“The Decision” Greg Oden edition, has come and the once promising big man whose career seemed all but over, will be trying to resuscitate whatever is left of it with the reigning world champions according to ESPN.
Greg Oden, the former No. 1 overall pick who hasn’t played in an NBA game since 2009, will sign a contract to play for the Miami Heat, the center told ESPN.com and Grantland.com.
The deal is for a minimum of two years with a player option in the second year, sources told ESPN.com.
Oden said the fact that the Heat is willing to be patient with him moving forward, made the difference.
Oden said it was a “big deciding factor” that Heat officials made it clear to him that he “wouldn’t be needed as much early in the season” as he works his way back from more than three years out of the league.
“When I had a conversation with Coach (Erik) Spoelstra and hearing how much he knew about the training stuff that I was already doing, it kind of made me feel like they know what’s best for me,” Oden said in a phone interview.
“I’m not going to sit here and say I’m 100 percent,” Oden added. “I am moving (well) and I am feeling good, but I have a lot of work to do.”
I hope he is able to make a full recovery and reclaim his career, but the odds are against him. Brandon Roy tried to do the same thing last season, but his knees couldn’t withstand the physical toll of an 82-game season.