The Greg Oden Safari

[Mr. MacPhisto]

What are his demons?

http://www.xnsports.com/2014/05/15/can-the-miami-heat-count-on-greg-oden/

It’s been said the greatest loss of all is the tragedy of unfilled potential, and not being able to do what he long felt he was born to do sent Greg Oden into a spiraling pit of depression. Over the years, he’s talked about a period of battling alcoholism and other demons that at times had him wondering if he would so much as survive, let alone again prosper.

But since landing in South Beach, Oden seems to have found a new lease on life. No longer does he appear to mercilessly abuse himself over things he now understands he never had any control over to begin with.

 

[Splitz]

His demons are different than just being an asshole. He was a guy that was drafted number 1 and had the stage set to be the next great Center and he lost it all. He didn't handle it well but he has turned it around and seemed ready to contribute when called upon. I'm really hoping that we add him. All we need is 15 minutes per game and if he turns out to be a world beater for us, we could certainly give him more.

 

[Derek]

It's debatable as to whether Oden has turned it around. Regardless, there are better options out there, even for the league minimum, than Greg Oden.

 

[Stark]

THIS is why I said we should retire safaris and let them go out on top. The shame!

 

[Mr. MacPhisto]

It's debatable as to whether Oden has turned it around. Regardless, there are better options out there, even for the league minimum, than Greg Oden.

I don't think that Oden should be the go to backup for Varejão. I prefer signing Ekpe Udoh or trading for Kyle O'Quinn for that. My preference is to land O'Quinn.

Will Dwight Powell be able to contribute as a third big when needed better than Oden will? If the Cavs think that then there's no need for Oden.

He's one of several vets I'd think about, including Elton Brand - a guy I think that could serve some quality minutes off the bench while mentoring AB, Tristan, and any younger centers on the roster as well.

 

[VAIN1]

I'm pretty sure this guy signs with us for what's left of our cap or the vet min. I think Miami didn't really play him much and that would change here. I think playing time is what he wants. To me it seems perfect to split C minutes between him and Andy and going small.

[video]http://m.youtube.com/watch?v=bsSzgdVCzaY[/video]

I think he's got enough left in the tank to be very useful here.

I saw that also asked in the F/A watch and got no traction so I am jumping on this safari.

I thought he was crippled or hobbled like Bynum.

Unless those highlights are his total sum of min played vet min would not hurt us at all and he could help.

 

[Tressel33]

I'm with you Splitz! The Cavs would need 15 minutes a night from G Oden. It could be done very easily.

His demons are different than just being an asshole. He was a guy that was drafted number 1 and had the stage set to be the next great Center and he lost it all. He didn't handle it well but he has turned it around and seemed ready to contribute when called upon. I'm really hoping that we add him. All we need is 15 minutes per game and if he turns out to be a world beater for us, we could certainly give him more.

 

[ZissisKilla]

It's hard for people to understand that no matter how damn big he is, he was still a kid and pretty much the only thing he'd ever known had become something he wasn't physically capable of doing. That has to be extremely hard to deal with.

 

[Derek]

I'm with you Splitz! The Cavs would need 15 minutes a night from G Oden. It could be done very easily.

15 mpg over the course of an entire season would basically double his minutes played in the NBA. People are way too optimistic about what this guy can do. He's done.

 

[Splitz]

15 mpg over the course of an entire season would basically double his minutes played in the NBA. People are way too optimistic about what this guy can do. He's done.

I have no idea how you can say with confidence that he's done. None at all.

 

[Derek]

I have no idea how you can say with confidence that he's done. None at all.

Well, it appears we are at an impasse because I have no idea how anyone can think he's a viable option in the NBA anymore

 

[Mr. MacPhisto]

Well, it appears we are at an impasse because I have no idea how anyone can think he's a viable option in the NBA anymore

Ultimately no one on this board likely has any information one way or the other. We have opinions and guesses, but no medical data to support either conclusion.

I can't come to a conclusion on either side, but I think he's worth the Cavs taking a look at. That means the doctors that caught Embiid's foot will take a look too. If they don't think he could play a whole season then you move on, but window shopping won't hurt.

 

[beefstew]

For the short time he was given last year I thought he gave a nice contribution, and that's all we would need him for this year. We don't need a big time center with our current team. Oden, O'Neal, or Okafor would all fit our need for a rotational center option. I think that Oden would be the cheapest of the three but probably the biggest risk with the highest reward factor too.

Also, Okafor had a rather serious neck injury last year and we all seem to be overlooking that. Don't just don't assume he is 100% healthy right now.

 

[Notorious]

THIS is why I said we should retire safaris and let them go out on top. The shame!

Join date of 2012? Obviously a Safari veteran.

 

[Simon]

Join date of 2012? Obviously a Safari veteran.

Well, you popped out of nowhere it seems when LeBron came back. Never saw you post on here in the past four years.

I could be wrong :chuckles: