By Jim Taylor
TrailBlazers.com

Podcast: Friday's Press Conference with Kevin Durant.

Portland, OR - Different day, different player, but the scene at Portland International Airport for Kevin Durant’s arrival was strikingly similar to Greg Oden’s earlier in the week. A pack of reporters, photographers and autograph seekers greeted Durant as he arrived at PDX around 5:30 p.m. Thursday night.

"I’m out here trying to sell myself to Portland and hopefully it goes well," said Durant of his Portland workout.

Friday morning Durant will put on display the skills that earned him the Associated Press NCAA Player of the Year Award as a freshman at the University of Texas.

Durant and Oden are likely to be the top two players taken in next week’s NBA Draft. Portland, which holds the top pick, came away impressed by Oden’s visit this week. Trail Blazers general manager Kevin Pritchard said on Wednesday following Oden’s workout that he expected Durant to come out like an "assassin" in an effort to prove to Portland that he should be the number one pick.

"That’s what I do every time I step on the floor," said Durant. "Try to the best that I can and that’s what I’m going to try and do tomorrow."

Durant refused to make any comparisons to himself or Oden, or predict who’ll be taken first, telling the media, "That’s your guy’s decision. We’re all going to see who they’re going to pick June 28th."

Durant said he and Oden spoke earlier in the week and wished each other well for their workouts.

Like with Oden’s visit, Trail Blazers players Brandon Roy, the NBA’s Rookie of the Year, and LaMarcus Aldridge greeted Durant at the airport. Durant liked the thought of playing with Roy and Aldridge, who also played at Texas.

"It would be great, man," said Durant. "LaMarcus is a great guy and so is Brandon."

Aldridge, who left Texas the year before Durant arrived, also left a lasting impression on the young Longhorn. When asked who’s the better player to come out of Texas he replied, "LaMarcus Aldridge, man. He’s all rookie team. I haven’t done anything yet. He’s the best player to come out of Texas."

Durant doesn’t have a preference between Portland and Seattle, who holds the second pick in the draft, just so long as he goes first or second.

"It’s important, but I’m just happy to be in this position," said Durant. "I can’t be picky. So, if I go one or two I’m happy."

After fighting his way through a constant stream of fans and passengers asking for his autograph, Durant jumped into a waiting limo with Roy and Aldridge.

"Next week is a big week," said Durant. "It’s draft week and it’s going to be one of the best weeks of my life."