Thursday, February 26, 2009

Greg Oden Out For Friday's Game

A Greg Oden update from the Trail Blazers PR Department:
Greg Oden (knee) is listed as out for Friday game at Minnesota. Oden worked out with the team today and did some light running.
Oden had one of his better games of the season during the last trip to the Target Center, scoring 13 points to go along with eight rebounds, three blocks, two steals and an assists. What's more, Nate McMillan went to Oden in the post over and over again in crunch time during that game. GO was one of the main reason the Trail Blazers were able to come back from a 12-point deficit to win 88-83 back on Nov. 15.

11 comments:

Rick_Dawg said...

Seriously Casey what the hell is up with Greg? Has he been cleared by the doctors? Because reports are that he was cleared but didn't want to work to get back out on the floor. Can you verify that for us? Because it seems like Greg doesn't want to play basketball, and if he does well it doesn't seem he's making enough of an effort to get back out there.

He seems like he doesn't love this game. I know you have pretty close contact with some of these players. Maybe you could interview Greg or somethin? Because there are a LOT of people talkin S about him, questioning his desire, and I'd just like to see what he has to say about it. Honestly, I think he doesn't like basketball, he just did it to get money. I bet he'll go be an orthodontist when he's done collecting checks for doing nothing.

So yeah, if you could maybe interview Greg or ask him what the hell is up, that would be super cool and I'm pretty sure TONS of fans would appreciate it. Thanks Casey, you da man.

Casey Holdahl said...

Since he's been listed as out, I'm fairly certain that means Jay Jensen, the Trail Blazers head trainer, has NOT cleared Greg Oden to play. My understanding is that Jensen makes the call from a health standpoint.

I'd be happy to catch up with GO when the team gets back to Portland on Sunday.

As for Greg's desire, I will say that the guy went through a painful and drawn out rehabilitation from microfracture when he could have quit if he was really all about the money.

millertime said...

Odens the man Go blazers

Dan Hickman said...

Easy, Rick. Sloooooooooow down. At the rate you're going you'll be at a Sports Radio Personality level of hysteria soon.

No one questioned Greg's work ethic a couple of months ago when everyone was saying he needed to "loosen up a bit". He was working out terribly hard. Many thought it might have been a little too hard. But now because he's missed several games you want to call him out for not wanting to work hard enough? Come on, man. He deserves more respect than that.

The Blazers organization is going to do what's best for the team in the long run. Maybe having Greg sit out a little while longer is going to keep him fresh for the playoffs. Maybe his injury is just sort of nagging right now.

But, whatever the case, the Blazers organization has proven to me (for one) that they are trustworthy. I trust them to do the best for this team. Shouldn't you?

Thanks for the update, Casey.

Anonymous said...

Hey gang, this constant, "he's not badly hurt...but wait, he's out again...he's day to day...but wait, he's out again" smacks of lack of complete disclosure.

For example, we've been told the option for surgery to remove the chip is off the table? Why? Either it is so small as to not bother (then why so long to heal?). Or it is too large to remove without damage around it (then why the "no big deal" label?)

Anonymous said...

I think what's got everyone up in arms about Oden's passion for the game is Nate's recent comments concerning Oden's injury. He sounded not happy about something that was going on and it seemed aimed at Oden. Maybe that was reading too much between the lines, though.

jfarmer said...

the fact that GO is sittin out is no reason to call him out on not having the desire or will to play. portland is a team capable of beating any opponent on any night with or without oden. portland is one of the youngest teams in the nba. they dont become experienced over night with a win against teams like boston. things like that take time. someday the portland trail blazers will be there, but for now its about the lakers, spurs, and boston. theres no need to panic when oden sits a game or two or 20. he's in his rookie year right now. there wont be a trophy in portland for a couple of years if portland plays their cards right. but with the nucleus of roy, aldrige, outlaw and the rest of the supporting cast portland has brillianty put together id say it wont be to long before portland gets to the promisland.

Antonio G said...

i think that all the doctors shoving clip boards in the coaches face makes them a lil bit too paranoid. Greg doesnt seem to have that bad of an injury from what i can see, i think all the doctor mumbo jumbo gots the administration a little too spooked!! Other than that GO GREG ODEN!! GREG is the MAN!!

Antonio G said...

i think that all the doctors shoving clip boards in the coaches face makes them a lil bit too paranoid. Greg doesnt seem to have that bad of an injury from what i can see, i think all the doctor mumbo jumbo gots the administration a little too spooked!! Other than that GO GREG ODEN!! GREG is the MAN!!

BRoyFTW said...

I can only imagine how pissed of Nate was when Oden flew home instead of back to Portland after the all star break. He could have had 3 days treatment and be back 3 days earlier. Instead of doing god knows what and returning with a swollen knee. Great job Portland staff making sure Oden does the right thing. Someone should be fired.

hg said...

Rick_Dawg

Maybe, Greg is guilty of being overly protective of his knee, rightfully so. Because the injury doesn't need further medical attention the Dr released him to go back to playing, but I'll bet it was with the statement of when you could handle the pain.

Nobody can tell how much pain is involved with a chip. I had one about the size of small buck shot that took over a month to heal.

Greg has enough stress with being injured and not helping the team win. He doesn't need your kind of scrutiny.

hg