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Oden has surprise practice with Blazers

Fri 14th, March 2008

Sacramento, CA (Sports Network) - Portland Trail Blazers center Greg Oden, the top overall pick from this past year's draft who was declared out for this season due to right knee surgery, practiced for the first time since the September procedure.

The Blazers announced Thursday that Oden started practicing on Wednesday as the team was preparing for a game against the Kings. Sacramento won the game, 96-85, on Thursday.

Blazers coach Nate McMillan announced he wanted several players to run offensive plays, including Oden.

"There was somewhat of an uproar by the team," McMillan told the Oregonian. "Some of them said 'Greg?', and I was like, 'Yeah, Greg.' I think everyone was just excited to see him on the floor, just moving with the team."

Oden also worked one-on-one with assistant coach Maurice Lucas and he even got in a couple of dunks.

Oden was the top pick in June's NBA Draft after playing just one season at Ohio State. After the draft, Oden played in just two Las Vegas summer league games, and had a tonsillectomy in July. He later underwent an MRI exam, which revealed some knee problems.

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