Miami Heat star Greg Oden threw down his first dunk since 2009 on Wednesday against the New Orleans Pelicans. His preseason debut marks another step in the injury-plagued center's return to the NBA.
Oden played for only four minutes but managed to grab two rebounds and a dunk. It was progress for the 25-year-old, who hasn't played in an NBA game since Dec. 5, 2009.
"It's been a long time and I've been wanting to get out there," Oden said after the game, via ESPN. "It was only a couple minutes, but it was what I needed, what I can handle right now and, you know, small baby steps."
After multiple knee surgeries and an entire year away from basketball, Oden is making strides toward his return. Miami has been cautious with the seven-footer since signing him in the summer.
"In December it would be four years, so four minutes, that's enough for me," Oden said. "As long as I got out there and I walked off and I'm healthy, that's all that matters."
The Heat won 108-95, but the biggest story of the night belonged to Oden.
"It was a very special moment," Heat star LeBron James told reporters. "I have no idea what my feeling would be like, being away from the game for three years. It was like a proud moment, man. I was so excited for him when he got on the court and he checked in - and his first basket he gets a dunk. Can you write it any better? Obviously he's not where he wants to be, but the process is going great.
"I can just imagine how excited he was to get out there. I'm going to have to take a toast for him, man. I ain't no drinker, but I might have to take a shot for him. It was an absolutely great moment."
