Toronto Raptors and Greg Oden: Why They Should Go After Him Despite Injury Woes

Greg Oden was picked with the first pick in the 2007 NBA draft, one year after the Raptors took Andrea Bargnani with the first pick.

Both players have been labeled as "busts," Oden for having the inability to stay healthy, even though his injuries are not nagging injuries, and Bargnani for being a horrible rebounder and post defender for his size.

But neither of the two players are busts, as they have some of the best talent the NBA has seen. Oden is one of the most intimidating players in the post on both offense and defense and Bargnani is one of the most complete offensive players in this league.

Enjoy!

Rebounding

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OAKLAND, CA - NOVEMBER 20: Greg Oden #52 of the Portland Trail Blazers dunks over Anthony Randolph #4 of the Golden State Warriors during an NBA game at Oracle Arena on November 20, 2009 in Oakland, California. (Photo by Jed Jacobsohn/Getty Images)

Greg Oden is a complete monster when it comes to grabbing rebounds. He hustles for rebounds on both the offensive and defensive end.

As most Raptor fans know, Bargnani is not very good at grabbing boards.

This is not because he is not a rebounder, it is just the fact that he does not hustle. If anyone could convince Bargnani to run towards the rim and grab rebounds, he would be viewed as a better overall player.

Post Defense

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OAKLAND, CA - NOVEMBER 20: Greg Oden #52 of the Portland Trail Blazers blocks a shot by Monta Ellis #8 of the Golden State Warriors during an NBA game at Oracle Arena on November 20, 2009 in Oakland, California. (Photo by Jed Jacobsohn/Getty Images)

The Raptors are not a very strong defensive team despite having two tremendous shot blockers in Amir Johnson and Ed Davis.

Bringing in Oden will be a huge addition to the already improved post defense the Raptors have.

Again, I am picking on Bargnani, but he is not very good at defense. He does his best, but his best is not enough. Luckily, Greg Oden can fill in that void.

As said before, he is one of the most intimidating players in the paint and he would be a great addition.

Shot Blocking

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NEW ORLEANS - NOVEMBER 13: Marcus Thornton #5 of the New Orleans Hornets puts up a shot against Greg Oden #52 of the Portland Trail Blazers during the game at New Orleans Arena on November 13, 2009 in New Orleans, Louisiana. NOTE TO USER: User expressly

Greg Oden is a player who can easily average four blocks every single game when given the right amount of minutes.

Just last season, after only averaging 25 minutes per game, Oden put up an astonishing 2.3 BPG. Imagine what he could do on a nightly basis, averaging more than 30 MPG, which he probably would on a team like the Raptors.

A great shot blocker would be a huge addition, and it could make it hard for teams to even decide to enter the arc where Greg Oden resides.

Offensive Touch

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HOUSTON - APRIL 26: Center Greg Oden #52 of the Portland Trail Blazers dribbles the ball against Yao Ming #11 of the Houston Rockets in Game Four of the Western Conference Quarterfinals during the 2009 NBA Playoffs at Toyota Center on April 26, 2009 in H

I feel so terrible for picking on Bargnani yet again (just to clear this up, Barg is one of my favourite players in the league right now).

Unfortunately, Bargnani does not have the strength that most big men have to be a presence in the paint on offense. Although Bargnani is a great scorer, he does not have a great post game. If he adapts, can bring his point totals to at least 25 PPG.

Greg Oden, once again, fills that void.

By now, it seems that Oden has a huge burden on his shoulders if he decides to head to Toronto, but this is what happens when a team needs a leader.

It Would Be One of the Best Frontcourts in the League

Andrea Bargnani plus Greg Oden.

Just sit down and imagine that for a moment.

Oden's rebounding and defense combined with Bargnani's offense. This could easily be a top-notch frontcourt in the league. Obviously there are some frontcourts that are almost unstoppable, but these two will make their own list.

If the Raptors do decide to bring in Oden, or try to, they would have to move Bargnani to the 4, which is a position Barg will be more comfortable playing.

Sure, Bargnani is a weak rebounder and defender, but Oden's defense and rebounding cancels that out. And sure, Oden is not very strong offensive player (even though he is great in the post), but Bargnani can make up for that.

There Is Only One Downside to Bringing in Oden: Injuries

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CHICAGO - NOVEMBER 01: Greg Oden #52 of the Portland Trail Blazers watches from the bench as his teammates take on the Chicago Bulls at the United Center on November 1, 2010 in Chicago, Illinois. The Bulls defeated the Trail Blazers 110-98. NOTE TO USER:

Most people have already seen this picture too many times, and it is a picture of Oden NOT playing basketball.

He has had injuries, which have limited him to only 82 games in his entire career. The good thing about these injuries (if there truly is anything good about getting injured) is that they are not recurring. This means that the same injury does not happen often, unlike the injuries of someone such as Yao Ming.

Nothing against Portland, but maybe if Oden leaves he will not have that curse most Trail Blazers seem to have.

Conclusion

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PORTLAND, OR - OCTOBER 27: Greg Oden #52 of the Portland Trail Blazers watches a free throw attempt by the Houston Rockets during the season opener on October 27, 2009 at the Rose Garden in Portland, Oregon. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and

I end with this statement: The Raptors should attempt to sign Oden.

Bringing in Oden is something the Raptors have been trying to do for a long time. By that, I mean bringing in a center who knows the fundamentals of that position.

Oden would be a great fit and would shorten up the rebuilding process.

Thanks for reading!