NBA Summer League, Not So NBA at all...

With the NBA's Las Vegas Summer League wrapping up it has been bothering me hear from people already judging the players that participated as to how they will play in the NBA. For those that don't know the NBA summer leagues are games held in which NBA teams send rookies and players vying for a roster spot to play, showoff talent, and get ready for the upcoming season. Now with that said, it really bothers me how many people try to take these games, which are run by the NBA not actually NBA level games, and try to prove how certain players are going to dominate or struggle in the League.

For example this summer with Greg Oden and Kevin Durant, Portland and Seattle’s top draft picks, people are already trying to put too much emphasis on these players’ performances. Greg Oden has already been criticized for foul trouble and his offense, even though he was struggling through enflamed tonsils and not even able to play close to 100%, also lets not forget that this is his first time playing with NBA rules and this is the time where he is supposed to learn what an NBA foul is and isn’t. Also the refs are getting ready for the season also, so there is just a lot of work and learning going on.

There has been a load of hype around Portland and Seattle's top draft picks, but lets not already try to judge their game based on some very meaningless summer games played against some very weak competition. Lets all just wait until the actual NBA season arrives and these players actually get some real NBA experience in under their belts. You don't hear the announcers on T.V. during games talk about how that game that was played in Vegas over the summer really showed us why so and so did not do well in today’s regular season game, so why should we?

The summer leagues are great learning tools for young and unproven talents to work on the game and hopefully land a roster spot on an NBA team. So lets just let it be at that and enjoy getting to watch some of the games when the make rare appearances on FSN or NBAtv. The game is played in the winter, not the summer. Until then we will just have to wait to see how these players will actually turn out.

Oden's tonsils foul him out of summer league

Greg Oden is now not going to participate in any more of the Blazers summer league games. Unfortunately, He is suffering from tonsillitis that are said to be the size of golf balls, as well as a severe sinus infection. It is certainly a rough start to his NBA career. Oden also experienced a set back to his college career at Ohio State when he broke his wrist and played most of the season with it not completely healed. So, when it comes to luck when looking at his past two jumps into the next levels of his basketball career, there has been a lack there of.

There has been debate over weather Oden should take the court in a couple of weeks to participate in the U.S. national team mini camp in Las Vegas, but I think he should just take a break and get ready for the 82+ games for next season. There is no reason he should get involved with the U.S. national team because of his ccurrent heath condition. Yeah, it would be good to see Greg being coached along side Nate McMillan, but is it worth wearing the kid out before the season even starts?

Also, many people are looking at his statistics over the first two summer league games and are not impressed. This is what I have to say to all of those ignorant individuals: The big man is sick and can hardly breathe when he runs down the court. Give the guy a break! Yes, statistics and abundance of fouls that were recorded over the two games were nothing to boast about, but he seemed to blow away Pritchard. In the Oregonian he went on to say "my gosh, today especially in the scrimmages, he was as dominant as we have seen him. Good lord, how much more does he need to show us? I mean, he's not feeling well, and yet he is playing through it." That is exactly the kind of dedication that this whole team can build off of.

So sit at home big guy and enjoy some ice cream because in a few weeks you will be back on the court polishing your game for this season.

Blazers remain in search of a victory

Despite all of the hype following the Blazers selection of Greg Oden in this years NBA draft, the Blazers remain winless in summer league play at 0-2. I understand that summer league doesn't really matter but, it would be nice to see some victories. On the upside, Oden had a much better showing in the second game as he contributed 13 points, 5 rebounds and 5 blocks. Hopefully Oden and the Blazers can put a few more things together and find a victory on Wednesday at 7:30 p.m. when they take on the Lakers. Go Blazers!!

Footage of Greg Oden in Pioneer Square

To add on to Katie's post about Greg Oden taking the MAX to Pioneer Square, here is some footage.

Gotta be honest: it's pretty cool to see a #1 overall draft pick introduce his loved ones to an entire city.

Oden to Portland

So I am pretty excited that the Blazers picked Greg Oden as their #1 pick. It was a hard choice between him and Durant but I think they made the right choice. Hopefully Oden will bring life back into the Portland fans. It seems as if the Blazers are re-vamping the team to give it a new image, instead of the "jail blazers" which I feel is important to gain the fans back.
The best part of Oden's arrival to Portland was not that Paul Allen was "generous" enough to fly Oden in on his private jet to Portland, where a stretch limo then escorted him away from the airport. Which to me is funny the newscaster made a segment on the news about Oden arriving on Paul Allen's jet because honestly who cares? He had to get here some how to make it right away for the rally in Pioneer Square today so why not take Paul Allen's jet. What impressed me was that when Oden arrived to Pioneer Square today he did not show up in the jet or the stretch limo but rather on the MAX. It is very good of him to make the effort to be a Portlander and show his excitement to be here. It gained even more points for him from me that he did that.
My family got season tickets this year for the Blazers so you can bet I will be there in my Oden jersey cheering him on welcoming him to Portland.