Maybe Oden suffers from Progeria? "is an extremely rare genetic condition wherein symptoms resembling aspects of aging are manifested at an early age. The word Progeria comes from the Greek progeros meaning 'prematurely old'." http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Progeria
I stopped reading the article after it said most people with progeria are diagnosed at a young age and tend to be thin and short. It's a shame about Oden. He seems like a good enough guy who tries hard. Unfortunately, his body doesn't seem to want to cooperate. If Portland doesn't resign him, I hope he finds success and happiness elsewhere(preferably in the Eastern Conference).
I feel so bad for him. No sports player, be it basketball, volleyball, golf, should have to endure an injury that forces them to miss a huge amount of time. Guy never had a chance; it just isn't fair.
@ZachLowe_SI: Blown away that Larry Miller would come out and say the Blazers might offer Oden the $8.9M qualifying offer.
i feel sorry for the blazers and oden. now that oden is out for the season, which i doubt he will ever recover to his normal form. Also with roy injured as well. the blazers can't catch a break. Just 2 years ago, this blazers team was among the highest regard young teams in the league and now this. surprising what injuries can do to a franchise and player. all the best to both of them.
damn, i guess i take back what i said about wanting him as a backup, like deke off the bench. i really hope he recovers, maybe he will pull a grant hill
Bowie over Jordan; Oden over Durant. These two will go down as the biggest draft day blunders in history.
Bowie over Jordan isn't really a big deal as MJ wasn't that known at the time, and Bowie was widely regarded as the better player of the two coming into draft time. Oden over Durant is inexcusable given the fact that the Blazers had medical reports showing his health history, Durant is widely regarded as the better player, and they already had a scoring big man (LMA) and a young defensive center (Pryzbilla) in the fold. Roy, Durant, LMA and Pryz would have been one hell of a lineup.
Jordan was pretty heralded out of college. I think most put considered him one of the top 2 players in the draft.
Does moneyball discount a player's medical history by overemphasizing a playr's effectiveness while playing? Morey and Pritchard are the stat geeks of the NBA. Both teams have been hit hard by star players, who put up good numbers in limited games.
MJ won the Naismith Award his last year in college playing for one of the premier programs in the nation. I'd say he was pretty well known.
Jordan also won the Wooden college player of the year award. He was pretty well known during the draft. Bowie missed 2 whole seasons of college ball with injuries, but was still drafted over Jordan.
