[mikeyvthedonParticipant]

Most of the responses I will get from this will be jokes about the following:

 

Greg Oden’s injuries, how old he looks, His riding Snuffteupagus and bashing him for being taken over Kevin Durant.

 

So, now that we have those out of the way, I am hoping not to get all of the same stupid (usually ignorant, though sometimes funny) comments as always. This is not about Greg coming back this year, because it seems like that is not happening:

 

http://sports.yahoo.com/blogs/nba-ball-dont-lie/greg-oden-not-even-healthy-enough-knee-surgery-232359862.html#more-14672

 

Still, Greg will be an unrestricted free agent and all indication seems to be that he eventually will be able to play again. Expectations will obviously be tempered and he no longer will be close to being thought of as a potential franchise player, as he was when he was drafted in 2007.

 

Now, the injuries will obviously be a major concern. He has missed close to three years of NBA basketball. There is no guarantee when he will come back or if he can stay healthy. The only indication we have to rely on, the past shows us that this has not been able to stay healthy. My thing is, would you still not take the gamble for the chance to have a healthy Greg Oden?

 

I am sure I will hear “he can’t stay healthy”. Well, while Greg’s career up to this point proves you right, there is no indication this guy is through. The two players he is unfortunately grouped with, Bill Walton and Sam Bowie, also missed full seasons for injuries much more debilitating than Greg’s. They both came back and were productive players.

 

Bill Walton actually missed basically three full seasons from ages 27-30. He also missed the 78-79 season when he would have been 26. Than, he was able to come back to play 3 productive years for the Clippers and be an excellent 6^th man for the Celtics ’86 title team.

 

As we all know (or should know), Sam Bowie missed two full seasons in between his sophomore and junior years at Kentucky. He played 139 games up to the age of 27, but ended up playing 372 afterwards from ages 28-33. From the ages of 28-30, Bowie averaged 14.2 ppg, 8.7 rpg and 1.6 bpg as the New Jersey Nets starting center.

 

Think in this day in age, those would be considered solid numbers. Over his first 4 seasons, he had averages of 10.5, 8.1 and 2.5, showing that he still was able to make an impact after missing the 1987-88 season (when he was traded to New Jersey).

 

Greg Oden is not Bill Walton or Sam Bowie. But, my point is, both of these guys came back to be productive NBA centers after being hurt and missing time. It is my belief that Greg Oden could do the same thing. He just turned 24 and I have heard next to nothing about his possible retirement. Every major injury he has had is something that you potentially come back from. I think he comes back and makes some noise.

 

To me, I think Greg needs a change of scenery. I always wanted to see him succeed on the Blazers, but I think he will look to move on for good reason. Say what you want about the money he has made, he has to be hurting with everything that has happened. I hurt for him and it has not even happened to me, so I can only imagine how Greg feels.

 

So, with this being said, I do not think you can in your right mind offer Greg much more than a 2-year deal at this point. Any more than that is probably too much of a gamble. Still, I think that he will garner MLE offers and could get more. Still, it is possible he could take less money for a year to prove his worth. For a big guy, you usually are willing to gamble. Especially if you think you have a good one.

 

Now, I have heard a lot of people say that Greg Oden is a back-up quality center and prognosticating numbers for him that are way off what he has done for his career. Bill Walton and Sam Bowie may not have been as good as they were before they were hurt, but their impact did not take a complete swan dive.

 

Greg Oden, over 82 games, has averaged of 9.4 ppg, 7.3 rpg and 1.4 bpg in 22.1 minutes per game. Of course you have the foul issues and slightly high TO numbers. You also get 57.7% shooting and 66.6% from the line. Plus before Greg went down in 2009-10, the guy was showing flashes. 11.1 ppg, 8.5 rpg and 2.3 bpg in 23.9 minutes. His fouls were dropping and his already solid percentages were up.

 

This leads me to my next point, which is that I believe if you can get Greg Oden, he could potentially be one of the better centers in the league. If you can get 60 games and the play-offs out of Greg, it could pay off big time for a contending team. I have said time and time again, you can’t box him out. His offensive game may be limited and a tad mechanical, but he is a much better offensive option than DeAndre Jordan, JaVale McGee and Joakim Noah when he is on the court.

 

I am not saying he is a better option than these players, as they are healthy. But, he most certainly can own them on the court when or if he comes back. Don’t believe me? Here are my testimonials:

 

Greg Oden vs. DeAndre Jordan:

http://bkref.com/tiny/jAQIj

 

Greg Oden vs. JaVale McGee:

http://bkref.com/tiny/A3ARI

 

Greg Oden vs. Joakim Noah:

http://bkref.com/tiny/4HjYs

 

I will say, I watched that game against DeAndre Jordan. Jordan may have been 3 for 3, but Greg was 7 for 7. Greg dominated him, much like Andrew Bynum did the game before where he went off for 42 including 17-24 FG.  I do not know what he has against Joakim Noah (well, can think of a few things), but he flat out destroyed him every game they went up against each other.

 

If you use Greg’s career statistics as an indication, he was good for a double double if he played 30 minutes per game. I have a feeling he would not even need that, not to mention he was a disruptive defender and great offensive rebounder. These are trends you want from a center, especially in the play-offs.

 

The people I see that might be able to battle with Greg would be Dwight Howard, Andrew Bynum, Marc Gasol and Tyson Chandler right now. That is not a long list, and most of the rest of the list would more than likely be destroyed. That is why I personally think that it would be a really good idea for a team on the brink of contending sign Greg Oden. It is a gamble, but he is the kind of player who could make it pay off big time.

 

If you look at the stats Aamir posted here:

 

http://www.nbadraft.net/forum/center-position-back

 

Think where Oden stands on a per minute basis. Conditioning could be a slight concern, but if Greg can play half of the game, his production is on par with the best centers in the league. He is still a rare player not based on how often he is injured, but the fact that if you can get two or more years of a healthy Greg Oden, big things can happen for your team.

 

As history shows, guys can return from there things to be very productive. The waiting is the hardest part, as Tom Petty says. We really have no idea when Greg Oden will come back and how ready he will be to play when he does after such a long hiatus from the game.

 

I know what most of you think of Greg Oden and I doubt this will change your perception on how reliable of an option he is. What I wanted to point out is, if he comes back, he could make a major impact. All I have heard is about him working hard to come back, so I think he will be in shape whenever he does.

 

I would lean to take the gamble and I think that he could make a bad team potentially good and a good team potentially great. Until I hear, “Greg Oden retires”, I have faith in his ability if he gets on the court. Other injured players have done so and I just have a feeling we have not seen the last of Greg Oden playing in NBA games.

 

[BlazermannParticipant]

Damn that dude was right your post are crazy long

[HaleParticipant]

 He’d be a great gamble for pretty much any team. 

[mikeyvthedonParticipant]

I just love hearing all about it! Read my profile and find out how I feel about these comments from people I don’t know. Do not get why people find this observation still funny or worthwhile. If it is too long for you to read it or you dislike learning things about the topic, don’t read it. 

[GrandmamaParticipant]

He’s the ideal guy the Heat can gamble on.  It’s a shame he’s got the body of a 60 year old.  I really think he’d be a top 3 center in the league today if he had stayed healthy, ranking behind Howard and Bynum among centers.

[Tongue-Out-Like-23Participant]

As Buckshot said, the Heat should gamble on him, they’ve got nothing to lose anyway, they always fill the rest of the roster with sh!tty players I’ve never heard of… Mickell Gladness and Terrel Harris?

[Scottoant93Participant]

 If he plays for the blazers this season i say give him limited minutes and slowy increase them bringing him along slowy would be the option so less risk of reinjury and see what he can do.

Most likely blazers wont resign and if i was Oden i would sign with the suns, they have a magical training staff and they is exactly what he needs, if hes at full strength i think he can still have an impact and niche a nice career. Its a big gamble, but suns work wonders(ask hill,redd,shaq) and will definately be a win win situation since lopez seems to be falling out of favor he could easily backup gortat maybe eventually take the starting job if he still has some of that potential.

[BlazermannParticipant]

Actually I find You to be a good poster and I would of said something about the post but I’m tired of speaking about Greg, all I want to see is him play! Nothing more nothing less I just wanna see him have a career even if it’s not a great one

[paradigmnParticipant]

dang…I was just going to say the SUNS can keep ODEN alive (athough Suns have no need for him)…There goes my post…How bout a ODEN WALKS video then…

[Kinguy11Participant]

 If the NBA was poker, signing Greg Oden on a long term contract is going all in. You could win everything or go bust.

[Scottoant93Participant]

 ^^^^haha my bad i was shocked no one mentioned it earlier, make the post you were going to make you make some nice detailed posts and in sure people would enjoy it more then mine haha

[PabloFiascoParticipant]

Oden is very talented its a shame how feeble his body has been. If healthy dude could easily come back and be a top 10 center in the league.

[sheltwon3Participant]

I think people forget how Tyson Chandler basically missed 3 years either injured or playing less than 100 percent before being traded to Dallas and winning a Championship ring.Camby used to have injury problems early in his career too and that is why he got traded to the Knicks like 10 years ago.  I think Greg Oden will come back at some point and will play for a team that hopefully will not be the BLAZERS>
 

The Blazers are a bad fit for him. I would love to see him go down to ATL.  I think that would make them legit as a championship contender.

[CoachWorthyParticipant]

the Grizzly’s would be the best place. He would be united with with Conley. There’s at least 12 years of chemistry between the two. Coditioning was a issue with Oden even when he is healthy though. He always had baby fat and because its a knee issue he cant treadmill it off. Whatever team picked up Oden, there will be plenty of suitor’s, should have a pure point guard or a guy who can at least pretend to be one. Whoever Nash, Paul, Irving, Lin, Rubio plays for would be great. Wouldn’t it just be great in Kahn gave him a 5 year deal in Minny? If he plays 70 games a year and win one championship, Kahn is a top 10 GM of alltime. 

[PurpleMonkeyDishwasherParticipant]

For me as far a Greg Oden is concerned it would depend on such things as how much would it cost/how many years/who are the other choices at the time other than Oden and are you taking minutes away from a potentially developing player? 

And is his contract still insurable after everything he’s been through. 

When teams wait for a players such as Oden thinking they can/will get healthy it can lead to missing opportunities to bring in suitable replacements via freeagency since another top player may not want to sign with Portland or another team if they think Oden might be in the way of future playing time.

[Knicksboy42Participant]

 Indiana is my pick. I think the one thing Oden needs now more then ever is family around him.

[r377Participant]

I just think he needs complete rest and rehab instead of trying to come back.

Greg you are still young, wrap yourself in cotton wool for 18-24 months, then start to come back.  I know he is itching to play and prove himself but he needs to not step on a court for 18-24 months.

It is a shame when any sports star gets injured but to have it happen so early in his career is just plain nasty….

[HadzialijagicParticipant]

I chuckle when people say if Greg Oden wouldve stayed healthy he wouldve been a top 10 center in the league. No question if he wouldve stayed healthy he wouldve been top 3 center and he could battle Dwight Howard for number 1. Greg Oden was so big and talented it was crazy. Look at his Nbadraft.net profile, they compare him to a mix of David Robinson and Bill Russell hahah.

[HadzialijagicParticipant]

 Anybody know if the Pistons have a chance at signing him? This sounds so Joe Dumars and its the kind of risk the pistons need to take.

[Krypt14Participant]

 I had my basketball days cut short by injuries.I hope Greg can play again, both because he seems like a gentleman and because I know how it feels to be injured. If he had stayed healthy the top 2 centres in the league would be Dwight and Greg as an interchangeable 1A and 1B.

[PurpleMonkeyDishwasherParticipant]

as per yahoo.com:  Portland Trail Blazers Acting GM Chad Buchanan said Friday that center Greg Oden is still not clear for surgery on his left knee because of the ankle blood clots. "Nothing new," he said. "The doctors in Colorado are addressing his blot clot and once that is complete Greg will have the surgery on his left knee."

Friday marks two weeks since Oden’s right knee surgery. The Blazers had said repeatedly the plan was for Oden to undergo left knee surgery within 10 days to two weeks.

 

[TallmanNYCParticipant]

 Wow what an idea to sign Oden to a long term contract. It really would be like going all in. Let’s say you offer Oden five years at $25 million guaranteed. Does anyone beat that? If he comes back and fully recovers, you would have a man mountain in the middle for $5 million a year. That would revolutionize a team. Stacked teams even the Heat or Oklahomo could squeeze another salary like that in. It would be scary. 

But, I think it is too much of a gamble. The injury history is just too continuous. There is probably a good chance that Oden has already lost a lot of athelticism and there is also a chance that he will just continue to get injured and he is heading toward just not being able to play anymore. But man, the balls on the GM who decides to go all in with a long-term Oden contract. That would be betting the franchise.  

[IndianaBasketballParticipant]

It takes time for a blood clot to dissolve. You really can’t rush it. I’m sure he’s on blood thinners, etc. It just takes time though. It’d be dumb to go in and have another surgery. This is the reason he has the blood clot to begin with. With all of the surgeries he’s had, they should’ve been pre-cautious and put him on blood thinners anyway before the surgery.

The blood clot is down in his ankle, but it’s no joke. It can kill you if it pops. He needs to take his time. Basketball is the last thing he should be worried about right now. There is life after ball. He’s done all he can.

I feel for him because he puts high expectations on himself. He was used to being the best at every level and just used to being "THAT" dude. This has been harder for him than anybody else. And I know everybody says it, but he really is a great guy. He’d probably do anything to help anyone and really does work hard. He doesn’t half ass anything. Just sad…

But I pray he gets back.

[mikeyvthedonParticipant]

I agree that he should absolutely focus on his health. I know how serious blood clots are and I think it is honestly a little messed up that they were ripping on him for being "too unhealthy to have surgery". To me, Greg should focus on trying to do what is best for himself and forget about trying to get back as soon as possible. This process has to be excruciatingly painful for him in so many ways. 

The thing I dislike is people acting like he would be a bust or would not be an impact player. If he ever does, I think there is little way that he will not play some major impact role on a team. Obviously he will not be Kevin Durant, but I think people forget how good Greg Oden was as a prospect. Honestly, he was THAT kind of big man, the one that could challenge a guy like Dwight Howard and throw smaller people around like Tyson Chandler did in the play-offs last year. Really hope he takes care of himself and I definitely carry hope he may one day play again.

[HitsterParticipant]

Blood clots can be very serious even fatal so Greg cannot risk any surgery until they have cleared up.I wonder if any team might look to give him a deal with every year after the first one a team option, that way the downside would be very limited.

[DunksNJordans23Participant]

 Can this joke just stop and send Oden to the Suns already. They fixed Grant Hill  who is now 39 and looks like he could play keep playing if he/any team wants to sign him, Steve Nash is still playing like a 25 year old leading the planet is assists (again) and shooting 55% (although his shots are pretty low), and Amar’e still has a career after those knee surgeries which would have ended many other players chances of getting on the court ever again. Trade Oden to the Suns for Robin Lopez and Josh Childress. Sorry for Childress’s contract Portland 🙁

[aamir543Participant]

 I hope he can come back healthy, but let’s not have sky high expectations IF he does indeed come back.

Even if he comes back at the start of the 2012 season, than that’s 3 whole years away from basketball. 3 years is a long time, and that’s also 3 years off of his development. Hopefully he can get everything right, but he needs to be aware of his longterm health too.

Just a thought, let’s say Perkins continues to stink it up, maybe he goes to OKC, knowing that he wouldn’t need to do much other than grab boards and play D, same situation in Miami, and Philly.

[HaleParticipant]

 The longer he is out, the more I realize what an amazing prospect he was.

[IndianaBasketballParticipant]

When I tore my ACL and had surgery, I caught a blood clot in my calf. I had to take medicine for like 2-3 weeks (lovenox shots in the stomach) and then was on blood thinners (warfarin) for like SEVEN months just to make sure it completely dissolved. Oh and I couldn’t eat most green foods during the seven months because the Vitamin K actually makes the blood clot more.

And when that clot was in my calf, it hurt like a biatch. I felt like two body builders tied a rope around my calf and was just squeezing it… Playing tug of war or something. The lovenox shots took the pain away after about one week though.

The fact Oden has caught a blood clot means he’ll probably have to take blood thinners (warfarin) for the rest of his life whenever he is on long flights, etc because its’ easier to get a blood after your first one. And he’ll always be put on blood thinners if he has another surgery.

They’re right to take they’re time with this. There’s no reason to rush this kid back for the season. Let him get healthy. Clean up the other knee and he should be ready to go to start next season. IF he’s not healthy then, then he probably needs to start working on becoming that dentist he always wanted to be lol.

[JoeWolf1]

 If Chicago loses Asik to free agency, I think Oden would be a great pick up to play a similar role.  I feel giving him tons of minutes right off the bat would be a bad idea, but he is a really imposing guy on the defensive end and I think playing 10-20 minutes for the Bulls in that same role Asik has would be great for him.

As a Bulls fan, I hope we can hang on to Asik, but Oden could be an affordable option if he splits.

[mikeyvthedonParticipant]

Does Asik destroy Joakim Noah? Because Greg Oden is really good at that. Needless to say, if you can get a healthy Oden to play the same role as Asik, I doubt you will miss him that much. If you get a guy like Greg Oden to play 20 minutes on a contending team, that team is going to be MUCH better. Especially in the play-offs, where match-up problems are exposed. All I know is, if the Bulls are playing a team in the play-offs with Greg Oden on it, I am not sure I like Noah’s odds of getting the better of that match-up.

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