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

Oden left the game in the first half after scoring zero points and taking only four shots. He snagged five rebounds, blocked a shot and committed two fouls in the span of 13 minutes.

The injury has been called a “sprain,” yet we won’t know what it really entails until an MRI is done.

Here’s the recap of Oden’s basketball career thus far: A one-year college career restricted to 32 games by a wrist injury. A rookie campaign wiped out by microfracture surgery on his right knee. And now a professional stat line that reads like this: 12:51 of playing time, five rebounds, two fouls, one blocked shot, 0-for-4 from the field, 0-for-2 from the line. (Provided by ESPN.com)

Is Oden just unlucky or what? Or is he as injury prone as Sam Bowie was and, unfortunately, won’t have the time or the physical health to develop as a solid NBA player?

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Post from: EveryJoe

Is Greg Oden This Generation’s Sam Bowie?