Pluto: Conversation with Indians CEO Paul Dolan
March 10, 2013Zach McAllister Confirmed As #4 Starter, Huff To Bullpen
March 10, 2013We all heard about Greg Oden cheering on his buddy and fellow Buckeye Mike Conley Jr. on Friday night when Cleveland hosted Memphis, but some of the quotes (courtesy of Jason Lloyd) that came out following the game were even more eye-opening about a potential return to the Buckeye State as home base for Oden’s basketball playing career.
“I live in Ohio. It’s home now,” Oden said. “They have a great organization and I really do think they’re up and coming.”
The Cavs are believed to have offered Oden a two-year deal that would begin this season and include a team option for a third year, but Oden hasn’t signed. Now it’s looking like he won’t sign a deal until this summer, when more teams will have cap space and the demand could increase.
“Obviously the longer it goes, the more it looks like that” he won’t sign until summer, Oden’s agent, Mike Conley Sr. said Friday.
The game against the Grizzlies was Oden’s first Cavs game as a casual fan. He lives in Columbus again and said the organization’s partnership with the Cleveland Clinic will be a factor in his decision.
“With my process, one of the top two things I have to think about is the medical staff and how is it going to help me,” Oden said. “I want to play and I want to play for some time. Not just come in and see what happens. I want to be able to have a career.”
Oden hasn’t played a NBA game since 2009. His career averages in 82 career games are 9.4 points, 7.3 rebounds, and 1.4 blocks while shooting 58% and posting a 19.5 PER.
8 Comments
Somebody help educate me on this guy a little bit more. If the knees are no longer an issue, does he have the potential to become a Dwight Howard-like player?
I simply wouldn’t put him in the category with Dwight because he doesn’t have the athleticism to compare. However, I do think that he would have similar production to a Brook Lopez (offensively speaking) and he would be a guy capable of a double-double night in and night out. His shot-blocking is well above average and he has some nice touch around the rim. He has good potential if he can stay healthy in my opinion, but that is a HUGE if.
I thought he had the same athleticism-mainly because he beat Durant in almost every sprint and vertical test pre-draft 2007. I don’t know how much his injuries have affected that, but he was at least comparable to Howard at some point.
I do agree with you that he would provide much needed defense in the post, even if only his size. Producing on offense is another matter, however…
Think of him as Tristan Thompson but more shot blocker, less athlete.A guy kind of raw still offensively but able to get points off put backs and dunks. Never build your offense around but a good anchor on defense.
Per John Hollinger’s ranking system, a 19.5 PER is on the high side between solid 2nd option and borderline All-Star.
However, if you look at the current season’s Centers, his 19.5 would rank between:
15) Nikola Pekovic, MIN, PER = 19.53
16) Tiago Splitter, SA, PER = 19.49
Draw whatever conclusions you will.
From what I remember, when he was healthy, he could move. Durant is a weird player, because he’s not uber-athletic, but he’s crazy skilled and long.
IF (added emphasis) he can stay remotely healthy, we’ll have a beastly defensive frontcourt with youth and depth.
with Roy’s failed comeback and Amare’s failing knees, it adds to the worry.
I still think it’s a risk worth taking (depending on the medical reports), but a worry nonetheless.
Nice, I’ll pass them a note in study hall.