EYEING A BIG RETURN

Just like Yao Ming, another former number one over-all pick in the NBA rookie draft is eyeing a big comeback from knee injury next season, according to TribStar.com. Portland Trail Blazers center Greg Oden is currently undergoing rehab and working out hard not just because of the injury but in his maturity as well. The 7-0 Buffalo native wants to return in full strength and aim for a possible all-star berth in February.  The 22 year-old ex-Ohio State star has appeared in only 82 games for Portland in three years as a pro, averaging 9.4 ppg, 7.3 rpg and 1.4 bpg. He was the top pick over-all in the 2007 draft by the Blazers.

“It happened in a game against the Houston Rockets. I was going up to block a shot [by Aaron Brooks]. I jumped in the air and my kneecap just broke in half. There actually wasn’t that much pain. The look of it was actually worse than the pain. They [doctors] told me that if I had kept my leg straight, I could have walked on it right after it happened. There was really nothing I could have done. They said the force of my jump — the way I jump, how my legs were — was at least 400 pounds.

“I got surgery the next day. I’m still in rehab, but I’m getting really close to where I want to be for the start of the season. [The rehab process] has been very long — a lot of ups and downs, good days and bad days. But things are looking good. I’ve just been working out. I’ve been here and Indianapolis. I’ve been working out really hard with some people who are really good for me … basically changing my lifestyle, just getting myself right and being around people who I know and grew up with.

“Doctors have told me that I should be 100 percent by the time it’s all healed. I can’t predict the future, but I know I’m preparing myself right now to be an [NBA] all-star. I know what I need to do, growing up, maturing, 22 [years of age] now. It’s time to mature.”