Over a year in the making but center Greg Oden has finally played basketball as a Portland Trailblazer.
A Rose Garden crowd of over 19,000 gave the No. 1 overall pick in the 2007 draft a standing ovation. Then big No. 52 gave the fans a dunk just two minutes into the game—the Blazers’ first basket of the night.
Oden didn’t play last year after undergoing microfracture surgery on his right knee.
The former Buckeye finished the Blazers’ first preseason game with 13 points, five rebounds, two blocks, two assists and one turnover. He played just under 20 minutes. Oden shot five for eight from the field and four of his five makes were dunks.
Brandon Roy, who had arthroscopic surgery on his left knee in August, had 14 points and seven assists in 23 minutes. Spanish guard Rudy Fernandez was effective on the defensive end and flashy on the offensive end. In 20 minutes, Fernandez had six points and five assists.
The Portland Trailblazers defeated the Sacramento Kings 110 to 89. It was both teams first exhibition game of the preseason.
Blazers play the Warriors at the Rose Garden Wednesday night.
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about 1 month ago
"The fans booed every time he committed one of his four personal fouls."
I hope that you mean the fans booed the refs...especially considering he didn't pick up his 3rd until the 3rd quarter.
from about 1 month ago
I did mean that. Thanks.
about 1 month ago
A full house for a pre-season game! Kings announcers (radio) were raving about the playoff atmosphere. And Rudy....Wow!
A great start for Portland.
about 1 month ago
Not bad for an old guy! All joking aside, the Blazers are looking like a mover this year!
about 1 month ago
Steven, WHERE ARE YOU AT?!
Are you ready to eat your words buddy?
Oden looked phenomenal last night in only 18 minutes of play. Do you still think Oden won't be very good? Think he doesn't have the "footwork" to be an elite bigman? Your lack of basketball knowledge becomes more obvious by each of your posts.. hahaha..
about 1 month ago
Yeah, the haters and doubters seem to have found all of the holes in the ground this morning to crawl into.
about 1 month ago
...by the time this guy gets his wind, he will be the best NBA center - right away...not next year.
about 1 month ago
Oden looks stronger as I predicted and noted. The Portland Trail Blazers training staff said that Oden has bulked up over the offseaso and weighs around 290lbs. He looked noticeably thicker against Sacramento but he still has a nice frame and nice leaping ability not to mentio his presence on defense.
about 1 month ago
Oden looked good, Blazers are going to make a lot of noise. Good article.
about 1 month ago
BEAST!!!!! ROY for sure! He's added serious muscle, look at those arms, he looks like LeBron's dad! he will avg a double double for the next 15 seasons.
about 1 month ago
Oden, Roy and Aldridge will all mis significant playing time to injuries this season and they will NOT make the post season. Now, after many of you call me a fool remember that I said this in early October because I will be back to say I told you so. p.s. Oden won't make it to December)
about 1 month ago
Why is this posted on the Kings page. You say nothing about the Kings. It should be posted in the Blazers page.
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