Niketown

I am officially a part of the Nike Family. It feels so good to have all of that taken care of. The deal is really good for a big man, the biggest rookie big man deal. I'm very proud of that, but to be honest I really just like their shoes. I played in Reeboks all through high school and I got a couple of pairs of Adidas this summer. I felt really good in my Lebrons that I played in for college. At first I thought that they were huge and heavy but as I got used to them they were really comfortable. So when I was in Portland on my workout, us and Nike really wanted to get this thing settled and done with. I signed a written and changed around draft of the contract and I didn't think things would be done until I signed the real one, but after I signed that it was like i was a part of the family that quick. My guy Charles got me a new carry on bag and some shoes the same day. It's like a weight off my shoulders, and to be a part of the Nike family with all the tradition, it's like a dream. I just want a commercial with "Little Penny" maybe they can call it "Little Oden" I would love it. I really want to make a funny commercial like "The Lebrons." Then hopefully I could win a whole bunch of championships and have those real serious ones like Tiger Woods and Lance Armstrong. Besides commercials the one thing I get to do is when I go to Niketown anywhere if I call Charles he can get it set up so that I get a limit that I can spend there. I put that to good use today when I was in Seattle. I called all nervous, but he said no problem and called me back in 10 mins and said they are expecting me and that I am good. I had trouble finding stuff for me but every 3x T-Shirt and Short i found and put in my bag. I got my brother some shoes also just to be a good brother. The person who took advantage of it was my mom. I can't take her anywhere shopping. I had to drag her out the store and she still pulls stuff on her way out. It was a good day, the people at Niketown knew all about the deal so I told them I felt good being a part of the family. I signed a ball for them. I think they're going to put it somewhere in the store.

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Comments (100)

CHINESEfabio said June 23, 2007

dress up like The Crow, dude
I know its your favorite movie
LOL
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wiggy67 said June 23, 2007

Hope you liked Portland. You will be a Blazer soon and be close to Nike too. Thanks for sharing your thoughts.
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unc23b said June 23, 2007

hey greg good luck my friend in the nba.i hope you do well and i will be cheering you on take care and god bless you and your family.
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Biggz2344 said June 23, 2007

Great Choice Greg! Hey my name is Ben from New Hampshire and im 16.When the Celtics card got pulled at the number 5 slot that was the first time in my life i ever really felt heart broken. It wasnt really as much as not being able to get the best player in the draft but the coolest player in the draft, your so relaxed about everything and when it comes down to it you do what needs to be done. And i look up to that. I just want to say that i'm one of your Biggest Fans and i'll be the first one in line to grab the Greg Oden's at the nike store. Whatever Team Picks you (hopefully Portland) will have a new fan cause you are certainly someone to watch. Good Luck with the rest of the draft workouts and you really do deserve to be the #1 pick.
Your Biggest Fan
Ben, 16 New Hampshire
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cbennet2 said June 23, 2007

Lake Oswego is calling your name
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YouGotOdenated said June 23, 2007

I don't even have a list of questions for this...but congrats. Nike has the best creative marketing for any shoe company so you're going to have a sweet commercial. You should do something mockumentary like "The Office" or how SportsCenter commercials are. See you in a few days big man.
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Harvey_Bars said June 23, 2007

Didn't you already have a commercial deal with Nike? I've been telling people for months that Oden's portrayal of 'Wise' Lebron was Denzel-esque.
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scnbenstein said June 23, 2007

congratulations Greg! Now you can be a part of the Lebrons..... Wise Lebron's granddad! haha
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jordanvsbird said June 23, 2007

Another commercial idea if you end up going #1 to the Blazers.... It starts with former Blazers center Bill Walton in a tye-dye shirt riding around on a time traveling bicycle as he goes through the 1970s, 1980s 1990s... Then he morphs into you in the 2000s. You can wear a tye-dye shirt and some big afro wig too! At the end the line "A NEW LEGEND BEGINS" shows on the screen with the Nike Swoosh. Awww yeah.
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- odensblazers07 replied June 23, 2007
  
  This is one of the greatest thoughts i have heard of to honor such a man. This is a great idea.
- FLXXX2C replied June 23, 2007
  
  I LIKE IT. CONNECT WITH THE PAST. FOR THE BRIGHT FUTURE.
  SASQUATCH!!!
  
  RIP CITY BABY!!!
scnbenstein said June 23, 2007

So how does Anthony like your new shoe deal?
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- gregoden replied June 24, 2007
  
  hes loving it cause he gets airforces
OdenRocks said June 23, 2007

Hey, are you going to have your own shoe now? Seriously, I want to know.
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- gregoden replied June 24, 2007
  
  probally not
Sonicej said June 23, 2007

That makes two of us that want to know about signature Odens. Are you going to have your own shoe. I hope so. Please let me know.
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da1prophet said June 23, 2007

That Nike tab is sweet, but my guess is that most of Portland would be fighting to pick up the tab for whatever you wanted ; )
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addict said June 23, 2007

Greg - Did you get a chance to visit the Niketown in Portland? I can't wait for June 29th!
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lakerfan871 said June 23, 2007

Greg, what other offers were you entertaining?
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lakerfan871 said June 23, 2007

Greg, what other offers were you entertaining?
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seville said June 23, 2007

comparisons? i 'm thinking nate thurmond. anyway, i see 17.5 ppg/ 10 rpg. a year guy. need gimmick, play up to the age thing. perhaps dye your hair gray. only after you have established yourself though. get drafted then retire for a day, and sign with cleveland. team with lebron. a chance to play with the 5th best all time! magic, jordan, bird, erving, lebron! give to community, stay clean. play hard.
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seville said June 23, 2007

i will make this my job, to guide you through your first year. you need guidance from someone not on the payroll. first, land rihanna.
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- gregoden replied June 24, 2007
  
  lol she is beautiful i would love to just meet her
thekansagonian said June 23, 2007

You must be a lock for Portland? I dont think they offered Kevin Durant a Nike account... ya think? LOL!!!
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Flite_23 said June 23, 2007

Adidas > Nike

I played in Adidas up till two years ago and since I have been rehabbing knee injuries. :(
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sirusthevirus said June 23, 2007

Greg You Are AWESOME!! What you said about you Mom. So funny. Sounds like you have a great family.
Can't wait to see what contract you sign next. We all hope it's w Portland!! Don't let them change you.
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Bieds47 said June 23, 2007

Now that you mention it, I hope that Wieden and Kennedy (they do Nike's advertising) listen to you Greg, and have you in commercials with Lil Penny. Maybe Lil Greg can come in for a mean marionette 1 on 1. Well, if basketball doesn't work out, you can always fall back on Madison Ave.
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cpzheng said June 23, 2007

"Little Oden~~
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cpzheng said June 23, 2007

"Little Oden~~
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- Balian replied June 25, 2007
  
  I like Golden Odens better.
  - gregoden replied June 27, 2007
    
    if i take that dont be mad, lol
Sumit said June 23, 2007

Real basketball players play shoeless. They're just a crutch.

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RandallEl said June 23, 2007

Maybe you felt your Lebrons were so huge and heavy because they were huge. What size shoe do you wear, like 17?? 18??

Anyway, you would probably be able to play the Old Lebron in the Lebron commercials cuz you look like an oversized Lebron James (no offense ment by any of that, but you do look like you could be Lebron's dad :D )
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- RandallEl replied June 25, 2007
  
  BTW, good showing on PTI today. I was just waiting and hoping you would give them the thumbs down.
whitejordan32 said June 23, 2007

Have you heard Shaq's comments saying that you're a "little ninja"? lol.If so, what do you think about that?
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- FLXXX2C replied June 24, 2007
  
  IF ODEN IS A "LIL NINJA", WHATS SHAQ? A "FAT" SUMO WRESTLER?!
- gregoden replied June 24, 2007
  
  i didnt hear it
- whitejordan32 replied June 25, 2007
  
  http://www.yaysports.com/nba/2007/06/shaquille_oneal_isnt_in_the_know.html
  
  Here's the link to the interview.
- gregoden replied June 27, 2007
  
  I am and i understand fully what he means, it would be nice to come in and dominate but most likely its not going to happen and theres going be rough times especially when i play great player like himself, Tim Duncan, Yao, Dwight Howard, and Amare Stoudamire, its gonna be rough but all those guys had to go through it to and there doing pretty well now.
Blazermark said June 23, 2007

Hey Greg! Did you survive the circus we had going on in Portland? It will calm down once you are here. The town is just very excited to get you. There wasnt near the hooplah in town for Keven Durant. Lamarcus and Keven probably enjoyed getting to catch up, but thats about it. It should be nice to play for a team with the richest owner in all of sports, in Nike's home town, with a team president that ran the Jordan line for Nike, with a big man coach that was the Enforcer and won a ring here in P-Town, with a big new beautiful building, that is coached by Nate, that has Aldridge, Roy, and friends, and that has the most fannatical fans in all of the NBA. I hope you love it here!!!!!! See you after the 28th Big Man!
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FLXXX2C said June 23, 2007

The Great Oden. May 22nd, 2007. A magical day. A day the EAST couldn't dictate or TAKE AWAY. NO BCS, NO BS. PORTLAND OREGON. A LAND OF CRYSTAL BLUE STREAMS, DEEP GREEN FORESTS, HEAVEN WHITE MOUNTAINS, & RIP CITY!

SASQUATCH IS REAL. HES COMING TO THE ROSE TO KICK ASS & COLLECT TROPHYS (WITHOUT BS CALLS, right KOBE?). YOU CAN RUN TO THE EAST, OR TAKE IT LIKE A MAN. YOU ALREADY CHASED AWAY YOUR WARRIOR. NOW BE PREPARED FOR KARMA. YOUR TRU YELLOW COLORS ARE
SHOWING. NOW YOU WILL BE STAINED WITH THE BLACK & RED OF RIP CITY!

PRITCHARD: TRADE NO ONE!!!(no pressure for it now, plus you can get more midseason for the piece if it isn't workingRODRIGUEZ
SG>ROY
SF>? nate's options: ALDERIDGE(posting twin tower), WEBSTER(3 baller), DARIUS(slasher, horry style), or UDOKA(shutdown defense; pref. off the bench after a lead)
PF>RANDOLPH or ALDERIDGE(remember zach being the workhorse, hes gets hurt sometimes, with this we have options)
C>BILL RUSSELL JR, aka SASQUATCH, aka SHAQ jr (without the Fat, attitude, & the ability to make a FT; imagine how dominate Shaq could've been with those 3 items); aka
THE GREAT ODEN!
RIP CITY BABY!

karma happens to good peeps & good places
RISE 2 THE ROSE!

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- FLXXX2C replied June 23, 2007
  
  THIS CUT MY TEXT AT "RODRIGUEZ":
  
  SHOULD SAY:
  
  "RODRIGUEZ WILL BE THE DIMING PG OF OUR FUTURE; WITH JACK AS THE 6th man PROVIDING INSTANT OFFENSE!
  
  MIDSEASON LINEUP:
  
  PG RODRIGUEZ
  SG ROY....................
- FLXXX2C replied June 23, 2007
  
  DAMN, I ALSO FORGOT TO MENTION SF> OUTLAW......he will grow "LEAPS" & bounds with this group.
- odensblazers07 replied June 23, 2007
  
  Hey man. Nice column. Lovede it. It is spot on. Great shot at kobe. Can't wait for oden to swat away kobe's wining and shots.
- whitejordan32 replied June 23, 2007
  
  Kobe doesn't get the calls. You must have him confused with someone. The NBA HATES Kobe. Maybe you confused Kobe with Dwyane Wade, although I doubt you'd mistake a player with a great talent (Kobe) with one with little, if any talent at all (D-Wheelchair)
odensblazers07 said June 23, 2007

Greg,
I am so excited. My wife and I are thinking about naming our kid Oden after u of course. Dude, are you going to have your own shoe? I will be one of the first in line. Portland, do you think we have found our missing piece? Ya, I think so. Little Oden? Hey, greg, what would you like to be called as a nickname in portland? Little oden? i think it was fantastic time with your mother at Nike! She must be very proud of her son. You know, Greg, moms are the ones who will always be there for us when no one else will. way to go man! Spoil your mom. Every mom needs it once in while. Hope you enjoyed the rose city. Black and red forever! Can't wait till Thursday and Friday. This place is going to go nuts. It will be like the year we won the championship. Any shot at what u think your # will be?
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MacTheBlaze said June 23, 2007

Greg, you should play in Jordan 3's. Also, the best sandwich in Portland is at Taste Tickler on Northeast 14th and Broadway--believe me. Welcome to PTown!!
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bucknut said June 23, 2007

Call them "OdenNator's"!!
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whitejordan32 said June 24, 2007

Hey Greg, I didn't know you were 18'7 and 2800 lbs. At least that is what your wikipedia page says.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Greg_Oden
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- whitejordan32 replied June 24, 2007
  
  Why did my last post get a thumbs down? His page says he is 18 foot 7 inches and 2800 lbs. Trying to make a correction here. I'm gonna guess it was one of these Jail Blazers fans who think Greg is going to win 20 championships with the Blazers.
Blazersrock said June 24, 2007

Greg,
I saw you at breakfast on Thursday. I was 2 tables over for a men's prayer meeting. I looked up and it was answered!!! You walked right by our table. Welcome to Portland! Can't wait to see you in action at the Rose Garden. You will love the fans!!!
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bigjdog3412 said June 24, 2007

greg if you come to seattle i wish you all the luck in the world and same if you go to portland.
Sea-town representin.
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bigjdog3412 said June 24, 2007

also if you get drafted to seattle live in bellevue or mercer island really nice areas. You cant lose on Kirkland either but Ray Allen lives in Bellevue so you could be close to him. but until thursday its all up in the air. good luck where ever you go man.
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whitejordan32 said June 24, 2007

The Trail Blazers are the best team ever!!!
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thiller50 said June 24, 2007

why didnt you sign with reebok?, they looked good on your feet at LN
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DRAFTODEN said June 24, 2007

SEE YOU DOWNTOWN PORTLAND AT PIONEER SQUARE IN 5 DAYS

RIGHT HERE http://images.google.com/imgres?imgurl=http://www.portlandground.com/Downtown/2005-07-03-PioneerSquare-01.jpg&imgrefurl=http://www.portlandground.com/archives/2005/07/pioneer_square_1.php&h=462&w=700&sz=214&hl=en&start=15&um=1&tbnid=aTWTULOUPmx0nM:&tbnh=92&tbnw=140&prev=/images%3Fq%3DPIONEER%2BSQUARE%2BPORTLAND%2BPICS%26svnum%3D10%26um%3D1%26hl%3Den%26sa%3DX
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alexcostaCCC said June 24, 2007

Greg! I just discovered this blog! I'm a huge fan of yours, and I wish you the best. I'm originally from Indy, and I moved to Columbus to work at Ohio State last year. Watching you play ball for the Buckeyes was a dream come true, and seeing you walk through the MarketPlace on occasion was so exciting for me! I wish that you were playing for my beloved Celtics, but whatever team you join is going to become my second favorite team. Thanks for being such an inspiration to the world Greg. God Bless.
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Moserious said June 24, 2007

Greg, I have bought season tickets to Ohio State B-ball since I was 16 years old. This past season was by far the most exciting ever. I will never forget the things you guys accomplished. I started taking my little girl with me to games this year and she was a huge "Greg O" fan. She was sad to hear you are leaving, but I explained to her that you will still be playing and that we can watch you on TV. Maybe when you come to Cleveland we will come watch you play. I really want to wish you the best in your career and whatever team you end up playing for will be our new favorite team. We are going to get you jersey ASAP and she cannot wait for you to be on TV. Lastly, you are a Buckeye for life and we all wish you well!!
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fighton said June 25, 2007

Greg:
Thanks for blogging about this. I was wondering if you might give us a behind the scenes look at how a shoe negotiation goes? Did you entertain other offers? Did you have to go back and forth with the negotiations? Do you do any talking during this process or does your agent deal with everything? Sorry for all the questions but it is great to have someone like yourself giving fans an incite to how all this works.
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somerand said June 25, 2007

haha man just found this blog. its awesome that you and durant are going to the northwest, i live in vancouver so im definately gonna take a few trips down and catch a couple sonics/blazers games.
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fr0arenas said June 25, 2007

CONGRATS on going to da best shoe co. in da world! hopefully Nate and his staff can turn things around over there for you guys( if you go there) again much success to a bright future ahead!
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Blackjack said June 25, 2007

Hey Greg, we've been trying to come up w/ a nickname for you WHEN you come to Portland. After last week it been Greg
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Blackjack said June 25, 2007

"The Mountain" Oden. People can see you from anywhere donwtown too. What do you think. It'll be the first of many I'm sure.
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tarvuz said June 25, 2007

Thanks for letting my wife take a photo of me and you. I was the incredibly good looking guy who asked your mom if I could have a photo with you. If you remember I look like Brad Pitt but without the looks or body.
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digitaldaggers said June 25, 2007

Congrats on making it into the Nike family. Oregon is all about Nike. The employee store is off the chain. :)
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MykelPDX said June 25, 2007

LOL @ Little Oden. The question is, if they make a
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- MykelPDX replied June 26, 2007
  
  hmmm - for some reason it cut off the rest of what I was saying.
  
  "If they make a "little oden" what would he be? 5'8''?"
carmel05 said June 25, 2007

congrats on the nike deal. i saw you last weekend in carmel and wanted to wish you luck in the draft but figured you got enough people bothering you that you didn't need another person bothering you at 1 am while your out. good luck!
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fulch211 said June 25, 2007

What are you doing in your final few days before the draft?
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abarr26 said June 25, 2007

Thanks again for signing my backpack as you left Niketown Friday afternoon. I hope the Blazers take Durant and you end up as a Sonic cuz we really need a center!
-abarr
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insanehandelz said June 25, 2007

why arn't you goin to have your own shoe?
If you do i think you should take a signiture part of alot of the nike shoes and put it together in one shoe that would be sweet. I would buy it even though it would proably cost atleast $200
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insanehandelz said June 25, 2007

BIg G,
I read what that guy said about naming his kid after you. That is crazy. What does that feel like? i hope people will name there kids after me some day. i wouldn't mindf you swaten my shots some day.
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rhameeth said June 25, 2007

Dude, that is just awesome. Have fun with it. :)
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Harvey_Bars said June 25, 2007

What kind of offer did you receive from L.A. Gear?
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spaghetti said June 25, 2007

Welcome to Portland. Here is a link you can use:
http://www.toprestaurants.com/portland.htm
Portland has some of best restaurants in the country. No need for national chain food like Applebees or PF Changs although it has it's place. Check out OBA, IL Piatto, Blue Hour, Caprial's Bistro. You like to eat and we have good food.
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- rob9093 replied June 27, 2007
  
  BTW, Blue Hour is in the Weiden+Kennedy building - which is Nike's (I mean your) new ad agency. Bon appetit
rhameeth said June 26, 2007

Ok Greg, you got plane ticket for that Thursday night red-eye back to Portland? Considering their going to introduce you Friday downtown, I figured they already let you know you were gonna be their choice. :)
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ABSMITH30 said June 26, 2007

Greg, it is really great to see the
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Rosecity07 said June 26, 2007

Hey man I've been pulling for you to get picked by Portland. I was wondering do you ever go up to parks and play, because Portland has some really nice parks. The mecca would be Laurelhurst park, come up there some time if your contract allows it.
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bigjdog3412 said June 26, 2007

considering how much people get hurt in pick up games i highly doubt it.
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ericujackson said June 26, 2007

What's going on Greg. It makes me laugh when I see you on PTI or giving a personal interview these days. I still remember my first time meeting you. A 6'2 six grader that wrestled with the thought of watching Saturday morning cartoons or playing in a couple of basketball tournaments. Looks like you decided the right path. Nice job!! Your basketball game is starting to look similiar to mine; so that's cool. (LOL) A couple of my grooming tips and you will be on GQ magazine in no time. (laugh) I wish you and your family much success.
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Indywildcatfan said June 26, 2007

Just an average Indiana guy here, saying best of luck man! Its awesome to see a local achieve success in college and now soon to be the pros. I saw you at Quiznos up on 75th and Shadeland a couple of weeks ago and had to laugh, because you are the famous guy now that people remember whenever they see you.
Love seeing you and the Conley family succeed in life. Best of luck to you guys and just remember to enjoy your youth in this world wind of business you find yourself in now.
Steve
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nwjuggalo said June 26, 2007

I remember the old commercials Shaq had for his shoe line--he looked mean, tough as nails and very intimidating. No offense Mr. Oden, but after watching your interviews you may have a hard time being intimidating in a commercial--in person, no problem (being 7 ft tall and mostly muscle doesn't hurt). Think you can pull that off?
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TClark said June 26, 2007

Soon to be part of the Blazers family as well!
Greg, if you get a chance ask the Nike guys to show you the NIKE poster from the early 90's called Uh Oh. The poster had Terry Porter, Jerome Kersey and Buck Williams running a fast break right at you. It would be really cool if NIKE would do a remake of the poster with Brandon, LaMarcus and yourself.
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- rtrindt replied August 11, 2007
  
  Wow! I had the same idea when I dug out that poster this summer, now that I have a reason to decorate my classroom again with Blazer stuff. The uh-oh poster is one of the coolest ever made by nike. Love the black and white.
whitejordan32 said June 26, 2007

GO BLAZERS!
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BlazerChris said June 26, 2007

Hi Greg, Nike will take good care of you. So will Portland. :)
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sonuff52 said June 26, 2007

k....something more interesting......what are your summer movie pics? and what is your greatest movie of all time?
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Odenator said June 26, 2007

Greg, good luck at the tryouts this week. I just read an article you on GBOAHoops.com that picks the best GBOA Team of all time. They match up your 2004 Indy Spiece team against the 2002 Atlanta Celtics. That would have been a sick matchup; You vs. Dwight Howard, Mike Conley vs. Javaris Crittenton, Josh McRoberts vs. Randolph Morris. Too bad those teams never faced off.
Good luck, GO!
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melvin13 said June 26, 2007

greg.\, i think you will add more class to the nba. God bless you on you b-ball future,melvin bulls sr.
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Douglas said June 27, 2007

I have a thought (man, I've got to stop posting on these forums...oh well): For your first commercial, you could have you play
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Douglas said June 27, 2007

Okay, don't know what happened with the above post, but here's what it should have said:

I have a thought (man, I've got to stop posting on these forums...oh well): For your first commercial, you could have you play "Mature Oden", and Lebron could be "Little Oden".
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NikeGym said June 30, 2007

Greg.....Don't forget, you are welcome in the Nike Gym anytime you want. If you're up for it, a little pick up ball can be arranged.
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MissMolly said June 30, 2007

Greg - I had the wonderful experience of having your Mom take care of me in rehab at St. V's Hospital. What a wonderful, grand lady she is and how very proud she is of you. She has shared some of your life story with my husband and I and all the two of us can say to you is that you deserve all that is coming your way. You have worked hard, been a fantastic son, and honored your Mom. I am so thrilled she will be coming to Portland to follow your career. God bless you and she in the years to come and always remember that success rewards hard work! Barbara and Wayne Cimeley
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HelloMROden said July 13, 2007

Hey MR.Oden if you get a shoe how would you design it?
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HelloMROden said July 13, 2007

Hey MR.Oden if you get a shoe how would you design it?
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HelloMROden said July 13, 2007

Sorry about the double message i double clicked twice (0_0,)
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HelloMROden said July 13, 2007

Sorry about the double message i double clicked twice (0_0,)
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HelloMROden said July 13, 2007

whoops

If i do it again IM sorry,
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shaunasanders said August 28, 2007

What it Do G.O. this is yo boy Shaun Sanders checkin up on you. Congrats on Portland. Try not to design to many pair of forces or they will be calling you little Shaun Sanders. Let me know when you want me to design that Nike shoe for you so I can put this Grapic Design Career to Work.
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