Greg Oden: Remember Him?

I remember around this time last year, I was ecstatic. Greg Oden was the number one overall pick of the 2007 NBA Draft, while Kevin Durant went to the Seattle Super Sonics at two.

This was a great time to be a basketball fan. Both players were hailed as the next big thing. This was similar to the 2003 Draft that consisted of Lebron James and Carmello Anthony or even as far back as 1992, when Shaquille O'Neal was drafted.

Larry Bird, Magic Johnson, Michael Jordan, Shaquille O'Neal, and Lebron James, along with countless others were hailed as the new faces of the NBA when they were drafted and the next big thing. Greg Oden was held to the same standard.

After all, the young man seemed to be undeniably charming and could certainly hold his own on the court. Oden was an amazing high school prospect in Indiana, receiving numerous accolades including Indiana's Mr. Basketball 2006, Parade's High School Player of the Year 2005 and 2006, and 2005 Gatorade National Boys Basketball Player of the Year. Not bad for a 7-foot center with huge expectations placed on his shoulders.

Many though Oden was certainly NBA-ready, but Commissioner David Stern instituted an age limit minimum of 19 to play in league (for better or worse). At the time of graduation, Oden was only 18. I do not doubt that nearly every major school attempted to recruit the young center, but he eventually chose Ohio State University to hone his basketball craft.

His arrival at Ohio State only brightened the spotlights on the youngster, but that did not seem to bother him. Greg Oden ended up averaging 15.7 points, 3.3 blocks, and 9.6 rebounds per game....in spite of a right wrist injury. Oh, he also led his Buckeyes to the 2007 National Championship game. Just thought I would throw that one out there.

While his Ohio State Buckeyes lost to the Florida Gators in the National Championship, Oden impressed many with his 25 points, 12 rebounds, and four blocks in the game. Even in a losing effort, Greg Oden's stock seemed to rise.

I cannot say I was surprised the Portland Trail Blazers chose Greg Oden as the first overall pick in the NBA Draft. He was deemed a big man with great skill who was ready to make an immediate impact. Then the news came on September 14, 2007: Greg Oden had micro fracture knee surgery.

I repeat, Greg Oden had micro fracture knee surgery. Those painful words for Blazers and basketball fans alike could not be any worse. Actually, that sentence was soon outdone by the words I saw on my computer as I logged on: Greg Oden out for season.

It was like the shot heard 'round the basketball world. Suddenly, analysts were not comparing Greg Oden to Shaq, but to the greatest draft bust of all: Sam Bowie. Sam Bowie of course is infamous for being selected over Michael Jordan as the second pick in the 1984 NBA Draft and being riddled with injuries throughout his pro career. Over his career, Bowie averaged 10.9 points, 7.5 rebounds and 1.78 blocks per game. A great disappointment, indeed.

Coincidentally, it was the Blazers who selected Bowie. Fast forward to 2007, it was the Blazers now being ridiculed yet again. I firmly believe the risk was worth taking in Greg Oden. Let us not forget, Amare Stoudemire was older when he had micro fracture surgery, and has come back an All-Star caliber player.

Greg Oden may have missed the entire 2007-08 season, which in my eyes was the most exciting the NBA has had in years, but he is still only 20 years old. Just because the young man was injured, does not mean he has forgotten what brought him to the big leagues. This man has been hyped up by the media since he was in the eighth grade! I think he knows a thing or two about pressure.

Sometimes it is a good thing to receive criticism. If everybody told a person what they wanted to hear, then why would they bother making improvements in their life? Greg Oden went from being buttered up by every basketball "expert" to being compared to an extremely average and infamous NBA player.

I guess people have forgotten Greg Oden is only 20 years old and going to be ready to play next season. I guess Michael Beasley and Derrick Rose forgot that Oden is technically a rookie next season, meaning if he plays up to the potential everybody felt he had before his injury, then that means three things:

One, the Blazers will be above .500 for the first time in years. Two, the NBA will be even more exciting than this past season. Last but not least, Derrick Rose, Michael Beasley, O.J. Mayo, and any other rookie NOT named Greg Oden, can kiss that 2008-09 Rookie of the Year award goodbye.

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