Blazers top priority, to find a coach for GO.

by Titlein2011 on May 17, 2009 1:02 AM PDT

No disrespect to Maurice Lucas, I don't even know if his health will permit him to coach for awhile, but we need a great coach for GO. I've thought of over paying to get Ewing from the Magic, Kareem is taken in LA, Hakeem is doing community work I believe, and I'm not sure about Mr. Robinson. Ideally we have a home grown talent, Walton?

I say bring in the most underated player to hold down the center position. Not yourvidas, not myvidas, but Arvidas Sabonis. Sabas had all the tools, definsively he was not as strong as what Greg can be due to declining athleticism, but offensively he was amazing. GO would be hard pressed to find a better tutor. I'm guessing Sabas may be a little light on cash, and would be willing to venture away from his homeland once more for a couple years to bring along the veteran faced young one. Sabas speaks pretty good English, and his kids should be old enough that his wife should no longer have to drive them to school after her 9am happy hour.

At a minimum a summer session with Sabas would be phenomenal. Worry about replacing Penn later KP, go get Sabas. Nate just watch the you tube high lights and you'll remember how amazing he was. Do your self a favor though mute the sound. I have never found a player with such horific back ground music to their high light reel. Some body with you tube skills do this man justice and give him some decent beats. For the sake of all that is audible.

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I am not sure if Sabas would be great coach, but he had a great mind and skillset that unfortunately we never got to see in full dispaly due to injuries.

However, I would like to see a legend coaching Oden. There is something about a legend challenging you and telling you that you would be great if you just do this or try that to boost a young mans confidence. It seems that it is as much mental and motivation for the big guy. Having someone he can relate to that had the weight of the world on them being the franchise center might do wonders in relating to and getting the most out of Oden

by FlyinSouth on May 17, 2009 1:39 AM PDT reply actions

I like Ewing

similar players and body type. Sabonis was great, and may have something to teach, but ideally i’d bring in a strong defensive threat like Ewing.

Sabonis would be great for someone who wants to perfect an already similar and consistent offensive game. Oden needs to position himself better thenwait for the pass and slam it home. Sabas (in his more athletic years) could start at the top of the key, move in, and pass or shoot. And he sure could pass…

Oden has different skill sets, and we need to develop those he has before adding new tricks to his repertoire. Yes, new tricks are important, but no, not for becoming the best he can be with his current abilities. I’d rather see him slam it home than do a no-look, behind-the-back to a wide-open Rudy. Well, either would be awesome, but posterizing is what this guy was made for.

Oden still seems a little clumsy too. Maybe it’s a comfort level thing, or a size thing. Ewing or Hakeem would help a lot just by stepping on the court and showing him what a 7 footer should look like when he posts up. It’s amazing what people can pick up just by watching someone who’s great at something. Whether it be Golf, or Poker, or swimming. As a player, you watch them and naturally analyze their moves and subtle motions. Film doesn’t cut it. Not to criticize Sabas, but after a couple months Oden may seem clumsier, but he may pass pretty well.

by hobbyshop_hero on May 17, 2009 2:42 AM PDT reply actions

I agree in regards to Ewing

Oden’s game could easily by mirrored after Ewing’s style. They are similar in their somewhat ungraceful movements, but at the same time having the ability to explode in a direction for a dunk or a block. I have a feeling Ewing can be bought, and there is no salary cap on coaches. I just wonder if Nate would not care for a guy that isn’t his coming in and making more than the rest of his assistants. That is what it is going to take to pull Ewing.

I disagree about Sabas. Sabonis’ was slow by the time he got to Portland, but in a way he played like Broy. Sabas was deceptively quick, but more so extremely efficient in his movements to be able to gain position. As a center your footwork and positioning is key. Sabas could teach him that. Yeah he’s not teaching English any time soon, but his English wasn’t bad. He just had the deepest voice ever.

by Titlein2011 on May 17, 2009 8:06 AM PDT up reply actions

What exactly has Ewing done for Dwight?

He still has a shaky hook shot and only a couple post moves. Everything he does is based around rebounding and athleticism. I’m not convinced Patrick has a whole lot to do with his success.

Roy is the best player in the world with the exception of Incarcerated Mike from Queensbridge .

by Nick Van Excellent on May 17, 2009 8:25 AM PDT up reply actions

I’m not convinced Patrick has a whole lot to do with his success.

Ditto — and I think that hook shot is a negative development in Howard’s game

Now, Clifford Ray on the other hand … his impact (defense/rebounding) on Dwight Howard was excellent.

NBA Roundtable

by NBR on May 17, 2009 9:30 AM PDT up reply actions

Hey man

just so you know there is a pretty substantial thread on this matter here: http://www.blazersedge.com/2009/5/12/873241/who-should-odens-big-man-coach-be

"Death is not final," Gita says. "If any man thinks that he slays, and if another thinks that he is slain, neither knows the truth. The Eternal in man cannot kill: the Eternal in man cannot die. The soul in man is neither born nor does it die. Weapons cannot cut it; fire cannot burn it; water cannot drown it.

The Bhagavad Gita

by Idog1976 on May 17, 2009 10:42 AM PDT up reply actions

Ewing while at Georgetown was seen as defense only (and the next Bill Russell)

whereas in the NBA as a Knick he ultimately became known for his 18 ft jumpshot. It was almost like two different players.

ignacio

by ignacio on May 17, 2009 7:46 PM PDT up reply actions

I like your thinking, but I suspect Sabas' English isn't quite up to coaching, which reall does require articulation and clarity.

by Marvin100 on May 17, 2009 5:04 AM PDT reply actions

wrong

it’s up to g.oden to go out and seek a bigman coach,why should the blazers supply him 1.is’nt up to g.oden to become the best center he can be.again you odenfanboys in here giving this guy more excuses.the blazers owe him nothing but his damn salary.which by the way he has’nt earned yet.so oden get in a damn gym and start manning*up.tell the rest of your soft teammates except for roy rudy pryzbilla and batum.those 4 real good tough ballers,the rest of these guys better start manning*up.

by fatty on May 17, 2009 9:07 AM PDT reply actions

See, here you're on the right track

Guess why Oden is really going back to OSU for the summer. He is taking some credits to continue his education, but check out who his Dentistry 202 TA is scheduled to be:

Look for Oden to be rockin’ the long compression shorts under his short shorts by next year.

dinasour type of guys choir boys

by mittsabishy on May 17, 2009 10:19 AM PDT up reply actions

So Oden is going to become a NASCAR announcer. Sweet. Must be those Indianapolis racing roots.

MLB2PDX!!! (someday...)

by The Cactus Leaguer on May 17, 2009 7:48 PM PDT up reply actions

I don’t think it’s the top priority but I do think it’s in the mix, and that the team should be trying to find him a top big man coach. Oden needs to work a lot on his defensive fundamentals.

NBA Roundtable

by NBR on May 17, 2009 9:31 AM PDT reply actions

Clifford Ray

He’s your man

by two4larue on May 17, 2009 3:06 PM PDT up reply actions

David Robinson is

A pastor in church in San Antonio. It would be great to have him, but I doubt that he is willing to leave that just to coach GO.

Bring back Franz Bread Cards!

by newbergfan on May 17, 2009 10:09 AM PDT reply actions

Robinson is very hardcore about religion, too.

Someone once asked him about reading… and he said “The Bible is the only book I ever need to read.” Now, there’s a lot of wisdom in the Bible, but I remember that statement well and it kind of gave me the creeps. No Shakespeare, no Tolstoy? No thanks.

ignacio

by ignacio on May 17, 2009 7:53 PM PDT up reply actions

Emeka Okefor

Was doing offseason workouts with Hakeem Olajuwon back in 06.

Charlotte’s Emeka Okafor: By now you’ve probably heard the story. Okafor bulked up after Year 1 and wound up breaking down. Now? After shedding the unneeded mass and continuing his offseason tutorials with Hakeem Olajuwon, Okafor is progressing like you expected after a Rookie of the Year season. “I don’t know if he’ll ever be [a franchise big man] offensively where you can just go to him on the block every time,” says one West coach. “But defensively? He’s already there.”

That is what Oden needs to do.

Offseason:
Trade For Mike Conley Jr
Sign Antonio McDyess & Othello Hunter
Draft Kevin Seraphin/Edwin Jackson(Eurostash)

by TheGreatDane17 on May 17, 2009 11:35 AM PDT reply actions

on a serious note

95% of you people seriously need to get out more,why do you think oden is in columbus,ohio,rather than working or hanging out in beautiful pdx.it’s because of people like yourselves.every damn day,it’s greg should be doing this,or greg should be doing that.maybe greg is saying a lot of you people really need to get a damn grip on reality.he’s making 4.5.mil a year to do what,just do what he does.and if that’s getting hurt a lot.which he does,or get in foul trouble a lot which he does.at the end of the day he’s still going to get paid.so if he comes back and does’nt pick up a basketball all summer.it’s not on him it’s on you odenfanboys.who’re so obsessed with this 21 year ols kid.do any of you guys on a serious note treat a woman this way.somehow i seriously doubt it.you guys seriously nah lol!!!!!

by fatty on May 17, 2009 2:29 PM PDT reply actions

i suppose it has nothing to do with the fact that Oden went to college in Columbus,

one of his best friends (Mike Conley) will be taking classes there, and its also closer to his family in Indianapolis.

"Smile! You're on a poster!!" - Mike Rice

by lefty6283 on May 17, 2009 4:08 PM PDT up reply actions

also

it couldn’t be that he is going back to Ohio State because he is keeping his promise to his mother that he would get his degree?

"Smile! You're on a poster!!" - Mike Rice

by lefty6283 on May 17, 2009 4:14 PM PDT up reply actions

On a side note, it’s too bad that more players don’t stay here during the offseason (although I understand why – family commitments and such). The weather is perfect here in the offseason, and if they are only here during basketball season, that just feeds the perception that the weather stinks here all the time.

MLB2PDX!!! (someday...)

by The Cactus Leaguer on May 17, 2009 7:51 PM PDT up reply actions

definitely agree with you

once we hit mid-May (as we are right now), Oregon is one of the nicest states to be in during the summer months!

"Smile! You're on a poster!!" - Mike Rice

by lefty6283 on May 17, 2009 9:27 PM PDT up reply actions

Yup

And the players choose to live/play in the ATL/Houston during the summer…

And they say Portlanders are “keeping it weird”?

by two4larue on May 18, 2009 2:12 PM PDT up reply actions

Oden's success is on us?

My god….

The Kings have the best bench I’ve seen. There are easily 14 guys on this team good enough for every bench in the league. Now if we could only get some starters, I’d totally jizz in my pants.

Kings fan

by dyshooter182 on May 17, 2009 8:10 PM PDT up reply actions

No worries

No matter who they get to coach him his improvement will be significant next season. His drive and talent will carry him no matter how much criticism is thrown out there. Playing for team USA will help alot.

by Odenrising on May 17, 2009 6:18 PM PDT reply actions