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With another NBA draft comes another useless and ill-advised prognostication. I often wonder why the media feels the need to crown the next big player as the savior for the franchise that drafts him.

In recent interviews after this week's NBA Draft selection, both Jay Bilas and Bob Ryan were quoted as saying that Greg Oden would undoubtedly bring a title to Portland (assuming they draft him) within the next three to five years. While I'm sure Trailblazer fans are ecstatic about the thought of returning to their glory years of Bill Walton and Dr. Jack Ramsey, unfortunately for them, a number one draft pick rarely guarantees a world championship.

A review of the top picks over the last twenty years supports this claim. Only once since 1985 has a player chosen number one been the key factor in bringing a championship to the team that drafted him:

1985: Patrick Ewing, Georgetown, Drafted by New York. While Patrick had a Hall of Fame career, he fell short of bringing the Knicks a title, thanks mostly to Michael Jordan. Patrick only took his team to an NBA Finals once, losing to Houston in the 1993-94 season.

1986: Brad Daugherty, North Carolina, Drafted by Cleveland. Brad failed to win a title with the Cavaliers, again thanks to Michael Jordan's reign in the league. An injury plagued career, Daugherty can now be seen on ESPN as a NASCAR analyst.

1987: David Robinson, Navy, Drafted by San Antonio. Although the Admiral won a title, it wasn't until the Spurs drafted Tim Duncan ten years later that they were able to get over the hump. Robinson was consistently unable to get them there on his own.

1988: Danny Manning, Kansas, Drafted by Los Angeles Clippers. By the time the Clippers made a decent run at the playoffs, Manning was out of the league.

1989: Pervis Ellison, Louisville, Sacramento Kings. Never played in an NBA Finals.

1990: Derrick Coleman, Syracuse, New Jersey Nets. Never carried his team to a title.

1991: Larry Johnson, UNLV, Drafted by Charlotte. Never won a title.

1992: Shaquille O'Neal, LSU, Drafted by Orlando. Shaq's legacy on the game is undeniable. He won three championships with the Lakers and one with Miami, but none with the team that actually drafted him, taking the Magic to the Finals and losing to Houston in 1994-95.

1993: Chris Webber, Michigan, Drafted by Orlando. Orlando traded the rights to Webber for Anfernee Hardaway. Webber is only now getting to the Finals with Detroit at the end of his career and is hardly their go-to-guy.

1994: Glenn Robinson,

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