Did Shaq Get Into Odens Head?

I'm posting this as a fan shot because it's just a short random thought I stumbled on this morning. I was looking for a quote I remember from Bill Russell urging Oden to "have fun". In going from article to article I found one from before the draft. It was an NBA.COM article and within it they asked Oden who some of his favorite players were, players he liked and emulated. He absolutely gushed about Shaq. Shaq was the guy he most wanted to emulate and who's game he followed. He sounded very much like any 20 year old basketball fan, but it was clear he was a huge fan of Shaq. My thought was that it seems Oden has been especially down ever since the Phoenix game. Oden didn't play a particularly good game, and Shaq was cold and insultingly dismissive in his post game comments about Oden. Oden is still a young guy, it's got to be hard if you've admired someone and then get the treatment he got from Shaq. I'm sure Oden has multiple pressures on him, but I'm wondering how much Shaq was able to get into Odens head. Purposely calling Oden-Odom was either stupid or a brilliant psychological attack, take your pick. Am I reading too much into everything or is it possible Shaq has added a new arsenal to his game, The Psychological Shaq attack?

about 3 years ago Krang 5 comments 0 recs |

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reading too much...

every Rookie has their own glorious expectations…i’m sure he’s just frustrated at the fact that he doesn’t have the same ability prior to MF surgery…it will come in due time.

Honor Billy Ray

by broyposse on Dec 11, 2008 11:59 AM PST reply actions

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More like Shaq got into Oden physically.

by TheGreatDane17 on Dec 11, 2008 1:38 PM PST reply actions

thats the thing tho— Even if it did, Greg has to learn to move on. Shaq’s antics cannot cannot continue to affect. While history and respect for those who came before you, Jerryd Bayless has it right. All these guys are out to eat your lunch. When you are on the court, you need to take and not be taken from. If Greg thinks these guys are going to be nice and give curteous “I hope I did not hurt you” fouls and “give away secrets” he’s in for a rude awakening. Most of those guys out there are probably going to be extremely self centered, aggressive and selfish. Greg however is not—- he’s going to have to learn to not cut the bad guys any slack.

"Both Anthony Carter and Jameer Nelson were downright jubilant in the Magic locker room postgame. Carter said to no one in particular, "Brandon Roy, that man is unstoppable, it's like he's playing NBA Live" and Nelson was cracking on his teammates for not being able to guard Brandon. The kinds of jokes you can make when you win."

by loyal_blazer on Dec 11, 2008 1:48 PM PST reply actions

Oden gets into Oden's head

Greg seems to be going through some of the same growing pains that Martell did. I think it would be good for Marty to be Greg’s big-buddy for a while to get over the self doubt.

by DonkeyShins on Dec 12, 2008 8:56 AM PST reply actions

Agreed

I also think Greg just needs time to get his wheels back. He’s trying to come back from MF and learn the league at the same time. He’ll be fine, I just hope he gets his playfulness and confidence back.

Nate could help immensely if he’s stop using him as a back to the basket post player, he’s just not ready for that. Instead, they need to design plays to get him the ball on the pick and roll and just let him clean up the glass for a while, just to get some easy buckets and let him get his confidence back. When we dump it to him in the post, he tries to hard and ends up traveling or getting stripped. That’s just not his game yet……

Witty Unpredictable Talent and Natural Game

by iDea on Dec 12, 2008 11:17 AM PST up reply actions