J.A. Adande on Oden's Injury

I was most intrigued by this particular part:

"Oden will be a restricted free agent next summer. He needs to go somewhere where any contribution he makes will be considered a welcome addition, not a comedown from what was expected from the No. 1 pick.

And it's possible he needs to be surrounded by a different medical and training staff. Oden's knee troubles are the latest in a Portland line that includes Zach Randolph, Darius Miles, Joel Przybilla and Brandon Roy, the franchise player who limped through the playoffs and currently is on the shelf for at least a week. I've had NBA people from inside and outside the organization cast wary eyes on the Trail Blazers' medical ways. "

over 1 year ago LeafHawk 20 comments 1 recs |

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Ouch.

I’ve had NBA people from inside and outside the organization cast wary eyes on the Trail Blazers’ medical ways. "

NOT a good thing to hear from a respected national writer whether it is warranted or not. I think it’s possible heads will roll.

#20

by dario argento on Nov 17, 2010 11:18 PM PST reply actions

Fair or not, a scapegoat needs to be found

You have to do SOMETHING. I don’t see how the training staff and our incredible spate of injuries are not related. A couple injuries a year, sure. But multiple season ending injuries every year is just not acceptable.

by AndrewD on Nov 17, 2010 11:42 PM PST up reply actions

I have no expertise, but it's possible they might as well.

Just so existing and incoming players have no fear, even if such fear may be unwarranted

ignacio

by ignacio on Nov 17, 2010 11:42 PM PST up reply actions 1 recs

Most teams would

He was only about two weeks ahead of schedule

by Kaanyr Vhok on Nov 18, 2010 12:21 AM PST up reply actions

of a projected 4 week recovery

In other words, he rushed back in half of the time.

by GMan83201 on Nov 18, 2010 6:37 AM PST up reply actions

They performed the surgery differently

Which allowed him to come back that soon, they only drilled one hole in him, rather than two.

by NicoFTW on Nov 18, 2010 8:22 AM PST up reply actions

this. coach has the say with whom to put in at any given time. i was against it then and that hasn't changed.

Please, for the love of all that is holy, please stop using the following: "Book it.", "FTW", "Epic" & "Fail".

...no seriously--stop.

by nima on Nov 18, 2010 8:22 AM PST up reply actions

If heads are gonna roll, I hope it's preceded by some solid analysis

I’ve always felt the injury issue is much more complicated than a lot of fans will acknowledge and may well go beyond just the training staff and their systems.

Getting rid of someone just to make a point is senseless.

Wiggada Wiggada Zers!

by Corvid on Nov 18, 2010 12:06 AM PST up reply actions 1 recs

Exactly. It's not just as simple as "Our trainers are responsible for all these injuries."

Being a medical provider myself, I have also been the scapegoat in situations where things go awry when I know I made the right decision. It’s human nature to try to place blame.

#20

by dario argento on Nov 18, 2010 8:32 AM PST up reply actions

i don't need a laker honk

telling me what to do with oden.

PHILLY!

by CleBlazer on Nov 17, 2010 11:45 PM PST reply actions 3 recs

The Blazer medical staff

could not have caused his most recent injury if they tried.

Well, maybe if you have some proof they injected his knee with a 9 iron.

by Sashland on Nov 18, 2010 12:36 AM PST reply actions

I think it's doubtful we'll ever know the whole truth.

I suspect the bigger cause to the injuries is drafting or acquiring players with the issues to begin with rather than the training/medical staff. One of Oden’s legs is closer to an inch shorter than the other. Pryz has a history of missing games (and actually played the longest seasons in Portland.) Roy is my second favorite Husky ever but he just was born with bad knees.

It’s been so hard to watch and even more frustrating that we’ll never know if any of the blame lies on the staff or not but that’s kind of the nature of these things. Hopefully Cho has the answers.

by ericande on Nov 18, 2010 2:06 AM PST reply actions

Yes, a lot of this is tied to risky drafting

Same story with Elliot Williams.

"...it was like he brought his own personal cross-wind to the arena." - Dave

by DC Blazer on Nov 18, 2010 6:08 AM PST up reply actions

Worst walk with a hitch on team: Greg Oden

Second worst walk with a hitch on team: Brandon Roy

Trail Blazers Check List Since 2007:
1. Hire new Training Staff based on restoring symmetry to physical body.
2. Replace Nate MicMillan with coach with proven success at highest level.
3. Develop LMA's handles until he becomes Kevin Durant 0.8

by loyal_blazer on Nov 18, 2010 9:38 AM PST up reply actions

I think tenure/stubborn ways...

….play a factor. Tons of years here. Mix it up, get new ideas like suns staff uses, posture being huge etc.

U.make ur own luck.

OSU '06
Trade for Gerald Wallace!!

by TyboOSU on Nov 18, 2010 3:30 AM PST via mobile reply actions

Agreed, if ur not gonna replace the medical staff…. Then atleast add another…. With allege injuries we r having I think they should go out and grab another medic

by Hoi on Nov 18, 2010 6:49 AM PST via mobile up reply actions

Just remember

This guy is PAID to write controversial things… Why would I believe him? Not to say they are even on the same page, but they are certainly the same type of writer:
I listed to Quick on the Morning Sports Page today and he was absolutely clueless when it came to anything medical. He said Greg’s injury was ‘ligament’ damage. Anyone with any sort of feasible medical education knows cartilage is totally different than ligaments. These guys (writers) don’t listen to medical professionals, partially because they are too stupid to understand, partially because they don’t want to bother doing their research, and partially because they already have an idea of what they are going to write and just want their opinion to be heard to sell papers. Who are Adande’s sources? ’’I’ve had NBA people from inside and outside the organization cast wary eyes on the Trail Blazers’ medical way"…who does that even mean? Other medical professionals? not necessarily.
Take this dudes opinion with a grain of salt.
I have trust in our medical staff and Jensen said himself they go above and beyond by being open to second opinions when it comes to injury.
A note to Adande: Stick to covering Andrew Bynum’s busted limbs.

by abobo84 on Nov 18, 2010 11:57 AM PST reply actions