Freeman: Blazers C Greg Oden Has "No Hard Timeline" For Return
by Ben Golliver on Nov 26, 2011 5:17 PM PST
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PrintJoe Freeman of The Oregonian has the following update on Portland Trail Blazers center Greg Oden, who missed all of the 2010-2012 season following microfracture knee surgery in Nov. 2010.
The restricted free agent center has not been cleared to participate in scrimmages or any basketball-related activities that include contact, according to his agent, Mike Conley. He has been cleared to run, ride a bike and participate in non-contact basketball drills - shooting, dribbling, etc. - but there remains no time line for a possible return.
"There have not been any setbacks," Conley said of Oden's health. "That's the best way to word it. Doctors really did not give him a hard time line (for a return) ... but he's working hard and trying his best to get back."
In June, Bill Duffy, president of Oden's agency, had this to say about Oden's rehabilitation: "We're not going to even challenge it until we get to that 12 month threshold. If it were December or November or January we just can't afford any more slip ups. We'll wait until we get full clearance and then probably err on the side of caution, maybe a month or so after that."
Oden posted this message on Facebook back in October: "I ran the other day for the first time in awhile. Felt good!"
The Blazers extended an $8.8 million qualifying offer to Oden back in June, making him a restricted free agent.
Oden last played in an NBA game on Dec. 5, 2009.
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No setbacks, that's good news
I suppose we could go back to 2008 and see how long it took from the time Greg was cleared to run to the time that he reappeared on the court, and extrapolate that timeline
When reached 40 years of following Portland basketball you have, be as passionate of the Trail Blazers you will not!
he had MF on
9/14/07. came back in time for 10/07/08 in preseason.
this time he had MF on 11/19/10.
PHILLY!
and if they wait "another month or so"
that equals the end of Jan
When reached 40 years of following Portland basketball you have, be as passionate of the Trail Blazers you will not!
14-15 months about as generous as it gets
i hope he at least is on the bball court working on his game (rather than simply rehabbing) during the first few weeks of the season.
PHILLY!
no Bayno
I’m still not happy about the disappearing Blazer’s player-developmental staff
When reached 40 years of following Portland basketball you have, be as passionate of the Trail Blazers you will not!
how good were they really?
other than aldridge’s game transforming (more a function of being largely Royless), who really “developed” in the last 7 years?
"What and how much had I lost by trying to do only what was expected of me instead of what I myself had wished to do?"
— Ralph Ellison (Invisible Man)
No news is good news
Blazers fan since '91
REST IN PEACE MAURICE LUCAS 1952-2010 R.I.P #20
"B.Roy, he play like Brandon Roy. That's it." - Nicolas Batum
"We're family. We're family because of this stupid, stinkin' team." - Dave
by rise_stand_resist on Nov 26, 2011 5:24 PM PST reply actions
I've got Feb 1 in the unofficial office pool
When reached 40 years of following Portland basketball you have, be as passionate of the Trail Blazers you will not!
March 15th here.
I expect him to get 20 games or so under the belt before any potential playoff games.
when Greg sees the other guys playing again
it’s gonna be tough for his handlers and doctors to keep him in the barn, especially if he’s healthy and had no setbacks/swelling
When reached 40 years of following Portland basketball you have, be as passionate of the Trail Blazers you will not!
Greg is one If no the most competitive man on the team.
I bet he just wants to get back on the court and dominate as soon as possible.
by Oden Mad, Oden Smash! on Nov 26, 2011 6:46 PM PST via mobile up reply actions
one of the quotes I remember from earlier this year
Oden said he wants to prove that everyone who hated on him were wrong
the pressure is going to grow from Greg and from the fans to see him back out on the court, beginning in Jan. Especially if the team starts slowly, which is normal for McMillian’s Blazers
When reached 40 years of following Portland basketball you have, be as passionate of the Trail Blazers you will not!
this is why the lockout was not really breaking my heart
just to allow the time needed to get oden healthy with no pressure…
"What and how much had I lost by trying to do only what was expected of me instead of what I myself had wished to do?"
— Ralph Ellison (Invisible Man)
And also
How does our current rotation work with all of these guards and with braNdon Roy coming back with the possible Jamal Crawford???.
If Crawford is going to be here
Roy probably will not. So the dream (that they have) of playing together will probably not happen in Portland. It would be a bad move anyway when we have no front court to speak of outside LMA. Camby is just about done, LMA isn’t a C, Wallace is a better 3 than 4, the young kid needs quite a bit of development/muscle building to be a C in the NBA…
The Department of Redundancy Department is hiring, maybe I should apply myself.
I know this isn't about Oden per sa but here's what I think SGT Lenny
We keep Camby till the trade deadline, Amnesty Roy and waive Barron thats 17mill+ Mini Mid level to sign a Arron gray or bring back Pryz as our back up 5 and use the B-roy room to sign Carl Landry or J-pendy and Jamal Crawford. That would give us;
PG- Felton/Smith/AJ
SG- We$/Crawford/Williams/Batum
SF- Crash/Batum/Babbit
Pf- LMA/Pendagraph/Crash
C- Camby/Arron Gray/CJ/Oden
by GreenRiddler on Nov 26, 2011 6:24 PM PST up reply actions
The only way I see Przybilla coming back is for sentimental reasons
To me he only had the vertical leap of Sam Perkins last season and with his age he is getting slower anyway. He has never really had the lateral speed to keep up with 95% of centers in the league. However, I could see the combination of Gray/Landry working pretty well. I see Camby and Batum possibly being gone (if the team can find a pretty good starting/backup C to cover for Oden.
Felton/Smith/AJ
Wes/Williams/Crawford (or Roy)
Crash/Batum or backup SF in trade
LMA/Landry
Oden/CJ/?
The Department of Redundancy Department is hiring, maybe I should apply myself.
IMO, if we are going for Crawford we might as well keep BRoy.
I am thinking a trade of AJ with Babbitt and maybe Babbitt for a back up center or PF since until Greg is released. I don’t believe Batum will be traded yet because of Wallace’s player option. Plus Batum can guard many PG down thru some PF’s.
I mostly want to wait at least to until next fall to see what BRoy can bring. Remember PA still has to pay him and It will cost plenty to get an elite guard to replace him with no guarantee that he wouldn’t be injured. But first I think we should see what BRoy can bring.
hg
no setbacks
Is all that matters until the trailblazers staff can asses him again
how long before the medical staff is under fire
for not being forthcoming re: Greg’s rehab timetable?
(I give it a week or two)
When reached 40 years of following Portland basketball you have, be as passionate of the Trail Blazers you will not!
Greg Oden’s agent, Mike Conley, says Oden is still not cleared for scrimmaging and basketball-related activities that have any contact.
-freeman
PHILLY!
Ben's actually got that in the original post.
He has been cleared to run, ride a bike and participate in non-contact basketball drills – shooting, dribbling, etc.
I’m not too surprised at that. When he’s cleared for contact drills, it means they feel that he’s basically healed and ready to go soon. They want to make absolutely sure it’s time before clearing him for contact drills.
Oden still holds the keys to our success
a frontcourt of Oden, Aldridge, and Wallace is incredible, even with Felton and Matthews as the guards. With Batum in the mix, all you would really need is a scoring guard like Crawford to round out the roster
by rip_city_swagger on Nov 26, 2011 6:25 PM PST reply actions 1 recs
Matthews will outscore Crawford
for the remainder of their NBA careers
When reached 40 years of following Portland basketball you have, be as passionate of the Trail Blazers you will not!
by two4larue on Nov 26, 2011 6:58 PM PST up reply actions 1 recs
Greg may be better off not playing this year
If he gets injured again his value is nil. His potential is so high he would get a good contract on potential alone without playing this season.
I disagree I however don't think he'll be rushed back like in 2008 or 2009
they will take much more precaution I just hope he hasn’t gained to much weight or lot his athleticism. (watching his college plays on youtube makes me cringe)
by GreenRiddler on Nov 26, 2011 6:32 PM PST up reply actions
If he signs the QO don't expect him back until March, maybe even late March.
If he signs a long term deal then I expect we will see him back in Jan or early-mid Feb.
"You're not too smart, are you? I like that in a man." - Matty Walker in Body Heat (1981)
by BlazerFanSince1970 on Nov 26, 2011 7:42 PM PST up reply actions
Devils Advocate
Isn’t it possible The Blazers are going to just get played here? Let’s assume Oden accepts the qualifiying offer…1 year (season). Doesn’t the clock start ticking on it, whether Oden is available to play OR simply rehabbing? So concievably, Oden could take his own sweet time getting back….rehabbing on Paul Allens 9 million. Mysteriously get “healed” at the end of the season? Leaving The Blazers with basically nothing to show for a additional 9 million dollar investment from Paul Allen.
Not saying that IS what is happening or going to happen, just throwing it out as a sad possibilty.
"Mother Nature started this fight, I think it's about time we ended it!"
Yeah we talked about that in one of the other posts, actually.
I just don’t see any sign that’s Oden’s attitude, so I can only worry about that if it comes to pass.
...and if it comes to pass....
….there isn’t going to be anything we can do about it anyway…
"Mother Nature started this fight, I think it's about time we ended it!"
Yes, I expect that to happen and have said so in other threads and above.
It doesn’t mean Oden is a bad guy. It’s just plain smart and common sense.
If he signs the QO there is absolutely no reason to come back early and every reason to be super conservative, both for his current health and to avoid another unrelated (or related) injury. Oden holds all the marbles in this deal and his agents aren’t going to let him blow a $65M-$70M deal next summer by coming back too soon or playing back to backs, etc.
Heck his agents basically admitted that. When he is ready (cleared) they are still planning to hold him back at least “a month or so”. And don’t expect them to accept the Blazers doctors word on when he is cleared. They will have their own doctors opinions and can waste a lot of time debating those opinions if they want to.
"You're not too smart, are you? I like that in a man." - Matty Walker in Body Heat (1981)
by BlazerFanSince1970 on Nov 26, 2011 7:53 PM PST up reply actions
I believe the reason FOR him to come back....
… Is to prove to himself, and those doubters wrong…
" one thing I hate more than a L*ker, is TWO L*kers.... "
It doesn’t mean Oden is a bad guy. It’s just plain smart and common sense.
That’s easy to say now, in November before the games have resumed. By the end of January, there’s going to be pressure for Oden to return to the floor. (You remember the Walton years, you know how these things play out.) If the media and the fans get any whiff that Greg is sandbagging in Feb-Mar there’s going to be an uproar, and it can only end in two ways: either he’ll return to the floor and be “the hero” again (even if his PT is monitored) or the fans will say “don’t let the door hit your backside” and drive him away.
There’s no room for “common sense” once Jason “underwhelming” Quick and the talk shows start cranking up the drama
When reached 40 years of following Portland basketball you have, be as passionate of the Trail Blazers you will not!
I'm just hoping Paul doesn't want to sell the Blazers and makes Greg an offer he can't refuse.
Then there is no reason for him (or his agents) to be ultra-conservative and we can move on with Oden fulfilling his destiny as a Blazer. Now that would make for a Merry Christmas.
"You're not too smart, are you? I like that in a man." - Matty Walker in Body Heat (1981)
by BlazerFanSince1970 on Nov 26, 2011 9:21 PM PST up reply actions
Agreed
Extend Oden asap, amnesty Roy next offseason. The future luxury tax would take care of itself. Decisions on Wallace and Batum can wait. See what you can get for Camby at the deadline, hopefully both Marcus and Greg be healthy and playing well at the time
When reached 40 years of following Portland basketball you have, be as passionate of the Trail Blazers you will not!
I'm also glad
we’re now talking about Rudy and Patty in the past tense. Baby steps
When reached 40 years of following Portland basketball you have, be as passionate of the Trail Blazers you will not!
Yep, that's pretty much my scenario too.
I think it would be hard to trade Batum at the deadline without knowing absolutely for certain that Wallace wouldn’t opt-out. But if you can find a Golden Deal at the trade deadline then either Wallace or Batum (with Camby for salary matching) is a possibility, but not likely.
I hope Paul will eat a year of luxury tax (1-1 this year) to keep Roy and see where that goes. I guess I believe in magic this time of year (my wife watches lots of Xmas movies) and I would like to see Roy find the perfect role to remain a Blazer.
"You're not too smart, are you? I like that in a man." - Matty Walker in Body Heat (1981)
by BlazerFanSince1970 on Nov 26, 2011 9:55 PM PST up reply actions
He's Mr. Snow Mizer, he's Mr. Cold
that’s one Xmas show I don’t mind reviewing, otherwise I save ’em for holidays at the in-laws
Of course Bedgers are going to throw out trade scenarios from here to March. I think the roster is pretty much set, or else Paul might have tried a little harder to find a new GM? Add a veteran PF/C and lace ‘em up. The team has enough “newness” at the PG position, they don’t need to shake things up heading into a short camp. It will be interesting to see how Portland comes out fo the gate, if they can keep their heads above .500 for the first 30 days they have a shot. I hope the Jan schedule is favorable, but I doubt the NBA is looking to do the Blazers any favors
When reached 40 years of following Portland basketball you have, be as passionate of the Trail Blazers you will not!
Then again
Maybe David Stern’s NBA feels like they owe PA a solid for being the bad cop in negotiations. I think the schedule is a huge, often overlooked area of biased favoritism. People always talk about the refs’ influence on the games, but not so much about the number of back-to-backs or length of road trips, where we tend to get annually screwed.
a lot of problem is location
Portland (and Miami) have the longest travel miles every year. But at least the Heat have Orlando and ATL somewhat nearby. Portland has the bay area and a crappy travel day to Denver
When reached 40 years of following Portland basketball you have, be as passionate of the Trail Blazers you will not!
When he is ready (cleared) they are still planning to hold him back at least "a month or so".
Duffy’s comment was made back in June, and (at the time) he was referring to the 12 month threshold, which passed last week
Your ultra-conservative scenario could play out, but I wouldn’t use Duffy’s comments from 6 months ago to tack on 2-3 months of unecessary posturing so “team Oden” can have their boy healthy in July. (Besides, as we saw last year at this time, Greg can just as easily be injured during drills as he is on the floor during live action.) At some point, they’re going to have to throw him out there. I do agree that Greg’s minutes and back-to-backs should be limited, as they would be with any big man returning from surgery. All the more reason for Portland to add another big man to the roster via free agency. The Blazers will want to know that Greg is “good to go” by the trading deadline if they’re going to part with Camby and still hope to advance in the playoffs
When reached 40 years of following Portland basketball you have, be as passionate of the Trail Blazers you will not!
If Oden gets on the court and proves he can play, he’s going to get a lot better offers than if he misses another year.
by BangDownLow on Nov 27, 2011 12:24 PM PST up reply actions
That would be the dream scenario for the Blazers, but it isn't going to happen.
If Oden signs a long term deal before next summer it will be for $48M or more. You can bet the farm on that. If he plays 4-5 good weeks in March/April this year he will be worth $13M-$14M a year next summer.
"You're not too smart, are you? I like that in a man." - Matty Walker in Body Heat (1981)
by BlazerFanSince1970 on Nov 26, 2011 7:57 PM PST up reply actions
Eh?
I’m not overly optimistic about our chances in this lock out shortened season. I almost would rather have had the entire season cancelled. We wouldn’t have had to pay either Roy or Oden’s salary during the lockout, while giving them enough time to get healthy. With Oden, he is only going to get hurt again if he steps back on the court. But the best thing would have been removing a year from LeBrons and Kobes championship windows.
by rhaegar on Nov 26, 2011 8:08 PM PST via mobile reply actions
I prefer to call them..
… LeBronz James (for his 3rd place olympic finish) and Dopey Bryant (it rhymes)
" one thing I hate more than a L*ker, is TWO L*kers.... "
I just wanna say
Im a big fan of keepin Chris Johnson. People say hes skinny, but he reminds me alot of Marcus Camby when he first came out. Plus hes cheap. AndI cant wait for Greg to get back to the court, hopefully its sooner than later!
by cavejunctionblazer on Nov 26, 2011 9:06 PM PST reply actions 1 recs
at the Chiles center
CJ said he’s been putting the pounds, which is great news
but don’t compare CJ to MC. Marcus was a lottery choice, CJ was a rookie FA. CJ can defend and run the floor, Marcus has excellent court vision and averages 3-4 apg from the high post
I like both of them, but CJ has a long way to go to become as valuable as MC
When reached 40 years of following Portland basketball you have, be as passionate of the Trail Blazers you will not!
by two4larue on Nov 26, 2011 9:46 PM PST up reply actions 1 recs
If Chris Johnson's upside is that of any Blazer from the past decade, it's Theo Ratliff.
That’s not an endorsement, either.
"I Am Mine"
It should be
for a guy making 88k dollars a year & could likely lock up for the league minimum if we wanted after that.
Get it done... Paul.
The Rattler
play hard for a contract, then coast
nice legacy, Theo
When reached 40 years of following Portland basketball you have, be as passionate of the Trail Blazers you will not!
I don't buy the whole idea of "no timeline"
I understand why they wouldn’t want to make it public, but there’s just no way Greg and his people haven’t looked at a calendar.
If nothing else...
His timeline has to be to get on the floor enough this season to make enough of an impression to get a new contract.
Boo.
He’s injured. Bust, maybe. Bum, no.
/s
by Hipster Olympic Team! on Nov 27, 2011 3:47 PM PST up reply actions
Based on little information, I’d set the over/under for Oden’s regular season minutes played at about 500 (that’d be 25 games at 20 mpg) and would lean towards the under.
I'll take the over
it’s easy to be pessimistic re: Oden, based on his career thus far. But at some point this kid has got to catch a break from the kharma gods. I saw it happen with Bowie and I’ll be overjoyed to see it again re: Greg in a Portland uniform
When reached 40 years of following Portland basketball you have, be as passionate of the Trail Blazers you will not!
Then we can trade him
for Buck Williams 2.0, and forever go down in NBA lore as the team that had lightning strike twice in the same spot.
Oden makes Samuel L. Jackson's character from 'Unbreakable' look like Cal Ripken Jr
Seriously, we need to stop chasing this dream and work with what we have
1) Oden has never stayed healthy for any length of time his entire adult life, why do people think this will change?
2) Even if he does stay healthy, he has a long way to develop. He is a project. Not playing, let alone not practicing, for 2+ years isn’t bound to help his development. For every nice play he made he had at least one play where it looked like someone tied his shoes together.
3) He doesn’t seem to have that killer instinct, win at all costs attitude like we wish he did. He looks like a guy that plays because he knows he can make a living doing it, and that he plays because others want him to. He seems like a nice guy, but I would rather think of him as someone nasty who has a chip on his shoulder.
4) As long as he stays in Portland he will have the #1 pick label to live up to. See point #3 as to why this is a problem. When (not if) he goes somewhere else, he will be just another player, which would probably be a huge relief to him. He won’t have the same level of scrutiny and pressure to be the savior of a franchise.
5) As a diehard Blazer fan, I hope I am wring on points 1-4.
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