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Greg Oden News & Rumors

Greg Oden reportedly undergoes another knee procedure in attempt to speed up healing
May 19
Oregonian
 
"Former Trail Blazers No. 1 pick Greg Oden reportedly underwent another knee procedure about two weeks ago in New York, this one aimed at speeding up the healing process after his third microfracture surgery in February. Oden had microfracture surgery on his left knee on Feb. 20, then was waived by the Blazers as part of a bevy of NBA trade deadline day moves in March. Citing unnamed sources, Chris Broussard of ESPN reports that Oden underwent Orthokine, a procedure in which a patient's own blood is drawn, spun in a centrifuge and then re-injected into the patient. Advocates of the controversial procedure say it reduces swelling, pain and cartilage damage. Broussard notes that the Lakers'"
Greg Oden has knee procedure
May 18
ESPN.com
 
"In an effort to revive his NBA career, Greg Oden recently underwent the controversial knee procedure that superstars Kobe Bryant and New York Yankees slugger Alex Rodriguez say helped prolong their careers, according to sources. Oden, whose career with the Portland Trail Blazers was derailed by four knee surgeries, had the non-evasive procedure done in New York two weeks ago to accelerate the healing process on his left knee, which was operated on in February. "Greg had long planned to have this procedure done,'' one of the sources said. "He thought he'd wait until his knee was completely healed, but the doctor said Greg would get the greatest benefit by doing it now because it would help"
We all listen when Greg Oden talks, but will anyone learn from Trail Blazers' mistakes?
May 10
Oregonian
 columnist John Canzano
"Any time Greg Oden gives one of these definitive interviews that promises to finalize his legacy, we have to read it. Any time, he talks about that picture, or his injured knees, or the trainers, or mentions the Trail Blazers, we have to listen. It's Oden. It's us. We're in it together, and even as we learned very little about the No. 1 overall draft pick from 2007 from the interview he gave a former teammate on Wednesday, we got this loud and clear: This Greg Oden thing isn't going away. Oden's burned into our retinas. He's etched on the steps of the Rose Garden. He's as much a part of the history around here as the Steel Bridge, the Rose Garden at Washington Park and the Pittock Mansion."
Greg Oden's fifth knee surgery may be final scene in Blazers nightmare
February 21
Oregonian
 
"Summer was turning into fall in 2007 when Greg Oden did what he had done a million other times in his life. He got up out of a chair. Only this time, his life would never be the same. It was a wonderful time back then. Three months earlier, he was the No. 1 overall pick by the Trail Blazers in the NBA draft, a 7-foot, 270-pound giant who would team with two other young hotshots named Brandon Roy and LaMarcus Aldridge to resurrect the state's only professional sports franchise. Fans stormed the Rose Garden court in celebration of his selection. Days later, Pioneer Courthouse Square was overflowing with fans, who chanted the 19-year-old's name."
Trail Blazers center Greg Oden undergoes "successful" knee surgery on Friday
February 4
Oregonian
 
"It had been a little more than a month since Greg Oden increased his work load in his attempt to comeback from a left knee injury, the Trail Blazers having cleared their once-prized center for "basketball-related activities" on the court. According to acting general manager Chad Buchanan, there were some good days. And there were some bad days. But those bad days became enough of a concern that the Blazers recently scheduled a magnetic resonance imaging test on both of his knees, which once again revealed bad news: Oden needed knee surgery. Again. Only this time, it was on his right knee, not the knee that was recovering from a fractured patella and microfracture surgery. Oden had"
Face it, Greg Oden is done as a Trail Blazer
February 4
Oregonian
 columnist John Canzano
"The big charade continued on Friday with the news that Greg Oden was having another knee surgery. This one was arthroscopic, right knee. It was Oden's fourth knee surgery since being drafted No. 1 overall by the Trail Blazers in 2007. And there may be a fifth one, next week on his left knee. Can someone please make this all stop? Oden will be an unrestricted free agent at the end of the season. During games he currently sits at the end of the bench, in a suit, mostly look disinterested. Most of Portland wrote Oden off long ago, when it became clear that he'd rehabilitate on the Blazers' dime this season, and then probably try his NBA career somewhere else. The Blazers said Friday what"
Oft-injured Oden has fan in Lexington
February 2
Portland Tribune
 columnist Kerry Eggers
"During a timeout at a recent game at the Rose Garden, the Trail Blazers paid tribute to Greg Oden's 24th birthday with a mention on the JumboTron. As the camera honed in on Oden to scattered applause, the 7-footer looked up, saw himself on the big screen and looked away, seemingly embarrassed. The camera quickly moved to another subject. When I relay that story to Sam Bowie, I can almost feel him wince at his home in Lexington, Ky."
Greg Oden suffers another setback, less likely to play this season
December 10
Oregonian
 
"One day after Greg Oden and his agent proclaimed progress in the oft-injured center's latest knee rehabilitation, the Trail Blazers announced Oden had actually suffered a setback, leading to a restructuring of his one-year contract. The Blazers said the new contract was negotiated because they are "less confident" Oden will be able to play this season. Oden, who had microfracture surgery on his left knee in November of 2010, hasn't played in a game in more than two years. Oden on Thursday was examined by noted knee specialist Dr. Richard Steadman in Vail, Colo., after which he and one of his agents, Mike Conley Sr., declared progress, saying he was cleared to expand his rehabilitation to"
Greg Oden commits to another year in Portland and takes a step forward in recovery
December 9
Oregonian
 
"With a steep price tag and a still-healing left knee, Greg Oden is returning to the Trail Blazers ... for a year at least. Oden on Thursday said he will end his free agent status today by signing a one-year deal with the Blazers that will pay him $8.9 million. The oft-injured center, who hasn't played in more than two years because of knee problems, said he will be patient in his return but also is determined to show the Blazers didn't waste the No. 1 overall pick in the 2007 draft. "I want to get out there this year," Oden said. But he made clear that he did not shun other free agent offers because he felt he owed something to the Blazers, who have paid him more than $19 million over the"
Greg Oden will sign one-year deal to remain with Trail Blazers
December 8
Oregonian
 
"Greg Oden is returning to the Trail Blazers. The free agent center will sign a one-year qualifying offer with the Trail Blazers on Friday according to agent Bill Duffy. Oden, who turns 24 in January, will be paid $8.9 million this season. Starting Friday, Oden was eligible to receive free agent offers from other teams, after which the Blazers would have three days to match. But Oden took other teams out of the equation by deciding to return to the Blazers. "The mission has not been accomplished,'' Duffy said Thursday. "The Blazers have stood by Greg, and now he is going to stand by them.''"
Report: Miami Heat after Greg Oden
December 5
Miami Herald
 
"The Heat is exploring any and every option available through free agency to upgrade at the center position, including possibly making a run at chronically injured Trail Blazers big man Greg Oden. ESPN.com reported Sunday that Heat president Pat Riley is working on a sales pitch for Oden, who hasn't played a game since 2009 because of injuries but holds a qualifying offer of $8.9 million with the Trail Blazers for the upcoming season. With only the $5 million midlevel exception at its disposal, the Heat's bargaining chips are limited. Riley would have to appeal to Oden's desire to play for a championship-ready team to lure Oden away from Portland, which has waited patiently for Oden to"
Sources: Heat mulling run at Greg Oden
December 4
ESPN.com
 
"Because of their limited spending power and the multiple areas of their roster that need shored up, the Miami Heat might have to get a little creative in free agency. That could be part of their plan to address the center position. The Heat are considering making a run at restricted free agent Greg Oden, league sources said. Oden, who hasn't played in nearly two years after suffering two different knee injuries, has a key doctor's examination this week when he could be cleared to resume contact practices. Oden has a one-year qualifying offer from the Portland Trail Blazers for $8.9 million on his plate at the moment. The most the Heat could offer is the bulk of the $5 million mid-level"
Availability of Trail Blazers' Greg Oden should become clearer Thursday
December 4
Oregonian
 
"The Trail Blazers and other NBA suitors will get a much-anticipated update this week on the health of free agent center Greg Oden when he is examined by the doctor who performed his latest knee surgery. Oden will be examined Thursday in Vail, Colo., by noted knee specialist Dr. Richard Steadman, who along with Blazers orthopedist Dr. Don Roberts performed microfracture surgery on Oden's left knee last November. Oden has been running for about a month, but has not been cleared for full-contact activities that would occur in an NBA practice. Training camps open Friday, as does the league's free agent signing period. Oden has been tendered a one-year, $8.9 million qualifying offer by the"
Oden: I am able to run again
October 29
CBSSports.com
 
"December 5, 2009. That's the last time Portland Trail Blazers center Greg Oden played in an NBA game. Needless to say the last two years have been a long journey. Oden has endured multiple knee surgeries and sweated through endless rehabilitation since that last game, against the Houston Rockets. His agent said that he underwent interventions, he visited a sports psychologist and he told a newspaper that he had "definitely cut back" on drinking and partying. Back in June, the Blazers extended Oden an $8.8 million qualifying offer on the hope that he might make good on the potential they saw when they made the 7-footer the No. 1 pick in the 2007 NBA Draft. The details of Oden's current"
Blazers' Oden planning to leave next summer?
September 22
Yahoo! Sports
 
"Portland Trail Blazers center Greg Oden(notes) was the first overall pick in the 2007 draft, but the Indianapolis native hasn't had a stellar time since. He missed what would have been his rookie season after microfracture surgery on his right knee. The following season, he missed chunks of time with various injuries, including a chipped knee cap. In December of 2009, he was taken off the court on a stretcher and missed the rest of the season with a fractured left patella. Then in November of last year, he had microfracture surgery again."
Blazers to Oden: One more year
June 30
Portland Tribune
 
"The Trail Blazers made their moves before the Thursday deadline. Now, in the case of center Greg Oden, they have to wait for other teams to decide if they will make a move, too. The Blazers extended qualifying offers to Oden and guard Patty Mills on Wednesday, and the team picked up the third-year options on forward Luke Babbitt and guard Elliot Williams. The Blazers made the prudent move, pledging $8.8 million for another year of Oden's services."
Trail Blazers extend qualifying offer to free agent Greg Oden
June 30
Oregonian
 
"When team president Larry Miller envisions the Trail Blazers bringing the NBA Championship to Portland, he does so with the image of Greg Oden playing center. So on Wednesday, the Blazers took the first steps toward ensuring Oden remains in Portland, extending an $8,788,681 qualifying offer to the oft-injured center, who becomes a free agent on Friday. By extending the qualifying offer, the 23-year-old Oden becomes a restricted free agent, meaning the Blazers have the right to match other offers. The amount of the offer is set by league rules, which dictate the offer to be 125 percent of the player's last salary. The Blazers had until 9 p.m. on Thursday to extend the qualifying offer. "We"
TMZ and Greg Oden: Blazers center mistaken for LeBron James during Las Vegas visit
June 22
Oregonian
 
"It's out there, so we'll share it here, too. Portland Trail Blazer Greg Oden was recently in Las Vegas, visiting BOA, a steakhouse at Caesars, when TMZ's cameras caught up with the oft-injured center. First, they mistake him for LeBron James. Then, after informing the cameraman that he isn't the Miami Heat superstar, he's asked if he's a basketball player."
For now, Trail Blazers will focus on draft before turning attention to Greg Oden's contract
June 17
Oregonian
 
"For now, the Trail Blazers' focus will be on next Thursday's NBA draft. The Blazers held their second draft workout Thursday at their practice facility, with four big men put through the paces. Interim general manager Chad Buchanan then held court for a swarm of reporters who asked seemingly endless questions about center Greg Oden. The Blazers are in a period during which they can tender a qualifying offer to Oden that would make him a restricted free agent and give the team the right to match any other franchise's offer. But Buchanan said the Blazers would get through next Thursday's draft before making a decision on Oden. "Until we get through the draft, we're not going to focus in on"
The Greg Oden clock starts ticking for the Trail Blazers
June 14
Oregonian
 
"The clock on Greg Oden's uncertain future with the Trail Blazers officially started ticking Monday. The Dallas Mavericks' championship victory Sunday night triggered the start of a deadline for the Blazers to tender an $8.8 million qualifying offer to the soon-to-be free agent center. The Blazers, who did not extend an offer Monday, have until June 30 to do so. Assuming they do -- and the Blazers have given indications they will -- Oden will become a restricted free agent on July 1, which means the Blazers will have the upperhand in resigning the former No. 1 overall draft pick who's brief NBA career has been marred by injuries and surgeries. It's common for teams to delay extending"
GM says Oden "looking forward" to playing in Portland, refuses to commit to bringing Miller back
May 3
Oregonian
 
"Rich Cho addressed the media Monday afternoon at the Trail Blazers' practice facility in Tualatin, dissecting a host of pertinent issues facing the team as he enters his first full offseason as general manager. Some highlights: Greg Oden Cho stopped short of guaranteeing the Blazers would extend a qualifying offer to Greg Oden, but labeled the one-time franchise center "a priority in the offseason." Oden finished the final season of his rookie contract — playing just 82 games of the four-year deal because of three season-ending knee surgeries — and the Blazers will have a window between the day after the NBA Finals and June 30 to tender an $8.8 million qualifying offer. Assuming they do"
No running till August for Oden, but return for training camp remains the goal
April 24
Portland Tribune
 
"Trail Blazers center Greg Oden, who had microfracture surgery on his left knee in November, is still doing water and upper-body workouts but is not yet running. "I won't be allowed to do that until August," Oden said Saturday at the Rose Garden, as he watched the Blazers beat Dallas 84-82 in Game 4 of their Western Conference first-round series."
Note to Greg Oden: I feel ya, pal
April 3
Oregonian
 columnist John Canzano
"My right knee is swollen. It's dark and mushy. The thing looks like a rotted grapefruit laying on the sidewalk. I had microfracture knee surgery this week. When I woke up in the recovery room on Monday, my surgeon, Dr. Kevin Murphy, gave me the news in a manner that I could quickly digest. The orthopedist said: "You had a combination of Greg Oden and Brandon Roy." Basically, drat. Remember when you were younger and someone said to you, "Sports is a wonderful way to make friends and meet people?" Wrong. Folks, if you want to meet people, what you need are a set of crutches and a knee brace. You will hobble along and meet men, women, teens, professionals, students and transients. White"
Oden still wants to 'dominate'
January 23
Indianapolis Star
 
"Cory Biggs, fully decked out in Portland Trail Blazers attire from head to toe, looked up and shook his head at the 14-foot picture of Greg Oden plastered on the wall inside the team's gift shop at the Rose Garden. "He was supposed to be even bigger than that when we drafted him," Biggs said. "I'm not giving up on him like others are, though. We have to hang in there. I'm hoping he'll be back and prove people wrong." The Blazers, who played the Indiana Pacers late Saturday night, drafted the former Lawrence North High School superstar ahead of Kevin Durant to be their anchor for the next 15 years. He was to be the intimidating shot blocker in the middle and a low-post offensive presence"
Trail Blazers midseason report: A team waiting for surgery
January 17
Oregonian
 
"He had just answered questions about Brandon Roy's achy knees, fourth-quarter struggles and spotty defense -- basically the pertinent issues facing the Trail Blazers at the moment -- when Nate McMillan leaned forward in his office chair at the Rose Garden and uttered the following four words: "The jury's still out," McMillan said last week. And that pretty much sums up the state of the Blazers as they begin the second half of the season tonight against the Minnesota Timberwolves. At the halfway point of 2010-11, the Blazers (21-20) are just above .500 and clinging to the No. 8 seed in the Western Conference. One season after watching 13 players miss a combined 311 games because of injury"
Amar'e Stoudemire hopes Greg Oden can bounce back from microfracture surgery the way Knicks star did
November 21
New York Daily News
 
"The term "microfracture surgery" was back in the NBA news this week, with Portland's jinxed big man, Greg Oden, the latest player to have the procedure done on a damaged knee. In Oden's case, it's his left knee. Coincidentally, the Knicks' Amar'e Stoudemire had the same procedure done on the same knee and at the same age. "I hope Greg can keep his spirits up during the whole process," Stoudemire said before the Knicks played the Warriors Friday night in the third game of a four-game western swing. "He's gone through a lot already." Oden, who was scheduled to have surgery Friday, should use Stoudemire as an example of how he can come back successfully from it. Stoudemire had the procedure"
Blazers president Larry Miller: Greg Oden remains in team's long-term plans
November 19
Oregonian
 
"Don't write the obituary on Greg Oden's Trail Blazers career just yet. Portland Trail Blazers president Larry Miller on Thursday said the franchise has not given up on the oft-injured center, and that he foresees the team making an $8.8 million qualifying offer this summer in order to retain his restricted free agent rights. "If Greg Oden plays up to his potential he is worth that," Miller said of the $8.8 million qualifying offer. "We will see where (rehabilitation) things are at that level. But at this point, I don't see us not giving the offer if Greg is doing the things we need to see him doing to get back on the court. "That's how I feel. If he is doing those things, we want to keep"
Greg Oden needs to mature in this latest comeback nightmare or go chase a new dream
November 19
Oregonian
 columnist John Canzano
"The first time I spoke with Greg Oden he told me he wanted to be a dentist. I remember trying to imagine the 7-footer, then a college kid, leaning over some tiny office dental chair with his giant hands working on someone's back molars. At the time, I figured professional basketball was a much better choice. 14Share 73 Comments Not so sure today. Don't know if you caught it, but Trail Blazers coach Nate McMillan signaled just that point at the hastily called news conference on Wednesday at which the team announced Oden would have his second microfracture surgery in four years scheduled for Friday. In between all the fingerpointing, assessing of blame, and fretting over Oden's fate and the"
Devastating, sad, shocking - but still a glimmer of hope for Greg Oden
November 18
Portland Tribune
 columnist Kerry Eggers
"Team Snakebit held a wake late Tuesday night at the Rose Garden. The Trail Blazers' veteran trainer, Jay Jensen, was near tears. The mood at the media conference was as somber as I can remember, with Jensen, coach Nate McMillan and General Manager Rich Cho talking about a serious injury to the player they least wanted to have that discussion about. Greg Oden will almost surely play more NBA basketball, but he may have made his final appearance in a Portland uniform. We'll get to the Brandon Roy situation in a minute, but first a few words about the situation with the most celebrated injured Trail Blazer player since Sam Bowie (hate to even mention their names in the same sentence). Oden is"
With Oden injured again, Blazers on the clock
November 18
CBSSports.com
 columnist Ken Berger
"The sad, miserable news Wednesday night about Greg Oden quickly gave way to considering the kind of decisions that happen every day in the NBA -- but rarely regarding a No. 1 overall pick. It's too soon, and the impact of the news too fresh to consider it, but we must: Is Oden's NBA career over? Before they know the answer to that, the Portland Trail Blazers will have to ask themselves a more difficult question: Knowing what they know about Oden, is he worth committing $8.8 million to next season? NBA executives responding to text messages about the decision Portland will have to make on Oden had mixed feelings. But there is a palpable belief out there that there's no guarantee the Trail"
Blazers' Greg Oden faces another microfracture surgery and will miss rest of season
November 18
Oregonian
 
"The Trail Blazers announced tonight that center Greg Oden will undergo his second microfracture surgery in three years. Oden will undergo surgery Friday on his left knee, the one which suffered a fractured patella last Dec. 5 in a game against Houston at the Rose Garden. He will miss the remainder of the 2010-11 season. Since being drafted with the first pick of the 2007 NBA draft, Oden has missed 176 games due to injury and has played in 82 games. Dr. Richard Steadman will perform the surgery Friday with assistance from Trail Blazers orthopedic surgeon Dr. Don Roberts at the Steadman Hawkins Clinic in Vail, Colo."
Pendergraph out, Oden in (for 5-on-5 practice)
October 26
Portland Tribune
 
"The Trail Blazers have waived forward Jeff Pendergraph, leaving guard Patty Mills on the 14-man roster in the wake of the club's recent trade of guard Jerryd Bayless. The move came on a day when center Greg Oden returned to 5-on-5 practice and a day before the season opener, Tuesday night at the Rose Garden against the Phoenix Suns. Pendergraph suffered a torn anterior cruciate ligament in an Oct. 7 preseason game at Utah and is scheduled to undergo surgery."
About Oden, Oberto and start of another Blazer season
October 26
Portland Tribune
 columnist Kerry Eggers
"Greg Oden went five-on-five for the first time during Monday's practice session. The 7-footer, who admits he is "a little scared" to be going full-bore on the knee that underwent surgery last December, didn't participate in every activity, but what he was able to do "was encouraging," says Buck Williams, Portland's first-year assistant coach. "It was a big step for him. He doesn't trust his knee yet, but that will come." "I held back a little bit, being my first time out there," Oden says. "I was looking around, my head on a swivel, everybody moving fast. But once I got down to playing, I felt comfortable out there." After practice, Oden says his knee felt "a little tight, a little stiff."
No date for Greg Oden on Blazers' calendar
October 12
Oregonian
 columnist John Canzano
"Halftime. NBA preseason game. Memorial Coliseum tunnel. No better time or place for a meeting with Trail Blazers general manager Rich Cho. So it was here on Monday, with the Blazers grinding through a throwaway tune-up game with Utah, that the new guy cast some much-needed sunshine on the season. Of course, there were a handful of passing fans who strolled by and declared to friends, "Hey, that's Rich Cho over there!" And Nicolas Batum's agent dropped in with a handshake and hello. And one ambitious fan even said, "I'm sorry for interrupting," before handing a friend his camera and then mugging for a snapshot alongside the general manager. But between all that, you and I got some important"
Joel Przybilla and Greg Oden take another step in their road to recovery
October 8
Oregonian
 
"Trail Blazers center Joel Przybilla said he is hopeful he can return to practice in two weeks after he took part in a running exercise on Thursday with teammate Greg Oden. The two centers, who are each rehabilitating knee injuries, took part in an hour-long series of drills that included sprinting, jumping and pivoting after the Blazers held their morning shootaround at EnergySolutions Arena. Both said they have been running for the past week, but both agreed that Thursday's workout was the most intense and extensive in their rehabilitation because the running was accompanied by game-like movements. Przybilla, who is recovering from two surgeries to repair a ruptured right patella, said he"
Greg Oden not ready for NBA play; Rudy Fernandez not happy with NBA play
September 28
Portland Tribune
 
"Greg Oden won't be ready for opening night. Rudy Fernandez isn't seeking a trade, but he doesn't want to be in the NBA, either. Those were the newsiest items coming out of Trail Blazer media day Monday at the Rose Garden as the team prepares for its Tuesday beginning of training camp. Oden, rehabbing after December surgery to repair a fractured left patella, isn't yet to the point where he can take part in full practice sessions. When his teammates are running up and down the court as a unit, he'll be watching from the sidelines. "I haven't started five-on-five (scrimmaging). That's the next progression," said Portland's 7-foot center, who has played only 82 games because of injuries since"
Greg Oden's mind appears to be mending quicker than his knee
September 28
Oregonian
 
"If you were looking to hear some encouraging news on Greg Oden's health Monday, you were out of luck. Oden's left knee, which snapped during a Dec. 5 game last season, still hasn't healed enough for him to start practice today. Oden said he would not be ready to play in the Oct. 26 season opener. And since nobody wearing a Blazers logo will say it, let's call it what it is: Oden is behind schedule and his situation is a disappointment. But when the television cameras and notepads had swooshed off to the other Blazers soap opera – disgruntled Rudy Fernandez – Oden made an important revelation: He no longer drinks alcohol. No longer goes to clubs. No longer partakes in late-night fast food."
Blazers' Oden 'progressing' but not approved for contact
September 14
USA Today
 
"Portland Trail Blazers center Greg Oden, rehabbing from a broken left kneecap, won't participate in full-contact scrimmages when camp opens Sept. 27. "We're hopeful he will be cleared for 2-on-2 and 3-on-3 drills in the next couple of weeks," Blazers general manager Rich Cho said Monday. "He's still rehabbing and progressing well and working extremely hard." Oden, the No. 1 overall pick in 2007, had surgery in December. He has played 82 NBA games in three years because of injuries to both knees, including microfracture surgery on the right one. He was averaging 11.1 points and 8.5 rebounds last season before being sidelined. Determining how long it will take for Oden to return to top form,"
Greg Oden: "I'm on schedule to heal."
August 22
Oregonian
 
"Greg Oden is healthy enough to bowl. To play Basketball? Not so much. Not yet, anyway. But the 7-foot Portland Trailblazers center says he's getting there. "The doctors tell me I'm on time," he said Saturday while appearing at an Oregon Mentors' event in Vancouver. "We're going at a pace that they've got for me. Things are looking pretty good." Being "on time," however, does not necessarily mean being ready for the start of training camp in October or the season opener Oct. 26 against Phoenix. "By saying 'on time,' means I'm on schedule to heal," he said. That at least sounds promising. Two knee injuries – the first ending his rookie season – have limited Oden to just 82 games since the"
Greg Oden's status unclear six weeks before Trail Blazers start training camp
August 20
Oregonian
 
"With roughly six weeks left before the Trail Blazers start training camp, the playing status of Greg Oden remains as unclear as ever. Oden continues to rehabilitate his surgically repaired left knee and the Blazers insist things are progressing according to schedule. But at the same time, the organization is so intent on keeping once sky-high expectations low for the injury-prone center, officials refuse to say that Oden will be ready to play by Oct. 26, when the team opens the season against the Phoenix Suns. "I don't really want to put any time frame on it," Blazers general manager Rich Cho said, regarding Oden's return. "I don't want any expectations out there. And I don't want to put"
Nate McMillan on Greg Oden: 'I like where his head is at'
June 17
Oregonian
 
"Trail Blazers coach Nate McMillan said he met with Greg Oden recently, after which he was encouraged with the oft-injured center's mindset as he prepares to embark on a summer of rehabilitation. "I like where his head is at,'' McMillan said. "We talked about where his mind is, and what he needs to do to get back, and the thing is, he knows how to get there. But I liked what I heard.'' Oden fractured his left kneecap in the first quarter of a Dec. 5 game against Houston. Oden played in 21 games, averaging 11.1 points and 8.5 rebounds. Oden is scheduled to start running in early to mid-July, and should start playing 2-on-2 or 3-on-3 by mid-August. The goal is to have him ready to participate"
Andrew Bynum and Greg Oden have much in common
May 5
Oregonian
 
"Andrew Bynum and Greg Oden share common basketball traits. The two are NBA players. They are both seven feet tall and both play at the center position. They are young and seen as players with the potential to be dominating centers. Both players are currently dealing with or dealt with knee injuries. And both players have proven to be injury prone. Bynum, the center for the Los Angeles Lakers, even admits that he is injury prone. And every Blazer fan is very acquainted with Oden's injury issues. While Oden and the Blazers are no longer competing in the playoffs, the Lakers remain in the playoffs and need Bynum to overcome his latest knee injury to help them beat the Utah Jazz in a"
Greg Oden says he has good days and bad days in his rehabilitation for a broken left knee
April 30
Oregonian
 
"Nearly five months after breaking his left kneecap, Trail Blazers center Greg Oden said he encounters two types of days: A good day is when he can walk without the left knee causing him pain and swelling. A bad day is when he has to stay off his feet and ice his knee. Despite the days of swelling, Oden said doctors have told him he is on schedule in his rehabilitation. "They are telling me I'm right on schedule, to keep on going and pretty soon down in the summertime is when things are going to crank up,'' Oden said. Thursday marked Oden's first appearance with the media in nearly a month, during which he spent time in his hometown of Indianapolis. He said he will not return for the"
Oden on the mend, but cautious
March 18
Portland Tribune
 
"Not so well, though, that the 7-foot center can expect to return to the Trail Blazers this season. "The chance of that happening is remote at best," veteran Portland trainer Jay Jensen says. Almost two months ago, Oden told the Portland Tribune, "I'm actually hoping, and saying my prayers, that I can come back before the end of this season." Asked this week about whether he still holds that hope, Oden sounds as if he has scaled back his plans. "I have no idea when I can get back to playing," Oden says. "Until I get better, I won't know for sure. "I want to get my knee feeling good to the point where if (a return this season) doesn't happen, I can at least go into the summer knowing I'm"
Greg Oden still targeting playoffs as rehab continues
March 6
Oregonian
 
"When asked about if he is being realistic about returning for the playoffs - if the Blazers reach the playoffs - Greg Oden didn't hesitate. "I would like to hope so. I do think so," Oden said. "That's just me being anxious to get out there and play again." Oden said even if he doesn't play again this year, he'll be able to use his recovery as a springboard to the 2010-11 season. "I know next year is going to be right around the corner (after the playoffs)," Oden said. "If I can definitely get close to playing (this season), that means I can go into this summer with a good head _ that I'm ready." Oden came out after the Blazers ended practice Friday and shot very, very soft shots -"
Shaquille O'Neal could miss rest of season for Cleveland Cavaliers with thumb injury
March 1
New York Daily News
 
"Suddenly, the possibility of LeBron James leaving at the end of the season is not the Cavaliers' only problem. Shaquille O'Neal will undergo surgery Monday to repair his injured right thumb and could miss the rest of the season. The Cavs will have to adjust to life without their big man starting tonight against the Knicks. O'Neal was diagnosed yesterday at the Curtis National Hand Center in Baltimore, where he learned he will need the surgery. The initial diagnosis at the Cleveland Clinic over the weekend was that Shaq had suffered a sprained ligament Thursday in the Cavs' win in Boston. But yesterday's exam revealed a tear, which typically sidelines players for 6-8 weeks. There are seven"
Bill Walton says Greg Oden will come back from injuries
February 13
Oregonian
 
"Bill Walton said he can't believe the health issues that have plagued Greg Oden. "It's so sad to see what has happened Greg Oden," Walton said. "As a Trail Blazer fan, this is something I hate to see." Walton knows a few things about a Portland center suffering multiple injuries during his career, so to watch yet another Blazer center go down under a series of injuries is painful for him. But Walton said he expects Oden to overcome the setbacks."
After nude photos go public, Greg Oden faces up to embarrassment of another mistake
January 27
Oregonian
 columnist John Canzano
"Greg Oden was given the opportunity on Tuesday to hide out, issue a denial or attack the person responsible for posting nude photographs he once sent a third party of himself. Instead he slammed the door shut. Said Oden: "Um, I've had better days." Oden apologized to his teammates, and Trail Blazers owner Paul Allen, and most of all, his family. He talked candidly about the embarrassment of being woken up at 6 a.m. by a gut-wrenching telephone call with the party on the other end saying, "Get up, someone's posted naked pictures of you on the Internet." Oden's had some lousy days as a Blazer, hasn't he? He's had a microfracture surgery, and a fractured patella, and now, officially, a"
Oden put himself, Blazers in awkward position
January 27
Portland Tribune
 
"In an interview on The Game (95.5 FM) on Tuesday, Greg Oden said nude photos released on the Internet earlier in the day were dated. "Those pictures were taken and sent over a year and a half ago," said the Trail Blazers center, who turned 22 last Friday. "I've grown since then. "You can't do those type of things. That's one of the main things we want to get out. It's a really embarrassing moment, and we all would like to move forward from this." Oden wouldn't say who sent the photos to the Web site. "I had a relationship with a lady and some things came out," he said. "I don't want to go into details about it." Oden said he got a call from a friend at 6 a.m. Tuesday, telling him about"