The answer is simple C's fans:Greg Oden

Ian Abreu
News Editor

Len Bias, Reggie Lewis, Tim Duncan and Rick Pitino, what do they all have in common? All, in some way, shape or form have lended a helping hand in the demise of the once proudest franchise in sports: the Boston Celtics. If you're a "real" Boston Celtics fan, I'm sure I won't have to explain to you the significance each of these people have had in the demise of the Green.

After 21 years of sup-par basketball and no banners being raised atop the Garden rafters, it would seem fitting that finally, the "luck of the Irish" will swing towards Beantown and give Boston one of the top two draft picks in this year's roll of the ping pong balls.

There are two clear-cut choices (if decided to leave college) in this year's class that will anchor the 1-2 slots, Ohio State University center Greg Oden and University of Texas small forward Kevin Durant. Both could go in either order.

Here is why, if you're the Boston Celtics, you choose Oden.

Oden is a shot blocker, he's a rebounder, he knows how to crash the boards, both on the offensive and defensive side. As of March 14, 2007, Oden has averaged 15.5 points, 9.7 rebounds, and 3.5 blocks per game, while earlier in the month he was named First Team All-Big Ten, as well being voted the conference's Defensive Player of the Year.

Remember the Ohio State/Tenessee matchup in the Sweet Sixteen a few weeks back? Oden blocked a potential game-winning shot in the final seconds to preserve an 85-84 victory, eventually leading Ohio State to a 92-76 win over Memphis to advance to the 2007 Final Four in Atlanta, Georgia.

Oden, along with Durant, are the first freshman whom were voted to the All-American First Team since 1990.

Nothing against Durant, but Oden is exactly what the Boston Celtics need, a "big man" down low. If you look at all of those great NBA championship teams of the past, most had a tenacious center corralling the paint (Kareem Abdoul-Jabbar, Bill Russell, Wilt Chamberlain, Shaquille O'Neal, Robert Parish, Bill Walton, Dave Cowens, Tim Duncan, Bill Lambeer and the list goes on).

If the C's are to return to their "glory days" of the past, then they need to do so with Oden. Captain Paul Pierce isn't getting any younger, or happier for that matter. I must admit, I feel bad for the guy. He's just wasting his prime away in this town. Sure, there is a talented supporting cast in place, featuring the likes of: Al Jefferson, Ryan Gomes, Tony Allen, Rajon Rondo and Delonte West, but that's all they are (with hopefully the exception of Jefferson/Rondo), talented, but yet complimentary players. All of the following aren't the "game-breakers" you need in order to compete in the NBA today.

Oden, however, is. A tandem of Oden/Jefferson down low in the paint, blocking shots, boxing defenders out, perfecting that short, but yet deadly jump-hook are all the ingredients the Celtics need below the basket to become a force in the Eastern Conference. Throw in the shooting, passing, and "shake-and-bake" moves of Pierce, toss in continued development Rondo and Gomes, and now, Boston might have something cooking.

Nothing against Durant, but what this team needs is a Tim Duncan, not a Kevin Garnett, a Bill Russell, not a Jerry West--get it?

A center leads, a center is the backbone, and, most importantly, a great center wins championships. The Boston Celtics will with Greg Oden.

Contingent on the ping pong balls, of course. Uy-vey...