Pelicans Compete for Greg Oden With Heat and Spurs By Being Mediocre

Sometimes you have to be bad to get good.

(Photo: NBAE/Getty Images | Licensed to Alpha Media Group 2013)

After taking a season off (as opposed to all of his other seasons, which he arguably took off as well), Greg Oden has come into high demand again. The big man, who has played only 82 games since being drafted first overall in 2007, is apparently being courted by the Miami Heat, San Antonio Spurs, and the New Orleans Pelicans, among others. If you’re saying that one of those teams is not like the other, you’re exactly right. 

While the Heat and the Spurs’ pitches were probably limited to somebody just mumbling “Umm, we’re the Heat/Spurs, sooooo…” the Pelicans had an interesting approach to competing with the big boys. According to this Goodman/Stein joint on ESPN.com, they “are building their pitch around the fact going to New Orleans would enable Oden to make his comeback far away from the media glare and with no immediate pressure as he tries again to bounce back.” 

That’s right, the Pelicans’ argument revolves around the fact that they stink and nobody watches or cares about them. You have to admire their honesty and spunk, but it’s only a matter of time before the Heat counter with the exact same argument. 

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