Officiating: Shaq vs. Oden

by Escrote on Feb 13, 2009 10:51 AM PST

I recall in 2000 (or around then) the Blazers sent a video of Shaq getting away with fouls and traveling to the NBA. It seems to me that Oden recieves a different treatment than Shaq did his rookie year. Is this just me being a huge Blazer homer? Did the Blazers screw themselves by sending in the infamous Shaq video? It seems odd to me because Oden is on every NBA cares commercial he is one of the NBA's top ten most shown faces yet it seems like every game he picks up a ticky tacky foul or two. Anyway if anyone has any links to any good Youtube videos concerning this that would be cool. Again not trying to turn this into a homer post... I could be dead wrong here. Oden definitely needs to work on keeping his arms straight up and letting the shooter come to him. Just seeing what others thoughts are on this sensitive issue.

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Rookie

Next season he won’t pick up as many fouls because a.) he’ll be wiser and b.) NBA refs automatically call fewer fouls the more years you’re in the league

Blazer Fan

by leeroyjenkins on Feb 13, 2009 10:56 AM PST reply actions

And I remember when Shaq came into the league and had absolutely no skills other than standing under the basket and dunking

Oden will get better

Blazer Fan

by leeroyjenkins on Feb 13, 2009 10:57 AM PST up reply actions

not true

the line from shaq’s first game was out of control

he killed it his rookie year. no question.

by northwestj on Feb 13, 2009 11:40 AM PST up reply actions

Those flops by Magette and the offensive foul against Oden when being guarded by Turiaf

Shaq would’ve gotten the benefit of the doubt, back in the day

A young Shaq would back his way down in the paint, lay his left shoulder into defenders and send them flying like bowling pins and get the “and 1” (or a dunk and a non-call)

Then the national commentators would say something like “the refs don’t know what to call against Shaq, because he’s so big and athletic”

I’m not seeing the same “benefit of the doubt” given to Oden. And frankly, I’d rather not win games by my team’s players being given “star” treatment…but…if the other superstars are getting calls (or non-calls) why not Blazers, too?

(answer: Portland is a small market)

by two4larue on Feb 13, 2009 12:51 PM PST up reply actions

The guys that played Shaq played him straight up. There weren’t all of the floopers that there are now. No conspiracy, the game has just changed.

by Brandon684 on Feb 13, 2009 1:34 PM PST up reply actions

i agree

the game has changed quite bit since shaq game in the league 17(!) years ago.
that said, when the refs and oden get used to each other it will get better.

Change We Believe In

by KPin2008 on Feb 13, 2009 3:17 PM PST up reply actions

Conspiracy alert

Stern wants to punish Oden until he becomes so upset he leaves Portland for NY/LA.

I don’t really believe that.

What I think is they are riding him hard because he didn’t come out of the gate strong. I am pretty sure he will not only improve his game and footwork, positioning and arm postions but he will also be called more equitably.

He's Coming! Oden Slayer of Giants

by Idog1976 on Feb 13, 2009 12:32 PM PST reply actions

Whoops in a hurry at work

I meant to say next year this stuff will happen.

He's Coming! Oden Slayer of Giants

by Idog1976 on Feb 13, 2009 12:33 PM PST up reply actions

I like Greg a lot

but the refs let him get away with at least one obvious travel every game. He certainly gets more leeway than a guy like Joel, who, not so much now as when he first joined the Blazers, rarely seems to get the benefit of the doubt.

by hollywood robinson on Feb 13, 2009 3:32 PM PST reply actions

No way

Joel would be fouling out every game if he was called like Oden. I constantly see fouls from Joel that are no calls. That said I do see Oden get away with fouls and the occasional travel. With THAT said I see guys like D. Wade and LBJ take 4 “crab-walk” steps at least once a week and get away with it and the old Utep THREE step at least once a game and that’s generous.

He's Coming! Oden Slayer of Giants

by Idog1976 on Feb 13, 2009 3:52 PM PST up reply actions

I think

It’s a little of both.

I don’t think Shaq got away with those fouls (at least the traveling) until after his rookie even sophmore year. I think the refs tend to pick on the rookies so the players know they are being watched. It does seem they are picking on GO a bit, but he definitely DOES need to learn to keep his arms up and not try and guard like a guard.

Once he learns to quit doing it the ref will quit hounding him and he can do it all he wants. (wait. don’t tell the ref’s I said that. I pulled a b-roy).

He has this ability to learn, he’s just excited. Oden will be dominate in 2-3 years, if people would be patient (including Oden). Really he is going to be a unique player, and I hope to see his first triple double (with blocks) this year, but it will probably be a couple of years. It will happen and then all of this business about we should have drafted Kev-shuan Prince-ant or Gumby or whoever else will disappear into the ethos.

Remember this year was just get to the playoffs. We are well on our way to doing that. We aren’t contenders for the finals this year. Nor should we try and be by brash short term trades. Rushing things and trading the team to death bob whittsit style is not going to work. We went young. Sit and watch for the next 2-3 years and enjoy.

It will come. And then, and only then, we get to bust out a big “I told you so” on the haters and doubters.

I have my P.h.D in unreliable hyperbole.

by Eat Politicians on Feb 13, 2009 3:57 PM PST reply actions