
08-13-2008, 05:32 AM
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Capo Regime
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Join Date: Feb 2004
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Canton
Quote:
Oden upbeat after workout
Wednesday, August 13, 2008
THE ASSOCIATED PRESS
Greg Oden can still dunk.
That much was clear Tuesday when the top pick in last year's NBA draft worked out in front of the media for the first time since right-knee surgery wiped out his rookie season with the Portland Trail Blazers.
The 7-footer from Ohio State showed no signs of problems in two-on-two work with teammates Steve Blake and Channing Frye and former Arkansas star Steven Hill, a 7-footer invited to practice with Portland. Oden isn't allowed to go five-on-five until next month.
"I'm feeling good," Oden said. "I do not have any pain or soreness in my knee."
Asked whether he noticed Oden favoring his right knee, Frye dismissed it entirely.
"He favors dunking on your head, that's what he favors," Frye said after giving up his share to Oden in the workout.
Blazers fans fired up about Oden's arrival were stunned last year to learn that he needed microfracture surgery to stimulate cartilage growth by drilling tiny holes in the bone. Oden now says his right knee actually feels stronger than his left because of rehabilitation and conditioning.
The challenge at this point, he says, is mostly psychological, to stop worrying about the knee and to fulfill high expectations he knows fans have for the him and the team.
Oden is the first to admit he must start from scratch with his interrupted career.
Cont...
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