PORTLAND - For the second time in his three NBA seasons, Trail Blazer Greg Oden has a season-ending injury.
General Manager Kevin Pritchard, who made Oden the league's top selection in the 2007, called it a "punch to the gut".
This year, for the first time, Oden appeared to be in prime physical shape to start the season, and began to show the power and ability that made him the nation's top pick. But with this season still in its early stages, Oden jumped to defend against the Houston Rockets Aaron Brooks, and fractured his left kneecap. It did not appear that he even made contact with Brooks. He fell to the floor, writhing in pain, and that was that.
As he did two years ago, Oden will undergo knee surgery which is expected to end his season.
He had already had several ailments in college, including back and ankle problems, when the Blazers drafted him. Then, before his first season even started, he had to have season-ending microfracture knee surgery.
Later, in the locker room, a dispirited Oden apologized for getting injured again and told his teammates to keep fighting. They did, and won the game. Pritchard says he still believes that Oden will recover and play again, if not at the end of this season, then next season. "He'll bounce back", says Pritchard.
