Dreaming of Oden
Posted by Jason Quick, The Oregonian March 12, 2008 17:01PM
Categories: Team News
Bruce Ely/The Oregonian/2007Greg Oden (left), who's been watching from the bench all season, saw his first practice action since his knee surgery on Wednesday in Sacramento. With Oden expected back in the lineup next season, Brandon Roy (right) said: "It's going to be cool."
SACRAMENTO -- Even if it was only for a moment, some of the Trail Blazers on Wednesday found themselves dreaming.
Not about Thursday's game at Sacramento. Or the rapidly approaching offseason.
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.''
There was even a little drama to Oden's surprise practice. When coach Nate McMillan announced the players he wanted on the court to run through offensive plays, he named Raef LaFrentz, Sergio Rodriguez, Josh McRoberts, Von Wafer ... and Oden.
"There was somewhat of an uproar by the team,'' McMillan said. "Some of them said 'Greg?', and I was like, 'Yeah, Greg.' I think everyone was just excited to see him on the floor, just moving with the team.''
Even though Oden said he went through the drills at about half-speed, he looked much like the fluid, agile and coordinated big man before his September surgery, when he was considered a can't-miss prospect as the No. 1 overall selection in the 2007 NBA draft.
"It's nice to see him get to this point, and to do it during the season,'' McMillan said. "If he is at this point right now, he should be in good shape come training camp (in October).''
After running through some offensive plays, Oden went to another court and worked one-on-one with assistant coach Maurice Lucas. With Oden on offense taking entry passes from Steve Blake, Lucas pounded the rookie's back with his forearm and slapped at his arms as Oden worked for a shot. Nearly every time, Oden backed Lucas down and finished with a dunk, including one in which he dunked two-handed and slapped the backboard with both hands on his way down, prompting Blake to whistle an imaginary technical.
The one-on-one workout was watched intently by his teammates, and was surprising in the intensity and speed in which Oden went after Lucas. In fact, McMillan said he didn't expect to see Oden jumping and dunking.
"Yeah, I got a couple of dunks, because at the end, coach Luke was just getting out of the way,'' Oden said. "But coach (McMillan) didn't want me to go hard, because I'm not cleared to go all the way hard. It's jut me getting out there and learning the plays. But I'd like to start doing that more often.''
McMillan said the team will continue to bring Oden along slowly, and that there are absolutely no thoughts of having him play this season, no matter how much McMillan can foresee Oden helping a Blazers team that is out-rebounded almost nightly.
"He's a big guy. A really big guy,'' McMillan said. "You look at him compared to LaMarcus (Aldridge). I mean, we talk about needing that bulk, and that size, and ... we have it. We just haven't seen it yet, or been able to use it yet.''
Blake said he insisted on taking over the job of throwing entry passes to Oden because he wanted to establish a connection for next season. And even though Blake said it is hard for him to start thinking about next season amid the team's drive to finish with a winning record, he said Oden's cameo appearance Wednesday will provide a tangible memory.
"He's next year,'' Blake said. "Right now, I'm still focused on this season. But after that last game, then I can let myself start dreaming big again.''
Notes: Center Joel Przybilla did not practice Wednesday but said he will play Thursday against the Kings. Przybilla rolled his right foot in Tuesday's game at Minnesota when he landed on Aldridge's foot. Przybilla did not start the second half against Minnesota, but returned later in the game. "The X-Rays were negative, but it's still all black and blue on the outside of my foot,'' Przybilla said. "But I'll be fine. I'm going to play in all 82 games.''
--Jason Quick, 503-221-4372,
[email protected]
