Foul Trouble Limits Oden’s Effectiveness Portland Falls To Boston 74-66

Despite all the accolades that Ohio State University freshman center Greg Oden received during his one year in the NCAA he did show one constant “Achilles Heel”. His penchant for getting into early foul trouble, especially as the Buckeyes went deep into the postseason only to lose the National Title Game to repeat Champions Florida, limited his effectiveness. As Oden faced NBA competition for the first time Friday night in Las Vegas as his new team the Portland Trail Blazers matched up against the Boston Celtics, Oden’s flaw again was prominent. Oden fouled out of the game getting ten fouls in just 20 minutes of playing time! That is four more fouls than you are allowed in a regular NBA game, five more than you are allowed in college. Oden scored only six points in his brief stay on the court, and Boston defeated Portland 74-66. If Oden expects to have any long term success at the NBA level, this is a habit he will have to rid himself of quickly.