Greg Oden's story isn't about basketball, for now

Great article on Oden by Henry Abbott. Certainly worth a read. Here's an excerpt:

We judge players by things like uniform, draft position, contract size and rebound rate. That has been the basis of the relationship between Oden and fans.

But the basketball story seems pretty small and stupid now. That's not a conversation for this year. Sure, there are things to resolve -- he'll be a free agent or not, he'll rehab well or not -- but all that, to me, comes after his having to climb one hell of a mountain.

Us sports fans may have had a rejiggering of our entertainment habits with the news of his latest microfracture knee surgery. We're facing disappointment in our amusement.

That's a laughable little concern compared to Oden himself. He's facing a huge mental health hurdle, a total redefinition of who he is and how he sees himself, and a real need to find things outside of basketball that mean a lot to him.

over 1 year ago ericking 6 comments 2 recs |

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Psychologically,

this must be an incredible blow, the hopes and dreams of a reportedly pretty nice young man, destroyed, once again. We fans whine about the prospects of our team, but GO must feel as if he is literally cursed.

Rudy and Batum play for virtually nothing (in NBA terms). All the money in the world can’t make Oden healthy enough to play at all.

by damonrayhymer on Nov 19, 2010 12:58 PM PST reply actions

Holy crap, suck it up Nancy

I find it hard to feel sorry for someone who has done rehab for 3 years and got 20 million in the process, give me a break.

by Planet29 on Nov 19, 2010 1:35 PM PST reply actions

If I were offered 20 million to rehab for 3 years, I would say no way

Well, I might if I knew right from the start that it would be three years. But to go a year, and then be told “you have another year”, and then again? No way. Money isn’t the most important thing.

When the world knows Nico Batum as "The Inevitable", I'll be very happy with where he is as a player.

"Batum, who stands 8 feet tall with a 9-foot wingspan and never makes mistakes..." - Posting and Toasting

I still believe in #52. See you soon, Greg!

by ictoagsn on Nov 19, 2010 1:38 PM PST up reply actions

My guess is that he ain't asking YOU to be sorry for him...

and you have not likely had the expectations of millions of people on your shoulders like he has only to not have been given the chance to prove them right or wrong…

#20

by clinchmobb on Nov 19, 2010 2:05 PM PST up reply actions

money doesn't buy happiness

He loves this game, you don’t get the opportunity to play at this level if you don’t.
Imagine the thing you love most, working so hard to get close to it…and setback after setback you get held back.
Give me a break. Greg Oden does have a lot of good things going for him, but he is still human and I can understand if he isn’t doing well mentally.
How would you be able to handle a situation like this.

by Sheed30 on Nov 19, 2010 4:00 PM PST up reply actions

It's not a money issue...

and I don’t think having a little compassion is a bad thing. Greg was going to have the money anyway and I’m sure he had great expectations for himself (as did we of course). It’s got to be heart breaking for him to be faced with climbing the mountain…again!

by Ilikeemall on Nov 19, 2010 8:19 PM PST up reply actions