And Afterwards You Get All the Ice Cream You Can Eat...

by Dave on Jul 10, 2007 1:33 AM PDT in News

No doubt you've heard by now that Jason Quick is reporting Greg Oden's Summer League may be finished because of tonsilitis. Because G.O. might have to go to the O.R. his P.T. is D.O.A. This was somewhat anticlimactic, but what can you do? At least it wasn't the chicken pox. Eight thousand reporters would be itching and scratching all over if it were.

So let's ask a silly question today: given the very preliminary glance you've had at Oden, what do you think of our first pick now? Are you bummed and disillusioned like most of the national press who got their pet story stolen from them? Are you still optimistic? Are you convinced we made the right choice or does watching Lamarcus operate in the post make you wish we had taken Durant all the more? And even if you are 100% in Oden's camp has this experience tempered your expectations for his performance this year?

--Dave

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No change whatsoever

Summer league is a totally different ballgame (pun intended). Oden will take a while to fully develop, but I still think he will start at the beginning of the season, playing somewhat limited minutes for a starter because of fouls. His summer league doesn't make me think he's got a lot longer to go, just like if he had gone out and scored 30 pts a game, I woudn't suddenly expect him to dominate offensively next year. Let him go to the ESPYs, get his tonsils taken care of, rest up, and come back to Portland later and concentrate on basketball for a while. He'll be fine.

Brandon Roy 007

by TimG on Jul 10, 2007 1:46 AM PDT reply actions

The biggest story

is how everyone is making such a big deal out of summer league. Like Allen Iverson would say about the word "practice" I say It's SUMMER LEAGUE!!! We're talking about SUMMER LEAGUE!

Who cares if Oden isn't putting up 20/20 every SUMMER LEAGUE game? Oden is in SL to get acclaimated with his teammates/coaches, the NBA officiating, level of play and rules. The stats and highlights can come in the regular season. The one that counts.

by jayseyfield on Jul 10, 2007 2:30 AM PDT reply actions

I find it funny

Since when has summer league been a big deal? Oh wait, since there is more hype behind it then the Championships, thats why.

This is the first year I have even heard of soo much press around the Summer League. People knew about it, yes. But how many actually cared till this year?

Oden will be fine. He NEEDS to get knocked around and made to look like a kid. You can tell thats how he becomes better. You can see the grears moving in his head once someone gets a good move in. He is analyzing it and figuring how to stop it next time. He is a student first, and thats why he will become great, he will never stop wanting to learn.

by Blazer on Jul 10, 2007 2:51 AM PDT reply actions

In my lifetime---

We, the Blazers, haven't had a player as popular and focused upon by the non-Portland media as Oden. Not Drexler, not Sheed, maybe Walton but I wouldn't know cause he was before my time... but I do know he didn't play during the era of mass media and 24 hour sports networks and the inter-webs following him around every day.

I watched both games so far, and aside from looking tired (which he has a pretty decent excuse for), I didn't think he looked bad at all. At LEAST as good as Durant has looked... Durant's shooting percentage in two games has been hogwash-- HOGWASH I tell you! And I'm one of his biggest fans!

But it's clear that the media and the fans are all about ODEN right now, and every little thing he does. People think/thought that Durant would be more popular, but everyone really likes Oden and his personality. The extra extra attentions makes people actually pay attention to summer league for the first time in most cases, and that can NOT be a good thing... if Oden dominates, it sets expectations too high because he wasn't playing real NBA centers. If he shows he is developing, then he isn't as good as everyone thought. Obviously, both aren't true... at least for now.

It's safe to say, to me, that Oden has shown in 2 measly games that he will be one of the best centers in the NBA. He WILL be in better shape and healthier, he WILL cut down on fouls and get the benefit of the doubt from the star-humping refs, he WILL adjust to the NBA game. His natural ability and willingness to work and learn is crystal clear.

I am very happy with the pick, and with each huge block, each baby hook, each monster dunk I see the future of Oden doing this like clockwork.

He is far ahead of any comparable player I can think of at the same age, and getting much more media attention and pressure. I think the tonsils are a blessing in disguise so he can get the rest he hasn't been able to get since a month before the draft, and really regroup and prepare for the upcoming season.

I suspect Durant needs the same thing as well.

Personally, I think it's very cool that the Blazers possibly have a guy who could sell the most jerseys in the league. A guy who'll be known by one word (ODEN), whose face will be on video games and cereal boxes and commercials and posterized posters and get all-star votes from actual non-Portland fans...

It's unfair that the EVENTUAL Oden is being compared to unhealthy summer league Oden, but this time will pass and we'll move on to regular season... and then another, and another, and then the scheduled DYNASTY we have penciled into our planners.

And by then, we'll say "Summer League WHO?"

Anyone discouraged by his play thus far is encouraged to move to a Laker board of some sort. Any negative Nancys would be more useful believing keeping Bynum is worth wasting Kobe's prime and buying Rick Fox's stubble trimmings off Ebay.

Mortimer

by Mortimer on Jul 10, 2007 3:09 AM PDT reply actions

Yea!

Me too!

by Steve The Hedge on Jul 10, 2007 8:08 AM PDT up reply actions

I still

love him. The less lamarcus has to get beat up by western centers the better. Let him work in the paint when hes good and ready then we can have our twin towers.

by blackterritory on Jul 10, 2007 3:41 AM PDT reply actions

I Am Still...

Ridiculously optimistic, both about the immediate future and the long term.

by Toast on Jul 10, 2007 3:51 AM PDT reply actions

Funny how two Summer League games

can change national opinion. Everybody was frothing at the mouth about how the blazers would be stupid to pass on Oden in the draft 3 weeks ago. Now those same people are frothing at the mouth to tell everyone how disappointed they are in his play. 10 fouls and 6 pts!!!!!! Fatigued!!!!!!!! Man, have a coke and a smile, for real. Oden is fine. He will have ups and downs, like every player (and human being) does. No need to rush to judge these guys, on two fricking summer league games. Stein and ESPN slays me though, "sense of urgency", for crying out loud its a Summer league game. Do you remember what team won the most games in the Las Vegas Summer league last year? Yeah, me neither.

by JPop on Jul 10, 2007 4:00 AM PDT reply actions

Silly question

So seriously silly.

Oden will be fine. I mean... tonsils... sinus infection... and you're telling me he's a wash out already? After two SUMMER LEAGUE games?

The press is stupid and sensationalistic.

It's just a bummer that I won't be seeing him at summer league this weekend.

Hard work beats talent when talent fails to work hard.

by ratbastird on Jul 10, 2007 4:17 AM PDT reply actions

Ditto

All the pre-draft info indicated he was, if not raw, certainly rare, as opposed to Durant who was hyped to be the most-NBA-ready. (Medium?)

He was sick when he came for his workout. I so agree with Mortimer that the tonsils are a blessing in disguise. Give the kid some rest! When I read the diary last night that he might be done with Summer League my reaction was "Good!" (which had nothing to do with the fact that I wasn't able to go this year.) I love it that he has to call his Mom and consult with her.

He'll be fine; he's not a bust, he's not even a disappointment.

Let us not forget that he is HUMAN, not a superhero (Blazing Man?). Even Clark Kent and Peter Parker and Adam West (forgot his "real" name) got to drop into anonymity most days.

by jorga on Jul 10, 2007 5:50 AM PDT reply actions

That'd be Bruce Wayne...

Although I think it'd be fun to start referring to Oden & LaMarcus as 'Batman & Robin'...

by DonkeyShins on Jul 10, 2007 12:25 PM PDT up reply actions

I've said this elsewhere

but I think we're being overly sensitive to media 'criticism'. If you just read Blazer fan boards you'd think the media was tearing the Blazers and Oden apart. Thats simply not the case. If you write about Oden's play you HAVE to include the fact that he didn't play well. But everyone I've read didn't think it was even remotely a big deal and that he was still impressive in many ways. The harshest thing I've read was I think Hollinger, who if recall wrote something like "if I had to nitpick I would say he isn't showing a lot of energy but that's probably because he's tied and not feeling well." Perfectly reasonable. I've also yet to see anyone question the Blazers choice, or whether Oden will be a star.

by matthewcc on Jul 10, 2007 6:01 AM PDT reply actions

i'm not too worried

i mean, durant has been struggling too. don't let his 18 points last night fool you - i watched that game and he was outplayed by almost everyone on his own team.

if you're going to rate rookies solely on their limited summer league performance, the blazers clearly should have taken, say, al thornton, or javaris crittenton, or pierre pierce (not to mention marco belinelli) instead.

by game sink on Jul 10, 2007 6:24 AM PDT reply actions

Oden sucks....

a lot of air in during time outs, so you can tell he's not in great game shape. It was pretty clear to me that he wasn't feeling well. What I've liked most was the workmanship way he practices and warms up before the games. He's shown flashes of mean during the games and he'll show more as he grows into the NBA game.

He'll do just fine.

by ken @ Blazer's Edge on Jul 10, 2007 6:24 AM PDT reply actions

Tonsilitis man!

First of all, big men take longer to find thier NBA game, period.

Tonsilitis can be VERY nasty.

He showed what we can expect in flashes, even with some pretty serious stuff going on in his throat. He didn't make excuses. He just played.

Combine this with the constant drama that is surrounding the big guy?

He is everything we could have hoped for and so much, much more.

The Oden Era, Day 13

by Heymoe on Jul 10, 2007 6:34 AM PDT reply actions

Please

It was obvious Oden wasn't 100%

Compare his activity at tOSU with his activity in those first two games. It was clear there was an issue.

I think Oden is a cool cat for trying to play though that. I'd be at home whining for my wife.

by leeroyjenkins on Jul 10, 2007 7:43 AM PDT reply actions

And as for the haters...

Who cares. Most of the people bagging on Oden right now are the people who would give anything to have him on their team.

by leeroyjenkins on Jul 10, 2007 7:46 AM PDT up reply actions

I'm honestly more impressed with him now...

2 reasons:

Jason Quick's description of the tonsils. That sounds really nasty and debilitating. I breathe through my mouth to get enough air when I run and he's like twice my size.
The Kevin Pritchard quote, which says, among other things, that the Blazers are taking him out of Summer League not necessarily because he's sick, but because he's shown them enough already.

by ranma on Jul 10, 2007 7:46 AM PDT reply actions

The best of all possible worlds...

It might be a bit Panglossian but I think this is the best of all possible results. I've said before that the Blazers will be hard pressed to make the playoffs next year, but if Oden had played amazingly well then the hype machine would go into overdrive and when they stuggle and lose the REAL games the deflation would be much more severe.

Anything that tempers the fans expectations and brings them closer to reality will reduce the pressure to perform and result in the players growing that much faster.

This way Oden gets his rest, gets a chance to absorb and process his new reality and come back stronger and better prepared for the regular season.

LMA's game will always be better suited for the 4 than the 5 so in looking at how the draft impacted him, it was far better to pick Oden than Durant.

by jon @ Blazer's Edge on Jul 10, 2007 8:18 AM PDT reply actions

I'm disappointed

Summer League was clearly disappointing for him, he had 19 fouls, and 19 points.. I don't care what league it is that's pretty crappy, but hey I'll give him the benefit of the doubt.

Welcome Greg Oden

by junit3123 @ Blazer's Edge on Jul 10, 2007 8:22 AM PDT reply actions

Just to be fair

I watched all of both games and I'd say about half those fouls were ludicrous. For whatever reason, the refs were after him. Maybe they were just trying to get noticed.

by leeroyjenkins on Jul 10, 2007 8:45 AM PDT up reply actions

go Greg!

yeah, i'm happy we've got Greg Oden... yup, still happy about that. ...aaaaaand yes, checking in now, 5 seconds later, i'm still happy. us Portland fans can live a lifetime in 2 basketball games... be more like the trees and don't rush to conclusions my friends. it's Martell i feel like watching in summer league, anyway.

by grizzo on Jul 10, 2007 8:23 AM PDT reply actions

Oden Expectations?

Same as pre-SL:

1-stay out of foul trouble

2-block shots and tap to self if possible, not to the other team or out of bounds. Greg should be starting the break w/ an outlet pass not giving-up extra posessions.

3-rebound on both ends. Most of his 8-10 ppg should come from o-boards.

KEEP IT SIMPLE GREG!!!

by JMblazerfan on Jul 10, 2007 8:38 AM PDT reply actions

He's going to be amazing

Every so often we'd get a little glimpse of what he's going to be like, how electric his body is, how quickly he reacts to on-court events, how BIG he is. He's going to be fine out of the gate, and as he refines his game, the sky is the limit for the guy. And losing those tonsils, which sound truly huge, is going to add several inches to that vertical...

by barryj on Jul 10, 2007 8:44 AM PDT reply actions

Since when has the opinions of the National Media.

...mattered to the Blazers and the fans? I am still 100% behind Greg Oden and the Blazers. It's dumb beyond reason for people to expect Oden to put up Shaq or Kareem-like numbers this early in his career, especially when it is so obvious that he is and has been ill.

Get better Greg!

by Anthony Stine on Jul 10, 2007 8:49 AM PDT reply actions

If we had taken Durant

Right now we'd be in panic mode. People are finally seeing that this guy doesn't pass, and yes this is summer league and it is nothing like the NBA game and he has to do a lot himself, but still. His last game he went 4 of 19, one board, no assists. If this guy was on the team all development for young players on the court would cease, Z-bo would still be here and it would be two black holes. I'm surprised people aren't happy with Oden's performance. The guy isn't trying to make excuses, but due to everything he's done and his conditioning and tonsils he's not in the same state as he was in the championship against Florida. If anything I think his presence has made the summer league team better, LaMarcus gets to have another game who can maul inside and it's becoming clear that they will be an incredible tandem. Together they can cover up so many defensive mistakes, especially with NBA officiating, and once Oden gets in shape imagine them getting out and running with guys like Kaman and Brand or Okur and Boozer trying to catch up. At the very least we've seen Oden prove that he can block shots and drop vicious dunks. Seeing how he shot at Ohio State I think the free throw shooting has been an abnormality, and I don't think Oden will set the rookie foul record, looking at the boxscores every game has had a ridiculous number of fouls and he's been getting it worse off than anyone. Like every Blazer fan out there I cannot wait until opening night and see this squad hitting on all cylinders, complete with Roy, Jack, Outlaw, Frye, Pryz and Nate at the reins.

by morescrillaigots on Jul 10, 2007 8:54 AM PDT reply actions

I agree that Durant's performance is more alarming

After his first game some of his teammates were making snide remarks about his 'fearlessness'

1 assist and 0 rebounds is pathetic.

And Durant isn't sick.

However just like with Oden I'm not going to put a bunch of stock in summer league. Still it's weird that nobody is talking about how badly Durant is doing - only Oden.

by leeroyjenkins on Jul 10, 2007 9:34 AM PDT up reply actions

i'm not worried about

oden and can these bandwagon fans please shut up. like i've been saying since they won the lottery, that the bandwagon fans will only be on board for oden.and i'm telling you guys now this just the beginning.these are the same people who can't tell you as i'm writing this post,what's our biggest problem is.to me is where is the points going to come from after roy*aldridge.i deal in reality and facts.and if you people are going to pen your hopes on webster*outlaw,then god help us...i like j.jones i definately feel he'll perfect off the bench.but if you have a choice at the 3 between webster*outlaw*jones,then jones wins by default. because unlike the other 2,i've seen him on many occasions hit a wide open 3 or a "j".the other 2 well 1 thinks he knows everything,and the other 1 had 4.yrs to blossom and he did'nt.i would love to see us go out and get a d.mason or trade for a guy like a.parker.not a star player but a guy who can hit a open "j".but as far as oden goes he'll be just fine 14-12-3.5 book it.and to the oden only crowd "shut up" !!!!!

by fatty on Jul 10, 2007 8:57 AM PDT reply actions

My expectations are tempered somewhat...

I think Oden will take longer to develop his game on both ends of the floor than I originally thought. As much as I told myself, it is going to take some time before he dominates, I couldn't help but picture Oden dominating from day 1. Am I concerned? Not so much. I do think that Oden is going to have to get into MUCH better shape, even after he has his tonsils removed. 82+ games is a long season, and he's going to have to get himself into incredible shape to sustain his energy throughout.

As for Durant...do I regret not picking him instead? Not at all. Even with his health not up to par Oden performed at least as well as Durant. In two games Durant has shot 7 for 36. That's 19% shooting from the floor! And shooting is supposed to be Durant's strength. I don't want to make too big a deal about it, since it's summerleague and Durant will no doubt shoot better in the future. But Oden will also play MUCH better in the future. Oden is young and still learning...we just have to show a little more patience...in my mind he will still be the game changing big man that we were hoping he would be before summerleague started. In due time.

by JasonT on Jul 10, 2007 9:34 AM PDT reply actions

Well, I'm always

going to wish we'd gone Durant instead, but lord knows KD is having just as rough a time in SL as Oden has. At any rate, I've accepted the Oden choice and I'm really not interested in hashing out the KD/Oden choice for the next dozen years. I'm looking forward to the Oden era and nothing that'll happen (even KD turning into the second coming of Bird, Oden becoming the next Mutombo) will change that.

So far we've seen that Oden is raw, foul prone, has conditioning issues, and will have trouble staying on the court for a year or two. Anyone surprised about that just didn't pay enough attention to college ball this year. Which I guess explains why all these bandwagon blazer fans on oregonlive are so shocked -- it was pretty obvious before the lottery they didn't have a clue what happened in college ball last year and only watched the OSU/FL championship game.

Like Matthewcc said, all the backlash has been on chat boards; the real media is being completely reasonable and saying "Oden will take some time to adjust, he looks a little tired, but he'll be fine, in a year or two."

by howlingfantods on Jul 10, 2007 9:43 AM PDT reply actions

A good result at Summer League

All this does is take a little bit of pressure off the big guy... as some people thought he was going to come to the NBA and dominate straight away.

It could also work in the Blazers' favour when players drive the lane and attack Oden in order to get him into foul trouble... it will take them away from their own game, and Oden will learn to stay out of foul trouble soon enough.

by MattD on Jul 10, 2007 10:17 AM PDT reply actions

Oden and the Future

Oden is going to be great but he needs time. The Blazers have a very bright future... 3 years from now. Next years stars will be Roy and Aldridge and they will struggle many nights-- that's the way of a young developing team.

by reffster on Jul 10, 2007 10:45 AM PDT reply actions

Feeling better about the draft choices every day

I agree with all those who have said that the tonsils are the best thing that could happen to Oden. Two weeks out of the spotlight should do him wonders. Now we will get more time to evaluate Freeland and more plays run for everyone else.

I haven't seen any games, but it sounds like drafting Green was a very good move. He should be a solid back-up vs. Sergio's risky/inconsistent one.

Koponen is a nice back-up in case Sergio doesn't turn out to be the next Steve Nash. Hopefully one of them will develop into a spectacular player.

by akahoopla on Jul 10, 2007 11:17 AM PDT reply actions

silly, silly. silly question dave...

Must be the Vegas heat.

nobody makes me bleed my own blood

by dcblazer on Jul 10, 2007 11:37 AM PDT reply actions

Yeah

but you wouldn't believe the comments around press row so it needed to be asked.

--Dave

by Dave on Jul 10, 2007 11:49 AM PDT up reply actions

Not the Portland media though

They're on board with the Blazers that everything's cool. But nationally they were expecting a big story and they didn't get one, which makes people cynical.

--Dave

by Dave on Jul 10, 2007 11:50 AM PDT up reply actions

Note to Fatty:

Your comment got deleted. Don't mention the word "bandwagon" again.

--Dave

by Dave on Jul 10, 2007 1:30 PM PDT reply actions

Oden's the man!

Disappointed? Only because I don't get to see Oden play again until preseason. I was just so geeked up to see the Blazers again knowing that Lamarcus would be back plus Sergio, Martell, and then the draft picks, I couldn't wait for summer league. But, man, it's SUMMER LEAGUE!

Really watching Oden and Aldridge it made me think of watching Roy in Vegas for the Rookie-Sophmore All-Star game. Remember how average that game made Brandon look? And that was after he'd played regular season games against the best teams in the league. But the difference of a year of experience vs. pure talent was obvious. Same thing in summer league. Frankly that's what has disappointed me about the games so far, the play of Sergio and Martell. Hopefully they'll improve over the course of these games.

by kro on Jul 10, 2007 3:54 PM PDT reply actions

Fatty - Bandwagon ???

Dave,
If you are going to ban Fatty from using
the word Bandwagon, then you should also
ban the * or @ as well. Maybe the name Martell
or *Outlaw. Just a thought. It all stays there
after all, right ?

It's GO time !

by walkoff41 on Jul 10, 2007 6:18 PM PDT reply actions