Greg Oden is down and out for the rest of the season, a season in which Greg Oden had seemingly found himself and was playing the best of his NBA career. Greg Oden has been cursed by injuries since entering the NBA and once again the curse strikes.

It appears as if the whole Blazer organization is feeling the effects of the curse right now. Coach Nate McMillan has ruptured his Achilles tendon, which is minor when compared to the fact that his assistant Coach, Maurice Lucas, has a return of his bladder cancer, which is on par with the fact that owner Paul Allen of Microsoft fame has told everyone that he is involved with a fight with cancer.

NBAObsessed is a little bit sensitive to the cancer battles having recently fought off Non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma.

The entire Blazers organization is concerned about Greg’s welfare.

At Rebound, Oden still had his mind on the game. Blazers general manager Kevin Pritchard, who was with Oden throughout the ordeal, said Oden continually urged Pritchard to check the score of the game on his Blackberry. Tests confirmed the worst by halftime and Oden returned to the locker room to be with his teammates, urging them to “keep fighting.”

Pritchard said the injury was like a “punch to the gut.”

“The challenging part for me is sometimes life’s not fair, you know?” Pritchard said. “I’ve seen this kid work his tail off. He’s put in the work. He’s done absolutely everything we’ve ever asked him to do and more. And he’s going to go through that again, and I know that’s challenging for him.”

source

Greg Oden finds himself in an all too familiar position

Greg Oden missed his rookie season with the dreaded micro fracture surgery. In his sophomore NBA season Oden missed 15 games after the All Star break with a chip in his knee cap. Now this year after getting off to a great start he is once again out for the year.

NBAObsessed talked about Greg’s improvement before.
—–Greg Oden – Blazer Kiddy Corp part I—-

The scary part is that a writer from ESPN wrote how Greg Oden’s gate is all wrong and reminded him of other centers that never could get past the injury bug. Could that be what is happening or is it just the Curse of the Blazers?
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Paul Allen was high school buddies with Bill Gates and the quiet Microsoft co-founder. He is now worth about 11.5 billion dollars and owns several businesses, and a few sports teams.

He formed Vulcan in the mid-1980s to invest in media and communications companies, including America Online, DreamWorks Animation and cable operator Charter Communications Inc. He also co-founded a Silicon Valley research lab that he then shuttered after investing more than $100 million.

Beyond technology, Allen has used his Microsoft earnings to take his interests to an extreme.

A longtime sports fan, Allen bought football’s Seattle Seahawks and basketball’s Portland Trail Blazers, and he is part owner of the Seattle Sounders FC, a major league soccer team. Allen has been present at Seahawks games this season, chatting in the locker room with players.

He has a band and a recording studio, and built the Experience Music Project, a museum about rock music in Seattle.

source

This is a very difficult post to write and really hits home for your intrepid author of NBAObsessed. You see, Paul Allen and NBAObsessed both have something in common. As much as it would be great that the thing in common was a great big fat wallet, it is not. The thing we have in common is non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma, the big C.

According to the memo, Paul Allen has diffuse large B-cell lymphoma, a relatively common form of lymphoma.

Allen battled another form of immune system cancer, Hodgkin’s lymphoma, more than 20 years ago and survived. The CEO wrote that Allen “is optimistic he can beat this, too.”

“Paul is feeling OK and remains upbeat,” she added. “He continues to work and he has no plans to change his role at Vulcan.”

source

My cancer has been gone for a year and a half and that seems amazing to me. My oncologist tells me my odds of cancer returning is 60 – 40, which is probably better than the Detroit Pistons odds. With each day my chances of survival increase and so do the chances of Paul Allen survival.

Just like me, Paul Allen owns a boat. His is bigger.

Cancer is a marathon, a disease to be endured, that is fought by poisoning your system to kill the cancer and hopefully not to kill you.

Let me tell you something very important for Paul Allen and this is not a secret or something that was just discovered. Anything you can do for Paul will help him. Anything. If you pray, then pray. If not, think a positive thought, send a card, e-mail, even a smile in his direction. It makes for a better world, a world that Paul will want to continue to live in. It makes all the difference in the world. NBAObsessed knows this for a fact!
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The Portland Trailblazers have rid themselves of the old Jail Blazers moniker and now sport a kiddie corps that needed a veteran presence. They tried to get Hedo Turkoglu, thought they had him, only to watch him sign with Toronto of all teams. They signed Paul Milsap, yeah, Paul who, and the Utah Jazz matched his offer sheet. They inquired about Jason Kidd and Steve Nash, but the answers were no and no.

Finally the Trailblazers began to think that Andre Miller could fit the bill of veteran point guard. Andre met with them and signed thinking he was going to be the starting point guard. It hasn’t worked out that way and Portland is claiming they told Andre when they signed him that he would be backing up Steve Blake.

Andre Miller is known for his heads up team play

Facing that alone would have been fine, because Andre is confident that he would have won the starting job. He has talent. Even his teammates acknowledge that.

“He’s such a talented player,” Blazers All-Star guard Brandon Roy said. “We’re just trying to see where he’s best, because that’s how he’s going to help our team. …We needed him on this team.”

Miller has shown flashes of how he can help the Blazers. He’s a smooth, smart point guard who throws a great lob pass. He should help the Blazers, one of the league’s slowest-paced teams, improve their fast break, even though he’s not exceptionally athletic himself.

source

This past year there were many games in Philly that Andre was about all they had. Portland had to be a better deal with all the young talent they have.

But…Suddenly Andre is being vilified by fans and media. He failed a running test in practice and the media got on him about being out of shape. It was said he would not sign an autograph for a young boy and the media got on him about it. Top it off the Blazers are a close team and Andre is pretty much a loner. The media and fans got on him about it.

“I’m sitting on the baseline and I’m hearing fans in the audience say, ‘Sit with the team.’ I just got here. [The fan] said, ‘Sit with the team. Stop acting like that.’

“I was like, ‘Damn.’ They wouldn’t have said that if [the media] didn’t give a false impression. I never have had any problems with any fans. I socialize with fans at appearances and in public.”
source

So what happens now? Andre is obviously a better point guard than Steve Blake and the Coach knows it, but stresses that maybe it is who finishes the game that matters, not who starts it. You just have to wonder how well Andre will handle this situation.

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Today we bring you guest blogger Marquis Chapman.

What’s up NBA Obsessed fans. My name is Marquis Chapman and it’s an honor to lend some of my opinions about the latest NBA news and headlines for NBA Obsessed. Writing about the NBA and its players is a hobby I picked up while in college. I hope to one day contribute articles for SLAM and DIME magazine or any other publication that represents the young NBA sports fan.

Livingston hopes to bounce back from this devastating knee injury and start fresh with the Heat

Free agent and former Los Angeles Clipper Shaun Livingston signed a two year deal with the Miami Heat on Friday. Coming off a devastating, and what most expected to be a career ending knee injury two seasons ago, Livingston is ready to compete for the Heat.

“I’m anxious to prove and show what I can do,” Livingston told Ira Winderman of the South Florida Sun-Sentinel. “I feel like I have a lot to prove, not just from being healthy, but also performance-based. I feel like I can be a lead guard, with no disrespect to any of the guards down here.”
source

Before suffering the infamous left knee injury that tore three ligaments and dislocated his knee cap, Livingston was emerging as a reliable young player with unlimited potential for the Los Angeles Clippers. The 6-7 point guard showed flashes of brilliance and a basketball I.Q. well beyond his years for someone who was drafted out of high school in 2004 as the No. 4 overall pick.

A healthy Shaun Livingston with a lot to prove to his naysayers could be a great addition for the Miami Heat. Livingston provides the Heat with something they’ve lacked for a while, a legitimate true point guard. His length and presence on the court is going to alleviate the constant pressure for Dwayne Wade to create for himself and others around him, and he could prove to be a big help to Shawn Marion by penetrating and dishing, giving the small forward some easy buckets.

While Livingston has been cleared to practice since Spring, and has participated in 5 on 5 scrimmages; playing an actual game will truly determine if he has fully recovered from the knee injury.

However, Livingston’s potential backcourt mate Dwayne Wade remains optimistic about the newly acquired point guard stating, ”I talked to everybody,” Wade said. “For the future of Miami, that’s a good start when you talk about point guard. It’s a great move. I’m really happy; excited to see our team continue to build for the future.”
source

Photo source Newscom

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Shaun Livingston takes a bite out of crime

Shaun Livingston played for the Clippers and destroyed his knee. The Clippers eventually renounced their rights to Shaun. Now Shaun is trying to latch onto another team as a free agent.

Livingston worked out in Portland on Friday, and two league sources believed the Blazers are the favorites to sign the ex-Los Angeles Clippers guard. Still, it is unclear whether Portland general manager Kevin Pritchard has been convinced enough to add yet another guaranteed contract to his roster.

Minnesota executives Jim Stack, Fred Hoiberg and coach Randy Wittman traveled to Chicago on Thursday to watch Livingston at Tim Grover’s Attack Athletics facility. The Wolves, sources said, were sold on the workout and want to sign him.

The Miami Heat are also still in strong contention for Livingston, a 6-foot-7 point guard. Livingston is planning to work out for Heat president Pat Riley early this week in Miami.

source

Shaun Livingston is young and has a lot of potential. He was drafted straight out of high school and is only 23 years old.

If Livingston gets back to full strength, then some team is getting a steal. The Heat appear to be the favorites at this time.

photo source newscom

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Kevin Duckworth died of an enlarged and failing heart.

The police statement says the heart disease had combined with high blood pressure to result in “marked enlargement of his heart, which had been failing for some time.”

source

It seems almost poignant that the gentle giant, Kevin Duckworth, would die because his heart was just too big.

For more on Kevin Duckworth:

Duck Dead at 44

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If you are in Portland honk your horn!

Wait, what are you doing reading a basketball blog while driving? Oh, no matter.

Greg Oden worked out lightly with the Portland Trailblazers.

Oden, the 7-foot center taken with the first pick in last year’s draft, participated in offensive drills and even dunked during 45 minutes of work Wednesday. The Blazers were in Sacramento for Thursday night’s game against the Kings.

“It was fun,” Oden told The Oregonian newspaper. “It felt good to get out there … and I wasn’t hurting at all.”

Coach Nate McMillan surprised the team when he called players to participate in a drill—and included Oden.

“There was somewhat of an uproar by the team,” McMillan said. “Some of them said `Greg?’ and I was like, `Yeah, Greg.’

“I think everyone was just excited to see him on the floor.” source

Here is a look at Greg in the Summer League.

Oden has the size and skills to turn Portland into a playoff team.

NBA Basketball Fan Question Have you seen Greg play yet?

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He is at it again.

Johnny Ludden, Yahoo! Sports has come out with his Power Rankings of the NBA.

Let’s check out some of his top teams with your intrepid author’s comments in italics.

PARADE PLANNERS

1. (2) Boston Celtics – In less than a week, the Celtics were linked to Damon Stoudamire, Sam Cassell and Gary Payton. At this rate Bob Cousy will be back in uniform by mid-February.

Rajon Rondo a key to the Celtics

The Celtics put together a little win streak after their little losing streak. The injury to Rajon Rondo showed a weakness in the formerly impenetrable armor of the Celtics.

Rajon Rondo, who has missed the Celtics’ last two games and three of the last four with a combination of back and right hamstring woes, went through practice yesterday and thinks he’ll be ready to play this afternoon against the Knicks. His coach isn’t so sure. source

The Boston Celtics and GM Danny Ainge will most certainly be looking for point guard talent.

The player mentioned most often is Damon Stoudamire. Damon has been a shoot first player in the past and would not fit in well with the big three of Kevin Garnett, Paul Pierce, and Ray Allen, all of whom need the ball on offense.

There is also accusations of a little too much bonging going on.

2. (7) New Orleans Hornets – The Hornets played in front of an announced crowd of 9,882 last week against Seattle, leading Chris Paul to shout to Kevin Durant: “First one to Oklahoma City wins!”

Chris Paul is awesome and the Hornets continue to be one of the surprise teams in the NBA. Hard to believe at this point they could survive the playoffs without more experience.

3. (5) Phoenix Suns – Let’s get this straight: Steve Kerr and Mike D’Antoni reportedly are at odds; Amare Stoudemire is miffed over his shot count; Shawn Marion wants to be traded; Boris Diaw forgot how to play; Grant Hill just had an appendectomy; Steve Nash claims the Suns haven’t had “that same joy” as previous seasons; and Phoenix continues to lead the Western Conference? Maybe there’s still hope for the Knicks, after all.

Face it, the Suns are loaded and play a style that few teams can stop. The missing piece is a center.

4. LA Lakers

Probably headed downward in the rankings until Andrew Bynum returns. Although Kobe may have something to say about that.

5. Dallas Mavericks

Love to watch this team play. They leave it all out on the floor in a race to see who shoots first. When they drafted Maurice Agar from Michigan State University, they announced they got him for defense. Still trying to figure out who Mo ever guarded. So is Tom Izzo. My friend, Ron B, points out that compared to the Mavericks; Mo is a defensive wizard.

6. Detroit Pistons

Another team lacking a post defensive presence. When Rasheed Wallace wants to shine, the Pistons are unbeatable.

7. San Antonio Spurs

Because of Tim Duncan, a Center, you can’t count out the Spurs come playoff time.

8. Portland Trailblazers

Think what this team becomes with the defensive presence of Greg Oden. Unfortunately that happens next year.

9. Golden State Warriors

The mini version of Phoenix starring Baron Davis.

10. Denver Nuggets

Plagued with injuries and lacking defense. What will happen to this George Karl team?

Teams poised to move up:

Cleveland Cavaliers with LeBron James,

Orlando Magic with Dwight Howard, Rashard Lewis and a big victory over my Pistons

NBA Basketball Fan Question Did your team make the rankings?

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Chris Paul has the Hornets buzzing

Boston has been winning like there is no tomorrow.

Except this week had a lot of tomorrows. They lost 3 out of 4.

So when Johnny Ludden, Yahoo! Sports came out with his rankings of all NBA teams, there was no way to put the Boston Celtics of Kevin Garnett, Paul Pierce, and Ray Allen fame at the top.

At least Johnny admits that the Lakers stay may be short.

Here are the top 10 of the rankings and your intrepid author’s comments in italics.

1. Los Angeles Lakers – This could be one-and-done for the Lakers at the top spot. Seven-game winning streak doesn’t say as much about team’s future as one 20-minute MRI did.

An injured Andrew Bynum means a sure drop in the rankings. Should be interesting to see how Kobe’s game responds.

2. Boston Celtics

No doubt, Boston will hover near the number 1 spot all year. 3 stars with great defense is a winning formula.

3. Detroit Pistons– Yes, getting routed by the Knicks was embarrassing – but also slightly understandable given the Pistons’ four-games-in-five-nights stretch. Having two opportunities in five days to make up a game on Boston and taking advantage of neither? Now that’s hard to stomach.

Rock solid defense with a lineup of 4 lower level all stars plus mismatch player Tayshaun Prince make the Pistons a contender for the number 1 spot.

4. Dallas Mavericks

Live by the Dirk, die by the Dirk. Can an all offensive system win it all?

5. Phoenix Suns– Who had 34 games in the “Grant’s First Injury” pool?

Poor Grant Hill, a true gentleman of the sport. Something always seems to derailing his career. Steve Nash keeps this team on top.

6. San Antonio Spurs– Gregg Popovich, after loss to Detroit: “Timmy and Jacque needed help tonight and they didn’t get it.” Translation: “Tony sucked.”

Can the Spurs really be at the 6 spot? Does anyone believe they will stay that low?

7. New Orleans Hornets– Any correlation between Hornets’ seven consecutive road victories and the out clause in their New Orleans Arena lease?

Chris Paul is a dynamic young player. Look out for this team.

8. Portland Trail Blazers– Portland has won 19 of its past 21 games, a remarkable accomplishment that has left the team with a record that is the conference’s…sixth-best. Welcome to the West, young Blazers.

Whew, have to admit, thought they would be fighting for the number one pick in the draft after losing Oden.

9. Denver Nuggets

Camby, AI, and Carmelo, can this trio win?

10. Golden State Warriors– Who else wants to see Captain Jack in the All-Star Three-point Shootout? Prediction: He misfires his first nine shots, slings his mouthpiece into the bench, curses Craig Sager then closes with 16 consecutive makes.

A wild team with a wild offensive philosophy and one of my favorite players to watch in Baron Davis.

source

Team to most likely move up in this set of rankings is the Orlando Magic with Dwight Howard.

NBA Basketball Fan Question Did your favorite team make the rankings?

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Hey you, sort of star, will you play with me?

Jermaine was under the tutelage of Rasheed Wallace when he played on the Portland Trailblazers, at the beginning of the Jailblazer time period. During those 4 years he barely played and barely scored, but everyone knew he would be a good one. Jermaine was drafted straight out of High School. The next 7 years with the Pacers established Jermaine as a rare 20 – 10 man as he averaged close to 20 points and 10 rebounds.

There is still a bitter taste in O’Neal’s mouth, because he never won a title. Some of those teams with Reggie Miller were pretty good teams, but always ran into someone like the Pistons and were stopped. The Pistons had Rasheed and he had the uncanny knack of shutting down Jermaine at all the right times.

Eventually, Reggie left and then there was Ron Artest and the Malice at the Palace with the Pistons. From there it has been all down hill.

So, just like Kobe, and just like Gilbert Arenas, Jermaine wants to win. He wants to be surrounded by some better players.

Last year the team finally got fed up with Rick Carlisle and his deliberate style of play. It is not that Rick can’t coach, it is more like Rick likes to control every second often calling every single play from the bench. After a while, NBA teams tend to tune him out and that happened to the Pacers last year.

Jermaine asked Larry Bird to get him better players.

Pacers GM Larry Bird wanted Marcus Williams, but the Nets wouldn’t part with the young point guard as part of a package with Richard Jefferson and Nenad Krstic. Bird wanted Andrew Bynum, but the Lakers were willing only to give back Lamar Odom.

So nothing happened and O’Neal seethed through summer. There was a strange episode with reporters in Los Angeles where his words about wanting out of town, he still says, “were edited way out of context.” The Pacers hired Jim O’Brien, and he kept hearing about running the ball and shooting three-pointers and wondered how that was building around him in the middle. He watched the Pacers sign a Lithuanian League MVP, Kareem Rush, and an Orlando bench-warmer, Travis Diener, and wondered who are these guys? source

Let’s see Rush and Diener. Uhh, a Championship that will not deliver. Come on, Larry. Jermaine needs players.

Jermaine O’Neal, known as the other O’Neal, is taking it well.

Give O’Neal this: He isn’t pouting. For now, he’s trying hard to make this work. Maybe it’ll never work here. People have the Pacers pegged as a lottery team, but O’Neal, 29, is trying his best to play the part of the franchise player. This offense, he tells you, will work for him. No longer are the Pacers asking him to grind in the low post every possession because, as he said, “That’s hard on your body over an 82-game season.” O’Brien wants to use O’Neal’s ability to pass the ball, wants to spread the defense with those shooters, and get him the ball in different spots.

So maybe Jermaine gets to show off more skills this year and make himself more attractive for a trade or if he walks away. His contract will allow it. Right now he is thinking he is a Pacer.

“People are going to talk (about me leaving) because No. 1, I do have an opt (out) in my contract, and people think I’ll opt out next year if the team isn’t doing well,” he said. “But I don’t believe we will be struggling, because of our philosophy and the type of coaching we have this year.

“It is a possibility that I’m going to be traded but … I told the guys that this is where I’m at, where I want to be, and I’m going to play hard every night.”

Jermaine is not acting like Kobe (a jerk), but the objective is the same. Jermaine O’Neal wants to show his skills on the highest stage around, the NBA Championship.

NBA Basketball Fan Question Will the Pacers deal Jermaine?

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