Legends

Bill Russell, Bill Walton, David Robinson, Patrick Ewing, Bob Lanier, Ive seen tapes of all these guys before my freshman year of high school. The tapes were to help me see how these guys played mostly offensively. It was crazy watching how good they were and that they did it against the best in the world. Instead of tapes, how about I get schooled by all of them. They sit us all in the same room and let me ask questions and they let me in on anything they think I should know. Well that happened Wednesday morning, it was one of the greatest things to happen to me. I learned so much. It's amazing to even think about what things they let me into as a big man going into my rookie year. I didn't think I was even suppose to be in the same room with those guys. I'm not even drafted yet and someone decided to put me in a room with them. I am really blessed. They video taped it so it was just for a show but I learned so much. It was like a class that I was very much interested in. I was quiet most of the time, and when I did talk they told me to speak up. They said that when all of them came into the league there were soft spoken but as you get older, your mouth gets bigger. They even joke around with each other a lot. So it was fun and informative. I heard some Bill Russell stories that made me go dang, I didn't know you did all that. The one point he really got across to me is no matter what I do have fun. As much as I love my fans, what I learned from them was you have to draw lines. Bill Russell said to me that someone once told him that's the price you pay for being an athlete and what he said to me was "who decided that". He also said that they are looking at me to be grown-up and professional because I'm so tall. No one really looks at me as a 19 year old kid, and no one has for a while now. He gave me so much knowledge. All of those guys are really great teachers and I learned so much. I'm so thankful to everyone involved and for making it happen. I'm not going to give out the secret to being a big man in the NBA, but I'm just letting anyone who reads this know that there is one and I know it ;-}.

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• pistolpete said June 14, 2007

  This is your best stuff yet, Greg. It must have been amazing to sit in a room with those guys and know that you deserved to be there.

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• bjlincol said June 14, 2007

  I think I remember hearing stories of how Shaq used to get help from people like Kareem with his offensive game. Do you think you'll ask these historic guys for more ongoing help in order to learn new things? I bet they'd grant it.

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• seouljah84 said June 14, 2007

  hey it would be pretty sick if you entered the dunk contest did like dwight howard last year~ i heard you got hops! although howard did get robbed last year on that backboard dunk....

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• Chendaddy said June 14, 2007

  Hopefully in about 20 years, you're on the other side of that table schooling the next future great NBA center. Think you'll be rocking 11 championship rings like Bill Russell, though?

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• Sumit said June 14, 2007

  Come onnn, Whats the secret?
  
  Ill be your friend...

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• sleepyhungry said June 14, 2007

  The secret is: Practice.

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• YouGotOdenated said June 14, 2007

  1. Which is your favorite Olsen twin?
  2. Has there ever been a better athlete than Eddie Winslow?
  3. Besides Mark Titus?

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• Majpain said June 14, 2007

  Great stuff Oden.
  
  Someday you will be as great as them maybe even better. Hey can you go easy against Minny? I don't want you to make my team look bad heh. Check your messages big guy.

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• blazersssss said June 14, 2007

  if you want to watch videos on great offensive centers, better watch some hakeem olajuwon videos. coldest scoring center ever. you can go youtube olajuwon and watch him dominate david robinspn, if you haven't already seen it. so cold.

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• Tenacious_D said June 14, 2007

  Greg,
  
  I just wanted to thank you for taking the out of your busy schedule to chat on The Oregonlive website earlier today. You are a very humble person who would fit in perfect with our city's philosophy.
  
  Rip City is back in Portland and we are very excited for the opportunity to see you wearing a Blazer uniform (I know you don't care about the number you wear, but remember, one day that number will be hanging from the rafters of the Rose Garden along with the likes of Bill Walton, Clyde "The Glide" Drexler, and Marice "The Enforcer" Lucas).
  
  Best of luck and thank you for bringing some much needed excitement back to the Rose City

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• fr0arenas said June 14, 2007

  like BIG & 112 said ''SKY'S THE LIMIT''! for you young brother! you haven't even scratched the surface on your full potential! and that's scary my dude! you have a lot of all- star games to play in as well as 3 olympics to play in.( am i asking for too much? lol!) as far as who drafts you? IT DOESN'T MATTER! you will make an impact where ever you go! Again many blessings to your bright future ahead! OH YEAH, BRING BACK THAT STOLEN BIKE THAT ARGENTINA TOOK FROM OUR FRONT PORCH! ( SHOUT OUT TO THE BIG HOMIE Lebron!) peace!

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• Panthersfan said June 14, 2007

  Good luck to you Greg, your a great guy and we as fans appretiate you taking the time out of your day to come and chat with us, it's incredible to watch you play, and I wish you luck in the pros.

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• BuntCake said June 14, 2007

  the secret is...CALGON!

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• DennyGreen said June 15, 2007

  Man, I;m still mad at Bill Russell not giving me his autograph at Steak N Shake last year. Made me lose just a little bit of respect for him. As far as post moves go, Walton ad Jabbar are my 2 favorite. Maybe they got something in the water at UCLA.

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• KING2330 said June 15, 2007

  Good luck in the pros im sure you will be successful with advice from legends like Russell

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• StuntBunny said June 15, 2007

  Rock on Greg, I gotta say I always hear about new players having MJ in their phone on speed dial. I love your grasp for players like Bill Russell. A man who knows the importance of playing the game to win but with little boasting. I can't wait to see you play in the league and I hope you learn all that Russell has to offer.

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• FosterPowell said June 15, 2007

  Excellent post, Greg. Speaking of Walton...this is Blazermania: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=60YufHHchvI
  also http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L-MWtQ64rr4
  and http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z5EDdBSwmCE
  This is Blazermania..this is what we hope you, Brandon, LaMarcus, Sergio, and the other dudes can bring back to Portland. Rip City again! No pressure, of course. :)

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• cpzheng said June 15, 2007

  You were too modest Greg ^_^

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• KING_MILKY said June 15, 2007

  the most interesting part about this is how they told you, you are only 19 and people will expect more then what you might be able to give at you're age they do this with Lebron James too. people expect Lebron james to have put up more of a fight going really 1 on 5 against the spurs and you will have that same dilemma probably since you both are man childs and no one notices how young you two are and that you have a long time to develop into a hall of fame caliber player.

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  • KING_MILKY replied June 15, 2007

    o and by same dilemma i meant people expecting so much as a young player
• jlclark4u said June 15, 2007

  Just planting a seed here Greg. I think your jersey # should be 06 next year. That's "g.o" upside down.

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  • Sumit replied June 15, 2007

    I second this motion.
    • JoeyRedSox replied June 15, 2007

      I third this motion
  • Balian replied June 15, 2007

    Why not the number "60"?
  • nwjuggalo replied June 15, 2007

    How about the # 90 -- "G.O." ?
• DRAFTODEN said June 15, 2007

  hey king-milky your an idiot. Greg is not going to half to do it all bye himself. Portland has brandon roy, lamarcus aldrige, zach randolph, I think hes got some major help there. The cavs dont have jack. If they were in the west they wouldnt even make the playoffs.

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  • KING_MILKY replied June 15, 2007

    great points DRAFTODEN except i didnt say the blazers suck i said they would expect alot out of Greg like they do with lebron even tho they are so young. you are smart i must admit.
• OdenRocks said June 15, 2007

  Hey Greg!
  Portland's really nice, you'll love it here! I promise!
  There's a nasty rumor going around that you're going to bail to the LA Lakers in a few years. You don't want to play with that old washed up crybaby Kobe in smog-ville. That would destroy our dynasty!!!! Besides, there are many less crowded, cleaner beaches in Oregon.

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• sohri4533 said June 15, 2007

  Dude, you should use some

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  • sohri4533 replied June 15, 2007

    You should use some Enters once in awhile.
    
    It makes it much easier to read.
• FakeDurant said June 15, 2007

  YO GREG ITS YO BOI K-SMOOOOOOOOOOOVE!!!!!!!!!!!!

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• soulja said June 15, 2007

  Hey greg,how are you diong.When you wake up,write me a message.ROCK on!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!.

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• bucknut said June 15, 2007

  It's great to hear "feel good" story's like this one. It brings back the true meaning of what basketball is all about. My 9 year old son is now a big oden fan and he wears your jersey everyday he can! We love you here in Columbus and good luck to you!!

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• hoops4lifecom said June 15, 2007

  Are they going to show this on TV?
  
  Keep up the good work Greg.

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• digitaldaggers said June 15, 2007

  can't till you get to meet and get to know maurice lucas. he'll show you a new 'bow move or two for sure. :)

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• odenformvp said June 15, 2007

  Hey Greg, I was just wondering who you are most looking forward to play with in the NBA.
  I wish you luck in the pros! Please write me back.
  THANKS A LOT!

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  • odennum1 replied June 19, 2007

    I think he should play for portland.
• MykelPDX said June 15, 2007

  lol - that must have been amazing sitting in with those guys! Be a sponge and take all you can get from it - you are doign great :)
  
  Great blog - keep up the informing :) I check daily to see what you have been up to (not in a stalker sort of way but a thirst of getting to know what kind of guy you are :) ).

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• PDXpower said June 15, 2007

  Greg:
  
  That's awesome that you got to listen to those legends drop knowledge. They wouldn't have done that, unless they liked you as a person, as well as liking you as a player. Thanks for keeping the fans up on these things. It's money.
  
  Here's to potentially turning Rip City into Swat City in the near future (add Dunks, hooks, some J's, and some FIRE)!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
  

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• dustyceltic said June 15, 2007

  Its even better than that, Greg Oden. The diverse realities of the

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• other_syde said June 16, 2007

  I know your still a very young man that hasnt quite grasped the fact that you are going to be one of the greatest NBA players of all time. ALOT of us know this because we older and we have seen most of them either on TV or in person, and we have seen hundreds if not thousands of games. TRUST US when we say you are going to be GREAT.
  Just one word of advice. PLEASE NEVER let it get to your head, and it already looks like you are one of the very few who are fortunate to have your skills and ability who DOES get it.
  I look forward to watching you at the ROSEGARDEN for years to come !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!11

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• BlazerDread said June 16, 2007

  Hey Greg!
  Big Blazers fan here in Oregon looking forward to you playing for us. (You will) I think you should take number 6 in honor of Bill Russell. I don't think it's currently in use or retired from our team. (Hope I'm not wrong about that. HA HA HA). Anyway, it'll look good on that Topps card of you and Russell I read about. Just a suggestion. Can't wait to see you playing for us in the summer league, on team USA, and then here in Portland! GO BLAZERS!!

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• IndyJoyce said June 16, 2007

  Hey, Greg! What wonderful experiences you are having. I couldn't be happier for you!
  Mrs. E

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• Blazermark said June 17, 2007

  Ask Bill walton about Portland. He was a loved big man in our city. I met him in 78 or 79 in a hospital elevator. He was a great citizen and a caring representative of the Trail Blazers. I expect that if you come here, you will be the same. I also expect that once you feel the love that we have for OUR Basketball team, that you will never want to play anywhere else. You can always go visit other places, but Portland is a HOME.

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• Douglas said June 18, 2007

  Greg,
  Everything is going according to the plan. You will be drafted #1 by the Portland Trailblazers, will thrive in the West, and lead Portland to the Finals for many years to come, where, in due time, the Indiana Pacers will arrive, at which point you can ask for a trade at half-time of the first game, and then don a Pacers uniform, leading Indiana to their first of many future NBA titles. It will be wonderful. Like a Haulmark drama, maybe.
  Douglas J. Bender
  (Elkhart, IN)

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• Douglas said June 18, 2007

  "Hallmark".

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• BuckEYEDie said June 19, 2007

  What a great experience Mr. Oden. One to share with your kids, and their kids one day. I wish you the same success as they have had.
  We will miss you in Columbus, I'm sure you know. We thank you for the great memories. Make sure to get that diploma, there is nothing like being an alumnus from The Ohio State University.
  Think with me for just a minute...No college players are allowed to leave early, and Mr James chose to come to tOSU...would this year have been an even more legendary year?
  Fly high Mr. Oden and make yourself proud.
  Be well.
  BuckeyeTillEYEDie.
  buckheads.net

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• LanierFan said June 19, 2007

  30-year Detroit fan here, Greg. If there's one thing to learn from Bob Lanier, here it is: Don't let the pressure of being #1 force you back too soon from injury.
  Bob was the best offensively of the centers in that room with you. But he could have been even better. They forced him into the lineup after knee surgery during his rookie year because of all the tickets he'd sold, and it resulted in him playing one-legged for much of his career. Another half-healed injury cost him the best shooting touch I ever saw in a true center. So don't be ruled by expectations. Do what's right for your body and you'll ultimately meet those expectations because of it.

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• ratbear said June 20, 2007

  Hey, if Portland somehow passes on you and you end up in Seattle, Bill Russell lives about 20 minutes away from Key Arena, on Mercer Island. Then you could kick it in a living legend's home whenever you wanted to.

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• rossgrant said June 24, 2007

  I know the secret, you have to go out in the California desert and do peyote with Gary Busey for three days while listening to the Doors and Bob Dylan. Don't believe everything Bill Walton tells you!! But seriously, it'll be great to have an intelligent young man with the skills to match in the league next year. And it's nice to see that you sincerely care about the game and it's history.

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• ABSMITH30 said June 26, 2007

  In due time, you will be doing the same thing (passing on the secret). Rock steady Greg!!

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• DaGardenOfOden said June 26, 2007

  Greg...BIG UPS KID....you know you got the NBA crazy right ? PORTLAND is even CRAZIER about its b-ball...WE GONNA GIVE YOU THE KEY TO THE CITY OPENING NIGHT AT THE "GARDEN"...we already dusting off the cheap seats...CUZZ YOU GONNA PACK THE HOUSE..BET you never heard a coliseum go nuts like the GARDEN does....ITS GONNA BE SO LOUD NO ONE WILL HEAR KOBE CRYING. Its the beginning of a new era....WELCOME TO PORTLAND.
  
  we may be in the nosebleeds but our hearts are on the court, RIP CITY ROLLLLLLLIN'

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• MPHopcroft said June 28, 2007

  It is unimaginable, from the perspective of a fan, what that experience must have been like. There will be many games in your life, many chances to achieve, many risks. But there will be very few moments like this.
  
  Cherish every one of them. I hold no envy for the pressure you will face or the expectations on your shoulders, but this moment -- it is special beyond words.

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