Greg Oden captivated the nation back in 2007 when he along with Mike Conley led Ohio State to the National Championship game before losing to the supremely talented eventual champs Florida.
Oden was viewed as the next great big-man as he had NBA scouts salivating over his potential to be dominant in the Association. Oden was taken with the first overall pick in the 2007 Entry Draft ahead of now MVP Kevin Durant. By all accounts Oden was the logical pick here despite Durants now featured prowess in the league. Back in 2007 Oden was the consensus top pick.
By now everyone knows the legend of Oden as he had the dreaded microfracture knee surgery on his right knee before playing a game in the 2007 season. He debuted in 2008 and had a respectable 'rookie' season which he followed up by a decent second season in Portland.
As we know things came horribly off the tracks after after a second major surgery to his knees, this time for a fractured patella. This setback was followed by what appeared to be a career-ending second microfracture surgery; this time on his ailing left knee. As if two career threatening surgeries and major fracture weren't enough; Oden went under the knife for a third time for yet another microfracture knee surgery.
This final procedure effectively ended Oden's days in Portland as he was waived by the club. Despite anyone's personal feelings towards Oden up to this point; one must agree that he never truly got a fair shake in the Association due to these insurmountable injuries.
When Oden expressed interest in making a return to the NBA after having not played in three years even the most critical skeptics were pulling for it to be a success story. Even if no one expected much from Oden, it was a feel good story about a young athlete determined to overcome injury adversity and continue playing the game.
Oden did land himself a contract with the reigning league champion Miami Heat and he managed to rehab himself into game shape for the 2013-14 season. Granted he played in only 23 games and averaged 2.9 ppg and 2.3 rpg; the real success was just seeing Oden back in the Association.
Unfortunately this is where the feel good story comes to an end. The now 26-year old has likely played his last game in the league and with good reason behind it.
On August 7, Oden was arrested in Indianapolis and he has been formally charged with felony battery for allegedly punching his ex-girlfriend. According to multiple media reports Oden was cooperative upon arrest and made exculpatory statements of guilt to to officers on scene.
There is no excuse for this behaviour and now Oden will pay the price for his actions. At least he had the courage to admit his actions and that might buy him some leniency; but should there really be leniency in cases of domestic violence?
Ray Rice of the NFL's Baltimore Ravens got himself into a similar domestic violence situation that resulted criminal charges being stayed against him; however the incident did net him a minimal suspension from the League. Oden's case is significantly different as his charges are not likely going to be stayed for lack of victim cooperation and he could face very real jail time for his actions here.
NBA Commissioner David Silver has shown that he isn't afraid to take a hard line approach against those who bring the reputation of the NBA into disrepute. I would be absolutely shocked if Silver didn't come out at some point and announce a lengthy suspension for Oden, that is of course if any general manager in the Association is willing to give him yet another chance to prove he belongs.
Count me among the many who cheered quietly for Oden to make a triumphant return to the NBA. He battled more personal injury adversity than one deserved and he worked hard to get back into the game. Now I'm of the position that I never want to see Oden grace an NBA hard court anywhere ever again. Silver isn't going to impose a lifetime ban for this, that would be overly harsh given the precedents of previous punishments; however, he could certainly take a page from NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell and set a new precedent for punishing players for crimes of this nature.
The NBA in partnership with the WNBA and the NBADL have fans across the world made up from all races, backgrounds, religion and of course gender. Now is the time to send a clear message to not only Greg Oden but all players and athletes that domestic violence is not something to be tolerated on any level and anyone who cannot come to terms with this, is not suited to represent the global product that is the NBA.