After winning the 2007 Naismith Player of the Year, Kevin Durant was expected to be the first pick in the NBA draft. One season of college basketball was enough for KD to show that he belonged in the NBA. However, on a sudden change of scenario, the Slim Reaper was chosen as the second pick by the Seattle Sonics. Who was the first? Many would call him a bust now, but after his first few games in the NBA, he was considered an upcoming superstar. Former NBA center Demarcus Cousins, who looked back into the 7ft center’s early days, did not hesitate to make a bold comparison to Shaquille O’Neal. 

Knee injuries, which especially required microfracture surgery, were a threat to players back then. With the advanced technology, it is no longer a problem. But in the 90s and 2000s, microfracture surgery killed the careers of many talented players like Tracy McGrady, Penny Hardaway, and Chris Webber. Greg Oden was one of them, who was affected the most.

Oden was #1 overall pick by the Portland Trailblazers in the 2007 NBA Draft. For those who are not aware of his game, here are a few words from Demarcus Cousins in a recent podcast interview. “Greg Oden was a f****** monster bro. That motherf***** was like 7’1 with a 45-inch vertical. He had the jump hook action too. He can run the floor, he was catching lobs. He was the second coming of Shaq bro.“ 

Oden’s career succumbed due to multiple microfracture surgeries. He had three such surgeries in a span of five years. One of these surgeries during his first year at the NBA had him miss the entire year. Thus, the next campaign, 2008-09, was considered Oden’s rookie year. Herein, he averaged 8.9 points and 7 rebounds in 61 games. The next year, Oden had his best year with 11.1 points, 8.5 rebounds but only featured in 21 games due to knee troubles.

`The 7ft center did not step on the court for three years until 2013. In the 2013-14 season, he played 23 games for the Miami Heat and retired. 

What does Kevin Durant have to say about Greg Oden being a bust? 

Fairly speaking, Oden is not a bust. He never got a chance to prove his worth. He played just three seasons and none of it was for 82 games. Durant is of the same lines. The 2x champion was asked if Oden was a bust and he replied, “Nonsense. That’s nonsense.”

KD believes Oden has not played long enough and has not even got a chance to progress as a player. How can one be bust if he never got a chance to show his best? This is a stinging reply that Durant gave to the media, showing his support for Oden. Anyhow, these words will never be soothing for Oden because he termed himself a bust. 

The 7ft center said, “I’ll be remembered as the biggest bust in NBA history, but I can’t do nothing about that.” Oden is done aching for another chance. Even if he gets one, he doubts if his knee will cooperate with him. The disappointment was evident. However, Oden has no choice but to live through it for the rest of his life. 

Stay tuned for more such updates, and to follow what Shaq’s ex-agent, Leonard Armato, has to say about the infamous Shaq-Kobe feud, Caitlin Clark’s Olympic snub, and more, watch this video: