[外電] Blazers want to see improvement in Greg Oden during USA
Blazers want to see improvement in Greg Oden during USA Basketball minicamp
LAS VEGAS -- Kevin Pritchard has one more evaluation to conduct this week.
Greg Oden.
The Trail Blazers' general manager will watch as Oden competes in USA
Basketball's three-day minicamp beginning today. Oden's participation will
allow Pritchard to watch the Blazers' center and gauge his improvement.
"We want to see progress, that's what we want to see," Pritchard said. "We'd
like for him to play well so he can get some confidence and feel good about
the work he has put in."
Oden is coming off an inconsistent rookie season and just about anyone
interested in the Blazers is wondering if -- and how quickly -- Oden's work
this summer will translate to a noticeable development of his game.
"We know he has been working hard this summer," Pritchard said. "He's put in
some work -- really good work -- with Coach (Bill) Bayno this summer. We want
to see some improvement."
The 7-foot, 285-pound Oden averaged 8.9 points, seven rebounds and 1.13
blocked shots in 61 games last season. He proved he could be a force on the
court, particularly on defense, during some games.
"We want to see him run the floor and do the things he does best. Playing
defense, being an effective rebounder -- offensive boards and putbacks,"
Pritchard said. "We're looking to see him be able to guard a couple of
different positions and be the physical presence down low like we know he is."
Oden's presence was limited last season; he averaged 21.5 minutes and nearly
four fouls.
"We know that when he plays and plays more than 22 minutes, our success rate
goes up," Pritchard said.
The minicamp will provide Oden an opportunity to compete against other NBA
frontline players -- including 7-foot Brook Lopez of New Jersey, 6-foot-10
Kevin Love of Minnesota and 6-foot-8 Paul Millsap of Utah -- in a more
relaxed setting.
"Number one, he's gotta get into great shape. He's been working on that this
summer," Pritchard said. "He's hitting it pretty hard on the conditioning."
Other players expected to participate in the minicamp including Oklahoma City
forward Kevin Durant, Chicago point guard Derrick Rose and Philadelphia
forward Andre Iguodala.
Oden will be the only Blazer participating in the minicamp. Brandon Roy and
LaMarcus Aldridge were invited but declined to attend. Jerryd Bayless pulled
out of the minicamp after suffering a left wrist sprain during summer league
play.
The minicamp will feature practice sessions today and Friday and will finish
with an intrasquad game at the Thomas & Mack Center on Saturday night on the
campus of UNLV.
Notes: Pritchard said the team remains active in the free agent market and
potential trades. "We're looking at all of our options," he said. ...
Pritchard declined comment on rumors that the Blazers are in negotiations to
acquire Philadelphia point guard Andre Miller. ... Los Angeles Clippers
rookie forward Blake Griffin pulled out of the minicamp because of a strain
to his right shoulder that occurred during the Clippers' third summer league
game.
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