NBA Draft 2007

I heard something pretty funny while flipping through the channels yesterday.

After stumbling onto Fox Sports during a news update, I watched an anchor say: "Ohio State center Greg Oden will likely enter the NBA Draft. If Oden does enter this season, he is likely a top-two pick."

Let's not kid ourselves here. Oden WILL come out early, and he WILL be selected No. 1 overall. It's not even close.

The anchor was hinting that some teams will also likely consider Texas forward Kevin Durant with the top pick.

This has nothing to do with Durant's incredible numbers his freshman season at Texas, nor his nearly flawless game. The guy can shoot, drive, post up, dribble and defend.

But he's not 7'0", and he's not the best true center to come through college in at least 25 years.

Durant is certainly more flashy than Oden, perhaps even more polished offensively. But NBA teams have always won titles by building around centers.

Let's look at some numbers.

The best center of all time, Bill Russell, won 11 rings.

Kareem Abdul-Jabbar (who turns 60 today)? Six titles.

Wilt Chamberlain? Two titles.

Hakeem Olajuwon? Two titles.

Shaquille O'Neal? Four titles.

If you make a list of the best centers of all time, the first player you reach that never won a ring is Patrick Ewing - and his Knicks lost in the Finals to Olajuwon's Rockets.

I'm not quite sure who to compare Durant too, really.

He's definitely a Tracy McGrady/Kevin Garnett type of athlete. Combined rings for those two? Zero.

Both will be incredible pro's. But Oden will have much more jewelry when his career is over.