Dante Cunningham: Diamond in the rough? (MERGED)

Discussion in 'Portland Trail Blazers' started by Shooter, Oct 20, 2009.

Moderators: 6

Moderators

  1. BrianFromWA
  2. Chris Craig
  3. Darkwebs
  4. Ed O
  5. PtldPlatypus
  6. SlyPokerDog
Page 2 of 3
  1. Nikolokolus

    Nikolokolus There's always next year

    Joined:
    Sep 19, 2008
    Messages:
    30,704
    Likes Received:
    6,198
    Trophy Points:
    113
    Re: Dante Cunningham: Diamond in the rough?

    It didn't hit me until just now when you said it, but this exactly who he made me think of during summer league ... For the 33rd overall pick that's definitely something I could live with.
     
    Nikolokolus, Oct 20, 2009
    #21
  2. BenDavis503

    BenDavis503 Banned User BANNED

    Joined:
    Aug 22, 2009
    Messages:
    2,224
    Likes Received:
    23
    Trophy Points:
    0
    Occupation:
    Computer Geek
    Location:
    503
    Re: Dante Cunningham: Diamond in the rough?

    DC is the man!
     
    BenDavis503, Oct 20, 2009
    #22
  3. MARIS61

    MARIS61 Real American

    Joined:
    Sep 12, 2008
    Messages:
    28,007
    Likes Received:
    5,012
    Trophy Points:
    113
    Occupation:
    retired Yankee
    Location:
    Beautiful Central Oregon
    Re: Dante Cunningham: Diamond in the rough?

    That's funny, you're quite the comedian.
     
    MARIS61, Oct 21, 2009
    #23
  4. shamelessblazer

    shamelessblazer Member

    Joined:
    Nov 6, 2008
    Messages:
    629
    Likes Received:
    6
    Trophy Points:
    18
    Re: Dante Cunningham: Diamond in the rough?

    Travis/Bayless/pick for Blount/Rubio

    we don't need anything right now, just time for guys to gel and to trim the rotation a little.
     
    shamelessblazer, Oct 21, 2009
    #24
  5. LameR

    LameR Ha Seung-Jin Approved!

    Joined:
    Jun 27, 2005
    Messages:
    2,175
    Likes Received:
    137
    Trophy Points:
    63
    Occupation:
    Soccer Coach
    Location:
    Cincinnati
    Re: Dante Cunningham: Diamond in the rough?

    That's probably not enough from their perspective.
     
    LameR, Oct 21, 2009
    #25
  6. bintim

    bintim Member

    Joined:
    Oct 13, 2008
    Messages:
    502
    Likes Received:
    11
    Trophy Points:
    18
    Occupation:
    electrician
    Location:
    Hillsboro, Oregon
    Re: Dante Cunningham: Diamond in the rough?

    I hope not, having him as a backup center is great insurance. Don't gamble with and unknown quantity at the back up 5. As far as I'm concerned he can retire here if he doesn't chose to move on. I am starting to think someone will have to go or all the guys REALLY buy into the good of the team concept. It has nothing to do with the preseason, it has more to do with KP's good draft choices and trying to stockpile them and keeping everyone happy.:dunno:
     
    bintim, Oct 21, 2009
    #26
  7. SpanishFly

    SpanishFly Member

    Joined:
    Oct 31, 2008
    Messages:
    523
    Likes Received:
    1
    Trophy Points:
    18
    DANTE: Our best SF?

    Nic has been hurt or done nothing and Webs looks very rusty and has been his usual inconsistent. I know he has not played much but and I haven't seen any games, but Dante has a nice reliable perimeter shot and rebounds. Now for those who have seen him can he play SF and how's his D?
     
    SpanishFly, Oct 21, 2009
    #27
  8. BenDavis503

    BenDavis503 Banned User BANNED

    Joined:
    Aug 22, 2009
    Messages:
    2,224
    Likes Received:
    23
    Trophy Points:
    0
    Occupation:
    Computer Geek
    Location:
    503
    Re: DANTE: Our best SF?

    Yes he can play SF and I am not sure how good his D is yet. I have him penciled as a SF\PF. I think he can be quick enough to play good D though.
     
    BenDavis503, Oct 21, 2009
    #28
  9. Sedatedfork

    Sedatedfork Rip City Rhapsody

    Joined:
    Sep 14, 2008
    Messages:
    7,981
    Likes Received:
    4,389
    Trophy Points:
    113
    Location:
    Seattle
    Re: DANTE: Our best SF?

    Dante plays within the offense and has a nice jumper. Also he looks a lot like Outlaw. I was at the game last night and I would be like WOW look at Outlaw sky for that rebound. Then I would realize it was Dante. I have been a Outlaw supporter in the past, but I think Dante makes Outlaw a very unnecessary asset.

    I still think Webster has looked the best. Not sure whether he should start or not, but he is flying all over the place and seems very into the games.
     
    Sedatedfork, Oct 21, 2009
    #29
  10. Mediocre Man

    Mediocre Man Mr. SportsTwo

    Joined:
    Sep 23, 2008
    Messages:
    44,775
    Likes Received:
    27,532
    Trophy Points:
    113
    Re: DANTE: Our best SF?



    Your first clue that it wasn't Outlaw should have been that Cunningham skyed for a rebound.
     
    Mediocre Man, Oct 21, 2009
    #30
  11. alex42083

    alex42083 Thanks Brandon

    Joined:
    Sep 20, 2008
    Messages:
    7,789
    Likes Received:
    47
    Trophy Points:
    48
    Occupation:
    Writing about sports
    Location:
    Canby, Wilsonville, Portland
    Re: Dante Cunningham: Diamond in the rough?

    Nice comparison. I was trying to think of who Dante reminded me of, and he plays exactly like Joe Smith.
     
    alex42083, Oct 21, 2009
    #31
  12. Schilly

    Schilly Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Oct 16, 2009
    Messages:
    3,161
    Likes Received:
    3,345
    Trophy Points:
    113
    Re: DANTE: Our best SF?

    Like I said in another post. Dante is already what we have always hoped Travis would someday learn to be. He's heady athletic and plays within himself.
     
    Schilly, Oct 21, 2009
    #32
  13. STOMP

    STOMP mere fan

    Joined:
    Sep 24, 2008
    Messages:
    11,438
    Likes Received:
    4,121
    Trophy Points:
    113
    Location:
    Marin
    works for me, but I sure wouldn't want this if I were a Hornets fan. Okafor is easily the best player in that hypothetical plus you have them giving up their backup 5??? Doesn't seem a very even exchange.

    STOMP
     
    STOMP, Oct 21, 2009
    #33
  14. STOMP

    STOMP mere fan

    Joined:
    Sep 24, 2008
    Messages:
    11,438
    Likes Received:
    4,121
    Trophy Points:
    113
    Location:
    Marin
    I'm assuming you mean because he has a good jumper, decent athleticism and doesn't try to force matters, but just for reference JS measured 2.5" taller (6'9.5 barefoot) way back at his predraft. That extra size really helps a PF when defensive switches have them guarding 5s. DC's offensive game may be similar to Joe's, but I suspect if he were a size larger with those skills he wouldn't have lasted well into the 2nd round.

    STOMP
     
    STOMP, Oct 21, 2009
    #34
  15. alex42083

    alex42083 Thanks Brandon

    Joined:
    Sep 20, 2008
    Messages:
    7,789
    Likes Received:
    47
    Trophy Points:
    48
    Occupation:
    Writing about sports
    Location:
    Canby, Wilsonville, Portland
    Re: DANTE: Our best SF?

    Dante's offensive game is fine right now, the guy can shoot and seems pretty heady. Defensively, though, is where he might struggle against stronger and more veteran-type players. He's got some good potential though to be a rotation player. I like his game. He just needs to learn the NBA game right now. Nicolas and Martell are still better than him at this time.
     
    alex42083, Oct 21, 2009
    #35
  16. Shooter

    Shooter Unanimously Great

    Joined:
    Oct 10, 2008
    Messages:
    5,484
    Likes Received:
    152
    Trophy Points:
    63
    Occupation:
    advertising
    Location:
    Blazerville
    Re: Dante Cunningham: Diamond in the rough?

    Neither is Aldridge's, for that matter.
     
    Shooter, Oct 21, 2009
    #36
  17. RR7

    RR7 Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Oct 17, 2008
    Messages:
    18,683
    Likes Received:
    13,087
    Trophy Points:
    113
    His game isn't pwoer on the offensive end, but he at least has the strength to not get bullied bad by opposing backup PFs.
     
    RR7, Oct 21, 2009
    #37
  18. hasoos

    hasoos Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Oct 15, 2008
    Messages:
    9,418
    Likes Received:
    97
    Trophy Points:
    48
    Re: Dante Cunningham: Diamond in the rough?

    Here is the thing I would stress: Cunningham already understands how to play defense and how to rebound. He also has more than one offensive move in his arsenal. If you are wondering, "Are all of these comments aimed at Travis Outlaw", the answer is yes. Cunningham is a mature player. He was a major reason Villanova made it very far in the tournament last year. They were a very good defensive team. He is also the type of player that will endear himself to Nate. He works hard. That is why him and Pendergraph were drafted this year. They are blue collar players.
     
    hasoos, Oct 21, 2009
    #38
  19. hasoos

    hasoos Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Oct 15, 2008
    Messages:
    9,418
    Likes Received:
    97
    Trophy Points:
    48
    Re: DANTE: Our best SF?

    It is early and we can't say much. All I can say is that Batum has shown me nothing on the improvement front this year so far. Nada. He is still just a defensive body out there. Webster is just like Webster from 2 years ago with more agressive attitude. Cunningham rolled in and pretty much scored as many points and rebounds as those two have together for the whole pre season, in one half of a game. You can't say "well it was against scrubs" either, because Martell was out there during that period of time, and he wasn't producing at that level, against the same scrubs.
     
    hasoos, Oct 21, 2009
    #39
  20. maxiep

    maxiep RIP Dr. Jack

    Joined:
    Sep 12, 2008
    Messages:
    28,303
    Likes Received:
    5,884
    Trophy Points:
    113
    Occupation:
    Merchant Banker
    Location:
    Denver, CO & Lake Oswego, OR
    He's a tweener. He's not quick enough to guard threes and not long or strong enough to handle fours. I don't particularly like tweeners, but I'm sure he'll be an okay bench player for us.
     
    maxiep, Oct 21, 2009
    #40
Page 2 of 3

Share This Page