During the 2007 NBA draft, the Portland Trail Blazers selected Greg Oden as the No. 1 overall pick. In the upcoming season, there are high expectations from this team and obviously everybody is focused on Oden’s performance.
Oden’s previous year
When Oden was selected his fans were very excited, however prior to the beginning of the previous season, there was microfracture surgery on the right knee of Oden. It was expected that he would recover in half a year, but the Blazers selected the safe side and announced that he was out for the season. While Oden was recovering and rehabilitating, the team decided to have Oden visible and involved. He was allowed to perform special appearances. He went on some road trips and was present on the bench in street clothes. He created his own blog and supported Barack Obama for the post of President. He had a new dog called Charles Barkley McLovin’ with whom he created a strong bond. In the summer season, Oden returned to school and due to his all-in-good-fun trial at karaoke became a YouTube sensation.
Oden’s statistics
During his singular season at Ohio State, Oden has an average of 15.7 points and 9.6 rebounds per game. Excluding these games, Oden has participated in just a handful of games in the previous year. In the national championship game, while his team lost to Florida, he scored 25 points and grabbed 12 rebounds.
The observers have hinted that during this period, Oden’s behavior altered from fun-loving to grave. His play during the preseason appeared uninspired and the most possible reason was that the expectations had become a load on him.