
09-29-2008, 08:43 PM
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Capo Regime
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Join Date: Feb 2004
Posts: 40,859
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Total Points: 17,679,383.31
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Expectations high as Oden-era set to begin
Portland Trail Blazers center Greg Oden poses for a photograph during the basketball team's media day at the Rose Garden, Monday, Sept. 29, 2008 in Portland, Ore.
Story Published: Sep 29, 2008 at 5:11 PM PDT
By ANNE M. PETERSON AP Sports Writer
PORTLAND, Ore. (AP) _ After a season of waiting for their No. 1 draft pick, the Portland Trail Blazers open preseason practice with Greg Oden eager to go.
"It's going to be amazing, and I'm going to be ready for it," said the 7-foot center, whose rookie season was over before it started when he had knee surgery last September.
All reports indicate Oden is ready for this season. He's been playing five-on-five for several weeks now and on Tuesday he'll raise the level as training camp opens.
The Blazers will likely still take it easy on Oden, limiting him to morning practices. He admits that although his repaired right knee feels fine, he's not quite in game shape yet.
Meanwhile, he's trying to keep a low profile ? even going so far as to turning down photo shoots for a couple of national magazines.
"I'm a guy who was hurt last year," he said. "There's guys who deserve it more than me."
Expectations are high all around for the upcoming season's Blazers, and not just because of Oden. The team appears to have more talent and depth than it's had for quite a few years.
Oden, All-Star guard Brandon Roy and LaMarcus Aldridge anchor the squad, made stronger with the addition of Spanish Olympian Rudy Fernandez and draft pick Jerryd Bayless, along with the return of role players like Travis Outlaw, Martell Webster and Channing Frye.
Roy averaged 19.1 points, 5.8 assists and 4.7 rebounds last season. Aldridge became a starter and showed probably the most dramatic improvement, averaging 17.8 points and 7.6 rebounds.
"For the past two seasons its been like, 'They're young, they're going to need some time,'" said Roy, pictured below. "It doesn't feel like that this season."
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