ESPN MAG: Blazers C Greg Oden Explains Decision To Turn Pro

by Ben Golliver on Nov 13, 2011 11:02 AM PST in News

In an ESPN: The Magazine feature, Portland Trail Blazers center Greg Oden explains his decision to enter the 2007 NBA Draft after just one season at The Ohio State University.

Greg Oden, Ohio State (C, Portland Trail Blazers) "Not winning the championship was actually a big factor. I definitely wanted to win. But another big factor was my partner in crime for a long time: Mike Conley. He had a chance that not a lot of people would get, and I would have been selfish to tell him not to take it. He was the best player on that team. He ran everything as the point guard. Him not being there would make it a lot tougher to get back (to the championship game). That was a major factor for me. We wanted to win, but you have to take the opportunity to play in the NBA."

Oden was the No. 1 pick in the 2007 NBA Draft. Conley was selected at No. 4 by the Memphis Grizzlies.

-- Ben Golliver | benjamin.golliver@gmail.com | Twitter

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Comments

This is one of the most well thought comments I have seen from a current NBA player in a long time.

Way to go, Greg. Love that you are a part of our time. My best in finishing your re-hab and getting back out on the court.

Now all we need is the rest of the roster to get into "how can everybody help Nicco and Oden" mode. -- Oden Mad, Oden Smash! Sep 29, 2010 7:47 PM

by LaoTzu on Nov 13, 2011 11:41 AM PST reply actions

weird

To me it sounded like the surest admission to wanting to be a role-player and the kind of guy that will carry a team on his back.

I don’t fault him for leaving college (especially to be a top 2 pick) but it just confirms for me that Greg’s mentality is pretty passive and even if his body hadn’t fallen to pieces since 2007, it probably would have been a tough road to hoe in terms of him assuming the role of dominator.

by nikolokolus on Nov 13, 2011 9:53 PM PST up reply actions

I feel you can dominate in a game without being the francise player.

If you do your job effeciently, you would be dominating, but leave the hype to someone else.

Gregs decision my have been from being immature, but i don’t feel it was lacking in committment.

by BBK on Nov 14, 2011 5:34 AM PST up reply actions

translation...

My boy wanted to go to the nba, without him we couldn’t get to the championship so I bailed
to the nba too….

Heart of a lion there….

I hate questioning Oden but his commitment sounds a little off.

by chimpy_x on Nov 13, 2011 11:59 AM PST reply actions

He sounds committed to winning.

You want him committed to losing?

Now all we need is the rest of the roster to get into "how can everybody help Nicco and Oden" mode. -- Oden Mad, Oden Smash! Sep 29, 2010 7:47 PM

by LaoTzu on Nov 13, 2011 8:33 PM PST up reply actions

Is interesting...

…that Oden refers to Mike Conley as being the “best player on that team”. I know he is close to the Conley’s…but do you think any #1, #1 pick would think of someone else as being the better or best player on their respective team? Oden should be thinking of himself as being the best player on that team…I guarantee you Kevin Durant believes he is the best player on his team, or probably almost any team for that matter.

"Mother Nature started this fight, I think it's about time we ended it!"

by Krang on Nov 13, 2011 12:04 PM PST reply actions

KD

Hasn’t played one season in 4 years, and been under constant criticism for that. After a while, that will get to a guy, former #1 or not.

by AR-15 on Nov 13, 2011 12:39 PM PST up reply actions

I'm well aware...

…of Greg Odens playing history within the N.B.A.. But I don’t see how that affects his reflections on who was the best player on Ohio State. He should be thinking it was him.

"Mother Nature started this fight, I think it's about time we ended it!"

by Krang on Nov 13, 2011 1:13 PM PST up reply actions

Its nothing to worry about

I’m sure Bill Russell would have said the same thing about KC Jones at San Fransisco.

Get it done... Paul.

by 420Phenom on Nov 13, 2011 4:44 PM PST up reply actions

Not necessarily. his size made him great, not his skills

That was also said about him and KD, everybody thought Durant was the best NBA player, but Gregs size and domination of a center position only comes once or twice in a decade.

by BBK on Nov 14, 2011 5:38 AM PST up reply actions

he is just telling the truth

Conley was clearly the better player of the two. Let’s not confuse height with skillz. Being 7ft Oden can do things that Conley can’t, but Mike was and still is the better player of two. Greg is still very raw. To me he always looked awkward, uncomfortable, and unsure of himself but was able to cover it up with athleticism. Almost like a guy who just started playing basketball, atleast competitively, in the 7th or 8th grade and then 6yrs later he’s the no. 1 pick simply cuz he’s really tall.

by King Mar on Nov 13, 2011 5:54 PM PST via mobile up reply actions

uhh

size and athleticism are major parts of “being good at basketball.” That said, Oden played his whole year at tOSU with a broken hand so Conley may have performed better.

i keep dancing on my own.

by atomiccafe on Nov 14, 2011 6:16 AM PST up reply actions

uhh

Not really. Size and athleticism don’t hurt to have but they’re not “major parts” in making a good player. If that were true Travis Outlaw would be an mvp candidate yearly. I know a ton of little dudes that can straight up ball. The only thing they’re missing is height and elite athleticism.

Let me put it to you in a different way. Conley actually has basketball skills. You know, something you acquire thru hard work and practice. While Oden is just really good at being big. His footwork is terrible, he has zero post moves, virtually no ball skills, and please don’t try to convince me he’s a good passer. Divac was a good passer. Sabonis was a good passer and Oden is no where near there level. Oden can rebound and shoot free throws which is surprising cuz off the stripe he can’t shoot a lick. Bottom line Conley didn’t just have a better year than Greg @ OSU, he is also pound for pound the better basketball player but you dont have to take my word for it. Greg even says so himself

by King Mar on Nov 14, 2011 8:22 AM PST via mobile up reply actions