IT'S ODEN, BABY!

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The Portland Trail Blazers has chosen Ohio State center Gregory Wayne Oden to help an improving team improve even more. The Seattle SuperSonics picked Kevin Durant, so this is going to be the makings od a great rivalry.

For the Blazers, Oden will fill in a hole at center, what with his blocking abilities, and like I said before, his scoring percentage isn't too bad, either. The Rose Garden Arena will no doubt be packed to the rafters come October.

This isn't exactly a surprise, given the ESPN leak last night.

One thing is for certain, though: BLAZERMAINIA IS BACK! And Greg Oden has, in a large sense, already made it more intense.

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I know one thing: I'll be wearing a #52 shirt soon.

Welcome to the Rose City, Greg.

Copyright 2007, by Darren W. Alexander. All Rights Reserved.

Will the Portland Trail Blazers Choose Ohio State's Greg Oden?

The Portland Trail Blazers hit the jackpot last night when they got first pick in the 2007 NBA Draft. This means that Rip City could choose one of two great players- greg Oden, Jr. of Ohio State, and Kevin Durant of Texas- and complement an improving lineup.

The heavy money's on Oden. He's 7-feet, a strong defender. 15.7 points per game on average. Makes about 62% of his shots. Very versatile on the boards. Agile. And an unselfish player- just like Brandon Roy, 2007 NBA Rookie of the Year.

But just in case Portland passes up Oden, Kevin Durant is very impressive, with 25.8 points per game.

Either way, the Blazers will have a franchise player that will likely- in a few years- bring back the days of the 1976-1977 World Championship season. Whoever the Blazers choose on June 28, you can count on the Rose Garden being filled to the rafters again. Especially if they go with Oden. Then you'll be hard pressed to find even a ticket for the nosebleeds.

Copyright (C) 2007, by Darren W. Alexander. All Rights Reserved.