Friday, October 31, 2008

>When someday seems like never

In 2004, I sat in an arena and watched Greg Oden dominate his opposition.

Even then he was tagged as the next big thing and I anxiously awaited the day that this 30-year old looking teenager took his game to the next level. I'm still waiting.

After that 2004-2005 season, he played one more year at Lawrence North High School, got hurt -- played a year at Ohio State, got hurt -- was the top pick in the 2007 NBA Draft, got hurt and missed EVERY game in his initial rookie season.

All of that history leads to the question: why did we expect more when his 2nd rookie season began?

Because just 14 minutes later (and four missed field goals), he was on the bench- hurt.

I no longer look forward to the day when Indiana boy Greg Oden fulfills his prophecy of being basketball's next big thing. Instead, I await the day that he scores a single basket.

Too bad right now the name of that day seems like it only rhymes with the word never.

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