Everyone knows about Kevin Durant as he is on highlight films daily and is looking like the front runner for 2010-2011 MVP, but what about the forgotten player that went one spot before him in the 2007 draft, Greg Oden.
The 7 foot Ohio State star came into the league with the highest of expectations. Oden was the first overall draft pick in 2007 but couldn’t play in the 2007-2008 season due to a season ending injury that occurred before he even stepped on the court.
Portland coaches, players, and fans were still optimistic about his return at the start of the 2008-2009 season, he was able to play in 61 games. His stat line included 9 points, 7 rebounds, and 1.1 blocks per game. The next season Oden`s injury struggles continued, only playing in 21 games, this time getting 11 points, 8.5 rebounds, and 2.3 blocks per game.
This season the first pick in 2007 started injured and with hopes of return, he recently announced that he will need surgery and won`t play this season. Oden still has the ability to be an impact player and even a top level centre in a league where excellent centres are hard to come by.
At the end of this season both Kevin Durant and Greg Oden will be looking for new contracts, but the 1st and 2nd overall picks will be looking at very different figures. Durant already resigned for over 10 million dollars from his current Thunder and Oden will struggle to find a job and will probably not be with the Trail Blazers next year. One of the league`s bottom feeders will give Oden a short term contract for a low dollar value as a last try to make the college star an NBA star.