Sam Amico on Oden

Oden is showing signs that he may someday be impossible to defend one-on-one on the low blocks.

* If you watched the game on TNT, you probably noticed how Oden and LeBron James became a little testy with one another, things even getting physical (but within the rules) on a couple of occasions.

Ilgauskas was also a first round pick by the Cavs in 1996. Due to a broken bone in his right foot then missed the entire 1996-97 NBA season. Sounds familiar? Then however he played all 82 games, including good ones against guys like Hakeem (aging a bit), with 13.9 points, 8.8 rebounds and 1.6 blocks per game (arguably still among his best seasons). in 1998-99 due to the lockout and and a left foot injury (first in a whole series) he played only 5 games. In 1999-2000 he again didn’t play at all! And in 2000-2001 only the first 24 games. The next season he played 62, mainly as the backup to Chris Mihm! Since then he went 81, 81, 78, 78, 78, 73 in the regular seasons and this one around has missed December.

I suppose if blogs had been more popular early in his career, people would have called him a complete bust already. Now in retrospect he is considered one of the guys with the longest time with one team (albeit long injured), and while not a dominant star still a very solid center who could help his team win a championship.

Not unfathomable that Greg would miss far less games and be more dominant, right?

I’m at a loss for words.

That was fair, inspiring, and made me proud of GO. It was also REALLY nice to hear how lighthearted he’s been in the locker room lately. We need G.O. to be care free and excited.

he’s not a complete idiot. Cool.

People who think odens a bust are people who look at his total stats instead of per minute.
People who think Oden is a bust are people who saw him at the beginning of the season and haven’t seen how he has CONSTANTLY improved from game to game.
People who think Oden is a bust are people who can only see the moment and can’t look beyond into the future and assume what is must always be.
People who think Oden is a bust are people that just don’t pay attention to the blazers.
People who think Oden is a bust, are people who can’t see how he alters plays just by being on the floor even when he does suck.
People who think Oden is a bust, fail to see the rookie calls and non-calls he gets because he hasn’t earned (and a lot of the times rightfully so) the benefit of the doubt yet on the fouls.

So this guy saw one game. One game is never everything, but he saw what the blazer fans have been seeing all year, and he saw it in it’s rough raw, not in game shape again form. Glad someone else finally notices.

Greg a bust? not even freaking close. Only to Knee jerk reactionists who can’t see beyond the now. The only way he’s a bust is if he’s injured for life, and of his three injuries, two could happen to anyone (unfortunately). It’s a VERY physical game and people rough it up alot more than what comes across on TV. Why do you think you always see players on ice?

Played through it??? So, is he saying he got hurt ?? Wow. Guarantee you won’t find a quote from LeBron mentioning that collision. I’m really starting to question this guy’s toughness. He’s supposed to be banger!!!!

I thought it was a good read that gave perspective to the kind of things Oden can do in such a short period of time. Its not only his rebounding but the way in which he clogs the middle on defense. Opposing teams have to change their game plan when Oden comes in because he draws so much more of their attention.

I think your team would be near unbeatable with Durant right now. I am not trying to start an arguement, or pick at a scab but do you guys regret that pick?

That was such a refreshing read. It had all the media hyperbole removed, and was replaced with actual sensible reasoning and informed opinion. I miss that!

When our starters return, the Blazers will DOMINATE!

It’s a relief to read something evenhanded like this. I feel there’s a lot of people who have falsely propped Oden up, proclaiming that he’s a sure thing and WILL be the next great big man and others who just like to tear the guy up. This guy seems to see the potential behind the unfortunate injuries and I appreciate that.

People calling Oden the next Walton or Wilt are a little high. People calling Oden the next Bowie, however, are even higher.

From what I see, if Oden can be a good little kid and keep his hands to himself, he has the ability to put up monster stats. He is a rebounding machine and he is not even in shape. If he can get some springs back watch out.

I thought Sam was a little friendly with his foul problems. These arent just ticky tack fouls that could go “either way”. Oden really is fouling people too much, and often times for no reason. He needs to learn how to alter and block shots without mangling people. Two times, Varejao went to the rim on Oden and Oden fouled both times. There is no reason he should have to foul somebody with as little finishing skills as Varejao. Those should have been blocked or altered shots.

But I still think Oden will turn into a very solid player.

the BS-ness of the “rookie fouls” oden gets called on him. It is immensely frustrating to watch him play solid, passionate (if at times ill positioned) defense and see him pick up fouls. It slows down his development (and the development of all rookies who deal with it) and makes him constrain his game. Just keep truckin’ big man.

for pointing out this article. Very refreshing! – Elgin

It’s interesting that an outsider who’s only seen a pair of GO’s crummier performances is able to see what so many Blazer fans and local media can’t. I was particularly impressed that Amico picked up on what a good rebounder GO is. If you pay attention, GO not only effectively anticipates where the rebound is going to come off the rim, he ALWAYS finds and completely boxes out the biggest guy on the other team. So when GO doesn’t get the board, he makes it far easier for a teammate to get it. This degree of rebounding skill is unusual nowadays, and shows that while GO is still raw in some areas, he’s very accomplished in others.

I think it’s fair to say that if Amico had witnessed a few of GO’s performances leading up to the injury, his assessment would be even more upbeat. Namely, he’d realize that there’s nothing wrong with GO’s hands or touch. It was mainly rust and overeagerness that caused GO to look so clumsy with the ball last night.

more of a skeptical grump who would have went a diffrent way…

I’m pleased that he’s doing as well as he is, I had hoped for more, but I don’t have many doubts I’ll get my “more” soon.

I don’t like the tick tack baggin of durant that seems to happen quite often the second anyone starts nit pickin their gripps with oden…..but…hey…

THIS IS PORTLAND…AND…well I’m a fan of the team and not just one guy of anyteam…

GO PORTLAND!!!!

Yay kneepads (and being the one in motion).