Taking every opportunity to mention new co-beat writer Joe Freeman's name here (he seems really good so far) we'll let you know that he's reported that Greg Oden will not participate in Team USA workouts this summer so he can recover and be ready for the start of the Trailblazers' season. Freeman also reports the team is pleased. I think this is the right decision as well. There have been too many nagging things in the last few months and it's better for him to just get those out of the way. The NBA season is going to be loooooooong for him. Also he's 19. If he's any kind of good center there will be at least two more opportunities for him to play in the Olympics even if he doesn't make it in 2008.
--Dave (blazersub@yahoo.com)