Portland center needs microfracture procedure again
The Columbian
Published: February 20, 2012, 4:00pm
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PORTLAND — There appears to be no end in sight for Greg Oden and his troublesome knees.
The Portland Trail Blazers said Monday that a procedure to clear debris out of Oden’s left knee resulted in another microfracture surgery. Oden had the surgery in Vail, Colo. Although it was originally expected to be an arthroscopic procedure to clean out the 7-footer’s knee, the surgeon determined there was additional damage.
The former No.1 pick in the 2007 NBA draft has now had two microfracture surgeries on his left knee, and one on his right. He has also undergone surgery for a fractured left kneecap.
The Blazers say Oden will not play this season.
“It’s hard to put into words the heartbreak for everyone involved, but especially for Greg. He’s a young man who has experienced a great number of physical challenges in his playing career and today is yet another significant setback for him,” Trail Blazers President Larry Miller said in a prepared statement. “We have a lot of empathy for Greg and his family during this difficult time.”
Oden, who has hot played in an NBA game since Dec. 5, 2009, has appeared in 82 career games for the Blazers, averaging 9.4 points and 7.3 rebounds.
It was expected that he might be able to play this season, but a checkup before the start of training camp in December reportedly revealed concerns about a non-weight-bearing ligament in the left knee, further setting back his rehabilitation.
Oden was a restricted free agent heading into this season. The Blazers and Oden initially agreed to an $8.9 million qualifying offer for this year, but when the setback was announced the two sides restructured the deal, which was dropped to $1.5 million. He will become an unrestricted free agent following this season.
Oden has turned down several interview requests this season.
The former Ohio State star was selected over Oklahoma City’s Kevin Durant with the top pick in the 2007 draft. Debates raged over who should be the No. 1 selection, and the Blazers eventually went with Oden in the hope that he would lead the team — along with Brandon Roy and LaMarcus Aldridge — to an NBA championship.
But Oden’s rookie season was postposed when he required microfracture surgery on his right knee that forced him to miss the 2007-08 season.
Oden’s repeated knee problems have drawn comparisons to Sam Bowie, the injury-plagued big man the Blazers selected ahead of Michael Jordan in the 1984 draft.
While Bowie played in 76 games his rookie season, averaging 10 points and 8.6 rebounds, he appeared in just 63 games over the next four seasons because of injuries. He missed the entire 1987-88 season. In all, he had five operations.
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