Poll: Why ain't GO in summer league?

by EngineerScotty on Jul 15, 2008 11:43 AM PDT

Greg Oden has been conspicuous in summer league--by his absence. Many theories as to why; it's time for a poll to see what y'all think.

Kevin Durant did, of course, have a cameo appearance in Orlando; but KD is already an established NBA talent who has no need to play in summer league for development or evaluation. (He may or may not reach the superlative "cross between Bird, Jordan, and KG" heights predicted for him in the runup to the 2007 draft, but he has shown he's a legit NBA player--and despite a rough early part of his rookie year, looks promising).

But we still ain't seen what GO can do on the basketball court against the big boys, other than a few games in last year's summer league on a bad knee.

So... it's voting time.

Poll

Why isn't Greg Oden in summer league

He's way too good for summer league, and is being saved for the regular season in order to shock the NBA

24 votes

He could go, but it's more important to evaluate the rooks than Oden, who is a known quantity to the coaches.

18 votes

He could go, but the team is being cautious with his knees; prefering to keep him out of full-contact basketball until training camp

96 votes

His knees aren't quite ready, but he's still on schedule for him to play on opening night.

5 votes

His recovery is going slower than expected; and he's not ready to play competitive hoops. He won't be ready to play in November

0 votes

He's done. He's Sam Bowie (a promising career now derailed by injury), and the Blazers don't want to break it to us yet. If he does play again, he'll be a shadow of the guy who was the #1 pick

1 votes

He's LaRue Martin. Even with a healthy knee, he's not an NBA player. Everyone at One Center Court knows it, and they don't want to see Oden getting posterized by punks like Mayo in Las Vegas.

6 votes

150 votes | Poll has closed

0 recs | Comment 14 comments

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Comments

It's a long season

and they are saving his legs for training camp, preseason, 82 regular season games, and hopefully for a run into the playoffs.

I am happy with the team’s decisions here. He is working out at Ohio State and taking classes. Classy guy working on his core.

'77

by LaoTzu on Jul 15, 2008 12:08 PM PDT 0 recs

If his legs break down in summer league...

which is a few months after the time he was cleared for full contact…

then I’m a thinking he’s going down no matter what.

Ford: Bill, you're claiming victory already? Have you had a "Mission Accomplished" banner printed yet?

http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/draft2008/columns/story?page=DraftDebate-080624

by ratbastird on Jul 15, 2008 6:00 PM PDT up 0 recs

I hear

they have him playing in the 24 Hour Fitness Dog Days of Summer tourney instead.

Witty Unpredictable Talent and Natural Game

by iDea on Jul 15, 2008 12:15 PM PDT 0 recs

the reason why

last time Oden played in Summer league, he ended up needing microfracture surgery! Why repeat?

by 50backflips on Jul 15, 2008 12:27 PM PDT 0 recs

I think he's "injured"

I don’t mean like, can’t play injured. But I doubt he’s 100%. There aren’t any long term studies on microfracture surgery recovery. The only thing the Blazers need Oden for is to sell tickets, and contribute when it matters – the regular season (and post season, most likely). So there isn’t a bunch to gain by playing right now. I think we know he can handle summer league scrubs (especially summer league big men); the real test will be if he can be effective against the top tier of big men around the league.

M, period. Fresh, comma.

by manzell on Jul 15, 2008 12:47 PM PDT 0 recs

nope

he’s perfectly healthy

Ford: Bill, you're claiming victory already? Have you had a "Mission Accomplished" banner printed yet?

http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/draft2008/columns/story?page=DraftDebate-080624

by ratbastird on Jul 15, 2008 6:01 PM PDT up 0 recs

On thing you overlooked

Oden is attending summer school. I think that eventually getting his degree is important to Greg (and it could take him about 10 years!) and the Blazers want to keep him happy. That, and they want to be as close to 100% certain as they can be that he has recovered before seeing game action.

"Shoot, I don't even have anything to put in my own sig"

These are the modest words of pualo, posted on June 20, 2008.
Yes, pualo, an extraordinarily discerning BEdger with a knack for subtle expression.

by CatMan2 on Jul 15, 2008 12:48 PM PDT 0 recs

I wish I could combine option #1 and option #3.... went with #3

RUDY > MJ

by myemic23 on Jul 15, 2008 1:01 PM PDT 0 recs

SUMMER SCHOOL

Oden is at summer school, plus, why have him play? I can see almost no upside to putting Oden in against a bunch of scrubs and a few rooks. It’s not like he needs to earn the coaches’ respect or a spot on the roster. Plus (while I believe the knee is 99%), why risk any potential injuries when there is absolutely no need?

by joelor on Jul 15, 2008 1:39 PM PDT 0 recs