Greg Oden to Miss Start of Regular Season?

The Portland Tribune chats up new Blazers GM Rich Cho about Greg Oden’s recovery, and comes away thinking the big fella might not be healthy enough to play when the season kicks off: “General Manager Rich Cho said Sunday that the 7-foot center is running and coming along well in rehab from December microfracture surgery, but not yet playing basketball. ‘We’re going to ease him into it … maybe do some two-on-two or three-on-three, instead of up-and down five-on-five,’ Cho said. ‘I’m hoping he’ll be cleared to do that in the next couple of weeks.’ That would seem to put in doubt Oden’s availability through the preseason. Training camp opens on Sept. 27, with the first exhibition game Oct. 5 against the Los Angeles Clippers. ‘We’re being cautious,’ Cho said. ‘The longer you wait for the bone to heal, the better.’ Oden is in Vancouver, British Columbia, with strength/conditioning coach Bobby Medina for a few days, working with a physical training specialist there on ‘a lot of core stuff,’ Cho said Not sure if that’s just regular procedure or something to worry about, but it seems clear that Oden’s goal of being ready for the start of the regular season is in jeopardy.”