Oden Will Be the No. 1 Pick in NBA Draft

There is finally an answer to the debate about whether to take Kevin Durant or Greg Oden with the first pick in the NBA Draft. Well, at least for the Portland Trailblazers.

ESPN.com is reporting that the Blazers have informed Greg Oden's agent that he will be selected first in the draft, over fellow collegiate Kevin Durant.

There were questions heading up to the draft on whether the Trailblazers were leaning towards Oden or Durant. When they Blazers got the first pick in the draft it seemed as if it would be impossible to take Oden, but in the weeks leading up to the draft reports were that there was a division in the Blazer's camp, with some in the organization wanting Durant and others wanting Oden.

To make matters worse for the Blazers, Kevin Durant came into Portland and had a very impressive workout, much more impressive than Greg Oden. Also, possible health problems had the Blazers concerned with taking Oden, including the fact that one of his legs is longer than the other, which the Blazers thought might lead to future back problems, and his surgically repaired right wrist.

After the Blazers looked at all the options it looks like they are no longer scared off by Oden's possible health problems, and they did not place much stock in his mediocre workout.

Oden is being called the best big man in the draft since Tim Duncan and a pure winner. He has been compared to Bill Russell and Patrick Ewing with his abilities to score and defend. Even Kevin Durant has said that he thinks Oden is a slam-dunk first pick.

"You can see why he'd be a No. 1 pick," Durant told reporters according to ESPN. "I think he's one of the best centers to come out of college. He's quick and agile, he's 7-feet, 250. I've never seen that in a center before."

Fellow draftmate Acie Law IV, a point guard out of Texas A&M, shares the sentiments of Durant.

"Without question, Kevin Durant's the most talented player in this draft," Law said according to ESPN. "But if I'm building a franchise, as most teams at the top of the draft are, you can't pass up a guy you can just build your team around. Because there's guys in the league that can score 20, 25 a game, like Kevin Durant can, but you're not going to find a 7-foot manchild that can just patrol your line for 10, 12 years."

There has been a lot of debate about whether the Portland Trailblazers should take Durant or Oden with the first pick, and although that debate will continue for some time, at least know we have an answer to who they will pick.

All information was obtained for ESPN.com