By MOLLY BLUE
Survey says: Oden.
Sports spilled into politics in a recent poll, and three questions about the Portland Trail Blazers were very revealing.
"The big question on everyone's mind is, 'How do Oregonians feel about the upcoming draft?' " said Adam Davis, a pollster for Davis, Hibbitts & Midghall Inc., an independent opinion research and consultation firm.
So, for the first time since the Bill Walton era, the firm included the Blazers questions and learned Oregonians are pretty excited about having the No. 1 pick in the upcoming NBA draft.
They are optimistic about the team's playoff chances, and they have some specific advice for new team president Larry Miller and the Trail Blazers front office: Pick Ohio State center Greg Oden.
Among the fans, 39 percent "a plurality," according to Davis, think Portland should use the No. 1 pick on Oden, compared with 20 percent who favor choosing University of Texas forward Kevin Durant. Seven percent offered other choices, and the rest don't know.
Questions were asked of a random sample of state residents -- not just voters. Respondents came from throughout the state and from a wide range of demographics.
"We were wondering if we'd see a big difference across the state, and we did not find that," Davis said. "The Portland Trail Blazers are very much Oregon's team."
Of the 500 people who responded, 150 said they are Blazers fans, about 30 percent, or roughly the equivalent of those who identify with a political party. The survey has a margin of error of 4.4 percentage points.
Among fans, 57 percent think Portland will reach the playoffs next season, compared with 34 percent who think the Blazers will miss the postseason again.
With a nod to Portland's struggles on and off the court in recent seasons, "This is evidence that you've got a state that's beginning once again to embrace the team," said Davis, who admits he's a fan and described the Rose Garden as "cold and lonely" in recent seasons.
"It ain't going to be that way (next season)," Davis added. "I hope the Trail Blazers organization thinks this is good news."
Molly Blue: 503-294-7608; email@example.com