Blazers / Nets Tomorrow Night. Center Court below face value

Greg Oden is developing an offensive game. This is the moment in Jurassic Park when they realize the raptors are breeding.

Oden said it was Miller who planted a seed in his mind to attack.

"He's a big breath of fresh air for me," Oden said. "When he comes into the game, he's like, 'G.O., we are going to run a play for you so you can try to get the other big man in foul trouble.' That definitely puts a big smile on my face. I turned my head and had a big smile."

Another great Chad Ford quote - confirming the previous Oden vs. Bynum Post

Lance (Pdx )
Which young NBA big man would you rather have? Bynum or Oden

Chad Ford (1:40 PM)

Oden. But that's not a knock on Bynum. He's been great this year.

Great quote from Chad Ford on the Oden vs. Durant debate

Tyler (Portland)
Is it time to get excited about Greg Oden or should I hold off for a little longer?

Chad Ford (1:09 PM)

I think so. He's got a PER at 22 ... just slightly behind Kevin Durant this year. He's definitely a defensive force. Offensively he's still figuring it out. I know he's had 16, 16, and 24 in his last 3 games, but I don't think he'll keep that up this year. If I'm a Blazers fan I just need 12 to 14 ppg, 10 to12 rpg, 2 bpg and Oden on the floor 25 to 30 min a night. That would be huge. I don't think he'll ever put up the big numbers that Shaq did. But he could be the best big man defender in the league. And frankly, having a 7 footer that can do that will produce more rings than a 6-11 small forward who can score 30 ppg. That was the thinking all along why GMs preferred Oden to Durant. KD is the sexier player and as an offensive player there is just no comparison. KD is great. Oden is aspiring to average. But defensively, Oden could be dominant. KD ... not so much.

Question - if Outlaw misses half the season (41 games) how much if any of his contract is covered by Insurance?

Oden is 4th in the NBA in FG%, shooting at a 60% clip. However, he is only getting 6.8 shots per game, ranking him 124th. When factoring in his limited amount of touches, one can see why he is only getting 1.8 free throws per game, which ranks 179th, while he is downing them at a respectable 75%. Also, his Points Per Shot is a solid 1.39, ranking him 21st. GET HIM THE BALL!!

Who is going to the game tonight???
I'll be there... See you there

• One observation I left out of Monday's Daily Dime: This was the first time I'd seen Portland play in person this season, and I was very impressed with the improvement of Rudy Fernandez on defense. His activity off the ball was far greater than I'd seen in his rookie season, and he was really disruptive in passing lanes, as well.

My spies in Portland concur that he's improved quite a bit at that end, which is one more reason the Blazers rank a surprising third in defensive efficiency.

The defensive effort for it being the 5th game in 7 nights and the last of a 5-game road trip against a very physically talented Atlanta team was very encouraging. Horford/Smith versus Oden/Aldridge might be a premier frontcourt matchup for several years to come.

I think Blake might be shooting worse because in the Miller/Blake lineup he's always sprinting down court to push the defense. Maybe it's gassing him and effecting his shooting and decision making, especially late in the game.