As the highest decide within the 2007 NBA Draft, Greg Auden joined the league with excessive expectations. Sadly, he grew to become a draft bust, primarily as a result of severe accidents.
At Ohio State, Oden proved his potential because the No. 1 general decide within the NBA Draft. He and Kevin Durant had been high two gamers, but it surely was a authorized argument on the time. Sadly, the harm has saved Auden down and Durant turns into one of many sport’s finest gamers.
The Portland Path Blazers selected Auden in 2007 to create a formidable trio of Auden, Brandon Roy and La Marcus Aldridge. It was the core of the championship stage, however collectively they did not attain their full potential as a result of accidents.
Auden has turn into one of the tragic gamers in NBA historical past. Most individuals see him as a draft bust, however that wasn’t his fault. It was powerful for him, however he was nonetheless grateful for all his experiences.
Auden grew to become the main focus of the 2007 Blazers rise. Sadly, the accidents piled up and other people had been taken from the trio of Auden, Roy and Aldridge. The 2 within the trio grew to become All-Stars, however their middle by no means reached his empty potential.
Auden feels that nobody blames himself for his battle. It was a heartbreaking improvement as everybody was rooting for him to maximise his profession. Sadly, accidents piled up and the Blazers exempted him in 2012.
“I do not assume that manner. I am so grateful for the Portland Path Blazers franchise simply to vary my life and alter my household’s life,” Auden instructed Hoopsheipe about serious about situations about his profession.
“It was my physique. My physique could not stand it at that time, so I strive to not take pleasure in what I used to be considering and what truly occurred.”
Auden is a warning story for accidents that promoted his profession. Right this moment, gamers are extra cautious, which results in stars who handle their load. Some gamers can face up to physicality and accidents, as Allen Iverson did in his profession. Nevertheless, it’s comprehensible that some gamers are on guard.
The NBA has confronted many accidents all through the 2024-25 season. It peaked through the 2025 playoffs when three superstars suffered from a torn Achilles heel. This had a big effect on the league, particularly as Damien Lillard, Jason Tatum and Ty Halliburton had been all essential gamers.
As a participant who suffered extreme accidents all through his short-lived profession, Auden obtained recommendation from each athletes and younger athletes.
“Nicely, to begin with, you would hearken to the physician. They do the whole lot the docs ask you, however these individuals are vets. These individuals are all stars. So I am telling them so as to add one thing else to your recreation.
“But when I say it like a younger little one, be sincere, take this time to get higher off the court docket and skim a number of books.
Oden is forcing gamers to steer gamers to not having the identical expertise. He could have been struggling throughout his NBA profession, however he does not need that to occur to different gamers.
