Greg Ostertag Wants Back In The League
First Isaiah Rider wants back in the NBA, now Greg Ostertag? The 36-year-old former Utah Jazz center has told the Lawrence Journal-World that he is attempting to make an NBA comeback.
“Watching the playoffs last year got me excited. My wife said, ‘Why not go try it again?’ One day I said, ‘What the heck. I’ll get in shape and get back on the court and give it a try.”
“I’ve got nothing to lose.”
Ostertag, who retired after the 2005-’06 season, has been training all summer (which includes playing hockey) to get back into playing shape. Last week, he worked out with the Blazers. He also told the Kansas-based newspaper that he is rusty and is aware this comeback attempt is a long shot.
“The more I get into it, the more I want to play,” Ostertag said. “I’ve been working hard since June to get weight off to where I can be productive. I’m in the mode I don’t want to work this hard for nothing. I want to get my feet planted somewhere, get in veterans camp, and in the preseason maybe somebody will like what they see.”
As a Jazz fan, I find this funny. He couldn’t even really contribute for us in his prime. But I don’t hate, so if he has been dedicating himself to accomplishing this goal (he looks like he’s in decent shape in the Journal News’ picture), then I’m all for it.
Source: Lawrence Journal-News
Does Ostertag have a chance? What former players would you like to see come back?
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September 14th, 2009 at 2:17 pm
deeds says:
Good for him. At least he isn’t one of these washed up guys who thinks he still has it and wants to be the man. He seems pretty self-aware, realizes where he is at this stage of his life, but just wants to play the game he loves. So good luck to him
September 14th, 2009 at 2:17 pm
K Dizzle says:
If Jason and Jarron Collins still cashin NBA checks, then Ostertag, Big Country and Todd McCulloch could definitely have a reunion tour
September 14th, 2009 at 2:25 pm
Lee says:
I’m sure a contender will need a big body for shaq / Howard. Maybe Boston or LA ???
September 14th, 2009 at 2:26 pm
That's whats up says:
Ostertag could certainly be an usher in any NBA arena.
…let him back!
September 14th, 2009 at 2:26 pm
sh!tfaced says:
Eddy Curry! Oh wait…
September 14th, 2009 at 3:20 pm
yoda says:
hes only 36? i thought hes in mid 30′s when he played with malone and stock :O
September 14th, 2009 at 5:29 pm
the cynic says:
i thought this guy retired after leaving kansas
September 14th, 2009 at 7:26 pm
BRUCE says:
5. Ostertag
4. Shawn Kemp
3. Bonzi Wells (Sprewell)
2. Isiah Rider (B. Russell)
1. Tim Hardaway (Gary Payton)
September 14th, 2009 at 7:34 pm
fred a stair says:
i would like to see bill russel back
September 15th, 2009 at 12:36 am
dave says:
Please, please, Utah Jazz!!!!, don’t sign ostertag. It’s painful watching a 7 foot man that can barely get 3 inches off the ground. This isn’t the answer to getting to a championship. Why don’t we just suit up jerry sloan, he’s not afraid to play some defense and he’s already on the payroll.
September 15th, 2009 at 12:56 am
CTP says:
I agree, good for Tag. I am a Jazz nut, and I am not hating on him like a lot of Jazz fans do. He would play better defense than Okur… (Better backup to a backup than Fesenko or Collins is!)
I hope he comes back… I mean, if I was 36 and not doing anything, you can bet your ass i’d wanna come back!
September 15th, 2009 at 9:20 am
dk says:
For good reason, someones wife wants his fat ass out the house.
September 15th, 2009 at 3:08 pm
Danny says:
I’m also a Jazz fan from back in the day, though I’m in more of the belief that he contributed quite a bit in his prime… yeah he was frustrating, but he was a BIG big man who could actually play (a lot of seven footers come and go who seem to have trouble simply moving around), and who despite seemingly lazy play could deliver 150 blocks a season. The Jazz were better for his presence during the Finals years, I think.