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.

Image: Zuma Press

Post from: EveryJoe

Greg Oden Is Done For The Season

Oden didn’t exactly know all of the words to the tune and would not have made it to the next round of American Idol with his performance. We can only hope he performs much better on the court this season.

Take a look at this video of Oden belting out the tunes while rocking an Obama ‘08 t-shirt.

Post from: EveryJoe

Greg Oden sings karaoke to ‘N Sync – Video

“We are absolutely thrilled to align with Greg because he strongly shares the same values of community involvement and commitment to our youth,” said McDonald’s Owner/Operator and Co-Op President, Doug Wacker. “We can’t think of a better local ‘larger than life’ person who is such a positive role model for so many kids, to lend a hand to families who stay at the local Ronald McDonald Houses,” said Wacker.(KGW.com)

Greg Oden is Lovin’ It! He and McDonalds have announced a two-year partnership on Wednesday. Oden will help support the local Ronald McDonald’s houses in the Oregon area as well as visiting some outreach programs supported in the community by McDonalds.

Oden is going to be a star in the league. Remembering his first game played at Ohio State against Cleveland State, he didn’t start but came off the bench. And when he did, he received a standing ovation. He is a charismatic gentleman that will be a definite positive role model for young kids. PLEASE tell me there will be commercials in the future.

[Image via Newscom]

Post from: EveryJoe

Greg Oden Is Busy

Said coach Nate McMillan to the paper, “I know he is excited to be moving again, but as I talked to him about it, he said ‘Coach, I promise I wasn’t running hard …’. And I was like — ‘I really don’t care’.”

“In a couple of years he will understand how stupid that was. I understand it, because I’ve done it. You are a pro, you want to walk into a building like that and feel good about yourself, you know, play with some guys. You don’t move hard, you know, just shoot some jump shots … yeah, I’ve done it. But we just have to remind him, especially in his situation, where he is coming off an injury. That … that, you just can’t do that.”

I really hope that Greg Oden wasn’t just playing in pick-up games, but was instead hustling chumps. He shows up, all limpy from microfracture surgery and looking like an old man, slow plays for a couple of games, then ends up winning some money with his white friend from Indiana who has a good jump shot and an annoying girlfriend.

Post from: EveryJoe

Blazers Don’t Want Oden Playing Basketball