Winning or Popularity? What’s More Important?

With the NBA draft tomorrow, there has been much discussion about who should be drafted with the first pick by the Portland Trailblazers - Greg Oden or Kevin Durant? There are many arguments for both players and why each should be selected ahead of the other.

When you try to compare the two, both are immense talents that will be NBA All-Stars for a long time. But the further you break it down, it seems the decision becomes more about which player is more entertaining and which will win more games.

Besides for Jordan, when was the last time a team was dominant for any period of time without a solid big man patrolling the middle? I’m having a hard time thinking of one. Let’s see … Duncan (Spurs), Shaq (Heat, Lakers), Olajuwon (Rockets), Jabbar (Lakers), Russell (Celtics) … all won several NBA titles and dominated their era.

Look at the big name non-center NBA players now and see what they have done - McGrady (0 Titles), Kobe (3 Titles - all with Shaq), Vince Carter (0 Titles), Iverson (0 Titles), Kevin Garnet (0 Titles), Lebron (0 Titles) - I think you get the point.

So if, for some reason, the Portland Trailblazers decide to go with Kevin Durant over Greg Oden. What do you think they’re chances of winning an NBA title are - I say not too good. Can you name Portland’s center if it isn’t Oden. Me either. I’m sure the Seattle Supersonics would be happy to add Oden to the other All-Stars they have in the lineup including Ray Allen and Rashard Lewis.

Portland - Do the right thing - draft Greg Oden - Unless winning isn’t that high on your priority list and selling jerseys is.