Looks like you were right and I was wrong. I wasn’t aware that Oden was given this offer because that’s what Portland is locked into.

So I would agree with you that, as far as rookie contracts go, both sides are at fault when it comes to how much money is spent.

I guess my rage against the owners is more directed at the owners who offer absurd contracts for players no longer under their rookie contracts. You know who I’m talking about – The owners who give max contracts to the likes of Joe Johnson and the full mid level exception to lesser talent.

And with the draft being the way it is these days, maybe two for sure good players and the rest a farm team for 3 years down the road, this can be a sticky situation for owners when rookie deals are up. Say, just for example, this year Michael Beasley takes a nice step up for the Wolves. Maybe a solid 15 and 7 guy that plays decent defense (for example only remember). Next year they’re going to have to offer him 9 millionish. Or they flat out lose him. It’s a tough choice if he’s simply a contributor on a building team. Once he gets his 9 million and continues steady play, his market value is set at 9-10 million a year, but he’ll only take a 4 year deal. So now you’re set up with a slightly above average player who’s important to your team, and you have to pay him 36 million over 4 years, or 15% of your cap room. That’s 15% of your cap tied up to a guy that’s probably the second player off your bench.

All just hypothetical, but that’s what happens. Luol Deng would be another good example of this. Nice player, good defense, key to the Bulls success, but they only way he’s a Bull right now is the 12 million a year deal they gave him. The players want inflated guaranteed contracts, and the owners get suckered into terrible contracts to try and keep their teams competitive. Granted the owners hand out brutally stupid contracts on a regular basis, but the blame doesn’t fall strictly at their feet.

Bad contracts rest on the shoulders of the owners and no one else.

It’s the players job to market himself, play well, and try and make as much money as they can. No one can ever fault someone for taking more money if it’s offered from someone.

No one is forcing those owners to overpay for inferior talent. They have to show restraint, and they haven’t.

He’s out until January at least, so you’re exactly right.
That said, the few times he’s been healthy, he’s proven he deserved to be the top pick. Half a season may/may not show if he is indeed healthy; if not, Paul Allen can afford 9mil. If he is healthy, PDX has a top-flight center.

That’s why I think the players are as much at fault in this mess as the owners, and there isn’t an easy solution. For every Hedo Turkolu signing, there are moves like this where teams backed against the wall and have to pony up.

That’s a completely irresponsible amount of money to offer someone who is a proven injury risk.

The blow is softened somewhat by the fact that it’s only a one year deal. But still, Oden’s history suggests that he’ll make at least half his salary sitting on the bench with yet another injury.

It’s a damn shame, because he’s a nice guy and I’d like to see him do well. But his body just isn’t made for this game.