Let’s get the obvious news out of the way: Greg Oden was selected No.1 overall by the Portland Trailblazers, followed by Kevin Durant, who was picked up by the Seattle Supersonics. Great picks for both teams, as the surefire stars of the show were gobbled up before all the craziness really began.

In the following hours, superstars were traded, picks flew from one team to another, cash considerations were offered for a bunch of second-round picks. So who won and who lost in a night of excitement?

WINNERS

New York Knicks: The Knicks have made the most of the wiggle room they had, and then some. New York nabbed Wilson Chandler with their first-round pick (23rd pick). Chandler is an under-the-radar talent from DePaul who could be the next gem GM Isiah Thomas finds late in the first round (like David Lee and Renaldo Balkman). This, however, would not have vaulted the Knicks to the top of the winners’ list.

They did pull off a trade with Portland that changed their whole night. The Knicks sent Channing Frye and Steve Francis to the north-west for Zach Randolph, Dan Dickau, Fred Jones and the 53rd pick (Syracuse’s Demetrious Nichols). In effect they moved Francis and his contract which was deemed untradeable earlier and a promising, yet raw, Frye for a superstar power forward, a young and a veteran guard, and a young talent who some had going much higher in mocks. This smells like an awfully lopsided trade.

Portland Trailblazers: “Greg Oden, welcome to Portland. We’re assembling your new set of playmates now.” This is probably what they should have told their new franchise centerpiece moments after being drafted. How much talent does Portland have now? Let’s see. They have the reigning rookie of the year (Brandon Roy), two talented young big-men with prior NBA experience (LaMarcus Aldridge and Frye), Steve Francis, who once was known as 'the franchise' for a reason (you have to admit that even troubled soul Darius Miles oozes talent)  and oh,they have Greg Oden!! Trust me, this team will be good!

Seattle Supersonics: Welcome to the Kevin Durant era. The passing of the torch happened sooner than expected, when incumbent franchise cornerstone Ray Allen was dealt to the Boston Celtics for the fifth pick (Jeff Green, Georgetown), Wally Szcerbiakm, Delonte West. It is a one-sided trade in Boston’s favor, but it was necessary to clear up just what direction the team is to take. The Sonics added a solid pass first forward in Green who, along with Durant, will be the face of this franchise for a long time. Just don’t expect Seattle in the play-offs by next year; they just started on the road that Portland has already traveled a couple of years on.

Boston Celtics: Yup, when you are able to bring in a superstar whilst not moving your top two players (Paul Pierce and Al Jefferson), then you’ve had a great night. The trio of Pierce, Allen and Jefferson certainly looks capable of reaching the play-offs.

Eastern Conference:  Yes it is true, the two surefire stars of the draft went to the West, but beyond that it seems the east has received a lot more star power. Keep in mind that the 2003 class has seen more stars in the east, strarting with LeBron James. Ray Allen and Zach Randolph are no longer vying for an all-star spot out west. They both joined the Atlantic division, which has certainly strengthened the most on draft night. Recently the flux of talent has been migrating from west to east, as opposed to the 90s when it was heading from east to west. The gap between the two divisions has to be closing.

LOSERS

Los Angeles Lakers: After all the buzz, all the hoop-la, all the rumors, nothing happened. Javaris Crittenton is a fine prospect who has the ability to become a good player within Phil Jackson’s triangle offense. All of this is a few years away, however, and seeing how Kobe Bryant’s impatience grows, the Lakers do not have a few years. It is starting to seem less likely that they are able to pull off a major trade to please their star, so sooner or later they are going to have to start shopping him around. I like the Marc Gasol pick, though. Kid brother works hard and does all the small things.

Memphis Grizzlies: It’s not that I don’t like Mike Conley Jr. It is the fact that they should have been able to trade down and pick him. He definitely is an energy bomb and he is bound to have a nice career, but Memphis blew an opportunity to get some extra pieces.

Milwaukee Bucks: Yi Jianlian did not want to go to Milwaukee. The Bucks still picked him. The Chinese phenom will pull no prima-donna tricks like Steve Francis did when he did not like his destination. If the Bucks are persistent they will have Jianlian playing for them, but he will not be a happy camper. This may all become a moot point by this time next year, but at the moment they remain amongst the losers.