http://www.hoopsworld.com/Story.asp?story_id=11661Is Oden Done Again?
Ah, the NBA trade deadline – the perfect distraction for the real news that should be making headlines in Portland right now: how long before Greg Oden returns to action?
Not in the immediate future, this much we know. According to Blazers head coach Nate McMillan, Oden will miss the next two games against the Atlanta Hawks and Los Angeles Clippers and there is little confirmation about when to expect him back in action. "As of now, they (the doctors) didn't say anything as far as surgery being needed," McMillan told multiple media sources on Thursday, including Brian Hendrickson of the Vancouver Columbian. "It's still swelling there, still some tightness there. It's pretty close, I guess, to where it was."
Oden's left knee – as he's suffering from a chip fracture of the patella - will be re-evaluated on Monday before the team sets out on a three-game road trip to Houston, San Antonio and Minnesota and the team remains hopeful he will not miss more than these two games. But even though the Blazers have not yet scheduled a second MRI, the last thing McMillan or anyone within the organization wants to consider is Oden shutting it down for the remainder of the regular season. Considering it is one thing. Being forced to admit it is a whole different story. He's feeling tightness in the knee. He's feeling soreness. The swelling is there. More likely than not, there is also some doubt creeping in as well. Knowing Oden's injury history, it's hard not to let your mind go there. It's tough not to think about the words "done for the year". Chances are some in Portland have already thought along those lines. "This time of the season, you really want everybody to be healthy," McMillan said recently when asked about his concern for his young rookie center. "We want him back as soon as possible, so yes I am concerned as far as the number of games that he may miss."
Now just over halfway through his true rookie season, Oden's legacy continues to speak for itself. While he's clearly made an impact on Portland this year – leading all NBA rookies in double-doubles and the team in blocks and second in rebounds - this also marks his second stint on the injured reserve list this season. The total will reach nine games missed by Sunday. How many more to count thereafter? You can hear all the Sam Bowie references right about now. Very original. Those left over from the "Draft Durant" campaign in Portland two years ago will have a heyday with this one. They always do. Then again, haven't we been here before? Does this really come as a shock to anyone? Anytime Oden is hobbled, bumped, bruised or shelved, a red flag immediately goes up with a disclaimer about whether or not he should shut it down. This is one of those times. He'll only have to deal with that the rest of his career.
