Blazers looked GOOD

[scoop]

Blacke and Roy defend just fine, and Oden is one of the quickest 7 footers in the league.

No they don't and no he isn't. He's more mobile and quicker than last season (when he was really slow) - he's improved to Roy Hibbert's territory. He's still slow moving his feet and reading/reacting to plays.

---

This season the Blazers are defending the ballscreen differently than they did the last one (where they'd end up switching on big/ball screens way too much), precisely to minimize Oden's impact. While they still have Aldridge showing up, Oden drops down off the screener and zones to deny the penetration to the ball-handler or the roll. This is probably the best possible solution if you have a player like him, but the downside can be big: guards with good shooting off-the-dribble will have a moment to shoot if they run the play well (until the defender closes on him; if Oden is close enough to contest the shot, they'll just go through him after turning the corner); the screener can pop out a couple of steps, receive the pass and shoot over a Greg Oden recovering upwards (they're more vulnerable to the pick'n'pop than exactly to the pick'n'roll, I think). In a play-off series this will constitute a very important factor for some teams that have the tools to take advantage of it (namely ones with good jump-shooting bigs). The Lakers and the Jazz don't run the ballscreen very often except late in possessions, but they can kill the Blazers with this play.

[scoop]

Here's some interesting stuff about Oden's defense:

4. There is a Hole in Greg Oden's Defense

If you listened to this week's Dontonio Wingcast, Kevin Pelton dropped a bomb on me: the Blazers have been more effective defensively when Joel Przybilla is playing than when Greg Oden is playing.  This might seem couterintuitive to what we see while watching games.  Some players seem to fear Oden, avoiding the lane.  When he is challenged, Oden often comes up with blocked shots or at the very least alters the ball-handler's path.  His footwork is getting better and he seems to cover a lot of ground.  Not to mention, he cleans the glass better than all but a few players in the league.

So how could the Blazers possibly be playing worse defense with Oden on the court?

The answer isn't all that complicated: opposing teams have found other ways to score against him, and score efficiently. The key?  Avoid pounding the ball into the paint, attacking Oden directly.  By far Oden's best defense, according to the numbers, comes when he's defending one-on-one on the block.  He rates out "Very Good" overall in the post, "Excellent" in some situations.   Those taking an indirect or face-up approach, however, are enjoying success against him in a number of ways.

When Oden is isolated on his man away from the block, his defense dips sharply to a "Poor" rating and opponents shoot nearly 53% from the field against him.  In practice, this includes jumpers, pull-up jumpers and other shots over the top that Oden might hesitate to contest for fear of fouling. When more agile bigs drift even further out -- up to 17 feet -- their field goal percentage still remains above 47%, rating Oden "Below Average" in defending these shots. Even when he defends players in face-the-basket situations in the key and at close range, his opponents shoot nearly 60% from the field and his rating is "Poor." Again, this likely can be attributed, in part, to an unwillingness to commit fouls by fully contesting shots.

The good news is that Oden eliminates many second-chance points by clearing the defensive boards so effectively. But to truly succeed defensively, he will need to improve the aspects listed above.  If teams can continue to score so easily by avoiding post-up situations and extending their post player's offensive range, even slightly, his highlight blocked shots and amazing rebounding percentages won't impact wins and losses as much as they should. 

This isn't a crisis for Oden by any means.  You'd be much more concerned if he was leaking easy buckets right at the basket.  As is, he's holding down the blocks quite well already in his second year.  More effective defense away from the basket should develop along with increased experience and comfort.

http://www.blazersedge.com/2009/12/4/1182582/synergy-sports-the-blazers#storyjump

[scoop]

And he just injured his knee. Seems serious. Ouch. 

[PosImpos]

And he just injured his knee. Seems serious. Ouch. 

The kid has weak knees.  Hopefully it doesn't end his career before it begins.

Sucks to be a Blazers fan.  Imagine them if they had taken Durant....

[housecall]

Just reported over NBA.tv that Oden just hurt his right knee n a game...don't have any news yet of how severe it is.

[Change]

Heartbreak city. Feel bad for Greg and blazer fans. Its didn't look good. He was in serious pain.

[scoop]

It looked like a patellar dislocation, his kneecap was way twisted. The trainers immediately covered it with a towel.

[scoop]

Ouch, it was more than a dislocation: fractured left patella. End of the season for Oden most probably.

[Fafnir]

Ouch, it was more than a dislocation: fractured left patella. End of the season for Oden most probably.

That's what all the reports are saying. 

[Bahku]

Ouch, it was more than a dislocation: fractured left patella. End of the season for Oden most probably.

It was a comminuted fracture of the left patella ... he's done for at least this year, if not longer. I really feel bad for this kid ... so talented, but "fate" has not been kind to him.

[PosImpos]

Oden's just not meant to be a great player.  Really tough for him, the Blazers, and Blazers fans.

I don't want to sound too mean but...WHY COULDN'T THIS BE BYNUM?  Okay, I don't wish an injury on anybody...but...WHY NOT BYNUM INSTEAD?

[Greenbean]

Oden's just not meant to be a great player.  Really tough for him, the Blazers, and Blazers fans.

I don't want to sound too mean but...WHY COULDN'T THIS BE BYNUM?  Okay, I don't wish an injury on anybody...but...WHY NOT BYNUM INSTEAD?

Bynum hasn't been an ironman either. No injurues as major as Oden's but he has missed significant time so there is always a possibility he can miss more!

[Bankshot]

Oden's just not meant to be a great player.  Really tough for him, the Blazers, and Blazers fans.

I don't want to sound too mean but...WHY COULDN'T THIS BE BYNUM?  Okay, I don't wish an injury on anybody...but...WHY NOT BYNUM INSTEAD?

He can definitely be a great player if he can get over the injuries.  Bynum hasn't exactly been the iron man.  He's been injured a lot too.  Hopefull, this will be the last major injury for a while for Oden.