Our new Greg Oden policy
Feel free to comment on his play when appropriate. But we have a few commenters (you know who you are) on this site who delight in getting everyone’s dander up by calling Oden a bust or a failure. I’ve let it go because it has kind of amused me that their continued weak offerings have brought such vitriolic responses.
But I’m calling a halt to the whole idea of further comments on him being a bust. It’s become an unproductive waste of time and bandwidth. Anyone with half a brain watching that game last night could see the potential and what he brings to the team at both ends of the court. The guy still isn’t close to where you want him to be on offense, but he’s a huge weapon because of his size. On defense, when he gets a little more comfortable and avoids the cheap fouls (and when the coach plays him in a manner that commands respect from the officials) he’s a game-changer.
So go ahead, if he plays a bad game — say so (if you’re making sense). But I’m weary of the attacks on his long-term potential and of the suggestions Portland shouldn’t have taken him No. 1 in the draft.
Sometimes, you just have to protect people from their own stupidity.
NBA, Trail Blazers | Dwight Jaynes | March 24, 2009
blog rules, bust, commenters, Dwight Jaynes, Greg Oden, Portland Trail Blazers
Thank you for doing that. I believe everyone is entitled to their opinion but it was getting a little on the obnoxious side. I was an Oden doubter for awhile this season but I was amazed at how quick he looked last night and how he changed the game on the defensive end. He picked up fouls but how many of those were for covering Blake or Sergio? I counted at least 3. I hope for the Blazers future success that Greg puts it all together.
What’s interesting is when he picks up those silly fouls it seems to almost always be on a switch to a much smaller guy. Everytime I see this happen I blame the other guy for not fighting over the pick, but why doesn’t this situation seem to happen as often with Joel out there? What’s he doing differently?
Our stupidity lies in the expectations we have on Oden. Where ever they may come from (“Can I blame the media?”), they are there. He would be perceived in a different light if picked sixth instead of first, or twelfth, etc. He’s a solid big man, with a couple years to learn the pro-game.
I must ask, did Sam Bowie go through this kind of mental challenge too? (Not to mention his bad knees…..)
I’ve said it all year, but when Greg stays out of foul trouble he is an absolute monster. If he plays 25+ minutes it is an almost guaranteed double double. The foul issues are definitely frustrating, but that is something that comes with experience. If he can average 10 points a game when his offensive game is this unpolished, man the future is exciting. His rebounding, especially offensive, is absolutely incredible.
G.O. is already a huge factor when he plays, time will only make him better. GO BLAZERS!!
Greg is alot like Andre the Giant. He’s huge, but friendly and unassuming for the size he is. Like a giant teddy bear. ‘cept when you piss him off he can tear your limbs off and eat your relatives.
The future looks bright in P-town.
Wecker — Sam didn’t have this kind of scrutiny. He had a real promising rookie season and that took a lot of heat off. It was only later he took a lot of scorn. This compares more to Bill Walton, who took a ton of abuse for his injuries and his political activism.
– Dwight
If people can not talk bad about ODEN, What will Franklin and Bob whitsett do with their Afternoons ?
Great policy Dwight, Oden deserves more or the same.
Bowie most likely was saved from the scrutiny because of the lack of message boards and blogs in the 80′s. Had average “joe” fan been able to go on his computer after a dissapointing loss or another Bowie injury, to vent his frustrations, I assume he would have been scrutanized just as much.
Oden is the real deal, and I think the point Dwight made last week about Gregs microfracture not being completely healed yet is a good one. Last night he looked faster, and far more athletic than at any other time this season. How could that be possible after missing a month and still suffering with a fracture in his knee? Only answer I can come up with is that microfracture is getting closer to 100%.
I can’t wait to see his development through the summer and into next season.
Oden had a nice game against Philly. I think he’s much more comfortable coming off the bench — lowered expectations and less pressure. He does have the size to be a presence in the paint. And his rebounding technique isn’t bad at all. The jury’s still out on the will and intensity, but it was a nice run for him and there’s hope, at least.
By the way, Bill Walton is spending months recovering from back surgery right now so the fans might have moved onto a new center to hassle about injuries, but Bill is still paying for his time in the NBA.
One aspect of Greg Oden that I haven’t heard: The refs have to get used to what he can do. It seems like some of his fouls including one last night for sure, are the result of quick mobility that the refs aren’t used to seeing yet. When they review the tapes, they’ll start appreciating some of these great plays that they see as fouls.
In a previous game, Greg met a guard around 15 feet from the rim, then the guard alley-ooped a pass to a player behind Greg. By the time the player was ready to dunk, Greg was with him and blocked the shot. I’m not sure the refs can believe their eyes sometimes when Greg covers this much ground so quickly. I know I can’t.
I think the difference between Joel and Greg when switching on a screen and being left to defend a guard has to do with Greg defending the guard like you or I would defend a guard. He gets down low, tries to move laterally and not let him pass, then picks of a foul when the guard uses his superior speed to out-quick him. Joel on the other hand will just hang back and dare a guard to try to shoot over him. This method usually leads to either the guard jumping into him to pick up the foul, getting his shot blocked, or passing out of it. All three of which seem much more productive than picking up silly blocking or touch fouls that Greg gets in trouble with.
The thing that surprised me the most last night was Odens quickness. I think he’s more comfortable feeling that maybe the injury probs are behind him, and that confidence factor is showing the real Greg.
Last night was the first time that he didn’t look slow to me. It got me really excited for the future.
While all of you are raving about Greg’s game last night just remember that his numbers were very similar to Sam Bowie’s averages for his entire rookie year. A year that he played in 76 games for Portland. Just a little perspective for you.
Also, since the pro-GO crowd likes to use OKC’s record to dismiss Durant, it’s appropriate to point out that Greg’s efforts led Portland to defeat last night as well.
I’m curious to better understand what Dwight Jaynes meant when he suggested that Coach McMillan needs to better “play [Oden] in a manner that commands respect from officials”.
What does that mean?
Granted Portland lost the game last night. But without Greg, there would have not been an overtime. Portland would’ve gotten their clock cleaned. When he was out of the game, Philly was getting to the rim at will. When he is in there, he changes the game for the other team. The rest of the roster needs to learn to play with him. This season its not going to happen. I still think we probably lose in the first round. But give these guys a whole summer to work together, and I think next year this team could be really dangerous.
Buford — last night was a great example. Oden got two quick fouls in the first half and Nate immediately removed him and didn’t use him again until the second half. I think there are certain times that you have to go with the player — show the player and the referees that you feel the guy knows how to avoid that third foul. Rather than showing fear he’s going to get into foul trouble — which can become a self-fulfilling prophecy. What you want to do is put the onus back on the referee to have to make that call. Often, they won’t.
What I LIKED about the officiating last night, by the way, is that they let them play. Javie’s crews usually do. In the long run, that will serve the Blazers and Oden well — they should strive to be the kind of big, physical team that thrives in that kind of game.
– Dwight
Oden needs to work on his fouls.
The team needs to work on feeding him in the post.
The coach needs to work on keeping him out of pick and rolls.
The hype around Oden was real. The timeline of his development was not.
CVD2312, you are on the money bro. I am a big G.O. fan and I have looked at his numbers this year and when he has played 30+ minutes per game, he’s averaged 15ppg and 13rebs. In 12 games prior to his most recent injury, he averaged 12ppg and 8.5rpg. Those are all solid numbers for a rookie. All he has to do now is learn to stay out of foul trouble. His offensive game will come as along he’s able to stay on the floor. IMO, he’s running with more fluidity than he did in the early part of the season. His lateral quickness is better and he seems faster. I think more than anything, he’s starting to see a full recovery in the micro fracture knee. I actually think he might be more effective in the playoffs because the officials have a tendency to let more stuff go concerning cheap fouls. Dwight, I’m glad you posted this entry. It’s exhausting to read the ignorant, negative posts about G.O. being a bust. Those people are entitled to their opinion but when somebody is just posting that crap for effect, it’s stupid. Greg Oden needs time. He needs at least two years. He looked good last night and his best has yet to come.
Jeff, if you think Greg looked good last night then you would have loved Sam Bowie as he put up those type of numbers he entire rookie year. Don’t believe me? Go look it up.
Franklin — you’re using that like some kind of putdown. It isn’t. If Sam hadn’t been hurt, he was on his way to being a perennial all-star. Portland would have won a couple of titles, too. It was an injury problem in that case, not a talent problem.
– Dwight
It’s not about the numbers. I watched the game. I saw his impact. I watched as he turned away players in the lane over and over again. I watched him go to the rim and dunk with the game in the balance.
You can keep the boxscore, I’ll trust in watching the game itself.
Franklin, Shut up.
To date, Oden is a disappointment. For a No. 1 pic he hasn’t delivered due to injuries. I hope he can get past these early injuries and have a long productive career. He’s not a bust, but he’s going down a road where you wonder if the guy will ever reach his potential. I have hunch he’ll be hurt most of his career.
Pessimism just induces the kind of fear and hopeless that no one can live off of.
Greg is the real deal. I believe it will come to fruition in about 2 to 3 years as he develops more and the team with him. Especially Roy and Aldridge
Some of we GO supporters know we’re being jabbed, but attempt to respond intelligently anyway.
It does seem as though it’s past time for the roughly 50% of fans who wanted Durant over Oden to either accept Oden as a Blazer or change team allegiance.
Dwight you are right. With Sam it was an injury problem. With Greg it is both. Most of us can see that, some of you can’t I guess.
Franklin, you have no idea what you are talking about, and Dwight basically told you that in a nice way.
Dwight, I think another way that Nate can use GO to command respect is to actually run some of the offense through him. Granted, GO’s game isn’t polished on the offensive end, and he will throw up some real clunkers, but give the guy some touches for crying out loud.
I am totally amazed that Nate ran an isolation play for Brandon at the end of regulation. His shot was off, and he seemed out of sorts. There would be no miracle shot on that night.
Penetrate and kick, man!
Kilntym — you’ll get no argument on that touches thing from me. Have been screaming about it all year. Yup, it will be ugly at times, but he’s going to get better. And you can’t wait too long to establish him as an offensive threat. He needs to get the ball and it will pay big dividends later.
– Dwight
Franklin, I did watch Sam put up those numbers during his rookie year and I did enjoy it. No need to look it up.
Another thing I watched was the ceremony to pick the order in the lottery. Oden can’t be a disappointment because we were incredibly lucky to win that pick. How come that part of the story is just accepted and forgotten? We’ve been dealt good fortune here, so why seek out a way to be miserable about it?
I was really happy to see Nate leave Greg in there last night with five fouls. He took him out for what, a half a minute with four minutes left, and seemed apparent that he knew what a difference he was making and put him back in. Just too bad he didn’t have enough to sustain that energy through the end of OT. Soon enough… that was a lot of playing time for him last night.
Franklin, we’ve had enough. You sound silly and we’re laughing at you. Additional posts just make you look even more silly.
Facts:
Greg has foul issues that keep him from playing a whole game.
Greg has injury issues that keep him from playing a whole season.
Greg does not have size, strength or skill issues.
Watch out for Oden next year, right away. His agility still looks far, far away from where it was even in the summer league here while he was sick. They say those who come back from the micro surgery are not the same for their first season back…..remember Zack? He looked fine, but the next year and every year thereafter was a whole step above where he was that first 2/3 season or so back.
Greg is already good, physically. Dwight is right that most of his improvement will be made in other ways, but I say: watch for him to dramatically improve PHYSICALLy. Scary thought.
Side note: Dwight, you are so right about the charge issue. He is a beastly shot-blocker, but he picked up a blocking foul on a 6’2″ guy who is 33 years old. Come on! If there was ever a play screaming for a blocked shot, that was it….
lol@Franklin
I think it’s safe to assume that any deleted posts from you offer us nothing new or interesting. I read this blog every day and you spout the same tired opinions all the time. I don’t think anybody cares to read it anymore. Good riddance.
It is our great fortune to have two very good centers. Most NBA teams feel lucky if they have one decent one, but we have two!!!
When we get both Greg and Joel more involved offensively in the low post, that is when we can elevate to a 55-60 win team
Greg got a rousing ovation last night. The people have spoken. He is LOVED here, and everyone who knows anything about basketball can already see he is key if we are to win championships
He is young, and has only played one year of college…Once he becomes NBA savvy, the sky is the limit
Hear hear – or here here – or whatever. That was an impressive game from Oden. I found myself wishing Nate would just leave him in the game and let him foul out. It seemed like he got a bit better about not getting fouls when he had five of them – and perhaps some of it was that the zebras got a little less willing to give him his sixth foul.
He had some great moves.
I wonder how much of Paul’s money it would take to get someone like Olajuwon or D. Robinson to come to Portland for the summer and work with Greg? He gets a couple decent offensive moves and there will be what… one or two guys in the league that can even try to stop him?
Franklin: You are one of those guys that try to stir the pot for your own entertainment. Dwight politely requested the Oden bashing stop. What don’t you understand?
World World World World World World World World World World World World World World World World World World World World World World World World FRANKLIN World World World World World World World World World World World World World World World World World World World World World World World World World
Barry, this is the reason Franklin doesn’t get it. It is his view of how things work. Let’s all just ignore him. He will go away, but he will be like herpes and come back every so often.
There is a lot of talk about Greg getting cheap fouls, but Pryz also had 4 fouls last night too, right? Joel picked up a couple of cheapies too.
I think the big story here is Greg’s attitude over the past few games. He really seems to be having a lot of fun out there. Ya, the loss wasn’t fun, but the game sure was, and Greg seemed to really enjoy it.
I am salivating at the idea that the Blazers could have Greg and Martell healthy for the playoffs. I know there is talk of Martell coming back somehow hurting the team chemistry, but I don’t think that will be the case. Like Greg, Martell will be happy to be getting some playing time. Besides, I don’t see his outside shot hurting the team in the least.
Man, this is fun, isn’t it? The tight playoff race. Greg emerging. Martell fighting for a comeback. Playing Denver at the end of the season. Good stuff.
Greg Oden is a disappointment. He’s the No. 1 pick and he’s been OK. He has had injuries and unfortunately that has slowed his development to this point. Do I think he can turn it around? Maybe, the guy is seemingly brittle. I also don’t get his emotional funk that he seems to be. He needs to get over it and start being an NBA player.
The No.1 pick in the draft should dominate, ands to date that hasn’t happened on a consistent basis.
Greg was tantalizing last night.But please can we see this every night ?
THAT looked like the number 1 rookie playing.
Thanks for the feedback, Dwight. Your point makes sense.
I do feel like there have been times this season when Oden would have been better served staying on the floor with fouls and learning to play through it – both with himself and the referees.
That said, Oden has a penchant for picking up at least 1-2 dumb fouls a game that is really infuriating to watch. The kid needs to learn when he’s beat and just concede the basket.
Either that or he should be mugging people down low so that at least if he’s going to pick up the foul, he should punish opponents.
But I’m in total agreement that McMillan needs to give Oden more free reign. And run the offense through him at least 2-3 times a game – even if Oden throws up some ugly stuff (like that ugly hook he threw up in the waning minutes of the game last night).
Marc, the only thing disappointing is your expectations of a 20-21yr old kid dominating in a mans league from day one, ‘consistently’. Was Dwight Howard a disappointment for his 1st few yrs? All the hype about Oden was true, people just have the timeline all wrong. Let him develop at his own speed and stop expecting immediant results.
Dwight I agree completely with your assessment of how Nate plays Oden. I’ve gotten so frustrated seeing Greg get taken out after 2 fouls in the first half when he has a nice rhythm going. Let him stay in and deal with it!