Blog

It’s September, and basketball nuts like myself are starting to salivate at the thought of training camp opening up in a month. Most Celtic fans I have spoken to seem to think our roster is set as it currently stands, but I’m not convinced. I have been hearing rumors that we will be using the BAE (Bi-Annual Exception) on a big man, presumably one that gets waived or bought-out during the season.

There’s also guys like Darko Milicic, Kenyon Martin, and Andray…. I can’t do it, I can’t even pretend to be interested in these guys. Three talented players cancers. I never like the thought of an unknown in life. To me, signing one of those pieces of excrement, or having to wait half the season to get a talented big is crazy talk. Someone that signs mid-season may struggle to adapt to our culture, and could possible screw up chemistry. I propose a very different idea. Greg Oden.

Can he come back from multiple knee surgeries?

Most fans I have spoken to think that Oden is done, and that he would be a waste of a roster spot. I see it differently. Oden has refuted 2012-13 comeback reports from his agent (Mike Conley Sr.), but he has left the window open for a late season return. I believe we could be the team that helps him rehab all year. Having him hang around our team first culture would be great for his moral, and if there is a 10% chance he can return healthy, we have to take it don’t we? Who would you rather sitting on the end of the bench, Dionte Christmas? That guy won’t be around by Christmas. I’d rather have the physically imposing Oden sitting on our bench as our secret weapon. Heck, give the guy a two year BAE deal; the second year wouldn’t be fully guaranteed.

A healthy Greg Oden could put us over the top come playoff time, and a late return would give teams like Miami little time to prepare and game plan for him. If he doesn’t make it back, we can say we tried, and there’s always next season. Danny, if you’re reading this,  give Oden a thought, hell, give him a call.