Greg Oden Chooses Miami (merged)

[D.o.s.]

Good luck to Oden...I will be rooting for him.

Agreed.

Grantland's got an interview with him done by a guy who played AAU ball with Oden, some good quotes in there:
http://www.grantland.com/blog/the-triangle/post/_/id/70297/grantland-exclusive-greg-oden-on-why-he-chose-miami

"Obviously the chance to play with the best player in the world and compete for a championship was a big selling point," Oden told me. "But more than that, what I really liked was how they thought I could really add something to their team. They’ve won back-to-back championships without me, so for them to pursue me as hard as they did meant a lot, especially given all that I’ve gone through."

To recap: With the Heat, Oden can afford to ease his way back into the NBA. He will have zero pressure on him, his role will basically be to block shots and dunk on people, he'll be guaranteed to compete for a championship, he’ll play alongside two of the best players of all time, he’ll pay no state income tax, and he’ll get to live in Miami.

According to Oden, "There’s a lot to be excited about in joining the NBA champions, getting to play with some great players, and living in Miami. But honestly, the thing I’m most excited about is just being able to play basketball again. It’s been a long and challenging road back, so just having the chance to play the game I love again has me more excited than anything else.”

I wish him nothing but success-- serious sports injuries/careers cut short are the worst to see, and I'd really like to see some silver lining here (the kind we didn't get with Brandon Roy, unfortunately).

[lightspeed5]

Oh boy

[nickagneta]

*YAWN*

And.....

Is he even going to play this year?

[SparzWizard]

Ahhh it's the end of the world!!

[Sketch5]

I like how a lot of people including reporters are calling Riley a genius for this move.

Really one two types of teams were going to take him.

1. Teams that had a vet min that were contending, who didn't really need him. But if he plays well, if at all bonus! If not no real loss.

2. Teams that are tanking, that needed to spend money. He plays, okay, not going to win you a lot of games. He doesn't, you are in the lottery so who cares.

Teams in the middle didn't want to touch the guy, doesn't help either cause, why take the risk of wasting space and money.

Its only really a good move for Miami if he plays and does well. They could have used the money on some one that you know will see the floor. If any of there 3 bigs go down they will get awfully thin at the C spot. And they lost a shooter to open the floor in the playoffs to make a move for the guy.   

[dark_lord]

nbd....he will get hurt eventually

[nickagneta]

I think Allen Iverson and Colton Iverson have a better chance at playing in an NBA game before Greg Oden does.

My guess is Las Vegas sets the over/under on the amount of games Oden plays next year at 2.

For those saying "Yeah but if he could just be half as good as he was it could be big for the Heat", well, half as good as he was would be 4.5 PPG and 3.5 RPG in 11 MPG, or about Shav Randolph territory of being good.

Nothing against Oden but he's played 82 out of the last 476 NBA regular season games. I will believe he can be back and productive when I see it and not a moment before.

[LarBrd33]

Could be a meaningless signing... could be absolutely huge.

If Greg played as well as he did when he was healthy... and stays healthy... Miami is going to be ridiculous.

[LarBrd33]

Don't be too shocked if he somehow stays healthy and averages a double/double for Miami.

[CelticsFan9]

He should've gone to Phoenix.  The training staff is great there.

If he's healthy (a big if), then Miami could field a scary defensive lineup.

Cole/Chalmers
Wade
LeBron
Bosh
Oden

That matches up great with Indy, Chicago, and Brooklyn, the three teams in the East primed to upset the Heat.

They can always sub in Ray for offense, too.  Just take out the PG.

[tarheelsxxiii]

Hasn't he played like 82 games in 5 years?

Rumor/common knowledge has it there are no ligaments around his knees...

Massive care-not. If he plays, I'd be shocked. Even if he does, it's the productivity of Wade/Bosh/Jesus that will determine if they 3peat.

[lightspeed5]

What I hate the most is how good down fits in and fills in their defensive hole

[PaulPierce34G]

I'm taking my talents to Winchendon, Massachusetts next weekend.

Good luck to him.  For his sake, I hope it works out. 

[timobusa]

Father and Son

[LarBrd33]

If you went back to 2007 and told me there'd be a team with Wade, Ray, LeBron, Bosh and Oden, I'd crap my pants.

I'm rooting for Oden, though.  I'd love to see him stay healthy and become a force.  I don't care it's the Heat.  This is LeBron's era.  I've made peace with this long ago. 

Good luck, Greg.

"The contract will pay $1.03 million in 2013-14 and $1.14 million in 2014-15 if Oden picks up that option. "

Zero risk really for the Heat.  It would be great to see this guy finally have a career.