Is Blake Griffin The Next Oden?

Blake Griffin, NCAA's best college basketball player last year- has just opted for season ending knee surgery.  Griffin, drafter number one by the Clippers, dominated the NBA summer league, as well as preseason before landing awkwardly from a bone crushing slam.  He was in pain, but no one had hit him nor undercut him, so he figured it could not have been that bad.  He expected a pre Christmas return- but that did not happen.  The stress fracture in his knee seems a lot worse now to him, then it did on October 23, the day it happened.  Clipper fans, who have suffered for awhile now, had a new hope with Chris Kaman's return, and the Clipper's signing of Griffin.  I think the Clippers have a solid team with Baron Davis, Chris Kaman (who his having an outstanding year), Al Thorton, Eric Gordon, Rasual Butler, and Marcus Camby.  At times, this team has shown their potential- such as last week with three wins over three of the best teams in the NBA- Laker, Celtics, and Heat. Now imagine that roster, with the addition of Griffin.  Unfortunately for Clipper fans, they are going to have to wait until next year to see Griffin play.

One thing that might be scary- is Griffin the next Oden?

- Oden, the Blazers first pick in the 2007 draft, was picked right before Kevin Durant.  A couple months after being drafted, Oden had a microfracture in his knee, and missed the entire 2007-2008 season.  In the next season, Oden played in 61 games averaging 21.5 mpg, with 8.9 ppg, 1.1 bpg, and 7 rpg.  Not a terrible season for a rookie, but many expected more from the number 1 pick. In his third season, Oden started playing great- he played and started in the first 21 games- averaging 11.1 ppg, 8.5 rpg, over .600 fg % and 2.3 bpg!  He was playing solid basketball, and he was getting better every game.  But then, on December 5, Oden again got injured, this time fracturing his left Patella, and again getting season ending surgery.  Oden has proved he can be a great player on the court, but now has been in the NBA three seasons and has only played in 82 games. Griffin, a huge threat in the key as well, is starting the same way Oden did.  Hopefully, he does not follow suit and instead stays healthy from now on.