Greg Oden out for the Year

For the third time in four years, Greg Oden's knees have betrayed him.

The Portland Trail Blazers called a press conference Wednesday night to announce that Oden, the No. 1 pick in the 2007 draft, will miss the season after he has microfracture surgery on his left knee.

Oden's rookie year was postponed because of similar surgery on his right knee, and last season he broke his left kneecap early in December and again required surgery.

He was still rehabbing when the latest problem was discovered.  Oden's latest surgery is scheduled for Friday in Vail, Colo. The microfracture procedure will repair damaged cartilage that is not related to the kneecap injury, the team said.

The Blazers picked Oden instead of Kevin Durant, who went to the Oklahoma City franchise and has blossomed into one of the NBA's best players.