Another one bites the dust

Looks like Blake Griffin is going to have to get used to wearing a suit. Yet another #1 draft pick oozing with potential will have to watch from the sidelines, as it was reported yesterday that the Los Angeles Clippers' Blake Griffin will have season ending surgery on his broken left knee cap. Griffin had been progressing enough with his recovery that he had begun running on treadmills, but after he felt pain in his knee while jumping in a swimming pool, it was determined that surgery would be necessary.

God damn. Who in the NBA is next? Greg Oden is out for the year, as well as almost half of the rest of the Portland Trailblazers. And now it's being reported that Brandon Roy is having pain in his hamstring, which means he might miss some time. But that's the Blazers, so I won't get into that.

So where do the Clippers go from here now that they can't assess how the rest of the roster will play alongside Griffin? What the Clippers decide to do with Marcus Camby and his $9,150,000 expiring contract seems to be the biggest issue at hand. Because their playoff hopes are more than likely nonexistent in the competitive Western Conference, the Clippers might be able to acquire some younger talent for Camby, who's skill set and expiring contract has long been coveted by many teams throughout the league. However, there is also speculation that they will hold on to Camby to fill Griffin's void in the front court. I say if Camby can get them a swingman who is a proven veteran or promising young prospect, they might as well do it. Camby is 35 years old, so it's not like he will be a big part of their future.

Man, this sure sucks. As if two winning seasons in the past 30 years wasn't enough to feel bad about for Billy Crystal and the rest of the Clips' fan base. At least they have something to look forward to next year, although I'm sure they're sick of that sentiment by now.

Hang in there, big guy

Greg Oden will likely be out for the rest of the season after fracturing his left knee cap in a collision with Rockets guard Aaron Brooks in the first quarter of a 90-89 Blazers win. After an MRI, the Blazers have reported he will need surgery and they have given no timetable for his return. The injury is yet another dent to Portland's roster, which has been plagued by injuries. Starting small forward Nicholas Batum needed shoulder surgery before the season began and forward Travis Outlaw fractured his right foot in November and will also undergo surgery. Guard Rudy Fernandez is also out with sciatic pain and is scheduled for an MRI.

You can't help but feel sorry for Oden after missing his entire rookie season and twenty some games last season. He seems like such a nice dude, who's worked hard to stay healthy. I've really wanted to see him succeed after all of the whispers that he's just another Sam Bowie. Sure, in hindsight the Blazers probably should have picked Kevin Durant instead of Oden, much like they should have picked Jordan instead of Bowie in '84, but you can't blame them for using their number one pick on a big man. Quality centers are so hard to come by these days and if Oden could stay healthy, I'm sure he would eventually develop into one of the best big men in the league. Oden was averaging 11.7 points and 8.8 rebounds as a starter this season, which aren't overwhelming numbers, but solid nonetheless. Plus, he affects games in ways that don't show up in the box score. For instance, his presence alone in the paint is enough to make players think twice about driving to the hoop. Coach Nate McMillain has even said that he was Portland's most consistent player so far this season, which is quite the compliment for such a deep team that features an All Star guard in Brandon Roy.

I hope that this setback will just motivate him to come back even stronger and more focused, but you can't help but wonder if Oden will ever be able to stay healthy for an entire season. At least he has an adorable dog to hang out with.