Portland selects Oden with top pick

The Trail Blazers, who finished 32-50 in 2006-07 and did not qualify for the playoffs for the fourth straight year, made the No. 1 choice in the draft for the first time since 1978. They selected Minnesota big man Mychal Thompson with the top pick that year.

Oden played just one season for the Buckeyes, who were defeated by the Florida Gators in the championship game of the NCAA Tournament. The seven-foot Oden averaged 15.7 points, 9.6 rebounds and 3.3 blocks in 32 games.

The 19-year-old Oden is very athletic, plays strong on the defensive end around the basket and runs the floor effectively. He is still developing his low-post game offensively, but with more experience he will polish his moves and could become a dominant force in the paint as a pro.

Fans in Portland are hoping picking Oden won’t be a case of deja vu. In the 1984 draft, the Trail Blazers selected Kentucky center Sam Bowie at No. 2 instead of North Carolina’s Michael Jordan, who was grabbed by Chicago with the next pick. Jordan, who is arguably the greatest player to ever play the game, won six titles and five MVP’s with the Bulls, while Bowie averaged 10.9 points in 511 games during an average 10-year career. The Kentucky product played for Portland, New Jersey and the Lakers, and was hampered with injuries throughout his career,

Portland also considered Texas forward Kevin Durant with the top pick, but he’s expected to be selected second by Seattle. The multi-talented Durant is also thought to be a can’t miss, franchise player. However, this time the Trail Blazers were not going to pass up the chance to add a dominant center. Oden joins a nucleus that already includes Rookie of the Year Brandon Roy, point guard Jarrett Jack and forwards LaMarcus Aldridge, Zach Randolph and Travis Outlaw.