NBA Notebook | Too much bulk is bad for Oden

PHILADELPHIA — Greg Oden might be too pumped up for his eventual NBA debut.

Oden is doing what most people with too much idle time tend to do: gain weight. Only Oden is bulking up instead of fattening up and the No. 1 overall pick may be too buff, too fast.

"We don't want him to get bigger. That's going to come," Portland coach Nate McMillan said on Friday night. "We've really got to be careful about the weight training with him."

The 7-foot Oden has gained nearly 30 pounds of muscle — all in the upper body — since he was drafted. He is up to 280 pounds. That's too much weight to carry on a surgically repaired knee, and McMillan is mildly concerned.

"I would much rather have him be wiry strong than bulky," McMillan said.

Oden, who only recently shed his crutches, can't run and is limited to cardio work or pumping iron. McMillan said the change in physique is noticeable and wants Oden to work more on being toned.

Marbury settles onto bench

SACRAMENTO, Calif. — Stephon Marbury joked about his new reserve role before the New York Knicks' game against the Kings.

"I guess I'll be competing with Manu Ginobili and Jason Terry for Sixth Man of Year," said Marbury, who wasn't in the starting lineup for his second game back after skipping out on the team in Phoenix following a clash with coach Isiah Thomas.

After the shoot-around session Friday, Thomas said his focus is on winning and that he will use "everything necessary in the tool shed" to succeed.

"From that point-guard position, I need leadership and I need defense," Thomas said. "And [Marbury] is capable of doing those two things, but tonight we'll start Mardy Collins at that position."

Marbury echoed Thomas' demands when asked about regaining his starting spot.

"I have to play defense and lead the team," Marbury said. "That's what [Thomas] said. ... I've said my piece on this. This is something I'm going to put behind me and just to continue on playing basketball."

Notes

• Fragile Cavaliers G Larry Hughes will miss at least four weeks with a deep bone bruise in his left leg. Hughes hurt his leg during a game Nov. 4 at Phoenix when he collided with Suns guard Leandro Barbosa.

• Nuggets backup C Steven Hunter will be out six weeks after arthroscopic surgery on his right knee.