Chad Ford Mock 10.0

[Ed O]

6: Lillard
11: Zeller

A boring, needs-based draft of older players.

Ugh. I really hope this doesn't happen.

Ed O.

 

[Fez Hammersticks]

Lillard could be there at #11 but I think we're going Leonard there.

Waiters all the way!

 

[Hank The Dwarf]

6: Lillard
11: Zeller

A boring, needs-based draft of older players.

Ugh. I really hope this doesn't happen.

Ed O.

Worst case scenario.. I will be truly disappointed if this happens.

 

[Tortimer]

Actually this wouldn't be that bad. I'm not a huge Zeller fan but at #11 would be a decent backup spot starter. I just don't want to reach for Drummand who won't be ready for at least a couple years if ever. These guys are ready and I think Lillard and Zeller has a chance to help right away(especially Lillard). The Blazers desperately need some one to be able to get his shot and help setup other players and Lillard has a chance. Lillard is the only guy in the draft that I can see. I'm not 100% sold on him either but he has the best shot. I would rather take Rivers at 11 or trade up to get him with Lillard and our backcourt might be good for years.

 

[Tortimer]

I wouldn't be upset with Waiters with our second pick instead of Rivers even if we had to move up. I don't want to use our first pick for Waiters though. I'm not sold on Waiters either. I hate Syracuse players in the NBA.

 

[Reep]

That wouldn't bother me at all. I also wouldn't mind any one of five or so other players at 11. I just don't want Soup Juggler (did I get it right MM?) or Rivers at 6.

 

[Mediocre Man]

That wouldn't bother me at all. I also wouldn't mind any one of five or so other players at 11. I just don't want Soup Juggler (did I get it right MM?) or Rivers at 6.

The Soup Juggler is preferred, but any derogatory will do just fine

 

[Blaze01]

6: Lillard
11: Zeller

A boring, needs-based draft of older players.

Ugh. I really hope this doesn't happen.

Ed O.

Man I agree Ed, this would just be the EXACT opposite of what Olshey has been preaching since he was hired...BPA over need....

I think if we see that happen it likely means Allen is playing GM and if that is the case Olshey is not long for the GM seat....

 

[Ed O]

These guys are ready and I think Lillard and Zeller has a chance to help right away(especially Lillard).

I don't know that the team is good enough to have to rely on a pair of rookies to play important roles. They might make the team better next year, but I don't think that we should be trying to immediately get back to mediocrity.

Ed O.

 

[BoBoBREWSKI]

I HOPE THIS DOES HAPPEN!

 

[Tortimer]

I don't know that the team is good enough to have to rely on a pair of rookies to play important roles. They might make the team better next year, but I don't think that we should be trying to immediately get back to mediocrity.

Ed O.

I can agree with you but if we are rebuilding let's completely rebuild. Draft a couple high upside high risk guys like Drummand. We also then need to re-think everything and trade LMA, Batum and start from scratch. If not Lillard is our best chance in this draft unless we have the 1st pick for Davis.

 

[Minstrel]

I can agree with you but if we are rebuilding let's completely rebuild. Draft a couple high upside high risk guys like Drummand. We also then need to re-think everything and trade LMA, Batum and start from scratch. If not Lillard is our best chance in this draft unless we have the 1st pick for Davis.

I think you have to go high risk/high reward (unless, of course, you have the incredibly rare opportunity to go low risk/high reward, but those are usually no-brainer #1 picks like Tim Duncan). It's almost impossible to win a championship without at least one superstar and it's almost impossible to land a true superstar in trade or free agency. You have to hope to draft one and the only way to do that is to take risks.

 

[Tortimer]

I think you have to go high risk/high reward (unless, of course, you have the incredibly rare opportunity to go low risk/high reward, but those are usually no-brainer #1 picks like Tim Duncan). It's almost impossible to win a championship without at least one superstar and it's almost impossible to land a true superstar in trade or free agency. You have to hope to draft one and the only way to do that is to take risks.

I agree almost 100% with you opinion but the Blazers are a terrible team right now IMO. They need someone like Lillard/Rivers or better to be able to make shots. We have nobody on the roster that can create a shot for themselves and other players and Liilard is the best person to take a risk IMO in this draft. Like I said I'm not 100% sold on him either just the best chance of being that player. Drummand is going to be a bust IMO but does have a slim chance of being a star in a few years and if we were completely rebuilding I might take a chance on him but no way I would waste a top 10 pick maybe or 11th.

 

[Tortimer]

Even if Drummand turns into a star best case IMO is 2-3 years and by then LMA is 30+ years and unhappy because we sucked bad for the last 3 years and wouldn't resign with us.

 

[BlazerBeliever]

I want Lillard at 6 and Waiters at 11. However I am also good with Leonard at 11 along with several other players.

 

[RoyToy]

Lillard is a no-brainer at 6. PGoTF, right attitude, and oh yeah...he's.really good.

11 is tricky. I hope the Blazers don't feel like they HAVE to take a big man. Zeller and Leonard just don't do much for me.

 

[Mediocre Man]

I HOPE THIS DOES HAPPEN!

Honest question, Bobo. What is it about Zeller that either excites you or makes you think he will be any different than

Joel Przybilla
Cole Aldrich
Spencer Hawes
Robert Swift
Chris Kaman
Chris Mihm


That is the last 12 years of white American centers taken in the lottery. There have absolutely been some brutal misses with Black centers as well, btu at least there have been some hits with them

 

[Fez Hammersticks]

Aldrich is an interesting comparison...

He was a beast at Kansas but nothing has translated on the NBA level.

Zeller's 8'8" reach will hurt him in the NBA.

 

[HailBlazers]

Even if Drummand turns into a star best case IMO is 2-3 years and by then LMA is 30+ years and unhappy because we sucked bad for the last 3 years and wouldn't resign with us.

Totally agree, this is the #1 reason why I've moved off his wagon.

Lillard is a no-brainer at 6. PGoTF, right attitude, and oh yeah...he's.really good.

Better than Barnes if he slips???

 

[The_Lillard_King]

Honest question, Bobo. What is it about Zeller that either excites you or makes you think he will be any different than

Joel Przybilla
Cole Aldrich
Spencer Hawes
Robert Swift
Chris Kaman
Chris Mihm


That is the last 12 years of white American centers taken in the lottery. There have absolutely been some brutal misses with Black centers as well, btu at least there have been some hits with them

I don't know if they were drafted but some good big white me include: Okur, Bougt, Bargnanni, Gortat, Lee, Love. Gasol (x2), Lopez (?) . . . sure there are others

 

[Blaze01]

Everything that Olshey has said to to date and what he even said in the article today by Jason Quick reiterates BPA over need, EVEN IF there is positional redundancy as he put it....

So I don't see a Zeller or Leonard at #11.....That would be a reach for filling a need at a position instead of going with better talent....and it could mean the same thing at #6 with Lillard (need at PG), but that is a little more cloudy, maybe they do view him as best player available....I just cannot see how that could be the case though with potentially guys like Barnes, MKG, Rivers or Waiters on the board....but it is possible....

Zeller\Leonard at #11 though? No way...

 

[Mediocre Man]

I don't know if they were drafted but some good big white me include: Okur, Bougt, Bargnanni, Gortat, Lee, Love. Gasol (x2), Lopez (?) . . . sure there are others

American is the key word

Bogut is Croatian via Australia, Lee and Love are PF's. Gasol 2.0 are Spaniards and Lopez 2.0 are 1/2 Cuban

 

[The_Lillard_King]

American is the key word

Bogut is Croatian via Australia, Lee and Love are PF's. Gasol 2.0 are Spaniards and Lopez 2.0 are 1/2 Cuban

Zeller is listed as PF/C


Also I would take a "Kaman" at the 11 spot.

Not a Zeller fan, I just think it is a wierd argument to say Zeller will be a bust based on the history of American White Centers.

 

[Draco]

Lillard Zeller would be a horrific draft. Bring on the John Nash era 2.0!

 

[Mediocre Man]

Zeller is listed as PF/C


Also I would take a "Kaman" at the 11 spot.

Not a Zeller fan, I just think it is a wierd argument to say Zeller will be a bust based on the history of American White Centers.

It has absolutely no basis, just like Soup Juggler and Syracuse, but I stand by it

 

[BoBoBREWSKI]

Honest question, Bobo. What is it about Zeller that either excites you or makes you think he will be any different than

Joel Przybilla
Cole Aldrich
Spencer Hawes
Robert Swift
Chris Kaman
Chris Mihm


That is the last 12 years of white American centers taken in the lottery. There have absolutely been some brutal misses with Black centers as well, btu at least there have been some hits with them

Zeller can run the floor, more athletic than message board geeks give him credit for, great fundamentals, solid mid range outside jumper, plays hard, and solid rebounder.

 

[DaLincolnJones]

Zeller can run the floor, more athletic than message board geeks give him credit for, great fundamentals, solid mid range outside jumper, plays hard, and solid rebounder.

but he is white....


pffft you cant tell those who do not want to listen.

Zeller will be a good solid pro with the drive he has shown, he should be above average. I could see him at 14 PPG, ten boards, and three assists

 

[Mediocre Man]

but he is white....


pffft you cant tell those who do not want to listen.

Zeller will be a good solid pro with the drive he has shown, he should be above average. I could see him at 14 PPG, ten boards, and three assists

I won't listen. He is white and American. Jeff Foster maybe?

 

[magnifier661]

I hope we aren't picking two first rounders this draft. Hopefully we package on with a player to get a player in return. I like Lillard at #6 though. He maybe the PGotF for our ballclub. The #11 and a player should net us a good player in return though.

 

[BoBoBREWSKI]

but he is white....


pffft you cant tell those who do not want to listen.

Zeller will be a good solid pro with the drive he has shown, he should be above average. I could see him at 14 PPG, ten boards, and three assists

Agree!
and 1.5 blocks.