Blazers hoping Oden can play in maybe 65 games


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Posted by Royce Young

One day, some day, Greg Oden will be fully healthy. He has to, right? Because as of now, it doesn't sound like he is.

Via BlazersEdge, Trail Blazer Director of College Scouting Chad Buchanan told KGW's Joe Becker on Wednesday that he hopes Greg Oden is able to play "60-65" games during the 2010-2011 NBA season. Bummer sauce.

"People want Greg to be ready at the start of the season... Looking long term, we need everyone healthy, clicking together, come March, April and into May. If we can get Greg to play 60-65 games this year and continue the development curve he was on before he got injured last year, I think we'll have a chance to have some success in the playoffs, this season," Buchanan said.

In other words, he's not ready. And by the sound of it, they don't really know when he will be. The Blazers have already said he's "progressing" but that's just lip service any organization gives after an injury. A player could have his leg amputated and management would say his recovery is going as planned and he's "progressing."

Add this to Rich Cho preaching patience with Oden and Oden himself being non-commital to an opening night return, it's highly unlikely Oden is ready for Portland's first game.

If you forgot, Oden basically broke his knee after falling awkwardly 21 games into last season. He missed the remainder of the year and has spent the summer trying to rehab. But this is coming after microfracture surgery the year before on his other knee. So while the Blazers stick to a plan of patience, Oden's future may have already been decided. Let's hope not.

However, he's still young. He's only 22. And the Blazers are smart to move things along slowly. There's no reason to try and rush him to be ready for October when Portland will actually need him later. So if that means he's out until December, so be it. Yao Ming is being put on a basketbal pitch count, so why can't Oden be on a game count?

Regardless of that though, this is another disappointing turn for not only Oden, but Blazer fans who are eager to have him healthy for a full season. Provided he makes it through this season alive, they'll just have to wait another year.

Blazers hoping Oden can play in maybe 65 games

Since: Jul 22, 2010	Posted on: September 23, 2010 7:47 am Blazers hoping Oden can play in maybe 65 games Somewhere Kwame Brown is smiling, lol...seriously Oden may be the in top 5 biggest busts not because he cant reach his potential but because..ok well kinda the same but, his is too injury prone..and he is aging rapidly..me and Oden are the same age and he already looks about 35 years old. And not only looking that age but playing like a 35 yr old as well. As a young big man you should stay healthy, especially if people see potential in you..but back to what I was saying..Kwame can breathe now, lol..if Oden keeps getting injured he maybe released and then Kwame wont be the biggest no.1 overall bust. Yay, Go KWAME, lol
Since: Nov 19, 2008	Posted on: September 22, 2010 11:07 pm Blazers hoping Oden can play in maybe 65 games Lol, keep dreaming that he'll play 65 games next year. Maybe 65 games in his career. Just get out of the NBA already, BUST.
Since: Feb 10, 2010	Posted on: September 22, 2010 6:19 pm Blazers hoping Oden can play in maybe 65 games The Blazers should be hopeful that he gets 65 games in during his career.
Since: Oct 11, 2006	Posted on: September 22, 2010 6:15 pm Blazers hoping Oden can play in maybe 65 games But Oden is not a bust as he was in the top ten in the NBA last year of PER (Player Efficiency Rating) yes, but he's going to HAVE to stay healthy or he will hear that awful bust word. Can Greg Oden be considered a bust? Not even close if he gets hurt next year and the next year after that and doesnt play much NBA games in the next 2 years, he has to hear that bust word, as of now he's not a bust.
Since: Dec 5, 2006	Posted on: September 22, 2010 5:25 pm Greg Oden is not a Bust There is a tendancy for sportswriters to designate Greg Oden as a bust because he has missed more games than he has played in three years and because it makes a great story when superimposed on Kevin Durant - the pick just after Oden in the draft and the Blazer selection of Sam Bowie just before Michael Jordan in the 1984 draft. There are similarities between the two years as Bowie was hurt after the draft and never reached his potential leaving Jordan to dominate the NBA scene for six championships while the Blazers were runners-up twice without that dominant center that would have perhaps allowed them to win. In the same way Greg Oden is the link to the Blazers winning championships. But Oden is not a bust as he was in the top ten in the NBA last year of PER (Player Efficiency Rating) and second in the NBA behind only Dwight Howard among centers' PER. Yes, Durant had a better year. But Durant lost three of four head-to-head contests with the Blazers, even with Oden hurt. for the last three. In their one head-to-head when Oden was playing the Blazers prevailed with Oden scoring 12 and 10 rebounds and a block compared with Durant's 16 points and 5 rebounds and 2 blocks. Both are valuable players. You are correct, Royce, to be concerned with Oden's availability this year. Greg has reportedly rehabbed faithfully and is gaining strength and recovering closer to healthy each week. He is running, cutting, jumping and shooting. He has not been cleared for 5 on 5 but the progress is going to be restrained by the Blazers' medical staff who want to be overly cautious and sure of his recovery. It is a wise move. In the meantime the Blazers fans do not need to be disappointed. This is a very good team without Oden. With Greg this team is a contender. Marcus Camby was acquired last year at the trade deadline. Camby is a good complement for Oden and a good replacement as well. Defensive Player of the Year in 2006-2007, Camby was 5th in the NBA last year in total rebounds and 5th in blocked shots. In addition the Blazers have Joel Pryzbilla who is also recovering from knee surgery inoccured last season. The three centers together form perhaps the most dominating trio of centers in the league. By next spring this team will be near the top of the list of teams others want to avoid in the playoffs. Can Greg Oden be considered a bust? Not even close.
Since: Oct 19, 2007	Posted on: September 22, 2010 5:14 pm Blazers hoping Oden can play in maybe 65 games Since the author forgot, Oden's injury did not happen from falling awkwardly. I get the point but knowing what happened before you write about it is key.
Since: Nov 13, 2009	Posted on: September 22, 2010 4:13 pm Blazers hoping Oden can play in maybe 65 games Face it, Oden will probably be a bust. Too many injuries have already plagued his short NBA career. Even if Oden comes back 100% healthy, he won't make an impact for Portland.
Since: Nov 9, 2006	Posted on: September 22, 2010 3:01 pm Blazers hoping Oden can play in maybe 65 games Dwight Howard. Just as talented plays everynight...........
Since: Sep 17, 2007	Posted on: September 22, 2010 1:52 pm Blazers hoping Oden can play in maybe 65 games It is definitely true that a player could have his leg amputated and the organization would report that he is "progressing". However, rather than having one of his brittle legs amputated and replaced by a bionic artificial super-limb, I think Oden should sacrifice one of his eyes to gain the Wisdom of the Ages. Perhaps therein he may discover the necessary knowledge of how to avoid the injured reserve list for an entire season. Plus, I think he'd look really bad a$$ in an eye patch.
Since: Jun 28, 2007	Posted on: September 22, 2010 1:29 pm Blazers hoping Oden can play in maybe 65 games Damn...the Days of Patrick Ewing/Hakeem Olajuwaon are over...The taller centers in the NBA either aren't as talented or they can't stay healthy...

Somewhere Kwame Brown is smiling, lol...seriously Oden may be the in top 5 biggest busts not because he cant reach his potential but because..ok well kinda the same but, his is too injury prone..and he is aging rapidly..me and Oden are the same age and he already looks about 35 years old. And not only looking that age but playing like a 35 yr old as well. As a young big man you should stay healthy, especially if people see potential in you..but back to what I was saying..Kwame can breathe now, lol..if Oden keeps getting injured he maybe released and then Kwame wont be the biggest no.1 overall bust. Yay, Go KWAME, lol

Blazers hoping Oden can play in maybe 65 games

But Oden is not a bust as he was in the top ten in the NBA last year of PER (Player Efficiency Rating)
yes, but he's going to HAVE to stay healthy or he will hear that awful bust word.
Can Greg Oden be considered a bust? Not even close
if he gets hurt next year and the next year after that and doesnt play much NBA games in the next 2 years, he has to hear that bust word, as of now he's not a bust.

Greg Oden is not a Bust

There is a tendancy for sportswriters to designate Greg Oden as a bust because he has missed more games than he has played in three years and because it makes a great story when superimposed on Kevin Durant - the pick just after Oden in the draft and the Blazer selection of Sam Bowie just before Michael Jordan in the 1984 draft. There are similarities between the two years as Bowie was hurt after the draft and never reached his potential leaving Jordan to dominate the NBA scene for six championships while the Blazers were runners-up twice without that dominant center that would have perhaps allowed them to win. In the same way Greg Oden is the link to the Blazers winning championships.

But Oden is not a bust as he was in the top ten in the NBA last year of PER (Player Efficiency Rating) and second in the NBA behind only Dwight Howard among centers' PER. Yes, Durant had a better year. But Durant lost three of four head-to-head contests with the Blazers, even with Oden hurt. for the last three. In their one head-to-head when Oden was playing the Blazers prevailed with Oden scoring 12 and 10 rebounds and a block compared with Durant's 16 points and 5 rebounds and 2 blocks. Both are valuable players.

You are correct, Royce, to be concerned with Oden's availability this year. Greg has reportedly rehabbed faithfully and is gaining strength and recovering closer to healthy each week. He is running, cutting, jumping and shooting. He has not been cleared for 5 on 5 but the progress is going to be restrained by the Blazers' medical staff who want to be overly cautious and sure of his recovery. It is a wise move.

In the meantime the Blazers fans do not need to be disappointed. This is a very good team without Oden. With Greg this team is a contender. Marcus Camby was acquired last year at the trade deadline. Camby is a good complement for Oden and a good replacement as well. Defensive Player of the Year in 2006-2007, Camby was 5th in the NBA last year in total rebounds and 5th in blocked shots. In addition the Blazers have Joel Pryzbilla who is also recovering from knee surgery inoccured last season. The three centers together form perhaps the most dominating trio of centers in the league. By next spring this team will be near the top of the list of teams others want to avoid in the playoffs. Can Greg Oden be considered a bust? Not even close.

Blazers hoping Oden can play in maybe 65 games

It is definitely true that a player could have his leg amputated and the organization would report that he is "progressing". However, rather than having one of his brittle legs amputated and replaced by a bionic artificial super-limb, I think Oden should sacrifice one of his eyes to gain the Wisdom of the Ages. Perhaps therein he may discover the necessary knowledge of how to avoid the injured reserve list for an entire season. Plus, I think he'd look really bad a$$ in an eye patch.

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