What changes? Oden vs. The Vanilla Gorilla

Bynum had FOUR points for the Lakers in the opener and they looked pretty good, did they not?

was definitely out of rhythm, but I do not believe it had much to do with the difference between Greg and Joel. The offense looked just as bad in the second half as in the first, just as bad with Joel in the game as with Greg in the game, against the Lakers.

-The Blazers gave the ball to Oden in the post a little against the Lakers, but not every possession.

-The offense looked much more smooth and efficient against the Spurs, but the Spurs were somewhat responsible as was a another couple of days of coaching.

-The Lakers look like a scary-good defensive team with Bynum at center. Bynum is big and quick. Gasol is long for a PF. Bryant is a pest as a help defender. Against weaker centers and weaker team defenses, I suspect that you’ll enjoy seeing Greg dunk the ball off the post-up.

-I don’t think Nate’s offensive game plan is to go through Oden. At the Clippers game, he was clearly the third or fourth option in the offense. He got most of his points on offensive rebounds.

On the other hand:

-I agree, that post isolation plays for Greg are not ideal. Being able to score on post isolations against good NBA Centers is a very high level skill. That’s going to be one of the last parts of Greg’s game to develop.

-Against, good defensive centers, I’d like to see some plays for Greg in the half-court offense, but not post isolation. Give him a back pick for a dunk. Set cross screens so he can establish deep position. Do something to get him an easy bucket or two to help his confidence.

do you think oden clogged the lane against the lakers where pryz stays farther out setting pics and being a passer a lot of the time? or was it just the lakers swarming zone?

Doesn’t it come down to development? Oden is a rookie, Pryz is not. Pryz gives you what he gives you and a diverse offensive arsenal has never been part of the package. Oden is a rookie inwhich our immediate and future plans revolve around him being a force offensively in the paint. We need and expect scoring from Oden in the low post. The idea is that will open things up for everyone else. A low post scoring Oden makes everyone around him better.

I think you can debate the “pace” of development, I don’t think it’s something we need to rush or demand of Oden constantly, but you play a player in the manner inwhich you think you will use him. Why stop using Oden as a low post option? The development is needed and in the meantime, in a lot of cases, Oden with the ball close to the basket is a power dunk. Suddenly using Oden as if his skill set is the same as Pryzbillas, with all due respect to Pryzbilla, is lowering your sites on Odens potential, something I would not do when it comes to developing young talent.

I think that for now Oden needs to get his points of misses and play the role of defender/pick guy. We have enough offense, and his offensive game is WEAK right now. It also takes a lot of pressure off of him as well. I am in the camp that we should be bringing him off the bench as well until he hits his stride. The fact of the matter is that we can perform pretty darn well without him (example: last night), and we need to give him time to develop. I think anyone can agree with that at this point. Let’s be honest, Pryz is no chopped liver.

called Joel down from the upper level and referred to him as “The Thrilla.” Let’s remember that the nickname “Vanilla Gorilla” belonged to then Bucks standout – Brad LoHaus. For one thing Vanilla is a common reference to something soft as well as pasty white. Joel is not soft.

Do It. Let him feel for the game a little bit. he hasnt played real basketball in 2 years