Oden's NBA debut not a pretty sight

With Greg Oden ready to experience his first game in the NBA, back from a nasty year long knee injury everything appeared to be fine. The Portland Trail Blazers didn't have an easy opener against the Lakers from any stretch of the imagination. With high expectations for a young team having promise things went downhill in a hurry as the rookie Oden left the game after injuring his foot and ankle. He played a mere 12 minutes without scoring a point shooting 0-for-4 from the field. Ouch! That's not what Portland had in mind and it has to sting a bit. Another injury to their center wasn't suppose to be in the fold. Without him they didn't stand a chance against the Lakers who out ran them down the court and had their way on offense to command a wide margin lead.

The 97-76 blowout showed the inexperienced Trail Blazers have much work to be done this season. No doubt they have a good cast of young talent with Outlaw, Roy, and Aldridge back in the starting lineup along with a few new supporting additions in Rudy Fernandez and Ike Diogu off the bench. Efforts all-around will be needed to suffice in the brutal Western conference. No one on the team in this first game had the shooting touch to score at least 20 points. Brandon Roy started the game cold, missing his first 6 shots yet the newcomer Fernandez did found the range at times finishing with 16 points on 5-of-10 shooting and 4 assists. The real issue now is Greg Oden's health which must be dreaded by the basketball franchise. Luckily it's not a major injury as reports gather the 20-year-old former Ohio State standout strained his foot and will have an MRI this week.

If the Trail brazers don't have their no. 1 pick from 2007 ready to go for most of the season they may be doomed. This is too early to assume though as the team will have to get the most out of their top players in the meantime. The big man's defensive presence will be a big factor. His tentative efforts in the paint to block shots will be a big asset. Back when he was freshman at Ohio State Oden was known for being a beast on the low block and making it tough for opponents to get easy shots at the basket. With good fortune the athletic rookie will only miss a couple games. Still the franchise is banking on him to give them a head of steam and draw close to a final seed in the playoffs this year. Only time will tell as the chemistry of the team must develop and everyone gets on the same page.