) as he is. I had predicted that, 20 games after return from ankle, we’d see the real Oden minus rust.

I’m biased, but I believe Oden is 100% legit. If a guy can put up his stats when looking like a Pinto out there, just imagine what he can do when he’s starting to look like a Ferrari.

Greg Oden, where posters happen.

by ratbastird on Nov 21, 2008 4:27 PM EST reply actions 0 recs