By Aaron O'Connell
Last year, Greg Oden came to Portland as the first overall draft pick of 2007. Shortly thereafter a giant Oden jersey was draped over the Rose Quarter. Trail Blazers fans everywhere were breathless with anticipation.
And then the unthinkable happened: Greg Oden had microfracture surgery on his right knee. He would miss the whole season.
Talk began that Portland had once again made the wrong choice. Remember how the Trail Blazers once passed up Michael Jordan? He soon became equated with Kevin Durant, the second overall pick in the 2007 draft - the man some said the Blazers should have taken.
Durant went on to have a stellar year, winning the Associated Press Rookie of the Year Award and averaging 20.3 points per game.
Meanwhile Oden watched from the sidelines, as the Blazers had their best season since 2003-04, finishing 42-42.
But now it is time again for Blazers fans to get excited.
Oden will return to the Blazers this season and the Blazers are poised to have one of their best seasons in recent years.
The Blazers roster impresses, with a lineup of some of the best young talent in the game. Although many lack experience (especially in the playoffs), the Trail Blazers doubtless have a very strong future.
Oden will immediately, by virtue of his large stature and powerful inside shooting, put points on the board. But he will aldo bolster the team's defense, a current focus for the Blazers.
And with strong scorers Brandon Roy, LaMarcus Aldridge and Martell Webster, as well as playoff-experienced passer Steve Blake and up-and-coming Oden, acheiving less than a playoff berth would be disappointing.
2007-08 leadership this year falls to Roy and Aldridge especially. Both players were standout rookies and continue to improve.
Aldridge, who previously started at center, will be moving to the power forward permanently (pending Oden's first few games), giving the Blazers new defensive strength at that position and a large outside shooter. Aldridge has been working hard on his outside shots and hopes to take several throughout the year.
Roy returns this year to the Blazers for his third NBA season. In 2007-08, he played the most in the All-Star game of any Western conference player. However, whether Roy will be able to compete in the preseason is undecided. The star has been unable to fully participate for almost two months after a surgery on the meniscus in his left knee. But with any luck (and the Blazers are due for some), Roy will be back and able to lead the Blazers by preseason time.
True, Oden did roll his ankle in the first day of training camp, but he finished practice riding a stationary bike and is totally fine.
The Blazers have more potential than almost any team in the NBA currently. And should be shooting for at least a second place finish in the conference.
Aaron O'Connell is the Sports Editor for The Beacon he can be contacted at oconnell11@up.edu
