As the 2009 USA Men's National Team mini-camp concluded three days worth of scrimmages in Las Vegas, Greg Oden likely breathed deeply and said a prayer.
So did the Portland Trail Blazers.
The accomplishment of competing against some of the NBA's finest young talent and having the chance to represent your country one day on the Olympic stage is one thing, but doing so pain and injury free is the real victory for Oden in Vegas.
The knee.
The foot.
The other knee.
Now is the chance for Greg Oden to move forward with no regrets.
"You hope a guy doesn't get injured, but that's a dream of these guys to represent their country. We can't stand in front of that," said Blazers head coach Nate McMillan, who will return as an assistant coach under Mike Krzyzewski for Team USA.
"We see that as a plus."
Some players and teams have not been so lucky.
Last June, San Antonio Spurs head coach Gregg Popovich warned guard Manu Ginobili about playing in the Olympics for Argentina on his sore left ankle. Two months later in semifinal competition against the United States, Ginobilli suffered an injury to his left ankle and had to undergo arthroscopic surgery to repair a ligament. He played just 44 games for the Spurs and completely missed the postseason. Other organizations remain cautious as well. Dallas Mavericks owner Mark Cuban spoke out last year against his players competing in the Olympics simply for the risk of injury.
"Kobe (Bryant) played (in the Olympics). LeBron (James) played. Carmelo (Anthony) played. So yeah, there is a risk of an injury but there is also a chance they get to experience playing against some great talent," McMillan continued.
While the Blazers received four invites from USA Basketball national director Jerry Colangelo before Brandon Roy, LaMarcus Aldridge and Jerryd Bayless all withdrew their names, but the one possible concern from Portland could have been Oden – who missed 21 games last season and his entire rookie campaign - because of his history with injuries.
"I've always believed that the players lead you into that discussion. You can't push them one way or another - because if you push a player or push anyone, it usually doesn't work," explained General Manager Kevin Pritchard when asked if there was any hesitancy within the organization about allowing Oden to compete in Las Vegas.
"It all depends on where the player is. That's something you have to discuss and feel comfortable with that player. Some are very anxious and want to play for the national team, and some guys want to focus on their game and how they are going to change."
For Oden, change is synonymous with improvement this offseason.
His training and practice sessions back in Ohio are well documented; former Blazers forward Brian Grant and assistant coach Bill Bayno have been working out with Oden on both the mental and physical aspects of his game. Portland would also like to see Oden - who implemented a weight training program this summer – to enter training camp at 275 pounds, with an in-season focus on defense and rebounding.
That focus is seemingly already underway with USA Basketball mini-camp coach Jay Triano of the Toronto Raptors applauding Oden's "physical presence defensively."
With mini-camp now complete, Oden will return to Ohio to pick up where he left off.
He'll also have the healthy experience from Las Vegas to help last him the rest of the summer and propel him into next season.
"My mind is about wait until next year," Oden said in a radio interview before traveling to Las Vegas for mini-camp.
"I want to be dominant. I want to be everything that everybody thought I was going to be when they drafted me."
