Update: After year two we finally have some stats to judge Greg Oden on. So far things look pretty mediocre. Kwame Brown looked better at age 21 than Oden did this past season, although that was Kwame's best season. Oden will still likely have a better career than Brown, but he is far from living up to his status as a #1 pick. The rest of Portland's picks have busted, so this is still a potential disaster of a draft. I'll keep it locked in at three stars for now though.

6/26/2008: A year later and I'm dropping Portland's draft down a notch. They got no play from Oden, and his health problems at such an early age are cause for concern. Their other picks, including Josh McRoberts and Taurean Green, who is no longer with the team, did not produce much either. This rating might fall even further in the future if Oden doesn't turn out to be a stud.

 7/1/2007 -  If Oden wins this team a chamipionship or 2, then I guess it was a great draft. However, I'll wait and see on that. Taking a potentially dominant center is a great move, but Portland will be judged on whether or not he surpasses Kevin Durant in terms of being a super star. With all of Oden's great character and unequaled ability, I haven't seen a love of competition from him. That gets me a bit worried about him becoming an all time great.

While Portland did well with their other picks, taking 2 talented Europeans who might not play next year and getting Josh McRoberts later than some people thought he would go, their draft day trade was stupid. They got rid of Zach Randolph, basketcase but a greater scorer, for Steve Francis, arguably another basketcase who doesn't seem that motivated anymore, and Channing Frye, who they don't need. Maybe the only thing that matters is that Portland picked up Oden, but if he isn't as good as advertised, then I see some flaws in what they did on draft day.

I think Portland's draft was great! You got the dominate center that will change the game, got rid of a cancer Zach (as long as they buy out Francis) and picked up several excellent pieces for the future. They improved immediately and are a strong contender to make the playoffs this year. In a couple of years if they can get a top "3" with the salary cap room the Zach trade made, they will challange for a championship.

I don't know, Oden may be another Sam Bowie like pick.