An Oden-sized can of worms

1.)  The blazers have arranged a nutritionist and monitor gregs activities and dictate how he'll exercise and what he'll eat.  They want him to be the best and healthy.  I think Greg feels the same, so I don't really have an issue but I admit to feeling a little uncomfortable because I could easily see someone pressured into it.  Then again, it's a job.  It's different from my job, but the expectation is that the absolute best is done.  So... this will make greg the best he can be.

2.)  Communication does seem to be a bit on the lacking side, doesn't it?  I thought the same thing.  Hopefully the blazers learn and set up a process for communication so this doesn't happen again.  Mistakes aren't an issue, not learning is.

3.)  Players fly higher?  I haven't seen anyone fly like jordan since... jordan.  So I don't know if i agree.  I think players in the NBA have a rather poor work ethic and have for the past number of years.  I also think that's changing.

In regards to the science of exercise, I do think there have been many improvements.

4.)  As for heart... If greg didn't have heart and will, I don't know that he'd be doing all he's doing and sticking to it.

it's much ado about nothing.

Oden is a 19 year old active, athletic young man who until about a week ago was on crutches.  One of the few things he can do is take advantage of the Blazer's training facility and work out.  So he lifts weights.  Big deal.  The only thing I take away from that is
1) the extra muscle will come in handy when he's down on the low block
and
2) Oden apparently has an excellent work ethic.

That's it.  I'm not worried about it effecting his knee.  I'm not concerned he's going to lose quickness.  I don't think there is any "communication" issues within the Blazers.

Let's keep in mind that Oden played at 280 lbs last year at OSU.  He's 282 now.  I find it hard to believe that 2 pounds is going to make a difference in his leaping ability, his ability to run down the court or on how much wear and tear his knee gets subjected to.  Instead lets look at the positive aspects.  If Greg puts the same sort of effort into strenghening his lower body, he's less likely to reinjure the knee and is going to be a beast down low.

when your hourly wage is as astronomical as it is among the elite of NBA players, then they do indeed "owe their soul to the company store" to a fair degree.  They can be thought of as salaried vs. time card employess and that to me has always meant you're at the disposal of the company pretty much 24 hours per day.

True, in the business world you're not going to be told how much muscle you should or should not put on, but in that scenario the  requirements don't involve physical body performance. However, businesses can and do expect their employees to maintain brain prowess through continuing education which often has to be done during "off work" time.

So Dr., I can see a parallel between the two here, and maybe it's not wrong for the Blazer's to dictate their expectations regarding Oden's body shape and weight.

This is an interesting subject you bring up though.    
   

   I think that this whole Oden has bulked up issue has been blown out of proportion. I'm glad that a guy that has more or less been forced to be immobile from the waste down, worked hard enough to keep himself in shape. Oden, McMillan, Jensen, and Medina, can discuss and tweak Odens overall physical state as the process goes forward. I don't think it's an issue. Credit Oden for bulking up, staying in shape, even if he might of overdone it a bit.

  I also do agree. Through this whole thing, one thing I did not worry about was Oden being monitored. I assumed he would be watched closely. It does bother me that Oden, McMillan, Jensen and Medina did not all seem to be on the same page. Perhaps that problem has been adressed now? However, it is disturbing that Odens bulking up, seemed to be viewed from different P.O.V.'s from Oden and different people on the staff. Everyone should be on the same page.