If the Greg Oden experiment works, the Miami Heat dynasty could last three or four more years. If it doesn't, big man Chris Bosh could be left as the scapegoat.
Oden, the oft-injured 7-foot center who was the top pick of the 2007 NBA draft, announced Friday night that he will sign a two-year deal with the Miami Heat, with the second year as a player option. The Miami Herald reported the deal to be worth $1 million to Oden in 2013-14 and $1.1 million in 2014-15 if he exercises his player option.
The Heat could've used their $3.1 million mid-level exception on Oden and avoided paying luxury taxes, but never offered that to Oden, the Herald reported. And Oden never asked.
The Portland Trail Blazers took Oden with the No. 1 pick in 2007, leaving the Seattle Sonics to "settle" with the No. 2 pick, Kevin Durant.
Oden missed all of 2007-08 with a knee injury then played a combined 82 games during the 2008-09 and 2009-10 seasons. He has career averages of 9.4 points and 7.3 rebounds per game.
He has not played a game since Dec. 5, 2009. The Herald reported that Oden has undergone five knee operations including three microfracture surgeries. The most recent was in February of 2012.
Grantland.com reported that as recently as last year, Oden reported that his injuries took as much of a toll on him mentally.
Financially, the Heat aren't taking much of a risk. But it's Bosh's mental health they might be concerned about. Oden said he liked the fact that the two-time defending NBA champions wouldn't have to rush him back onto the court and let him come back at his own pace.
Bosh was criticized heavily during Miami's run to the NBA championship in 2013. Rumors were rampant that if the Heat had lost to the San Antonio Spurs, then the franchise would part with Bosh, who came with LeBron James in 2011 to play with Dwyane Wade in Miami.
"Not to care is the best remedy," Bosh told the Boston Globe in June. "If you don't need it then and don't care about it then, what is it to you? I've been criticized since I've gotten here, whether I'm successful or not.
If Oden can stay healthy, the 6-foot-10 Bosh can go back to his natural power forward position and thrive. But if Oden misses extended time, a probability considering his past, Bosh would be asked to return out of position at center where he struggles against true centers such as the Indiana Pacers' Roy Hibbert.
If the Heat reach the postseason without Oden and fail to capture their third straight title, Bosh again could be subject to criticism that this time could lead him out of town.
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