Tuesday, February 17th, 2009 at 4:25 pm  |  12 responses

The Ultimate Question

When it’s said and done, G.O. will have his.

Greg Oden1600×1200 pixels (4:3 ratio, high-resolution, standard screen)
1680×1050 pixels (8:5 ratio, high-resolution, wide screen)

Let’s not even get into what the basketball fans predicted for Greg Oden. If we really wanted to cover all the bases, and mention everything that was expected (and everything that wasn’t), this piece would be tens of thousands of words long. We’re not about to get into this again because this post is really about the cover–and the wallpaper that your can use on your desktop. Before the 2008-09 season, the SLAM preview issue ran five Obama campaign-inspired covers before America elected its first African-American president. Previews, in general, take a shot at predicting what the future may hold. Greg Oden may not have played an NBA game yet, and you might think that doesn’t deserve a cover, but he represented the ultimate guessing game, every prognostication included something about the 7-foot rookie.

Dude from Indiana hasn’t had the best luck with injuries, and his seriousness on and off the court is causing some concern. He’s finally playing, but… expects better of himself. He knows he can be better, if only… he had a more polished offensive game. He’s making excuses and putting it all upon himself. Suddenly, the charismatic Oden that we saw so often last year, during his rehab has taken a back seat to a super focused self. All that’s known is he’s not a bust and is willing to work like crazy on the defensive end of the court. He’s raw on offense, but can be explosive as any big in the game. Predictions aside, the cover holds extra meaning in that Oden was one of the first athletes to publically support President Obama on his campaign. It’s quite fitting that Portland’s face of change would have an Obama-themed cover.

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  • SLAM ONLINE | Posted: Feb.17 at 4:29 pm
    [...] Oden Wallpaper [...]

  • Collin Posted: Feb.17 at 4:32 pm
    i’d still rather have him than Durant

  • Collin Posted: Feb.17 at 4:47 pm
    if he ever has a year with no injuries, he will be playing at a really high level

  • j-smoov 5 Posted: Feb.17 at 6:52 pm
    @ Collin: Easily, he’ll kill it.

  • Z Posted: Feb.17 at 9:01 pm
    Collin, I know it hurts to admit it… but they messed up… 26-7-3 on 48-43-86 % is filthy.

  • doyouwantmore Posted: Feb.17 at 11:13 pm
    They really got the essence of Greg in the picture. Face-up. Thinking about taking a jump shot. Not quite sure.

  • kingofsota Posted: Feb.18 at 12:27 am
    haha love it but hope to see him fill that bill russell role that many have predicted of him

  • ciolkstar Posted: Feb.18 at 11:14 am
    You’re out of your mind Collin. Durant is on his way to being LeBron’s foil and one of the top 3 players in the league. A generational talent. While Oden will likely have more knee surgeries than All Star appearances.

  • Collin Posted: Feb.18 at 11:25 am
    I’m not saying Oden is better than durant with skills, Durants a beast. I just think that Oden has more of a presence on the defensive end, and his offense at least has potential. and oden’s presence is what the blazers needed, they didn’t need another offenseve force.

  • Doc Funk Posted: Feb.18 at 5:07 pm
    Oden is looking a little grayer than usual.

  • sppromos Posted: Feb.19 at 8:30 pm
    Yes oden is a going to be a beast if he stays healthy….and yes durrant is a monster in the making if not already…bottom line tho is a roy/durrant tandem would have been incredible…shoulda
    took durrant.

  • Jack Posted: May.15 at 3:42 am
    doyouwantmore: It’s called a free throw.

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