Mike Richman here, the host of the daily Locked On Blazers podcast, with your daily Locked On Blazers newsletter. Each day we bring you the biggest stories about the Blazers and the NBA, including the hottest links to other stories you need to read. Plus, Josh Lloyd delivers daily fantasy notes to crush your league.
Greg Oden Returns to Portland
Dec 28, 2024; Portland, Oregon, USA; Former Portland Trail Blazers Greg Oden is recognized during a time out in the first half during a game against the Dallas Mavericks at Moda Center. | Troy Wayrynen/Troy Wayrynen-Imagn Images
More than 15 years after his playing career in Portland ended, Greg Oden returned to the building where his NBA career started back in 2008.
It had been over 5,500 days since Oden had walked through the halls of what is now known as the Moda Center. His Trail Blazers playing career ended in early December 2009, and he hadn’t been back in the building since 2012 when he was waived by the team that drafted him No. 1 overall in 2007.
And yet as Oden entered the building on Saturday night, there wasn’t a since of regret of the painful flood of “What Ifs.” Instead, Oden approached his return with a sense of gratitude.
“I’m happy,” Oden said, prior to the Blazers win over the Dallas Mavericks on Saturday. “You know, this is a place where my life changed. I was thinking about it and I was like will I feel some type of way? And honestly, all I feel is just I’m so thankful and I’m just so honored to be back. It’s my first time going to a game since I played or since I was still on the team. And honestly, I’m just thinking about walking through these buildings when I used to drive my van down there in a little tunnel at the loading dock and I just got good memories. You know, we won a lot when I did play, and just the atmosphere and the fans, that’s what I’m thinking about and that’s what I’m excited about.”
Oden’s NBA career never took off. A knee injury stalled his rookie season a full year before he finally took the court in 2008. And then midway through his second season, on that December night in 2009, his Blazers career came to an unsatisfactory and sudden end with yet another knee injury. He’d have several more surgeries and miss the following three seasons before making a brief comeback with the Miami Heat in the 2013-14 season. He played 23 games for the Heat and then his NBA career quietly ended without fanfare.
There were dark times along the way for Oden form phenom, to No. 1 pick, to poster child of injury riddle “bust” labels. He admitted that this happy to return to Portland probably wasn’t possible a few years ago.
“Of course I had to grow in that,” he said. “Like if you asked me this, you know, seven years ago. I might have thought differently, but right now all I can think about is being here with my family and understanding that being when I was here – this changed my life.”
Oden returned with gratitude for a place that doesn’t on its face contain many happy memories for him. Let it be a lesson to all of us the power of appreciating what you have without lamenting what you don’t.
“When I’m by myself — Yes,” Oden said when asked if he lets himself entertain the What Ifs of what his playing career could have grown into. “But I don’t let that take up too much of my life and my thoughts because, you know, all I can control is what’s going on right now. You know, the past isn’t gonna impact me [with] what’s going on right now. You know, I love to think about what could have happened, but I mean, all I can do is start building for what I want now.”
Dec 21, 2024; Sacramento, California, USA; Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James (23) reacts to a question during a post game interview after the game against the Sacramento Kings at Golden 1 Center. | Ed Szczepanski/Ed Szczepanski-Imagn Images
Sacramento Kings coach Mike Brown was fired on his way to meet his team at the airport, Anthony Edwards was fined again — this time a cool $100k — for profanity, Amen Thompson picked Tyler Herro up and skipped him like a stone over the hardwood floor, the Suns and Mavs got into it too, and D’Angelo Russell was traded to the Nets (again) in exchange for Dorian Finney-Smith and Shake Milton. It was a busy weekend in the NBA.
But let’s not focus on the chaos. Let’s instead look to a milestone within the milieu of the NBA’s theatrics, one that’s sat looming, casting a long shadow over the league for years now and especially over LeBron James, who turns 40 today.
James is a rare athlete in many ways. He’s been dominant in every decade of his career — and it’s rare enough to pluralize “decade” when discussing the length of an athlete’s career — and at one point was the greatest athlete on the planet. He’s won NBA titles, Olympic gold medals, has played a huge role in furthering athlete autonomy and reshaping the public’s perception of what an athlete can do and be off the court (or field, rink, etc.) in terms of political and social awareness and advocacy. He’s the first ever athlete to play alongside his son at a professional level and he’s advanced, even introduced, the concept of recovery and physical and mental longevity for an athlete.
He’s also still capable of forcefully taking your breath away with a rousing block, dunk, and the ability to toss his team on his back and take control of the game — he’s still averaging 23.5 points, 9 assists and 7.5 rebounds per game.
James’ rarest attribute though is something of a double-edged sword: his longevity. The quality of longevity, pure staying power, James has maintained throughout his career is the kind of consistency we just don’t see in sports yet he’s made it feel routine, totally normal.
The gift of this for basketball fans has been having James as both a metronome and a backdrop for over 20 seasons. Other players have taken what he’s done and made their own improvisations, but he’s the rhythm that drives the game like he’s the mountain set at the horizon, offering a perennial sense of direction. What happens when these two constant factors aren’t there anymore?
Katie Heindl is a credentialed NBA and WNBA writer, her bylines have appeared with The New York Times Magazine, SLAM, The Athletic, Yahoo Sports, Dime, Rolling Stone, among others. She writes the bestselling Substack, Basketball Feelings and is working on a book of the same name.
Home and Away
Analysis Greg Oden opens up about his NBA journey and current endeavors, while Portland coach Billups and Anfernee Simons comment on Oden’s impact and legacy with the Trail Blazers. (Blazer’s Edge)
Personnel Acting head coach Nate Bjorkgren leads the Trail Blazers to a 2-0 record by adhering to Billups’ strategies, showcasing his capability to handle the team during Billups’ absence. Bjorkgren’s approach brings stability and continuity. (Oregon Live)
Ranking The Trail Blazers are evaluated in the latest NBA power rankings, assessing their performance and potential to challenge top teams like the Celtics and Thunder. Power rankings provide an insightful look at the team’s standing. (Bleacher Report)
Preview The 76ers will go up against the Trail Blazers at the Moda Center at 10:00 PM ET. Read the preview.(NBA)
Celebrate 40 great moments for LeBron James on his 40th birthday. (NBA.com)
Milestone By the numbers: a statistical look at NBA milestones as LeBron James turns 40. (TSN)
Biz A look inside Mike Brown’s final days with the Sacramento Kings. (The Athletic)
Ticket Booth
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76ers @ Trail Blazers
Monday, Dec. 30 | 7:00PM | Moda Center, Portland, OR | Get Tickets
Trail Blazers @ Lakers
Thursday, Jan. 2 | 7:30PM | Crypto.com Arena, Los Angeles, CA | Get Tickets
Trail Blazers @ Bucks
Saturday, Jan. 4 | 7:00PM | Fiserv Forum, Milwaukee, WI | Get Tickets
Fantasy Cheat Sheet
Fantasy Basketball Implications Of The Lakers & Nets Trade
Dec 28, 2024; Los Angeles, California, USA; Los Angeles Lakers guard D’Angelo Russell (1) moves the ball against Sacramento Kings guard De’Aaron Fox (5) during the first half at Crypto.com Arena. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-Imagn Images | Gary A. Vasquez/Gary A. Vasquez-Imagn Images
The NBA trade market is heating up, and the Brooklyn Nets and Los Angeles Lakers have made the first significant move of the season. In a surprising turn of events, D’Angelo Russell is heading back to Brooklyn, while Dorian Finney-Smith makes his way to Los Angeles.
The trade details are as follows:
Brooklyn receives:
D’Angelo Russell
Maxwell Lewis (2023 second-round pick)
Three second-round picks
Los Angeles receives:
Dorian Finney-Smith
Shake Milton
This move has significant implications for both teams and fantasy basketball managers alike. For Brooklyn, Russell’s return could shake up their backcourt rotation. With Cam Thomas also returning from injury, the Nets suddenly have an abundance of scoring guards. While this might lead to some exciting offensive performances, it could also create a defensive nightmare for Brooklyn.
Noah Clowney’s value may see an uptick with Finney-Smith’s departure. The rookie has shown flashes of potential in recent games, and this trade could open up more consistent minutes for him. However, it’s important to temper expectations, as the Nets’ rotation remains fluid.
Ben Simmons’ role is now in question. With Russell taking over primary ball-handling duties, Simmons might see a reduction in minutes and usage. Fantasy managers should monitor this situation closely, as Simmons could become a potential drop candidate if his playing time dips significantly.
Don’t let these episodes pass you by — stay locked in with the latest Locked On Blazers podcasts.
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Anfernee Simons Delivers in the Clutch as Trail Blazers Get Bounce Back Win in Houston Anfernee Simons scored 15 of his 25 points in the fourth quarter and the Trail Blazers avenged an ugly loss on Friday night with a clutch win over the same Houston Rockets on Saturday.
Can the Trail Blazers Follow The Houston Rockets Rebuild Path? | Game Preview with Locked On Rockets A crossover edition of the show with Jackson Gatlin of Locked On Rockets, previewing the Trail Blazers two games against the Rockets on Friday and Saturday.
