[JoeWolf1]

From espn

Thomas: Oden looks unbelievable
May, 17, 2013
MAY 17
6:30
AM ET
By Nick Borges | ESPN.com
RECOMMEND0COMMENTS0EMAILPRINT
Greg Oden plans to make a comeback and one of his workout partners says the oft-injured center looks good.

“Man, he looks unbelievable,” Ohio State forward Deshaun Thomas told The News-Herald. “He’s running. He’s lifting weights. You might be seeing a comeback. He looks like he’s ready to go. He’s running, getting in shape. I’ll tell you one thing. For a big 7-footer that’s all he does, running and getting in shape. He’s looking right.”

Oden’s career has been ravaged by five microfracture knee surgeries and he will try to play next season. He played in just 82 games over four years while battling the knee issues.

The Cleveland Cavaliers and Miami Heat have been mentioned as the favorites to sign Oden some time in the summer once he’s been cleared by his medical team.

[Raef LaFrentzParticipant]

I am extreeeeemely cautiously optimistic.

[Raef LaFrentzParticipant]

I am extreeeeemely cautiously optimistic.

[eleqtrique87Participant]

If he’s smart he should consider going to Phoenix since they have that magical medical staff that have made Vince Carter, Jermaine O’Neal and even Grant Hill look like their younger selves after numerous injuries and surgeries.

[eleqtrique87Participant]

If he’s smart he should consider going to Phoenix since they have that magical medical staff that have made Vince Carter, Jermaine O’Neal and even Grant Hill look like their younger selves after numerous injuries and surgeries.

[wrectorParticipant]

I mean, if he goes to the Cavs he will have the Cleveland Clinic right down the road…they’ve been ranked #3 in orthopedics, that’s gotta count for something lol.

[wrectorParticipant]

I mean, if he goes to the Cavs he will have the Cleveland Clinic right down the road…they’ve been ranked #3 in orthopedics, that’s gotta count for something lol.

[PlatypusParticipant]

Teams that should think about signing him

Chicago: he can be Noah’s back up, a back up center was missed
Houston: Omar Asik could use a back
LA Clippers: If Oden can rebound and make free throws then thats what they need
Phoenix: great medical staff and can be a good back up for gortat

[PlatypusParticipant]

Teams that should think about signing him

Chicago: he can be Noah’s back up, a back up center was missed
Houston: Omar Asik could use a back
LA Clippers: If Oden can rebound and make free throws then thats what they need
Phoenix: great medical staff and can be a good back up for gortat

[Toronto16Participant]

Man I’m really pulling for him.

[Toronto16Participant]

Man I’m really pulling for him.

[David Stern a.k.a. da muthaf@cking leader of da kryptsParticipant]

I just hope he doesn’t choose Miami. If they get at least a fringe starter at center it’s just not gonna be fair lol

[David Stern a.k.a. da muthaf@cking leader of da kryptsParticipant]

I just hope he doesn’t choose Miami. If they get at least a fringe starter at center it’s just not gonna be fair lol

[omphalosParticipant]

@Platypus: Oden should absolutely NOT go to Chicago. If the comeback is legit and he proves he can play 82 games (thinking best case scenario here) then Thibs will break him by making him play way too many minutes trying to win every game at the cost of the bigger picture.

The only places I could see Oden going are Cleveland or Phoenix.

Cleveland because they need a C, he wouldn’t be under too much pressure with Kyrie, Thompson and Waiters (and whoever they get in this year’s draft) and he’d be back in Ohio where he’s apparently doing his rehab.

Phoenix, because they are in complete rebuilding mode, have the best training staff in the NBA and take a pre-emptive approach to injuries, rather than the reactive approach most teams take.

Personally, I’m rooting for Phoenix, what I really want to see is a healthy Greg Oden, and Phoenix gives me the best opportunity to see that.

Plus, you could ease him in as a back-up for Gortat his first year, and if he’s able to stay healthy for 82 games (or thereabouts) then trade Gortat while his value is high and have a very cheap, extremely talented big man in Oden on your team to help you with the rebuild.

[omphalosParticipant]

@Platypus: Oden should absolutely NOT go to Chicago. If the comeback is legit and he proves he can play 82 games (thinking best case scenario here) then Thibs will break him by making him play way too many minutes trying to win every game at the cost of the bigger picture.

The only places I could see Oden going are Cleveland or Phoenix.

Cleveland because they need a C, he wouldn’t be under too much pressure with Kyrie, Thompson and Waiters (and whoever they get in this year’s draft) and he’d be back in Ohio where he’s apparently doing his rehab.

Phoenix, because they are in complete rebuilding mode, have the best training staff in the NBA and take a pre-emptive approach to injuries, rather than the reactive approach most teams take.

Personally, I’m rooting for Phoenix, what I really want to see is a healthy Greg Oden, and Phoenix gives me the best opportunity to see that.

Plus, you could ease him in as a back-up for Gortat his first year, and if he’s able to stay healthy for 82 games (or thereabouts) then trade Gortat while his value is high and have a very cheap, extremely talented big man in Oden on your team to help you with the rebuild.

[JoeWolf1]

I don’t think so, the Bulls have an All-Star center as their starter. Omer Asik played between 12 and 15 mintues per game as the Bulls’ backup center and Nazr Mohammed only played 11 mpg. Thibs plays his guys big minutes, but a backup center gig with the Bulls wouldn’t mean getting more than 15 mpg.

[JoeWolf1]

I don’t think so, the Bulls have an All-Star center as their starter. Omer Asik played between 12 and 15 mintues per game as the Bulls’ backup center and Nazr Mohammed only played 11 mpg. Thibs plays his guys big minutes, but a backup center gig with the Bulls wouldn’t mean getting more than 15 mpg.

[omphalosParticipant]

I am looking at best case scenario, with Oden proving he can stay healthy and rendering Noah superfluous (or allowing him to slide to the 4).

As much as I love Noah, a healthy Oden in the best case scenario is a better player. Let’s not forget why Oden was a number 1 pick, his poor health doesn’t change his abilities as a basketball player.

[omphalosParticipant]

I am looking at best case scenario, with Oden proving he can stay healthy and rendering Noah superfluous (or allowing him to slide to the 4).

As much as I love Noah, a healthy Oden in the best case scenario is a better player. Let’s not forget why Oden was a number 1 pick, his poor health doesn’t change his abilities as a basketball player.

[JoeWolf1]

Okay, I’ll give you in a best case scenario Chicago would have some decisions to make, but I think a far more realistic scenario is Greg Oden playing between 12 and 20 minutes next season, no matter what team he’s playing with. He’s never played more than 24 mpg in either of his healthyish NBA seasons, that’s not going to start his first season back after taking two full years off.

[JoeWolf1]

Okay, I’ll give you in a best case scenario Chicago would have some decisions to make, but I think a far more realistic scenario is Greg Oden playing between 12 and 20 minutes next season, no matter what team he’s playing with. He’s never played more than 24 mpg in either of his healthyish NBA seasons, that’s not going to start his first season back after taking two full years off.

[ph90702]

Miami could use a healthy Greg Oden. Bosh at center is a joke.

[ph90702]

Miami could use a healthy Greg Oden. Bosh at center is a joke.

[TyroberParticipant]

Oden needs to go to the place offering him the most guaranteed money. Obviously some teams are better fits than others, but his decision needs to come down to dollars. He might not ever play again and needs to get all that he can. His story is heart breaking and I hope he plays many seasons in the NBA, but now isn’t the time to pick the right fit. Go get paid Oden!

[TyroberParticipant]

Oden needs to go to the place offering him the most guaranteed money. Obviously some teams are better fits than others, but his decision needs to come down to dollars. He might not ever play again and needs to get all that he can. His story is heart breaking and I hope he plays many seasons in the NBA, but now isn’t the time to pick the right fit. Go get paid Oden!

[omphalosParticipant]

The best thing for his career money-wise is to go somewhere he’ll be healthy – that is to say, Phoenix. If he can prove his health at Phoenix, some team will offer him big money and forget about his past (see Amare, Nash being offered way too much by teams who thought their good health would carry over to a new team).

[omphalosParticipant]

The best thing for his career money-wise is to go somewhere he’ll be healthy – that is to say, Phoenix. If he can prove his health at Phoenix, some team will offer him big money and forget about his past (see Amare, Nash being offered way too much by teams who thought their good health would carry over to a new team).

[XYRYXParticipant]

I hope he ends up in Cleveland. It was already reported the Cavs and the Heat were in the mix for several months now. Cleveland has way deeper pockets and the former Ohio State Buckeyes standout would be a great story there!

In the end I’m really happy for him he was given the chance to try a comeback!

Furthermore I’m interested to see if he now has surpassed Bill Russell as the oldest looking former basketball player face.

[XYRYXParticipant]

I hope he ends up in Cleveland. It was already reported the Cavs and the Heat were in the mix for several months now. Cleveland has way deeper pockets and the former Ohio State Buckeyes standout would be a great story there!

In the end I’m really happy for him he was given the chance to try a comeback!

Furthermore I’m interested to see if he now has surpassed Bill Russell as the oldest looking former basketball player face.

[WrecklessParticipant]

Phoenix, San Antonio, and Miami seem like great fits. I’d love to see him in San Antonio though.

[WrecklessParticipant]

Phoenix, San Antonio, and Miami seem like great fits. I’d love to see him in San Antonio though.

[CynthiaParticipant]

Yay! I really hope he makes it this time, it’s been hard to watch as he’s been a walking injury. I wish him the best and am excited to see him back on the court.

As far as where he goes I think it doesn’t matter, I’m sure he’d be happy just to have a roster spot at this point. Really just about any team in the league could use a “backup” Center of his caliber.

[CynthiaParticipant]

Yay! I really hope he makes it this time, it’s been hard to watch as he’s been a walking injury. I wish him the best and am excited to see him back on the court.

As far as where he goes I think it doesn’t matter, I’m sure he’d be happy just to have a roster spot at this point. Really just about any team in the league could use a “backup” Center of his caliber.

[PabloFiascoParticipant]

I sure hope Cleveland signs him. That lineup (pending who they draft at SF) would be nice to watch compete

[PabloFiascoParticipant]

I sure hope Cleveland signs him. That lineup (pending who they draft at SF) would be nice to watch compete

[HobbyOGParticipant]

Not a Miami fan, but if I was him I would go there. With Bron and them he wouldn’t have any high expectations and wouldn’t be asked to do anything spectacular, just rebound and defend.

[TyroberParticipant]

That is all he will be asked to do anywhere. Nobody is going to expect much from him at all so anything he gives you will be great.

[TyroberParticipant]

That is all he will be asked to do anywhere. Nobody is going to expect much from him at all so anything he gives you will be great.

[HobbyOGParticipant]

Not a Miami fan, but if I was him I would go there. With Bron and them he wouldn’t have any high expectations and wouldn’t be asked to do anything spectacular, just rebound and defend.

[Memphis MadnessParticipant]

He can come to Memphis to reunite with Mike Conley. He would also be a perfect backup to Marc Gasol. He could also play some twin towers with Gasol at the 4.

If I were him I would go to a contender. If not Memphis, then I think OKC would be a great fit for him. He would work well with Serge Ibaka (Ibaka has some range even though he struggled), and would be an instant upgrade over Kendrick Perkins.

Or, he could go to San Antonio and learn from Tim Duncan.

If he actually is in great shape, and can play this year, I think he should give the Blazers a shot at him. They were very patient and supportive of him. With the Blazers looking promising, Oden could be the missing piece inside. I kind of would like to see him signing a modest deal with Portland then he seeing him help turn Portland into a contender. That would be a great story.

[Memphis MadnessParticipant]

He can come to Memphis to reunite with Mike Conley. He would also be a perfect backup to Marc Gasol. He could also play some twin towers with Gasol at the 4.

If I were him I would go to a contender. If not Memphis, then I think OKC would be a great fit for him. He would work well with Serge Ibaka (Ibaka has some range even though he struggled), and would be an instant upgrade over Kendrick Perkins.

Or, he could go to San Antonio and learn from Tim Duncan.

If he actually is in great shape, and can play this year, I think he should give the Blazers a shot at him. They were very patient and supportive of him. With the Blazers looking promising, Oden could be the missing piece inside. I kind of would like to see him signing a modest deal with Portland then he seeing him help turn Portland into a contender. That would be a great story.

[Memphis MadnessParticipant]

If OKC got him that would be HUGE. He would be a legit big man next to Serge Ibaka or next to Collison off the bench. Then they can use the Raptors pick on a play maker like MCW instead of using it on a big man project.

[Memphis MadnessParticipant]

If OKC got him that would be HUGE. He would be a legit big man next to Serge Ibaka or next to Collison off the bench. Then they can use the Raptors pick on a play maker like MCW instead of using it on a big man project.

[JCliff24Participant]

We cant win championships here in Cleveland, but boy oh boy, look at the Cleveland Clinic!
Still hoping to see him on my Cavs! lol

[JCliff24Participant]

We cant win championships here in Cleveland, but boy oh boy, look at the Cleveland Clinic!
Still hoping to see him on my Cavs! lol

[LipstickParticipant]

He’s already made $23 million from his rookie contact, so money isn’t that big of a deal.

[LipstickParticipant]

He’s already made $23 million from his rookie contact, so money isn’t that big of a deal.

[Malik-UniversalParticipant]

I hate when ppl call him a bust.. its not his fault hes had terrible luck with knees

[Malik-UniversalParticipant]

I hate when ppl call him a bust.. its not his fault hes had terrible luck with knees

[OhCanada-Participant]

People seem to forget how good Oden could be. This guy is a double double machine. If healthy Oden would easily be able to start on at least 20 NBA teams.

[OhCanada-Participant]

People seem to forget how good Oden could be. This guy is a double double machine. If healthy Oden would easily be able to start on at least 20 NBA teams.

[marcusfizer21Participant]

I’m rooting for Greg Oden all the way… 

[marcusfizer21Participant]

I’m rooting for Greg Oden all the way… 

[AusBobParticipant]

Miami Heat with a healthy Oden & Anderson would be a scary combination.

[AusBobParticipant]

Miami Heat with a healthy Oden & Anderson would be a scary combination.

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