Lakers, like Portland, have to wonder about Greg Oden

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It’s too early to jump to any conclusions about whether Greg Oden is going to recover quickly from last night’s injury, whether he’s ever going to be completely healthy, whether he is THE bomb or a bomb, but this report from Yahoo Sports’ Johnny Ludden after Portland’s loss to the Lakers does raise eyebrows.

‘Maybe this, like the ankle sprain, doesn’t turn out to be serious, either. But some league executives who have seen Oden’s pre-draft medical report are skeptical of his ability to stay healthy for the long-term.

‘Asked late Tuesday what in the report raised concerns, one Eastern Conference player personnel director was succinct with his answer: ‘Everything.’

‘Oden’s right leg is slightly longer than his left, which can create hip alignment problems, a condition that bothered former San Antonio Spurs center David Robinson late in his career. The physical also showed Oden had a bulging disc in his back. His knees were another potential area of worry.’’

If Oden doesn’t turn out to be a star, the Trail Blazers will be one less team to worry the Lakers in the Western Conference this season and beyond.

-- Randy Harvey