Watching these playoffs one thing is becoming obvious, a team can't succeed without a couple players who can create for themselves. Right now LMA is the only blazer who can kind of create for himself, and even he is only decent at it. I really like batum, but he doesn't have the handles or mentality to create. Wes has the mentality but not the vision or handles. EW is the only other blazer who has any chance of developing this ability in the future. With all the new measurements some players are shooting up the mocks based on athletic ability, but if that athletism doesn't translate to an ability to create for themselves, I think we should pass, at least for every position other than center where defense is most important. I did not watch a ton of NCAA bball this year so most of my opinions are based on clip, which can be real deceiving. So, who do you think are able to create for themselves? Beal, Lillard, MKG?
Rivers, I never understood how on some of the negatives from him are his athleticism. Watching him throughout the year he was always the most athletic player on the court.
I disagree, he is definitely NBA ready. What he should have done is gone to a different school. Duke was not a good fit for his style of play. If he went to a school that showcased his talents he would be a lock in the top 10 or even 5.
You or someone else posted this same thing a week ago, and I totally agreed that it's the thing most lacking on the Blazers, and that it's just a fancy way of saying, we need better dribblers at all positions. Worth repeating.
Honestly, any quote from someone involved in the nba is expected to say good stuff most of the time, and because this is rivers, even more reason not to trust the source or at least expect some exaggeration. Im not saying flip is wrong, just that I don't trust the quote.
Dion Waiters=Bayless+Foye. I like Royce White. I think he'd grow to like Portland and its eccentric atmosphere. He can handle the ball for his size, pass, rebound, score, hustle, etc. Would be a great sixth man or would make either Batum/Mathews into a good sixth man. Would be a good glue guy. A project for sure, though. Lamb, though he performed poorly, still has potential to be a steal. He'll be like Batum, imo. Several years of inconsistent play before he can be labelled a failed/successful project. Rivers will be a better Jamal Crawford. Let Golden State have him. I don't a chucker on this team. Lillard. He'll be a solid player. He's got all the makings of a Jarret Jack, Devin Harris, or Jeff Teague rather than a Rondo, Rose, or a Westbrook. Would prefer someone else with the 11th pick. Marshall. Contrary to other great handler/passers/flashy guys like Sergio or Telfair, Marshall has a little more substance and awareness to his game. As with Telfair and Sergio, if he works on his outside shot, he'll be a pretty good player. I do, however, think he'll bring a leadership/tempo controlling ability to the Blazers not seen since a healthy Brandon Roy.
What about MKG? He is so highly ranked but unless it's a fast break has he shown the ability to create for himself? At least consistently. Especially in the nba with bigger, stronger players on the inside.
For some reason when I watch MKG I think of a stronger Jerome Kersey...the hustle, the defense, scrappiness...energy....I think that MKG is more of a leader than Jeromio ever was....and POR could really use a leader...Jerome developed a nice outside shot as he got older and the hope is that MKG could as well...He is going to score\rebound\defend and hustle all over the court....fans will love him....the question for me is will he be Gerald Wallace 2.0 or something better? Preferably he ends up as Gerald Wallace with a consistent outside shot..or better, a guy like Pippen.
Lillard and Rivers are probably the best in this draft at creating for both themselves and their teammates. Whoever said Lamb must be kidding.
Didn't think MKG had the shooting ability of Elliot, but I would love it if that comparison were accurate..... I said Lamb and I don't know how anyone who has watched him play cannot see that the guy is just a natural scorer....He can get a shot when he wants and he reads defenses very well...his problem is cannot he create for others...usually when he attacks it is for himself....
