Oden Update from Practice

by Dave on Oct 1, 2008 12:38 PM PDT Comment 126 comments

Ben sends word that Greg Oden did not practice last night or today, but he is present at the facility. Perhaps they're being cautious with him. Wouldn't blame them a bit.

--Dave (blazersub@yahoo.com)

UPDATE: Oden' s body language during practice was not good and he sat on a bench by himself while the team ran full-court 5 on 5. Sergio came over at one point for a high five. One of the Blazers staff members stood near him for most of the open portion of practice. He was doubled-over at times, leaning forward, with a towel over his shoulders. Oden shot some free throws with Coach Lucas after practice was over and was still walking with a noticeable limp. After practice, Nate said there was no swelling on the ankle and maintains it's not a big deal.

--- Ben

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I'm feeling....

…..I don’t know….but it isn’t good.

tweak= out of practice for a week? month?

I seen nate on T.V. last night insisting that greg was fine.

my question is, fine= able to practice?

so what is it, he’s hurt, or not?

thanks though Ben/Dave……I appricate every last bit of what you guy’s do, and even more knowing that you do it becuase you want too.

"the Knicks are an ongoing experiment in sporting altruism, with the motto "We suck, so you don't have to." This is the designing principle. Stop overcomplicating things."
-jawaan oldham

by faith on Oct 1, 2008 12:45 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

Is there going to be a podcast anytime soon?

…

by as11osu on Oct 1, 2008 2:55 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Tried to get one together today

didn’t work because of scheduling. I hope tomorrow.

—Dave

by Dave on Oct 1, 2008 3:12 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Here comes the avalanche of sturm und angst

"Personally, I'd rather give an elephant a prostate exam on Chili Day." --Dave on rooting for the Lakers or Celtics

by MiledAnimal on Oct 1, 2008 12:45 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

Sturm and angst

are completely appropriate reactions to any news that suggests additional medical issues for a presumptive franchise center coming off microfracture surgery. However this could also be an opportunity for many on this site to step back and ratchet down what were becoming rather unrealistic expectations for Oden this year.

From some of the projections I’ve read here, it appears that a lot of people would have been disappointed with anything less than 12-15 pts and 9 rebounds from Oden. Yes, those are hardly earth shattering averages and look to be pretty easily attainable on their face. And if he were coming in to be the savior of the franchise – as has been expected of many #1 overall picks before him – those numbers would be rather disheartening. But guess what: He doesn’t have to be the savior. He has the luxury of finding his role on a team that already has a lot of its key players in place.

If I were a Blazer fan, the number one thing that I’d want to see Oden accomplish in this, his rookie year, would be to make it through the season completely healthy. Which means accepting the fact that he is coming back from a serious medical procedure and pace himself accordingly. Which also means not overextending himself to try and live up to some of the rather lofty expectations that many fans have placed upon him. Once he becomes more comfortable with his physical capabilites, he can push the envelope a bit and begin asserting himself as the player that many expect him to be.

Since that’s a process that could take several months, it’s likely that we’ll be seeing the first “Is Oden a Bust” fanposts appear sometime around Christmas. Hell, it’s practically inevitable. Unless, as I suggested up top, that you look upon this ankle sprain as an opportunity to take a deep breath and tamp down the absurdly high expectations to something more realistic.

by knickfan on Oct 1, 2008 11:24 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

You are extremely optimistic

I expect “Oden is a Bust” about 10 games into the season, unless we’re over .500, which will be hard at that point. Even if he’s averaging 15/12, he’ll be a bust because we aren’t winning enough games, and Durant will go for 35 on somebody.

The most amazing thing about my amazing ego is I have amazingly little about which to be egotistical.
The pick and roll this year will emphasize "roll" followed by "dunk", followed by the wailings and lamentations of your women.

by jscot on Oct 2, 2008 1:00 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Head over to the article on ESPN and read something to the tone of "Oden is an old bust made out of glass" today

We're young in age, but deep in experience - Brandon Roy.

by Norsktroll on Oct 2, 2008 1:58 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Hey knickfan

Missed you on this Knicks thread.

I’m not much concerned about Oden’s stats this season. I’m easy to please. I just want to see fear on the faces of opposing centers and forwards that Oden is humiliating. I want to see them yelling at refs, coaches, and teammates in frustration. I want to see them fouling-out early and often and throwing their towels in disgust.

"Personally, I'd rather give an elephant a prostate exam on Chili Day." --Dave on rooting for the Lakers or Celtics

by MiledAnimal on Oct 2, 2008 12:47 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Anklegate v. 2.0

" Im NOT HAPPY BOB!"

"i'll try to find 'em- an' i'll breeng um too yuh"- Sarah Palin
I detest that man who hides one thing in the depths of his heart, and speaks for another. - Homer

by BlazerFan1 on Oct 1, 2008 12:45 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

Where´s Deep Throat whn you need him?

The Midnight Rambler. Born to make mistakes.

by amlmart1 on Oct 1, 2008 12:51 PM PDT up reply actions 1 recs

maybe the cat's got his tongue.

Ford: Bill, you're claiming victory already? Have you had a "Mission Accomplished" banner printed yet?

http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/draft2008/columns/story?page=DraftDebate-080624

by ratbastird on Oct 1, 2008 1:54 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Yeah. I thought Ben Woodward and Dave Bernstein might have better information from that inside source they talk about from time to time.

The Midnight Rambler. Born to make mistakes.

by amlmart1 on Oct 1, 2008 2:27 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Just kidding, of course.

The Midnight Rambler. Born to make mistakes.

by amlmart1 on Oct 1, 2008 2:29 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Should we care?

Really? A sprained ankle? Haven’t we all had these at one time or another. Some take a long time to heal, others not so much, but all of them require a little rest. I know that this is newsworthy based on prior history with the knee, but aren’t we feeding the latest stereotype by reporting every little bump and bruise? When does it end and when should it?

I do GREATLY appreciate that Ben is able to share this inside information with us and he should be reporting this (because in this day and age someone else will!), just wondering if we now have too much access to some stuff that may or may not be important in the grand scheme of things.

"From Bill Walton to Brandon Roy, we wanna know it all
From Clyde Drexler to Greg Oden, from the basket to the ball
Every move they make is covered, somebody make the call
The shot clock's always running at Blazers Edge"

by blazermaniac32 on Oct 1, 2008 12:59 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

Deep Threat...

He’s a little sore, right?
He’s been given the time off for good behavior?
He’s catching up on some paper work?
He’s, um, got tominhawaii’s direrhea?
He’s bashful and only practices at night with the lights out?
He’s … not gonna break our hearts … PLEASE!

"They are all human. There's nobody I'm really scared of, or worried about playing against." -- Bayless

http://www.myspace.com/y5k

by Y5k on Oct 1, 2008 1:00 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

Twist of Fate

Let’s see, you twist your ankle on a surgically repaired knee. The crowd says “Let the gladiator fight the Lions!” “We want red meat and blood!”

Maybe time to cool down fellow Romans, there will be plenty of Blazer Red in your future.

by ralphzillo on Oct 1, 2008 1:01 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

:(

"i'll try to find 'em- an' i'll breeng um too yuh"- Sarah Palin
I detest that man who hides one thing in the depths of his heart, and speaks for another. - Homer

by BlazerFan1 on Oct 1, 2008 1:07 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

Hopefully...

he’s just feeling down in the dumps because he couldn’t run with the team today.

C’mon Greg… drink your milk.

by as11osu on Oct 1, 2008 1:08 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

It has got to be frustrating for him. BIG TIME

He probably feels like kicking the ball into the stands and screaming “Why me?” and then collapsing to the floor on his knees and sobbing. That’s what I would do.

I'm a little confused by your tactics

by oderiferous emanations 74 on Oct 1, 2008 1:11 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

Then after a good cry I would say to myself, "cowboy up"

I'm a little confused by your tactics

by oderiferous emanations 74 on Oct 1, 2008 1:11 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

Not worth the cyberspace you posted on

Sorry Dave and Ben, I can get this doom and gloom from Oregonlive.com, I don’t want it here where knowledgeable fans gather. Greg will be fine, his ankle was sprained not broken or torn, gawd even as a Cubs fan I am not this peranoid! Sometimes the 24/7 news cycle of the internet is more frustrating than normal.

by usmcr3049 on Oct 1, 2008 1:12 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

As a fellow Cubs fan

I felt EXACTLY like this, every time Pryor or Woods would get a hangnail, worried that they would be out for the season. And they usually WERE out for the season.
But you’re right, Greg will be fine. He’s just frustrated, which is perfectly understandable.

"I like your Christ. I do not like your Christians. They are so unlike your Christ." -Gandhi
"Throw Thag, throw. Throw throw throw throw throw throw"- Far Side

by TheThinWhiteDuke on Oct 1, 2008 1:28 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Concern

As much as we dread the consideration, Greg might just be brittle. At this point, would you take an assurance that Greg will play exactly 60 games a year for his career? I would.

Another thought: An ankle sprain and resulting limping can have unexpected consequences to unrelated joints, like, umm, the knee. That might be part of why they aren’t keeping him moving.

by Engineering Problem on Oct 1, 2008 1:21 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

over reaction my friend.

Breath deep, count backwards from 10 to 0.

by usmcr3049 on Oct 1, 2008 2:04 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Thanks

The news is magnified with Greg being a big man. A lot of bigs have “this and that” go wrong, causing them to miss random strings of games. That’s not the worrying part. After all, humans aren’t really engineered to be 7’. The problem is the long string of “what if?” seven footers.

The “burden of proof” is on Greg and the Blazers. Everyone will feel a lot better after he plays starter’s minutes in the first 25 games or so of the season, even if he struggles with his game. Until then, it’s reasonable to be guard one’s optimism.

Of course, none of this reflects on Greg or the Blazers draft decision. Portland made the no-brainer choice and Greg’s been a trooper.

by Engineering Problem on Oct 1, 2008 2:31 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

While I'm a little leery...

Let’s not overreact here.

Ben, did you get any hint that his frustration was about how bad the injury was, or simply that he wants to be playing and is frustrated that he’s not out there today?

by Timmay! on Oct 1, 2008 1:28 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

i would guess the latter.

BRANDON ROY GET WELL SOON

by Ben. on Oct 1, 2008 1:35 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Good to know, thanks.

by Timmay! on Oct 1, 2008 1:44 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

I'm freakin' out!

I am FREAKIN’ OUT!

Come on, Greg… Get well soon!

Jerryd Bayless has two emotions: Kill and Win.

"I think it’s going to be very beautiful game next year."
-Nicolas Batum

NorrisHopper30: "someone injure pubert jones"

by rockingharder on Oct 1, 2008 1:34 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

Try rocking softer. That will help. Mix in some deep diaphragmatic breaths.

That will be $100

I'm a little confused by your tactics

by oderiferous emanations 74 on Oct 1, 2008 1:36 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

I doubt that rockingharder will go for

any deep diaphragmatic breaths in the vicinity of someone named oderiferous emanations.

"Personally, I'd rather give an elephant a prostate exam on Chili Day." --Dave on rooting for the Lakers or Celtics

by MiledAnimal on Oct 1, 2008 1:39 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Think of an Old Spice commerical from the 80's

I'm a little confused by your tactics

by oderiferous emanations 74 on Oct 1, 2008 1:52 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Now I'm thinking TWO unpleasant scents.

"Personally, I'd rather give an elephant a prostate exam on Chili Day." --Dave on rooting for the Lakers or Celtics

by MiledAnimal on Oct 1, 2008 5:23 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

You are freaking out...MAN

Did you say “Yes sir!” or “Yeah, sure!”?

by DonkeyShins on Oct 1, 2008 3:48 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

ODEN WATCH DAY 2: Agitate the fanbase and allow rampant speculation without merit

FACT: Oden has been practicing 5 v 5 the last two weeks without swelling or pain in his knee.

FACT: Pritchard, Oden, and Nate has each stated the ankle tweak is not a big deal and there is no swelling. NO SWELLING PEOPLE!

FACT: Ankle tweaks happen in basketball.

FACT: Blazer management has a history of being cautious with regard to any injuries.

Let’s not make a mountain out of a molehill.

BINGO, BANGO, BONGO

by blzrfan on Oct 1, 2008 1:35 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

WTF

Who hasn’t gotten an ankle sprain? Yes, you can play on it but it is best to give it a little time. Plus the guy isn’t a light weight, lets not worry.

G.O. Blazers

by Hookah_John on Oct 1, 2008 1:41 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

Oden was going to practice every other day anyway

right?

So, it’s not the ankle sprain it’s sitting out that’s bumming him. Doesn’t come across clearly ben.

Wake me up when some real news happens.

Ford: Bill, you're claiming victory already? Have you had a "Mission Accomplished" banner printed yet?

http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/draft2008/columns/story?page=DraftDebate-080624

by ratbastird on Oct 1, 2008 1:59 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

You guys it's Ben's job to report these things.

If you don’t think it’s newsworthy then don’t read/comment on it. The big man sitting out training camp IS newsworthy to me.

by Bskey on Oct 1, 2008 2:03 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

I couldn't disagree more

There is such a thing as over-reporting which blogs are uniquely positioned to do.

BINGO, BANGO, BONGO

by blzrfan on Oct 1, 2008 3:22 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

agreed

I don’t need to know if Oden makes raspberry noises with his bum cheeks, and I don’t need to know if there was a minor sprain, and if I do I just need a simple announcement.

I want to know about the players on the floor. I want an evaluation on how Rudy looks relative to the other guys. Is Martel putting on a show? How do these guys look relative to game day shape? Have they passed nate’s endurance test yet? Has bayless been passing and is he able to find the open man?

Those are things I care about. Steve Blake took a tumble, is he okay? Good, move on. Oden sprained an ankle, is he okay? Good, move on. Rudy smashed into a bench in a hustle play, is the bench okay? good, move on.

Those are things worthy of writing about.

We know that Oden’s ankle was sprained and a simple “Oden sat out practice as a precaution” would have been fine and then talk about all the other stuff. That would be an exclamation as to why there wasn’t a report on Oden and there WAS on other players, not an “ooooohhhh pretty drama”.

Ford: Bill, you're claiming victory already? Have you had a "Mission Accomplished" banner printed yet?

http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/draft2008/columns/story?page=DraftDebate-080624

by ratbastird on Oct 1, 2008 3:51 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

I actually agree with you

I am surprised that I changed my mind on this. I agreed there is something called overreporting, and after reading your entry, I agree that this piece qualifies.

It's officially been coined: "Decade of Dominance" (D.O.D.)

by LaoTzu on Oct 1, 2008 4:11 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Bravo!

Ben, with your unique access can you try to find answers to the following questions:

1. One player reportedly didn’t pass the conditioning test, who was it?
2. How do each of the players look this year, compared to last year? (go through each player, maybe one pre day or something.)
3. Which player(s) stood out to you at that practice?
4. Any other number of things that our “normal” media simply isn’t doing a very good job of reporting. Yes I know the first 3 are being reported on by the ‘normal’ media as well, but what I mean is this, How is Rudy doing with communication as far as you can tell? How about his teammates and coach, can they understand him, can he understand them quickly? Ask if Nate thinks Oden will play during the only televised Preseason game, lots of fans want to know if he will.

The bottom line to me is, I don’t care about minor scraps, and the rest of the media is going over board without us jumping off too, lets play with the band and stay on board.

by usmcr3049 on Oct 1, 2008 4:14 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

I don't need to know if there was a minor sprain?

Well that’s YOUR opinion, but myself, I would like to know about my once in a decade #1 overall draft pick who missed the entire 2007-2008 season with micro fracture surgery center getting injured the day before, and the missing practice the next day. I think what you’re more so agitated about is the amount of overreactions happening in this thread, Ben can’t control that. He’s just reporting what he saw.

I’m pretty sure he’s going to have a story up later tonight about what the other players did in practice, so it’s not like he’s dropping all of his other responsibilities to give us this bit of news.

"Mommy and Daddy are going to take a nap before the baseball game starts..."

by Devyn on Oct 1, 2008 5:16 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

About the bench

If it wasn’t ok, would you still say, “Good, move on”? This is important for us to know.

by jscot on Oct 2, 2008 1:03 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

i agree with your disagreement

while I do enjoy the constant stream of Blazers news now available to me thanks to the internet, local radio stations owned by Paul Allen and tv channels dedicated to the team (that I don’t get because I have stupid Directv), I don’t really need to know everytime Greg or Rudy makes a bowel movement….it seems like lately, I’ve not only been getting news of their Bowel movement, but also it’s size, smell and texture. Let’s get this season started already so we can focus on the games.

by kikifromdowntown on Oct 1, 2008 4:11 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Oh man, wait until Tom reads your comment

We’re doomed.

"Personally, I'd rather give an elephant a prostate exam on Chili Day." --Dave on rooting for the Lakers or Celtics

by MiledAnimal on Oct 1, 2008 5:25 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Reporting

It’s not the reporting of minutiae that bugs me, it’s all the reading between the lines and drawing sometimes wild and misleading conclusions from them that does. Opinions are valid in this format, but I have to wonder Ben if you’re not going to end up as the Canzano of the Blogosphere…

by zaruga on Oct 1, 2008 7:26 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Maybe Ben thinks that Canzano is not doing as bad as you think.

The Midnight Rambler. Born to make mistakes.

by amlmart1 on Oct 1, 2008 10:03 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

I actually don't mind Canzano

What I meant is in terms of how the general fans respond to him as if he’s the antichrist, not that he (Canzano or Ben) IS the antichrist. :D

See, here’s what happens. When a reporting entity has and expresses a clear opinion, and in a blunt or thinly veiled way, eventually people stop looking at the news as news and start viewing it as a means for the writer to justify his or her hatred or love.

Another thing to consider is that Ben’s opinionated views which are actually very mild by blogging standards are magnified by the fact that Dave is by far the most even handed and thorough blogger, not just in the world of the Blazers, but perhaps that I’ve encountered EVER. That says nothing of their individual writing skills, which are both great, it’s just that by contrast, Ben’s more colored accounts stand out more.

by zaruga on Oct 1, 2008 11:07 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Indeed, and that is important

Ben HAS to be more on the edge or you’d just have two Daves, which is not the best formula for a co-written blog. And frankly people rag on me for not being on the edge enough, so Ben’s voice is important for the complete picture. If being out there means the occasional post that rubs some people wrong, I think that’s more than worth it. They say of third base coaches in baseball that if you never get a guy thrown out at the plate you’re not doing your job.

—Dave

by Dave on Oct 2, 2008 12:39 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Not me

And frankly people rag on me for not being on the edge enough

Your pro-Ben bias is way over the top, and I say so all the time.

I actually think you are biased towards tominhawaii, too. All this bias is terrible.

by jscot on Oct 2, 2008 1:06 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Oh God,

Guilty. I loves me some Tom.

—Dave

by Dave on Oct 2, 2008 9:28 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

How many fat ones

must we send over the plate before Tom jumps into this thread? That film crew must have come back for seconds.

"Personally, I'd rather give an elephant a prostate exam on Chili Day." --Dave on rooting for the Lakers or Celtics

by MiledAnimal on Oct 2, 2008 12:34 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Dang I missed out

I have the worst cold in America. I’ve been getting my sleep on.

Blazers Edge has an alarmist vision

by tominhawaii on Oct 2, 2008 5:05 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Sorry to hear that. Drink lots of fluids.

I suggest the alcoholic kind.

"Personally, I'd rather give an elephant a prostate exam on Chili Day." --Dave on rooting for the Lakers or Celtics

by MiledAnimal on Oct 2, 2008 6:03 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Sprite yo

Blazers Edge has an alarmist vision

by tominhawaii on Oct 2, 2008 6:44 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

The thing is...

Most people were expecting Greg to be practicing today. Just because Dave and Ben had a post talking about Greg does not mean there won’t be more on other players as the week progresses. This particular post was about Greg and his not practicing, if you aren’t interested there’s no need to read it or comment on it.

I would like more on other players like everyone else, but I’d still like updates on Greg no matter how minor.

by Bskey on Oct 1, 2008 4:46 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Let's get one thing straight about the popular comment

“if you don’t like it, don’t read it.” I have to read it to know whether I wanted to read it! Nature of the blog beast and all. A blog post or comment is not like a TV show about desperate housewives that’s entitled Desperate Housewives, that I know in advance won’t interest me.

"Personally, I'd rather give an elephant a prostate exam on Chili Day." --Dave on rooting for the Lakers or Celtics

by MiledAnimal on Oct 1, 2008 5:33 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

or in the case of blazersedge.com

if you don’t like it….delete it.

thanks guys.

it’s always sunny in Portland

by kikifromdowntown on Oct 2, 2008 8:45 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Again, I like hearing news

But the style here is very leading. Comments about how from Sergio’s body language you can tell it obviously wasn’t the first time he’d been disciplined for example are akin to a co-worker telling your boss that you were scowling, but not adding the context that you’d just received a phone call that your dog died.

A good example in today’s post is the mention of Greg Oden’s body language. Ben neglects to mention that he assumes Oden looks dejected because he wants to play and they won’t let him, but the slant of the article leads me to believe he’s insinuating Oden is dejected because he turned his ankle.

I likes ya Ben, you’re an excellent writer, so I hope you take this as 1) A personal opinion and 2) constructive criticism (which is how it’s meant).

by zaruga on Oct 1, 2008 7:35 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

But... but... Oden walks like an old man!

Jerryd Bayless has two emotions: Kill and Win.

"I think it’s going to be very beautiful game next year."
-Nicolas Batum

NorrisHopper30: "someone injure pubert jones"

by rockingharder on Oct 1, 2008 9:02 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Oden was still limping.

That’s noteworthy and Ben should have reported it.

by TwoDeep on Oct 1, 2008 8:42 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Geez, how will the fans react if Greg or Roy has a serious ankle sprain like Tim Duncan or Dirk Nowitzki last season?

And even they were back after a week or two.

We're young in age, but deep in experience - Brandon Roy.

by Norsktroll on Oct 1, 2008 2:07 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

jumping out of buildings my friend

They’d be jumping out of buildings.

Which is rather selfish if you think about it? Then they’re dead and can’t buy things and our economy will suffer!

Ford: Bill, you're claiming victory already? Have you had a "Mission Accomplished" banner printed yet?

http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/draft2008/columns/story?page=DraftDebate-080624

by ratbastird on Oct 1, 2008 3:53 PM PDT up reply actions 1 recs

No

It’s unselfish. If they are dead, they won’t be taking up a job that some undocumented immigrant could have.

When I rule the world, unemployment will NOT be a problem.

by jscot on Oct 2, 2008 1:08 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Yeah, but their fans

have actually seen their guys play in an NBA game and neither of them has ever been sidelined for an entire season. We’re still waiting anxiously and nervously to even see Greg play in a preseason game.

by TwoDeep on Oct 1, 2008 8:46 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

FanFest

Ben, thanks for the inside info…Just wondering, do you know if he will play the scrimmage at the FanFest on Friday or when they will let him practice?…let him know that this will do wonders to the paranoid fan base if he cares…

by broyposse on Oct 1, 2008 2:14 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

i’ll be there on friday.

i would be surprised if he played.

but that’s a total guess.

BRANDON ROY GET WELL SOON

by Ben. on Oct 1, 2008 2:19 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

He doesn't need to run, just dunk a few balls

We're young in age, but deep in experience - Brandon Roy.

by Norsktroll on Oct 1, 2008 2:26 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Poor Oden

Let’s give the poor guy a days rest.

When asked about his thoughts during the Olympic games about playing against Kobe Bryant and Dwight Howard, Rudy responded "My first thought was respect. My second thought was to kick their ass".

Man I love him.

by twiggs on Oct 1, 2008 2:29 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

"i'll try to find 'em- an' i'll breeng um too yuh"- Sarah Palin
I detest that man who hides one thing in the depths of his heart, and speaks for another. - Homer

by BlazerFan1 on Oct 1, 2008 2:39 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

what the hell...

do you have a camera hidden in my house? How did you take my picture?

He's Coming! Oden Slayer of Giants

by Idog1976 on Oct 1, 2008 3:03 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Fire Nate!

He says Greg is fine. Greg is obviously not fine – i.e. Nate is calling Greg a crybaby. Get rid of him!

Let’s hope this is the first AND LAST “Fire Nate” post of the season.

""I am tired after all the travel, but after seeing the fans I just felt like heading straight to the gym to begin practicing." - Rudy 9.22.08

by jorga on Oct 1, 2008 2:53 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

HA!!!

Yeah right! As soon as we get on a nice winning streak I’ll be DEMANDING Nate’s resignation because we obviously won’t be winning by enough!!!

Ford: Bill, you're claiming victory already? Have you had a "Mission Accomplished" banner printed yet?

http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/draft2008/columns/story?page=DraftDebate-080624

by ratbastird on Oct 1, 2008 2:58 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Guess who else sprained his ankle in practice: Andre Iguodala

And worse than Greg. Which team just paid more money for a player and relies on his top scorer more to reach the playoffs? Is there an article about that on ESPN? I don’t think so.

http://blogs.phillyburbs.com/blog.php/?p=34587&cat=173#comments

We're young in age, but deep in experience - Brandon Roy.

by Norsktroll on Oct 1, 2008 3:18 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

Was Iggy out with microfracture all last season?

I don’t think so.

Jerryd Bayless has two emotions: Kill and Win.

"I think it’s going to be very beautiful game next year."
-Nicolas Batum

NorrisHopper30: "someone injure pubert jones"

by rockingharder on Oct 1, 2008 4:04 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Does spraining your ankle affect your knee?

Yeah, I know what you’re saying. Still it’s interesting that Oden rolling his ankle is a national story and Iggy is not.

We're young in age, but deep in experience - Brandon Roy.

by Norsktroll on Oct 1, 2008 4:21 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

It does, actually.

I think there was talk about that on one of the other “Oden ankle” threads. But yeah, given Oden’s injury history, I’d say it’s a bigger story than Iggy’s recent injury. Although it surprises me that there isn’t a write-up of Iggy’s injury on ESPN, since he’s arguably Philly’s best player.

Jerryd Bayless has two emotions: Kill and Win.

"I think it’s going to be very beautiful game next year."
-Nicolas Batum

NorrisHopper30: "someone injure pubert jones"

by rockingharder on Oct 1, 2008 6:12 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

How many of you have ever had injuries and had to watch a practice. Yeah…its boring. This doesn’t seem like anything to worry about, better safe than sorry. All can admit to that!

We’ll see G.O. in practice tomorrow guaranteed!

by Dr. Pewpew on Oct 1, 2008 3:31 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

then again...

we all said the knee was nothing to worry about!!!

***GASP***

Ford: Bill, you're claiming victory already? Have you had a "Mission Accomplished" banner printed yet?

http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/draft2008/columns/story?page=DraftDebate-080624

by ratbastird on Oct 1, 2008 3:54 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

I feel bad Blake got a minor injury too

Its not on the front page though.

When asked about his thoughts during the Olympic games about playing against Kobe Bryant and Dwight Howard, Rudy responded "My first thought was respect. My second thought was to kick their ass".

Man I love him.

by twiggs on Oct 1, 2008 3:56 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

Oregonlive is updated with practice notes

Very interesting info. http://blog.oregonlive.com/behindblazersbeat/2008/10/oden_update_its_up_to_the_trai.html

The picture used the page is outstanding: http://blog.oregonlive.com/behindblazersbeat/2008/10/sp.blazerpractice_be_05_10-1-08.jpg

A few notes (pasted from the article, but there’s a lot more at the link):

- “My ankle is better, but we don’t want to do anything crazy and mess it up again,” Oden said. “It feels good. I’m walking on it but I still have to do some work on it. It’s up to the trainers and we’ll see what they want me to do.”

- Blake rose favoring a leg, did some stretches with team trainer Jay Jensen and walked off the practice court without a limp. He did not return and was not available for interviews after practice. McMillan said Blake suffered a cramp and that the injury did not appear serious.

- Rodriguez worked overtime this offseason at refining his jump shot and the results are positive from what we’ve been able to see through two days.

by Timmay! on Oct 1, 2008 3:58 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

Ugh.

Great picture, but I can’t help but wonder if that’ll be the enduring image of GO’s career.

I know it’s WAY too early to be thinking that way, but… geez.

Jerryd Bayless has two emotions: Kill and Win.

"I think it’s going to be very beautiful game next year."
-Nicolas Batum

NorrisHopper30: "someone injure pubert jones"

by rockingharder on Oct 1, 2008 4:05 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

I'm feeling sick now too.

My favorite teams are the Blazers and any team that is playing the Lakers.

by OCBlazerFan1 on Oct 1, 2008 4:05 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

I know I shouldn't over react

but he has not given me any reason to under react yet. I want him to succeed so bad!

My favorite teams are the Blazers and any team that is playing the Lakers.

by OCBlazerFan1 on Oct 1, 2008 4:07 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

How many more of you are going to overreact to this whole thing. Jesus man, take it ez.

by Dr. Pewpew on Oct 1, 2008 4:10 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

OMG Did you not hear? Blake cramped up?! We need to sign Livingston as insurance ASAP!

Rudy also fell on a bench yesterday! Whoever put it there needs to be fired!

BINGO, BANGO, BONGO

by blzrfan on Oct 1, 2008 4:16 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Where's TIH's sig, about BEdge being alarmist, when you need it . . .

Ben. No offense buddy, but you’re “update” is ridiculous. Alarmist indeed.

The Dude abides

by noaher on Oct 1, 2008 4:21 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

your

The Dude abides

by noaher on Oct 1, 2008 4:22 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Yeah folks

we blogs are silly for giving you updates on Oden’s ankle and whether he practiced. The mainstream media would never do that.

http://blog.oregonlive.com/behindblazersbeat/2008/10/oden_update_its_up_to_the_trai.html

Nor would the AP and ESPN.

http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/news/story?id=3619968

Truth is, if we don’t put in on the main page somebody is going to link to it in the Fanposts or Fanshots and you’re going to get the information there. Either way, it’s going to be talked about. It’s completely up to you how you take it. I, personally, think it’s no big deal. But telling us to not post something we know because of how you guys are going to react to it when most every other media source is going to be talking about it in one way or another is just silly.

—Dave

by Dave on Oct 1, 2008 4:27 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

I don't always agree with ya Dave

But spot-on here. It was reasonable to report.

by Timmay! on Oct 1, 2008 4:29 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

ahhh Dave. I hurt your feelings. Are you going to be OK? Do you want a hug?

I didn’t have a problem with your post Dave. To reiterate, I thought Ben’s “update” was ridiculous. It is very alarmist, and you can’t possibly deny that claim.

The Dude abides

by noaher on Oct 1, 2008 4:39 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

you don't see ESPN and AP reporting about Oden's body language during pracitce today, do you?

The Dude abides

by noaher on Oct 1, 2008 4:40 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

The ESPN article was written yesterday

We're young in age, but deep in experience - Brandon Roy.

by Norsktroll on Oct 1, 2008 4:45 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

And the one today, speculating about Oden's body language? link please.

The Dude abides

by noaher on Oct 1, 2008 4:46 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Then make a specific comment

saying how the specific words affected you and what you would do differently. That’s just great. Maybe we’ll learn from it. Maybe the author’s intent was different, maybe not. But words like “alarmist” don’t help anybody or explain anything. If anything the use of that word is an alarmist reaction to the post. Just as “blogs over-report” doesn’t explain much, especially since Quick has an even bigger write-up on the issue over at O-Live.

Basically, if you’re going to criticize or evaluate, take the time to explain what you find objectionable and why, giving the author as much benefit of the doubt as you can muster. Lobbing single-sentence over-generalizations doesn’t help. Again, we take the time to be thoughtful (and hopefully insightful) in what we post. If you want critcisms to be taken seriously you also need to take time to be thoughtful (and hopefully insightful) in how you make them and in what could be changed.

—Dave

by Dave on Oct 1, 2008 4:50 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

I respect your position, but I disagree

If Blazersedge is going the way of reporting news, I feel the context of how news is reported is very important. The first prioritized update from Ben was about Oden’s ankle as the preeminent news from training camp. While he later wrote up an excellent recap of what he saw, the impression to Blazer fans was the alarming “injury”. This update today was more speculation of Oden’s ankle based on body language? If you read both of the articles you linked, you will find striking difference in tone and context of the reporting.

This is not just about content, but context . Context is what separates sound credible reporting and one of alarmist which plagues the blogosphere. You can say something, but it depends on how you say it.

BINGO, BANGO, BONGO

by blzrfan on Oct 1, 2008 4:57 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

That would be a more helpful evaluation

in my estimation. Stating what specifically about the statement you found problematic and why.

—Dave

by Dave on Oct 1, 2008 5:00 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Quantity

There’s a reason employees don’t attend company board meetings and the public isn’t involved in the creation of legislation. In these processes, many ideas are thrown out, some ridiculous. A lot of detail is not relevant to the outcome. NBA practices are not dissimilar. The public has not yet learned to separate single events from important trends. Blogs, unrestricted by space, allow a higher quantity of news to be reported. In time, we will all learn not to read too much into stuff.

A blog post saying Rudy missed lots of shots in practice doesn’t carry the same weight as an Oregonian feature article on the same subject. In general, there isn’t a reliable mechanism in authorship to indicate the relative seriousness of a story. Are you rambling about some random event or disclosing vital information. Newspapers do this by placement and headline size – and not always well.

Tough problem. Dave usually handles this nicely by being very explicit in most of his posts; purposely telling the reader that X is important and Y is just an offhand observation.

by Engineering Problem on Oct 1, 2008 5:18 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Which is a good point

I generally assume that part of the value of observations like Ben has made is that they say things that other sources don’t. But then they may not rise to the level of verification that others do either. Sometimes you get a fuller look at the story. Sometimes its extraneous. But who gets to make that decision? I would submit that each reader must make it for themselves. Also the author must make it for himself when deciding what to post. For a reader to ask the author to abdicate the decision-making power by saying “don’t print this” seems to me the same as the author asking the reader to abdicate their decision-making power, in effect saying, “Don’t evaluate this, just swallow it.” Clearly the latter is unfair and dangerous. Therefore it follows, at least in my mind, that the former is fraught with peril too.

—Dave

by Dave on Oct 1, 2008 5:25 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Twitter.com

It’s interesting when high profile people use Twitter to make public the most mundane details of their lives. “Went to the grocery store”, “light bulb burned out”, etc. The key is that readers aren’t trying to unwind the mysteries of the universe – it’s just talk. The format renders it impolite to overanalyze. Still, imagine Greg blogging about his trip to Taco Bell or the fact that his muscles were sore after a workout.

Eventually, technology will lower the privacy barrier, whether we like it or not. In a world where political careers are defined by the ten worst words a person has ever uttered, this is going to be uncomfortable. Eventually, hopefully, the illusion will fall that public figures are somehow more than human will fall. As time marches on, the skill of knowing the wheat from the chaff will become increasingly valuable. Until we’re able to take that for granted in the general public, journalists and bloggers may need to be explicit.

by Engineering Problem on Oct 1, 2008 6:11 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Indeed

And even more so with the proliferation of words online. You literally have 20-30 times the number of words available to you about the Blazers now than you did 10 years ago. Sorting out the important words from the trivial is a necessity. It’s an ongoing process. Personally I can’t stand mountains made out of molehills in today’s environment. But I accept that as part of the environment, I guess. One person’s triviality is another’s gold mine.

—Dave

by Dave on Oct 1, 2008 6:34 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

It has to get better

I get overwhelmed sometimes by the 15 work emails a day that I have to respond to. I don’t text message and actively follow maybe 5 to 10 web sites. Even as a lifelong technology professional in my early thirties, my capacity to multitask and process endless scraps of random information is dwarfed by your average college student.

In ten years, the average ability to of readers to digitally collate should increase dramatically. What probably won’t change is the psychological need/desire to be ticked off, curious, disappointed, argumentitive, authoritative, stubborn, etc. i.e. both emotion seekers and truth seekers will be increasingly placated.

So, some of it is information quantity, but the folks who are worrying about Oden’s ankle are probably also worrying if they left the stove on or put gas in the car.

by Engineering Problem on Oct 1, 2008 7:44 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Isn't that why we come to BE? To absolutely saturate ourselves in all things Blazers?

The common fan will go to the main sports pages. Those who have lost their mind finds go to blogs to get every last morsel of news.

For those who don’t want the information. Don’t click on the link.

I'm a little confused by your tactics

by oderiferous emanations 74 on Oct 1, 2008 5:21 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Maybe Greg was just having a bad day.

I had a bad day yesterday. And not even really for any specific reason.

But I’ll tell you what would have made my day even worse: having everyone speculate wildly about what was wrong with me.

Word.

by joelor on Oct 1, 2008 4:35 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

+1

The Dude abides

by noaher on Oct 1, 2008 4:45 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

It seems a lot of people

are having bad days today.

Jeez guys, let’s take things down a notch. Ben and Dave run the site, and therefore can pretty much do whatever they want. If they do things that you don’t like, just leave. The fact that they are willing to take criticism in the way that they do is remarkable enough.

Seriously, if you truly were angry at what Ben wrote, it is probably because you don’t believe/want the negative implications of what he is writing. In which case, simply move on and keep your own opinions intact without flaming about things outside of your control.

Word.

by joelor on Oct 1, 2008 5:12 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

We're all different

Part of the strength of this format is that a lot of people can be different and have their say. I might not report like Ben does, nor he like me. Neither one of us says the same stuff as you find in the comments. It’s all good. If folks find things objectionable and they think something can be done about it, we’re always open to hearing what and…well…what. The comments that say that really are helpful and really are heard. It’s hard to respond to the accusations or generalizations though. The request is, if you’re going to criticize, criticize as helpfully as possible.

—Dave

by Dave on Oct 1, 2008 5:18 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Exactly

And Dave I was sticking up for ya 100% with that post, in case that didn’t come across clearly enough.

You and Ben do all the actual work. We sit here and read and dream while we are supposed to be working.

Many props.

Word.

by joelor on Oct 1, 2008 5:22 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Thanks

Honestly some of the stuff we say may not be important enough to stick up for. I know that I have printed stuff that later I went, “Hmmm…wonder what I was thinking there.” (Or the more common, “Wish I would have said it differently.”) But that doesn’t mean it shouldn’t have been posted. And frankly the good critcism of my writing has helped me be better at this (I hope) than I was when I started. I’ve learned as much from my imperfect posts as from those I considered nearly perfect. (See Pradamaster’s response to the Atlanta-Washington post below for an example.) But that only happens if, like Pradamaster, people bother to explain their reactions and offer alternatives.

—Dave

by Dave on Oct 1, 2008 5:29 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

not really criticism but… say greg oden doesn’t go down, and everythings going good, what would you guys be reporting? I just don’t want to see all the other practice news take a back seat to this… that said from the brevity of the post it looks like it is intended entirely to just keep us abreast of the situation, and I imagine ben could be working on writing up the non-alarmist non-breaking news, but bah shoot the messenger?

by contemnor on Oct 1, 2008 5:36 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Ben will have a full update

tonight, I’m sure. That will contain all of the other news I would assume. I don’t know for sure…you’d have to ask Ben this.

—Dave

by Dave on Oct 1, 2008 5:57 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Outlaw failed the fitness test

It’s confirmed he was the only one.

http://blog.oregonlive.com/behindblazersbeat/2008/10/conditioning_test_la_martell_s.html

by Timmay! on Oct 1, 2008 4:55 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

Asthma?

I hope.

BINGO, BANGO, BONGO

by blzrfan on Oct 1, 2008 4:59 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Wow!

LMA, Marty, and Sir-he-oh, flyin’!

My favorite teams are the Blazers and any team that is playing the Lakers.

by OCBlazerFan1 on Oct 1, 2008 5:02 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

This seems to be an annual ritual

for Travis. Either the test is too hard for his ability or he just hasn’t learned yet how to prepare during the summer.

—Dave

by Dave on Oct 1, 2008 5:05 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

He commented that it's partially a mental block

It’s partially his memories of his asthma from a child when he ran distances. My first reaction is that he’ll eventually get past it, but it’s fairly unusual for a failure reason.

by Timmay! on Oct 1, 2008 5:17 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

And he improved, finishing the test this year after apparently quitting in previous seasons

So while it’s not a cause for jubilations they don’t seem worried about it.

We're young in age, but deep in experience - Brandon Roy.

by Norsktroll on Oct 1, 2008 5:23 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Do they do the test during the regular season too?

Or is this just an after Summer thing?

My favorite teams are the Blazers and any team that is playing the Lakers.

by OCBlazerFan1 on Oct 1, 2008 5:32 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

It's an open-of-training-camp thing

It’s to get a level for every players’ fitness. It’s only once a year.

(unless there’s another one I haven’t heard about!)

by Timmay! on Oct 1, 2008 5:41 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

You'd think he would do it

two or three times a year for a proper assessment. Plus you’d think that they’d do much better mid, or end season when they are in better shape.

Not that any of it matters though.

My favorite teams are the Blazers and any team that is playing the Lakers.

by OCBlazerFan1 on Oct 1, 2008 6:32 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Hard to do later... for example, halfway through the year

Everyone’s got bumps and bruises and are mentally exhausted. It’s often when they’re laying off the players instead of testing them again.

Besides, in midseason, there’s no need for this drill, because Nate’s probably seen their conditioning during live games (something there’s no such luxury of here).

by Timmay! on Oct 1, 2008 7:43 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Geez.

He needs to learn how to train over the summer. Somebody should duct-tape a team-issued trainer to him over the summer, kind of like this:

Jerryd Bayless has two emotions: Kill and Win.

"I think it’s going to be very beautiful game next year."
-Nicolas Batum

NorrisHopper30: "someone injure pubert jones"

by rockingharder on Oct 1, 2008 6:32 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Poor lad … he’s been waiting so long for this. It must be eating up inside to be missing these training sessions.

by NBR on Oct 1, 2008 6:07 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

Ben, Dave ....I don't mind your observations at all

They will have emotion in them, and it’s expected with the big bubble that has been surrounding the expectations for this team…Oden is the prize and probably the key to the Blazer’s future….Hey, the guy has not played a real minute of NBA ball yet….So most of us are emotionally charged with the prospect that this guy could have some problems. We want to see him playing ball…he needs this training and pre-season…..He’s sat out a whole year already……I feel bad for him, because I’m sure he wants to play…..But concern, should not be an unexpected reaction from anyone interested in the Blazers….

by 67 on Oct 1, 2008 6:37 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

Meh

My friend Poncho used to sprain his ankle like once a month. He’d just fall over like a rag doll after stepping off a step or rolling it over a tree root. He had a bad sprain and it took almost a year to heal. I don’t see anything wrong with taking a couple of days off for a light sprain to prevent it from becoming a major sprain.

Blazers Edge has an alarmist vision

by tominhawaii on Oct 2, 2008 5:17 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs