--Portland's LaMarcus Aldridge and Jerryd Bayless have been among the 13-member U.S. Select team that has trained with and scrimmaged the U.S. Olympic team this week in Las Vegas.
"It's a great opportunity," said Blazer coach Nate McMillan, an assistant coach on the Olympic team. "The thinking with the (selection) committee was they wanted to bring in guys they felt would have a shot at being on the 2012 Olympic team." Others on the Select team include Kevin Durant, Al Horford, Andre Iguodala, Kevin Martin, O.J. Mayo and Derrick Rose.
"They got lots of quality time, and both had their moments," said Portland general manager Kevin Pritchard, who observed the first two days of practice. "The first hour, they would go over offensive sets some of the (Olympic opponents) will run. The last hour, they scrimmaged.
"LaMarcus looked comfortable out there, and the one thing we know about Jerryd, he's not scared. He didn't look scared the first two days of practice, even going up against Kobe Bryant, Chris Paul and Carmelo Anthony."
--C Greg Oden, who continues rehabilitation on the knee that underwent microfracture surgery last September, said he intends to be 100 percent ready by the start of training camp.
"I'm still rehabbing, but I'm ready to play," said the 7-foot center, who missed his entire rookie year with the injury. "I'm pumped up to get out there. I can work out and lift, but they're not allowing me to play three-on-three, five-on-five (until October)."
QUOTE TO NOTE: "Even if there was (a problem), and doctors told me there was doubt or something, I wouldn't even care. I'd be out there playing." -- Greg Oden, on his eagerness to return to action following microfracture knee surgery.
