If he puts in a lot of time with Bobby Medina and/or Bill Bayno, it might be fine. It is a concern though. This is a crucial summer for Oden and he needs to put the work in.

and will sign with a midwestern team when his rookie contract is done.

No big deal really…

also being a kid for a little while too. He’s only 21. How many of us can honestly say we’d rather have worked than goofed off all summer when we were 21? As long as he doesn’t gain a bunch of weight, I’m ok with it. But by training camp, he better be ready to work long and hard with a big man coach. Got to develop the footwork and the little jump hook.

it’s his time off and he can do what he pleases. Getting an education is honorable and it’s going to make him a better person. I’ll gladly welcome him back when he is ready.

I don’t think taking a class or two conflicts with his development. I’m certain he’ll be working with Blazer staff/big man consultants for periods this summer, and I don’t care where that takes place. In fact, getting away from the scrutiny of the Portland media is a good idea.

Obviously has never gone to summer school, heck they’re probably never been to college. I bet he could take 40 hours a week of classes and still have time to work out and he’s probably taking 3 hours a week. It’s freaking summer school.

TBFO – Typical Blazers Fan Overreaction

I don’t want him in Summer League getting injured and I have not read or heard anything about him not attending a big man camp. I think it is best to save our reactions to his off season conditioning after the off season.

He could even watch TV all summer and still practice raising his arms straight up instead of forward over his imaginary opponent.

if he is going to get an education and spend time with family and friends, cool…even better if he works on his game.

If he’s just goin’ to party then there’s a prob. I would think that is NOT the case, so I’m not too worried about it.

and I hope he does.

You can never complain about a young guy going back to college during summer

scares me. It’s a step up from the doomsday bunch but dude, he’s getting a little learnin’ done over the off-season. If he went to the beach every day for 6 weeks nobody would be the wiser. Or if he wanted to spend time with the family, like most of the team is doing. “As long as he works on his conditioning/game” is moot. You think the team hasn’t put any thought into that one?

If anyone deserves criticism it’s how Coach Nate handled the question. He could have nipped it in the bud by throwing all his support behind the big man.

without knowing the specifics is a bit off track.

Look, the kid is 21 (yes…he is still a kid) and appeared a bit overwhelmed at times during the season. He has always said he truly enjoyed his time in college, and if he needs this to recharge his batteries, more power to him.

I seriously doubt he will avoid the gym while he is there. It is also likely that various Blazer coaches will be spending time with him in Ohio.

Let’s cut the big fella some slack and let him develop.

Now if he shows up in September out of shape and with no improvement in any aspect of his game, I imagine Brandon Roy will kill him.