Ken Davis

Greg Oden or Kevin Durant? Kevin Durant or Greg Oden?

The debate was raging on regarding the top pick in Thursday's NBA Draft until Portland let Oden know he was their man Wednesday. Despite growing support for Oden over the past month, there are still some people though who haven’t seen the light.

For those who are still waffling on what they would do if presented with the same prize Portland has, we will make it simple: Oden should be the No. 1 pick.

The Trail Blazers beat the odds in that wonderful tradition knows as the NBA lottery and leading up to the draft were entertaining us on their team Web site. It’s worth a quick visit just to view the video of Portland fans, including The Hippie, give their two cents. Blazers general manager Kevin Pritchard makes a guest appearance as well, teasing us with the choice at the end of the video. “Oden or Durant?” Pritchard says. “I’ll let you know.”

Both players worked out for the Blazers, and Pritchard went on record saying he owed it to the organization to keep an open mind. He’s right. He also has an obligation to do the right thing. Pritchard has a solid basketball IQ, beginning with his roots at the University of Kansas. He proved himself at last year’s draft with his role in two trades that helped Portland nab LaMarcus Aldridge and Brandon Roy.

Pritchard knows what has to be done. We repeat: Greg Oden should be the No. 1 pick.

It is a tough choice. Two sensational players are available. Both have the potential to be stars for many seasons. Any other year, if either Oden or Durant entered the draft without the other, there would be no deliberation.

Durant had one of the greatest seasons in the history of college basketball, accomplishing milestones no other freshman ever thought of reaching. If you hold the top pick, Durant is the personification of temptation. It doesn't help that he had one of the best workouts Pritchard said he'd ever seen. And Seattle will be extremely fortunate to acquire him with the second pick.

We also understand that this a particularly sensitive selection for Portland and Trail Blazers fans who remember 1984. That’s the year the Trail Blazers overlooked a kid from North Carolina named Jordan and opted instead to select Sam Bowie. It seems Portland thought Michael was too much like Clyde Drexler, who was already wearing a Trail Blazers uniform.

Oops.

Put it all together and there is a lot of pressure on Portland to do the right thing. Basketball sense, as well as NBA history, would indicate taking the 7-foot center is the right thing to do.

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Those who dare to say Oden will be the next Bill Russell are placing unrealistic expectations on the Ohio State youngster. But Oden does have the ability to change games without scoring. The late, great Red Auerbach once said that Russell “put a whole new sound in pro basketball. The sound of his footsteps.” The NBA definitely will be hearing Oden’s footsteps, especially as a shot blocker and rebounder, for years.

The game’s greatest centers have gone home with most of the trophies. Russell won 11 in his 13 years with the Boston Celtics. Kareem Abdul-Jabbar won six and Shaquille O’Neal has four. Now you can add Tim Duncan, and his four rings with the San Antonio Spurs, to that impressive list.

Even though Ohio State lost the national championship game to Florida, Oden showed he could raise his game when it counts. His 25 points, 12 rebounds and four blocks were championship worthy — especially against Al Horford and Joakim Noah, two Gators who probably will be among the top 10 picks in this draft.

Even with his injured right wrist, Oden proved in one college season that he is capable of controlling the lane. It would be nice to see him play with more passion, but that should develop the same way his jump shot will. He already has a soft touch around the basket and has demonstrated terrific passing ability. The foul trouble he experienced during the NCAA Tournament was not consistent with his regular-season performance, but in the NBA he will need to be more physical while limiting his fouls.

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