FEZ, i just don't agree with you. I have problems issues with many players that I think could limit their ability at the next level. I am not sure exactly where every player fits 1 through 6, but Lillard could certainly be there. MKG has no range and limited handles. Great physical features, and a kickass mindframe, so I think I would take him above Lillard, but if the coaching staff thought his shot was unfixable, he would slide behind. Beal - a shooter who didn't shoot that well last year and is a little undersized. I don't think he is much of a better prospect than lillard if at all. But both of those guys I would likely take above Lillard Barns - I don't think he will be as good as Lillard in the NBA. It's one thing to not be a good passer or creater but it's another thing to know that's your weakness and still not improve. He can score and has excellent measurements, but his scoring is not very efficient and for all his athletic ability, he does not have a quick first step. He will succeed to a degree at the next level, but I doubt he ever becomes an all star. down the road, I see him as being the third best player on a team. Drummond - I think I take him above Lillard but without actually being able to be there for the interviews or workouts, I really don't know if Itrust he will ever become half of what he is capable of. Good for us, those making the decision get much more info then we do. My point is not that one of these guys is great and one sucks, or that Lillard is certainly in the top 6 BPA, just that there are enough questions that need to be answered about many of these players and that without all the access that the team gets, we really cant say if Lillard is in the top 6 or not. And to say is wrong. It's possible, and by my personal assessment, likely.
Thanks HCP. SOunds like they may have a tough decision between Drummond and Lillard. There are worse places to be Anyone think they will go with the proven scorer over the big center this time? Twice bitten . . .
You guys know I don't claim to have inside sources like some on here. Can't post everything I hear or see, but this is a legit post. He reads this forum, hope I don't get busted.
He better be for real, b\c IMO better players will be chosen after him and if he isn't an all star caliber player then heads should fucking roll.... You just can't keep fucking up drafts like that.....
Hell, if the kid has 'it' I'm all on board ... (please tell me it wasn't Buchanan creaming his shorts over him).
Ok lets for a second say Lillard is our guy at 6, which player who right now is in most people's top 6 do you pass on? I am guessing it won't be someone who can play center minutes (Davis or Drummond) or a SG (Beal). So that leaves two SF's (MKG/Barnes) and a PF (Robinson) What one guy would you pass on for Lillard?
That is highly debatable. Maybe in your opinion they are, but as someone pointed out above, EVERYONE in this draft has a serious weakness or concern about them, especially your current man crushes Drummond and Waiters. Ideally, of course, I think Lillard would be a great pick at 8, but if he is showing he can play PG at the NBA level, you take him at 6 no questions asked. There is one thing for certain that I think the Blazers have to address if we ever hope to be a contender and that is the point guard position. For the love of god, we need a point guard that we can plug in and forget about addressing the position for a long period of time. Personally, and so it seems many others do as well, I think Lillard will not have a problem tranisitioning into the NBA as a PG. The position has transformed in the last couple of years and is much more about the offensive skill of the PG and opening up the game for players via attacking the rim and shooting well from outside--something Lillard excels at. We can go back and forth, and who knows maybe next week it will be Lillard's jock that you are riding but I think the word (and video) from these past few workouts has cemented my thoughts of Lillard as a future All-Star in the NBA.
I don't think anyone here would disagree that if Lillard had his numbers at a major school he would be in the top 3. As far as who I would pass on--it requires more information than I have access too. The decision makers need to think hard if they would take Drummond, MKG or Barnes over Lillard. I don't think any of those are easy decisions. Drummond: has looked good in workouts, but what happened last year? And what about that FT%? MKG: Will he ever be able to shoot? Top 5 is too high for a lock down defender with a big motor Barnes: Will he ever do anything but shoot? Sure he's athletic, but without a handle can he use it? Notice how much his production fell after Marshall went out. No slam dunk here.
It would be tough, but I think I would go with one of the SF's. Not saying I would do it, but if I had to choose one that the Blazer management passed on for Lillard, MKG would be the least painful. The ceiling for all the others is more IMO.
Picking Lillard at 6 is perfectly logical if he is there with two other players the Blazers think are the same 'tier' (i.e. Beal, Drummond, Barnes). He would fill the greatest need (PG). We can get another SG (i.e. Waiters) or maybe a post (the great white hope) at 11. Then go free agent shopping, bring in Freeland and Claver, sign Hickson and Batum. I like the position we are in.
Exactly my thoughts, well put. What Fez fails to really see is that if those 3 are the ones avaliable at our pick, I honestly think Lillard could possibly be the safest pick. Sure, Drummond has looked great in workouts, but a questionable motor is a HUGE red flag. Look at Bynum, sure he has turned into a dominant force, but look at his attitude and actions during the playoffs. I'm sorry, but unless POR knows something I don't I would not feel comfortable taking him at 6. This is an important draft, and taking someone like Lillard who is not only safe, but also has a high ceiling, is something I think we really need to do. I have a feeling that if MKG is not taking by WAS at 3, then he is going to fall. His complete lack of a shot is very worrisome, and like you said, I just don't see a Gerald Wallace type player being worthy of a Top 6 pick. Barnes is the only one I feel somewhat comfortable about as an NBA player. While MKG's motor will definitely have an impact in the NBA, Barnes has the potential to be a much bette pro. The draft is going to be very interesting, but with two franchise cornerstones at the 3 and 4, the addition of an offensive-minded point guard, I think gives us a balanced and well-rounded core heading into the rest of the off-season.
I would not mind using the 11 pick on a SG with good passing skills. I think Rivers could be a good compliment to Lillard. Maybe not year one, but a Liilard, Rivers, Batum, and LMA corner stone would not suck. You could sell that to a FA center. Re-sign JJ Hickson and you have a good solid young nucleus.
Freeman on Lillard........ http://www.oregonlive.com/blazers/i...raft_damian_lillard_humble_but_confident.html
we have a 23 yr old Batum who we will likely match an offer for, I would only take one of these SF's "IF" they were clearly better than our other 6 pick choices like Drummond or Lillard, and from what I can assess that does not appear to be the case. I think you take a PG or C at the 6, the only choice that might make that questionable is if Trob drops to #6
