I've always wanted to go one-on-one with Portland Trail Blazers rookie Greg Oden. Not on the basketball court of course (he'd crush me!), but rather a conversation for Sports Business Radio. This weekend, you'll hear that conversation. I sat down recently with Oden at the Trail Blazers practice facility after he went through his exhausting rehab routine. Oden, who was the number one pick in the June NBA Draft is out for the season after undergoing microfracture surgery on his knee.

I wanted to sit down with Oden and see how is rehab is coming along, but more importantly learn what makes this 19-year old phenom tick. Oden is a 7-footer with amazing athletic skills for his size. The expectations have been through the roof for him dating back to his days in grade school. He's responded though. He's dominated at every level and has only lost a handful of games in his entire career - including grade school, high school and AAU ball. Every time he steps on to the basketball court he expects to win. Every time.

I was also interested in seeing some of the charm and humor Oden has displayed since he announced he was turning pro last May. I, like many people, never knew how personable and funny he was until he started doing media interviews and writing his now famous blog.

And that personality has endeared him to endorsers as he's got deals with Nike, Spalding, Topps and 2K Sports. Most experts will tell you that "big men don't move product", but Oden may be the exception (much like Shaquille O'Neal and Yao Ming) because of his engaging personality. People in Portland certainly love him and Oden #52 jerseys are spotted seemingly every day.

Oden's agent is Mike Conley Sr., who was also his AAU coach. Oden feels at ease knowing that Conley Sr. is handling his off the court interests because the two have known each other for years. They've established a trust and Oden clearly looks to Conley Sr. and his mother when he needs advice.

Oden is a very polite young man (turns 20 on January 22nd) and has a variety of interests outside of basketball. From movies to cooking, this is a well rounded guy.

We also talked about what's ahead for Oden in his future.........on the court and off. You'll probably learn a few things about Mr. Oden that you didn't know about previously

Also on this weekend's show, we'll catch up with PROTRADE.com Co-Founder Jeff Ma. If you haven't heard of Ma, you should be very interested in his story, which is being turned in to a major motion picture starring Kevin Spacey, Lawrence Fishburne and Kate Bosworth. (see the trailer for "21" below). Ma and his fellow MIT students are the subject of the best-selling book "Bringing Down the House" and the book is now being made into a movie. We'll find out just how authentic the movie is and what his role was as a consultant.

I think you'll enjoy our conversations on this weekend's edition of Sports Business Radio. Tune in if you can. If you miss the show, it will be available ON DEMAND right here at sportsbusinessradio.com.