Why? Because tonight marks the first time Kevin Durant, the 2nd pick in the 2007 NBA draft (selected by Seattle), will square off against Greg Oden, the top pick in that same draft (selected by Portland). While Oden sat out the totality of last year with a knee injury, then-Sonic Durant coasted to Rookie of the Year honors. He’s been even better this year with the Sonics’ move to Oklahoma City, averaging 25 points and nearly 7 rebounds while making a very viable case for inclusion on the all-star team. Oden, meanwhile, has struggled mightily. While his averages of 9 points per game and 7 rebounds aren’t bad for a rookie center, he’s come nowhere near being the double-double machine everyone expected him to be out of the gate, can’t seem to stay out of foul trouble on a consistent basis, and has a woefully anemic low-post arsenal that’s going to need some serious refinement in the off-season.It’s worth considering that the playoff-contending Blazers are far more stacked than the Thunder, and we’ll give these guys another year before we declare who the proper #1 pick should have been. Right now, however, the Durantula’s got it all over Big Greg. But take solace, Portland: At least you still have a team.
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