Greg Oden's Summer of 2009: Road to Redemption

On July 25th 2009, Greg Oden made is first game appearance with Team USA Basketball. He participated in the end week scrimmage to cap off the 2009 Team USA Summer Mini camp; a tryout of sorts for some of the best young players hoping to fill limited spots on the United States National Team. The former Lawrence North, and Ohio State center finished with 7 points and 10 rebounds in about 24 minutes of play. This was an okay game for Oden, however, his numbers in this scrimmage were of little importance compared to the bigger storyline of a recovering player who emerged from mini-camp in commendable shape, mentally and physically.

Prior to arriving in Las Vegas for Team USA tryouts, Oden worked out in Columbus, Ohio with former NBA player Brian Grant, Portland Trailblazers assistant coaches Bill Bayno, Kaleb Canales, strengh & conditioning coach Bobby Medina, as well as Ohio States coaches Alan Major and Thad Matta. These workouts emphasized footwork, various post moves, more strength training, but most of all conditioning, conditioning, and conditioning. Now simply having the basic ability to practice during the summer off-season is an accomplishment in itself for Oden. It greatly contrasts with last summer, where Greg could only slowly rehab a knee that underwent microfracture surgery..no running..no jumping..no practicing at full go..just recovering.

Moreover, now that I think about it, and it is kind of a scary thought, this summer of 2009 is the first summer since the start of Greg's Senior Year in High School that Oden has been able to practice at near or full health in an offseason. He had a wrist injury that he suffered towards the end of his LN career that prevented him from from practing full go before Ohio State, he even missed the start of the season. The next summer he obviously had surgery, and last offeason he was still rehabbing. I really do not think it is a coincidence that Oden seems a little stronger mentally, and just at peace in general this summer. After all, basketball players want and need to play to get better.

As Oden began to practice with other members of the United States select team, the results of his time Columbus were clear for everyone to see. Oden looked much leaner than his rookie playing weight. He ran the floor confidently, his lateral quickness of defense looked improved as well. Not convinced, here is video evidence from Day One of the Mini Camp brought to you by Iamablazersfan,



In addition to displaying his improved physical condition, Oden got down to work and showed everyone, his peers and his evaluators what he does best, play defense and rebound. Greg controlled the paint throughout the week long mini camp, showing the true value of a big time defensive presence down low. And this had to be an extremely welcomed sight to Jerry Colangelo, Portland Head Coach Nate McMillan, who is an assistant to Team USA head coach Coach K, and the rest of the Team USA staff. I mean if everything went right in the past, a healthy Greg Oden would have probably played with the National Team as early as 2006 for the World Championships. Here Oden finally displayed the traits that Team USA has been courting for three years. And I think it is safe to say that if he is healthy, Oden will most likely be one of the young players to be added to the Senior National Team for the 2010 World Championships Tournament in Turkey. Adding Oden will finally solidify the five position by adding a true backup center to Dwight Howard. (IMO Durant & Rose are the two other locks)

This has been a sucessful summer for Greg Oden so far. He has been able to go back to Ohio State, get in better shape. Plus he was able to showcase his hardwork on the illuminated stage of Team USA tryouts. What has emerged is a player in better shape mentally and physically, a hungry player, a player hungry for redemption.

(In the next installment of Road to Redemption, I will breakdown Greg's rookie season, and what he needs to do to have a breakout sophmore season. I will also destroy some of the critics who feel the need to put premature lables on a 2nd year NBA player :) tata)