Good money after bad
The Blazers are about to sign center Greg Oden to a one-year, $8.9 million contract. Mind-boggling money -- plus, he gets a handicapped parking space.
The guy has been on the Blazer payroll for four years now. During that time, the team has played 328 regular season games. Oden has been well enough to play in only 82 of them, and for only 22 minutes per game on average. His playoff career consists of a grand total of 95 minutes.
The last game he played in was more than two years ago. And he's still not capable of suiting up. He's talking to his doctors -- uh huh. If Portland's lucky, he might be able to play in late January. If his recent history is any indicator, they might get 20 games out of him, at 20 minutes a game, before he goes down again. That would come to $445,000 a game, $22,250 per playing minute, or $370.83 per second. Mind-boggling.
Maybe Occupy Portland needs to show up at a Blazer game. The protesters could chant out the dollar amount for each second that Oden's on the floor: "370! 740! 1110! 1480! 1850! 2220!" O.k., the math might get too advanced, but you get our point.
It's a good thing the Blazers have Paul Allen as their owner. He's got no money sense, and he doesn't need any. What a message for the kids in the Blazer fan corps: Life ain't fair.
Oh, well. We'll probably wind up following pro basketball again at some point after the Super Bowl. Until then, we sincerely wish the Blazers well as the goofy partial season gets under way.
| Posted at 7:47 AM | Permalink |
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Comments (15)
Prediction: Brandon Roy retires before the season starts and Greg Oden retires before the season ends.
Posted by reader | December 9, 2011 8:08 AM
These guys pull down millions playing a sport they enjoy. They travel the country like royalty and own big beautiful homes. Few players make it to the NBA, and even fewer last very long. Much like a great Disneyland ride, they all know it will end sometime. When a player can no longer contribute it is time to go. Dozens with more ability are waiting for their chance. There are no pity positions, and no room for those whose time has come. They are owed nothing except thanks from fans that enjoyed watching them play. This is the business they have chosen. Pros aren’t expected to throw tantrums or whine like toddlers when told its bedtime. Losing Oden and Roy should be a no brainer business move, and that is all the NBA ever has been, a business.
Posted by Gibby | December 9, 2011 8:14 AM
He'll probably spend this season getting rehabbed and get back into shape so he's ready to play next season, on some other team.
Posted by Pragmatic Portlander | December 9, 2011 8:24 AM
http://espn.go.com/chicago/nba/story/_/id/7335092/brandon-roy-portland-trail-blazers-retire-due-knees-sources-say
Reports this morning that Roy is retiring. His salary comes off the Blazers books one year after his last game.
Posted by NoPoGuy | December 9, 2011 8:26 AM
"one-year, $8.9 million contract."
Assuming they do the usual crap-out in the first round of the playoffs, Oden stars in Jan and finishes mid-April.
So $8.9M for 3 to 3.5 months of work.
This guy is making Darius Miles look cheap.
Posted by Steve | December 9, 2011 8:50 AM
Breaking Blazer news: Blazers to quit NBA, join wheelchair league instead.
Posted by Jason | December 9, 2011 9:03 AM
I'm curious as to what incentive he has to get back in time for January games? He just milked the Blazers for a cool $8.9 million on a one year deal, and he'll get just as much, if not more, as a free agent next year, no audition necessary.
It's gotta be tempting for him to get to Jan/Feb, do a whole lotta nothin on doctors orders, then sign a massive deal to go somewhere else next year. Hell, if he gets back out on the court, it's only downside at this point for his next big deal since there is a good chance he'll get hurt again.
Posted by Kent Mulder | December 9, 2011 9:10 AM
Un-frickin-believable.
Posted by dg | December 9, 2011 10:28 AM
And here's your 2012 Portland Frailblazers....
Posted by Mojo | December 9, 2011 10:43 AM
Maybe 0 games played should have its own selection.
Posted by reader | December 9, 2011 11:33 AM
The Blazers have zero chance to be a top team without Oden.
So of course they have to roll the dice.
Let's not forget the ONLY championship was when Bill Walton was healthy.
Should we have jettisoned Walton in his early years because of his bad health?
AND- It's not your money, so why get all pissy about a Billionaire playing fantasy basketball?
Posted by Ralph Woods | December 9, 2011 1:13 PM
Albert Pujols will be earning $68,000 per DAY, every day, win or lose, for the next 10 years.
Posted by benschon | December 9, 2011 1:52 PM
Not even worth getting the dander up for this contract. Gives the team a shot to go deep in the playoffs if he comes back and stays back. No long term cap hell if he doesn't. Not having Durant gives me an aneurysm. This contract doesn't.
Posted by Flynn | December 9, 2011 2:07 PM
Looks like "zero" was the right answer after all. Sigh.
Posted by Michelle | December 9, 2011 5:11 PM
What is the PR value to the Blazer for having him on the team at all?
Posted by Rick Hamell | December 10, 2011 7:42 AM