PORTLAND, Ore. — Greg Oden reinvented himself this summer.
After an inconsistent debut season, the 7-foot-center for the Portland Trail Blazers slimmed down, worked on his defense, focused on his footwork and even added a turnaround jumper to his repertoire.
He also changed his attitude.
“It wasn’t really an ‘Aha!’ ” he told The Associated Press. “It was more, I know that something needs to change and I’ve got to do something about it.”
Oden was the No. 1 pick in the 2007 draft from Ohio State. But Oden underwent microfracture surgery on his right knee, forcing him to miss his rookie year.
But of all the changes, Oden said losing 15 pounds, down to 285, has made the biggest difference.
“The best thing is being lighter on my feet,” he said. “You sometimes don’t have the energy because you’re carrying extra weight.”
