Greg Oden readily admits he's not where he wants to be, but after the oft-injured center played in his first NBA game in nearly four years on Wednesday the Miami Heat are rejoicing over where he appears headed.
Oden entered the Heat's preseason game against New Orleans midway through the second quarter and on his first possession darted to the hoop for a two-handed jam, remaining everyone of what made him the overall top pick in the 2007 NBA draft. In all, he played four minutes in the Heat's 108-95 win.
"It's been a longtime," Oden told ESPN."It's been a long road for me, just to get that off my back, my first step tonight. I'm happy I'm able to walk off this court and I'm able to play another day."
The Heat signed Oden during the offseason, hoping the 7-foot, 265 pound center can provide them with the muscle some say may be the biggest obstacle they face to becoming just the third team over the last two decades to win three straight NBA titles.
"It was a very special moment," said LeBron James. "I have no idea what my feeling would be like, being away from the game for three years. It was like a proud moment, man, I was so excited for him when he got on the court and checked in--- and his first basket he gets a dunk. Can you write it any better? Obviously, he's not where he wants to be, but the process is going great."
Added Heat coach Erik Spoelstra "we are just so pleased for him... we just continue to make patient, steady progress forward from here. We don't want to get ahead of ourselves, but he's way ahead of schedule right."
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