The Miami Heat signed Greg Oden this past offseason in hopes that the 7’0″ center would be able to help them slow down Roy Hibbert come playoff time. All that being said, the injury troubled center is becoming frustrated with his lack of playing time so far this season. Oden has not played yet in the regular season for Miami, and only logged a few preseason minutes.
Miami is bringing Oden along slowly, trying to get him back to 100% health and condition before they allow him to take the court. His timetable for return is currently unknown to the public, and may not even be known by the Heat coaching staff. The fact of the matter is that the Heat don’t mind waiting until the playoffs to put Oden on the court as long as he can play against Hibbert for 15-20 minutes per night.
The Miami Herald reported that Dwayne Wade said that Oden had “gotten down” and was “a little frustrated” about the long wait. It’s very natural for a player to have an itch to see the court, but Oden has to see the big picture. Oden has been a walking knee injury throughout the majority of his career and this could very well be his last chance in the NBA. One more injury may very well force Oden to call it a career, so the Heat are being very wise by not rushing him back.
Don’t expect to see Oden return to the court at any time in the near future. Hopefully for the Heat, this frustration does not take a toll on the locker room, and doesn’t take Oden’s concentration away. The Heat will use the big man at some point this season, but that point may not come until the postseason arrives.
Evan Massey is a Staff Writer for The Inscriber. Follow Evan on Twitter at @Massey_Evan.