Silver linings for Oden, Blazers, NBA

Rumors: <a name="&amp;lpos=story_in" href="http://insider.espn.go.com/nba/features/rumors?addata=2009_insdr_mod_nba_xxx_xxx">Amare, Butler, could be on the move
Bucher/Broussard: <a name="&amp;lpos=story_in" href="http://insider.espn.go.com/nba/insider/news/story?id=4889832&addata=2009_insdr_mod_nba_xxx_xxx">Next-best in West is ...
Hollinger: <a name="&amp;lpos=story_in" href="http://insider.espn.go.com/nba/insider/columns/story?columnist=hollinger_john&page=PERDiem-100209&addata=2009_insdr_mod_nba_xxx_xxx">Overrated and underrated storylines
Thorpe: <a name="&amp;lpos=story_in" href="http://insider.espn.go.com/nba/insider/columns/story?columnist=thorpe_david&page=Rookies-100203&addata=2009_insdr_mod_nba_xxx_xxx">Rookie Watch: Midseason awards
NBA Draft Blog: <a name="&amp;lpos=story_in" href="http://insider.espn.go.com/espn/blog/index?entryID=4898289&name=nba_draft&addata=2009_insdr_mod_nba_xxx_xxx">International prospects

Originally Published: September 13, 2007

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By Chad Ford
ESPN.com
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The news that Greg Oden will likely miss the season with microfracture surgery in his right knee is a disaster for Oden, the Portland Trail Blazers and the NBA.

But there's also a silver lining here for almost everyone.

Oden is a great kid with a big heart. When I was able to visit him in Indiana and speak to him on other occasions before the June 28 draft, his humilty and self-deprecating humor were captivating.

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