Bring back the Kid!

by Krang on Oct 19, 2008 12:30 PM PDT

Just read Jason Quicks article about Oden and the pressures of being a 20 year old rookie with all the expectations surrounding him. The following excerpt really struck me.

'He has lost a lot of personality," Roy said. "I look at it that that's the NBA. You come in with a high, then it humbles you, then the person that comes out of being humble is the person you are going to be for the rest of your career." -Brandon Roy as Quoted within Jason Quicks Article.

I thought it was one of the more interesting articles I've read in a long time, revealing of the reality of Greg Oden the person and player as well as revealing of Jason Quick himself, recognizing and apologizing when he believes he has fallen into the lockstep scrutiny of the often over zealous media machine.

Do we all need to step back? I remember the thrill and excitement of winning the #1 pick, the almost carnival atmosphere surounding the aproaching draft with the Oden vs. Durant debate. I remember the near hysteria surrounding his selection and the almost worshipful greeting at Pioneer Courthouse Square. We were a franchise getting healthy, and we were a fanbase hungry to be healthy. Then we all know the next happening, the unfortunate Knee surgery. We all said the right things. KP, Oden, most of the fans, the rest of the team. We had a good season, with Brandon in the All-Star game and a league awakening 13 game winning streak . But let's be honest, some place in our hearts as fans we still were waiting. We were waiting for this season, as much as we didn't want to admit it.

So now the waits over. It's here. Has the wait taught us patience? Or has it just made us and the league that much more hungry? Oden came into the league with attachments like "Next Great Dominant Center". Whispers of all the greats names were put alongside Oden. Here was a kid in Oden that shared with fans his own created, nearly unedited tours of his own apartment, complete with aknowledgements of a love for Cookie Crisp cereal. Here was a teenager, at the time, giving thumbs up reviews for the movie "Transformers". It was unique, it was refreshing and it was Oden. How quickly the N.B.A. and the media and maybe even ourselves as fans seem to be grinding that freshness away.

A few preseason games, with decent to good performance considering the long road Oden has been on and the new whispers begin. Sprain an ankle and even more whispers. We know what those whispers are, "How good is Oden?, Is Oden injury prone?, Can he stay healthy?". Suddenly the easy going kid we drafted is gone. Suddenly he isn't smiling, joking and being his confident self.

I'm guilty myself. Did I want to tune into a preseason game and see flashes of a Hakeem, Ewing, Russel in Oden? Sure I did. I'm as hungry for that as anyone. But do we need to try and step back. Given Odens appearance, his mature look and physical size, it's so easy to forget that a year ago this kid was a teenager. Can we after waiting a year for Oden, step back and again be patient and let Oden develop?

When all is said and done, part of what made me believe Oden could be a great center was his personality. He had a built in charisma, built in confidence. I'm saddened to read quotes to the extent that is being taken from him. I guess this whole fanpost is mostly just a call for all of us as Blazer fans to continue patience. I think Oden will be great player. But I also hope that when he becomes that dominant center, it will be with the smile attached that he brought into the league. Does it take too much for the media or ourselves to simply understand that we are dealing still with a very, very young man who is in an almost impossibly unique situation? We drafted the rumored next dominating big man, a kid arrived in Portland. His potential greatness might be fueled by his own personal desire and sensitivity to his own and others expectations but if we stamp out the kid, and the joy for the game, I think we will have less of a new Oden emerge. So Yes, I say Bring Back The Kid! .......it's going to be alright!

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Comments

Brilliant

It’s almost like you pulled the thoughts from my mind.

by premthegrem on Oct 19, 2008 2:04 PM PDT reply actions

Maybe you did, but it's pretty clear that we've got a Shaq that can shoot free throws...

Did I want to tune into a preseason game and see flashes of a Hakeem, Ewing, Russel in Oden?

"It's not a joke -- it's not a game." — B-Rex

by timbo on Oct 19, 2008 2:51 PM PDT reply actions

.............................................. which ain't chopped liver.

"It's not a joke -- it's not a game." — B-Rex

by timbo on Oct 19, 2008 2:51 PM PDT up reply actions

Considering that at his peak, the only way to stop Shaq was to put him at the line

that’s pretty dang good.

by Gargen on Oct 19, 2008 10:07 PM PDT up reply actions

Look, there is ALWAYS going to be huge pressure on a #1 overall pick...

…………………………………….. any year, any sport, any city.

Oden has had a WHOLE YEAR to learn the league, learn the coaches, learn what it takes to be an NBA professional. Oden has had a fabulous chance to develop with a “red shirt year” of sorts, an unheard of luxury for himself as a professional.

Sure, he’s a young guy, but there’s going to be pressure. It’s not up to the fans to “step back,” it’s up to Oden to “step up.”

I’m not quite sure why Nate was so eager to anoint him the “game 1 starter” before a single pre-season game was played, rather than making him earn his spot. But done’s done, now it’s up to Greg to get himself ready, physically and mentally, to play in this league.

"It's not a joke -- it's not a game." — B-Rex

by timbo on Oct 19, 2008 2:58 PM PDT reply actions

Probably Nate anointed him

because it was obvious over the summer and in training camp that he’s already a lot better than Joel.

Maybe not because of rebounding or defense, yet. But if you pass the ball to Joel in the low post, there’s a good chance it’s a turnover. If you pass it to Greg, he dunks on their head. And that, as you emphasized over and over again last year, is what we desperately needed — a legitimate low post threat. All we need is about 3-4 of those dunks a game to change the whole dimension of an opponent’s defense.

That’s why Nate anointed him.

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 20, 2008 5:46 AM PDT up reply actions

I think the people that are "underwhelmed" with Oden...

are the same people who are/were saying he’ll average 18 pts, 12 rebounds and 3 blocks per game. Were he the only good player on a really bad team, those numbers would be somewhat easily attainable…people are always so quick to forget that Oden missed his initial rookie year with an injury, and getting your basketball legs under you takes time. Quick is one of those people who believed Greg would be a world-beater and all-star this season, when he was yet to play a single NBA regular season game…Jason, if you weren’t so quick (no pun intended) to annoint him a 08-09 all-star without regular season games under his belt, then maybe you set your expectations too high this year. The kid will be more than fine, he just needs some time!

by lefty6283 on Oct 19, 2008 3:13 PM PDT reply actions

The kid will be more than fine, he just needs some time!

I think that this was the point of JQ’s article.

by everett on Oct 20, 2008 8:39 AM PDT up reply actions 1 recs

Oden if you're reading this

know that we just want to see you be happy and let the game come to you. You have to adjust to the NBA game we all know and you know that you will be really good and in shape at some point. With that knowledge rest easy. If the media and fans say stupid stuff ignore and seek the council of Brandon and the more experienced players. They will be there for you when it seems like the rest of the world isn’t. I know you will be able to be in the moment and feel that love of the game again. When that happens good things will come. I’ve seen flashes of it already. Take care Greg.

He's Coming! Oden Slayer of Giants

by Idog1976 on Oct 19, 2008 6:38 PM PDT reply actions

greg, you're the man(child)!

loosen up, relax and have fun young man. you’ve got brandon and lamarcus to absorb the real criticism and pressure and joel coming off of the bench if you have a bad game. the biggest problem you have is that the blazers are the only game in a small town, you sir are the biggest fish in a small pond. get healthy, get happy and pretty soon the 14 and 10 you throw down this year will make everyone as happy as a young bride.

as long as you stay healthy, you have nothing to worry about. unfortunately, if you don’t, i envy you not……

by blazersunited on Oct 19, 2008 8:35 PM PDT reply actions

We Want Greg To Know

Even if you end up being a 12 pts 10 rebs guy whole your career you would still do our team great favors simply by just being on the team. It would be different if u were a person with Bayless type attitude but u are a humble man who deserves a lot of respect because thats what you have for others. simply try your best, loosen up and the game will come to you. you dont have to do much to have great impact

Lose the attitude or else off to the D league. jerryd

by bowdown on Oct 19, 2008 9:16 PM PDT reply actions

I don't want goofy Greg

I want “grinder” Greg

The NBA season is a grind. Someone was wondering if Oden had ever lost a home game in his lifetime before the Golden State preseason loss the other night? Maybe not, but regardless it’s time for the rook to grow up and learn to handle adversity like a pro.

Winning is fun. Save the smiles for when they hand you the trophy and the championship rings. Then you can spray champaign on Nate and have a hoot

I’m reminded of a story that Red Auerbach used to tell about Bill Russell. Red said Bill would play 40+ minutes a night but take it easy during practices. One day Red called Russ out in front of the team, and Russ didn’t say a word. He just went out and dominated the practice, blocking shots and generally disrupting anything the other players were trying to do. After 5 minutes of this mayhem Red had to call Bill off and tell him to go back to pacing himself, again.

That’s the heart of a champion. And that’s the kind of anecdote I want to hear Nate McMillian tell about Greg Oden, someday

by two4larue on Oct 19, 2008 11:04 PM PDT reply actions

Greg's a sensitive dude..

The attention will always be there, but I believe that once the season gets rolling, more storylines will develop and the focus on Greg will lessen some, taking the focus off of him a bit…hopefully helping him relax a bit.

He’s a sensitive guy, and there’s nothing wrong with that, as long as he knows to take out any frustration or anxiety he has on his opponent in the low post..or any opposing guards that dare challenge the paint.

You can pick your friends, and you can pick your nose, but you can't pick your friend's nose.

-- Unknown

by SloppyJoe on Oct 20, 2008 8:31 AM PDT reply actions