Oden practices with Blazers for first time since surgery...

[Spykes]

Their dreams were of what this Trail Blazers team can become next season, thanks to the season's first practice participation by prized rookie center Greg Oden, who jumped, dunked and took part in offensive plays alongside his teammates for about 45 minutes.

"It almost brought it back to preseason when he was in the gym working out and there was that buzz,'' Brandon Roy said. "I mean, this season wasn't bad, but you can still tell that he's going to be something special, and that's exciting. You think about all the players we can have next season, and you know, it's going to be all right. It's going to be cool.''

But for now, with 17 games left in this season, Wednesday served as what athletic trainer Jay Jensen called "a baby step" in Oden's recovery from microfracture surgery on his right knee, which occurred six months ago today.

"It was fun,'' Oden said, his practice t-shirt sporting a sweat-stained ring around his neck. "It felt good to get out there ... and I wasn't hurting at all.''

http://blog.oregonlive.com/behindblazer ... _oden.html

[Entengtot]

good news for the 08/09 season of the blazers

[Texas Longhorns]

Great news for Portland! I want to see Greg Oden out there.

[tsherkin]

Great news!

[hermes]

Their dreams were of what this Trail Blazers team can become next season, thanks to the season's first practice participation by prized rookie center Greg Oden, who jumped, dunked and took part in offensive plays alongside his teammates for about 45 minutes.

"It almost brought it back to preseason when he was in the gym working out and there was that buzz,'' Brandon Roy said. "I mean, this season wasn't bad, but you can still tell that he's going to be something special, and that's exciting. You think about all the players we can have next season, and you know, it's going to be all right. It's going to be cool.''

But for now, with 17 games left in this season, Wednesday served as what athletic trainer Jay Jensen called "a baby step" in Oden's recovery from microfracture surgery on his right knee, which occurred six months ago today.

"It was fun,'' Oden said, his practice t-shirt sporting a sweat-stained ring around his neck. "It felt good to get out there ... and I wasn't hurting at all.''

http://blog.oregonlive.com/behindblazer ... _oden.html

did we need to know that

but good news for the blazers

[revprodeji]

Dont rush him back. With his size he could have more problems.

[That Nicka]

Dont rush him back. With his size he could have more problems.

I dont think they are rushing him back....



Blazers definitely make the playoffs next year

[NetsForce]

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I dont think they are rushing him back....



Blazers definitely make the playoffs next year

I disagree, barring any significant dropoff in the play of star players or a star player bolting from one team to another in the offseason, the West is going to be as competitive as ever next year and the Blazers will be in a dogfight for one of the lower 2 seeds next year.

[TNBT]

That has to be good news if you're a Blazers fan, especially given that he felt no pain.

[MrCheerios]

Great news for Portland! I can't wait to see him play next to Roy and Aldridge.

[theGreatRC]

I can't wait to see him in action. He was one of the players I would watch this season, but we all know what happened.

[Ming Kong!]

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I dont think they are rushing him back....



Blazers definitely make the playoffs next year

They'll be the next 'Hornets' next year, an injury riddled team that comes back healthy and shoots up the rankings.

On top of 9 teams in the playoff race, you add Portland for next year, and there are still another 5 teams in the West:

Clippers: Brand has missed the whole season so far, but in return Kaman has become a stud, Al Thorton has developed quickly, there's obviously that projected #6 pick, and they've dumped some CAP this year. They could certainly be a sleeper for next season.

Seattle: They wont make the playoffs, but Durant and Green will be a year older, and they have dumped lots of CAP.

Memphis: Rebuilding, but have some solid young players in Gay and Conley, plus Miller is solid, he could be moved over the summer for maybe another draft pick or simply something else they need. They have a projected #3 pick for next year, and the Lakers pick as well. Give them a few years and they could make some noise.

Kings: Unfortunately unless they make a great trade or some quality signing I see this team stuck in mediocrity. I mean sure they might just be a few games under 500, but in the west that means 11th place.

Minnesota: Well they began rebuilding this summer, so it's early. I honestly believe they made a great move getting Al Jefferson who'll be one of the best forwards for years to come, but they are very thin. The best thing that can happen for them is getting the #1 or 2 pick. If they get the player they need, they could a bright future, but like Sonics, that'll be years ahead.

[That Nicka]

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I disagree, barring any significant dropoff in the play of star players or a star player bolting from one team to another in the offseason, the West is going to be as competitive as ever next year and the Blazers will be in a dogfight for one of the lower 2 seeds next year.

I could easily see them leapfrogging the Warriors and Nuggets... Suns wont be as good either

[Bucky O'Hare]

How long until he's back on the surgeon's table? The guy's a walking injury. Sam Bowie v2.0.

[Moses_Malone95]

The hype around Oden is too crazy. Homeboy hasn't even played a game and people are proclaiming him the ingredient needed to make Portland an instant playoff contender. Several years are required for a team to be cohesive enough to make noise in the West.

[Red Robot]

The hype around Oden is too crazy. Homeboy hasn't even played a game and people are proclaiming him the ingredient needed to make Portland an instant playoff contender. Several years are required for a team to be cohesive enough to make noise in the West.

It's not like the Blazers are that far out of the playoffs. Oden's strengths correspond to Portland's current weaknesses (rebounding, post scoring, team D) . He doesn't need to be a star to improve his team. If he fulfills his potential, all the better.

[Moses_Malone95]

I agree. It's difficult to speculate on the output of a guy coming off a knee injury. Not all of them come back 100%.

[theGreatRC]

I wanted to see how he would play because his hand is finally healthy, but he is foul prone. I think he fouled out of almost every summer league game, and they permit 10 fouls.

[Village Idiot]

The hype around Oden is too crazy. Homeboy hasn't even played a game and people are proclaiming him the ingredient needed to make Portland an instant playoff contender. Several years are required for a team to be cohesive enough to make noise in the West.

Portland is on a pace to win 45 games without Oden. In the East they'd be seeded 6th.

Add Oden, Europe's best player Rudy Fernandez, and a lottery pick and I'd be surprised and disappointed if Portland doesn't make the playoffs next year.

[commadoor 64]

The dude will be in ubercrappy conditioning won't he?

I mean he hasn't really been pushing it for months, before that he was in college and sat alot for foul trouble, and before that he was eating ding-dongs in high school.

I'm not saying he won't be good or anything, just that, that rookie wall gonna come big and early, what with all the commercials and photo shoots and everything.