Jason Quick and Mike Barrett are reporting that Greg is likely to play in Wednesday's game in Miami after participating in practice today.
From Quick's Behind the Beat blog:
Trail Blazers center Greg Oden looked fluid, explosive and ready for game action during the team's afternoon practice on Tuesday, leading many on the team to believe he will play Wednesday night against Miami.
Oden, who has not played since opening night on Oct. 28 because of a sprained right foot, said he felt good but will wait until Wednesday's shootaround to determine whether he will play.
From Barrett's blog:
Oden had an outstanding practice on Tuesday, and was explosive and, at times, dominant. He had several backboard-shaking slam dunks, and several came following quick offensive moves in the paint. It was easily the best he's looked since training camp.
Oden's teammates were tossing around praise when talking about the big guy's condition, and potential, if he looks like he did in practice on Tuesday. They just saw what Dwight Howard is capable of in Orlando, and comparisons were being drawn after what Oden showed in practice.
They are both reporting that Nate McMillan will bring Oden off of the bench whenever he does return. Also, Barrett says that Greg has continued to work out and has lost 8 pounds since his injury on October 28th.
One thing is for sure, when Greg does finally return, he will bring his game face.
Tuesday, November 11, 2008
Monday, October 20, 2008
Nate Say RELAX
The Oregonian's Jason Quick wrote an article about the pressure Oden is facing. After telling Oden that he was "underwhelmed" so far by his performance in the preseason:
"Oden's eyes pierced. His lips tightened. And for a second, I thought my head was about to be squashed like a grape by the 7-foot, 273-pound center.
His direct stare at me was, uh, let's say ... moving.
"Are you mad I said that?" I asked.
"Yeah," he said, sounding equally hurt and angry. "
"I take this very seriously," Oden said. "I put a lot of pressure on myself to do good and to win, and I guess Coach sees that I keep a straight face when I'm in the gym, but I want him to know I'm not (messing) around.
"I mean, I wish I could (have fun), but I see it as so much more. I've got a lot riding on this," Oden said. "Coach is like, 'Calm down and relax, it's just a game' ... but I'm like 'Look, I've got so many people wanting me to do this and that for this team, and the pressures of this team, the expectations of this team ... I can't relax.'"
Blazers broadcaster Mike Barrett wrote in his blog about being around Oden for an hour at the team's annual harvest dinner.
During one stretch, he was asked about his knee at least 30 times in five minutes. Most of the comments were like "get that knee healthy big fella," and "how you feeling Greg?" Others were more challenging, like "you better be ready," and "this city is depending on you Greg." Again, this wasn't a press conference. He was taking these questions while dishing out food. At one point, after he had received some advice about how to post up properly, and how the very pride of this city is tied to his development, I shot Greg a long stare, with my eyebrows raised, showing I was a bit in awe. He finally smiled, turned to me, and said "see?"
Greg will eventually get back in to shape, find his game again, and learn to relax and have fun. But it will be hard at first, especially with the difficult match ups at the beginning of the season. What we can do as fans is to back off a little and show our support for him during this time. We have years of great basketball ahead of us, we don't need to be impatient.
Oden on the cover of Slam Magazine's 2008-09 NBA season preview issue.
"Oden's eyes pierced. His lips tightened. And for a second, I thought my head was about to be squashed like a grape by the 7-foot, 273-pound center.
His direct stare at me was, uh, let's say ... moving.
"Are you mad I said that?" I asked.
"Yeah," he said, sounding equally hurt and angry. "
"I take this very seriously," Oden said. "I put a lot of pressure on myself to do good and to win, and I guess Coach sees that I keep a straight face when I'm in the gym, but I want him to know I'm not (messing) around.
"I mean, I wish I could (have fun), but I see it as so much more. I've got a lot riding on this," Oden said. "Coach is like, 'Calm down and relax, it's just a game' ... but I'm like 'Look, I've got so many people wanting me to do this and that for this team, and the pressures of this team, the expectations of this team ... I can't relax.'"
Blazers broadcaster Mike Barrett wrote in his blog about being around Oden for an hour at the team's annual harvest dinner.
During one stretch, he was asked about his knee at least 30 times in five minutes. Most of the comments were like "get that knee healthy big fella," and "how you feeling Greg?" Others were more challenging, like "you better be ready," and "this city is depending on you Greg." Again, this wasn't a press conference. He was taking these questions while dishing out food. At one point, after he had received some advice about how to post up properly, and how the very pride of this city is tied to his development, I shot Greg a long stare, with my eyebrows raised, showing I was a bit in awe. He finally smiled, turned to me, and said "see?"
Greg will eventually get back in to shape, find his game again, and learn to relax and have fun. But it will be hard at first, especially with the difficult match ups at the beginning of the season. What we can do as fans is to back off a little and show our support for him during this time. We have years of great basketball ahead of us, we don't need to be impatient.
Oden on the cover of Slam Magazine's 2008-09 NBA season preview issue.
Saturday, October 4, 2008
2008 Fan Fest
The Blazer's 2008 Wells Fargo Fan Fest was last night. If you weren't there OregonLive.com has this highlight video. Pay attention to Oden's block at around 3:15, that should be a nice preview of what to look forward to this season.
Greg looked a little nervous when the game started. He did have a couple nice dunks and assists along with that block. He didn't play much and seemed to not yet be in game shape. But he only recently started full 5 on 5 practices so we should be able to assume that after a month of training camp and pre-season he will be in better shape. The next test is the Blazer's first pre-season game October 7th against the Kings.
As always, if you have any pictures of you reppin Oden For ROY send them to OdenForROY @ yahoo.com or upload to myspace and tag the Oden For Roy profile so we can put it up here.
| Wells Fargo Fan Fest |
Greg looked a little nervous when the game started. He did have a couple nice dunks and assists along with that block. He didn't play much and seemed to not yet be in game shape. But he only recently started full 5 on 5 practices so we should be able to assume that after a month of training camp and pre-season he will be in better shape. The next test is the Blazer's first pre-season game October 7th against the Kings.
As always, if you have any pictures of you reppin Oden For ROY send them to OdenForROY @ yahoo.com or upload to myspace and tag the Oden For Roy profile so we can put it up here.
Thursday, September 18, 2008
Oden Talks R.O.Y.
Your first chance to see Greg Oden playing for the Blazers will be at this year's Fan Fest. From Blazers.com:
See the new Trail Blazers squad in action for the very first time at this year’s Wells Fargo Fan Fest, Friday, October 3 at 5:00pm at the Rose Garden.
Get your free family passes at Wells Fargo stores in Oregon, SW Washington or just show your Wells Fargo card at the door.
Here's one of 10 questions with Greg Oden from NBA.com:
"7. Starting Five: Who do you think is your main competition for the T-Mobile Rookie of the Year?
Oden: Derrick Rose. He has that kind of maturity about him when you see him play. And Mike Beasley because of all the talent that he has. There are a couple of guys who I think are sleepers out there, like a few of the seniors who can come in and be a lot more mature and make an impact. "
The Portland Tribune's Kerry Eggers also asked Oden about the Rookie of The Year award.
What about following teammate Brandon Roy’s lead as the NBA’s rookie of the year?
“It would nice to have B-Roy and me win it,” Oden says, “but if we make the playoffs and I don’t get rookie of the year, I’m perfectly fine with that.”
That sounds like the perfect attitude to have. However, if Oden helps the team to the playoffs that should be his strongest case to be the R.O.Y.
Eggars also asks about the now famous video of Greg signing 'N Sync's "It's Gonna Be Me".
“In person, it sounded a lot better than on video,” he claims.
See the new Trail Blazers squad in action for the very first time at this year’s Wells Fargo Fan Fest, Friday, October 3 at 5:00pm at the Rose Garden.
Get your free family passes at Wells Fargo stores in Oregon, SW Washington or just show your Wells Fargo card at the door.
Here's one of 10 questions with Greg Oden from NBA.com:
"7. Starting Five: Who do you think is your main competition for the T-Mobile Rookie of the Year?
Oden: Derrick Rose. He has that kind of maturity about him when you see him play. And Mike Beasley because of all the talent that he has. There are a couple of guys who I think are sleepers out there, like a few of the seniors who can come in and be a lot more mature and make an impact. "
The Portland Tribune's Kerry Eggers also asked Oden about the Rookie of The Year award.
What about following teammate Brandon Roy’s lead as the NBA’s rookie of the year?
“It would nice to have B-Roy and me win it,” Oden says, “but if we make the playoffs and I don’t get rookie of the year, I’m perfectly fine with that.”
That sounds like the perfect attitude to have. However, if Oden helps the team to the playoffs that should be his strongest case to be the R.O.Y.
Eggars also asks about the now famous video of Greg signing 'N Sync's "It's Gonna Be Me".
“In person, it sounded a lot better than on video,” he claims.
Wednesday, September 3, 2008
Another ROY Prediction
ESPN.com asked 25 ESPN writers, editors, and contributors to vote on who they predict will win the 2008-09 rookie of the year award. Michael Beasley was ranked first receiving 13 of the 25 votes, and Greg Oden came in second with 7 votes.
"Greg Oden, the Blazers' redshirt rookie, got strong support from our voters as well. As with Beasley and Miami, a strong surge into the playoffs by Portland this season might win the award for Oden."
Last week Oden started playing in 5 on 5 games for the first time since his injury, excluding anything that may or may not have taken place at a 24 Hour Fitness. In his blog he says:
"I felt really good out there."
"They still havent just thrown me into playing every game, but I play every other game and every other day."
"Getting out there just got me really excited for when the season starts."
If you are as excited about the season starting as G.O., add this countdown to your myspace or website:
Copy this code to add
the Oden Countdown to your page.
"Greg Oden, the Blazers' redshirt rookie, got strong support from our voters as well. As with Beasley and Miami, a strong surge into the playoffs by Portland this season might win the award for Oden."
Last week Oden started playing in 5 on 5 games for the first time since his injury, excluding anything that may or may not have taken place at a 24 Hour Fitness. In his blog he says:
"I felt really good out there."
"They still havent just thrown me into playing every game, but I play every other game and every other day."
"Getting out there just got me really excited for when the season starts."
If you are as excited about the season starting as G.O., add this countdown to your myspace or website:
Copy this code to add
the Oden Countdown to your page.
Wednesday, August 6, 2008
2008-09 NBA Schedule Released
The 2008-09 Blazers schedule was released today on Blazers.com. There are 13 games to be shown on national tv, including the season opener at L.A. on Oct. 28th and the home opener on Halloween against San Antonio. If those two games weren't big enough the next night we'll see the Oden vs. Shaq matchup in Phoenix. It still doesn't get any easier as they play at Utah on Nov. 5th and then home against Yao Ming and Houston on the 6th. Finally Oden will face Dwight Howard in Orlando on the 10th to start a 5 game road trip that includes New Orleans. The NBA has decided to put the Oden to the test early against Tim Duncan, Shaq, Yao and Dwight Howard all within the Blazer's first 7 games.
Here's a video from the Behind The Beat blog at Oregonlive.com.
Writer Jason Quick and photographer Bruce Ely will have a season long series called "Rip City Revival: An inside look at the Blazers pursuit of a second NBA title". Right now they are focusing on the second installment, "Greg Oden: A big man's small step" which will include 3 separate blog posts. There's too much good stuff to put here so just go read the whole thing and learn how Greg Oden made coach Nate McMillan retire, and how Oden is like Scottie Pippen.
Here's a video from the Behind The Beat blog at Oregonlive.com.
| Oden |
Writer Jason Quick and photographer Bruce Ely will have a season long series called "Rip City Revival: An inside look at the Blazers pursuit of a second NBA title". Right now they are focusing on the second installment, "Greg Oden: A big man's small step" which will include 3 separate blog posts. There's too much good stuff to put here so just go read the whole thing and learn how Greg Oden made coach Nate McMillan retire, and how Oden is like Scottie Pippen.
Sunday, June 29, 2008
ROY Predictions
With the draft complete it's now time for the experts to make their early predictions for next season's rookie of the year. ESPN.com's David Thorpe gives us his list of the top 20 rookies. Greg Oden comes in at #2 behind Michael Beasley:
"2. Greg Oden, C, Trail Blazers
This is based on his playing on two healthy legs, naturally. Out all of last season after microfracture surgery, last year's No. 1 pick becomes the other man-child of this rookie class. Oden is a true force on both ends and will compete with passion and purpose every night."
Then you have NBA.com's first Rookie Rankings released just after the draft was complete. They have Oden ranked ahead of Beasely, unfortunately it's at 4 and 5.
About Oden:
"I'm putting him at a cautious No. 4. Portland has plenty of young talent and don't need him to do much more than rebound, plug up the middle and be active. His stats probably won't reflect the impact he'll have on Portland's success."
Since he won't be playing in the summer league it seems unlikely that Oden's ranking will change until the first list is released following the preseason.
"2. Greg Oden, C, Trail Blazers
This is based on his playing on two healthy legs, naturally. Out all of last season after microfracture surgery, last year's No. 1 pick becomes the other man-child of this rookie class. Oden is a true force on both ends and will compete with passion and purpose every night."
Then you have NBA.com's first Rookie Rankings released just after the draft was complete. They have Oden ranked ahead of Beasely, unfortunately it's at 4 and 5.
About Oden:
"I'm putting him at a cautious No. 4. Portland has plenty of young talent and don't need him to do much more than rebound, plug up the middle and be active. His stats probably won't reflect the impact he'll have on Portland's success."
Since he won't be playing in the summer league it seems unlikely that Oden's ranking will change until the first list is released following the preseason.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
