“ There's a Marvel animation called 'What if', I watch it all the time! ” A Greg Oden happy and laughing presented himself in front a handful of journalists within the Moda Center. Where the former Blazers pivot had not appeared since March 2012, when the Oregon franchise ended up cutting him.
“ When I'm alone, yes (I think about 'What if')but I don't want it to take up too much space in my life, in my thoughts », Continues more seriously the former NBA player, present during the reception of the Mavs two days ago, at the edge of the field (“ I am very grateful to them […] because we all know that these places are not given! ), during which a tribute video was released.
Enough to give back some chills to local fans who were able to fantasize about his association with the young stars of the time, Brandon Roy and LaMarcus Aldridge. With the No. 1 of the Draft in their ranks during the 2008/09 season, the Blazers, for example, had a record of 40 victories for 21 defeats.
“ We won a lot when I played », remembers the 36-year-old retired since 2016. But the major knee problems will get the better of this association and his career. The NCAA finalist with Ohio State in 2007 will only play 82 games during his two ends of the season played in Portland, before playing around twenty additional games in 2014 with the Heat.
“ And I felt a little bad that I didn't get those $100 million contracts! »
During these years, he experienced dark moments. “ Because physically, I couldn't play. With the rehabilitation phases, the ups and downs, basketball was put on the back burner until I was healthy enough to walk. It was a time where I didn't put as much of my usual passion into getting here “, he says before evacuating again: “ And I felt a little bad that I didn't get those $100 million contracts like everyone else! »
Instead, he amassed $24 million in his career. But as he says, “ everything I've been through, all the injuries, the ups and downs, have allowed me to get to this point. This is what allowed me to be the person I am today. » Namely the father of an 8-year-old daughter, but also a graduate of Ohio State in coaching, where he also officiated.
He explains that it was coaching that prevented him from finding the time to return to Portland, “ the place where [s]life has changed ”, in every sense of the word. When asked what aspect of his game at the time he would have been able to carry over into today's game, he retorts ” power “.
Before adding, quoting Brook Lopez: “ I should have evolved like everyone else. I hope I would have been able to convert that 3-point shot in the corner, even if I haven't taken one in my career. But if I was still playing, I would take it. »
| Greg Oden | Percentage | Rebounds | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Season | Team | MJ | Min | Shots | 3pts | L.F. | Off | Def | Early | Pd | Party | Int | Bp | Ct | Pts |
| 2008-09 | POR | 61 | 22 | 56.4 | 0.0 | 63.7 | 2.8 | 4.2 | 7.0 | 0.5 | 3.9 | 0.4 | 1.4 | 1.1 | 8.9 |
| 2009-10 | POR | 21 | 24 | 60.5 | 0.0 | 76.6 | 3.1 | 5.4 | 8.5 | 0.9 | 4.0 | 0.4 | 1.9 | 2.3 | 11.1 |
| 2013-14 | MIA | 23 | 9 | 55.1 | 0.0 | 56.5 | 1.0 | 1.4 | 2.4 | 0.0 | 2.3 | 0.3 | 0.5 | 0.6 | 2.9 |
| Total | 105 | 19 | 57.4 | 0.0 | 65.8 | 2.4 | 3.8 | 6.3 | 0.5 | 3.6 | 0.4 | 1.3 | 1.2 | 8.0 | |
How to read the stats? MJ = matches played; Min = Minutes; Shots = Successful shots / Attempted shots; 3pts = 3-points / 3-points attempted; LF = free throws made / free throws attempted; Off = offensive rebound; Def=defensive rebound; Tot = Total rebounds; Pd = assists; Fte: Personal fouls; Int = Intercepts; Bp = Lost balls; Ct: Against; Pts = Points.
