It's not Jessica Simpson versus Carrie Underwood, "The Office" versus "The Office" or even Oregon versus Oregon State for that matter. But the discussion of Luke Jackson and Steven Hill battling it out for the Portland Trail Blazers final roster spot is a discussion that needs to happen – both now and later – with the start of the regular season slated for October 28th against the Los Angeles Lakers at the Staples Center.

Inquiring Blazer fans want to know.

Both Jackson and Hill (with no offense to camp invite and point guard Jamaal Tatum) are essentially gunning for the rights of Portland's 15th man. Weeks ago, Blazers General Manager Kevin Pritchard explained how leaving a roster spot open heading into camp is actually good for the overall aura of the team. Pritchard went on to say – with head coach Nate McMillan also prescribing to the belief – that the competitive atmosphere "elevates the level of practice," particularly with the guys who are "hungry to make the team."

While Pritchard admitted he's equally comfortable leaving the roster set at 14 players to start of the season if players don't impress enough, chances are the choice will come down to Jackson – a four-year NBA sharpshooter who has bounced around since being selected 10th overall in 2004 by Cleveland – and Hill, a 7-foot rookie center who has spent the last five weeks in Portland serving as Greg Oden's sparring partner.

Yet while Hill performed well for Portland during the Las Vegas Summer League and has been a mainstay at the Blazers practice facility of late, Jackson appears to hold an advantage over Hill heading into training camp.

Although Jackson's time in the league has been riddled with injuries – knee and back - and various zip codes with stops in Cleveland, Boston Celtics, the Idaho Stampede of the NBDL, Los Angeles Clippers, Toronto Raptors and Miami HEAT, he will certainly help fill a void left by free agent James Jones who signed with the Miami HEAT this offseason.

Jackson's best season came last season with Miami when he averaged 5.6 points and 2.4 rebounds in 16.3 minutes per game. Yet those numbers fail in comparison to a glimpse of greatness Jackson showed while with the Raptors in 2007. In a game at the Philadelphia 76ers, the 6-7 swingman went for 30 points, which included 6 three-pointers. Given, this was one game. Given, Jackson has been synonymous with the word "bust" since he left Cleveland. Given, Martell Webster, Travis Outlaw and Rudy Fernandez will see the majority of time before Jackson would – if he were to make the club.

Given, Jackson is ready for a second shot at a first impression.

Jackson could help spread the floor and has the ability to fill-it up from beyond the arc, which certainly gives him the leg-up over Hill for the time being.  Even better is the fact that Jackson feels he's as healthy as he has been for about two years now. Couple this with his tour of duty around the league – one that Jackson says "seasoned me a little bit" – and Hill is going to have a tough fight on his hands for that final roster spot.    

But Steven Hill is no slouch.

Hill – who earned Southeastern Conference Defensive Player of the Year honors while at the University of Arkansas – has already become a cult favorite of sorts around Portland. His trademark red beard and previously longhair gives-off a Bill Walton-esque vibe and there is no doubt that Hill is a workhorse, which is always endearing. He's been practicing six days a week and frequents the Blazers practice facility a couple times a day assisting with Oden's return to the floor.

"I know my place. I know what I am here for," Hill told Casey Holdahl of Blazers.com recently.

Even still, Hill is getting the most of his time in Portland. He's also been seen conducting individual workouts away from the Blazers practice facility, as Hill works on his core and overall strength in the post. Apparently it is paying off. Oden applauds his quickness and sheer determination in scrimmages, but will that help Hill earn his keep this coming season with the red, white and black?

So will it be Jackson, complete with experience and an easy outside stroke?

Or does the novice and hard-working Hill get the vote?

The fight for Portland's 15th man goes down in a matter of weeks.