Archive for January, 2008

Oden frustated

Here is an article by the AP bout how frustrated our guy Mr. Oden is becoming:

Greg Oden is glad the Portland Trail Blazers are winning – he just wishes he was part of the fun. Oden, the No. 1 draft pick who had knee surgery in September and is out for the season, has watched from the sideline as his Portland teammates have won 17 of their past 18 games.”I would just like to be out there to be able to say ‘You know what, I’m out here, I’m working hard and I’m helping these guys win,’” Oden said before Sunday’s game at Toronto. “I’ve got to keep in mind that I can’t do anything but help myself and get myself ready for next year.”

His recovery is expected to take six to 12 months. So far, Oden said everything is progressing well.

“The knee’s going good,” Oden said. “The rehab is going great. I feel great.”

Oden had an MRI after his knee became swollen during preseason workouts. Team physician Dr. Don Roberts performed the surgery. Other high-profile players who have undergone the procedure include Jason Kidd, Amare Stoudamire and former Blazer Zach Randolph.

Despite not playing a single game as a pro, Oden has been learning a lot about life in the NBA as he watches from the bench.

“It’s really helping me with my confidence,” Oden said. “Just being able to watch these guys play, see them play and see them miss shots. When you watch them on TV, you’d think they never miss. Just being around the guys night in and night out, you just feel more comfortable that when I come in next year, I’m going to be ready to play against them.”

Oden averaged 15.7 points and 9.6 rebounds last season as a freshman at Ohio State. Two of his Buckeye teammates, guards Mike Conley Jr. and Daequan Cook, were also first-round draft picks last June.

Conley was the fourth pick by the Memphis Grizzlies, and Cook was the 21st selection by the Miami Heat.

Oden’s been keeping tabs on both.

“One of the main reasons I’m on this road trip is because I go to Miami to see Daequan,” Oden said. “They’re both starting and they’re both doing really well. Last time I talked to Mike was right before his first start, when he was at Indiana. Those guys are doing good.”

A couple minutes with the big guy

Paul Buker of the Oregonian had this talk with our guy Greg Oden:

Portland Trail Blazers’ center Greg Oden says his “little” brother Anthony might play football at Oregon State.

Anthony Oden, a 6-foot-8, 295-pound offensive tackle/tight end from Lawrence North High School in Indianapolis, has numerous scholarship offers but has said he will make only three official visits — to Arkansas, Indiana and Oregon State.

“He is talking to Oregon State,” Greg Oden said Wednesday night. “I don’t know how far along they are (in the process). I think he sent off tape and they are looking at him. He would like to come out here and be close to me.”

OSU officials acknowledge they have been in contact with the younger Oden, but coach Mike Riley and his assistants are prohibited from talking about recruits until they have signed letters of intent.

Anthony Oden has told media he has scholarship offers from the likes of Nebraska, Wisconsin, Purdue, North Carolina State and Kansas.

Greg Oden said he isn’t certain whether the Beavers have offered his brother a scholarship.

“I don’t think they have any more (to give) but they are obviously interested,” Greg Oden said.

Lawrence North went 3-7 last fall, with Oden playing at both offensive tackle spots and some tight end.

Tom Dilley, the coach at Lawrence North, said he thinks Oden’s best position is offensive tackle.

“He is one of the most impressive combinations of size, power and agility I have ever seen,” Dilley said Thursday. “He’s a pretty athletic kid because he’s played basketball, too. He has pretty good feet.”