Sports Column

Don’t throw in the towel just yet

On Sports

By kerry eggers

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

Greg Oden looks on in the first half of Tuesday's game against the Lakers at Staples Center in Los Angeles.

HARRY HOW / GETTY IMAGES

LOS ANGELES —

So, has the season gone up in smoke? Greg Oden is down. The Trail Blazers were violated by the Lakers. The first impression of this Portland team, seen live and in HD across the entire country, was not a good one Tuesday night at Staples Center.

“We’re going to be fine,” General Manager Kevin Pritchard told me in the quiet outside the visitors’ locker room, a half-hour after the Blazers’ season-opening 96-76 loss. “We have a tough schedule to start this season. We’re not hitting any panic button.”

It was a difficult first game for a Portland team that is still among the youngest in the NBA, averaging 22.8 years of age, with four rookies in the top 12. The Lakers are talented, deep and were playing at home.

Portland was jittery, maybe a little intimidated early. Brandon Roy and LaMarcus Aldridge were missing shots they normally would hit. The Lakers’ Pau Gasol was on fire.

And Oden, the messiah, took all of three trips downcourt before injuring his right foot.

What people need to remember is, Oden didn’t hurt his knee. That’s a good thing.

On the other hand, it compounds the worry that the big man is injury-prone.

We’ve already had a couple of those in town over the years.

I admired what Aldridge said about Oden being potentially out of action.

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