C Greg Oden (Portland Trailblazers)

[OregonBuckeye]

Despite terrible weather, a lot of people showed up for the Greg Oden welcoming party.




Oden actually rode the max to Pioneer Square.

[starBUCKS]

Congrats Greg... I'm so happy for you. It's going to be nice to see some Buckeyes in the NBA since all we have seen is JJ, Redd and Funderburke recently.

[OSUBasketballJunkie]

Dispatch

NBA notebook
Oden creates stir in Portland

Saturday, June 30, 2007 3:22 AM



ASSOCIATED PRESS
BRUCE ELY Associated Press
Former Ohio State center Greg Oden, the NBA's No. 1 draft pick, speaks to Trail Blazers fans after being introduced during a rally at Pioneer Courthouse Square.


Brand-new Trail Blazers center Greg Oden quickly got a feel for life in Portland -- it rained.

The 7-foot center out of Ohio State, wearing a black T-shirt emblazoned with his last name, was introduced yesterday to Blazers fans at a lunchtime rally, some 16 hours after the team took him with the No. 1 pick in the NBA draft.
"I'm loving it here, and I'm going to have a smile on my face for a long time to come," Oden said.
Later in the day, Oden was at the Blazers' practice facility south of Portland where he received his official No. 52 jersey.
"It looks good," Oden said. "I like it."

Continued....

[osugrad21]

Canton

OSU's title loss still lingers with Oden
document.title = "OSU's title loss still lingers with Oden";Sunday, July 1, 2007
BY MIKE POPOVICH

Thursday was one of the biggest days of Greg Oden's life.

The 7-foot All-America center from Ohio State was selected first overall by Portland in the NBA Draft. The Trail Blazers were so excited over the pick, they rushed the court at a Rose Garden draft party when Oden's name was announced.

But the thrill of being chosen No. 1 and having a bright future ahead of him has not relieved a painful memory for Oden. He still is smarting from the Buckeyes' national championship game loss to Florida.

"I still lost," Oden said. "They still won two national championships in a row, and that doesn't change.

"This feels good, but it's two different categories. I'm always going to have that memory of that loss forever."

Cont...

[NJ-Buckeye]

ESPN - TrueHoop

Quick writes about a shocking offer Pritchard reportedly got at the draft combine: "Sitting high in the stands at the Milk House arena where the marginal prospects scrimmaged -- far from the courtside seats Pritchard so preferred -- Pritchard that morning was approached by a general manager of a Western Conference power. With bright lights illuminating the court below, Pritchard sat in a darkened corner with the general manager. The general manager wanted the Blazers' No. 1 pick. And he was willing to offer a player that will be a first-ballot Hall of Famer." I have heard this story more than once too, and once again I think you can figure it out. "A Western Conference power?" What's that, like Dallas, Phoenix, and San Antonio? You know we're not talking about Steve Nash 'cause the Suns' whole system only works with him. And at this point I'd say it's a stretch to call Dirk Nowitzki a sure-fire first-ballot Hall of Famer. So ... you're a smart kid. You figure it out. If it's true, that's shocking, right? I heard this rumor more than once before the draft, but never in a way that makes me feel certain it's true. It could have been a rumor started in Portland to drive up the value of the top overall pick.

[ScriptOhio]

PORTLAND, Ore. -- The Portland Trail Blazers announced Monday that they have signed Greg Oden, the No. 1 overall pick in last week's NBA draft.

Oden

In accordance with the NBA's collective bargaining agreement, Oden's deal will be for two years, with team options for the third and fourth seasons. Oden will make $3.885 million as a rookie and $4.176 in Year 2. If they pick up the option in the third year, his salary will be $4.476 million.

Entire article: ESPN - Oden signs Blazers contract, hits summer league - NBA

[OSU SPORTS]

A behind the scenes look at the Big Man in town. A brutus sighting, as well


Oden

[jwinslow]

Originally Posted by OSU SPORTS

Oden

[YOUTUBE]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QFI-vPc5nZQ[/YOUTUBE]

[Padraig]

That settles it. I have to see Transformers. If it gets that type of review from Greg, it's gotta be good.

Great video!

[OSU SPORTS]

How can you not like this kid. When you consider what Portland has endured with poor character players, they have every reason to be jacked up about Greg.

[BuckWrestler141]

Here is a music video for the song - "Heyyyy, we want Greg Oden!"

[YOUTUBE]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bnYgnGMMD2I[/YOUTUBE]

[Bestbuck36]

He's so funny. I have to admit I've never liked the Trailblazers but Greg Oden is going to be my favorite player in the NBA, bar none! Can't wait til they come to Phoenix next year.

[Buckskin86]

Oden struggles in career opener
Posted by The Oregonian July 06, 2007 23:44PM
Categories: Trail Blazers
BY JASON QUICK

LAS VEGAS -- The Greg Oden era started with an overwhelming thud Friday, when the No. 1 draft pick struggled mightily in his summer league debut, which exemplified a subpar performance by the Trail Blazers in a 74-66 loss to the Boston Celtics.

Oden amassed 10 fouls -- the summer league maximum -- in less than 21 minutes and finished with six points, two rebounds and two blocks. He had flashes of the dominance that many predicted, hitting a jump hook in the lane, which was followed by an emphatic block of Boston's Leon Powe, but for the most part, Oden looked out of sync and generally lost in his first experience against professional players.

"I didn't play too well," said Oden, who was as depressed and terse as he has shown since leaving Ohio State after his freshman season. "I didn't play hard enough, and when you don't play hard, you don't win."

Oden struggles in career opener - OregonLive.com: Sports Updates from The Oregonian

[OSUsushichic]

Seeing the big picture

Blazers will bring Oden along slowly

By Shira Springer, Globe Staff | July 7, 2007

LAS VEGAS -- When Greg Oden looked toward the bendable, but not unbreakable, basket stanchion at one end of Cox Pavilion, he flashed the gap-toothed grin that is quickly becoming his trademark. Oden saw potential for a show-stopper.

The Portland Trail Blazers' 7-footer hopes to throw down a power dunk capable of separating the rim from the backboard, maybe even the backboard from its stanchion, during the 10-day NBA Summer League.

Seeing the big picture - The Boston Globe

[OSUBasketballJunkie]

Dispatch

NBA Summer League
Oden runs into foul trouble in debut with 10 personals

Sunday, July 8, 2007 3:54 AM



From staff reports
Isaac Brekken Associated Press
Greg Oden is playing for the Portland Trail Blazers in the NBA summer league.


LAS VEGAS -- Greg Oden's foul problems followed him to the NBA.

Oden, a Portland Trail Blazers center and the first overall pick in the draft in June, picked up three quick fouls in the opening three minutes of his professional debut Friday night in the Las Vegas summer league and fouled out with 10 fouls.
"It's amazing," Oden said. "I usually get thrown out after five."
League rules allow 10 before disqualification.
"It's a different game (in comparison to college). They call it different," Oden said. "There are a lot of things you can't do with hand movements and hand checks."

Continued....