Team ODEN: Great Message, Bad Logo

Portland's rookie center Greg Oden recently joined Oregon Mentors, a non-profit group of youth mentoring programs across Oregon, to announce a mentoring awareness initiative: Team ODEN.

The program is designed to raise awareness throughout the state using Oden's face to help achieve the goal of connecting 40,000 Oregon children with mentors by the year 2010.

Oden himself was connected with a mentor when he was growing up, which he talks about in the article on NBA.com:

"Every kid should have someone in their life that can support and encourage them. Without strong mentors, I wouldn’t be here today."

I think this is a good step for Greg Oden. The Trail Blazers are all about giving back to the community, and this only solidifies Oden's home here in Portland.

However, how did this logo get approved? Greg Oden playing keep away with a bunch of kids? This program is designed to reach out to kids, Greg, but in your case I think it should be more reaching down. Just give them the ball, man! All they want to do is play!

Oh but I kid. Honestly, it's a great cause and I hope it succeeds.

For more information on Oregon Mentors program and Team ODEN, visit oregonmentors.org.