Meet Greg Oden, your 2009 NBA Rookie of the Year…
August 22, 2008 – Dr. Anklesnap
The Portland Trail Blazers don’t know Greg Oden. The media doesn’t know Greg Oden. The fans don’t know Greg Oden. Heck his college team Ohio State from 2006-07 doesn’t even know Greg Oden. So who does know Greg Oden? In a basketball sense, probably nobody but Greg Oden knows Greg Oden.
The 2007 NBA Draft #1 overall pick by the Portland Trailblazers has yet to play even one game in an NBA uniform, yet the guy is larger than life. Maybe not on a scale as big as King James, but certainly in a similar fashion the media has dogged this guy since he first stepped on the basketball court as a youngster. He was bigger than everybody, better than everybody, and all watcher’s were sure he was special. But just how special? No one actually knows at this point, just how special.
In his one and only season in the NCAA, he put up some big numbers 15.7 points, 9.6 rebounds, and 3.3 blocks per game in only 28 minutes. Seems impressive, right? What is impressive is he did all that playing the whole season wearing a cast on an injured right wrist, rehabbing from surgery to repair torn ligaments. As far as the Portland Trail Blazers were concerned those college numbers were significant enough to pick Oden #1 solely on what was seen as limitless potential due to his size and athletic ability, as many figured Kevin Durant would be the consensus #1 pick that year after a monstrous season of 26 points and 11 rebounds per game. Kevin Durant was chosen #2 by the Seattle Supersonics. Oden then came up gimpy requiring serious micro fracture knee surgery before ever having logged minutes for the Blazers. Flashbacks of Sam Bowie Blazers fans?
I have to admit I was a skeptic for a while when it came to Oden. I am one of those people that needs to see before I believe. After watching the video below of Greg Oden last week working out publicly for the Portland Media, i’m more now on the fence waiting to be dazzled in real live NBA games. Her certainly has a hop to his step in the workout that gives you glimpses of the potential greatness to come. Here is a quick video look-in of the workout that has me going out on a limb to predict Mr. Oden will be your 2009 NBA Rookie of the Year:
The sky is the limit with this kid. After breaking his right wrist, he learned to shoot free throws with his left hand. That’s incredible. He can also block shots equally well with either hand. That gives him a tremendous advantage because he doesn’t have to turn his body when protecting the basket. Not only do I believe he’ll win ROY, but I think he’ll be in the running for DPOY.
Look the defense was playing low key here…just watch Hill and Frye give him the slam time and again. But what is amazing is to see the raw power that he moves these guys around with. Frye is much stronger this year than in the past. I also believe he could be ROY. The only problem is that the statmongers among us may not fully appreciate his defensive game.
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looks like he needs some work on those hooks…