PROTECT THE PAINT

Greg Oden had a career night scoring 24 points last night for the Portland Trail Blazers. He went 7-8 from the floor while dropping in 10-12 from the free throw line. He rounded out his best scoring game yet by grabbing 6 offensive rebounds (12 total) with 2 blocked shots.

Those are all star caliber numbers. After his rugged rookie season last year it is hard to imagine this fast a turnaround.

Oden is emerging into the player people thought he could be when selected with the number one pick in 2007. If he continues at this level the Blazers will expedite their ascension into the Western Conference elite this year.

If Oden becomes a focal point of the opposition’s defensive strategy,  life becomes easier for Brandon Roy and LaMarcus Aldridge.

Creating points by corralling the offensive glass and making a high amount of free throws has been a productive formula for Oden.

Don't these guys know I am 80% from the line this year?

His spike from 63.7% to 79.1% from the line is a monstrous improvement.

This means a team cannot commit hard fouls strategically expecting Oden will not convert. The result? More easy buckets for the big man and less wear and tear for the player dubbed “injury prone”.

Oden needs to reduce his foul rate, but it appears Nate McMillan is committed to let him play through them.  Based on how he has already improved multiple facets of his game, it’s safe to envision he will reduce his foul rate over time.

Greg Oden is overcoming the whispers that he is a bust. He is proving people wrong one game at a time with remarkable strides in his play.

He might never be an elite center the hype surrounding him out of college suggested, but last nights performance proves he is capable of big things, and he has been averaging 18 PPG, 8 RPG, and 2 BPG over his last 3 games.

Not bad for a 21-year-old playing his second season at the hardest position for a young player to be good at.

Similar Posts:

• Greg Oden Nude Photos
• Brandon Roy Maximizes his Contract to that of his Game
• Will the Real Greg Oden Please Stand up?
• NBA NEWS: Marcus Camby Sprains Ankle
• Juwan Howard is 37 and the Trail Blazers Starting Center