Not To Be Forgotten

(Before actually delving into this post, I do want to make it clear that although it's title does work for both Greg Oden, and myself, at this point I have accepted that I simply cannot post as regularly as I'd like. Therefore, from now on, I will hold my apologies, and hope they are already implied.)

Greg Oden. Center. 7 feet, 0 inches. 25 years old. First overall pick of the 2007 draft.

Sounds impressive, on paper, and even was during his college years at Ohio State where he was honored as "Player of the Week" by the Big Ten. However, the road to success has not been an easy one for the New York native, who missed his entire first season due to a knee injury, and was by default listed as a rookie during his 2008-2009 run. And things have not gone anymore smoothly since then; Oden has played a total of 82 games between 2007 and 2012, amounting to only a full NBA season. However, it seems as though things are about to change.

Last May, the number one draft pick announced that he would officially sit out the 2012-2013 season, choosing instead to focus on his rehabilitation. And it may be possible that his decision was a good one.

Oden has just signed a two-year, $1 million contract with the Miami Heat; a move that probably no one saw coming.

But then again, it sort of makes sense, doesn't it? For starters, the Heat are on a winning streak, and although it would be unrealistic to say they can't get any better, they certainly don't need too much help at the present time. Then there's the fact that Heat point guard Mario Chalmers has known the big guy since high school, which without a doubt made Oden's decision that much easier. And then there's the chance that maybe, just maybe, the baller will actually have a shot of turning into the star he was always supposed to be. And what better group of guys is there to boost an athlete's morale?

Only time will tell what this new partnership will amount to, but one thing is for sure: Greg Oden is not to be forgotten. Not yet anyways.