Greg Oden practices, talks with media afterward

Greg Oden participated in 5-on-5 drills for the first time since rupturing his left patella last December. Grated, they were all in half court sets, but there was physical contact. Oden said he went about 75 percent and offered no timetable for his return. Here are some of his post-practice quotes.

On how knee feels: “It feels a little tight. It got a little stiff since practice. Just a little stiff right now. I gotta ice it and see how it feels tomorrow.”

On mental state during workout. “I was worried, but it was fun. I got my blood moving, it felt good being out there. Coach basically told me ‘Don’t try and go full-go. It wasn’t like a full blown practice. I was think weak link out there, but I was still out there.”

One how hard he went: “I was very excited, but I held back a little bit. You already know, you’re first time out there you look around, head on a swivel everyone’s moving fast. But once I got down into it and started playing I got more comfortable out there.”

On why he was worried: “(Smiling) Because. This was my first time actually playing 5-on-5. Just being a little cautious about it. It takes a long time to trust it like you really want to.”

On when he found out he was going to practice: “When coach said get out there.”

On when he’s going to return: “When ever I feel like I can compete with the best.”

On rumors of a late-December return date: “(Smiling) Whenever I feel like I can compete with the best.”