Oden getting very close to joining Heat

Published 12:34 am Monday, August 12, 2013

INDIANAPOLIS (AP) — Former No. 1 overall pick Greg Oden is a few days away from joining the defending world champions.

Oden will leave Indianapolis Monday morning and head to south Florida to join the Miami Heat.

The former Portland Trail Blazer center signed a two-year, $2.173 million deal with the two-time defending champs last week.

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Oden was all smiles Saturday at a news conference at St. Vincent Sports Performance. He’s thrilled for the opportunity to resume an injury-riddled career that has kept him off the court since 2009.

The 25-year-old Oden — who played at Ohio State — said he has no delusions of overwhelming opponents anymore. The new goal is to simply play..

SVSP executive director Ralph Reiff said Oden is no longer rehabbing from three micro fracture surgeries on his knees. He’s now on a training schedule.