If you asked NBA scouts a couple years ago, Greg Oden was a can't-miss prospect, considered by many to be a future HOFer. But today some are doubting him. They're even going as far as using the word "bust." Meanwhile, the 20-year old hasn't even played a full NBA game yet.
When Greg Oden was in middle school, we heard all about the young star. Then he went on to be named Gatorade Player of the Year - twice. It surely sounded like he was on his way.
Oden spent one year in college. During that one year, he led Ohio State to a memorable run that ended with a loss to Florida in the National Championship Game. And despite an injury that kept him out of seven games (and limited him in many more), Greg Oden's talent was undeniable.
The 2007 NBA Draft featured many talented young players. But it came down to two guys: Greg Oden and POY Kevin Durant. Portland had won the lottery a month prior to the draft and chose Oden first overall.
Then the ROY talk started and guess whose name was on everyone's lips? Of course, those whispers were soon hushed when the No. 1 overall pick went down during summer camp with a severe knee injury. He needed microfracture surgery. That's when the pessimism began. People began to bring up names like Chris Webber, Allan Houston, and Penny Hardaway. Each were once stars, but each failed to bounce back from microfracture suregery.
But Oden handled it well - physically and psychologically. He maintained a good attitude and worked extremely hard to get back on the court. Plus, it gave him an entire year to get stronger and learn the professional game. And neither one of those things can hurt.
But when Oden finally got a chance to prove himself a couple weeks ago, in Portland's season opener, the young star went down with yet another injury. In college it was his wrist. Lasy year it was his knee. Now it's his ankle. Now people are openly doubting Greg Oden and his ability to stay healthy and live up to his lofty expectations.
It's like that Converse commercial featuring Dwayne Wade where he wakes up at different stages of his life and people keep hatin'. And at the end, the screen reads, "Wade's belief is bigger than your doubt." And every time he gets out of bed, dude just shakes his head and moves on.
I hope Mr. Oden is doing the same each day. Give the guy a chance. Maybe he just happened to have a string of bad luck. The guy can't even buy alcohol yet and folks are writing him off. Amare Stoudamire had microfracture surgery and returned to average twenty and ten. It can be done. Best of luck Mr. Oden.
When Greg Oden was in middle school, we heard all about the young star. Then he went on to be named Gatorade Player of the Year - twice. It surely sounded like he was on his way.
Oden spent one year in college. During that one year, he led Ohio State to a memorable run that ended with a loss to Florida in the National Championship Game. And despite an injury that kept him out of seven games (and limited him in many more), Greg Oden's talent was undeniable.
The 2007 NBA Draft featured many talented young players. But it came down to two guys: Greg Oden and POY Kevin Durant. Portland had won the lottery a month prior to the draft and chose Oden first overall.
Then the ROY talk started and guess whose name was on everyone's lips? Of course, those whispers were soon hushed when the No. 1 overall pick went down during summer camp with a severe knee injury. He needed microfracture surgery. That's when the pessimism began. People began to bring up names like Chris Webber, Allan Houston, and Penny Hardaway. Each were once stars, but each failed to bounce back from microfracture suregery.
But Oden handled it well - physically and psychologically. He maintained a good attitude and worked extremely hard to get back on the court. Plus, it gave him an entire year to get stronger and learn the professional game. And neither one of those things can hurt.
But when Oden finally got a chance to prove himself a couple weeks ago, in Portland's season opener, the young star went down with yet another injury. In college it was his wrist. Lasy year it was his knee. Now it's his ankle. Now people are openly doubting Greg Oden and his ability to stay healthy and live up to his lofty expectations.
It's like that Converse commercial featuring Dwayne Wade where he wakes up at different stages of his life and people keep hatin'. And at the end, the screen reads, "Wade's belief is bigger than your doubt." And every time he gets out of bed, dude just shakes his head and moves on.
I hope Mr. Oden is doing the same each day. Give the guy a chance. Maybe he just happened to have a string of bad luck. The guy can't even buy alcohol yet and folks are writing him off. Amare Stoudamire had microfracture surgery and returned to average twenty and ten. It can be done. Best of luck Mr. Oden.
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