Start a code of silence - for Greg's sake

by Griff on Nov 10, 2008 10:42 AM PST

Head over to Dwight Jaynes' blog and he'll tell you about the importance of keeping the pressure off of Oden upon his return. Who can argue that? Well, probably us.

I would do EVERYTHING in my power to keep it a secret, if I were the Blazers. I would try to bring him back by surprise in a game that’s not against a big-time center and definitely not on national television.

Why not try to keep the pressure off him as long as possible? It’s not as if he’s still not going to be under a microscope. But at least they can try to keep the hype level turned down.

Remember the week before Christmas? You knew "Santa" used your attic as the hiding spots for your presents. You knew you should wait; to not spoil the surprise - but you also knew how to ever-so-delicately open the gifts, check out the goods, and re-seal them with surgeon-like precision. Then, on Christmas morn, you had to put on quite the show in front of the parents, acting surprised as you re-opened each gift (especially the ones that you never wanted nor asked for). T'was the beginning of your ability to keep your mouth shut...your innate ability to keep silent, for fear of ruining things.

Okay, perhaps it's not the greatest metaphor - nor that relevant, but K103 is rocking the X-mas tunes already, and I'm feeling the spirit. The point is, however, that we've all enacted the unwritten code of silence before - and some of us are pretty good at it.

With all the current hype over the last 2 years, one can only imagine what Oden is going through, but more than likely, it probably isn't conducive to confidence.

Is it possible for us - as fans - to enact a code of silence for the big guy? Call me superstitious, but maybe our band of blazermaniacs on the world wide inter-muh-net can ease the hype a little...any little bit helps, right? (I know VTBlazer - aka COY - will agree)

If this is repetition of a previous post, my apolgies, but I've been in far too many arguments with people that feel over-exposure is well-deserved for Oden.

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Remember the week before Christmas? You knew “Santa” used your attic as the hiding spots for your presents.

THAT’S WHERE THEY WERE?

The one place I never looked.

by Timmay! on Nov 10, 2008 10:47 AM PST reply actions

Hey, Heeeyyyyyyy, Griff,

as usual, you nailed it. Yes, I really do agree. Keep the pressure off of this kid. I think back to the pressure in my first job and remember barely being able to handle it. Oden is two years younger and he has about a million more times pressure than I had. Anything would help.

by VTBlazer on Nov 10, 2008 10:54 AM PST up reply actions

Lonald?

by Griff on Nov 10, 2008 11:09 AM PST up reply actions

They hid them in MY Closet

I think they figured i’d never clean in there and it was big closet. I did… i found… I peeked. If only they could have hid their porno’s there too. what a happy boy i’d have been.

We haven't done anything yet... but don't blink.

by ratbastird on Nov 10, 2008 12:24 PM PST up reply actions

errrr

just to be clear because my brain just had a little explosion… NOT pornos WITH the rents. no… bad… no… dang it! My brain is melting down now and i’m out.

We haven't done anything yet... but don't blink.

by ratbastird on Nov 10, 2008 12:25 PM PST up reply actions

Fell off the tightrope, didn't you?

"I’m glad Sergio played well in pre-season, but he should be getting killed for whining. He ain’t that important to the country of Spain, let alone the Trail Blazers." --Mortimer Pritchard

by timbo on Nov 10, 2008 12:36 PM PST up reply actions

My parents didn't hide my presents

Each year, I got a carton of cigarettes. The old man grabbed me each year and said, “Hey, smoke up Tommy.”

by tominhawaii on Nov 10, 2008 1:27 PM PST up reply actions

Tom

I think I saw you on campus the other day - were you wearing a flannel with fingerless gloves? I tried to get your attention, but you were too busy fist-pumping…

by Griff on Nov 10, 2008 2:40 PM PST up reply actions

No babying

Look its not that it is a dumb idea.. I just feel like if this is Greg’s problem, he needs to not be coddled through it. He is a kid who has had media pressure on him since well before he became the High School player of the year as a Junior in 2005.

The only reason to keep any kind of a code of silence is just for our own sanity. But let’s not worry so much about pressuring Oden.. he should be under pressure. Greatness takes pressure.. if he isn’t great or even good enough to stand pressure then we’ve already somehow smashed a kid who had this type of media attention for many years now.

We need to give him time and space to develop.. but I don’t see any reason to suddenly assume that Greg will be less than a force when he can actually get on the court and stay there.. knock on wood..

Boycott Rose Garden Concessions!!!
http://www.blazersedge.com/2008/11/8/657044/boycotting-rose-garden-con

by idoltime on Nov 10, 2008 10:58 AM PST reply actions

I agree

Granted my expectations of him have slid a little, but he’s not going through anything any other big #1 draft pick hasn’t gone through. Sure his injuries are hindering him and his confidence, but he was good enough before his injury to set these expectaions. He will be dominant. He just needs to play more than 13 minutes in this league. Hey, in those 13 minutes, he was on pace for an 18 rebound night. Not too bad.
What he needs to do is get p*ssed off and start playing like his abiltiies say he should. Run over guys, dunk, block, foul out, whatever…….just watch those big feet from landing on someone.

"I'd hate to be you if I were me." - Eddie (Barfly)

by NBAstard on Nov 10, 2008 11:37 AM PST up reply actions

So Greg already comes back against Miami (worst centers in the next ten games)

by Norsktroll on Nov 10, 2008 10:58 AM PST reply actions

If he looks ok in practice

He could see a little action against MIA and a few mins vs NO and Minny would help with the back to back fatigue issue

by southern oregon on Nov 10, 2008 11:08 AM PST up reply actions

The answer is, of course, DON'T START ODEN. BRING HIM IN OFF THE BENCH FOR SEVERAL WEEKS.

But we’ve gone over that before, ad nauseum.

"I’m glad Sergio played well in pre-season, but he should be getting killed for whining. He ain’t that important to the country of Spain, let alone the Trail Blazers." --Mortimer Pritchard

by timbo on Nov 10, 2008 12:37 PM PST up reply actions

agreed

by Griff on Nov 10, 2008 12:48 PM PST up reply actions

Babying

is not what I want either.

We need to give him time and space to develop..

I agree – but I don’t this happening.

by Griff on Nov 10, 2008 11:07 AM PST reply actions

You are probably right

at least from a media and fan point of view

But I think the organization understands Greg’s needs.. I don’t personally like the idea of bringing him off of the bench but his minutes and set post plays should be limited until the team can utilize it..

I guess I just feel like we are all not giving him enough credit for the insane amount of pressure and scrutiny he has been under throughout high school/AAU and at ohio state.. I know he got a bit overwhelmed before the season started, but I think we should let him take the pressure where appropriate. Until further notice.. he is the franchise center and will need to be able to continue taking pressure.

Plus, trying too hard to let him off makes it feel like we’ve already given up on him. We don’t need to hold back our expectations.. we just need to have patience.

Boycott Rose Garden Concessions!!!
http://www.blazersedge.com/2008/11/8/657044/boycotting-rose-garden-con

by idoltime on Nov 10, 2008 11:24 AM PST up reply actions

please insert

“see” in between don’t and this. that is all.

by Griff on Nov 10, 2008 11:08 AM PST reply actions

Good idea.

but I think it’s mostly up to the Blazers organization. All the beat writers will continue to ask about Greg on a day by day basis, and that won’t stop unless the writers want to, but I think the Blazers as an organization (from KP down to the Rice and MB) need to stop pushing Oden as a savior and saying he’s gonna dominate the league, stop talking about him, and just let him come back quietly. Removing as much expectation as possible is only a good thing. We fans would be a good starting point.

by DrivetheLane on Nov 10, 2008 11:33 AM PST reply actions

I love Oden, and I want him to do his job, like everyone else on the team.

I don’t want excuses, I don’t want coddling, I just want him to play. I am not hating, I just want him to do his job. I don’t care if it’s 2 points and 6 fouls in 5 minutes. Just play a game and have it end where we talk about something other than an injury.

(I don’t really want the 2 points and 6 fouls in 5 minutes to happen, but it sure would keep this place busy. If it did happen, I would expect a dramatic improvement the next game.)

by tominhawaii on Nov 10, 2008 12:33 PM PST reply actions

You have no faith in the 13 Minute Man, Thomas...

"I’m glad Sergio played well in pre-season, but he should be getting killed for whining. He ain’t that important to the country of Spain, let alone the Trail Blazers." --Mortimer Pritchard

by timbo on Nov 10, 2008 12:39 PM PST up reply actions