web analytics
<
Tag Archive - Greg Oden out for season

It’s Not So Easy

December 7, 2009 in by with 7 Comments

The circumstances and implications of Greg Oden’s nightmarish weekend are certainly ‘news,’ but to convey these happenings with the cold, clinical approach of an AP-style report is downright cruel. This is a tragedy in the truest sense, and though the final acts have yet to be written, it’s difficult to shake the overwhelming feeling that things are bound to get even worse before they get better.

I want to make one thing abundantly clear, and it’s a shame that this really needs to be reiterated: Greg Oden is not Sam Bowie. He is not Bill Walton. And at the same time, he is not Bill Russell, or Dikembe Mutombo, just as he’s not Shaquille O’Neal or Dwight Howard. Greg Oden is Greg Oden, and though that may not always be a beautiful thing on a basketball court, it’s an effective one.

It’s both simple and convenient to toss around Oden’s name with the NBA poster children for frequent injury. But sometimes NBA players avoid such convenient classification, and to me Oden is such a player. Kelly Dwyer nailed that point home with a magazine full of bullets at the beginning of last season, and another injury to Oden’s medical record doesn’t radically change what should be obvious: the man has had his fair share of injuries and he’s had some terrible luck. He’s had surgery on one knee, a kneecap problem in the other, a broken wrist, and a few sprains and twists. Hardly a clean bill of health, but there’s still a dramatic difference between Oden and those whose careers have been destroyed by new incisions on old scar tissue.

And because Greg Oden is Greg Oden (and no one else), his fractured patella is not just a line on a Wikipedia page or a quip in a blog post. This is a night that will forever change Oden’s career. And not only because a recovery from knee surgery could leave Greg a step slower or a bit less confident in his own skin, but because any injury-prone label he once had is now tattooed to his forehead. Fans, players, coaches, GMs, front office officials, talking heads, barbers, lawyers, trainers, beat reporters, and newborn babies will be active participants in creating and reinforcing a new aspect of our basketball consciousness: the notion that Greg Oden is a tremendous bust, and is destined to face injury for the rest of his career. It’s hardly a fair assessment to make about a 21 year-old, but if we as a society can’t understand sports in an easily digestible capsule of generalization and hyperbole, we can’t understand it at all.

So Oden will be left to walk alone, surrounded by a cloud of doubt, while the same fans that doubt his talent and durability openly praise DeJuan Blair. The man with no ACLs managed to slip through the cracks on draft day, and though the hype has been fully eclipsed by Jennings and ‘Reke fever, Blair is still considered a prize of the 2009 draft class. As a second rounder, it’s impossible to dispute Blair’s value. But while Oden is mocked for his inability to stay on the floor, Blair is beloved for fighting to ‘prove the scouts wrong,’ even if the balls of styrofoam in his knees act as a ticking time bomb for his career. I completely agree that taking Blair was not only a calculated risk, but a brilliant choice. But I also add the caveat that Blair is nowhere near the player Oden is. In this case perception is everything, and Oden’s significantly higher draft position distorts our ability to project expectations.

Here, again, is where that infamous Blazer of old comes into play. As Kevin Durant’s star rises with each day and each silky jumper, the Oden-Bowie comparisons will only spread. But Sam Bowie is essentially a myth, a creature who once roamed the Earth with promise, only to fall victim to a supernatural snake in the proverbial grass. I do think there was a legitimate school of thought that considered Michael Jordan to be a great in the making, but to claim that anyone within the Bulls organization had a firm grasp on what MJ was or what he would become is poppycock.

As Jordan bound up the league hierarchy, it’s understandable that those of Blazer Nation would have felt some anxiety over Bowie’s injuries. Those injuries precluded him from absolving himself and the organization of a draft day ‘blunder,’ even if the casual fan expects perfect science from the art of the NBA draft. No one ever said that picking superstars out of a lineup would be easy, and to turn Bowie into a punchline over medical history is ridiculous. The year was 1984, Bowie was a talented center out of a big-time college program, and he figured to be a franchise cornerstone (alongside Drexler) for years to come.

We all know how the story unfolds, and even though Bowie’s injury history and the greatness of that ’84 draft class have radically changed how we evaluate Portland’s choice, it’s not always about getting the best player possible or unearthing the prize of the draft. The managers who consistently succeed in the NBA draft are those who look to pick for value, not necessarily the highest value; while you’d like to end up with the best player in the draft or the best player available, it’s much more important that you come out of the draft with something, with a player able to contribute to your team (or at least act as trade bait) in a meaningful way. Bowie may not have been Jordan or Barkley or Stockton, but who’s to say he wouldn’t have been an impressive player in his own right if given a full head of steam and a reasonable shot at establishing his young career? And even if Oden never gets the best of Durant, isn’t it enough for G.O. to develop into a high-quality starting center and a bonafide defensive presence?

I know that there are few topics beaten to death more thoroughly or more frequently than the selection of Sam Bowie, but the fact that his name and Oden’s are inextricably linked really irks me. That’s nothing against Bowie, who ended up with a decent career, and it’s not meant to elevate Oden, who still has plenty to prove. A few basic similarities just aren’t enough to equate the two. And though I’ve been discussing the two in comparable terms, there’s a glaring difference between the Bowie narrative and the Oden one: one of them isn’t over. Not even close. While it’d be nice to see Oden further along at 21, every misstep is not an apocalypse. Every ankle sprain or knee injury should not have anyone fearing the end of days. There’s nothing but time for The Big Chill to get his career back on track. The clouds look dark today, but a in a year? When Oden is still just 22? And still a seven footer? And still one of the best offensive rebounders in the league, a shot-blocking force, and an emerging post threat? Maybe we’ll hear a different tune. 2010-2011 seems like a world away for those who look at each game under a microscope, and I’m sure that every second of it will be painful for Oden. But when all is said and done, this is just a row on the back of a basketball card.

This all means a hell of a lot to Oden and a hell of a lot to the Blazers, as it should. But happily-never-after declarations on Oden’s career are as ridiculous and lazy as they sound. We’re not even to the meat of Oden’s narrative, so why would it make sense to write his career synopsis? I’m not saying that Greg Oden will be anyone but Greg Oden, but here’s the thing: even after everything that’s happened, even after this latest injury, that may be enough.

Greg Oden Likely Out For Season With Fractured Patella

December 5, 2009 in by with 3 Comments

Well it’s been confirmed, the Blazers have told assembled media that Oden is “likely out for the season with a fractured patella.”

This follows Oden’s repeated knee injuries. Oden had finally made it to where he was starting to make an impact, he had everything going. He was finally turning into what everyone had said he would. This is crushing for everyone that loves the NBA. We’ll be updating with takes from sources as the night goes on.

Via Pelton:

I’ve got an e-mail in to Prospectus injury expert Will Carroll for more, but I found one other NBA player who suffered a fractured patella–then-Washington Wizards forward Jarvis Hayes, who was injured in late December 2005. Hayes did not apparently initially undergo surgery, but then had the procedure in mid-February 2006 when the patella failed to respond to non-surgical treatment. He missed the remainder of the season, but returned to play 163 out of a possible 164 games the following two seasons.

Of course, L.A. Clippers rookie Blake Griffin is still sidelined by an injury to his patella, but Griffin suffered a stress fracture. Oddly, L.A. Lakers center Andrew Bynum–another promising 7-footer who has faced injuries early in his career–missed an extended period following an injury to his patella during the 2007-08 season, but that was a subluxation of the kneecap (essentially a partial dislocation).

From the ever popular Canzano:

Now, this.

The Blazers didn’t have enough players to run a full practice last week, which is why McMillan ended up in a drill with an achilles that ultimately wouldn’t cooperate. Oden is gone, too, now and I suppose a lot of teams would fold up right about now.

This will undoubtedly bring back the “Sam Bowie” chorus from around the country. No matter how unfair, until Oden makes a full season — or five — without significant injury, that talk isn’t going to stop.

What will Portland do now?

I’m hoping the Blazers will rally around their bad luck. I see so many teams manufacture “Us vs. The World” scenarios that are designed to give them an emotional lift. I’m wondering if the Blazers don’t have an “Us vs. Fate” issue brewing that could serve as a unifying moment for a team that badly needs one.

We’re not far off from the franchise holding an open tryout, either. The casualties are mounting, maybe everything was coming together too cleanly, too quickly for the organization. General manager Kevin Pritchard, and assistant GM Tom Penn will now have to manufacture a move to bring talent between now and February’s trade deadline if the Blazers want to be a serious postseason player in 2009-2010.

We’ve been told all along that the team’s depth was its best ally. And we’ve watched this team struggle to come together all season, including the addition of guard Andre Miller. They’ve found some cohesion at moments, but never for an extended stretch. And so here they are… with the locker room whittled down to a few determined guys who will have to play additional minutes.

Oden is out, again.

Simmons even feels bad.

By the way, cheap research is useless. Via Wikipedia, THE ENTIRE ARTICLE:

A patella fracture is a fracture of the kneecap. It is usually the result of a hard blow to the front of the knee. Treatment options for patella fracture include nonsurgical and surgical options, depending on the type of fracture.

Via Wikipedia is this article from Duke Orthopaedics, including:

- Complications of Patella Fracture:
- infection (which communicates with the knee joint)
- loss of reduction
- failure of internal fixation
- avascular necrosis:
- patella has two main areas of blood supply (see blood supply)
- one penetrates middle third of anterior surface, & other enters at lower pole behind patellar ligament;
- delayed union
- non union
- delayed union is recognized by failure of trabeculae to bridge between patellar frags, as noted on x-rays 2 mo after injury;
- typically frxs will have > 2 mm of gap between fracture fragments;
- non union can be diagnosed after 3-4 months of treatment;
- occassionally elderly patients tolerate nonunions well, however, younger patients do not tolerate nonunion;
- nonunion is most common in transverse frxs, but may be seen in comminuted frxs that have failed to acheive internal fixation;
- partial or total patellectomy is preferred in most pts w/ non union, esp if disuse osteoporosis or AVN is present
- malunion
- chondromalacia
- traumatic arthritis of the patellofemoral joint
- quadriceps weakness
- extensor lag
- avascular necrosis of the polar fragments
- arthrofibrosis of the knee joint;

Andy Katz joins those who feel terrible for the Big Guy

There’s a picture of the knee post-injury. It’s graphic. I’m not posting it, but in the interest of understanding how severe the injury is, here’s a link. I’ll take this down in about ten minutes when my conscience catches up with me. Jesus, poor kid.

From the Blazers’ Twitter Feed:

Oden: “I’m obviously disappointed having worked so hard to get to where I was,” said Greg Oden. ” This is a setback, but I’ll be back.

Here’s a piece from About.com, again, super reliable, but I’d expect expert discussion at basketball sites by Monday morning. Until then…

When is surgery necessary for a patella fracture?
Patients with nondisplaced, or minimally displaced, fractures who can perform a straight leg raise (as described above) can usually be treated without surgery. A long leg cast or a knee immobilizer can be used for treatment of these types of patellar fractures.

When surgery is necessary, an incision is made over the front of the knee joint. The fractured ends are realigned and held in place with some combination of pins, screws, and wires. In some cases, a portion of the patella can simply be removed, but this is usually done for smaller fracture fragments.

And here’s a lot of stuff that will mean nothing if you’re not a doctor, but is relevant.

Dave from BE with the brilliance you’d expect, including this:

For me, and I believe for the Blazers, Oden is still the right guy.  I would not want anyone else.  I’ve been watching this game for a long time.  I’ve been through the 62 stages of early fandom and have managed to come through passion intact but also, I hope, with a pretty good sense of distinguishing truth from wishes, that which is solid from that which is just convenient and noisy.  Greg has shown me something.  Even as raw as he is, even as little as we’ve seen of him compared to what we’d wish, his presence on the court is unique among his teammates and has the potential to be unique in this league.  More to the point, for the Blazers he has the potential to do something that a scoring small forward, speedy point guard, or burly power forward does not:  decisively fill–nay, overflow–a hole that potentially stands between us and a championship.  If Brandon Roy and LaMarcus Aldridge weren’t already on this team I might not be saying that.  If we didn’t have a glut of scoring forwards and guards besides I might not be saying that.  If I didn’t have faith that management will eventually settle the point guard position I might not be saying that.  But when push comes to shove the guy in the middle is still the hardest to find and a guy with the potential to bend the game like Oden does is all but impossible to find.  Other players would make this team better right now.  But I’m not as confident that other players would end up being the potential championship piece for this team in this situation that Greg Oden could be.

Take whoever you want.  Make whatever comparisons you want.  Give me #52.  Then talk to me in a decade and let’s see who came out ahead.  Greg was quoted by the Blazers, saying “I’m obviously disappointed having worked so hard to get to where I was. This is a setback, but I’ll be back.”  And we’ll be cheering for you:  now, then, and after.

After Simmons prompted, Carroll updated again, essentially saying this injury’s freak and will have no impact or correlation with the microfracture. So good news, he’s not having a recurring injury. Bad news, he’s apparently under some voodoo curse. THE POWER OF CHRIST COMPELS YOU!

Loading image

Click anywhere to cancel

Image unavailable

Loading image

Click anywhere to cancel

Image unavailable

Loading image

Click anywhere to cancel

Image unavailable