The Portland Trail Blazers on Thursday were alerted to an internet rumor that Greg Oden had participated in a pickup basketball game at a 24 Hour Fitness facility in Tualatin on Wednesday night. Turns out, the rumor was true. And naturally, the Blazers were none too pleased.
"We heard about that, and I talked to him today,'' coach Nate McMillan said. "I let him know he can't do that.''
Oden is in the sixth month of his rehabilitation from microfracture surgery on his right knee, and is on schedule, if not ahead, to return to the court in time for the start of training camp in October. Oden has been cleared to participate in light drills during practices, but the team wants to control his running and jumping to controlled environments.
"I know he is excited to be moving again, but as I talked to him about it, he said 'Coach, I promise I wasn't running hard ...'. And I was like - 'I really don't care','' McMillan said. "The thing is, we were surprised. So we let him know that he doesn't need to be there. We have plenty of workout equipment and gym space at our facility.''
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