I still remember the summer of 2007 like it was yesterday - the buzz around Greg Oden was absolutely electric. As someone who's followed NBA drafts for over two decades, I've rarely seen such unanimous consensus about a first pick. The Portland Trail Blazers selected the 7-foot center from Ohio State, choosing him over Kevin Durant in what remains one of the most debated draft decisions in recent memory. Looking back now, it's fascinating how careers can unfold in such unexpected ways, much like that incredible Wimbledon match we just witnessed where the 20-year-old Filipina pushed Czech world No. 16 Barbora Krejcikova to the limit in that two-hour, 10-minute battle before falling 6-3, 2-6, 1-6. Both stories remind us that early promise doesn't always translate to long-term success, but the journey itself reveals so much about character and resilience.
When Greg Oden stepped onto that draft stage, he was being compared to Bill Russell - no pressure there, right? I genuinely believed he was going to revolutionize the center position. His college stats were ridiculous - he averaged 15.7 points, 9.6 rebounds, and 3.3 blocks per game while shooting nearly 62% from the field. The physical tools were all there: that massive 7-foot frame, incredible wingspan, and surprisingly quick feet for a big man. Portland's front office saw him as their franchise cornerstone, the missing piece that would complement Brandon Roy and LaMarcus Aldridge perfectly. I remember thinking they were building something special out there in the Pacific Northwest.
The injury problems started almost immediately. Oden missed his entire rookie season after undergoing microfracture surgery on his right knee - that should have been our first red flag. When he finally did take the court in 2008, he showed flashes of that dominant potential we'd all anticipated. I'll never forget his November 2009 game against Miami where he put up 13 points, 20 rebounds, and 4 blocks in just 24 minutes. The man was an absolute force when healthy. But those moments became increasingly rare as his knees continued to betray him. Over five seasons with Portland, he managed to play in just 82 total games - exactly one full season's worth spread across half a decade. It was heartbreaking to watch.
What many people don't realize is how hard Oden worked to come back. I spoke with several trainers who worked with him during those rehabilitation periods, and they all said the same thing - his work ethic was phenomenal. The problem wasn't effort, it was that his body simply wouldn't cooperate. After Portland waived him in 2012, he had brief stints with Miami and then in China, but the magic was gone. By 2016, at just 28 years old, he officially announced his retirement. Think about that - most players are hitting their prime at 28, and Oden's career was already over.
These days, Oden has found a different path that seems to suit him well. He completed his degree at Ohio State in 2019 and now works as a student manager for the Buckeyes' basketball program while also serving as an analyst for their broadcasts. From what I've heard from colleagues in Columbus, he's found genuine contentment in mentoring young players and staying connected to the game without the pressure of performing. It's a redemption arc I appreciate - not every basketball story needs to end with championship rings and Hall of Fame speeches. Sometimes, finding peace after the storm is victory enough.
His story parallels so many what-ifs in sports history. What if Portland had chosen Durant? What if modern sports medicine had been advanced enough to save Oden's knees? What if he'd been drafted by a team with a different medical staff? These questions will forever linger around that 2007 draft class. Durant, selected second, obviously became one of the greatest scorers in NBA history, while other picks from that first round like Al Horford (pick No. 3) and Joakim Noah (pick No. 9) enjoyed long, productive careers.
Watching Oden's journey unfold reminds me why I both love and fear the NBA draft. The potential for franchise-altering success exists alongside the risk of devastating busts. In Oden's case, he wasn't a bust due to lack of talent or effort - his body failed him. There's something tragically human about that. As I reflect on his career and that recent Wimbledon match where the young Filipina fought so valiantly before fading in the final sets, I'm reminded that sports narratives rarely follow our scripts. The predicted champions sometimes fall short, while underdogs occasionally rise. Oden's story, much like that tennis match, teaches us about the beauty and brutality of competition - how initial success doesn't guarantee lasting victory, but the struggle itself reveals character that often outlasts any trophy or ranking.