Greg Oden is gynormous
Posted July 20th, 2006 by bwindhorst
Las Vegas — I am around NBA players often. I do not blink when I see guy who’s seven feet tall. I think nothing of craning my neck to speak with pro athletes. Then I met Greg Oden. I blinked.
I have been reading about Oden for two years now. In case you don’t know who he is, he’s been recognized as the best high school player for the last two years and he probably will be the No. 1 overall pick next year. He would’ve been No. 1 this year and, sorry Andrew Bogut, he might’ve been last year, too. He went to school in Indy and is now at Ohio State.
He is 18 but he is a man. He might be able to pass for 25 or 30. Heck, he could pass for LeBron James’ older brother. He’s tall, he’s built, his fingers are the size of hot dogs. His forearms are thick and you could use his shoulders for coat rack. He’s not a man-child, he’s a man.
From what I’ve been told and I can see from his frame, he appears he could be athletic. He told me that he doesn’t think he’s ready for the NBA yet because he’s got some things to clean up with his game. Maybe so, but he’s got the body to be another Shaquille O’Neal-type player.
I haven’t been able to watch him because he has a wrist injury so I can’t tell if he has the game as everyone says. But I do know this, I’m going to be watching him for years to come. So will you.
July 21st, 2006 at 7:17 am
2011 New York Knicks:
C-Greg Oden
SF-LeBron James
PF-Channing Frye
SG-Jamal Crawford
PG-Eric Snow (team leader)
Bench-David Lee and Nate Robinson
Head Coach-Jay Z.
July 21st, 2006 at 8:51 am
larry, my man! didn’t you get the memo from stern, tucker and branson wrong? the ‘11 knicks are going to have bosh at PF, LBJ at SF, and wade at SG, oden at C and nate robinson or crawford at point. oh, and per the new nba rule (created because despite the growth of the nba in the 80’s and early 90’s and the comeback of the league in the last few years WITHOUT the knicks, it was determined for once and for all that the nba CANNOT survive without the knicks being not just a contender but champions.) the knicks will start every game with 19 extra points.
man, won’t it be great? i hope they do the same thing in football because let’s be honest, the nfl is hurting without the NY teams winning it all!
July 21st, 2006 at 8:52 am
Spike Lee Impersonator - Alan Tucker
July 21st, 2006 at 9:31 am
A Cavs beat reporter writes about Greg Oden, and some clown responds by writing about Alan Tucker. Wow, that’s really clever.
But sticking with Brian’s point, it’s too bad that even if James goes down with a knee injury in the preseason, we’ll only have Jiri Welsch to show for it.
As an aside, I learned in the Leon Rose Connect the Dots class being offered in Ohio State’s Continuing Education program that the smart betting money is now being placed on the future small forward of the Brooklyn Nets, not the Manhattan Knicks.
I wonder if Oden will be NCAA eligible to take the course before he escapes to the NBA, or if it will conflict with his oh-so-challenging Basketweaving and History of Nipples 101.
July 21st, 2006 at 10:21 am
“Gynormous” sounds like a female medical condition.
July 21st, 2006 at 11:03 am
Hey Brian,
What kind of practices are the superstars getting put through? All the basics of international rules? Is it boot camp, or is it easy street?
July 21st, 2006 at 11:34 am
wow, tucker! you are really goin’ off the deep end, which i sadly predicted, actually. refering to yourself in the 3rd person is a bad sign, dear boy. oh, and thinking that *everything* is about you when i clearly was a) responding to another poster and B) refered to branson wrong and stern as well as you, and by proxy, all the lunatics and morons who think the nba is fixing it so the knicks will get all the free agents.
oh, and glad to hear you’re taking classes! you’ve got to respect a man who wants to better himself! i wonder if you’ll be taking the “history of max contracts and free agents in the modern nba” course? you might find it bit more useful than “connecting the dots.” of course, i understand that after “connecting the dots” is “painting by numbers,” so hey, good luck with that!
July 21st, 2006 at 1:53 pm
Larry D,
Didn’t they say that they would also have Jordan from his prime playing on that team? I think Young Oscar Robertson to play, also.
I am obviously being facetious because of how ridiculous the idea of LBJ playing for the Knicks is.
July 21st, 2006 at 2:13 pm
Hi everyone. I would like to say that my comments on this blog have been immature and unacceptable. I was only trying to get a rise out of everyone and I am not really as irrational as my posts make me sound. I hope you all forgive me for the troubles I have caused you and I promise to post well thought out, meaningful comments from now on. God Bless and go Cavs.
P.S. My new prediction: LeBron will stay for his entire career and bring the Cavs 5 championships. Also, Brian Windhorst is the best beat writer around and I want to thank him for all of the important information he provides for us. Thanks, Brian! Keep up the great work!!!
July 21st, 2006 at 2:31 pm
It’s scary to find Alan Tuckers everywhere you look. I’m flashing back to “Being John Malkovich”.
July 21st, 2006 at 6:43 pm
Demetri,
Interesting ideas but I’ve already got Eric Snow on the team so we won’t be needing Jordan or Robertson, two guys who wouldn’t appreciate his short on jump shots, long on leadership style. I do think Auerbach could be a help to Jay Z. on the bench, however.
July 22nd, 2006 at 11:50 am
It’s wonderful to be so popular that I’ve got people posting in blogs for me. As lazy as I am, that can be a really big help. But sorry, Pal, but I never saw that John Malkovich movie. I heard it was pretty good, though.
And Larry, I have no idea why you’re riding Ferry for not doing anything. Precisely what do you expect him to do? He already painted himself into a cap corner. That’s why I think it’s total absurdist fantasy, all of this “James will stay if the franchise is committed to winning a championship.” LeBron’s people aren’t idiots. Please, the three-year contract speaks for itself. All the commitment in the world doesn’t mean a damn thing if you don’t have the cap space to commit to it.
“No Sleep Till Brooklyn.” I never knew the Beastie Boys could be so prophetic.
July 22nd, 2006 at 3:49 pm
my lord, are you the most tedious human being on the planet or what, tucker? you act like you know something about salary caps and…you know what? just forget it. it’s pointless to use logic or anything on you cuz you don’t have a shred of intellectual honesty and you patently refuse to actually address any real points in ANY of your posts. it just gets your rocks off to come in here and prattle about. you say LBJ’s people aren’t idiots? well, guess what pal? YOU, on the other hand, are most certainly an idiot.
for any one else who might be finding themselves somehow swayed by tucker’s “reasoning” just remember that in the next nba collective bargaining agreement the league is going to push for these shorter contracts!! stern and the owners, contrary to what people seem to think, LOVE the 3-year deals LBJ, bosh and wade signed and shorter contracts WILL be the focus of the next CBA. mark it down. it will actually help teams remain flexible and make moves from year to year. wise up and listen to what brian says cuz it’s true. the nba these days is moving at the speed of light and things WILL change from year-to year. so, ya might as well relax and wait and see…
see, some actual basketball analysis, folks. not fantasy or conjecture based on a rapper and basketball player being seen lunching together or other silly things that people talk about as being important. think about it…