And I can’t wait to see those pull ups on the rim after his dunks

but just make sure you scroll all the way down to see where the writer is from.

As i read this i thought to myself, this fellow sounds quite a bit like an optimistic Blazer fan.

FTR: I recently made the same argument about Oden among friends, so no criticism from me, but it may be a stretch to consider this an opinion from a national media source.

Greg Oden, C, Portland Trailblazers
2008-09: 21 minutes, 9 pts, 7 rebs, 1.1 blocks, 56% FG, 4 fouls

Why He’ll Improve: Oden had 18 double-doubles in 61 games last season, and he was 1 or 2 rebounds away from 7 more. Did I mention he averaged 21 minutes per game and only 23 in his 39 starts? And that he was coming off microfracture surgery? And that he was a rookie?

In case you didn’t read or see anything about the USA Mini-camp last week, Oden was the dominant defensive player most people remember him being at Ohio State. He owned the paint defensively—blocking shots, intimidating opponents into countless bad shots, rebounding well—because he’s A) starting to get his quickness back 22 months after having knee surgery, and B) he’s becoming a lot more aware of where he needs to be in order to stay out of the foul trouble he was consistently in his rookie year.

With Andre Miller (known for attacking the paint in order to set up lobs to big men) controlling the rock this upcoming year in Portland, an improved understanding of positioning in order to block shots and take charges instead of committing silly fouls, and more time on the floor so that he can continue to average 10.5 rebounds per 30 minutes of burn (that would have ranked Oden in the top-5 last year), Oden could be in for a season that gets the "bust" whispers out of the mouths of some Blazer fans.

Prediction: 27 minutes, 12 – 14 pts, 11 rebs, 1.5 – 2 blocks, 58-60% FG

He will put up those numbers, just by being on the court.

The question is, can he stay on the court? I sure hope so. I know he’ll be able to eventually, I hope he manages his conditioning and foul trouble this season because his numbers will be there just by being there.

Mortimer

i remember there were games where pryz would get a ton of rebounds…and others his assignment was to box out the opposing teams big man preventing either of them to get rebounds opening it up for trout and lma to pull down the boards. this team is really unselfish with the ball offensively, and i kind of want to see this carry over defensively as well…at least as far as rebounding is concerned (channing and rudy’s tips into the backcourt are examples).

as long as we post one of the highest rebounding margins vs our opponents, i’ll be happy regardless if pryz or greg show up in the league leaders category.

While I agree that he will improve, having fully reconditioned from the surgery, moving past rookie experience, and having a good summer of USA ball and summer league, I still have concerns. Yes, he will rebound well. Yes, he will clean up the garbage and get gobs of lobs from Miller.
But what I think will hold him back is that…. (drum roll)…
HE WILL NEVER BE A GOOD SHOTBLOCKER.
(That’s in bold not to yell it, but to make it easier for others to scan for topics in the post.)

That’s right, not even “good.” Simply “average.” I just have not seen the instincts to anticipate a shot and the quick movements to get there. Sure, the obvious shots he will get. He is, you know, tall. But watch Chris Anderson, and it’s clear that Oden is not in that league, or even Chris’ minor league. The Birdman, like Mutumbo, knows shots are coming before the player does. And he often knows when they don’t have a good passing option, so they will be forced into a shot. That’s when he leaves his man to help from the weak-side, and that’s why he can get 4 or 5 blocks in a game.
Oden looked great in college because most opposing players were not as skilled, not as disciplined in shot selection, and not as tall.
But in the NBA, Oden has been marginal. And despite his nice showing on the USA squad a week or so ago, he still didn’t show the ability to get more than 2 blocks a game.
That’s not dominant. 1.5 blocks a game for a 7 footer is just “fine.” And that, to me, indicates he will never be the defensive monster we hoped for.
Where are the 5 block games? Hey, where are the 4 block games? Those should happen more than a few times a season for an excellent shot-blocker.
With limited offensive skills, I think Oden will be a slightly above average Center overall. Athletic enough to score some, but without a diverse set of moves to be a primary scoring option. Intimidating enough to clog the lane some, but without high-quality blocking instincts. A very good rebounder, but not quite elite. Hard to imagine any “greatness” here.
Am I wrong? (Hint: I have never been wrong about anything before. So that’s totally a load off your mind there.)

I think this boxscore versus the Knicks is what I think is a good indication he can be what we need. If he can do this game in an game out we are going places.

min fgm fga fg% ftm fta ft% or dr tr ast to stl blk fl pts
27:43 7 11 63.6 3 5 60.0 6 6 12 1 2 0 6 5 17