Appears humble? There were stories coming out of the woodwork Oden was moody and didn't get along with the rest of the Blazers. During flights he would take over the owner's cabin and sleep there the entire flight while the rest of the team bonded.
This is the fourth time the Blazers have had the #1 pick. The other three times: 1972: Blazers picked LaRue Martin first, Buffalo picked Bob McAdoo second 1974: Blazers picked Bill Walton first, 76ers picked Marvin Barnes second 1978: Blazers picked Mychal Thompson first, Kings picked Phil Ford second I'm guessing you were thinking that Portland had the #1 pick the year they passed on MJ for Sam Bowie, because I would hardly call picking the next Marvin Barnes or Phil Ford a "guaranteed success."
/career. I wasn't cheering it on, but Bowie/MJ stuff is pretty much sealed for good at this point. And they managed to use the same reasoning in both drafts.
The weight of expectations was a huge burden and Oden went into a shell the season of his first year (that he played). He eventually came out of it. Greg Oden is a very personable, likable guy but he had thin skin and was hurt by all of the "bust" talk and the comparisons to Kevin Durant. Once he got over those things, he bonded with his teammates. Brandon Roy and other Blazers made a concerted effort to reach out to Oden and make him feel like one of the guys. They were successful. What you posted above actually happened but is very misleading because it wasn't the end of the story.
LOL @ at of those people who would trade Hill for Oden. I didn't understand it. Even if he has potential, it's not even close to worth it.
At least Bowie had a career. Oden played exactly 1 season if you add up all of his games (82 on the dot). After microfracture on both knees, he's done.
i don't care who you are, you gotta feel sorry for Greg Oden and the Portland Trailblazers, but I'm sure somewhere Pritchard is laughing and ordering drinks for everyone hahahaha
