A wait on his shoulders

Delay makes Oden more eager to play

As odd as it may sound, the Celtics have reason to be happy that Greg Oden didn't end up coming to Boston.

The 2007 draft lottery seemed like one of the worst days in franchise history, as dreams of getting the Ohio State star center were shattered when the Celtics landed the fifth overall pick.

But general manager Danny Ainge more than made up for that by making deals to create today's version of "The Big Three." And after Oden suffered a season-ending right knee injury before his rookie campaign even started, the Celtics' All-Star trio of Kevin Garnett, Paul Pierce, and Ray Allen led the franchise to its first NBA Finals in 21 years.

"Boston, they got 'The Big Three' and the best record in the league this year, what can you say?" Oden said. "And I'm sitting on the bench in a suit."

Oden was selected with the first overall pick in last year's draft by Portland. With All-Star guard Brandon Roy, forward LaMarcus Aldridge, and other talented young players on the roster, the 7-foot, 257-pounder was expected to get the Blazers back in the playoffs for the first time since 2003.

But there was some concern about the Indianapolis native entering the draft. He missed the beginning of his freshman season after having right wrist surgery.

Those concerns became reality when he had right knee microfracture surgery Sept. 14, postponing what would have been one of the most anticipated rookie seasons in NBA history.

"Prior to the wrist, I didn't have anything; I missed one game and that's because I had a severe sore throat," said Oden with a laugh. "I've matured so much. There is some good that has come out of it. It's helped me out. I've calmed myself down coming into the league."

Itching to get back on the court, Oden played in a pickup game at a 24-Hour Fitness March 27 in Tualatin, Ore. The Trail Blazers found out about it through an Internet report and expressed strong disappointment in the 20-year-old.

The Blazers will continue to be extra cautious with Oden. Before he began summer school back at Ohio State, a Blazers assistant coach and trainer conducted basketball workouts and weightlifting sessions with Oden in Indianapolis. Oden says he will not play in summer league and doesn't expect to be in a game again until the preseason.

"I'm a competitor," Oden said. "I want to be out there and help the team win. Not being able to compete, it's just hard on me. That's why I went out there when I did and kind of got in trouble for going to the 24-Hour Fitness.

"But I've wanted to play. I haven't played in so long.

"[The Blazers are] watching me. If I can collect everybody's camera phones, we can get a game in. Other than that, I just have to calm down and do what I'm supposed to do.

"I know I'm an investment. I know I'm looked at as a big part of helping the franchise win. So they are just looking out for me and making sure nothing happens to me."

And if you thought Oden was physically imposing already, wait till you see him next season.

"These shirts that I used to wear, they are just not fitting right no more," he said. "I feel like the guy who wears tight shirts once he gets big. But they weren't this tight when I first got them. I don't mind showing off my muscles."

Unless they trade the pick, which is very possible, the Blazers could bring in another solid rookie with the 13th selection in the first round. They return Roy and Aldridge from a team that went 41-41. Also, Spanish standout guard Rudy Fernandez announced yesterday that he is leaving Spain to play for the Blazers next season.

Even so, the spotlight will shine brightest on Oden.

"I know he has a good upside," Celtics center Kendrick Perkins said. "I just want to see how he does in the league. I'm real anxious to see what he does.

"It's going to be kind of hard [to beat out center Joel] Przybilla. But I'm anxious to see how he does, how he's gonna adapt.

"I saw how Al Horford and Kevin Durant did. I just want to see how Greg Oden does with all the hype."

It's easy for Celtics fans to forget Oden while their team is in the Finals. But Oden would like to get back to you in 10 years and compare how many championships Boston has vs. Portland.

"Being around the city of Portland, people are still talking about when they won a championship," Oden said. "Back then, they were just waiting on something big and something good to happen.

"Hopefully, it will happen when I'm there and we can all enjoy it."

A look here, a look there

Celtics general manager Danny Ainge and his scouting staff didn't want to be left behind in Boston during the Los Angeles portion of the NBA Finals. So instead of working out draft prospects in Boston during that time, they will be taking a look at players in Los Angeles.

The Celtics worked out about 20 prospects between last Tuesday and Friday at their training facility in Waltham. Ainge has said that he plans to work out about 50 in preparation for making the 30th and 60th overall picks in the draft. When the Finals shift to the West Coast, the Celtics are expected to work out prospects in Carson and Santa Monica, Calif.

"We're actually in the process of doing workouts in Los Angeles," Ainge said. "That's what I like to do anyway, do workouts in other cities."

It might actually be easier for the Celtics in Los Angeles. The scouting staff has had the good problem of scheduling workouts around the team's practice and shootaround schedule.

"It's complicated," Ainge said. "You take a look anytime you can. Even though a lot of guys are scheduled, you have to do things on the run all the way up until the workout."

So will the Celtics keep their first-round pick?

"I always plan on keeping it," Ainge said. "But I always also explore different options. You have to rank the value of players from 1 through 60. There is so much talk. You never know what will happen."

Ainge said the Celtics have two representatives at the Reebok EuroCamp in Treviso, Italy, that began yesterday and ends Tuesday. The two biggest international prospects are Italian forward Danilo Gallinari and French forward Nicolas Batum. Gallinari has yet to work out for NBA teams in the United States and is expected to shoot only at EuroCamp. Batum is expected to participate, as his team, LeMans, was eliminated in the LNB semifinals yesterday.

Another wrong turn in what has
been a bumpy road for Herren

Just as the Celtics were realizing their dream of getting back to the NBA Finals, a troubled ex-Celtic with shattered NBA dreams was back in the news in New England.

Chris Herren was reportedly found by police slumped over the steering wheel of his car after it hit a utility pole in Fall River last Wednesday night. According to the Associated Press, people believed the former Durfee High star was overdosed; a hypodermic needle and packaged heroin were found in the vehicle.

The former Boston College guard was taken to a hospital and will face charges of driving under the influence, possession of a Class A drug, and reckless operation.

"In Denver, he was a guy that loved to play basketball and he had a good work ethic," said Celtics forward James Posey, who played with Herren in Denver. "I know he had some things going on and I know he was trying to change for the better."

The Nuggets drafted Herren, who had transferred to Fresno State from BC, with the 33d overall pick in 1999, 15 picks after Posey was selected. Herren played in 45 games with the Nuggets during the 1999-2000 season and was dealt to Boston with Bryant Stith for Robert Pack and Calbert Cheaney Oct. 16, 2000.

Herren played sparingly in 25 games for the Celtics during the 2000-01 season, was cut Oct. 28, 2001, and never played in the NBA again.

"I always liked Chris," said ex-Nuggets coach and general manager Dan Issel, who drafted Herren. "I thought he was a hard worker. He probably didn't have the talent to make it in the NBA.

"In retrospect, that was the worst trade I ever made because Bryant Stith was such a good guy. Robert Pack was all right. But Stith going changed the chemistry, and if Chris would have stayed with us, he probably would have lasted longer than he did in Boston."

After being cut by Boston, Herren played professionally in Italy, Turkey, China twice, and Germany as well as in the CBA. His pro career ended in December 2005 when his Polish team, WTK Anwil Wloclawek, didn't sign him because he failed a medical exam, according to Eurobasket.net.

The recent incident was just another on a long list for Herren. In 2004, he was arrested after he allegedly had a seizure in his car and lost consciousness with heroin in his possession while waiting in a drive-through lane at a Dunkin' Donuts. In 2005, he pleaded no contest to reduced charges of driving with a suspended license and driving under the influence. In 2007, he was arrested for possession of a controlled substance and driving under the influence.

Issel said Herren may have turned to drugs to deal with the pressure of being viewed as a future star.

"He's an excellent example of somebody who had too much pressure put on him from such a young age," Issel said.

Etc.

Bad timing by Ty
There may never have been a draft prospect whose stock has risen and dropped quicker than North Carolina sophomore guard Ty Lawson. Lawson seemed to solidify himself as a first-round pick with his play during the predraft camp in Orlando. However, he was arrested last week in Chapel Hill, N.C., and charged with driving after consuming alcohol (because he is under 21) following an early-morning traffic stop. He also was charged with violating the city's noise ordinance (for playing loud music) and driving with a suspended or revoked license. He is scheduled to appear in court July 8 and has until June 16 to decide whether to stay in the draft. An NBA executive who had spoken highly of Lawson changed his tune after hearing the news. "That pretty much should seal his fate to go back to school," the executive said. "It's a bad thing for him. It wasn't wise. Assuming the facts are what they are, he almost has to go to school. I don't know why he would choose that timing with all the workouts coming up to get his drink on. It's a very embarrassing thing for him." The executive had said earlier that Lawson and Cal center DeVon Hardin were the only prospects out of Orlando who had established themselves as first-round picks, though the executive said teams "might take a flier" in the first round on Memphis forward Joey Dorsey and Tennessee-Martin guard Lester Hudson. When asked about the prospects in Orlando, the executive said: "One percent of the guys were David's guys and the other 99 percent were Adam's guys." That was in reference to NBA commissioner David Stern announcing the players drafted in the first round and deputy commissioner Adam Silver taking over for the second round. So what about University of Massachusetts swingman Gary Forbes, who helped his stock in Orlando? The executive said: "He's done a good job of helping himself, but he's not a first-rounder."

Stars aligned for a swap?
Keep an eye on the Pistons and Nuggets as the draft approaches in regards to Detroit guard Chauncey Billups and Denver forward Carmelo Anthony. While Billups is the heart and soul of the Pistons, he would probably be open to finishing his career playing for his hometown Nuggets with his buddy Allen Iverson. The Nuggets also would make Billups happy by offering him a front-office position once his playing days were done. The emergence of Pistons rookie guard Rodney Stuckey in the playoffs could make dealing the beloved captain more possible. NBA sources have said that the Nuggets have been open-minded about dealing the talented yet often troubled Anthony. While there is a perception the Pistons would have taken Anthony had they passed on bust Darko Milicic in 2004 draft, the Pistons actually would have drafted power forward Chris Bosh because they already had a talented small forward in Tayshaun Prince. Even so, Anthony is attractive to the Pistons, for good reason. He was fourth in scoring in the NBA last season, he's only 24 years old, and he sells jerseys and fills arenas despite his off-court troubles. Ex-UMass star center Marcus Camby, who is 34 and has two years and $22 million remaining on his contract, is available from Denver, too.

R.I.P., Gino
The bearded man wearing a tight T-shirt that reads "Gino," shown dancing in old "American Bandstand" video on the TD Banknorth Jumbotron, has become a phenomenon among Celtics fans. The T-shirt is from a 1970s concert tour by singer Gino Vannelli. But who is the man in the T-shirt? According to the Wall Street Journal, it is the late Joseph R. Massoni, who died in 1990 at age 34 in Fontana, Calif.

Points to consider
So who will be the Celtics' veteran backup point guard behind Rajon Rondo next season? Sam Cassell and Eddie House wouldn't mind returning. But one free agent to keep an eye on is Mavericks veteran Tyronn Lue, who would have interest in coming to Boston. The 6-foot, 175-pounder is one of Kevin Garnett's closest friends and attended one of Boston's playoff games in Detroit. Lue, who played for Celtics coach Doc Rivers in Orlando, averaged 5.8 points and 1.7 assists in 14.7 minutes per game for Atlanta and Dallas this season.

Feeling drafty
An NBA source said the Timberwolves are taking a strong look at Stanford center Brook Lopez and UCLA forward Kevin Love with the third pick in the draft . . . An NBA executive said one draft prospect whose stock seems to be rising is Southern Cal guard O.J. Mayo. "He's shooting up the charts because he can play," the executive said. "He's Jimmy Jackson. He's going to be a hell of a player. I just don't know how popular he'll be with his teammates. But he can flat-out play."

Marc J. Spears can be reached at mspears@globe.com