Artis Gilmore Comments on Greg Oden

February 8, 2013, 4:31 pm

The NBA All-Star game is fast approaching and getting insight to the game by a former participant is essential in helping the listeners understand the experience. NBA Hall of Famer and 6-time NBA All-Star, Artis Gilmore joined The Bald Faced Truth with John Canzano to share his experience.

February is Black History Month in the United States and our culture went through many changes during the 1960's and 1970's not only in our society but also the sports world. Artis Gilmore played during basketball in the civil rights era and spoke to John Canzano about his experience.

"This country has made a tremendous amount of progress but actually my toughest experience was as a youth growing up in my hometown as well as the early years, my first couple of years of college. That was just an extraordinary period of time in this country as well as the fact we have made a tremendous amount of progress to the point that I never dreamed I would ever see a black president at the White House."

The Portland Trail Blazers selected C Greg Oden as the number one overall pick in the 2007 NBA draft. After numerous injury issues the Blazers waived Oden in March of 2012. Currently reports are surfacing that the Cleveland Cavaliers are interested in signing Oden to a contract. Gilmore, who played the same position as Oden commented about the situation.

"If there's a possibility that he can stay healthy, he can make an incredible impact in the NBA. Unfortunately I don't know whether it's something hereditary that's in his genes that create the problems he's experienced over the years but it certainly has set him back considerably."

Artis and John also talk about the center position and whether or not teams need a prototypical "big man" to be a consistent championship contender.

Click on the link below to listen to this exclusive interview with NBA Hall of Famer Artis Gilmore.

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