Derrick Rose and Greg Oden: The Pressure's On

This year's draft—just like almost every other one—had an important 1-2 selection.

Much like Kevin Durant last year, Michael Beasley was considered the most talented player in his draft class, but was passed up on for a player who was dubbed a true dynasty leader.

So far, Durant has proven that he most probably was the most talented player in last year's draft. Oden, on the other hand, has yet to show the reason he was chosen first, since he was injured all of last year.

Now that he has seen the incredible statistical season that Durant had, the bar has been set—and it is pretty high. Then again, you can't fight fire with fire.

Oden, in my opinion, can't beat Durant's impressing stats. He must fight him with another weapon—winning—and that one has been all set up for him.

Oden has been surrounded by some of the best young players in the NBA, and being giving a year to prepare for the red carpet might be the best thing that happened to Oden. If Oden averages something like 12 PPG and eight RPG, and gets his team to at least the playoffs in the wild West, he will be considered a better team player.

Durant, of course, averaged more points—but his team was one of the worst in the NBA. But it doesn't simply end there, Oden has to make Portland a true dynasty in the next decade, or he will be considered a bust.  Durant might not ever win a ring, but will forever be putting up some of the best stats in the league.

But Oden will not be alone feeling the pressure—it might even be heavier on this year's No. 1 pick, Derrick Rose. Again, although Beasley was obviously a better statistical player, and clearly more talented, Chicago went with Rose, dubbed as a "pure playmaker."

Beasley, like Durant, was pegged as a talented player—but not good enough to lead a team to victory. So, just like Oden, Rose has get the Bulls to the Finals to live up to the hype.

Beasley, on the other hand, will have it easier than Durant. He'll playing alongside Dwayne Wade and Shawn Marion. If that works out, Beasley could end up being not the only most talented high draft pick, but also the most successful for now. That will put pressure on Rose to counter Beasley's achievements, in order to prove why the Bulls selected him first.

The pressure will be on both of the latest number-one draft picks. It won't be easy but there's a reason why they were selected first—because people beleieved they could pull off feats like this.

Now it's their turn to prove it. But remember—number two will always be around to be draw comparisons.

(By the way, if you saw this on Fannation—I'm the same writer.)