G.O. looks toughGoing head-to-head with Channing Frye in some limited workouts, Greg Oden stamped the conclusion of his knee rehabilitation with some serious exclamation points. For 45 minutes, Oden and Frye went at it, and at times Oden looked like a ferocious force on the block.
For moments, it was awe-inspiring. Early in the workout, Oden took a long stride and ripped at the rim with such ferocity that the shot clock mounted on the backboard shook for more than five seconds punctuating one of his dunks.
“I’ve got tingles,” assistant general manager Tom Penn said from his courtside seat.
But Oden didn’t maintain that tenacity throughout the entire practice, as fatigue eventually set in. Oden admitted that he’s not ready to play an 82-game season “right now,” but acknowledged that he’s making progress towards that goal steadily.
Oden had a rep at Ohio State that he would look lost at times during practice. He drew the ire of Thad Matta when he lost focus and had to be told where to go on certain plays. And it’s no different at times now. But when he zones in, Oden shows glimpses of the athleticism and power that has made him a potentially marquis center.
Lead assistant Dean Demopoulos was running his workout, trying to keep Oden locked in.
“Everything is a dunk, Greg!” Demopoulos shouted. “Everything is a dunk!”
Oden obliged, catching the passes in midair and finishing with mostly soft one-handed dunks. Occasionally, however, he unleashed a violent two-handed dunk, which raised the eyebrows of Demopoulos, Frye and Penn.
“That’s some nasty stuff,” Penn said. “And we’re not even going full speed.”
Source: Oregon Live
August 5th, 2008 at 4:30 pm
doc says:
Yeah all the ball dudes know hes a monster.Thats why when people say he hasnt played a game yet I laugh.Some ballers you just know are game changers.We all knew Shaq was gonna beast the block,we all knew Duncan would be Mr. Fundamental,and we all know GO gonna be a fucking problem on that defensive end,clear them boards up,and in a couple years challenge Dwight for big man supremacy.
August 5th, 2008 at 4:31 pm
Luigi says:
this guy…i hope hes hyped enough bkuz he is gonna have to DELIVER SON!
Blazermania will be watching greg
August 5th, 2008 at 4:35 pm
Dave says:
LOL @ “marquis center”.
Its “marquee”. Learn some English; its not that hard.
That being said, I truly hope that Oden has a monster year. Portland will be the most intriguing team in the upcoming season.
August 5th, 2008 at 4:48 pm
Celts Fan says:
@Dave, and the gramatically correct way to use quotes ending a sentence is w/ the period inside of the quotes, but nobody cares because this is a BASKETBALL site. If this were an MLA forum for Harvard, then we’d care, but since it’s not, just relax dude.
and yes, Greg looks like he’s gonna be Zo at worst (assuming good health) which is pretty damn scary…
August 5th, 2008 at 5:10 pm
Logan Light says:
I’m looking forward to seeing Dwight and Oden go at it at the all star games of the future.
August 5th, 2008 at 5:12 pm
Eric says:
I’m looking forward to a Bynum/Oden matchup
August 5th, 2008 at 5:15 pm
GEE...Low down dirty even says:
Just hope GO don’t get injured lol. Right now dude should be drinking milk (that whole milk not watered down crap) eating the flinstone vitamins, praying daily, and watching evey lil thing he do.
If I am the coach I don’t even play dude in the pre-season. Forget that!
Really with all the practice and camps and stuff. Can we just do away with pre-season and just get it started.
No sense in getting hurt or possibly injured for games that don’t even count.
Stern always doing something about stuff, he need to do suntin about gettin rid of the pre-season.
August 5th, 2008 at 6:20 pm
Chaos says:
man its some good young centers in the league now. might be nice to see oden go up against bynum, howard, yao, chandler, okafor, beidrins and Horford (who just plays center). and the blazers are gonna be beasts this year with oden defensive minded and aldridge offensively
August 5th, 2008 at 9:11 pm
Young Lebron 23 says:
@ Doc
I think GO can compete with D12 right now. Oden is bigger and is a better shot blocker. I don’t think he can pull a Yao and be an all star as a rookie but next year isn’t out of the question.
August 5th, 2008 at 9:21 pm
Three Stacks says:
Yao was an All-Star his first season mostly because of all the fan votes (cause China’s got a billion people), not cause he necessarily deserved it. Remember, Amare won ROY that season.
If Oden can stay healthy, he’s gonna be good. But staying healthy with those uneven legs is gonna be a mission in itself.
This guy was shooting FTs left handed in college, and looked better doing it than a normal Shaq or Chuck Hayes. I’d say he’s got a good amount of basketball ability.
August 5th, 2008 at 9:59 pm
Young Lebron 23 says:
Three Stacks you gets no money!!! LOLx50
August 6th, 2008 at 12:13 am
bill says:
the hype begins
Good coverage though and great to follow this young man’s career
August 6th, 2008 at 12:26 am
Jonny Drama says:
Never doubt the Chameleon.
August 6th, 2008 at 5:56 am
bill clinton says:
Go Ogden! The next Bill Russell … or not.
August 6th, 2008 at 9:08 am
Jay G says:
The Blazers are my sleeper pick this year……
August 6th, 2008 at 9:17 am
Sam I Am says:
@ Gay J
For what?? The Chip ?
Aint no one sleepin on them
August 6th, 2008 at 10:23 am
Kobeef says:
Bynum and )Oden are basically the same age (Bynum is three months older) and they are probably one of the most anticipated matchups this season. Best case scenario we are looking at this generation’s version of Mutumbo vs Olajuwon
Bynum is actually bigger than Oden (Bynum = 7′1 and 7′6 wingspan vs Oden 6′11 and 7′4 wingspan)
August 6th, 2008 at 6:02 pm
it aint easy being green says:
worse come to worse, the kid plays a mean piano.