Greg Oden had to go through this year’s rookie transition program and while there, was the subject of a New York Times story in which Howard Beck said this about him:

Such is the story of Oden’s year. He is a celebrity, but not yet a star; an able entertainer, but not yet on the basketball court; a curiosity looming just off the N.B.A. radar, still waiting to make a splash 15 months after Portland made him the top pick in the 2007 draft. The breathless hype that first accompanied his arrival has been muted by misfortune.

Oden has a charisma about him that has elevated him above so many other players, without yet playing in a game. But if he can play like everyone thinks he can, and stay healthy, his personality will inevitably make him the biggest Trail Blazer star ever.

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One Response to “Greg Oden: celebrity, entertainer, curiosity… star?”

1. Ben says:

   September 6, 2008 at 6:44 pm

   “A year ago, Oden seemed ready to buckle under the hype machine that follows top draft picks.”

   I thought that line from Beck was… interesting.

   A figment of his imagination or did I completely miss the buckling?