One Is The Loneliest Number: Portland Hasn't Always Gotten It Right

It was said the other day on ESPN, maybe during the "Road to the Countdown to the Preview of the Hoopla to the NBA Draft." And it was probably the smartest, most accurate thing uttered. "One thing's for sure: the #2 overall pick is going to be the easiest pick in the history of the NBA draft." Not-so-sloppy seconds is what awaits the Seattle Sonics, after the Portland Trailblazers make their selection, #1 off the board. And even the Blazers don't figure to screw this one up. Greg Oden or Kevin Durant. Two big men of the "Rolls Royce" nature, to steal from Dickie Vitale's lexicon. Both kids -- and they ARE kids still -- should grow up to be a dominant big man for a long time. Hard to go wrong. But the comment about #2 being so easy is, Seattle will simply take who the Blazers don't. No analyzing. No hand-wringing. No comparing of notes. No last-minute looks at tape. If Portland takes Oden, Seattle takes Durant. And vice-versa. ...