Greg Oden
Gregory Wayne " Greg" Oden Jr. ( born January 22, 1988 in Buffalo, New York ) is an American professional basketball player who was at the Miami Heat in the NBA under contract. He is 2.13 m tall and plays at the center position. Oden has been compared due to his physique and outstanding athleticism with Shaquille O'Neal, is similar in style of play but rather Bill Russell and Patrick Ewing. Ultimately, however, he was known mainly by its susceptibility to injury.
Career
College
On 29 June 2005 Oden was together with his high school teammate Mike Conley, Jr. announced that he would visit the Ohio State University from the 2006-2007 season. Unfortunately, he had to pause at the beginning of the season due to an injury to his right wrist. He could give his college basketball debut until 2 December 2006, but impressed here with 14 points, 10 rebounds and 5 blocks. Steve Kerr described him as a " once-in -a- decade player" ( a player who is so good that it exists only once in a decade ). On 6 March 2007 Oden was appointed to the All- Big Ten First Team and the All-Defensive Team and named Defensive Player of the Year his Conference. In the Sweet Sixteen tournament, Oden spectacular block a play decisive throw in the game against Tennessee at his team to secure the 85-84 victory. Then he led his team to the Memphis Tigers and the Georgetown Hoyas past to the finals in 2007, where the Ohio State Buckeyes despite 25 points, 12 rebounds and 4 blocks from Oden failed due to the Florida Gators.
On 26 March 2007 Oden alongside Kevin Durant, Arron Afflalo, Alando Tucker and Acie Law IV was chosen for Team Associated Press All-American. Oden and Durant were the first two players who were in their first year of college and which was bestowed this honor since 1990. Throughout his high school and college career, Oden has never lost a home game.
Portland Trail Blazers (2007-2012)
Before the NBA Draft 2007, there was a long debate on who should be drafted in the first place: Greg Oden or Kevin Durant? On 29 June 2007, the Portland Trail Blazers Oden decided in the first place of the NBA to choose Drafts 2007. In September 2007, Oden underwent microfracture of the knee, which is why it turned out the entire NBA season 2007/ 08. In the 2008 /09 NBA season, he finally made his debut. Since he previously participated in any game of the year, he was this season as a rookie. In the first half of the season he came as a backup center Joel Przybilla colleagues on the pitch, but in the second half of the season he could supplant him on the bench. Oden scored an average of 8.9 points, 7.0 rebounds and 1.0 blocks per game. With the Blazers he reached the playoffs, but then failed on the Houston Rockets. The NBA season 2009/10 started promisingly until the kneecap broke and after 21 games turned out for the rest of the season on December 5, 2009.
On 17 November 2010 the Blazers announced that Oden would have to undergo further surgery so he will turn the entire NBA season 2010/11. After the season, the Trail Blazers extended his contract for another year. However, in early February 2012 it was announced that he has to undergo another operation on his right knee and he will miss the NBA season 2011/12 complete. On 15 March 2012, he was dismissed from the Trail Blazers. He later explained that he wants to expose the NBA season 2012/13 in order to cure his injuries.
Miami Heat (2013 /14)
After exposure of the NBA season 2012/ 13, Oden decided to make a comeback and signed a one-year contract with the NBA champion Miami Heat to play alongside LeBron James, Dwyane Wade and Chris Bosh. On October 24, 2013 he scored his first points for Miami in a Presaison game. His first official game made Oden on 14 January 2014 in which he scored 6 points and 2 rebounds in 8 minutes.