Watching other players succeed can cause extreme envy. It may not always be warranted, but it’s ordinary in the NBA.
While a former No. 1 overall pick is eight years removed from the NBA, he can still recall the moment that almost caused him to lose his composure.
“The year I retired was the year that Timofey Mozgov — no disrespect — got that 50 mil [contract with the Los Angeles Lakers], and I wanted to kill everybody in the (expletive) world,” Greg Ogden said Tuesday on the OGs podcast. “I hated life, I was depressed. If they threw him 50 mil, I’m like, ‘All I need to do is be on the team. That’s 20 (million) easy.”
Oden, who retired from the NBA in 2016, is referencing the four-year, $64 million deal Mozgov inked with the Lakers three months after he called it quits. Oden made over $20 million during his playing days, but his career was a massive disappointment.
The Portland Trail Blazers selected Oden No. 1 overall in the 2007 draft. Unfortunately, Oden required surgery on his right knee in September and missed the 2007-08 season. Oden made his NBA debut for the Trail Blazers on Oct. 28, 2008, but only recorded 13 minutes of action due to a foot injury he suffered early in the contest.
Despite suffering a knee injury later that year, Oden had a relatively healthy season, appearing in 61 of Portland’s 82 regular season games. Regarding his production, Oden averaged 8.9 points, seven rebounds, and 1.1 blocks for the year.
However, 21 games into the following season, Oden experienced the third knee injury of his young career and was forced to watch the Trail Blazers’ final 61 contests from the bench.
Additional setbacks caused Oden to sit out the next 230 regular season games, which prompted Portland to waive the 7-foot big man in 2012. Oden signed a one-year deal with the Miami Heat shortly after, but he only appeared in 23 contests before continuing his professional career in China.
Oden wasn’t the most polished big man when he was healthy, but he possessed an endless motor and a relentless approach to rebounding.
Oden’s recent comments helped NBA fans comprehend his mindset in 2016. Oden knew he could achieve greatness at the highest level of basketball, but sadly, his unreliable body prevented him from reaching his full potential.