Greg Oden hasn't played a single game for the Portland Trail Blazers, and he already has fans in the Pacific Northwest thinking bad thoughts - Is this guy the next Sam Bowie?
Greg Oden is expected to miss the entire 2007-08 season after undergoing microfracture surgery on his knee. Greg Oden was the No. 1 overall pick in the June draft.
Bowie, of course, was the center the Blazers selected with the No. 1 pick in the 1984 NBA Draft. Chronic knee problems plagued Bowie throughout his NBA career. He averaged 10.9 points and 7.5 rebounds over 11 seasons - not bad, but not worthy of a top overall draft pick.
Who did the Blazers pass up? Michael Jordan and Hakeem Olajuwon, for starters.
Now, the Blazers have Greg Oden, who had a great freshman season at Ohio State, leading the Buckeyes to the national championship game.
But that season started with Greg Oden recovering from a broken wrist. Two major injuries in a year's time. Can you say injury-prone?
You don't usually see dominant players deal with so many serious injuries at such an early age.
And microfracture surgery is not something you come back from quickly. Some players never come all the way back. One of the most glaring examples is Penny Hardaway, who looked like a future Hall of Famer after his first few seasons before undergoing the operation.
More recently, New Jersey Nets point guard Jason Kidd and Phoenix Suns center Amare Stoudemire have overcome that serious operation to return to their All-Star level of play.
All I'm saying is this: If you're the Seattle SuperSonics, you should feel pretty good about drafting Kevin Durant. And if you're the Boston Celtics and Memphis Grizzlies, I wouldn't feel so bad about not winning the 2007 NBA Draft Lottery.
- Alan Bellittera, Herald Staff
NO
Call it a devastating hit for the Portland Trail Blazers or blame the cover jinx yet again. But don't call Greg Oden a bust, and hold off on the Sam Bowie comparisons.
The 7-foot center won't disappoint when he returns from the microfracture surgery that put him out for the 2007-08 season.
Why?
Just take a look at his age - 19 years old. A successful return is much more likely for athletes who are 30 or younger. In fact, orthopedic surgeon Dr. Richard Steadman told The Oregonian more than eight of 10 microfracture patients have successful recoveries.
At age 22, center Amare Stoudemire underwent the surgery after the 2004-05 season. Last year, he averaged 20.4 points a season and 9.6 rebounds and was an impact player for the Phoenix Suns in the Western Conference semifinals last year.
And even past the age of 30, Jason Kidd is proof players can still return with comparable numbers. In the 2003-04 season before Kidd's microfracture surgery at age 31, the guard averaged 15.5 points, 9.2 assists and 8.2 rebounds.
He's still putting up triple-doubles and led the New Jersey Nets to the postseason.
In the meantime, Greg Oden will spend his days studying his next level of competition. Instead of being thrown into the NBA ranks, he can take in the games from the sidelines and study his opponents.
He did that when he was at Ohio State when he had to sit out with a wrist injury and returned able to block shots with both hands.
The long rehabilitation process is sure to provide Greg Oden with plenty of motivation to make an impact when he returns.
So for now, Portland and Greg Oden need patience. And the worst-case scenario for the Trail Blazers is they end the season with another losing record, get another good chance at a top draft pick and begin the 2008-09 season with two top players.
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