Oden back
August 10th 2008 02:00
Yes, you heard it. The year of two number one draft picks.
Derrick Rose and last year's first pick, Greg Oden, who only days ago returned to full training in Portland.
In his year off recovering from knee surgery Oden hasn't just been sitting around. He has gone from 250 pounds, slender for a 7 foot center, to a monstrous 290 pounds.
What is most significant about Greg Oden's comeback, along with the introduction of lottery pick and summer league MVP Jerryd Bayless, is that the Trail Blazer's were already good without them. As a very young team they shocked the league with an exciting 13-game streak in a season that many expected to be disastrous following the exit of key player Zach Randolph leaving a largely untried and inexperienced squad. Portland managed to finish the season even at 41 wins apiece.
People thought Portland would be in serious trouble without Oden at the 5. People thought Portland would be haphazard even with him. But they were fine. More than fine.
Portland are good without Oden, with him they could just be outstanding.
Coach Nate McMillan is keen to put a damper on Oden as a monstrous force, instead insisting Oden's main goal is to play 82 games next season, and that personally he is pushing for the big fella to be at 260 by the start of the season. 82 games at 290 is one thing, 82 games at 290 after season-ending knee surgery for a mysterious injury is a risk.
Derrick Rose and last year's first pick, Greg Oden, who only days ago returned to full training in Portland.
In his year off recovering from knee surgery Oden hasn't just been sitting around. He has gone from 250 pounds, slender for a 7 foot center, to a monstrous 290 pounds.
What is most significant about Greg Oden's comeback, along with the introduction of lottery pick and summer league MVP Jerryd Bayless, is that the Trail Blazer's were already good without them. As a very young team they shocked the league with an exciting 13-game streak in a season that many expected to be disastrous following the exit of key player Zach Randolph leaving a largely untried and inexperienced squad. Portland managed to finish the season even at 41 wins apiece.
Portland are good without Oden, with him they could just be outstanding.
Coach Nate McMillan is keen to put a damper on Oden as a monstrous force, instead insisting Oden's main goal is to play 82 games next season, and that personally he is pushing for the big fella to be at 260 by the start of the season. 82 games at 290 is one thing, 82 games at 290 after season-ending knee surgery for a mysterious injury is a risk.
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