Greg Oden: the next Bill Russell, the comeback story ... The Bust 

welcome to Prism y'all, we're really excited to finally share this with you. we'll have a new episode every Tuesday between now and September 20th, so keep an eye out and we'll see you soon

That clip of Greg walking and getting asked by that old lady if he plays basketball and his reply "I used to" almost makes me cry every time I see it

Hearing about how Oden apologized to the GM and team after getting hurt is heartbreaking. He obviously cared so much

For anyone interested in where Oden is currently, he recently became Director of Basketball Operations for Butler University in his hometown of Indianapolis for his former college coach, Thad Matta.

It still surprises me that Secret Base can make content this good so consistently

Such a sad story man. Greg's genuinely a great dude, can't help but feel sorry for all he's been thru

RIP Bill Russell, true legend of the game in every sense of the word

That video of him on a college campus, saying "he used to play basketball" on hidden camera and being sad after will forever be one of the saddest basketball videos ever

I’ve seen Oden at the playground in my neighborhood playing with his daughter quite a few times… Dudes a great dad and great person he talked to every single person that came up to him and even played with the kids.

Oh boy this one’s gonna hurt, my first NBA game seeing live was seeing Greg Oden and Brandon Roy against the Knicks, they won on a Roy game winner.. what could’ve been

Always saw Greg walking around OSU campus when he was finishing his degree. Nice dude, still rooting for him.

I never thought of him as a bust he was just unlucky and got injured. I think it’s unfair to say someone is a bust when they can’t stay healthy

I definitely stand with Kevin Durant on this one. Reminds me of Kijana Carter in football. Some guys are just dealt awful hands, they actually genuinely try but just.... get stopped once they start getting the ball rolling. I never consider the injured guys to be busts, only the guys who are either immature/uncoachable despite talent levels, or just press the off switch the minute they sign a huge contract. I particularly feel bad for Mr. Oden here, caught between valuing his health and wanting to appear strong/justify his #1 draft by playing more of a role on the team.

It may sound weird but, given how hard he kept trying to recover after so many injuries, Greg Oden is a certified legend to me.

*From a Michigan man, his career was just unlucky chance after another. Much respect for the man he is today. He never walked away from basketball even though the sport tried leaving him.*

I read an article some years back about how Phoenix's medical, training, and nutritional staff was incredibly important in that run they had with Steve Nash. The Trailblazers seem like the exact opposite. They've ruined so many promising careers.

Portland had LaMarcus Aldridge, Brandon Roy and Greg Oden...and fate said - "Nah. You gets nothing." That's crazy. PRISM going to be great.

I watched this dude at ohio state. I went there when he was a freshman. He was an absolute joy to watch, the most dominant player on any court, and it wasn't even close. I was so sad for him with all of the injuries

On draft night in 2007, my Mom thought Greg Oden was Greg Oden's father. That says it all about him.

The more you hear about what a good dude Oden is, the more it breaks my heart that injuries and mental health completely derailed his career. If he had the good fortune of of being born a decade later, he probably has an Embiid-esque career.

I feel so bad for this dude because so rarely do u see a player really say sorry for getting injured. Dude really just wanted to play and he understood how frustrating it was to the fans and his teammates that he couldn’t. I feel like a lot of people can relate to that.

damn, this hurts, Oden helped inspire my love for Buckeye basketball, he's such a class act too. Also RIP Bill Russell

I was at Greg oden’s last game as a kid, I still remember some of the crowd heckling him and yelling for him to get up…poor guy. Dude was going to be the most dominant player in the league no doubt about it

Add Bill Russell to the title... Right in the feels, SB

My dad is the Assistant AD at the High School Oden and Conley went to. I was present at all three state championships. I saw him as a young kid and was in awe. He was powerful and quick. So insane to see this covered. This video did a really good job of capturing what I remember he was like.

Brandon Roy gotta be the next one after this. Him and Roy pretty much faded out the league at the same time while playing for the same franchise at the same time with eerily the same type of injuries.

Can’t wait for more of this new series, it looks great so far!

I was a freshman in high school when Greg Oden was at Ohio State. I really thought he would be the next great big man in the NBA but injuries robbed us of that. Wherever Greg is, I hope he’s doing okay.

You guys always put out bangers, rather beef or introspectives. Love it. I'm here for Prism. 🏆🙏🏿👑

He's the reason why I can't call him a bust injuries destroyed his career before it started

As a Trail Blazers fan, I can’t say I’ve ever been as excited than after drafting Oden to play with LA & Roy. I still find myself playing the “What-If” in my head if he didn’t get hurt

Thanks for making this video and telling Greg's story. Oden has always had tremendous respect and sympathy from Ohio State fans throughout his career. In a city like Columbus that has such a communal vibe to it, folks take notice of how people carry themselves. Folks I know that had classes with him always thought well of him as a person and comment about how humble, thoughtful, and kind he is. His teammates at Ohio State spoke highly of his work ethic, his demeanor, and his love of the game. Buckeye nation loved that he worked hard, and cared about the team winning above having a great stat line. On the court he was a tier above in college... and if he'd have been able to stay healthy he would have enjoyed a lot of success in the NBA, too. I have full confidence in that. His story isn't one of a player that just didn't have the drive or potential to succeed, but one of someone who was unfortunately mired by serious injuries. It was great to see him back with the Buckeyes when he returned to Columbus to finish his degree and work on Thad Matta's staff. And I'm happy for him that he has reunited with Thad at Butler. He's faced more than a fair share of struggles in his life, and done some things wrong, but he has always owned his actions and held himself accountable to them. Despite his career being so short and playing time so sparse in the NBA, I look at Oden's story and journey as a success. Who cares if his career never had a chance to fully blossom in the NBA as a player? He has endured all that adversity and found a path in life where he still is involved in with something he has genuine passion for, working alongside a great mentor and friend in Thad Matta. Sometimes plans go off the rails, but you have to keep moving forward to find peace and happiness in life, and I think Oden is doing just that.

I always feel bad for athletes who end up as "busts", especially as a result of injuries. To have so much talent and drive, only to be failed by things beyond your control, is heartbreaking.

I would love to see a prism episode on a guy like Lettrell Sprewell.

I met him at a restaurant in DC this past spring. Super nice guy, really humble, and took the time to speak to so many different people in the restaurant that night. Great guy and I wish he got the chance to really show who he was

Oden seems like a genuinely kind man. It’s sad to see all the hardships he was dealt

If Oden knew about Anthony Bennett he wouldve been the greatest center in NBA History

Oden and Conley played hs ball 15 minutes from where I live, I was pretty young and they were Gods in Indianapolis. It always makes me so sad how Greg’s career turned out because he had what it took his body just couldn’t comply

I loved this. This was presented in such a heartfelt manner. I really appreciate the time and respect that y'all gave this. This is what I've always wanted sports journalism to be.

How different would our opinions of Oden be if Durant was also a bust, or at least, only became a role player? I think the Durant comparison is what really made Oden feel like such a bust, which isn't fair to him

Loved this video, and super excited for this series! So much of sports media can get caught up in analyzing stats or scrutinizing achievements like championships, to where it's easy to forget the people who are actually out there, playing the games themselves.

Great episode, pumped for the rest of the series. Really appreciate the personal and introspective framing.

Hard not to at least tear up watching this video. Sports just aren’t fair man. They’re brutal

The wait was worth it, great first ep. Thanks for your passion and dedication SB

I remember watching his first game against the Lakers and even that small bit showed me enough to believe this guy would be a special player. In another universe his injuries don't pile up and he could have a hof career.

Congratulations, Secret Base, on your new series, Prism! Man, I’m looking forward to seeing all the good stuff you’re planning on showing for the next few weeks. Keep up the great work! 👍👍

As a Blazer fan I won't deny the "what if" with Oden makes me sad. He's a good man, and I hope he's happy these days.

Heartbreaking story, honestly. Really shows, again, how lucky you need to be to truly succeed as a professional athlete. Injuries, teams you play for, coaches, it's all just as important as talent. Great video as always.

I used to have a Greg Oden Jersey and I loved watching him playing college. He is one of the biggest what ifs of basketball and I think if his legs were able to stay strong and he didn't injure them all the time he could have been one of the most dominant centers we have ever seen.

Fantastic idea for a series and love the introspective approach. Always felt Greg Oden was unfairly judged and this video does a wonderful job of articulating why the labels were unjust. Looking forward to the rest of this series

This should prove to be another great series, keep up the good work and excellent content!

This is the best channel on RU-vid. Thanks for another great story, guys.

I remember him in college. Everyone mentioned how old he looked for his age. I thought he had some type of aging thing going on and couldn't be good against a grueling physical NBA for his body. He Def had skill but I didn't think his body was going to hold up. I didn't think it would happen that fast. Great guy that the NBA needed more of.

Really wish he would have went on to become an all time NBA great. It would have been nice to see a former Buckeye be a top player in the NBA for many years!

Very thoughtful video, hope we get more in the series like it. Well done, Mr. Ali.

I was a DJ in Portland Strip Clubs during Odens time in Portland. He came in to our club a handful of times, and he was always an insanely polite and cool dude. I always got the feeling that he didn't want to be "out", but his "friends" wanted to show off who they were hanging out with.

First off, have to say, great video. Appreciate the dynamite work. I do take umbrage at a couple points. Allowing Greg Oden's feelings to cover over the much more clear busts in NBA is unfair. He was great and would have been greater if he hadn't been injured. There are many other high picks(don't want to be crass and name names) that failed harder. I would also like to say that alcoholism isn't often a choice, and dropping that blame on an injured man who lost someone close to them is more than a little insensitive. We could all work to do better in realizing that alcohol dependence is a deep and troubling addiction that requires support and understanding. All that being said, I enjoyed the video and SB's output, but wanted to air a couple issues that could be covered more compassionately.

Growing up in Portland, and being a 10 year old when Oden was drafted; I cannot tell you the hype, hope, hate, and now hurt that swirl around this man's name -still, even- because of how his time in PDX turned out. I think the Portland Big 3 in B-Roy, L-Train, and Oden are the biggest what-if in sports history.

I see this guy every year at the NABC convention at the Final Four. No one ever hounds him for autographs or pictures. I've seen him walk around the airport as if he weren't the former #1 overall pick with one of the single greatest college seasons of all time. Such a humble guy who is still leaving a huge imprint on the game of basketball. We'll be hearing his name for many years to come. Great guy.

Dear Secret Base, You're great. You transcend sport media. You're doing a so many things better than the 30 for 30's have even come close to. Your formats are completely unique, the editing is beautiful, the storytelling is sincerely unparalleled (in terms of sports stories) and the personalities of the presenters/hosts(?) make it fun. Many layers to love. Been a fan since the beginning. You guys are great.

I feel every new NBA player should watch this at training camp. Great job as always guys! 👏👏👏👏👏👏👏

I always found it interesting how oden had uneven leg lengths and it was never an issue but when they tried to even it out and fix his gait the injury’s started

I love this channel’s drive to consistently make entertaining and original content.

This was great. Thank you for putting This in a different perspective.

When this happened I didn’t have much empathy for him, but at 38 after having a hip replacement, I can understand this young man’s frustration. I was a Durant fan when he came out of college, but I know from experience injuries are tough. They can effect the rest of your life not just physically, but mentally as well

Great video as usual! The only thing I feel was missing from Oden's story was the fact that legs were different lengths. Portland, being suspicious, then gave Oden shoes with insoles that fixed the length difference. However, it was only after joining Portland that he had knee injuries, making the Blazers seem more at fault for his injuries.

This is a fantastic idea for a video series. Props to you guys!

Just saw Greg a Week ago!! Dude literally pulled up beside me while I was pumping gas!! Extremely cool, and let me get a picture with him. He says he still hoops to stay in good shape! 💪🏾💯

How are people still calling him the biggest bust ever after Anthony Bennett came and went from the league

This might be the best thing Joe has done at SB and he has put out some bangers.

Yall's work inspires me!! Great job folks 👏 👍

Another great series idea. I never miss a video. Even subject matter I don’t have a passion for is gripping.

Great episode excited to see what's next.

Secret Base always, ALWAYS delivers. amazing work as always guys

Thanks for the new series SB! Excited to learn all I can!

Another fantastic series from SB! Love this channel.

As an Ohio native, this literally hurt my heart watching this. Greg Oden was unfairly cursed by the basketball Gods in such cruel ways.

For the love of God please make a video about the beef between Muhammed Ali and Joe Frazier.

This channel keeps coming with great vids and great concepts.

Excellent job and makes me revise my perspective. Love what you guys are doing.

The man was a beast when on the court. He got hurt. He doesn't deserve to be called a bust.

I don't know if anyone remembers this. But back in the day, a few weeks or maybe a month after Oden got drafted, there was a segment on NBA TV where Oden sat down in a room with some of the greatest centers in NBA history. Bill Russell was there, Hakeem Olajuwon, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar and a few others I cant remember. Till this day, I can't find this footage anywhere. There was a main interviewer who sparked up the conversation between the all time greats and Oden. The only thing I remember from the interview is when Greg said: "I'm kind of starstruck right now in the presence of legends. I feel like I don't even belong here." It just blows my mind that looking back, even before Oden did anything on an NBA basketball court, they had him sat down with legends as if he was a for sure thing in the NBA to be the next Bill Russell or something. I doubt the NBA will ever release this footage from the vault. 😂😂

Fantastic video. Great job 👏

Another banger series concept cant wait for more

As a Blazer fan you gotta give 70% of the blame to the organization. They were and always have been completely incompetent from top to bottom. Their medical staff was the worst in the league. Not just for Oden and B-Roy but the entire team. If they were in a bigger market if shared a city with another pro franchise people would riot.

I feel for the man. Greg Oden was a great big man. Possibly hall of fame level potential. But his body gave up on him.

what a banger! I just love the NBA content from this channel

This series is about to repeatedly break my heart 💔

This series has so much potential, looking forward to more.

*It’s really sad to see what happened to Greg Oden…He had ALL the potential in the world. His effort and drive was never in question. I remember watching him shoot free throws with his left hand at Ohio State when he injured his right hand. I STILL think he would’ve been one of the all time greats had he never dealt with those career injuries. Praying he’s living a happy and successful life.*

This a great video that explains so much. Thank you

I already love this... Please do more🤩🤩

I feel bad for this man, I had multiple knee injuries end my NFL dreams in college. I can't imagine getting to actually reach your dream and have it stolen from you especially over something you have no control over like injuries.

I think Oden would’ve been an amazing player, never thought he was a bust. He definitely had the talent and drive but his body just wouldn’t work with him. Hope he’s doing well man, awesome guy

I was at Greg's last game as a Trail Blazer. The entire arena was dead silent for what seemed like 45 minutes but was like, 10 minutes. We ended up winning that game off of a Brandon Roy game winning layup.

That stat you said and I also see it on twitter all the time about oden, Roy, and Aldridge playing playing 62 games together and 52-10 is not accurate. They played 76 games together with a 51-25 record.

RIP Bill Russell

Heartbreaking. Truly someone who deserved success and did everything in his power and then some to achieve it, but life just didn’t go his way. Hope to see him smiling while he coaches this year

Wishing Greg nothing but good health and happiness. A great stand up dude.

It's tough when injuries are really the only thing stopping you from having a great career