Le Basketbawl

Okay let us get this out of the way right from the Frickin start; New York Vinnie was not rooting for Portland Trail Blazers center Greg Oden to get hurt this season. New York Vinnie certainly did not derive any Frickin pleasure in seeing “MR. RICKETS” fall to the hardwood clutching his left knee and writhing in severe pain. New York Vinnie also does not have the power too have put a curse on “MR. RICKETS” and if I did I certainly would not use it on something like that! Despite what New York Vinnie’s Number One Fan Kellex of  ”Blaze Of Love“  I am not an “Oden Hater.”

However New York Vinnie would be lying to you if I wrote that I did not expect this. From the very first column New York Vinnie wrote on “MR. RICKETS” back in July Oden Is On His Way To Being A Bust!  I have maintained a consistent view-point. Greg  Oden is as fragile as Frickin Dresden China and that will keep him from attaining greatness in the NBA. Although it appears when he can remain healthy that Oden could become a force to be reckoned with in the NBA if he remained healthy his body has so far sabotaged his NBA career. 

Back In August Oden talked to reporters were about his expectations for this season were. Oden responded “This is going to be a big year. Everybody comes in and has that first year, that get-used-to-the-league year. But you have to break out in your second year. You have to, and that’s what I’m looking forward to. I definitely have to show them that I’m here, and that I am the guy you guys drafted.”

As John Lennon wrote many years ago “Life is What Happens While You’re Busy Making Other Plans“  and it is just as true now as it was when he wrote it. You never know when you are going fall off a horse you just have pick yourself and start all over again. The problem though for “MR. RICKETS” is every time he falls off that horse he gets seriously hurt.

All the good intentions and smarts that you have could be rendered useless if you can not stay healthy. And unfortunately it looks like “MR.RICKETS” could have very short life in the NBA. The ability is there when healthy to be a great player in the pros; that is if his body cooperates which in now three seasons in a row it has not.

 Oden  has not been not a factor for this team getting better in the last two years. This was the season he vowed to show the NBA he could withstand the rigors of an 82 game NBA season. The mind may be willing but the body fails him every year. Unfortunately it is looking more and more likely that injuries will keep “MR. RICKETS” from ever reaching his true potential.