Perspective

by Dave on Sep 13, 2007 12:01 PM PDT in News Comment 79 comments

I'm feeling the need for some perspective on this news. That's what places like this are for, so here we go.

Obviously this is devastating news. Blazer fans were like kids who had been promised a Ferrari for their sixteenth birthday. It was the stuff of dreams. We had gone to the showroom, picked out the color...we even had a test drive. Then as the car was being delivered for our birthday party a big old dump truck backed over it...from an overpass.

It seems to me there are a couple responses here. One would be to lament, which is proper for a while but ultimately unsatisfying. The other would be to admit a few things:

--We were lucky to even get a Ferrari at 16. Most people can't even sniff at that chance. We're not any farther behind than anybody else. We're just farther behind what we dreamed would be.

--We're all going to be 17 someday. There will be other birthdays. And Ferrari is not going out of business anytime soon. You don't give up driving and you don't give up hoping. Instead you drive an Oldsmobile for a year and enjoy it. You work, you save, and you say, "That Ferrari is still going to be there at 17 and 18 and someday it's GOING to be mine."

Translating the analogy into specifics...

More and more people are coming back from microfracture pretty much as good as new. Zach did it. Amare did it. Oden will be back and completely driveable.
I watched Oden play in summer league. This guy had two feet of clearance on his dunks from a flat-footed standstill with two guys draped over him. Even if he lost six inches on that leap he's still a foot above everybody else.
As much as people wanted to believe that the team was going to transform into a behemoth this season it wasn't going to happen. We were too young and starting too many new people. This was a bonus year...a year to practice our cheerleading as fans, to get a glimpse of what the future could be like, and to say that anything the Blazers did over and above playing hard and gelling together was gravy. We're not losing Oden in the heart of our championship run. We're losing him when it matters least. All we're really missing out on is a thrill.
One of the big questions this year was going to be whether we could assimilate the needs of Brandon, Lamarcus, and Greg on the court at the same time. Both of the former two need to grow into primary offensive weapons. Where Oden fit into that was still up in the air. You can bet if losses had mounted there would have been more confusion. Now Roy and Aldridge have a year to really carry the team and get used to that role. When Oden comes back he will be able to fit in and assimilate himself. Let's face it, the chances of all three transformations going smoothly at the same time were small anyway. It's perfectly possible that we could have gotten to the end of this year saying, "Oden needs to have a better sophomore season." Instead we get to over-hype him in our dreams without annoying reality getting in the way.

Greg Oden is going to be a monster who changes games by his mere presence. His role on this team will not be taking a bad team and making it good. In my mind that task belongs to guys like Roy, Aldridge, Jack, Outlaw, and company. Greg's potential is wasted if that's what you depend on him for. Oden's role will be to take a good team and make it into a champion, much the same way Tim Duncan has in San Antonio. At this point in our development it's not a devastating loss putting that off for a year. Most of the growth we would have been looking for will still need to happen because it will involve players other than him.

There are still things to play for and root for. This season is still critical in our development. We may not be driving the Ferrari yet but we can at least learn how to get the Oldsmobile around the track. The excitement of "What could this be" will just have to wait for another year, that's all.

Oh, and for those asking...YES, we are STILL BREAKING THAT BAD JUJU. In fact (and pardon me, dear sainted grandmother) I think it's high time we Blazer fans gave a big old collective SCREW YOU to all the bad juju. So see the post from a couple days ago and send in your stuff! We're not just going to struggle through this, we're going to beat it and prosper. Then all the bad juju in the world can just kiss our scarlet-and-black-covered heinies.

Chin up everybody. We'll make it.

--Dave (blazersub@yahoo.com)

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Comments

2 things...

2 players really have to step up now, Mr. Outlaw and Mr. Frye. Channing especially needs to be able to come in and grab boards and play solid D. A season like he had last year will be simply unnacceptable. Outlaw is going to get his time at the 4 now, I think that is a good thing.

Ladies and gentlemen, welcome to the Brandon Roy show. We will love Roy even more when this is all said and done, and I didnt even think that was possible. He is going to have to be big time this year, and I think he will be.

kudos to Aldridge, this hurts his game more than anyone. We can now count on teams focusing their post defense solely on LMA(Frye are you listening)

by myemic23 on Sep 13, 2007 12:16 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

haha

not sure kudos is the right word, my sympathies might work a little better in its place.

by myemic23 on Sep 13, 2007 12:19 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

no worries

you were just hungry

Like it or not, Rip City is Back

by sohrab19 on Sep 13, 2007 1:19 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Silver Linings

WWeek fanboy/reporter Casey Jarman's "Totally Depressing Notes from the Oden Press Conference" has him searching for (and finding) some of those silver linings:

http://www.wweek.com/wwire/?p=9318

A snippet:

Oden's injury means that this season won't quite be the circus everyone expected. The national media won't swoop into Portland as overwhelmingly, cable tv pundits will give the Blazers a bit less attention, and the playoffs seem like a stretch. But maybe that's not so terrible. Maybe being the underdog for another year or two isn't the end of the world. And you're crazy if you're not excited about the this year's team. There's the incredible young talent of Brandon Roy and LaMarcus Aldridge (a pair that's going to be a blast to watch this year). And there are so many question marks attached to guys like Sergio Rodriguez, Martell Webster, Travis Outlaw and Channing Frye--all of whom have shown glimpses of explosiveness, making for high expectations that haven't yet been met--that it should be a lot of fun to see where things go. Oden or no Oden.

by IanPDX on Sep 13, 2007 4:47 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

a time and season for everything under the sun

The basketball gods are insatiably cruel! They inflate you like a baloon, just to drive a needle right through you.

by saintB on Sep 13, 2007 12:20 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

well ...

If you want to bring god(s) into the conversation, maybe this is a way of thinking about it: the basketball gods made us incredibly lucky (1/20 odds!) winners of the lottery over the summer, and now is our chance to earn that gesture of goodwill. Patience, faith, and unbridled Rip City fandom are the only things that can get us through now, and it will make us better for it when we do.

by kickbrass on Sep 13, 2007 7:06 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Geez

Relying on a 19-year old rookie who has never played an NBA game and is recovering from microfracture surgery to come back early and guide you through the playoffs might be a tiny bit unfair to Mr. Oden.

I would be curious to know whether this was somewhat similar to Amare's microfracture. It seems like he was able to come back faster than anyone else has, although he also tried too early and had a couple setbacks.

by HarryManback on Sep 13, 2007 12:23 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

Blessing in disguise?

Things to consider...

The spot of damaged cartilage is minimal. Easy to fix.
Oden is getting this done EARLY, when he is YOUNG. This translates into a "speedy" recovery.
A lower-than-originally-projected finish in the 07-08 season, which may translate into another top-3 lottery pick.
Two words: Rudy Fernandez. He will be arriving in the 08-09 season.
2008-09 just got even more interesting... Oden, Rudy, and another top-tier draft pick... Our patience will be rewarded.

by david1978pdx on Sep 13, 2007 12:26 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

I just talked

to my brother about that very prospect (Oden+Rudy+08Lotterypick). That's three lottery picks in one draft, the way I see it.

If you thought this season's home opener was going to be wild...

Like it or not, Rip City is Back

by sohrab19 on Sep 13, 2007 1:54 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

We still have a decent team.....

this is not going to crush us. No doubt this is disappointing, I'm not denying that. That being said, it will be great to see how Roy and Aldrige improve this season. We may not make the playoffs this year, but there was good chance we were not going to make the playoffs with Oden anyway.

The silver lining in this for Oden is that when he comes back next year, everyone will have forgot about him outside of Portland...he'll have less pressure on him, while everyone focuses on OJ Mayo. It's not like he's going to sneak up on anybody, but there will certainly be less expectations put upon him...which will just allow him to play and grow into the player he is going to become.

by JasonT on Sep 13, 2007 12:28 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

I'm not giving up my season tickets!!!

Cuz I'm no fair weather b*tch!!! I leave that to the Laker fans. LOL!

by david1978pdx on Sep 13, 2007 12:31 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

well when i get back

in 363 days from now,i hope there is some hope and promise for the organization.damn after this don't you think so.

by fatty on Sep 13, 2007 12:49 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

Are you seriously leaving?

Did anyone take you up on your "deal"? I'm sure nobody would seriously want you to go away for a whole year. How about instead, you just change your tag line to "fatty is a goof*hearts greg oden" and keep it that way for a year? I think that would be good enough.

by HarryManback on Sep 13, 2007 12:56 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

I don't need to see fatty go

But I wouldn't mind if he cut down on his annoying baiting. Seriously. Just a smidge.

by shralpster on Sep 13, 2007 1:23 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

I Like the signature...

"Please try to ignore everything you just read" much better for fatty.

by myemic23 on Sep 13, 2007 2:06 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

the bright side

I was recently telling some Californian friends that it's rare to get a completely clear blue sky in Portland. So right now the little black raincloud hanging in the corner of next season's sky is that we've lost Oden for the year. But there are two things I am still looking forward to:

1.) I don't expect Joel or Raef to have an injury-free season. This, combined with Oden's absence, frees up big man time for Frye and for Outlaw. By giving Outlaw more time at the 4, Webster now has more time at the 3. We had three question marks with tons of potential, but (outside of Frye) we weren't sure how much time they'd get on the court. Now the three of them have more time to shine. I'm hoping they can all step up and I'm looking forward to watching them develop this season.

2.) I was excited that we got Greg Oden, but what I was most hyped about from the off-season were the early practices, and the growing camraderie between this young team. And who instigated this? Brandon Roy. I think this year Roy steps up and proves that he is the heart and soul of this team. It might not show in the stats, but it will be great to watch.

by abdelnaby on Sep 13, 2007 12:49 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

My only concern is that what makes Oden special

are his freakish athletic gifts. I think we can all agree that it was not Oden's post moves, passing or sheer instincts for the game that had all of us foaming at the mouth. It was his combination of size, speed and agility. While Amare has come back from the surgery he is now just a good leaper, he is not leaping over everyone like he was before. However, he was an All NBA player so he is doing quite well. Let's hope that Oden can get back at least 90% of his hops, quickness and athleticism. If so, I would say everything will be OK. This can be a great opportunity for Greg Oden to learn the NBA game from a cerebral standpoint. Let's hope he doesn't try and come back too soon.

by jferg on Sep 13, 2007 12:56 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

abdelnaby

great point but you're forgetting 1 young big,yes josh mc.roberts.and the kid can pass out of the double team trust me.

by fatty on Sep 13, 2007 12:57 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

good one too fatty

Since he's a rook, I'm not expecting McRob to make a big splash this year, but I think he'll at least get some garbage time now, whereas before he would have been lucky to see even that outside of the D League. I'm looking forward to some Green to McLovin alleyoop benchwarmer dunkage.

by abdelnaby on Sep 13, 2007 1:02 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Good, you're still here

No deal, right?

by bbfred on Sep 13, 2007 1:25 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Josh, Joel, Raef, Channing

These four guys are all going to get more playing time.

Josh will get enough chances to actually earn a spot on the team in future.

Joel will get enough chances to either cement his status to play a role in our teams of the future, or to increase his trade value.

Raef will get enough chances to at least earn enough playing time and generate enough production to make himself tradeable to a team where he can have a role.

Channing will get a lot more PT, and will have the chance to prove that last year was just sophomore slump, and he's going to be a very good big man.

Will any of them succeed? It will be fun to watch and find out. They very well might not have even had the chance if this hadn't happened. I think Frye would have, but I don't know about the others.

If any of the other three have a successful season, it will benefit them, and it will benefit the Blazers in years to come, either in providing another role player or increased trade value.

It's not a total disaster. Bad news, but there's good that can come out of it, for several players as individuals and for the team as a whole.

And if Oden comes back as even 80% of the player he would have been, he will still be one of the very best centers in the league for years to come. Remember, once he can even walk again, he's going to be learning low-post offence.

by jscot on Sep 13, 2007 1:02 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

Fatty and I were thinking the same

about McRob. More opportunities for him.

Fatty, you can't go. Do what Harry Manback said.

"How about instead, you just change your tag line to "fatty is a goof*hearts greg oden" and keep it that way for a year? I think that would be good enough."

ROFL. Good enough? That would be even BETTER!!!

by jscot on Sep 13, 2007 1:05 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

Honestly

I still think the Blazers have a better team this year than they had last year. Until the Blazers are mathematically eliminated from the playoffs, no one should write this season off.

There are 14 other guys on the team that I expect to play hard and win. There is a lot of talent and potential in those 14 other guys. Give them a chance to succeed.

If I had an extra hug, I would give it to you.

by tominhawaii on Sep 13, 2007 1:08 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

stephen.a.amith

at his alltime best just said and i qoute on espnews that g.oden being out for the season is not a blow for the nba.my advice to you guys after the press conference.espnews usuall replay their interviews.so you can hear it from the horses mouth.also he said that more people should get excited about team usa than this injury.brotha i could'nt disagree with you more.this is a crushing blow to this franchise and it's fans.the media are calling the blazers a "snakebit"franchise.i'll say it again everything is going to be alright.and like david1978pdx said i'll still be in portland in april cheering my team on.

by fatty on Sep 13, 2007 1:14 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

The perspective is good

that the other young players learn to win without Greg. However, the surgery puts Greg back a year in his own development. I think he will need at least 2 years of playing time to become dominant. At the same time Josh McRoberts and Joel both get a year to advance with plenty of playing time. I see Channing moving to the 5 position behind Joel and Josh getting serious minutes at the 4 or perhaps the reverse. In either case both players get to develop (re-develop) with time to do so. I also see more double teams on Roy with opportunity for Blake and Jack and Martell and Travis to step up with outside shooting.

Instead we get to over-hype him in our dreams without annoying reality getting in the way.

This is priceless. It does not apply to you, Dave, or many here but it certainly does seem to apply to the majority of fans out there. Thanks for the reminder and the perspective.

by lee3022 on Sep 13, 2007 1:14 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

Silver linings

While this must be a huge disappointment for Greg Oden and for teammates and Blazer fans, there are some blessings to be made of it.

Joel will be needed. Hopefully he will be able to redeem himself after the disappointments of last season.

Josh McRoberts and Raef LaFrentz will both get the opportunity to earn some playing time.

The rest of the team will be called upon to take bigger steps in the development process if there is to be any fun and success this season.

As Dave said Brandon and LaMarcus will have another year to establish themselves and cement their roles as focal points of the team.

Perhaps this recovery period will help Greg Oden treasure and value good health and fitness. He won't be as likely to abuse or neglect himself going forward as do some at his age who see themselves as invincible.

My question - if Greg Oden misses training camp and the whole season, will next season be his rookie year?

by bbfred on Sep 13, 2007 1:22 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

I believe

rookie status is based on number of games played. I would assume since his will be "zero" it will indeed be his rookie campaign.

--Dave

by Dave on Sep 13, 2007 1:25 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

You are correct

1 second of official game time begins your rookie season.

by jamon51 on Sep 13, 2007 3:52 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Back in 363 days??

Are you going to jail???

by bigddydrg on Sep 13, 2007 1:41 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

Oden should be fine in '08

The guys who have struggled to recover from microfracture surgery are the older guys with the more extensive damage. G.O. is at the opposite end of the spectrum. But beyond that, even if G.O. continues to have knee problems, fans who think that would end his career (ala Bowie) are simply wrong.

The worst case scenario--which is VERY unlikely--is that Oden will have some chronic knee pain. In the old days (pre-microfracture), players--especially big men--often played large portions of their careers with knee cartilage injuries. They iced their knees after every game, even took shots for the pain. But they were still effective players.

Yes, there were career ending knee injuries back in the day, but those were ACL tears. (Bernard King was the first guy to really come back from that injury.) Cartilage problems were something that slowed you down and caused pain, but only ended careers in extreme cases. And that was then. With the level of care available to G.O., there's no way this is a career-ender.

Remember, according to G.O., he'd been playing with his injury for weeks. And based on the highlight clips we saw, he was still jumping out of the gym. Nowadays there's no reason to play in pain: not when there's a procedure that can fix the problem. So the Blazers rightly elected to operate immediately. But even if the outcome is less than optimal, that won't mean Oden's career is over. Oden on a sore knee would still be better than 90% of the centers in the league.

by hurryup09 on Sep 13, 2007 1:42 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

In his prime

He will be better than ALL of them, knee or no knee.

Just imagine the other team having Hakeem or Shaq with a bum knee.

Still like your chances with Mehmet Okur?

Like it or not, Rip City is Back

by sohrab19 on Sep 13, 2007 1:59 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

exactly

by hurryup09 on Sep 13, 2007 2:14 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

I think Oden was worth perhaps 4 wins.

And those wins weren't going to be 41 through 44 either. He'll come back healthy, rested, eager and with the experience of a year as an NBA intern. We'll get a better draft pick to fill one of the two problem positions. Rudy Fernandez will come over next year in fine fettle. Aldridge, Frye, Webster, and Przybilla will have more opportunities this year.

But the best thing is that Nate will have to change his offense and allow his players to attempt to beat the opponent down the court and get some easy baskets. We have almost zero low-post scoring now, so we'll have to score in a way that is more fun to watch.

by EnglandDan on Sep 13, 2007 2:11 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

Clippers

Does Portland really need any more young guys? Unless they get a pick who could be an impact guy, I think they should trade the pick and an expiring contract for a veteran.

If I had an extra hug, I would give it to you.

by tominhawaii on Sep 13, 2007 2:29 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

An excellent point.

But the higher the pick, the better the veteran. Also Webster and Jack getting more shots will increase their value should we be looking to trade them.

by EnglandDan on Sep 13, 2007 2:35 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

At least Greg...

has a good role model in Darius Miles to follow in how to rehab from microfracture surgery.

Crap.

But Oden was but one of the intriguing storylines to follow in this upcoming season. I didn't expect them to make the playoffs before this week so wins and losses were not part of my equation for the upcoming season. I'm still very enthusiastic about watching every game and seeing how the other lads develop. All this adversity will just make that championship that arrives in the next couple of years that much sweeter.

by jon on Sep 13, 2007 2:47 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

Optimism

GO is only 19 and there has been some ailment the past two years. I am skeptically optimistic. If he is only 19, what kind of shape is his body when he is 25 yrs old? Of course there is a silver lining...opportunity for everyone else (see every post above), potential 2008 lottery pick, 2008-2009 ROY in Oden, etc. etc. I just hope Greg heals nicely and starts to avoid physical ailments...for his sake, not ours.

by clonigro on Sep 13, 2007 2:52 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

ODEN for R.O.Y. in 2009!

You better believe it!

This actually works out perfectly. Now G.O. won't have to compete with Kevin Durant for R.O.Y. honors, and they can both win it. ;-)

by david1978pdx on Sep 13, 2007 2:59 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

Sorry

that award will be going to Rudy.

Hard work beats talent when talent fails to work hard.

by ratbastird on Sep 13, 2007 4:30 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Ok...

I'll accept that if it happens. Rudy is going to rock!

by david1978pdx on Sep 13, 2007 4:50 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Disappointed

I was sitting there this morning eating my breakfast(Australian time) getting some sport updates when across the bottom of the screen come the words, Oden to be out for season.

I was to say the least disappointed. I know all will be alright and there are bigger things to be worried about than this but it was a bit of a deflation for the coming season.

I am sure everything will work out (lets hope so) and Greg will full recover, will be interesting to see if this takes away from his nice footwork or speed that he had, time will tell.

Well now that i have had a whinge that we lost Oden it is time now to put it behind and look to the season ahead and what we have.

I didn't think we were going to be in the playoffs this year but I did have higer than last season hopes.

Oden being out puts more pressure on Roy and LMA as Oden while maybe not being a massive offensive threat this season he would of needed attention and commanded some doubel teams which would of meant more spacing for LMA and Roy.

Oh well tomorrow is anohter day supporting the mighty Blazers.

by Bairdy on Sep 13, 2007 3:34 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

At least you aren't a french rugby fan.

by EnglandDan on Sep 13, 2007 4:05 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Hahaha very true what a let down for them that was

by Bairdy on Sep 13, 2007 7:33 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

sad for us, but more sad for him

long time lurker, first post. I have to say as sad as I am about this (and I am REALLY bummed), I feel worse for him. As I read in another article, this went from the best to probably the worst year of his life. He also had to sit around and deal with this injury for the next year. I do have to say I find a couple of things odd. First of all I am surprised they went in and immediately performed the operation. I believe they must have had some prior information. Otherwise it seemed like sort of a rash decision. The other interesting tidbit is that many people saw Oden out at a party last night....

by blake on Sep 13, 2007 3:57 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

if I was about to be on crutches for eight weeks

I'd have one last party too.

by abdelnaby on Sep 13, 2007 5:02 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

This will help the Legend of Oden

When his playing days are over, this injury and the subsquent recovery from it will just be the opening chapter of the Legend of Oden. We'll get through this, our team still will be very fun to watch, and then we'll get Oden back and it'll be awesome.

But of course, it doesn't mean this doesn't suck a lot.

It goes without saying that I am bummed mightily, even if it feels worse than bummed... but that's all I'm willing to admit. It is a recreational activity, after all, and Oden WILL be okay. But man, this season woulda been great...

Oh well. Next season will be the REAL story.

I do not believe Oden is injury prone. A wrist injury and this knee thing are just unlucky... tonsils don't count. The only way the Bowie talk will stop is if he doesn't get hurt again for a while... otherwise it's one thing and then another and then another...

Sigh.

One serious thing I do want to know, and I wish someone at the press conference asked this, is why is microfracture surgery better than being sore and hurt for 10 years? Was the pain in his knee that bad? Would it have gotten worse and worse to the point of career ending? Is microfracture the ONLY way to go?

I hate microfracture. I've been busy with work stuff and I nearly forgot Oden was due for surgery today, so it sorta kinda caught me off guard. My brain knows this is okay, Oden will come back smarter and good as ever and shall win the Rookie o' da' Year. But my heart is swimming in a pool of despair while floating on a life preserver made of heartbreak and sipping a drink filled with acid tears of sadness. :-(

Microfracture is stupid. I don't need to be some dang ol' smarty pants book learned doktor to know that.

I'm glad the rest of the league is as bummed as we are, but some are acting like he was in a plane crash. Oden is 19, will be the best center, and we're still on track for our Dynasty.

But man, one more year?! It's Christmas Eve, and our evil X-Mas hating government just delayed Christmas for another year. The only way to make things fair league wide is for us to pick ONE PLAYER from EACH TEAM to get their own big dumb microfracture surgery.

It's the only way to save the season.

The year will still be fun. Roy averages 20+, Aldridge 18/10/2, Frye and Outlaw can share the PF, Webster finds more minutes at the 3 cause Outlaw can play the 4, McRoberts can find minutes, Joel's career can get back on track instead of being pushed further to the background, and we can see what all the non-Oden guys can do. Yay, it couldn't be better. ODEN WHOM?!

I meant all that except for the last two lines.

And I bet most GMs would still trade their star for Oden. Even Seattle. Missing a year early on in Oden's career when he'll have 12+ years of superstardom is an okay tradeoff, if ya gotta do the trade. Let's say Oden had decided to stay in school for another year and NBA rules allowed you to draft him without declaring; he'd still go #1.

Waiting is as stupid as dumb microfracture. But we still got a great young team to watch. And as long as microfracture isn't fatal, Oden will live, turn 20, and have 15 more years in the league being goofy and charming. And we'll likely have the same amount of winning seasons, and the same amount of titles (lots).

Mortimer

by Mortimer on Sep 13, 2007 4:01 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

The subject of alternatives

is well discussed in the recent Diary: Articular cartilage damage. AS for doing it right away it makes sense that the surgeon was prepared to do whatever he needed while he was in there. This surgeon (Dr Don Roberts) has an amazing resume (you can Google him) and probably is as good as it gets for Greg.

by lee3022 on Sep 13, 2007 5:12 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Oppurtunity

Odds are that Oden would have had some health issues with his first NBA season as it where. This is an oppurtunity for him to get his body in the strongest form possilbe in order to prepare for the next season.

Don't get me wrong. I am as disappointed as the next big blazer fan, but often our greatest triumphs arrive because they are durring our greatest times of adversity. This is a challenge for GO, The Blazers and the entire Blazer community. We can either fight or retreat, and I would much rather go down fighting.

by khryse on Sep 13, 2007 4:13 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

Hoo-Ah!

Like it or not, Rip City is Back

by sohrab19 on Sep 13, 2007 5:35 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Making the best

So...

Fatty won't be posting for a year? I don't see that happening but i'm amused that they said "6 months to a year"

I'm a little surprised by the news, but it doesn't really bother me.

Why? Despite others, I didn't expect Oden to be ready this year. Also, we have a LOT of big men buried away. This gives them time to play so that we can learn where they might fit. We have channing Frye. Even if he's not great, he'll be good.

As dave pointed out, Roy and Aldridge will really be able to shine and lead. I love greg but I feel this team belongs to Roy and Aldridge.

I still predict the team to be between 38-42.

We were not going to be exploding anywhere. The optimism is cool, but 82 games is long and young players still need to figure out how to pace themselves.

Besides, I met a girl who loves basketball, blazers, and spurs. I'm sorry, you really can't dampen my mood right now :)

Greg Oden will recover, and Greg Oden will dominate. I still say he was the right choice and we'll be completely thrashing teams.

that is all. thank you.

Hard work beats talent when talent fails to work hard.

by ratbastird on Sep 13, 2007 4:29 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

Quote:

"Besides I met a girl who loves basketball, blazers, and spurs..."

Now far be it from me to quibble, but this is one case in which proper capitalization would have clarified a lot of things. "Basketball" needs none, and given the nature of the site we'll assume "blazers" refers to Portland's team and not Chevy cars or natty sportscoats. However "spurs" could become quite an issue. If you mean San Antonio's team that seems a little unfaithful right there. It could be one of those long-term, nagging issues. But if you don't mean San Antonio's team that may be a little more about you than I wanted to know...

--Dave

by Dave on Sep 13, 2007 4:34 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

bwahaha

I can't help but picture a girl dribbling a basketball, wearing a natty sport coat and some cowboy boots with shiny silver spurs. Throw it down, cowgirl, throw it down!

by abdelnaby on Sep 13, 2007 5:04 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

hahaha!!

that's defently going into my tag line!!

Give me Blazers, or give me Death!

by nateinaloha on Sep 13, 2007 5:32 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

darn

more than 160 characters long...so funny!

Give me Blazers, or give me Death!

by nateinaloha on Sep 13, 2007 5:34 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

is this better now?

"Besides, I met a girl who loves basketball, blazers, and spurs. I'm sorry, you really can't dampen my mood right now :)" -ratbastird(after oden's surgery)

by nateinaloha on Sep 13, 2007 5:37 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

I love it!

so did she!

Hard work beats talent when talent fails to work hard.

by ratbastird on Sep 14, 2007 5:34 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

She's a fun one.

she said she's going to do that now just because you suggested it.

Hard work beats talent when talent fails to work hard.

by ratbastird on Sep 14, 2007 5:33 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

She loved your comments!

I read her these comments and had her cracking up till she cried.

I think she likes the spurs idea.

Hard work beats talent when talent fails to work hard.

by ratbastird on Sep 14, 2007 5:32 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

So we will know you...

...from the scars on your back?

by timg56 on Sep 18, 2007 7:03 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

where's my gun..

Formerly known as Junit3123

by Jason3123 on Sep 13, 2007 5:48 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

Blazer fans

Warriors fan here, sorry to hear about Oden. Best wishes on a successful recovery.

That said, I'm truly frightened. If you look to the future, I got two words for ya:

Derrick Rose

The West will soon be over.

by OptionZero on Sep 13, 2007 5:51 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

Really think

Derrick Rose is the answer to our PG logjam?

All I know about him is that he is a great player but can't shoot very well or consistently at this point.

That's the only drawback I see right now; he might be a great fit otherwise and is the ONLY guard that I'm interested in for the '08 class.

Then again, OJ Mayo could make great trade bait.

Rose fans please give us the scoop on your boy.

Like it or not, Rip City is Back

by sohrab19 on Sep 13, 2007 7:05 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Rose looks to have a HUGE upside.

His ability to absolutely lock down his opponent is something else. He can distribute and is pass first. He needs to work on his jump shot and 3's but that is something you can teach a willing pupil. Desire to play defense is MUCH harder to teach. He also seems to have a steely will and frosty attitude. I think he would be a perfect fit for the team. He needs to work on his jumpers but I think that will improve. At 6'4" he's a great size for the point. He has a huge upside and a lot of natural ability he seems to sort of feel the position. I had a funny feeling about him earlier this summer but ignored it because at the time I thought we would get the 8th seed.

http://nbadraft.net/admincp/profiles/DerrickRose.html
Here's a quote from them
--
"Catlike quickness and body control ... Excellent finisher around the basket even after contact... Clutch player who raises his level of play against good competition and wants the ball in crunch time ... Hits his foul shots at a good rate ... Very team-oriented with a great attitude. Willing to learn, very coachable and still improving ... Accustomed to the 'family feeling' with his teams (he is very close with his high school teammates, and his AAU team, coached by his brother, consisting mostly of his high school teammates). Has a close knit group surrounding him and protecting his future ... Tough as nails competitor. A warrior who leaves it out on the floor every time out ... A true floor general who shows a solid understanding of the game. Good decision maker"
--

Nicholas Batum might be a better fit but I think TO is gonna break out this year. Right now most are projecting Rose to go top 3-5. KP would have to make a move or lightning would have to strike twice. Barring a huge collapse by the team or tanking neither of which will happen. I have a funny feeling about Rose though and I can't shake it.

October, October, October, October, October...... (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Odin)

by Idog1976 on Sep 13, 2007 7:38 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Wait a minute

He needs to work on his jump shot and 3's but that is something you can teach a willing pupil.

Isn't that the same thing they said about Bassy?

by lee3022 on Sep 13, 2007 10:49 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

bassy was...

too busy "protecting himself" to work on his jumper

RUDY > MJ

by myemic23 on Sep 13, 2007 10:55 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

some things

said about Rose that couldn't be said about Telfair:

"...terrific size for the point guard position at 6-4... an absolutely dazzling dunker with blinding speed... likely to be the most athletic PG in the league for years to come... gets low and will lock his man down on defense and should only improve... gives the same intensity and effort on both ends of the floor... plays with a high level of intensity remaining level-headed... can get his head at rim level and has the strength to go into traffic and dunk on people... excellent finisher around the basket even after contact... clutch player who raises his level of play against good competition and wants the ball in crunch time... hits his foul shots at a good rate... excellent rebounder due to his size, strength and tenacity..."

I'm not saying we should tank to get a shot at him or anything, but Derrick Rose is truth. Watch for him to make some serious noise at Memphis this year.

by abdelnaby on Sep 13, 2007 11:31 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Well that settles it

Looks like we have to get the #2 pick!

Seriously, though, I wouldn't rule it out.

KP has worked miracles for us before.

And so has the lottery.

Like it or not, Rip City is Back

by sohrab19 on Sep 14, 2007 12:07 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Yeah I couldn't agree more

Rose is THE guy in the '08 draft. OJ will go first and Beasley second or vice versa. I think Rose will go #3 and will end up being the best. #3 pick is possible with a trade and a 5-8 pick which I think we will be in a position to do. Rose at point with Oden coming back healthy (Oh please god) means Blazers could even make the playoffs next year. By '09 no question and maybe even to the 2nd round.

My wife is convinced this happened for a reason. Before we doubt it let us reflect upon drafting Martell over C. Paul. With C.Paul we get 10 more wins at least no LMA and no Roy and no Oden. On the surface the Martell pick looks like rotten luck/management but in retrospect it HAD to happen to get the big three.

Could it be that our bad luck turns good again? A pick like Rose with an Oden comeback would turn the last few days into something that seemed like a small price to pay. Rose puts a twinkle in my eye. Stranger things have happened. How funny would it be if Oden's injury was the key to us getting the final dynasty piece...a great PG.

October, October, October, October, October...... (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Odin)

by Idog1976 on Sep 15, 2007 3:23 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

What did you mean

by Derrick Rose? I think he's gonna be great. Did you mean that the Blazers will get him? I have had this crazy intuition all summer and it made ZERO sense prior to the injury. Now it seems possible with a trade or two. For all the guys that say we need a vet or two I agree but I want him at the 3 or off the bench. If anyone says they want a small fry vet over Derrick Rose running the point they need to pass the pipe.

October, October, October, October, October...... (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Odin)

by Idog1976 on Sep 13, 2007 7:17 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

haha... passing---->

just joking... I like your style Idog, I very rarely disagree with you. I am all for a stud pg coming to the blazers, and make no mistake, Rose looks to be a stud.

RUDY > MJ

by myemic23 on Sep 13, 2007 10:03 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

haven't posted in a long while

I sure do wish Oden would've gotten to play at least one game before his season ending injury. A whole season lost before it even started. No development, no getting the feel of the NBA game, no nothing just gone. Well, let the vultures and critics have there way, the day is their's to gloat over our misfortune

by JPop on Sep 13, 2007 6:35 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

Blazer fans disappoint me

I thought we were a little smarter than this, this is still a good team. Wake up.

by leeroyjenkins on Sep 13, 2007 6:41 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

Late to the party

I've tried to avoid all the coverage and comments, honestly because it makes me feel worse. But I'm glad I came here for a sermon of sorts. Thanks Dave, you're a shining beacon of reason. Not even optimism, reason and perspective which we all need a heavy dose of.

I'm sure everyone had said pretty much everything that could be said. We're all in pain right now, but I think it's going to get better. Right part of what's making this so agonizing is time. Waiting until next year when we get Oden back, waiting for the NBA season to start to see what kind of team we'll have post-Oden surgery. So I'll bet we'll feel a lot better when the season starts, whether we lose or not.

I also have to say that part of what makes this so unbearable is because this is in the spotlight. If this was Roy or Aldridge it's be hard but at least nobody else would take notice. With Oden it's unavoidable with all the hype and covers and giant Oden jerseys. I really do feel bad for the Blazers organization as well as for the us, the fans.

by jayseyfield on Sep 13, 2007 7:36 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

everyone just remember

we have Brandon Roy.

Formerly known as Junit3123

by Jason3123 on Sep 13, 2007 10:10 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

careers not over, just the season

I'm sorry to hear about greg.I'm not sorry I love the Blazers, I've been a fan over thrity years many good years many bad years, And I will always be a Blazer fan even thou I moved from portland twenty years ago.I will wait and pray for Greg.I wish him well,I hope he takes it easey until the doctor okays things. work on the upper body. we will all be pulling for him.I would like the sonics to stay in seattle, so that we won't have to go to far to see greg block K.Durant at his home building.Anyway I think we still have a good team,young but good and this gives the time to jell and develop together.It also gives M.Webster,T.O. and J.Jones time to find and keep their A game.If two of the three could break out this year we would be ready to work with Greg a year. Then I think we would be on our way maybe 2009-2010 or 2010-2011 we should go realfar maybe all the way. You gotta love those guys BLAZERS!!!!!!!!!!

by billyjoejack on Sep 13, 2007 10:56 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs