He stands 7-0 tall and weighs 285 pounds. He's Greg Oden, the #1 overall pick in the 2007 NBA Draft but after missing all of last season is still a rookie. First overall picks have always garnered alot of attention, but after LeBron's 2003 draft, where the expectations were thrown into overdrive, the player (un)lucky enough to get picked first also gets compared to James, who met and exceeded every expectation thrown his way. That, of course, is unfair. It is particularly harsh for Oden since he is a big-man, and the rules for big-men have always been a big different.
Oden has always been compared to someone. The next Wilt, or Shaq, or Bill Russell. Those are lofty comparisons to deal with, even if the 20 year old looks 10 years older. Oden then had to deal with the injury concerns. A broken wrist during his one season at Ohio State, then the knee injury. Even before Oden stepped on a NBA court words like 'bust' and 'flop' were being tossed around.
Oden's first appearance for the Blazers in a regular season game did little to quiet the talk. Oden played aboout 2 minutes before falling awkwardly and hurting his leg. He was out of action another couple of weeks.
Oden has come back, however, and comeback strong. His minutes and production have steadily been increasing for a surprising Blazers team that has re-established a tough home-court at the Rose Garden(14-4).
The pinnacle of Oden's season came on Sunday night when Oden tallied 24 points and 15 boards against the vertically challenged Milwaukee Bucks. That has been Oden's specialty so far this season, taking advantage of teams that lack front-court size. Next in line, the Cavaliers.
Oden is not the main point of concern for the WIne and Gold tonight. That role is held by PG Brandon Roy who is hving a monster season - 22 pts / 5 ast per game. He likes to attack the basket, and without Delonet West the Cavaliers are going to have to help defend him. If Oden starts to dominate underneath, the way Andrew Bynum did on Monday Night, the Cavaliers may have to stuff the lane with defenders. That would open up the perimeter for Roy and others to rain down the jumpers.
The Cavaliers haven't lost two games all season. To keep that streak alive, Cleveland will need to find a way to win the frontcourt battle against a team that is bigger than them.
0 recs | 7 comments
Brandon Roy plays off-guard or SF
Even though he initiates the offense, and can see the floor like a PG, Steve Blake is our point guard, but since he is injured Sergio Rodriguez is starting at the point guard position. Kind of like Lebron, Roy’s ability to score warrants a collapsing defense or a double team, hence open shooters. Whoever has the hot outside shot and cabable perimeter defenders will probably win this game, but like you said, if Oden stays out of foul trouble tonight, he could be tough to deal with. I hope this is a good game and all of these injured dudes for both teams get well soon.
appel82 - January 21, 2009
Thanks!
I know I always see Roy with the ball, especially at crunch time….
Agreed…Let’s all get well!!!
John Bena (aka CavsBlogger) - January 21, 2009
The guys at brewhoop pulled out an interesting stat on monday
There is a reason the ball is in his hands during crunch time.
appel82 - January 21, 2009
You think Oden looks only 30?
MiledAnimal - January 21, 2009
Shouldn’t that be two consecutive games all season?
JulioBernazard - January 21, 2009
I hope Andy and Ben can play smarter in this game than they did against LAL.
Go Cavs!
JulioBernazard - January 21, 2009
Size may not matter for Portland
James equals out the size vs talent equation, in this game Im worried James by himself may have all 4 of Portlands bigs in early foul trouble. Pryz is going to be key tonight he has to make sure there is communication on the D.
This will probably be one of those who gets the ball last wins type of games.
Go Blazers!
Dragonage - January 21, 2009
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