Heat fans may be wondering why exactly the Heat did decide to gamble on Greg Oden. In fact, Greg Oden may be questioning the same thing. After spending one year at Ohio State and leading his team to an NCAA title run, Oden decided to join the NBA. Now years later and several injuries and surgeries on top on that, Pat Riley and the Miami Heat have decided to give Oden a second chance.
CBS Sports is reporting that Oden is quite aware of all of the physical shortcomings that have plagued him since joining the league. Oden addressed the media and said this:
“I got an old body. I’m going to put it like that. I understand. My body is not going to be when I was 18, able to run all day and jump over people. I can’t do that now. It’s just not going to happen. My knees, the wear and tear of the surgeries, I understand that. But I’m going to play as hard as I can, and I’m going to try to jump over people, and I’m going to try to run all day. If my body lets me, I’ll do it.”
“After three years of being out. I’m just going to go and do what I can, and my body is going to do what it can. If somehow it says no, then it says no. But, for me, I’m not even worried about that. I’m just going to go play and not even think about that.
“If it doesn’t, I have to deal with it when it happens. Right now, I just want to go play.”
Oden basically voiced all of the concerns that fans and teammates should have about him, but it has to make you question how much he can get the negative off his mind and focus on playing basketball. While the Heat are investing a low cost into Oden, it’s a roster spot and money nonetheless. If Oden stays healthy, then it’s a bright season for the Heat, and Pat Riley looks like a genius as usual. If not, then at least we can’t say that Oden didn’t warn the organization.