Can Channing Frye Replace Greg Oden For Portland Trail Blazers?September 14 07 They can’t replace him. But they must move on.
On Thursday, the Portland Trail Blazers learned Greg Oden will miss the 2007-08 season because of a microfracture knee injury. So what know? With Zach Randolph in New York, who plays down low?
Portland can go in two directions. They could sign a veteran as a stop-gap measure or they could give Oden’s minutes to a couple of their young posts. Below are their options:
Cheap Veterans:
P.J. Brown: An unrestricted free agent, Brown is deciding whether to retire or play a final season. The wily post can defend and rebound. But he wants to play for a contender. And Portland is rebuilding.
Chris Webber: Same deal as Brown. C-Webb is deciding whether to retire or play a final season. He also wants to join a contender, so don’t expect him to sign with the Blazers.
Up-and-coming Youngster:
David Lee: Portland should call New York and see if Lee is available. Isiah Thomas, the Knicks GM and coach, keeps saying he won’t trade his rugged post. But Lee never got his fair share of minutes and now the Knicks have Zach Randolph. So who knows?
In-House Options:
LaMarcus Aldridge: This young, athletic power forward will now get minutes at center, too. Look for Aldridge to take another step after a decent rookie year.
Josh McRoberts: A second round pick in this year’s draft, McRoberts moves up in the rotation because of Oden’s injury. He’s not ready to make an impact, though.
Joel Przybilla: He’s a hardworking, energy player, who holds his own on defense. But his offensive game is raw. Still, Pryzbilla will now get more playing time.
Raef LaFrentz: He can step back and drain three-pointers, but, on the whole, LaFrentz’s NBA career has been a disappointment. He won’t play much even with Oden’s injury.
Channing Frye: This is Portland’s best option-the afterthought from the Zach Randolph-Steve Francis trade. Two years ago, Frye turned heads in New York. Spike Lee loved him. Isiah Thomas called him untouchable and the future. Well, things changed last season because the talented post struggled with injuries.
Frye is a skilled offensive player. He can hit the jumper and has an array of post moves. I also like Frye’s length, which allows him to rebound and defend. The former Arizona star could have a nice bounce back season.
Who will ’replace’ Oden in Portland’s starting line-up? Get at us in the comment box below.
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Posted by
The Won
on 09.17.2007 | I agree with Sack man...lets take em out! . | Posted by
on 09.17.2007 | replace him with a big man jackie butler of houston . | Posted by
blaaat
on 09.16.2007 | sure he can drain the jumper but he’s not as dominant as oden in the post neither is he agressive but is i absolutely had to id go to him . | Posted by
ball man
on 09.15.2007 | Its time we pull our weiners out! . | Posted by
Pdiz
on 09.14.2007 | Put in Channing Frye. He can drain the jumper and has great footwork for the pick roll. Who’s gonna run it up top though? . | Posted by
Baller
on 09.14.2007 | Blazers need to focus on bringing in a vetern this or next season, that will help Oden with his transition into the NBA next season. . | Posted by
OS
on 09.14.2007 | TRUE wal I agree! . | Posted by
The TRUE wal
on 09.14.2007 | I think the blazers have enough quality players in-house to replace Oden and still be effective. They probably won’t make the playoffs now, but it wasn’t guaranteed had Oden played anyway. This adjustment shouldn’t be too bad as long as nobody else gets hurt and thats a big if. . |
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Oly Sandor | Daily take on NBA Oly Sandor is an NBA analyst and sports journalist based out of Vancouver, Canada.After years of the free-lance game, Oly Sandor is bringing his unique brand of NBA analysis exclusively to (...) More |
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