Let the Durant-Oden Sweepstakes Begin

<div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">The race for the best record in the league is a clearcut battle between Phoenix, Dallas, and San Antonio; the race for the worst record is just starting to heat up with seven teams in the mix. With good lottery position and a probable shot at collegiate phenoms Greg Oden and Kevin Durant at stake, the usually dubious honor will be pursued with the fervor most teams reserve for a title.

Not that this is new. In 1984, the Chicago Bulls fortified their draft position by losing 14 of their last 15 and wound up in position to draft Michael Jordan. This year's teams will have to make their moves earlier; let's look at the, um, contenders.

Boston, 12?32 (all records listed as of Wednesday afternoon), is in a quandary. With third year power forward Al Jefferson starting to fulfill his potential (14.9 ppg, 10.5 rpg in January), and second year swingman Gerald Green improving (12 ppg this month), the Celtics face a tough decision on guard Paul Pierce. He's due back from a foot injury soon and with him the Celts could start winning again. Most fans are hoping he has a setback or at least that management insists he takes as much time as possible before returning to action. With Jefferson and Pierce playing particularly well, adding a top notch center like Oden projects to be, would make the Celts into a contender. Boston fans will likely cheer every time a key player winces in pain. They are probably also hoping that unpopular coach Doc Rivers lasts the season and screws up as much as possible.

Philadelphia, 14?32, has been playing for good lottery position for nearly two months already. They've traded their best player, Allen Iverson, and bought out the contract of their second best, Chris Webber. As the trading deadline approaches, they will probably sonn move point guard Andre Miller, who was obtained in the Iverson deal. Except Andre Iguodala and Rodney Green, almost any other player will be moved for the right offer, i.e., a lesser player with an expiring contract. The Sixers are about as subtle as the '84 Bulls in their tanking.

Memphis, 12?34, has the advantage of playing in the tougher Western conference, but that's offset by the return of their best player, Pau Gasol. Since his return, the Griz are 6?13; without him for the first 27 games, they were a ghastly 6-21. Memphis is trying to move Gasol, which would put them in great position to get many ping pong balls in the lottery, but there aren't many good fits out there. The lure of Oden may lead Memphis to simply make a poor exchange for Gasol.</div>

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