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Home > Features > Breaking Down the NBA > Three things Portland should expect from Greg Oden's rookie season

Three things Portland should expect from Greg Oden's rookie season

by Oly Sandor
Sep 1st, 2008
Reports indicate the former first overall pick will be ready for training camp and shouldn't struggle with health issues. So his knee is good. How about his head? After all, Oden missed 2007-08, is seen by some as the next Sam Bowie, and now faces expectations bigger than the next American president ... Three things Portland should expect from Greg Oden's rookie seasonWhen Microsoft makes an appearance, it’s a big deal. Recently, team owner Paul Allen watched Greg Oden play in his first five-on-five scrimmage with the Blazers since sustaining last summer’s microfracture injury.

Reports indicate the former first overall pick will be ready for training camp and shouldn’t struggle with health issues.

So his knee is good. How about his head? After all, Oden missed 2007-08, is seen by some as the next Sam Bowie, and now faces expectations bigger than the next American president.  

Well, here are three things we should expect from Oden’s rookie season.

1) Defensive Attitude … Oden must make Portland even nastier, especially on defense. Remember, the Blazers turned their 2007-08 season around after an infamous December practice, where the team pledged to get tough. Chairs were thrown; players were fighting each other. Unlike the ‘Jail Blazers’ of yesteryear nobody got arrested. The team then rallied, winning several games in a row and were suddenly competitive out west.

Man-child must use his size and athleticism to help Portland evolve defensively. Opposing             teams have to fear the Blazers and the Rose Garden.

2) 13 points, 10 rebounds, 2 blocks, and 70 plus games … Oden should post double-figures in points and rebounds. Scoring isn’t an issue because the offense will largely revolve around Brandon Roy and LaMarcus Aldridge.
3) The Big Dance … His rookie campaign will be a disappointment if the Blazers don’t put it all together and qualify for the playoffs.

If Oden meets these criteria, his first NBA season will be a success. He’ll likely capture the top rookie award, fans will forget 2007-08, and, most importantly, those unfair comparisons to Sam Bowie will stop.

What are your expectations for Oden's rookie season? Get at us in the comment box below with thoughts and come back to HoopsVibe The Blog for more NBA tidbits. Photo courtesy of PDX Pipeline.

Comments (25)
a guest September 01, 2008
Three things Portland should expect from Greg Oden's rookie season
I believe Oden and Portland are ON THE VERGE OF Big things
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john September 01, 2008
Three things Portland should expect from Greg Oden's rookie season
They have a bright future, but for now Oden will have a baptism by fire from Yao and Shaq.
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O.Sandor September 01, 2008
Three things Portland should expect from Greg Oden's rookie season
Hi John, Thanks for commenting. I anticipate some ups and downs, which is why we need temper expectations. Oden does have a bright, bright future. exactly like you said. Just having Oden play D and get some modest point totals should also help him feel comfortable. Fouls could be an issue, though.Thanks for reading
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Fargon September 01, 2008
Three things Portland should expect from Greg Oden's rookie season
Oly you need to get a grip on reality. No one of any matter thinks Oden is the next Sam Bowie. And the guy you refer to as "that guy", puts you in the sinking Bush boat of lost critical thinking. We all have our brain dead areas and you have shown us one of yours.
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O. SAndor September 01, 2008
Three things Portland should expect from Greg Oden's rookie season
Hi Fargon, Thanks for reading and commenting. If youy read my peice, you'd realize I was questioning other authors who refer to Oden as the next Bowie. There were tons of them ... lets start in Portland with the Oregonian ... http://blog.oregonlive.com/breakingnews/2007/09/online_forums_from_oregonlive.html .... Next go to google and type 'Greg Oden the next Sam Bowie' ... Those were the headlines coming from major Portland newspapers. Fair enough on the Obama comment, it was meant to refer to the loads of media he has received after the democratic convention. Nothing more! There was no intent to be political; if you see it that way, well, fair enough. Thanks for reading ...
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Yeah I Said It! September 02, 2008
Three things Portland should expect from Greg Oden's rookie season
Bowie was that bad. The only he's hated on is because MJ was picked after him. People would down anybody for picking someone before MJ. I think Oden will be better than Bowie, but it wouldn't be the worst thing in the world to have a 10 year career averaing 11 and 7 a game. Yeah it's not eye popping stats for a top pick, but he was quality player on the court and did good things that the stats don't indicate
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yahh boi September 02, 2008
Three things Portland should expect from Greg Oden's rookie season
aye oly who do you predict the 08-09 mvp will be??
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Charles September 02, 2008
Three things Portland should expect from Greg Oden's rookie season
Kevin Durant will be M-V-P! I bet my savings account on it $13,500, any takers?
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I BET U September 02, 2008
Three things Portland should expect from Greg Oden's rookie season
I raise your bet, easy money I would ever make. Call me 646-736-1177. I'm ready to take your money. The MVP will be LeBron James it's the Kings time. DWade, Kobe, Chris Paul, DWill, and Dwight Howard will be in the mix. Greg Oden will be ROY.
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O.Sandor September 02, 2008
Three things Portland should expect from Greg Oden's rookie season
Hi Yahh boii ... Thanks for the question and for reading. I'm going to hit you with my prediction shortly in a post. An interactive fan piece. But I'll give you a hint who I'm leaning towards ... he's short and quick, plays in The Big Easy, and is now the undisputed best table-setter in the NBA. However, there are tons of candidates; many of whom can win MVP. Of course, health is also a factor ... What about you? And Charles, your bet is too rich for my blood! ... Thanks for the question ...
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TEMPY September 02, 2008
Three things Portland should expect from Greg Oden's rookie season
PORTLAND ARE GONNA BE A TOP 4 TEAM IN THE EAST THIS SEASON. THEYRE YOUN GSTARTING 5 OF BAYLESS, ROY, OUTLAW, ALDRIDGE, AND ODEN. THASTS JUST AN AWESOME LINEUP, THIS TEAM COULD EVEN BE DOMINATING THE EAST IN A FEW YEARS!

IM HOPIING MY MAN D-WADE FOR MVP THIS YEAR
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McFarlin September 02, 2008
Three things Portland should expect from Greg Oden's rookie season
LOL! Since when is Portland in the East? R U Crossed eyed looking at the map? They would be a top team in the East, but in the West they're not top 4,sorry. Top 8-10 yes!
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Yeah I Said It! September 02, 2008
Three things Portland should expect from Greg Oden's rookie season
If you worked at ESPN you could afford his bet Oly. Is HoopsVibe paying you minimum wage, $13,500 isn't a lot of money, especially in Candian money
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a guest September 02, 2008
Three things Portland should expect from Greg Oden's rookie season
Portland top 8-10 team in the West, top four East
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tempy jr September 02, 2008
Three things Portland should expect from Greg Oden's rookie season
oh dang my bad on the portland playing for the east call before I wasnt thinking straight, yeah they shuld make the playoffs this year tho
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BLAZERMAN September 02, 2008
Three things Portland should expect from Greg Oden's rookie season
ODEN IS ON THE MOST TALENTED YOUNG TEAM IN THE LEAGUE,PORTLAND WILL MAKE THE PLAYOFFS EASILY.
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dunkonyurhed September 02, 2008
Three things Portland should expect from Greg Oden's rookie season
"They have a bright future, but for now Oden will have a baptism by fire from Yao and Shaq."Actually, Oden will own Yao and Shaq. Yao won't have the strength to move him and Shaq is too old and beat up to try. The only real competition at center will come from Howard, who fortunately cannot hit a free throw to save his life. And against Oden, he'll get plenty of opportunities to shoot FTs.
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tmike23 September 03, 2008
Three things Portland should expect from Greg Oden's rookie season
Howard? Oden only plays Dwight Howard twice a year and if they did play Howard would totally dominate him. You can't forget the young and promising talent of Andrew Bynum. Bynum was developing into one of the best centers in the NBA last season before getting injured. The Lakers play Portland 4 imes a season so look forward to Bynum giving Oden some trouble.
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john September 03, 2008
Three things Portland should expect from Greg Oden's rookie season
Oh please. Yao will score on Oden all day. And if Oden fouls Yao thats 2 points. Now he may outrebound Yao. But he is'nt ready yet to be a force. Be realistic. And by the way go check the head to head numbers between Yao and Howard. Yao outplays him 80% of the time. Know your role!!!!!!!!!
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jfgdxg September 04, 2008
Three things Portland should expect from Greg Oden's rookie season
shut up yao fan...
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john September 04, 2008
Three things Portland should expect from Greg Oden's rookie season
is that all you got?
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jfgdxg September 06, 2008
Three things Portland should expect from Greg Oden's rookie season
no u r a FAG to
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john September 06, 2008
Three things Portland should expect from Greg Oden's rookie season
wow, look at mr. rhode scholar here. Well I guess you don't have much.
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jfgdxg September 07, 2008
Three things Portland should expect from Greg Oden's rookie season
Actually I'm an immature rhode scholar, but I can do that cuz I have a Master's in Law from Princeton biatch!
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john September 07, 2008
Three things Portland should expect from Greg Oden's rookie season
And thats a freakin' lie if I ever heard one.
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