Greg Oden chose Miami, not a big surprise, and a potentially great pick up for them. Finally gives them some actual size. I am not sure I expect much of anything from him this season though.
NBA Offseason Thread
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I hope he has a great season individually, and opts out of the second year of his contract. Meanwhile the Heat manage to lose prior to reaching the Finals this season. In basketball I find it easy to cheer for individuals even on team I don't like. (Ray Allen being a good example this past season)
Hell yes. Could be a huge addition for Miami. I expect the Heat to bring him along very slowly this year but he could play a huge role for them in the playoffs and allow Miami to play a slighlty less aggresive defensive style and conserve more engergy. This takes some of the sting out of losing Miller.
It's an interesting get for Miami. I do think that if he can stay healthy (big if - remember three microfracture knee surgeries in five years) he can be really valuable to them as a situational player against bigger, more physical teams like Indiana. But I don't see him being a 10-20 minute per game guy. He just doesn't fit with thier offensiver style. As we saw in the playoffs, the Heat are at their best spacing the floor with shooters and letting Lebron get to the paint for drive and kick opportunities.
Thought Oden was already 43.
43? I thought he was pushing 60 when he played at Ohio State.
They're not at their best playing Indiana with that style. They made Roy Hibbert look like Kareem and turned Indiana into a elite offense when they were middle of the pack all year long.
Right. I also said in my original post "he can be really valuable to them as a situational player against bigger, more physical teams like Indiana.
Greg Oden was last seen in the year 2000 in M. Night Shyamalan's superhero film "Unbreakable."
I'd guess the over/under on Oden's season-ending injury for 2013-2014 is about, oh, say, five weeks from now.
I'd guess the over/under on Oden's season-ending injury for 2013-2014 is about, oh, say, five weeks from now.
He also doesn't fit their hyper aggresive defensive style. There are very few big guys that can do what Bosh does in trapping pick and rolls that high and then getting back to cover the lane. I think Oden could potentially allow Miami to adjust their defensive style to play a more convential, conservative style against teams like Indiana. And they can find ways to fit him in on offensive, Birdman was able to get plenty of looks just by cutting to the basket, as long as Oden can actually catch the ball he'll be an offensive upgrade over Joel Anthony.
Preseason is coming to a close this week. Opening night is Tuesday. Any updated predictions? What are people most looking forward to this season? What are your expectations?
I expect the Lakers and the Celtics to absolutely suck which I'm pretty sure hasn't happened too many times in the history of the league. (both, in the same year)
Potential up and comers, New Orleans, Cleveland, Washington
If Miami stays reasonably healthy they'll win again.
