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Oden 'explodes' in workout, and Pritchard likes it

Center's shot doesn't fall, but it's his first go against another 7-footer; Koponen being heavily courted in Europe

By Kerry Eggers

The Portland Tribune, Aug 12, 2008, Updated Oct 30, 2009 (1 Reader comment)

Trail Blazer center Greg Oden wouldn't say whether he was really playing the piano in this ESPY Awards bit on July 16, but General Manager Kevin Pritchard were more concerned — and pleased — with how he played in two-on-two drills Tuesday involving Steve Blake, Channing Frye and Steven Hill.

KEVIN WINTER / GETTY IMAGES

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After watching Greg Oden slam dunk his way through portions of a two-hour workout Monday at the Trail Blazers’ Tualatin training facility, General Manager Kevin Pritchard was left with a good feeling about his 7-foot center.

“The thing we worried about was, would he have his explosion back?” Pritchard said of the No. 1 pick in the 2007 NBA draft, who missed last season after September microfracture surgery on his right knee. “I think the answer is yes, and (the knee) is coming back maybe stronger than it was before.”

It’s far too early to tell that for sure. But Oden looked powerful, if nothing else, in the 20 minutes of Monday’s session with Portland assistant coach Dean Demopolous that was open to the media.

Oden returned to Portland from Columbus, Ohio, last week and is beginning his second week of early conditioning with Demopolous. Oden has been joined by Blazer teammates Steve Blake and Channing Frye, who have made Portland their off-season home.

In two-on-two drills with 7-footer Steven Hill from Arkansas, Oden dunked often with two hands. At one point, he took a lob pass from Blake and rammed in a two-hander, celebrating as he bounded to the floor.

“I’m feeling good,” Oden said as he talked to the horde of media. “I feel a lot better than I did the first days back. I just enjoy being out here with my teammates, working hard.”

Oden also had a jump hook blocked by Hill – a member of the Blazers’ summer-league team who is likely to be invited to October training camp – and wasn’t able to get many of his assortment of post-up shots to fall, other than dunks.

Asked about his shooting woes, Oden responded, “I want to know (about) that, too. I have to come in tonight and work on that.

“It’s just my touch,” he said. “I’m still trying to get used to the ball. I have really dry hands, so trying to palm the ball is usually difficult. I’m working on that – that’s why I’m out here (in Portland) super early.”

Later, Oden added, “I know y’all saw my hook shot not going in, but I haven’t played against another 7-footer in I don’t know how long.”

Demopolous has spent much time on conditioning, getting Oden used to the fullcourt transition from offense to defense, and defense to offense. The biggest thing, Nate McMillan’s chief assistant said, is Oden’s presence this early in the summer.

“He’s here, he’s willing, and he’s giving it a great effort,” Demopolous said. “We’re starting at point A, trying to get him in condition to think clearly and react accordingly to the situations he sees on the floor.

“The quicker he can do that is in direct correlation to being in condition. We’re trying to get his thought processes conditioned as much as we can, and get them married. He’s doing a terrific job so far.”

Frye has worked out with Oden in all of the sessions with Demopolous.

“As you can see, he’s a freak,” Frye said of his teammate. “He’s a demon down there.

“He gets in shape really fast. I know he’s not 100 percent yet, but he’s doing a pretty good job. We’ll see how he continues to take this and how his body feels.”

Oden looks thick – probably in the 300-pound range. Asked about his weight, his response was, “that’s confidential.”

But he doesn’t look fat, and he moved well, especially when he had the ball in his hands.

“I’m getting in shape,” he said. “I’m not going to say I’m in tip-top, NBA-ready shape, but I can tell you I’m working on it.”

By the end of the session, Oden appeared gassed. Perspiration dripped from his beard and oozed through the T-shirt and sweatshirt he wore during the workout.

The main thing, though, is that he says he is experiencing no pain or soreness in the knee, even after a hard workout.

“Yesterday should have been my worst day,” he said. “I had a workout similar to this, then lifted (weights), then went on a 15-mile bike ride with Jay (Jensen, Blazer trainer).

“I thought I was going to be dead today. I was dreading (how I would feel) when I woke up. But I’m actually feeling good, and ready to do it again tomorrow.”

Jensen said the Blazers have taken it slowly with Oden since his September 2007 surgery.

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