Greg Oden shares behind-the-scenes LeBron James, Miami Heat stories

On a recent episode of "The OGs" podcast, Udonis Haslem and Mike Miller invited former No. 1 pick and Miami Heat center Greg Oden. Oden talked about his time in high school, playing in the national championship game, being the top draft pick and his experiences in Portland and Miami.

Greg Oden shared behind-the-scenes stories about LeBron James on the Miami Heat.

Oden played briefly in Miami, but you could tell by listening to the episode that he was impressed with LeBron James and Dwyane Wade's skill and work ethic.

"Being around that team, I saw a different level of basketball," Oden said.

Oden also said there would always be gifts in his locker room and he shared a story about getting Christmas gifts at Tootsies Cabaret, one of Miami's most famous strip clubs.

"We needed that bonding," Haslem said, because the group played on national TV often and was constantly scrutinized.

Oden reflected on his career after Portland

Oden only played 88 games in his early career in Portland. When Oden was returning to the league in 2013, he had a couple of offers from the Sacramento Kings, Dallas Mavericks, and the Miami Heat. Oden said that Sacramento wanted to give him a three-year contract and wanted him to play 75 games. Dallas offered him a similar contract but wanted him to sit out the year.

Oden went to Miami but had to wait five days for Miami to provide him with a contract. Oden shares that Haslem made him feel "Scared as f'**" Because Haslem was mean-mugging him. Unfortunately, they weren't able to win a ring. Oden wanted to put the ring on his middle finger, he said.

The 2007 Big 10 Freshman of the Year and the NBA’s first overall pick is one of the great “what-ifs" in NBA History. Coming out of the draft, Oden was thought to be the next Bill Russell. However, his injuries hurt his career. Having arthroscopic knee surgery back then was a year's injury. In today's world, arthroscopic surgery is not as bad as before. Science has gotten a lot better since Oden left.

This was an enjoyable episode. Oden shared many stories about Mike Conley growing up, playing in the national championship against Florida. Also, there are stories about his vets, Zach Randolph and Daris Miles. Oden, Butler's assistant coach, shared that he shows coaches his Miami playbook. Oden