Grantland piece on Greg Oden

[Lucky17]

http://www.grantland.com/story/_/id/7908766/a-rare-interview-former-no-1-overall-pick-greg-oden-injury-plagued-career

A pretty good read, although perhaps a little too much of an attempt to make excuses/pass blame elsewhere for Oden's lackluster NBA career.

For those who care only about the nitty-gritty:

I thought Greg might retire from basketball after Portland released him. That's not happening. Right now, his plan is to take off the entire 2012-13 season, move back to Columbus, take all the time he needs to rehab his knee back to full strength, and continue working toward the degree that he abandoned after one year at Ohio State. Once he feels ready, he plans to sign with an NBA team in 2013 and (hopefully) string together a few years of injury-free basketball.

[guava_wrench]

Good idea to not rush back. Take time and do it right. There will always be interest in a legit big man when he is ready.

[freshinthehouse]

Good for him.  He'll still be in his mid 20s when he makes his comeback.  Hopefully he'll have plenty of years in the NBA ahead of him.

[Employee8]

That article leads me into thinking Indiana has the best shot of going after him.  If Pacers continue to get better, adding a revitalized Greg Oden to their solid roster is only going to get them to the next level.  Good for him to keep working and I wish him nothing but the best of luck.

[JSD]

Call me crazy, but if the Celtics are going to bring everyone back for a couple more seasons to have everyone expire with Pierce, I would LOVE for them to throw an enticing multi year contract the way of Oden.

The player he was in the begining of that 2010 season still has me drooling.

[GreenFaith1819]

I wish the best for him.

Take all the time off you need to heal, Greg - and then come on to BOS. Rondo's got a LOT of lobs left in his tank.

[get_banners]

Given our medical staff's reputation for protecting our players, and our history (there were plenty of Oden/Russell comparisons prior to the 2007 draft), I wonder if Oden would take an incentive-heavy contract to come here. I'm not sure he'll ever be anything, but if its for minimal guaranteed money, I'd really be up for it. This could be a great environment for Greg, especially if we bring back KG and Ray on short deals (which I think is fairly likely).

[LarBrd33]

biggest bust in NBA history.  Unparalleled bust.  What a disappointment.

[GreenFaith1819]

Hmm...the last  time that a former Portland player that had an injury-laden career came to BOS it was Bill Walton, in 86'....we all know what happened in 86' - Bill had a MIRACULOUS season, and was key in us winning Banner 17 as 6th man of the Year......if we could just get Greg Oden here I'd definitely take a chance on him...

[Celtics4ever]

Would be nice but Bill Walton had a few healthy years which Oden has never had.  It's a huge risk as I see it.  I would avoid him like the plague.

[Nerf DPOY]

Wow, that article had almost every depressing thing you can name, complete with dashed hopes, heartbreaking loss, alcoholism, cancer, and special needs dogs falling to their death.

It'd be a great story if he could at all come back, or at least find some happiness in some other walk of life....

[OmarSekou]

Sad story. Another year of college might have done him well. Hopefully he can get his mind right.

[Boris Badenov]

Hmm...the last  time that a former Portland player that had an injury-laden career came to BOS it was Bill Walton, in 86'....we all know what happened in 86' - Bill had a MIRACULOUS season, and was key in us winning Banner 17 as 6th man of the Year......if we could just get Greg Oden here I'd definitely take a chance on him...

You're right. Of course, we'd also need to fill out the roster with a few guys who are as good as Bird, McHale, Parish, Ainge and DJ.

No problem.

[GreenFaith1819]

Hmm...the last  time that a former Portland player that had an injury-laden career came to BOS it was Bill Walton, in 86'....we all know what happened in 86' - Bill had a MIRACULOUS season, and was key in us winning Banner 17 as 6th man of the Year......if we could just get Greg Oden here I'd definitely take a chance on him...

You're right. Of course, we'd also need to fill out the roster with a few guys who are as good as Bird, McHale, Parish, Ainge and DJ.

No problem.

C'mon man you know what I mean .

Essentially, Greg Oden comig here, healthy, would certainly make BOS better, no matter who is on the roster.

Just like Bill Walton put BOS over the top in 86. No way BOS was winning it all without Bill that year.