Who is the most explosive scorer?

Another reason why we need a GM and coach (not to beat a dead horse).

If you are running an offense with a lot of motion, then Lillard and maybe Henson or PJIII make more sense. But, if you are running a PG centered, iso-driven offense, then maybe Drummond/Marshall makes more sense.

 

If you're running an iso, wouldn't you want the more explosive scorer at the point?

 

Depends on how you set it up and who is doing the iso. I'm thinking of the slog it into Oden type of iso. All you need is a good entry pass.

I'm hoping for a ball movement system and I think Lillard would look really nice in that, given that he is not a chucker, but still scores efficiently. He reminds me a bit of Tony Parker, but with a better outside shot.

But, if you are running a motion offense, where everyone needs to know where to be, do you really want a big center, who has yet to show that he really understands the game? Maybe someone more versatile would be better (Zeller?).

 

Is Drummond the kind of guy that you dump the ball into a lot? I think he has potential, but he's nowhere near a #1 option.

 

Potentially down the road I think he could be. Another thing to think about with Drummond is the fact that he is still only 18. Centers do not usually hit their prime or really round into form until their are 24-25 (see Bynum).

Having him develop next to LA for the next couple of years and start at center in a year or two would allow us to have a go-to post player when LA is hitting the tail end of his career. 7 years from now LA would be 33 and Drummond would be 25. Obviously we are talking waayyyyy down the road, but something to think about nonetheless.

 

Yeah... centers are so hard to predict though. They get a free pass because of their height all the way to the NBA if they're any good, but a guard has to work his ass off just to get to D1.

 

I think he's potentially like a Hibbert. Not dominant all the time, but could be for stretches.

 

Agreed, we have to have someome who can take it inside and also be able to dish out to shooters or make the bucket and/or draw fouls, Wes and Nic just do not have that ability. Maybe EWill can but we just have not seen enough. We'll have to see how the workout and Chi combine goes and of Lilliard ends up being a top 10 consensus pick.

 

Oh don't get me wrong, I wholeheartedly agree with you. Just pointing out that we were to take Drummond, the timing could potentially work perfectly.

Personally I love Lillard. I think he is getting a bad rap for not being a "pass-first" PG, but look at the squad he was on. Also, look at many of the top PG's today, Derrick Rose, Westbrook, John Wall, they are all explosive point guards with a scoring mentality. I'm not comparing Lillard to any of these players, just simply stating that the need for a true "pass-first" PG like Marshall is often overstated. Especially when Lillard's ability to get to the basket and ability to score the ball I think will open things up more for LA than having a PG like Marshall (with little offensive game).

The important thing I think, is if we take Lillard, you've got to start him right away and get his development going. He is 22, and IMO PG's develop much better and faster when thrown into the fire (see Conley, Westbrook, etc.)

 

Lillard. The more that I think about it, the more I want Lillard and a big. Lillard can be dynamic.

 

I'm curious if we could trade the 11th pick and someone maybe a future first to Toronto or Detroit if lillard goes up too high to be 11 but too low to draft at 6. I have a feeling the hornets will draft him or marshall when it comes to the draft.

That is if we swing and miss on a pg in free agency.

 

I think Rivers is an explosive scorer and more importantly a CLOSER....POR needs more (one?) player who actually WANTS the ball at the end of games....

 

Yes, I agree, but at the same time Rivers will likely measure in at 6'3 and does not have the mentality to be a PG at all. I think he'll end up being a great combo/scoring guard off the bench, but I don't like him with either pick and personally think he will be picked in the 13-18 range.

 

It's so hard to predict who will be a closer at the next level.

 

Part of being a closer is actually WANTING the ball in your hands at those moments....That is a problem with LA right now....and NO one else on the team wants the ball....

 

Nope... not our soon to be 10 million dollar man either.

 

I think LMA 'wants' the ball, but operating out of a pick and roll as the screener, or low post as an offensive player, isn't the same as being able to ISO and break down the defense. I don't really blame LMA for not being an elite closer. The only real PF I can think of who is an elite closer is Dirk, and that's because he can create offense from a wing or high post position as well as many SFs or SGs.

 

I don't necessarily blame LA either , he has gotten better, and a lot of times at the end of games teams tried to double or force the ball out of his hands, and why wouldn't they? Make Matthews or Felton beat you, and they couldn't....

Part of what makes a team like OKC so good is that they have 3 guys who can beat you at the end of games, much harder to take one out without opening yourself up to another to score\create against you....POR needs two more players who want to and can deliver at the end of games...

 

Roy was a closer in terms of late game offense. So was Miller, although to a much lesser degree, simply because he didn't trust his outside shot. Crawford and Felton were disastrous in that role.