I’d have to say both statements are true.

Oden fell and broke his left kneecap on Saturday night, playing against the Houston Rockets. Since he was drafted in 2007 by the Portland Trailblazers, the 7-foot center has suffered more injuries than some 10-year veterans.

Greg Oden suffered another injury on Saturday, and will be out for the season.

Many have compared Oden to the infamous Sam Bowie,  who was selected ahead of Michael Jordan in the 1984 NBA draft. Bowie, a big man himself, suffered numerous injuries while at Portland and never developed into the great player many expected him to be.

According to ESPN.com, Brandon Roy said that Oden apologized and bowed his head as he was wheeled off the court. Apparently he felt as though he had let them down.

The injuries that Oden has sustained since he had first entered the league are not his fault. Though he  missed his rookie season after undergoing microfracture surgery on his right knee, and sat out numerous games last season due to minor injuries, Oden was performing really well this season. He had finally found his game after losing weight and regaining confidence. Then, he was stopped short yet again because of another injury.

Greg Oden is one of the most genuine players in the NBA. He’s not arrogant or self-serving. He’s a team player, and works hard on and off the court. It would be great to see him finish a season intact, because his numbers would be outstanding.

Unfortunately for Portland, injuries have gotten in the way — and not just for Oden. The team is so shorthanded this season that coach Nate McMillan has had to participate in practice.

It’s a sad story, really. And my heart goes out to Oden.

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Post from: EveryJoe

Greg Oden Is Done For The Season

According to ESPN, Harpring has never completely recovered from an infection that developed after ankle surgery in the summer of 2008. “After consultations with the doctors and based on their recommendations, I have reluctantly come to the realization that my body can simply no longer withstand the rigors of NBA games and practices,” he said.

Matt Harping may be sidelined indefinitely.

Harpring joined the Utah Jazz as a free agent in 2002. He found success and a home with the Jazz, and thrived as a prolific shooter. Unfortunately, Harpring’s playing time has dropped consistently over the last few years because of injuries, including multiple knee surgeries and the strep infection that developed from having a bone spur removed from his right ankle.

The 2009 season is over for Harpring. And it looks as though his NBA career may be over as well.

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Post from: EveryJoe

Matt Harpring’s Season Is Over; Career Too?

Yes, that’s right. Artest recently admitted to the Sporting News that he used to “drink Hennessy … at halftime.”  He said that he kept it in his locker, and would just walk to the liquor store and get it.

The obvious question here is, why? Performance enhancing substances I could understand. But alcohol? It’s not like it helps you play any better.

Artest confessed that he drank while playing for the Chicago Bulls from 1999 to 2001. And if that wasn’t enough, he also said that the infamous brawl he was an intricate part of during his time with the Indiana Pacers wasn’t his fault. “I don’t see anything I could have done different,” he said.

Does he not remember the fact that he stormed into the stands to fight with fans?? Maybe he was too tipsy to remember what actually happened?

I’ll leave you with these last parting words of wisdom from Artest himself:

“When I was a 19-year-old father, whew. I was a single pimp! I was wild,” he told the Sporting News. “A lot of marijuana and alcohol — even before [that age]. … I [still] party and I have fun, but not like I used to. I used to drink every night and party every night.”

What a guy.

Here’s a refresh of the Pacers/Pistons brawl. Maybe Artest should look it up on YouTube as well:

Post from: EveryJoe

Ron Artest Used To Sip Hennessy At Halftime

Apparently “The Answer” agreed to a one-year contract with his former team. He informed the Philadelphia 76ers this morning that he would accept the deal. According to ESPN, The contract is for a pro-rated veteran’s minimum of $1.3 million.

Allen Iverson won't be setting the basketball on the shelf after all.

Even though Iverson announced his “retirement” last week, it seemed as though he felt he wasn’t ready to leave the NBA. As fate would have it, the Sixers lost Lou Williams to an injury which is said to have “sidelined him for eight weeks.”

If you’re team president Ed Stefanski, what would you do?

Ironically, his “answer” was to turn to Iverson, who led the Sixers to the NBA Finals in 2001.

Perhaps, this is the kind rebirth that Iverson needs to find his game. Who said you can’t go home again?

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Post from: EveryJoe

Iverson Agrees To Sign With The Sixers

I posed a simple question in my post. I asked, who would want to coach the Nets now? Well, according to SI.com, Patrick Ewing is interested. The former NBA All-Star has been an assistant coach for the past seven seasons. Apparently, he’s ready for a new challenge.

Patrick Ewing has been an assistant coach for seven seasons. He's ready to take the next step.

Taking over as head coach for the Nets would certainly be a challenge. Maybe Ewing wants a chance to prove that he has what it takes to be a head coach in the NBA. If he can turn this team around, he’ll definitely earn his stripes.

Nets general manager, Kiki Vandeweghe will take over as head coach for the time being. According to ESPN.com, Vandeweghe played 13 seasons in the NBA with four teams and was a two-time All-Star. His only coaching experience came in Dallas, under Don Nelson. Despite his lack of experience, Vandeweghe has one thing going for him — if he can win at least one game then he’s one up on Frank.

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Post from: EveryJoe

Ewing Wants To Coach The New Jersey Nets

According to ESPN.com, assistant coach Tom Barrise took over the team last night against the Los Angeles Lakers, while general manager Kiki Vandeweghe said team officials would meet after the squad returns to New Jersey and discuss who will coach for the rest of the season.

Larry Frank, head coach of the New Jersey Nets, has been "relieved" of his coaching duties.

What coach could possibly want the job? They would be inheriting one of the worst teams in NBA history. On the other hand, winning a game here or there would be seen as a serious improvement. You can’t do much worse, except maybe 0-18.

But even the “Zen Master” himself, Phil Jackson would have a hard time remaining calm with this team. There’s no structure, and nothing to build on at the moment. They don’t seem to have a reliable fan base, or a standout player who can give the team some visibility and elevate them to another level.

Perhaps LeBron James can help?

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Post from: EveryJoe

Nets Fire Larry Frank

It was the upset of the decade, as the Mavericks had the best winning record in the league that year.

Since then however, the Warriors have failed to make the playoffs for the past two seasons. Certain questionable trades were made, with the most recent sending Stephen Jackson and Acie Law to Charlotte.

Now there’s a rumor circulating that Monta Ellis is next in line of disgruntled players

Could a trade be coming for Golden State's Monta Ellis?

Ellis has not verbally expressed his desire to be traded, but his agent Jeff Fried has left the door wide open. Fried recently told the San Francisco Chronicle, “I don’t have any trades working right now, but who is to say what might happen down the road?”

Golden State managed to pickup sharpshooter Stephen Curry in the 2009 NBA Draft. But you have to wonder how a young player will be able to grow and develop on a team that lacks continuity.

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Post from: EveryJoe

Is Golden State Looking To Trade Ellis?

According to SI.com, the president of the New York Knicks is planning to make a move in order to get Iverson to New York. Donnie Walsh confirmed yesterday that he is interested in signing the former league MVP.  Apparently Iverson is interested in playing for Mike D’Antoni and living in the Big Apple.

What I don’t understand is that the Knicks passed on Iverson over the summer. So why are they interested in him now? Probably because their season is already off to a rocky start. Perhaps they feel that Iverson is “The Answer” to all of their problems.

In honor of the 10-time All Star, here are Iverson’s Top Ten Plays, courtesy of YouTube:

Post from: EveryJoe

Iverson May Join The Knicks

Imagine LeBron James and Dwayne Wade on the same team...

The latest twist in the King James free agency story is that the execs over at the Miami Heat front office are scrambling to find a way to get him to Miami. Imagine Dwayne Wade, Chris Bosh and LeBron all in the same uniform. It’s almost as daunting of an image as LeBron and Kobe Bryant on the same team.

The thing of it is, it could happen. The players themselves have already discussed such possibilities. It basically comes down to LeBron himself. He’ll have the ability to go wherever he wants to go. And you better believe that whatever team he chooses will bend over backwards to get him. He could end up in any uniform. The options are endless and there’s no scenario that is out of the realm of possibility. All we can do is wait to see what happens.

Until then, speculating is just a means to an end.

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Post from: EveryJoe

LeBron Speculation Wheel Keeps Turning

Tonight, they’ll have a chance to see just how good they really are when they play the defending NBA Champions. The Los Angeles Lakers are currently 6-1, and they are on a mission to repeat.

“When you’re playing the world champs, it’s always a great measuring stick,” said Nash, according to ESPN.com. “Now we go to LA and see how good we are.”

The Phoenix Suns will try to keep Kobe Bryant in check when they face off against the Lakers in L.A. tonight.

Accurate shooting, a high-flying offense and good defense have helped get the Suns off to one of their best starts since the 1980-81 season. After beating the New Orleans Hornets by 20 points last night, All-Star guard Chris Paul had this to say:

“They’re like the Phoenix Suns of my rookie year and my second year in the league. I give them a lot of credit. They did a great job of putting those pieces back together.”

We’ll see how those pieces can measure up against Kobe Bryant and the Lakers tonight.

Image: Zuma Press

Post from: EveryJoe

High-Flying Suns Ready For The Champions