Truth & Rumors > NBA

Oden's goal: Rookie of the Year

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He was drafted more than 14 months ago, and even then he looked too old to be a first-year player, so it's easy to forget that Greg Oden is technically a rookie. Sidelined all season after knee surgery, the top pick in the 2007 draft never got to compete with No. 2 selection Kevin Durant for the Rookie of the Year award. So he's eligible to win it this year, and that's one of his goals. "I hope so," Oden said Thursday. "I'm working for it."

Associated Press

Greg Oden, Streeter Lecka/Getty Images Greg Oden, Streeter Lecka/Getty Images
September 9, 2008  07:04 AM ET

Hope he can stay healthy and do well. He has had issues awhile but can be a beast inside.

September 9, 2008  07:40 AM ET

If healthy it's his for the taking. I'm not sold on Beasleys predicted 18/10/2 season.

September 9, 2008  08:09 AM ET

I think it will be tough for him to get ROY. Unless he can put up many points then he has a chance. But the team has to many firepower and he might just be a supporting cast this year. In order for Portland to win they have to keep it in a team concept and get everybody involve. OJ Mayo, Derrick Rose, and Beastley might have something to say to that. Their team are in dire need of a leader and scorer.

September 9, 2008  08:25 AM ET

ROY is a stretch at this point. If Oden can be a contributing factor to the Blazers, he will have done all that is expected of him.

September 9, 2008  08:49 AM ET

If he stays healthy I can see him, Mayo, and Beasley having an awesome Rookie of the Year race.

September 9, 2008  08:58 AM ET

I would concentrate on nothing more than gaining weight and improving your footwork.......Clumsy big men who are thin will get eaten alive in the NBA-

This isn't ollege or HS where your height alone will get you by

September 9, 2008  09:03 AM ET

You think your gonna win rookie of the year over Beasley u must have gotten slapped silly 2 decieve yourself!

September 9, 2008  09:10 AM ET

AJINCA FOR THE BOBCATS

September 9, 2008  10:39 AM ET

JGB are you serious greg oden was 280 pounds after spending time in the weight room last year and the blazers front office told him to lay off the weights because he was too big. you don't know what you are talking about

September 9, 2008  10:40 AM ET

here is your link for proof
http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/news/story?id=3115030

September 9, 2008  10:42 AM ET

I don't think you should be eligible for rookie of the year just because you missed a season due to injury. Technically speaking the guy is in the 2nd year of his NBA contract.

September 9, 2008  10:49 AM ET

Jgb, you must not who Oden is or else you have him mistaken for some one else, oden has had a NBA ready body since high school, much like Lebron. you might be right about his footwork, every big man needs to work on his footwork, unless your name is Tim Duncan, but he's more of a power forward than a true center. The race for ROY comes down to Beasley, Rose, Mayo, and Oden. The front runner for me is Rose, who will have the ball in his hand 90 percent of the time.

September 9, 2008  10:51 AM ET

You want it!!! Go get it big man!!!

September 9, 2008  12:14 PM ET

Oden is not going to win ROY because he's not expected to shoulder the offense, other than a few pick and roll dunks and garbage points.

His value will be interior defense and rebounds, something Portland was weak at last year.

That said, Oden has a better chance to win DPOY than ROY.

September 9, 2008  12:26 PM ET

Oden has been chomping at the bit for a whole year now to show all those doubters that he's the real deal and not a bust. Had he played last season, he'd already have this award. The Sonics should have taken Oden.

September 9, 2008  12:26 PM ET

"Jgb, you must not who Oden is or else you have him mistaken for some one else, "

No...I know who he is. The guy returning from microfracture sx,
the guy who played hurt at OSU, the guy that looks like he is 57.

- I'm NOT saying he will be a bust.....just that basically EVERY big man
needs time to develop before they hit their NBA stride (if they develop)

I don't care how unstoppable he was vs little kids in HS or college kids.....this is the NBA. Big boy league.

September 9, 2008  12:49 PM ET

JGB: Some are more ready than others. Take Shawn Kemp for example. He was raw but after one season, he was pretty much tearing it up. Oden will be ready.

September 9, 2008  12:56 PM ET

He's going to play one year and then retire at 58 yrs of age ..

September 9, 2008  12:56 PM ET

What's up SkyBill40?

The Sonics picked Durrant because they were not in position to pick Oden.

Actually, I am disappointed that Kevin Pritchard was not able to grab both Oden AND Durrant last year.

You know...like when he punked the Bulls and T-Wolves in getting Roy and Aldridge. LOL

Oden is not going to be a bust. There is no fear there. I see him being a OLDER looking version of Mutombo who will dominate in rebounds and blocked shots, with a few dunks thrown in there.

Hllywd will be blogging about how wrong he has been about Oden come January.

 
September 9, 2008  01:13 PM ET

Plan A) Be Healthy, Plan B) Be Healthier, Plan C) Stay Healthy - the rest should take care of itself !!!

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