Players we can relate to

by TLF_Big_Papi on Dec 28, 2007 9:29 AM PST

One of the continued themes that seems to be coming out more frequently is how we have a bunch of "good guys" on our team (finally!). Just recently, we have Roy on TNT talking about his learning disability and being a "humble guy".
http://blog.oregonlive.com/behindblazersbeat/2007/12/roy_on_tnt_we_are_having_the_t.html
And Canzano talking about Jack being "super grounded" and how he won't let himself drive an overpriced luxury car. http://blog.oregonlive.com/johncanzano/2007/12/the_blazers_are_looking_more_a.html

I'd like to add a bit story to this theme. On December 23rd I took my household out to dinner. It was raining, so I dropped them off and parked the car. When I came in, I walked past a tall person and turned to look up at where a tall person's face would be. That only got the the tall person's upper chest, so I almost gave myself a crick in my neck when I looked up even higher to his face. I inwardly grinned as I continued over to my family to hear my wife and daughter commenting on the "size of that guy's feet". I told them that "that guy" is Greg Oden, our #1 draft pick.

Greg was there with his girlfriend. He could take her anywhere in Portland for a nice dinner. Here is what I loved about the encounter:

We were at the Olive Garden.
He had to wait for his table, just like anyone else, and this didn't seem to bother him a bit.

One last note - It was obvious that everyone knew who he is, yet no one bothered him and Greg and his girlfriend got to have a quiet dinner together. I must admit it took all my willpower not to take my 6 year old son and 13 year old daughter over to meet him. I'm sure that Oden would have been gracious and flashed his great smile. I just thought that it wasn't right. Let the 19 year old kid have a date out with his girlfriend.

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Good for you

I think you made a good call to give the big man some space & respect.

by tweener on Dec 28, 2007 9:35 AM PST reply actions

The rules

I live by pretty basic rules when it comes to bothering celebs (i live in LA so they're all over the place. Seriously, I just tripped over whatishisface from that TV show).

Let them eat: Never interrupt a meal.
Don't ruin the romance: Never approach them if their girl is nearby.
Drive safe: Never hassle them while they're driving or being driven. That's how accidents happen.

Otherwise they're fair game. It's really easy to not be famous in America. Billions of us do it every day. But I don't think you have a right to be famous AND totally private. People make choices about the lifestyle they want to lead and have to live with the consequences.

By the way, I heard Autograph Magazine recently did a survey on who were the best and worst celebs when it came to dealing with autograph seekers. The results were a bit of a surprise:

Best: Johnny Depp

Worst: Will Farrell

by Jumbo on Dec 28, 2007 12:16 PM PST up reply actions

whatshisface from that TV show

is my all-time favorite actor! I hope you didn't trip over him while he was eating with his girl after a high speed car chase.

by drawingjeremy on Dec 28, 2007 2:03 PM PST up reply actions

He was good

but it looks like he's fallen on hard times. Homeless people have SAG cards down here.

by Jumbo on Dec 28, 2007 7:38 PM PST up reply actions

Olive Garden!

We all need to go over to Oden's blog and drop some names of better restaurants. No offense, TLF Big Papi, I still eat there when I visit the mainland and I like their bread sticks.

I had a friend who worked at one and he told me that almost all of their food comes pre-prepared and frozen. They nuke it and then melt cheese on it. After I learned that, I decided I would rather just eat Stouffer's at home.

Oden should have a mobster like table, in the back. Then after he gets all his rings, fans can ask permission to speak to him and kiss his rings.

Happy Kwanzaa! December 26, 2007 - January 1, 2008

by tominhawaii on Dec 28, 2007 11:29 AM PST reply actions

Yeah, Olive Garden

I'm with you on Olive Garden and it doesn't surpise me that much of it is pre-prepared. My kids love it, so we go sometimes. That is part of what I loved about the whole encounter. Portland has some great restaraunts. But here is Oden, who could afford to eat anywhere and request special service, waiting around to be seated at the Olive Garden. It just reinforces that he is a down to earth kid who hasn't let all this stuff go to his head.

by TLF_Big_Papi on Dec 28, 2007 12:32 PM PST up reply actions

Oh Yeah

I did not want to take away from that part of the story. It's funny and cool. I am pretty sure he is at that age where he has not discovered that there is better food available outside of the Olive Gardens and Chili's of the world.

Jeepers, my mom lived in LA and Chevys was her favorite Mexican restaurant. She was in Mexican food Mecca and went to a chain restaurant. That is a tragedy to me since Mexican food is my favorite variety.

Happy Kwanzaa! December 26, 2007 - January 1, 2008

by tominhawaii on Dec 28, 2007 1:01 PM PST up reply actions

Kid

He doesn't want to eat that nasty fancy adult food. He should be a sophomore jock in college right now. Olive Garden is his right up his alley. And as far as celebrity goes, he hasn't really had that much attention since the draft(which was a long time ago). I bet few people outside of Portland, Ohio and serious NBA nerds know who he is. This will change soon.

by Jumbo on Dec 28, 2007 1:39 PM PST up reply actions