Big fun with 'Big O'

[RonnieBrewer (Reverse Layup)]

Big fun with 'Big O'
Ostertag ponders return to NBA
By Gary Bedore
Posted Thursday, June 21, 2007

Greg Ostertag flipped in a one-handed, behind-the-back three-point shot while
warming up for the Bill Self campers game Wednesday at Horejsi Center.

"I was just jacking around," the 34-year-old former Kansas University/NBA
center said.

He was more serious during a 45-minute scrimmage involving KU's current
players, as well as former Jayhawk Michael Lee.

The 7-foot-2, 290-pound Ostertag hauled down nine rebounds and scored four
points off 1-of-6 shooting in a 75-70 loss.

"I was tired, but it was a lot of fun. It's always fun coming back here,"
said Ostertag, a Duncanville, Texas, native, who played at KU from 1991 to
'95 and followed that with 11 NBA seasons prior to his retirement following
the 2005-06 campaign.

The oft-zany Ostertag transformed himself into a team leader Wednesday. With
the score 63-58 following some sloppy turnovers, he called all participants
to center court. There, Ostertag delivered a no-nonsense message about
playing harder and finishing the first-team-to-score-75 game off right.

"The play was getting a little sloppy. Everybody was getting a little tired,
throwing balls all over the place," said Ostertag. "I said, 'Just try to
settle down and not make the exceptional pass, make the good pass for guys
with wide-open jumpers.' I think right there at the end we played a little
better."

Ostertag ─ he signed autographs for fans and even presented the size 18
Nikes off his feet to a pair of lucky spectators after the scrimmage ─
hopes to return to the camp game next summer as an active NBA player.

No fooling.

The "Big O" is seriously pondering an NBA comeback.

"First I have to try to get my fat butt in shape," Ostertag cracked.

But seriously, folks ...

"I am still young enough to play," he said. "Last year was the first time in
24 years I haven't played. It was fun, but I think I can still do it. I might
give it a shot this year. I'll tell my agent to put my name out there and see
what happens."

Ostertag said "yes" forcibly when asked if he missed the NBA.

"A lot is because I can still do it. I am not going to go out there and play
40 minutes or probably even 20 minutes," he said. "If I can give 15 minutes
here and there, get a couple of rebounds, a couple of blocks for somebody,
I'll do that.

"Like I said, I missed it, especially playoff time. Those are the times you
enjoy the most. The atmosphere is a lot better. It's a lot more physical.
They let you play and so forth. It’s what makes the game fun."

Ostertag, who had career averages of 5.5 rebounds and 4.6 points per game,
said he has started a workout program.

He has been playing pick-up basketball with the Jayhawks since Sunday, when
he brought his son, Cody, to town for camp.

"I've got some weight to lose. Then I may have to go in and work out for
somebody (NBA team). I don't know how it works. I've never been in this
situation before," he said.

KU senior power forward Darnell Jackson, who scored 22 points, including six
off a pair of three-pointers, said he was impressed with Ostertag.

"I thought Sasha (Kaun, 17 points, nine rebounds) takes up a lot of space ─
Greg Ostertag takes up A LOT of space," Jackson exclaimed. "The only thing
I could do was try to use my quickness or shoot the ball real high over his
length."

The 6-8, 250-pound Jackson, who had one vicious dunk after a strong move down
the lane, blocked one of Ostertag's shots.

"uIt felt good because I said, 'I'm going to get you,' and he was like, 'No,
you're not,'" Jackson said. "And when he came around and tried to shoot a
little baby hook, I got real lucky and timed it great and got a little block."

Jackson, who did not attempt a three last season, grinned when asked about
putting up three threes ─ the result of jibes from injured teammate Brandon
Rush, who sat on the Blue team bench throughout.

"uBrandon was messing with me," Jackson said. "He was like, 'Man, go out
there and shoot about 50 shots like I do.' So I went out there and tried to
be like Brandon Rush. It was a lot of fun."


http://www2.kusports.com/news/2007/jun/21/big_fun_big_o/?mens_basketball 

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→ yellowboy:
推 nobody:簡單的說就是奧斯塔泰格正試著要回來打 NBA...
推 nobody:而如果他可以吃個十五分鐘　其實對（我們！？）隊還不錯 XD
推 luche:前爵士all star要來教這些小朋友打球了 和阿魯橋組雙塔吧
推 jasonshu:樂觀其成！ (其實最開心的是 goopa !?)
→ jasonshu:(最傷心的是 Deron)  DW: 嗚~~~又不能穿黑鞋了~~~
→ kreen:XD