Horrible news for the Portland Trail Blazers.

[ziggy]

Horrible news for the Portland Trail Blazers.

Greg Oden is out for the 2007-2008 season

[Edrow]

Wow. What a bummer. I hope he gets the chance to play someday, I was really looking forward to watching him. Especially for Team USA.

-Edrow

[123together]

that sucks for portland and the nba in general. the durant - oden thing could have been a big thing of interest for the league this year. hopefully he makes a full recovery, but doesn't impact the bobcats title hopes

[tamburello]

Many players' careers effectively end despite the surgery. However, some players such as Jason Kidd, John Stockton and Zach Randolph have been able to return at or near their pre-surgery form while players Brian Grant, Allan Houston and Penny Hardaway never regained their old form while others as Jamal Mashburn and Terrell Brandon never recovered and retired.

More than 15 NBA players have undergone microfracture surgery. Of course, there are the Allan Houstons and Jamal Mashburns, but microfracture is not a basketball death sentence. Several players have come back from the procedure to return to their previous form and produce in the NBA.

The most important factor in recovering from microfracture surgery is the rehabilition afterwards. Doctors stress a strictly-observed period of rest, followed by a gradual increase of activity. Players like Chris Webber and Anfernee Hardaway believe that they didn't feel right until more than a year after the surgery.

As I understand, if both athlete and doctors are careful, this surgery would have no effect on rest of player's career. He can return as if nothing actually happened (i.e. most hated Amare). This is nothing but sad, but Blazers shouldn't be discouraged now, at least until seeing Oden on the floor.

[Jonathanmartin7]

Wow! how'd this one slip past me. I still think the blazers have a legit shot at the playoffs without him. They are simply loaded with young talent. They're players are also to driven to just tank the season for missing one link. I hope he recovers as good as he can, takes his time, listens to the doc's instructions and follows them to the letter. He should come back fine and be a force in this league for years to come.

[Keetch]

BUMMER for Oden especially, for the Blazers, for the NBA and for all fans of the NBA. I was SOOO looking forward to watching his development this year. I mean I was priming for NBA league pass and many late nights. Jeez he's my rookie pick on my fantasy team. YIKES...what to do...

I'm worried. The reports are saying he has one leg an inch shorter than the other and a bulging disk in his back. Where was that in June? Simmons says on ESPN that he walks like an old man. YIKES squared.

I really hope he can play well someday. That one dunk he made in the summer league was off the charts.

VERY big deal that he left school when he did and didn't wait. At least he has a contract and the best care.

Take care Greg!

[Keetch]

I watched the Blazers press conference on NBA TV right after the announcement. I was totally impressed with Nate McMillan (NC State Champion 1983 of course) and Kevin Pritchard (Kansas Champion from '8.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8lELHb7ac64

http://boss.streamos.com/wmedia/nba/..._pc_070913.asx

The first clip doesn't show the whole press conference, but if you're durable the second one is the whole thing and 33 minutes long

Other than the Bobcats; I think I know who my second favorite NBA team is.

[qchoops]

While it is unfortunate for Oden and the Blazers for the coming season, this may help them in the long run. Instead of being a middle of the pack team next year, as expected, they're going to be in the running for a high lottery pick. And assuming that Oden's recovery goes well, they'll be adding Oden and a top 5 or so pick (O.J Mayo, Eric Gordon?) to Brandon Roy, Lamarcus Alridge, and pals for the 2008-09 season. And that starts to sound a like very strong team, for potentially the next 10 years.

[Keetch]

Add to that Sergio Rodriguez and Rudy Fernandez, both outstanding guards in their own right and the Blazers will have the young-PG market totally cornered. So they can easily trade to fill in any gaps in depth. Yup they're gonna be sick.

I think Pritchard is a pretty smart dude.

But that's putting the horse behind the cart; the 2008 is a long ways off.

[dvdbumpus]

Add to that Sergio Rodriguez and Rudy Fernandez, both outstanding guards in their own right and the Blazers will have the young-PG market totally cornered. So they can easily trade to fill in any gaps in depth. Yup they're gonna be sick.

I think Pritchard is a pretty smart dude.

But that's putting the horse behind the cart; the 2008 is a long ways off.

If Felton by some reason doesn't turn out how we hope, I'd consider trading for Rodriguez.