Greg Oden

Greg Oden, the former No. 1 overall pick whose career was derailed by injuries, says he basically became an alcoholic by his second season in the NBA, during an interview with Mark Titus , Oden's former teammate at Ohio State. Oden, who was drafted by Portland with the first overall pick of the 2007 draft, puts some of the blame for his alcoholism on one of his cousins, who came to live with him during his second season with the Trail Blazers. His cousin was in the Air Force.

Greg Oden may not be returning to the NBA in the near future, but when he does it could be with the defending champs. Or one of the worst teams in the league. The Miami Heat and Cleveland Cavaliers are reported to have emerged as the top two teams in the race to sign Oden, according to a report on CBSSports.com. According to the report, Oden hopes to visit with Pat Riley and the reigning champion Heat within the next week. Meanwhile the Associated Press confirmed the Cavaliers' (13-33)

Greg Oden, who was drafted first overall by Portland in 2007 but whose injuries have waylaid his career, apparently is trying to return to the NBA. Multiple teams have reportedly shown interest in signing the 7-footer this season to a multiyear deal that would allow him to rehabilitate his most recent knee injury until next fall, according to ESPN. Oden is a highly talented player with the potential to be a formidable center, but injuries have plagued his professional career.

Greg Oden, who was drafted first overall by Portland in 2007 but whose injuries have waylaid his career, apparently is trying to return to the NBA. Multiple teams have reportedly shown interest in signing the 7-footer this season to a multiyear deal that would allow him to rehabilitate his most recent knee injury until next fall, according to ESPN. Oden is a highly talented player with the potential to be a formidable center, but injuries have plagued his professional career.

Greg Oden may not be returning to the NBA in the near future, but when he does it could be with the defending champs. Or one of the worst teams in the league. The Miami Heat and Cleveland Cavaliers are reported to have emerged as the top two teams in the race to sign Oden, according to a report on CBSSports.com. According to the report, Oden hopes to visit with Pat Riley and the reigning champion Heat within the next week. Meanwhile the Associated Press confirmed the Cavaliers' (13-33)

at Portland 122, Chicago 98: Greg Oden tied a career high with 24 points, making seven of eight field-goal attempts, and also had 12 rebounds. LaMarcus Aldridge added 24 points and 13 rebounds for the Trail Blazers. at Memphis 116, Sacramento 105: Rudy Gay scored 24 points, O.J. Mayo added 20 and the Grizzlies sent the Kings to their fourth straight loss. Marc Gasol had 18 points and four blocks for Memphis, which won for the fourth time in five games. Zach Randolph had 16 points and Mike Conley added 11 points and seven assists.

The Portland Trail Blazers offered Greg Oden , the No. 1 overall pick in the 2007 NBA draft, an $8.8-million qualifying offer to remain with the team. The offer means the often-injured 7-foot center becomes a restricted free agent. The Blazers can match any other offer made for him. Oden, 23, did not play last season after microfracture surgery on his left knee. He sat out his rookie season in 2007-08 after microfracture surgery on his right knee. Two seasons ago he broke his left kneecap.

Brandon Roy had 28 points and scored the winning basket to help Portland beat Houston, 90-89, Saturday night after the Trail Blazers lost center Greg Oden to a probable season-ending knee injury. Roy scored on a driving layup with 3.2 seconds left, and Houston's Aaron Brooks missed at the other end to give Portland a victory after the devastating loss of Oden to a freak injury in the first quarter. The 7-footer fractured his left kneecap while jumping to defend Brooks. The former No. 1 draft pick was carried off the court on a stretcher.

Still seeking a fit for Kings Sorry, Seattle. Apologies, Anaheim. The NBA appears to be on the verge of sending its regrets to the cities that hoped to entice the Sacramento Kings to relocate after this season. Sacramento Mayor Kevin Johnson and NBA Commissioner David Stern were scheduled to meet during the All-Star break in Orlando, Fla., to devise a plan to finance a new arena before the league's deadline Thursday. If the sides agree on a proposal, the Sacramento City Council would decide at its March 6 meeting whether to accept the deal.

Brandon Roy scored 20 points, Greg Oden won his first pro game in his hometown, and the Portland Trail Blazers beat the Indiana Pacers, 95-85, on Wednesday night. Oden, the top pick in the 2007 draft, returned to Portland's lineup after missing more than a month because of a bone chip in his left knee. He finished with four points and seven rebounds in 12 minutes. "I just wanted to catch up with these guys and start to get in a groove with them," Oden said.

Greg Oden, the former No. 1 overall pick whose career was derailed by injuries, says he basically became an alcoholic by his second season in the NBA, during an interview with Mark Titus , Oden's former teammate at Ohio State. Oden, who was drafted by Portland with the first overall pick of the 2007 draft, puts some of the blame for his alcoholism on one of his cousins, who came to live with him during his second season with the Trail Blazers. His cousin was in the Air Force.

Still seeking a fit for Kings Sorry, Seattle. Apologies, Anaheim. The NBA appears to be on the verge of sending its regrets to the cities that hoped to entice the Sacramento Kings to relocate after this season. Sacramento Mayor Kevin Johnson and NBA Commissioner David Stern were scheduled to meet during the All-Star break in Orlando, Fla., to devise a plan to finance a new arena before the league's deadline Thursday. If the sides agree on a proposal, the Sacramento City Council would decide at its March 6 meeting whether to accept the deal.

Manny Ramirez found a taker in Oakland — at a bargain price. The suspended slugger agreed to a minor league contract Monday with the Athletics that is worth about $500,000 if he's added to the big league roster. The A's announced the deal and said Ramirez is expected to report to spring training by the end of the week, in time for Oakland's first full-squad workout Saturday. He is a non-roster invitee. The 12-time All-Star is due to serve a 50-game suspension for his second positive drug test before he can play for the A's. Barring rainouts, his first game could be May 30 -- on his 40th birthday.

The Portland Trail Blazers offered Greg Oden , the No. 1 overall pick in the 2007 NBA draft, an $8.8-million qualifying offer to remain with the team. The offer means the often-injured 7-foot center becomes a restricted free agent. The Blazers can match any other offer made for him. Oden, 23, did not play last season after microfracture surgery on his left knee. He sat out his rookie season in 2007-08 after microfracture surgery on his right knee. Two seasons ago he broke his left kneecap.

There was once a team from Portland called the Trail Blazers that was so beloved, their fans gave their adoration a name -- "Blazermania" -- and called themselves "Blazer Nation." This was so cutting edge in the 1970s, it led the way for other villages to proclaim "Fernandomania," and "Red Sox Nation." So, it wasn't just sad, but crushing, when the Blazermaniacs saw their team take an oft-injured 7-footer named Sam Bowie in the storied 1984 draft who went right on getting hurt, instead of a guard named Michael Jordan, who became the game's greatest player.

Brandon Roy had 28 points and scored the winning basket to help Portland beat Houston, 90-89, Saturday night after the Trail Blazers lost center Greg Oden to a probable season-ending knee injury. Roy scored on a driving layup with 3.2 seconds left, and Houston's Aaron Brooks missed at the other end to give Portland a victory after the devastating loss of Oden to a freak injury in the first quarter. The 7-footer fractured his left kneecap while jumping to defend Brooks. The former No. 1 draft pick was carried off the court on a stretcher.

'If we focus on only him, they will beat us. They have a lot of dogs on their team. They have a lot of bad boys.' Florida forward Joakim Noah, on Ohio State center Greg Oden and today's game against the Buckeyes

Rookie center Greg Oden practiced with the Portland Trail Blazers this week for the first time since microfracture right knee surgery ended his season before it started six months ago. Oden surprised his teammates Wednesday when he participated in offensive drills and even dunked during 45 minutes of half-speed work. Oden said he felt no discomfort in his knee afterward. The Trail Blazers still have no intention of letting him play this season, however.

at Portland 122, Chicago 98: Greg Oden tied a career high with 24 points, making seven of eight field-goal attempts, and also had 12 rebounds. LaMarcus Aldridge added 24 points and 13 rebounds for the Trail Blazers. at Memphis 116, Sacramento 105: Rudy Gay scored 24 points, O.J. Mayo added 20 and the Grizzlies sent the Kings to their fourth straight loss. Marc Gasol had 18 points and four blocks for Memphis, which won for the fourth time in five games. Zach Randolph had 16 points and Mike Conley added 11 points and seven assists.

Brandon Roy scored 20 points, Greg Oden won his first pro game in his hometown, and the Portland Trail Blazers beat the Indiana Pacers, 95-85, on Wednesday night. Oden, the top pick in the 2007 draft, returned to Portland's lineup after missing more than a month because of a bone chip in his left knee. He finished with four points and seven rebounds in 12 minutes. "I just wanted to catch up with these guys and start to get in a groove with them," Oden said.