It’s not just that Greg Oden has to play Andrew Bynum in the Staples Center on opening night of the NBA season. That’s fine. Bring it on, I guess.

But how about this: The guy meets Tim Duncan Friday night. Shaq Saturday, Yao the following Thursday and Dwight Howard the Monday after that. After a pretty soft exhibition season, Oden opens the season with Murderer’s Row.

“Look what the league has done to him,” Portland coach Nate McMillan said Monday. “It’s a marketing thing. He goes up against the best right away. But he’s ready. He’s healthy. But people are saying this is Bynum’s breakout season and he’s in what — his fourth season? Greg’s a rookie and it’s supposed to be his breakout season.”

It comes with the territory, though. “Big guys, big expectations,” McMillan said.

Oden says he’s watched a lot of tape of Bynum. “He’s good — big and strong, you don’t want him under the basket,” Oden said.

Oden said he went through practice with great care Monday. He’s this close to starting his first NBA season and he didn’t want anything to derail it. “I wasn’t making any quick movements,” he said with a smile.

At some point, the Oden vs. Bynum matchups are going to be nationally televised every time they meet up. It’s the two best young pure centers in the game. I would guess, though, that right now Bynum would be significantly ahead. That’s fine, too. Oden needs someone to chase in the beginning of his career. It will push him. In a year, though, it’s going to be a war whenever they match up.

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Tags: Andrew Bynum, Dwight Howard, Dwight Jaynes, Greg Oden, Nate McMillan, Portland Trail Blazers, Shaq, Tim Duncan, Yao