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Former Miami Heat Center Ranked Among Greatest NBA ‘What-If’ Stories

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Former Miami Heat Center Ranked Among Greatest NBA ‘What-If’ Stories


Greg Oden already ranked among the most significant “what could have been” stories in NBA history when he joined the Miami Heat in 2013.

Nothing has changed over a decade later. The 2007 No. 1 pick remains a regular fixture on listicles and videos discussing players who never panned out in the NBA.

HoopsHype called Oden the 10th biggest “what-if” player in NBA history. A litany of knee injuries famously derailed Oden’s career before he even had an opportunity to turn the Portland Trail Blazers into title contenders.

Portland infamously selected Oden over future Hall of Famer Kevin Durant following the former’s dominant freshman season at Ohio State.

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“His mix of skill (he had quick post moves, could shoot the hook and would finish everything around the basket), vertical leaping ability and size (he was a true 7-footer with a strong frame) made him unstoppable,” the article said of Oden.

We never saw Oden look “unstoppable” in Portland. He missed his rookie season and underwent three microfracture surgeries by his fifth pro campaign. The Trail Blazers waived him in March of 2012. 

Oden joined the Heat months after LeBron James, Dwyane Wade, and Chris Bosh led the club to their second straight title. He averaged 2.9 points and 2.3 rebounds across 23 games.

The veteran big man finished his basketball career playing for the Chinese Basketball Association’s Jiangsu Dragons in 2016.

ODEN SAYS HE FEARED PLAYING FOR HEAT

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Oden reflected on his short Heat tenure on former NFL quarterback Johnny Manziel’s podcast earlier this week. 

Oden admitted he feared getting in trouble or becoming the player who jinxed the two-time defending champions. He said he spent five days a week with teammate Michael Beasley, though they limited their South Beach trips to avoid any issues. 

“We can’t get in trouble in Miami,” Oden told Manziel. “Like we’re on this team, we’re going to make it to the f—- Finals, we’re going to get rings, just don’t f— it up, basically. Being on that team, it felt like it meant a little bit more, and I wasn’t going to be the one to mess that up, especially after two championships.”

Oden nonetheless still thinks highly about his Heat stint.

“It was probably the best experience I saw,” Oden said. “A-List players, A-List organization, A-List fans, A-List City. It was amazing.”

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NEW JERSEYS REVEALED

Good news for Heat fans hoping to buy official jerseys ahead of the holidays: you now have another option to pick from. 

On Thursday, the Heat released the latest edition of their “Culture” jersey.

The newest version is named “Blood Red.” The team posted it on the official X page, providing all the purchase details.

COULD HEAT TRADE BAM FOR GIANNIS?

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Heat fans have long dreamed of watching former NBA MVP Giannis Antetokounmpo team up with Bam Adebayo and Jimmy Butler.

Unfortunately, a potential addition may involve a tough subtraction.

HoopsHype included the Heat in a Nov. 13 article ranking eight potential trade targets for Antetokounmpo. The problem is the Heat lack the type of assets that could convince Milwaukee to deal the Greek Freak.

The article suggested a combination of Duncan Robinson, Terry Rozier, and Tyler Herro “would likely be” the first names included in any trade because of their salaries. However, it also proposed the Heat may need to add Adebayo or Butler as the headline in any potential trade package.

“Pat Riley’s Heat pursue stars over rebuilds, and always have,” the article stated. “And if their conversion rate is low, it is only because they are always playing the game.”

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ALL-STAR HERRO COULD HURT HEAT

Herro is playing the best basketball of his NBA career, so why isn’t the team’s future more optimistic?

The answer is quite simple on the surface: Herro’s All-Star level start to the year further complicates the Heat’s future blueprint.

Prior to the season, the Heat were faced with two key choices based on the play of veteran star Butler. Either trade Butler at the deadline if championship contention does not appear realistic or deal Herro in an attempt to win now with the 35-year-old at the helm.

The issue is few expected Herro’s production and trade value to skyrocket the way it has. His performance against the Detroit Pistons in Tuesday’s overtime victory was the best of the season for a Heat player, recording 40 points, eight assists, five rebounds, and four steals on 51.9 percent shooting and 10 of 17 shooting from three-point range.

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The front office must now decide if Herro is a cornerstone of their organization after just nine strong games, or more than ever, should team president Pat Riley look to move him?

MORE HEAT NEWS

Miami Heat Players Chasing Six-Figure Payday In NBA Cup

Social Media Roasts Erik Spoelstra After Viral ‘Complete, Uncharacteristic Meltdown’

Jake Elman works as a contributing writer to Miami Heat on SI. He can be reached at jakeelman97@gmail.com or follow him on X @JakeElman97.



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Cleveland, OH

Looking back on Bills’ last trip to Cleveland

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Looking back on Bills’ last trip to Cleveland


The last time the Buffalo Bills played in Cleveland, they were still raw and hungry, which is way different than the grizzled, yet youth-driven bunch that’ll be heading there for the first time in six years on Sunday.

The Bills were in excellent shape at 6-2 in Week 10 of the 2019 NFL season and rolled into town to face a Browns team that had all the hype before the season, but had lost four straight and were at 2-6.

What happened last time Bills played Browns in Cleveland?

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Baker Mayfield and the Browns drove down the field in six plays for a touchdown on the opening drive, with the rival from Josh Allen’s draft class finding Jarvis Landry for the game’s first points. Austin Seibert missed an extra point, and that turned to be critical late in the game.

Nov 10, 2019; Cleveland, OH, USA; Browns quarterback Baker Mayfield (6) is hit by Bills defensive tackle Star Lotulelei (98) during the first half at FirstEnergy Stadium. | Ken Blaze-Imagn Images
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TRENDING: Bills must slow down Browns’ record-hunting force on Sunday

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Sandwiched around a run-heavy Bills touchdown drive, capped off by an Allen 10-yard scamper that gave them a 7-6 lead in the second quarter, was a very satisfying sequence for Bills fans.

On two of the Browns’ next three possessions following their opening drive, they had the ball inside the Bills’ 3-yard line for 11 plays. Cleveland had eight plays on the first possession, and even though there were a couple of penalties on the Bills, Buffalo had a goal-line stand.

The Bills stopped the Browns on three straight goal-to-go plays on the second such possession, and Cleveland lined up to go for it on 4th-and-goal. However, a false start penalty prompted them to kick a field goal and make it a 9-7 game.

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Nov 10, 2019; Cleveland, OH, USA; Bills kicker Stephen Hauschka (4) and Browns cornerback Denzel Ward (21) watch as Hauschka misses a field goal during the first half at FirstEnergy Stadium. | Ken Blaze-Imagn Images

Five questions before Josh Allen, Bills face Browns

Buffalo wasn’t as fortunate on the next drive, as Stephen Hauschka shanked a 34-yard field goal wide left with time winding down, leaving the Browns with their lead into halftime.

Out of the locker room, the Bills got an immediate spark. Corey Bojorquez downed a punt at the 7-yard line, then Tremaine Edmunds sacked Mayfield in the end zone for a safety on the next play to tie the game.

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The Browns tacked on a field goal on their next drive to take the lead while the Bills’ offense was stuck in quicksand, with three punts and a turnover on downs on their first four second-half possessions.

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Nov 10, 2019; Cleveland, OH, USA; Bills middle linebacker Tremaine Edmunds (49) tackles Browns quarterback Baker Mayfield (6) in the end zone for a safety during the second half at FirstEnergy Stadium. | Ken Blaze-Imagn Images

MORE: James Cook chasing Jonathan Taylor and Bills’ rushing record

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Allen got his act together and led a seven-play, 48-yard drive and ran in a score from a yard out to give Buffalo the lead back with 5:26 left. He finished the day 22-of-41 for 266 yards passing and scored twice on the ground, but was off that day.

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Mayfield responded in kind, finding Rashard Higgins in the end zone to reclaim the lead after a long drive of his own. The Bills had one more shot, but Hauschka whiffed from 53, handing the Bills a 19-16 loss.

The Bills’ and Browns’ dynamics are much more different than they were in 2019, but there can be that lingering reminder of that game for Allen as the AFC playoff race nears its end.

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Nov 10, 2019; Cleveland, OH, USA; Browns quarterback Baker Mayfield (6) shakes hands with Bills quarterback Josh Allen (17) after the game between the Cleveland Browns and the Buffalo Bills at FirstEnergy Stadium. | Ken Blaze-Imagn Images

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— Sign up for OnSI’s Free Buffalo Bills Newsletter —

  • Buffalo Bills’ veteran explodes with a new record vs. Patriots

  • Josh Allen shockingly behind rival QB in ESPN analyst’s MVP rankings

  • Josh Allen’s December dominance sends a chill across NFL

  • Buffalo Bills’ James Cook suddenly has a fumble problem



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Cleveland, OH

Cleveland salt mine works year-round to keep Ohio roads safe

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Cleveland salt mine works year-round to keep Ohio roads safe


CLEVELAND, Ohio (WOIO) – Road safety across Ohio begins 1,800 feet below Lake Erie at Cleveland’s Cargill salt mine near Whiskey Island.

19 News made the journey under ground to Cleveland’s Cargill salt time.

Superintendent of production Andrew Staker describes the operation as a “mini-city” where about 250 employees produce the salt that clears our roads and sidewalks.

“We provide over half the salt used here in the state of Ohio. Our salt also goes all over the Great Lakes Region even Virginia,” said Staker.

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Thousands of tons of salt pass through this belt, and 500-700 trucks are loaded with salt each day.

Staker said his team works nonstop.

“It’s a big misconception that the mine is only busy during the wintertime,” said Staker. “We prepare in the springtime, so it is full giddy up. We are making salt all year round.”

Just like everyone else, Staker and his time are feeling the effects of winter’s early arrival.

“We take a lot of it snowfall by snowfall, so as demand ramps up, our teams here will put in extra overtime days to be able to meet customer demand,” said Staker.

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Semi-truck rips down power lines in Cleveland’s Ohio City neighborhood for 4th time since July

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Semi-truck rips down power lines in Cleveland’s Ohio City neighborhood for 4th time since July


CLEVELAND, Ohio (WOIO) – The city of Cleveland is looking into why wires are dangling from West 25th Street in Ohio City.

Sam McNulty, owner of Nano Brew, says trucks are ripping through wires at the intersection of 25th Street and Bridge Avenue.

“4 times that cable has gone down,” McNulty said. “We’re shocked that whoever is in charge of that cable hasn’t figured out a way to elevate it a little bit more.”

In July, Ring doorbell footage caught a semi hitting the wires. You could see the wires falling to the ground.

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Luckily, McNulty said, it’s a communication wire, but that doesn’t make the problem go away.

“This is a very active street tons of pedestrians, bicyclists, families, people are here almost 24 hours a day,” said McNulty.

The most recent incident was Thursday morning. McNulty says a crew wrapped ropes around the fallen wire.

“I am definitely not a line engineer but when I see random rope tied with pretty sketchy looking knots holding the cable up I think that’s probably not Osha approved,” said McNulty.

19 News reached out to the city of Cleveland, which said it is looking into the issue.

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