Bulls' Noah can sympathize with Blazers' Oden

Watching center Greg Oden watch another Trail Blazers game in street clothes, as he did Monday at the United Center, it's easy to forget that Portland's draft decision in 2007 was difficult, not misguided.

It's convenient to overlook how Oden produced 25 points, 12 rebounds and 4 blocks for Ohio State in the 2007 NCAA title game against Florida.

Bulls center Joakim Noah hasn't forgotten. He finished with 8 points, 3 rebounds and 4 fouls that night.

Florida won the game 84-75 because it had a far more talented team and became the first repeat champion in 15 years.

“He's pretty physical,” Noah recalled. “He blocks a lot of shots. He's very solid. At the end of the game, he's elbowing. He's not fun to play against, but he's a good guy.”

Back then who could have predicted what would follow in the NBA? Noah is playing well for the Bulls, ranking second in the league in rebounds, and has a chance to be an all-star this season.

Oden has missed more than 67 percent of the Blazers' games since he was drafted and has a 100 percent chance of being considered one of the all-time great mistakes.

Even if Oden gets healthy and has a solid career, Kevin Durant, the No. 2 pick that year by the Seattle Sonics turned Oklahoma City Thunder, might be the league's most talented player already.

Noah was the No. 9 pick in 2007. He was distanced from the Oden-Durant debate, but the Bulls have to be overjoyed now that Yi Jianlian, Corey Brewer and Brandan Wright were the three players taken before Noah.

Reflecting on the paths they've taken since the NCAA title game, Noah had only kind words for Oden.

“We've been through a lot of battles since college,” Noah said. “I've got a lot of respect for that guy. He had some unfortunate injuries. But to me, he's as solid as they come at the center position.

“He's a great dude, good character guy. I know people really like him in the locker room. He's just a class act.”

The Blazers haven't offered any specific projection for when Oden might return from his latest injury, a broken left kneecap. There has been speculation he could return in December or January.

“I know there's nothing worse than injuries,” Noah said. “I had to go through it on a smaller scale, but just saw him on the bench and wished him luck. I told him to get healthy and I hope he can get out there, because I know when he's healthy he's one of the best at the center position.”

Noah acknowledged what seems fairly obvious those players who were invited to attend the 2007 draft feel a special connection. They got to experience their first taste of NBA excitement together on one of the biggest nights of their lives.

Oden and Durant were followed in the draft order by Al Horford, Mike Conley and Jeff Green. After Noah went ninth, the selections included Spencer Hawes, Thaddeus Young and ex-Bull Acie Law.

“That night, a lot of us went to the club together,” Noah said. “That's a special night for us, so we definitely have camaraderie. It was a big night for all of us. It was a night we'll never forget.”

Noah says he never actually hung out with Oden back then, just got to know him in passing and through competing. He did not invite Oden to see the sights of New York, Noah's hometown, the night before the draft.

“He didn't need those problems,” Noah said with a laugh.