wants Oden

at the finish

HOUSTON --

A large contingent of Chinese media from places like Beijing and Shanghai is in Houston, covering Rockets center Yao Ming. So, the group descended upon the Trail Blazers on Saturday, surrounding Greg Oden after practice, and asking big questions.

Asked one: quot;How incredible is Yao?quot;

Asked another: quot;What can you do to be more proficient against him?quot;

Also, they asked Oden to look into a camera and read an endorsement for the World Expo, which will come to Shanghai in 2010. After some initial confusion, he obliged. And yet none of them asked Oden the most important question lingering in this series.

Shouldn't Oden be starting?

The big problem for the Blazers right now is freeing up Brandon Roy. The Rockets won Game 3 by harassing Roy, and limiting No. 2 option LaMarcus Aldridge. It's a third option that Portland is desperately lacking right now.

When Oden is in the game Houston must account for him when the Blazers have the ball. He's been active around the basket. He catches and finishes at the rim. Apologies to Joel Przybilla, who is a superior defender, but Oden offers the Blazers a better No. 3 offensive option and we've arrived at the moment when Portland needs to try something new.

Start Oden.

Blazers coach Nate McMillan smiled when I asked him about starting Oden and said at practice on Saturday that he's been thinking about doing it. The Blazers have played their best Basketball with Oden in the game during this series.

Ultimately, McMillan said, quot;It's a huge risk.quot; In part, because you'd be benching the team's best interior defender. And, in part, because Oden has struggled with foul trouble against Yao, and starting the rookie might mean that he'd pick up a couple of quick whistles.

quot;If that happens,quot; McMillan said, quot;you've thrown everything off for the game.quot;

These are bold times, though. In the playoffs, victory and courage become soul mates. And we're hearing a lot of talk about how this playoff series --win or lose --is going to help an inexperienced team get valuable growth. As if this is the setup for something grander. So what better growth than seeing Oden thrown into the fray in a starting role against one of the best veteran centers in the game?

quot;I'm going to get him in the game more,quot; McMillan said. quot;And I wanted to finish the game with him, and I think right now, I'll get him in there as quickly as we need to get him in.quot;

Translated: I want to start him, I know we need him, but I don't yet trust him.

Remember Portland's comeback against Dallas in the 2003 NBA playoffs? That was spurred when then-Blazers coach Maurice Cheeks decided to start Zach Randolph after the Blazers were down 3-0, nearing elimination. Portland reeled off three victories after the Mavericks struggled to adjust.

McMillan said, quot;I just don't know if starting (Oden) is the answer.quot;

Oden makes you want to slap your forehead sometimes, see. On Saturday, when told his coach was thinking about possibly starting him, Oden confided, quot;I'd probably tell him 'no' if coach came to me with that. We have rhythm. We have things going with Joel starting.quot;

Also, Oden said about Yao, quot;He has the biggest thighs I've ever seen on a human.quot; Also, Oden spent the end of practice shooting half-court shots. And, he said that after three games it felt like they were playing the Rockets forever, and he thought a seven-game playoff series was too long.

Said Oden: quot;Maybe it should be best-of-five in the first round?quot;

You see a glimmer of what Oden could be someday when he's rolling out of a screen, catching a pass and dunking. And you see how close he is to breaking through when he's battling Yao for position in the post. The only variable is how long it's going to take. And so I wonder right now if what Oden really needs --not just for himself but for the franchise --is to be shown how vital he is to Portland breaking through by taking a spot in the starting lineup.

He's earned it with his play, hasn't he?

He's working hard. He's been effective. Yao is still winning the battles, but you can see the lights coming on for Oden. And you can see how it affects the rest of the Blazers.

Portland and Houston have effectively eliminated each other's best first option. Yao is neutralized. Roy is being mugged by Ron Artest and Shane Battier. And both teams have taken away their second options, too. What's left is Luis Scola vs. Portland's No. 3 option, Travis Outlaw.

The Rockets are winning that one.

More minutes for Oden creates a new issue for the Rockets. It also forces Houston coach Rick Adelman to play Yao more minutes. And when Yao sits, it gives Przybilla opportunities against the Rockets back-up centers, who are undersized.

The Chinese media didn't surround Przybilla on Saturday. Even they can see that the emerging battle in this series is one between Oden and Yao.

Will the Blazers see it in time?

John Canzano: 503-294-5065;

JohnCanzano@aol.com

Read his blog at

oregonlive.com/canzano

Catch him on the radio on

quot;The Bald-Faced Truth,quot; 3-6 p.m.

weekdays on KXTG (95.5).