We must sign Greg Oden. Read.

[dallasmaverickslose]

Holy crap the west is stacked now. Not just the Lakers, but the Nuggets also improved themselves dramatically with Iggy now on their roster.

Our beloved Spurs, if we want them to be able to keep up with this competition, we're going to need to add something new. Bring in a BIG X-factor that gives us a chance. I am talking Greg Oden.

Yeah yeah, I know, hes more fragile than glass and we've discussed this scenario a billion times, but honestly now, with the bolstering of the west, our roster that has effectively stayed the same (except for the addition of De Colo). Our guards and small forwards are great, but we cannot stop ignoring our bigs anymore. Timmy is getting old. Splitter is good, but not a huge game changers (at least not yet), and Diaw is good as well, but not great.

Blair and Bonner? You know the whole story. They aren't enough for us anymore. Absolutely useless in the playoffs. It's time to take a chance and sign a big that has unimaginable potential if he can stay healthy. Greg Oden likely had one of the worst possible training staffs in Portland (just look at their history with bigs). I'm not at all certain, but perhaps a change of scenery, a better training staff, and a better organization overall, maybe. Just Maybe. Pop can work his magic and present to the league a devastating weapon in Greg Oden.

With our bigs situation hovering around average (we have to be realistic), what do we have to lose?






I still believe. :lobt2:

[AussieFanKurt]

Saw title. Didn't read

[dallasmaverickslose]

Saw title. Didn't read

Much appreciated.

[kaji157]

Holy crap the west is stacked now. Not just the Lakers, but the Nuggets also improved themselves dramatically with Iggy now on their roster.

Our beloved Spurs, if we want them to be able to keep up with this competition, we're going to need to add something new. Bring in a BIG X-factor that gives us a chance. I am talking Greg Oden.

Yeah yeah, I know, hes more fragile than glass and we've discussed this scenario a billion times, but honestly now, with the bolstering of the west, our roster that has effectively stayed the same (except for the addition of De Colo). Our guards and small forwards are great, but we cannot stop ignoring our bigs anymore. Timmy is getting old. Splitter is good, but not a huge game changers (at least not yet), and Diaw is good as well, but not great.

Blair and Bonner? You know the whole story. They aren't enough for us anymore. Absolutely useless in the playoffs. It's time to take a chance and sign a big that has unimaginable potential if he can stay healthy. Greg Oden likely had one of the worst possible training staffs in Portland (just look at their history with bigs). I'm not at all certain, but perhaps a change of scenery, a better training staff, and a better organization overall, maybe. Just Maybe. Pop can work his magic and present to the league a devastating weapon in Greg Oden.

With our bigs situation hovering around average (we have to be realistic), what do we have to lose?






I still believe. :lobt2:

I read it.
Pop is not a magical-healer, Oden is not the answer.

[dunkman]

and tbh he must stay healthy which is the complicated part . . .

[Poolboy5623]

More fragile than glass? He's more fragile than water! Seriously, the spurs guards are not "great". Good? Very good? Sure...but not great. Imo it wasn't the bigs that faultered. We were going up against superior guards/forwards and would have seen it show up even more so In the finals. They need a superstar type player and I don't see how? Greg oden as the answer....lol

[The_Worlds_finest]

Bring him! im sure he wants way more than he is worth.

[007nites]

I think we should just feed Diaw with some more food and get him up to 280 pounds so that he can hold his ground against Dwight.

[G-Dawgg]

I think we should just feed Diaw with some more food and get him up to 280 pounds so that he can hold his ground against Dwight.

That wouldn't be hard. Apparantly that fat slob is upto 265 already...

[lefty]

Saw title. Didn't read

And yet you checked in :lol

[Interrohater]

I actually don't think it's a bad idea. I heard the portland medical staff is the pits and they forced him out there before he was ready, injuring him again. You never know, with proper medicine and the rest he's had, it might actually work out. This could definitely be a case where the benefits outweigh the risk. What if it did work out? The spurs pickup a number one draft pick for a song and once again best the nba at the free agent game. Or they cut him and everyone knows that he really is done.

[TDMVPDPOY]

whats his health status like? we dont need him to be jumping up and down on defense for rebs, dunking or blocking shots.....

he could still play even without a vertical, his size clogs up the lane...can he still run up and down though?

[Proxy]

If he wants to come back... then take the cheap risk. It's not like there's any alternative free agent center. Him just standing there is better defense than Blair or Bonner.

[arial]

No

[dbestpro]

Bill Walton and Ilgauskas are two bigs that were always hurt and still were productive.

[DPG21920]

I absolutely would sign him for the right price.

[Gagnrath]

I'm conflicted, I like Oden and think he would worth taking a risk on that said where/when would he play? He's not mobile enough to be a power forward. Splitter is a center who might be able to eat some power forward minutes, Duncan is at this point a center. Oden with questionable knees isn't really all that likely to be given the chance to displace Splitter as center back-up. I don't see that many match-ups where Splitter is preferable to having Diaw and Bonner during the regular season at PF for extended minutes.

So essentially you would be paying 1.3 mill to Oden as a gamble to see if with a season of regular practice, garbage minutes, and rehab if he can get into good enough shape and comfortable enough on his reconstructed knees to be a high level back-up in a couple of years.

If the spurs were in rebuilding mode right now sure, but it appears that the team is instead choosing to go for a low odds run on a ring. In that all Oden really provides is a 3rd center for 6 fouls against the grizz and the lake show.

[bus driver]

i must be crazy, but i agree.

[ALVAREZ6]

If he seems to be healed and not overpriced, I don't see why not consider Oden. The Spurs already have Manu and Tim locked up, so they're not going to fully rebuild just yet anyway. Rebuilding can begin at any time, so signing Oden to a 1 year contract if he's healthy is something I would definitely support.

[Kidd K]

Tbh, I was on the "sign Greg Oden and stash him away until he's actually ready to play" bandwagon for 2 years now.

Blazers kept rushing him back, just like the Rockets rushed back Yao too fast.

We have enough depth to sign him and let him recover. And yes, it is worth the risk. If anyone disagrees. . .explain to us then all the great big men of Oden's potential that we'll be getting instead. Because otherwise Blatche seems like the best guy we could possibly add without making a terrible trade.

[ALVAREZ6]

If he's at a fair price given his injury history, I don't really think there's much risk at all. In 1-2 years this team will have all the salary room it needs with Manu and Tim retired. If it doesn't go well with Oden...well, there isn't anything else that would have been much better.

[Bruno]

Oden is a center. Spurs need a PF.

[maverick1948]

I agree with Bruno. We need a PF. But should Blair gets moved then we could sign Oden for min. Not sold on Blatche or Oden, but for a short term fix, either would work. A contract for Blatche would have to be guaranteed whereas Oden might take a NG contract to try to return to the NBA. I think all contracts become guaranteed on January 10th. We could have 3 months to see if Oden is healing or if he is going to lay down again. Then he could be waived without a problem if he is not going to make it.

[dbestpro]

Oden is a center. Spurs need a PF.

Welcome KMart shoppers.

[Interrohater]

I disagree with Bruno. Sure, we need an all-star PF who can do all the things Duncan used to do (and still does some would argue, myself included), but that is difficult given the Spurs' current cap space, low pecking-order in desired destinations by free agents, and perennial low draft picks. We also recently re-signed Boris Diaw, who has the range and skills of a PF, even if he's not aggressive enough at the point of attack.

What this team NEEDS is more defense. This team NEEDS length inside the paint. This team NEEDS shot-blocking ability (See: Mavericks, Dallas for evidence of what can happen before, during and after an elite defender joins, then leaves your team.) This team NEEDS a strong interior defender who can pair with our now-defensively-strong perimeter players in Green and Kawhi. This team NEEDS a 7ft Dejuan Blair. If Timmy still plays PF next to a 6ft 6 center, he most certainly can continue to play PF next to a 7ft center.

[Redshadows]

Welcome KMart shoppers.
He said he wouldn't sign for min.

If no one offers more than min, I think he will go to the Lakers.

[Interrohater]

He said he wouldn't sign for min.

If no one offers more than min, I think he will go to the Lakers.
If he said that he won't sign for the minimum, then this argument is pointless.

[ace3g]

grain of salt, and this is more than likely where the GM thinks Oden would fit best not where he has heard Oden might go:

Sam Amico ‏@SamAmicoFSO

One NBA GM listed three teams he considers frontrunners for Greg Oden (in no order): Spurs, Pacers and Magic. The ... http://sulia.com/c/basketball/f/ab16625d-fd02-447c-b453-567bef8203d5/?source=twitter …

[Andthentherewas21]

At this point, the Spurs or Suns would be the best fit for him. He needs to get into a situation where he can get limited playing time, but where his playing time can be monitored and isn't forced to play extended minutes. Obviously the Suns have a great track record with rehabilitation.

The Magic don't really make sense. If they want to rebuild, a healthy Oden just makes them more of a mediocre lottery team, and there is no point in signing him if they think he is not going to be able to play. Then there is the Pacers who have Hibbert, and are paying Mahinmi $16 million over the next 4 years to back him up. He would make more sense with the Pacers than the Magic, but still doesn't seem like it would be a good fit beyond being the closest to Ohio State of the teams listed.

[Ice009]

I still want him. Spurs are the team for him.

[Bruno]

A couple of recent articles about Oden:
http://tribstar.com/sports/x1555257196/HUGHES-NEWS-AND-VIEWS-Odens-fight-through-adversity-includes-stop-in-Terre-Haute
http://www.cbssports.com/nba/blog/eye-on-basketball/19797347/greg-oden-gym-teacher-would-be-best-job-ever-if-nba-comeback-fails

Greg Oden is unlikely to come back this season. He isn't an option to help Spurs in a close future.

Signing to a 2 years min contract near the end of the regular could be a good gamble for Spurs with having him ready for the 2013-2014 season as a target. Splitter will be a free agent next summer and a team might make an offer Spurs won't want to match. Tim will too be close to the end of his career.

[MR-Clutch]

Spurs would be wise to go after Oden. Its a low risk high reward type investment. If Oden could stay healthy, Kawhi and him would give us a formidable defense, not to mention a future beyond the big 3. His minutes would obviously have to be restricted, but Pop would be the best coach at monitoring his minutes.

[Redshadows]

I take Oden over Bynum if he is healthy.

But he rarely is.

[Mr Fundamental]

http://sports.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474981547742

[8FOR!3]

He'd be a great signing. If he needs a year, off give it to him. If he's healthy he's easily one of the most dominant big man of our era. He'd be in the league of Bynum and Howard. And along with a Tony Parker who will probably just be passing his prime and Kawhi, he could potentially make the Spurs a contender for another era.

[gambit1990]

But even though there’s hope Oden can rekindle his career, it doesn’t look like there’s much chance he’ll be doing it this season — in San Antonio, or anywhere else.

http://blog.mysanantonio.com/spursnation/2012/08/15/spurs-reportedly-interested-in-oden/

[8FOR!3]

We've got to entice him to come here though. Home cooked meals for the real niggas

[DMC]

:madrunwe need to do something stupid right now:madrun

[G-Dawgg]

If he is fully recovered from his knee issues, the Spurs could have a potential 20/10 calibre guy fall right into their laps for cheap..

[007nites]

If we can sign him for basically nothing then why not?

[G-Dawgg]

Greg Oden is twice the player that Blatche is on both sides of the ball... the only question is has he 100% recovered from his knee issues?

I hope the Spurs get a shot at signing him...

[therealtruth]

If he is fully recovered from his knee issues, the Spurs could have a potential 20/10 calibre guy fall right into their laps for cheap..

Oden's offense was not that polished on the other hand his defense was really good.

[Poolboy5623]

Reading these posts, you guys are either joking or I missed where oden has done ANYTHING in the nba? If you didn't know any better you'd think Greg was a mvp before suffering his injuries...and the writing was on the wall with him...no surprise his body couldn't handle the wear n tear coming out of college, an 18 year old giant. Whoever signs him will be wasting their money..and I say this as a fan of his but a realistic one.

[MR.SILVER&BLack]

Reading these posts, you guys are either joking or I missed where oden has done ANYTHING in the nba? If you didn't know any better you'd think Greg was a mvp before suffering his injuries...and the writing was on the wall with him...no surprise his body couldn't handle the wear n tear coming out of college, an 18 year old giant. Whoever signs him will be wasting their money..and I say this as a fan of his but a realistic one.
A 7 foot 285 lb defensive monster willing to sign cheap & wait out until hes 100% is a waste of money?

[Andthentherewas21]

A 7 foot 285 lb defensive monster willing to sign cheap & wait out until hes 100% is a waste of money?

Of course. He's not 6'7 and overweight. He's not a 3-pt specialist. He's not French. He has potential if healthy and is under the age of 30. All factors making him a waste of money for the Spurs.

Marcus Camby, now theres a spry up-and-comer the Spurs could really sink their teeth into. Or that Ronnie Turiaf, he looks like hes a difference maker

[Poolboy5623]

Potential? A lot of players have potential... and if you want to sit and wait for him to be 100%, yes you will be wasting money. He's never been 100 % and unfortunately won't ever be. Just the fact that some spurs fans think he is the answer humors me greatly. ... I don't know what else to say.

[Poolboy5623]

& where did it ever say he's willing to sign for "cheap"? Or is that just an assumption on this board?

[MR.SILVER&BLack]

& where did it ever say he's willing to sign for "cheap"? Or is that just an assumption on this board?
Oden did. he wants to go somewhere he can get healthy & become a better player. can you name a better project player out on the market?

im not saying hes the answer to win right away. im looking at him for the future, but yea your right. we should not sign him & let him recover so his value can skyrocket to a point where we cant sign him anymore. Hes going to look great in a Mavs Jersey.

[Wild Cobra Kai]

A 7 foot 285 lb defensive monster willing to sign cheap & wait out until hes 100% is a waste of money?

Minimum contracts can only be two years. If you sign him now, you waste one of those years without being able to even evaluate him.

One thing the Spurs may be evaluating is perhaps using the slice of the MLE left after Diaw to sign him later in the year. The salary would be pro-rated, and though it could be minimum, if you use the MLE fraction, it can be for more than 2 years.

[kaji157]

Minimum contracts can only be two years. If you sign him now, you waste one of those years without being able to even evaluate him.

One thing the Spurs may be evaluating is perhaps using the slice of the MLE left after Diaw to sign him later in the year. The salary would be pro-rated, and though it could be minimum, if you use the MLE fraction, it can be for more than 2 years.

I am not really a fan of this idea because i think that if there would be a possibility of him playing well again. Many teams would be interested. Teams may have a more bigger picture than us on his injuries.
That said. If you ask me, i would give hima 3 year deal for what is left of the MLE, making it´s second year partially guaranteed 50% and 3rd year fully unguaranteed (or team option).

[Wild Cobra Kai]

I am not really a fan of this idea because i think that if there would be a possibility of him playing well again. Many teams would be interested. Teams may have a more bigger picture than us on his injuries.
That said. If you ask me, i would give hima 3 year deal for what is left of the MLE, making it´s second year partially guaranteed 50% and 3rd year fully unguaranteed (or team option).

They actually only have about half minimum left out of the MLE. The trick is to sign him later in the year, and it can then be pro-rated to 0.5 minimum salary for 0.5 of a season, and two more years tacked on.

No one will be signing him for training camp. He's not ready, not even close. He just had micro fracture surgery last winter. He probably won't be ready for any b-ball activity until Feb/Mar.

The key is to just sign him sometime before next summer. If you can do that, you gain the advantage. He'd likely prefer 2.5 seasons of minimum mid season to waiting until summer for 2.0 seasons of minimum.