Boston Celtics Danny Ainge Should Roll The Dice On Greg Oden

The Boston Celtics have a clear need this off season. Danny Ainge watched the Celtics have serious issues at the center position. Jermaine O’Neal could return. JO proved his worth and potential with a solid defensive performance in the playoffs. However, JO was injured most of the year and his knee and wrist issues may or may not return next year. Even if he does return, I would prefer him as the backup to give Boston a solid 20 minutes of great defensive play. Shaq might be coming back as well. However, his 20^thseason should see him play only about eight minutes a game. A dose of very limited minutes is about the only way to guarantee that Shaq will provide a solid presence for the Celtics come playoff time. Nenad Krstic is also an option to return, but the reality is that Krstic is not that great a defender. He is neither athletic nor a tough post presence. He does make up for some of that by stretching the floor on the offensive end with his sweet shot. He would be a great fit should the other two gentleman return. However, none of these men are the answer for next season.

There is a man that could be the answer. The possible gamble is injury prone, but young enough to be able to put the injuries behind him for a little bit of a run. It would be a gamble, but the reward would be huge. He has ridiculous potential on the defensive end. He has size and athleticism for a big man. He can rebound and play tough. Offensively, he would be a new toy for Rajon Rondo to utilize. Rondo could hit this target down low and get him easy baskets. This man would benefit from having Doc Rivers, KG and possibly both O’Neals in his ear. The Celtics could also have the luxury of limiting his minutes with the depth of possibly the O’Neals. That man is Greg Oden.

Greg Oden will always be the guy that because Boston failed to get the number one pick to draft him, brought about the trades that reshaped this franchise and brought home Banner 17. Maybe Oden landing in Boston will bring Boston Banner 18? Oden is a defensive ace with serious shot blocking potential.  He rebounds well and that would greatly help the Celtics in desperate need of a rebounder. If he were put in a Boston’s system, he could flourish. On the offensive end, he could provide a lift at times with Oden finishing the penetration drives of Rajon Rondo.

The only issue is his health. However, Oden is still very young. He could easily still carve out a solid notch in the NBA. Guys like Bill Walton and even Pervis Ellison came back and were effective after a series of injuries. Those guys never reached their ceilings, but their skills were very useful to teams in the NBA. The Celtics flourished with the aging Walton at center. Maybe Oden could flourish as these men did.

The bottom line is he is worth the gamble. The reward for getting a guy that could be a top 8 center for possibly the mid level is too great. Danny needs to pounce because others will be looking to cash in on Oden.  However, look for Danny to dangle the golden carrot of playing for a defense that includes KG and having guys like JO and Shaq to mentor him. I believe Danny will get it done Remember Go Green Or Go Home!!!!!!!!!!!