Mike Conley talks about Greg Oden’s possible return

Greg Oden’s possible comeback is shaping up to be one of the biggest NBA stories this off season. The initial reports indicated that the Miami Heat were the main team expressing interest in the former Portland Trail Blazers big man (just typing that makes me weep with rage). Then the San Antonio Spurs jumped into the fray. Finally, the New Orleans Pelicans and the Atlanta Hawks announced their interest in the former No. 1 pick, giving Oden a long list of potential landing places.

One person who is attempting to decrease the hype, however, is Oden’s former teammate Mike Conley. The Memphis Grizzlies guard spoke on Friday about all the expectations surrounding Oden’s return, saying people must consider just how much more physical improvement Oden needs to make: “I expect him to come back and be someone who in short periods of time can dominate a game. Just let him build up and get back to himself. I think it would be a little unfair to put him out there and give him 40 minutes” (Sporting News).

While Conley certainly appears to be erring on the side of caution as opposed to being swept up in the hullabaloo, that doesn’t mean he’s not thrilled to have his buddy hit the court again: “I am excited for him. He has worked hard and he deserves another chance. It has been tough, what has happened to him.”

Oden, of course, was selected with the first pick in the 2007 NBA Draft by the Portland Trail Blazers. He hasn’t played in the NBA since late 2009.

(LET THE RECORD SHOW THAT I WANTED THE BLAZERS DRAFT DURANT)

[Source: Sporting News]