Oden speaks!

by Idog1976 on Dec 13, 2008 7:48 PM PST

No more rumor innuendo or gossip. This is straight from the big fella's mouth.

Credit to Jksnake posted in the fanshot's below a fantastic interview with Oden that will hopefully squelch all the rumors. I know this is fanshot material but this needs the exposure of a Fan post as no one seems to scroll that far down.

I think that this should put a stake in the heart of the he's depressed and awful to be around. I also note this is the third time now that he has spoken to the media just not Quick and sadly our own intrepid BE beat reporter/talent one Ben of the bathphone.

Ben you gotta get in there and get us the scoop from GO and let him know how much we all adore him! For my money Ben is as good or better then Quick at this point and tens times more respectful. Between Ben's flavor and Dave's rockin analysis BE beats the Oregonian hands down.

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on beating the Oregonian hands down

I wouldn’t go so far as to say hands down, but the Bedge is Where I Go for news and analysis.

And Oden always just makes me smile. Dude seems legit.

by 50backflips on Dec 13, 2008 8:02 PM PST reply actions

Well

Even though I’m not as high on him as Ben I do think Quick writes great articles now and then. However, the reporting after Quick drops off…well quickly. I guess Meagher is pretty decent.

Still though Ben + Dave + Sidebar > Oregonian staff.

He's Coming! Oden Slayer of Giants

by Idog1976 on Dec 13, 2008 8:46 PM PST up reply actions

just because he isn't depressed

doesn’t mean it doesn’t suck to be around him. I know people that aren’t depressed that I can’t stand to be around.

by Bust a Bucket on Dec 13, 2008 8:07 PM PST reply actions

Well then

that statement is even more ludicrous. However, all I’m trying to do is bring this to light so people see that according to Greg he isn’t depressed. I don’t want to resurrect the Quick thing I just wanted to say that we need not try and get in his head so much. I also wanted to add an alternate theory as to his distance from the media. Finally, I wanted to let Ben know that I think contrary to his post awhile back, that it is Dave and Ben who are the talents not Quick.

He's Coming! Oden Slayer of Giants

by Idog1976 on Dec 13, 2008 8:43 PM PST up reply actions

Whoops

incomplete thought there. I meant to say that Quick’s reference to Greg being horrible to be around if not related to his depression was of even less importance to us fans. I really don’t care about Quick’s opinion of someone’s say, dress habits and whether he thinks they look sharp. I want to know about things that effect the Blazers chances of winning.

He's Coming! Oden Slayer of Giants

by Idog1976 on Dec 13, 2008 8:44 PM PST up reply actions

I agree

It’s relieving that Oden is apparently not as Emo as people were guessing he was.

On Quick: Ben said he is “Talent”. If you don’t think Quick is talent, then you are disparaging Ben’s article and Ben himself.

Thus, if Ben is talent, Quick is talent. You can’t have your cake and eat it too.

by Bust a Bucket on Dec 13, 2008 8:56 PM PST up reply actions

I guess that's true

so let me rephrase. Ben has a fair amount of “class”, Quick not so much. Ben is Nash-like where as Quick is Garnett-like. Both have talent, one is a gentleman and one is not.

He's Coming! Oden Slayer of Giants

by Idog1976 on Dec 13, 2008 9:29 PM PST up reply actions 1 recs

hahaha

you’re brutal.

by Bust a Bucket on Dec 13, 2008 9:38 PM PST up reply actions

Call 'em like I read 'em

And I’m often wrong…. :)

He's Coming! Oden Slayer of Giants

by Idog1976 on Dec 13, 2008 9:40 PM PST up reply actions

Lol

but you’re dead right about the second part of your comment.

I see it more as Quick running his mouth a little, not him being classless. Yes, gentlemen don’t run their mouths like that, but he’s only had a few slip ups. I’m a fine gentlemen (for all I can tell) and still say things I regret ocassionally.

Am I classless? Some people might think so, but the people who know me best probably wouldn’t say so.

by Bust a Bucket on Dec 13, 2008 9:45 PM PST up reply actions

I hear that

I’m sure I’ve alienated more then a few readers on this site. I have a knee jerk reaction to defend Oden. I also have this bizarre extreme mancrush on the big fella which I don’t entirely understand myself. Oden is my favorite Blazer ever and I’ve been watching them for a loooong time, pretty much as long as I can remember. One of my first phrases according to my parents was “two for larue!” and “Two just like that!”. For some inexplicable reason i just love Oden. maybe it’s the innocence maybe it’s his humor but I just love the guy. My greatest fear is that he will leave the team because he doesn’t like it anymore. So there you have it my psychology laid out in the open.

He's Coming! Oden Slayer of Giants

by Idog1976 on Dec 13, 2008 9:51 PM PST up reply actions

wow

That’s impressive that you love Oden that much. After 18 games or whatever he’s already you fav of all time and you were actually alive when LaRue Martin played (I’m young and dumb).

I have that same fear of Oden not liking it here. I’m just worried he doesn’t enjoy basketball because it’s more of a job to him and the year off and rehab had to take a toll on his psyche. All work and no play for a full year practically.

If he doesn’t become really good in his first three years here, he might see getting out of Portland as an opportunity to start over. The 15,000 people at Pioneer Square and the Oden jersey hung on the RG would become like his version of a “Mission Accomplished” banner. If he doesn’t fulfill the expectations, he will always have it hanging over his head. So he might want to bounce to a place where he can get a fresh start expectations-wise.

I’ve very worried about that. But it’s countered by the fact that I think he will continue to improve steadily over the next few years. Plus, if the team plays really well and becomes a contender, Portland may be an attractive place for him if he enjoys winning certain ballgames and being given things to put on his fingers (if you know what I mean).

by Bust a Bucket on Dec 13, 2008 10:02 PM PST up reply actions

Yeah I think

Oden is a PTB for life but that doesn’t mean the fear doesn’t get the best of me early and often when it comes to local media criticizing him too personally. Lord knows I’ve gone off the deep end on this subject a number of times. Interesting comparison between his jersey and the “Mission Accomplished Banner”.

He's Coming! Oden Slayer of Giants

by Idog1976 on Dec 13, 2008 10:32 PM PST up reply actions

I hope that jersey and the Pioneer Square reception

doesn’t haunt the guy for the rest of his life.

by Bust a Bucket on Dec 13, 2008 10:38 PM PST up reply actions

I think there is another dynamic to consider here

I don’t think GO likes or trust Quick. When you are around someone who doesn’t like you it can be a bit awkward. Perhaps Quick should have just said, “Why doesn’t Greg Oden like me? Why? WHy? WHy?” Next thing you know Quick is going to say that he broke up with Greg Oden first. When it is clear that Oden dumped him.

All kidding aside, Greg is going to be like the shy kid at the party who comes out of his shell after a few beers and go’s craz. The beers in this case are a few years of experience. Once he is comfortable with himself and the league we will all see the real G.O. In the meantime, get off his sac!

I'm a little confused by your tactics

by oderiferous emanations 74 on Dec 13, 2008 8:18 PM PST reply actions

Yeah

I was kind of alluding to your first sentence.

He's Coming! Oden Slayer of Giants

by Idog1976 on Dec 13, 2008 8:40 PM PST up reply actions

Word.

I'm a little confused by your tactics

by oderiferous emanations 74 on Dec 13, 2008 8:42 PM PST up reply actions

i would never have said what quick said about someone i was covering

because your primary job should be to evaluate oden’s performance, not whether you like him or he likes you… that’s ad hominem material and quick was unprofessional. what if after 25 games you realized you absolutely could not stand rasheed wallace? keep it to yourself.

ignacio

by ignacio on Dec 13, 2008 11:01 PM PST up reply actions

He choose he words poorly... lets slap the crap out of his wrist and move on in life

He was crucified by us Internets people and he wrote that nice little piece saying that he can’t “stand to be around the ENTITY of Greg Oden.”

Not Oden personally. It wasn’t ad hominem. It was ad entity-um.

Quick is not going anywhere. Quick haters are no better than Oden haters. Nobody is perfect, but we have a Center named Oden and a “beat writer”, or just “Talent” if it pleases you, named Quick.

Let’s be a merry basketball family, kiss and make out… I mean make up.

by Bust a Bucket on Dec 14, 2008 1:09 AM PST up reply actions

I actually love J Quick. Not in a gooey sort of way. But in a firm hand shake

leading to a half man hug sort of way.

I'm a little confused by your tactics

by oderiferous emanations 74 on Dec 14, 2008 1:32 PM PST up reply actions

Gooey enough for me

by Bust a Bucket on Dec 14, 2008 2:05 PM PST up reply actions

Not sure I buy that

clarification. He said and repeated that he couldn’t stand to be around the guy. I too am sick of national media obsession with Oden’s hangnails. Frankly it’s our job as deranged locally based sports fans to be that obsessed not the national media, especially when they hardly talk about Roy.

With that said I don’t understand Quick’s feelings on Oden they just seem weird. I think Quick is starting to move in the right direction at least I hope so. I will give him the benefit of the doubt. Hopefully he won’t stir the pot with another bashing article/interview and will just remain silent on Oden for awhile. His apology didn’t seem sincere he seems to genuinely dislike Oden for some strange reason. Of all the guys on the team Oden seems the most likable to me except for maybe Frye. I have a redonkulous man crush on Oden though so I’m biased. I’m not gonna hate on Quick anymore but I don’t have to like him either and until certain things change I won’t. By comparison Ben who seemed to not like Oden’s attitude or what have seems to have really manned up and become a professional in regards to his treatment of Oden. Ben seems sincere to me Quick not so much. Ben also is MUCH newer to the scene so his blogging is still in it’s rookie season, Quick is an old pro. Right now I prefer Ben’s ceiling and we all know Dave is an established all-star. For now when I want Blazer’s information I will stick with the BE with some wanderings to Lance Uppercuts reports peppered with some Meagher and Jaynes if I want op eds.

He's Coming! Oden Slayer of Giants

by Idog1976 on Dec 14, 2008 1:58 PM PST up reply actions

With that said I don’t understand Quick’s feelings on Oden they just seem weird.

Perhaps there is some aspect to their relationship that they cannot or will not talk about publicly, so it makes them seem weird. Maybe Quick was visiting Oden’s house for a Rip City Revival interview, they ended up getting drunk and some things happened.

by Bust a Bucket on Dec 14, 2008 2:09 PM PST up reply actions 1 recs

lmao

He's Coming! Oden Slayer of Giants

by Idog1976 on Dec 14, 2008 3:09 PM PST up reply actions

Good form Bust! I think of Tommy boy after they get in a fight and they

are sitting at the restaurant, awkwardness fills the air as they refuse to mak eye contact. That song playsin the background, “I’m sorry, so sorry”.

I'm a little confused by your tactics

by oderiferous emanations 74 on Dec 14, 2008 4:07 PM PST up reply actions

the song from Westside Story?

“I’m so sorry, oh so sorry, I’m so pretty, and witty and gay!”

Is that the song you speak of?

by Bust a Bucket on Dec 14, 2008 4:12 PM PST up reply actions

jeez...

could that interviewer be more annoying?

Once again, Greg is the only person who is actually being cool through all this.

Just let him play and stop putting pressure on the guy. Seriously, right now our best center is Joel Przybilla who should be playing in the fourth quarter. Nothing against Greg, but the way Joel is playing, he is right behind Roy as our MVP.

by koyote on Dec 14, 2008 2:41 AM PST reply actions 1 recs

+1. That interviewer was TERRIBLY annoying.

He really left a lot to be desired. That can happen on NBA TV sometimes – they have a few guys working for them who will never make it to a larger network. – Wlgin

It's all blues and no dinner at the Ministry of Bag. The steaks are getting thinner. The office is a drag. - Pete Brown

by 22baylor on Dec 14, 2008 5:56 AM PST up reply actions

That guy WAS a stiff, wasn't he?

But you have to like Steve Smith—even if he’s stuck with a lame partner.

"If [Roy & Aldridge] walked around in fur coats, with a bunch of glamour & glitz, we'd have a bunch of guys wearing fur coats. But they don't. They're just good guys who want to win and know how to play the right way." --Kevin Pritchard

by hurryup09 on Dec 14, 2008 11:52 AM PST up reply actions

He cracks me up. He reminds me of that ultra goober in high school

that is always trying to give you an awkward high five regardless of the occasion and any time he uses a somewhat modern pop culture phrase such as “phat” or “sick” it just doesn’t feel right. He’s that guy…………but I do like his enthusiasm.

I'm a little confused by your tactics

by oderiferous emanations 74 on Dec 14, 2008 1:34 PM PST up reply actions

I really like Kamla's work

thought he conducted a good interview.

honor rasheed wallace

by Cablinasian on Dec 14, 2008 12:36 PM PST up reply actions

Greg's blog is great. I check it all the time. He doesn't say much but it's good he keeps in touch with fans.

by BRoyInThe4th on Dec 14, 2008 7:20 AM PST reply actions

help for the uninformed?

I’m new to following the Blazers… I just kept following Oden after he finished up at Ohio State. Here is my question. Without knowing the details, I have heard that in the past the Blazers have had a dysfunctional relationship with the local press like no other team. Is this Quick vs. Oden reflective of that or has that pretty much a thing of the past? Anybody know the story?

by keephopealive on Dec 14, 2008 8:27 AM PST reply actions

The dysfunctional relationship was mainly between former management and e.g. the Oregonian - not the players

Viva la Rudylucion

by Norsktroll on Dec 14, 2008 9:21 AM PST up reply actions

Norkstroll is right

it was due to the stupidity of previous management who were trying to hide the extreme dysfunction of the team they had assembled. Radically different situation then what we have currently.

He's Coming! Oden Slayer of Giants

by Idog1976 on Dec 14, 2008 1:22 PM PST up reply actions

Not at all

If anybody think this is “dysfunctional” they are minimizing what has gone on here in the past. This is a joke really compared to what was going on.

In the Spring of 2006 (not long ago), The Oregonian hired an independent investigative journalist from San Jose Mercury New to do a story on the relationship between the team and the paper. He basically assigned some blame to both sides. I can’t find the story, but here’s something from ESPN.com:

The Blazers have taken the highly unusual step of issuing press releases after a pair of spats with Quick. One was over the substance of a quote from coach Nate McMillan. On the second occasion, Quick had reported details of a predraft workout by Adam Morrison, Brandon Roy and Rudy Gay against the Blazers’ wishes; he had watched the workout through a gap in the blinds at the team’s practice facility.

From afar, the Blazers’ actions have appeared petty, thin-skinned and paranoid, though they defended them as their only recourse after Patterson spoke with several high-ranking Oregonian editors and claims he was laughed at (an allegation Bhatia, who defended Quick’s actions, denied).

The cold relations between the team and the newspaper prompted the Oregonian to hire an outside writer and editor to produce an article examining the poor dynamics, and the resulting piece, which ran Nov. 6, didn’t leave any of the protagonists feeling any better.

http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/columns/story?columnist=sheridan_chris&id=2666051

Reportedly, Canzano was in a fierce email exchange with the Direct of Communications Art Sasse and put “Is your house on the market?” in the subject line implying he was losing his job. He called Sasse the “Henchman” for doing the dirty work at One Center Court. Some people call him Clownzano.

by Bust a Bucket on Dec 14, 2008 2:22 PM PST up reply actions

Wow

I didn’t know that much detail about the history. That was during the brief period where I was out of the country and was sick of the dog fighting Qyntel / Zbo era blazers. Interesting that Quick and Canzano were causing problems back then and that the Blazers were responding with equal nastiness. Sounds like fault on both sides didn’t realize it had gotten that deep…

He's Coming! Oden Slayer of Giants

by Idog1976 on Dec 14, 2008 3:12 PM PST up reply actions

Whitsitt even used to print out articles, and circle/underline what he didn't like

Viva la Rudylucion

by Norsktroll on Dec 14, 2008 3:21 PM PST up reply actions

thanks

by keephopealive on Dec 15, 2008 4:58 AM PST up reply actions

Thanks for posting

Good interview with Greg and it is good to see him smiling and having fun talking about bball and life.

by usmcr3049 on Dec 14, 2008 10:14 AM PST reply actions

That's funny--GO seems perfectly pleasant when he's not in Quick's presence...

…even when he’s being asked the usual inane questions. Now, what could account for that?

by hurryup09 on Dec 14, 2008 11:54 AM PST reply actions

I think being called "underwhelming" when you've played a grand total of

about 10 minutes of your future 15 year career might have something to do with it.

Quick needs to be in GO’s doghouse until he begs for mercy for that one.

by raoulduke on Dec 14, 2008 12:09 PM PST reply actions

My main goal here

was to put an end to speculation that Oden is all depressed and upset. Unless you think he is lying here the kid is alright. I think he will relax visibly when he starts dominating. It looks to me that the problem is Oden is trying too hard and taking it a bit too seriously rather then letting the game come to him. His spurts of dominance are always with the aura of him just moving and acting no thought involved. The point is the kid is alright.

He's Coming! Oden Slayer of Giants

by Idog1976 on Dec 14, 2008 1:24 PM PST reply actions

I thought you did a nice job of attempting to reach that goal

Unfortunately the Quick haters smelled red meat and reared their ugly heads again. They hijacked your nice thread to fulfill their personal attacks (due to insecurity…? perhaps).

The Quick haters forget that the Blazers and Oden have said absolutely nothing about Quick’s comments on the radio. There is no issue between the Big Fella and Quick regarding Quick’s comments.

Quick clarified them… it was a personal ad hominem on Greg Oden, it was a non-personal ad entity-em attack on the ENTITY of ODEN. Quick haters will brush that type of clarification under the rug because it doesn’t comport to their goal of attacking Quick relentlessly.

Perhaps the Quick haters

by Bust a Bucket on Dec 14, 2008 2:27 PM PST up reply actions

Nice job of selective reporting, BaB

You somehow omit how, after that “clarification,” Quick went on to acknowledge he didn’t like being around GO, period.

by hurryup09 on Dec 15, 2008 2:40 AM PST up reply actions

ad entity-em and ad hominem

First the ad entity-em:

First off, I listened to them and was, quite frankly, embarrassed. I didn’t intend to come across so abrasive, but I did, and I have no other choice but to own up to it.

There is one line I would like to take back, where I said “I can’t stand to be around” Oden. I think a more accurate reflection of my feelings would have been to say ’I’m sick of dealing with the entity of Greg Oden." The entity of Oden is the media mosh pits around him. It’s hearing stupid questions, like ones about his beard. It’s the incessant questions on the radio, and in internet chats, about him.

Then the ad hominem:

And yes, it’s the actual dealing with Greg himself. I totally stand by my comments that the guy is not pleasant to be around. There is nothing enjoyable about it.

Then the reason:

There is a great kid somewhere inside this shell he has crawled into. I’ve seen it. I saw it at the Orlando Pre-Draft camp before Portland drafted him, when he had a table of reporters practically rolling on the ground in laughter. I saw it in an interview I did with him at a downtown Portland hotel, when he was moving, thoughtful and engaging and smart. I miss that. I think Portland misses that. Because really, that’s Greg. And that part of Greg is a sliver of what made him a great basketball player. Now, that sliver is gone.

Then the apology:

Bottom line is I need to do a better job of understanding my responsibility. I have to be better.

The truth and why you guys are blowing this out of proportion:

My sense is that Greg cares, but doesn’t. Nobody likes bad things said about them, but at the same time, I think he is smart enough to see who is saying them. In other words, if Brandon Roy said he can’t stand being around the guy, Greg would care. That Jason Quick said it? Who cares.

Here’s my take: Quick made a poor choice of words. He apologized for it. But he didn’t lie to us and say “Greg is an awesome person to be around.” Maybe that’s what you want to hear from him. Not me. I want to hear the truth. I don’t want to hear lies just to make me feel better about Greg. This serves a valuable role for Blazer fans. If it weren’t for Quick, we wouldn’t know as much about Greg’s personality in the locker room. We wouldn’t know that things might not be going well and would be blindsided when he shows up for a future game with slits scars on his wrists. Did he still say that Greg is not fun to be around? Yes. Does it matter to Greg? Heck no. Who cares what Jason Quick said? No Greg. Only fans. Who cares what Brandon Roy said? Both Greg and fans.

Most importantly: Did Jason Quick make the comments on the radio as a vindictive personal attack on Greg? No. He made them because he is a sensitive guy with a sentimental streak that longs for a former version of Greg Oden that he fell in love with. Jason wrote: “I miss that.”

Jason misses the old Greg and got frustrated. He didn’t make the comments because he hates Greg. It’s because he loves Greg and misses him. How many married couples have a falling out and think back to the person they married 10 years before and say “I miss that.”

by Bust a Bucket on Dec 15, 2008 3:01 AM PST up reply actions

Hey, Quick Haters

Here’s some red meat for you!

After the Clippers game, Jason “The Devil” Quick wrote this:

Like a professional, [Steve Blake] answered questions. Just like he did after he helped beat Toronto with a three-pointer with 8.4 seconds left.

Now this wasn’t some comment on some meaningless radio show or some blog. It was printed in black and white in the Oregonian, one of the top 20 newspapers in the US (by circulation).

Did he have to point out that Blake was a professional? Was that an indirect stab at Oden?

Oh baby, this meat is sure lookin’ red. Can’t wait to see what type of inferences you guys can concoct out of this one.

Feast away!

by Bust a Bucket on Dec 14, 2008 2:39 PM PST reply actions