Possible No. 1 pick Oden continues his tour

Even referring to beating anybody up counts as a wild comment coming from Durant, whereas with Oden, he spews somewhat outlandish things with regularity.

The intangible may seem unimportant to some, but consider O'Neal. Yes, he's one of the best players of all-time, but would he have been nearly as popular if he didn't have a lovable personality? Hakeem Olajuwon and David Robinson were on O'Neal's level talent-wise, but never showed the same charm and never approached the same fame.

Just in responding to basic questions like, "Did you know how good you were back in the fourth grade?", Oden provides something other than the also-ran answers one usually gets from a young player afraid to speak his mind.

"I didn't have any (skills). Skills weren't known to me. I didn't even know there was supposed to be five people on the floor," Oden said. "There's not a lot to do in Terre Haute, Indiana, so when you go to the boys' club everyday, something has to happen. I mean, I hope after being in the boys' club everyday for two years, you can hit a layup."

Oden has the ability to be an O'Neal, on the floor and off it. Durant, who won all the major college player of the year awards this season, is content saying the right thing and being appropriate, a smart but typically boring approach for a young person thrust into a glaring spotlight.

Regardless, he will be at or near the top of what some consider one of the best draft pools in quite some time.

"We rarely talk about it. We're just ready to work hard to get to the NBA," Durant said of any discussions he's had with Oden in regard to being the draft's top two picks.I really can't say if it's gonna be (known as) our draft or not. We just gotta see how we play in the upcoming years."

There is no question, even among the other potential lottery picks, that Oden and Durant deserve all the extra attention they're getting.

"Greg and Kevin are some special kids," Florida's Corey Brewer said. "They don't come around too often. We don't mind not getting all the publicity."

Despite the virtual guarantee of being a top-two pick, there was some question whether Oden would decide to make the leap into the professional ranks. Some wondered if he was truly dedicated to the pro game, having strongly considered staying in school -- mostly to enjoy campus life.

"I'm sorry if I look kinda different, that it didn't seem like I had the passion to come out," Oden said. "It's the kid in me, I'm 19 years old. I'm enjoying walking the oval at The Ohio State University. But when you put me out there on the floor, it's no difference who I'm out there with. I'm gonna go out there and I'm gonna fight, even if I am a little scared.

"If you dunk on me one time, I'm gonna come back and I'm gonna hit you wherever it matters to stop you from scoring the next time.?

Now that's Shaq-speak. Which begged the question: What will it be like playing your first game against O'Neal?

Without missing a beat, Oden snapped back, "A couple of icebags after the game.?