Greg Oden Gives Unexpected Glimpse into his Life, Talks Drinking and Porn Offers

Greg Oden is often associated with the biggest busts in NBA history. The number one overall pick in 2007 by the Portland Trailblazers, Oden missed his entire rookie year, and played in less than a full season of games combined in the next four years due to knees that didn't want to stay healthy.

Injuries, personal tragedy, trouble adjusting to life as a young, rich athlete; they all played a role in turning Oden into a laughing stock. But until now, only the injuries were really public knowledge, because Oden is the definition of reclusive. It took a former teammate and friend to get Greg to talk, and Mark Titus delivered in a story on Grantland.com today.

After microfracture knee surgery ended Oden's rookie year before it began, he was ready to go for his second year. That's when his cousin, an Air Force veteran, moved into Greg's Portland home with him.

If you know anything about guys in the Air Force," Greg explained, "it's that they drink a ton. My cousin got wrapped up in the NBA lifestyle and threw parties at my house all the time. So I got wrapped up in it too. When I played well, I'd drink to celebrate. And when I played poorly, I'd drink to forget. That second year in Portland I pretty much became an alcoholic.

Greg also talked about the naked pictures he sent to a girl, that of course ended up leaked on the internet. Greg is 7'1" and, well, is properly proportioned. Greg tells Titus that his agent received multiple calls from porn companies after they saw the pictures.

Oden was finally released in March of this year by Portland, which really wasn't a surprise. Greg says that now, after 3 different microfracture surgeries that he feels he rushed back from, he's taking the next year off. Oden plans on returning to Columbus, OH, where he attended Ohio State so he can go back to school and rehab fully. He plans on attempting an NBA comeback in the 2013-14 season.

The article is really a fantastic read, and I highly recommend you check it out.

Article by Eric Gray

Oden on Oden - Grantland.com