C Greg Oden (All B1G, All-American, Defensive Player of the Year, Butler Assistant Coach)

[Steve19]

Wow, he really does seem to be injury-prone.

 

[Buckskin86]

Oden to miss at least two more games
Posted by Jason Quick, The Oregonian February 19, 2009

Trail Blazers center Greg Oden will miss Friday night's game vs. Atlanta and Sunday's game against the Clippers because of swelling and tightness in his left knee, which was injured on Feb. 12 when he banged knees with Golden State's Corey Maggette.

These will be the eighth and ninth games Oden has missed this season due to injury. Oden is set to be examined Monday in Portland before the team heads on a three-game trip to Houston, San Antonio and Minnesota. The exam will determine whether Oden makes the trip. Oden had microfracture surgery on his right knee.

Oden to miss at least two more games - Behind The Blazers Beat - The Oregonian - OregonLive.com

 

[Buckskin86]

NBA notes: Oden to miss at least two more games
The Associated Press ? Published February 25, 2009

HOUSTON ? Portland Trail Blazers center Greg Oden will miss at least two more games because of a bone chip in his left knee.

Oden was hurt in a collision during a game at Golden State before the All-Star break. The 7-foot Oden missed the rookie challenge and will miss sit out Tuesday's game in Houston and today's game in San Antonio.

Coach Nate McMillan said there was a "slight chance" Oden would participate in practice on Thursday. McMillan said he wanted to see Oden run before determining when Oden would play again.

"We thought, everybody thought, he would be able to be moving by now," McMillan said. "Things just keep getting bumped back."

McMillan said doctors have assured him that the injury won't turn into a long-term absence. But McMillan admitted he's starting to get worried.

"We are into the part of the season where we need our bigs," McMillan said.

Oden, the top pick in the 2007 draft, sat out last season after microfracture surgery on his right knee. He missed six games early this season with a foot injury.

The 7-foot Oden has averaged nine points and just over seven rebounds in 39 games this season.

NBA notes: Oden to miss at least two more games - Sports - The Olympian - Olympia, Washington

 

[Buckskin86]

Oden's bone chip still causing trouble
By Anne M. Peterson, AP Sports Writer

PORTLAND, Ore. ? Portland Trail Blazers center Greg Oden will sit out of Friday's game against the Minnesota Timberwolves because of a bone chip in his left knee.
Oden was hurt in a collision during a game at Golden State before the All-Star break. The 7-footer missed the rookie challenge and five games since.

Although he accompanied the team on its road swing this week, he did not play in losses to the Houston Rockets and the San Antonio Spurs. The road trip ends Friday at Minnesota, before the Blazers host the Spurs on Sunday.

Oden worked out with the Blazers on Thursday and did some light running, the team said.

Coach Nate McMillan said earlier this week that he wanted to see Oden run before deciding when he could play again.

"We thought, everybody thought, he would be able to be moving by now," McMillan said. "Things just keep getting bumped back."

McMillan said team doctors have assured him that the injury won't turn into a long-term absence.

"We are into the part of the season where we need our bigs," McMillan said.

Oden, the top pick in the 2007 draft, sat out last season after microfracture surgery on his right knee. He missed six games early this season with a foot injury.

Oden has averaged nine points and just over seven rebounds in 39 games this season. Joel Przybilla has been starting in his place.

Oden's bone chip still causing trouble - USATODAY.com

 

[Buckskin86]

Blazers willing to gut it out, but is Oden?
by John Canzano, The Oregonian
Sunday March 01, 2009

Bruce Ely/The Oregonian
Greg Oden on the bench as the Portland Trail Blazers face the San Antonio Spurs at the Rose Garden.

I am giving Greg Oden the benefit of the doubt when it comes to his absence on the court, and his soft-spoken voice, and the rash of injuries that have, so far, plagued his young career.

But he knows the questions are out there.

Said Oden, who suffered a chipped bone in his left knee before the All-Star break: "Believe me, if I could play pain-free, I'd play. Even if I had the chance to get to 85 percent and be comfortable, I'd play. I'm not even 85 percent."

He did not play again on Sunday.

Without Oden, the Blazers gave San Antonio a 102-84 back-alley whipping at the Rose Garden. And after the game, teammate Jerryd Bayless had a pack of ice attached to each knee. LaMarcus Aldridge had a giant tub of ice water in front of his locker for his feet and ankles. And there was athletic tape strewn in front of Rudy Fernandez's locker.

Those guys dressed, and talked about the game.

Meanwhile, Oden stood down the hall, visiting with the children and families of his teammates. And this is where I found him, and looked him in the eyes, and asked him, "Do you want to play?"

Because you figure watching his teammates blow out the Spurs without him would ignite a fire inside of him. And you'd think Oden, who has been questioned about his health almost since arriving in Portland, would be dying to get back on the court to prove to the world that he's going to be a terrific NBA player. And you'd think Oden would have been inspired by the charming Blazers fans who got so giddy in the second half they went retro and performed the wave.

A season ticket holder saw the wave coming around and said: "The guy with the rainbow wig and 'John 3:16' sign must have been unavailable."

Ah, yes. Availability. It's everything in sports. So when will Oden be available to play again?

"I'm not comfortable yet," he said. "I still have pain."

Blazers willing to gut it out, but is Oden? - Oregonian columnist John Canzano's columns and blog - The Oregonian - OregonLive.com

 

[Jimmy Carter]

Greg Oden to miss another seven to ten days with knee injury - ESPN

Oden to miss 7-10 more days


Greg Oden will miss another 7 to 10 days as he continues to recover from a left knee injury, the Portland Trail Blazers announced Monday, according to The Oregonian of Portland.

Oden

Oden, who has missed the team's last seven games after chipping his kneecap on Feb. 12, is due to miss another four to six games under the latest timetable for his return, according to the report. He missed six games early this season with a foot injury.
Oden, who missed his entire rookie season after undergoing microfracture surgery on his right knee, traveled with the team on its three-game trip road last week but did not play. Coach Nate McMillan said Oden "didn't look good," when he tried running during a practice in Minnesota, according to The Oregonian.
"As far as what I saw of him running the floor, I don't think he'll be coming back any time in the next few days," McMillan said Sunday, according to the report.

 

[daveeb]

Man, he really can be a force down low. 9 points, 7.2 rebounds, and 1.15 blocks with only 22+ minutes per game is stupendous for a center his age. No one should ever doubt his ability. But, jeez, the injuries are killing him, both physically and mentally.

And the fact that he gets called for fouls all the time...

 

[Buckskin86]

Oden getting no pleasure in sitting out
By Jeff Rabjohns
Posted: March 5, 2009

PORTLAND, Ore. -- Greg Oden sits in the middle of the storm, just waiting, waiting for a chance to be healthy, to show what he feels he still can do.

The 2006 Indianapolis Star Indiana Mr. Basketball out of Lawrence North High School and 2007 No. 1 NBA draft pick out of Ohio State is currently sidelined with his second knee injury.


This one came when he banged knees with Corey Maggette on Feb. 12.

Oden missed what would have been his rookie season after surgery on his right knee and missed six games early this season with a foot injury.

Around him, speculation and commentary swirl, and the opinion here seems to be less than favorable.

A local columnist recently questioned if Oden was even trying to play.

One newspaper beat writer earlier in the year said he was "sick of Greg Oden."

Sports talk shows and message boards are filled with comments comparing him to Sam Bowie, the center the Blazers drafted ahead of Michael Jordan whose career was derailed by injuries.

When and if Oden is going to be healthy has become a national story.

He addressed his situation at length Wednesday night before the Blazers played the Pacers.

Question: So how tough is this with everyone talking whether you're ever going to be able to play?

Answer: It sucks. I want to be out there and just play. I feel better and more comfortable with myself when I'm out there playing and not really worrying about injuries and rehab and all that stuff and hearing people's mouth about, 'Oh, he's injury prone.' Like this isn't an injury game. Like things don't happen. You'd rather be out there playing where you don't have to worry about people's mouths.

Oden getting no pleasure in sitting out | IndyStar.com | The Indianapolis Star

 

[Buckskin86]

Blazers' Greg Oden is fed up and let down
Posted by Jason Quick, The Oregonian March 08, 2009

Greg Oden on the bench as the Portland trail Blazers face the Atlanta Hawks at the Rose Garden.These days, when Greg Oden seeks solace, he usually heads to a restaurant and looks for a table with a view and a seat for only himself.
He finds it relaxing, he says, just looking out the window and eating. During these moments, usually right after Trail Blazers practice, he can escape the pressures of being himself.

It is a time when no one is analyzing his rookie season with the Blazers. When no one has an opinion of how he should carry himself. And most gratifying, it's a time when no one asks about his injuries, including the latest -- a chipped left kneecap that has caused him to miss 10 games and counting.

"I can just eat, relax and be by myself," Oden says.

Truth be told, he would rather scream, because he is fed up with it all. Fed up with the injuries, which prevent him from playing the game he insists he loves. Fed up with the media, which have portrayed him as injury-prone and a bust. And to a degree, he is fed up with himself and his performance on the court this season.

In Greg Oden's world, everything, and everyone, is seemingly against him.

"It's like, dang, can I ever do anything right?" Oden says.

Blazers' Greg Oden is fed up and let down - Behind The Blazers Beat - The Oregonian - OregonLive.com

 

[matcar]

Man, he really can be a force down low. 9 points, 7.2 rebounds, and 1.15 blocks with only 22+ minutes per game is stupendous for a center his age. No one should ever doubt his ability. But, jeez, the injuries are killing him, both physically and mentally.

And the fact that he gets called for fouls all the time...

Oden's body is frail. He wants to be a warrior, but I'm beginning to think that will never come to pass. The similaries to Bowie are eerie.

 

[fourteenandoh]

whoa!

 

[Buckskin86]

Can Oden play? Still a maybe
By Mike Wells
Posted: March 18, 2009

Greg Oden might have to wait another year to play his first NBA game in his hometown.

The former Lawrence North High School star practiced Tuesday with his Portland teammates but wasn't sure he could play tonight against the Pacers.



Oden has been out since Feb. 12 because of a chip in his left knee. He missed all of last season after having surgery on his right knee.

"It felt good. We're going to see how it feels (today) and see what happens," Oden said. "It would be good (to play) so my mom can see me. She hasn't come out to a lot of games. For her to be able to see me would be nice."

Oden is averaging 9.0 points and 7.2 rebounds in 46 games.

Can Oden play? Still a maybe | IndyStar.com | The Indianapolis Star

 

[OregonBuckeye]

FYI, Oden's playing tonight. He made it back in time to play in his home state which is cool. Looks tired but he's made some nice defensive plays. Good to have him back.

 

[billmac91]

FYI, Oden's playing tonight. He made it back in time to play in his home state which is cool. Looks tired but he's made some nice defensive plays. Good to have him back.

thats the difficult thing for Greg. He plays 100% better when his conditioning is good, and at times this year he has lost the ability to stay fit through injuries, and obviously he came off of a whole year off to begin the season.

But even strings of nights where he gets into foul trouble and only plays 20 minutes, seem to carry over into other games where he looks exhausted and unable to play at a high consistent level.

If he could ever stay healthy, get into great shape, and average 30-35 minutes a night, he'll be great. Hope it happens...

 

[Buckskin86]

Oden comes home, returns to action
By Jeff Rabjohns
Posted: March 19, 2009

Starting what Portland plans as a gradual return, Greg Oden played for the first time in nearly five weeks Wednesday night at Conseco Fieldhouse.

The 7-foot center played 12 minutes in the Trail Blazers' 95-85 victory over the Indiana Pacers, his first action since fracturing his left kneecap Feb. 12 when he ran into Golden State's Corey Maggette.

"It felt good," the former Lawrence North star said after his first NBA game at the arena in which he won three high school state titles. "I'm just trying to get back in the swing of things, get my wind back and hopefully next time I can go longer."

Oden came off the bench and finished with four points, seven rebounds and one blocked shot with a couple of highlights. He forced Pacers center Roy Hibbert into an air ball, then early in the second quarter flashed the defense for which he's known.

Oden comes home, returns to action | IndyStar.com | The Indianapolis Star