In the process, they helped lay to rest any lingering conspiracy theories that commissioner David Stern somehow fixes the draft lottery to get the prize players to the marquee teams.

That first came up more than 20 years ago when the Knicks landed Ewing. But despite frequent trips to the lottery, neither the Knicks nor the Celtics have had particular luck for a long time.
And now Portland, the smallest of the small markets, lands Oden.

It all made for a lot of excitement on ESPN's breathless broadcast of the draft, a show that was more exciting, entertaining and dramatic than the NBA Finals. That's probably something the league should worry about, but not today, not with the draftniks all launching into their post mortems.

It's all part of the fun. Let's face it, when you get into the bottom third of the draft, no one knows how any of the players are going to turn out. Yet the analysts are ready to tell you who made a lousy pick at number 27 and who made a great pick at number 22.

For the most part, though, every player taken is the greatest thing since shoe contracts, a towering talent who will bring much-needed relief to whichever franchise was brilliant enough to draft him. We know that's a lot of hooey, too.

Even with Oden, the hype is premature, just as it was with Michelle Wie.

Guys have to play with the big boys before you know what they're made of.

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Sometimes, as with Oden and Kevin Durant, the top two picks, you feel pretty certain about things. But Portland once felt pretty sure about Sam Bowie, too.

I don't think Oden is a Bowie. He's tougher, stronger, seems more mature and seems to be very coachable.

Plus, even though he has yet to suit up for practice in Portland, he's already made the team better by making Randolph's exit not only possible, but necessary.

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