Blazers reprimand Oden for playing in pickup game

Portland Trail Blazers' Greg Oden smiles as he talks with reporters, in this still photo taken from video, following practice on Friday, March 28, 2008, in Portland, Ore. (AP Photo/Rick Bowmer)

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Story Published: Mar 28, 2008 at 4:13 PM PDT

By Associated Press

Video

PORTLAND, Ore. (AP) - Six months into his rehab from microfracture surgery of his right knee, seven-foot center Greg Oden was out playing pickup hoops at a local fitness center.

And Trail Blazers coach Nate McMillan was not happy.

McMillan says young players don't know their value. He says that's part of growing up and maturing. In a couple of years, McMillan says, he will understand "how stupid that was."

An Internet post from one of the players at the 24 Hour Fitness facility in Tualatin alerted the Blazers to the games, played Wednesday night.

McMillan said he called Oden and told him to knock it off.

Athletic trainer Jay Jensen, who supervises Oden's rehabilitation, said he also talked to Oden. He said Oden felt like a little event was being made into a big deal.

(Copyright 2008 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)

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