Fansided

Heat’s Greg Oden: ‘I’m one of the biggest busts in NBA history’

By Michael Collins

Feb 18, 2014; Dallas, TX, USA; Miami Heat center Greg Oden (20) warms up before the game against the Dallas Mavericks at the American Airlines Center. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports
Feb 18, 2014; Dallas, TX, USA; Miami Heat center Greg Oden (20) warms up before the game against the Dallas Mavericks at the American Airlines Center. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports /
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Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports
Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports /

Greg Oden was a player who showed immense promise coming out of Ohio State in 2007. The Portland Trail Blazers thought they had found their big man for a long time to come.

But injury after injury completely derailed the career of the No. 1 overall pick, eventually keeping him completely out of basketball for the entire 2012-2013 season.

“I know I’m one of the biggest busts in NBA history and I know that it’ll only get worse as Kevin Durant continues doing big things” – Greg Oden

Then the Miami Heat came calling, giving Oden a second chance.

But even playing limited minutes with the heat, Oden’s seemingly brittle body just couldn’t take the punishment of playing in the NBA, as more injuries kept him on the bench.

Oden realizes how much was expected of him and how that potential never materialized, even though he worked hard to make it happen.

In an interview with Grantland’ s Mark Titus Oden was asked how he feels about his current role as a bench player with the Heat, and if he had any regrets in terms of his career.

"“I’m over all of that,” Oden said. “I know I’m one of the biggest busts in NBA history and I know that it’ll only get worse as Kevin Durant continues doing big things … It’s frustrating that my body can’t do what my mind wants it to do sometimes. But worrying or complaining about it isn’t going to fix anything … I wish the circumstances would let me play more, but I certainly don’t regret coming back, and I don’t regret signing with the Heat.”"

The 26-year-old Oden has yet to play in any of the Heat’s playoff games this season, and only saw action once in the past 15 games. He averaged 2.9 points and 2.3 rebounds in the 23 games he played for the Heat this season.

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