Greg Oden to play in China

[Andrew]

Report: Greg Oden to Play in China

The chances of Greg Oden landing a secure spot on an NBA roster look more and more grim. Although he worked out with the Hornets and Mavericks earlier in the summer, reports now say the NBA’s No. 1 Draft pick from 2007 will sign with the Jiangsu Dragons of the Chinese Basketball Association.

So much for another NBA comeback attempt, but hey, if he gets to play pro basketball and is happy with that opportunity, more power to him.

[NovU]

This is one guy I really wanted to see successful comeback.

I'm writing him off now though, it's probably medically impossible.

But he still has chance to succeed at lower level of basketball in China. He's only year older than Hassan Whiteside who was great in Chinese league prior to joining the Heat.

[Stress Fracture]

I really feel sorry for him and the Blazers. They had the chance be special, injuries just fucked them.

If he works out there, then good.

[mp3]

The Blazers have being very unlucky with star injuries.

If Oden does go to China then I see him returning to the USA injured soon enough.

[NovU]

Btw if anyone noticed the Blazers are rather rebuilding in an interesting way. They seem to have gut out the roster yet signed undervalued players with upside which gives them tons of cap space for the future signings and still remains to be a mediocre team. This is different because we now days pretty much take tanking as a necessary part of rebuilding. Take 76ers as example, Hinkie rebuilds with draft picks but the Blazers wants to stay mediocre and looks to be one superstar signing away from contending in couple years.

[Andrew]

It's not that uncommon. It's kind of what the Bulls were doing for a while there, once they got past the worst of the post-championship years and started moving towards at least being a perennial Playoffs contender.

The 76ers themselves were kind of doing that before the current plan, too; settling for mediocrity and feasibly contending for the Playoffs.