Are these guys you want for us, or just a general guys you like out of the draft for any team, of guys you think will be good?
Well being that this is a weak draft and I don't like Portland drafting another big in this draft, I like Oladipo, Glenn Robinson III (Move Batum to SG) I don't know a lot about Smart although I read he is more of a PG and we don't need that. I kinda like McAdoo but he's a big and I just don't think the Blazers should look for a big in this draft. The Blazers should be looking at someone like Tiago Splitter or Al Jefferson, Nikola Pekovic in free agency. Zaza Pachulia is a free agent and if Leonard is ready to start Pachulia might not be a bad backup. I'm sure there are more also. If we could take someone like Oladipo and make Mathews expandable that might be a plus because he could bring in good trade value.
i like noel smart shabazzle oladipo mccollum that greek dude jonny adetakouballz for potential olynick will be a solid pro, not a star, and porter reminds me of battier for no reason at all
Do you think Batum has the handles for SG? I like Gary Haris also for the same reasons you mentioned Olapido, except Im thinking more of solidifying the bench with an eye on the future. I know a lot of people like Olynyk, but im not sure what to think about him. Word is he might be a better 4 and he is soft in paint..... seems we already have one of those.
Does the SG need to have better handles than the SF? Seems like an old school way of positional thinking, where each guy does X. Batum's handles are similar to Wes'. And then it comes to what you're asking each position to do. Nic has looked pretty decent at running a little pick and roll this season with JJ. So he can handle enough in those situations, and show himself to be adept at getting easy baskets for teammates.
True but your SG does need to have a reasonable ability to break down defenders. Batum has been stellar in many areas but Im still 50/50 on his ability as a full time SG. If the powers that be think he can do it, then Im on board.
I'd love all of them to be able to, really. But, just looking at other teams. Chicago has had a top record with virtually no SG. One of the main reasons I have really started to like Batum as a SF is, while he is a good defender, the biggest key to his good defense is his length. It's what gives him the flexibility to cover 1-4. It's also, unfortunately, what makes him less effective against guys like Durant, who aren't going to be bothered by his length. Or guys like Carmelo at SF< who are just that much stronger than he is. If he's a 2, and you have a legit 3 also, it gives us a much better defensive rotation.
I think Smart would do so well next to Lillard. They could share PG duties and Smart would guard either PG or SG's.
I think Smart would do so well next to Lillard. They could share PG duties and Smart would guard either PG or SG's.
Well I think all 3 fit the same thing. Obviously if its a guy I like, I'd want him for our team and I think he'd be good.
Didn't watch much college ball this year, and this year's class hasn't provided anyone I'm completely smitten with. I like Noel, Porter, Burke, Oladipo but every one of them seem like poor value for where they're slated to be picked- which is the product of this poor draft class. Withey and Dieng both seem like solid late 1st picks. I like Russ Smith as a 2nd rounder. Guys a damn good scorer and definitely worth a flier IMO. Hes small but pretty athletic, really quick, incredibly skilled, and fearless as hell. Could pan out to be an instant offense kind of backup PG. Patric Young was never that impressive but hes another guy who's worth a flier in the second just based on his athleticism. If he rebounds and develops any kind of offense or jumper he'd be a decent role player a la Speights. Phil Pressey and DeShaun Thomas would also be decent second rounders with a chance to stick in the NBA. Guys I really don't like: Len, Isiah Austin.
I'm interested in another C that will be on board around where the Blazers pick. I really like a defensive player to pair with the offensive Leonard. The three that interest me are Gobert, Withey and Dieng.
I think his point was 2 of those guys you listed have a chance of being around when Portland picks and the other 3 have no chance of being around when Portland picks. So it was confusing what your question was. As for Smart I only watched him play the one game against Oregon and he did not look very good, but if he is still there at #12 I would certainly take him based on size and potential. But he won't fall that far. Porter is a guy who I am not all that impressed with. He seems a little over rated to me. His position in the NBA will be a small forward, but he can't shoot or dribble very well. Maybe I just saw his two worst games. Trey Burke is all over the mock draft boards. He is talented, but he is too small to play with Lillard. But I wouldn't pass on him at 12. But he would be strictly a back up. One guy I am intrigued with is Rudy Gobert. He looks to be a legitimate 7'1" and very athletic. Yes he is skinny, but he is young and will fill out. He is no stiff that's for sure. I think the Blazers should take a long look at this guy. Certainly Nic can fill them in. I bet he moves up the boards in the next two months.
Just looking down DE's 2013 Mock... Anthony Bennett Victor Oladipo Gorgui Dieng Myck Kabongo (lottery talent, but for some reason they have him in the mid-second) Phil Pressey Trevor Mbakwe Seth Curry (not even included in their mock) It really depends on where they're projected versus where I think they should be though. For example, I think some mocks have Alex Len way too high, but if I were picking at #12 like the Blazers probably will, I'd definitely consider him, not in the #5-10 range though. I also see that most mocks have Adonis Thomas going undrafted, but if I were picking in the mid-2nd, I'd consider him a steal. He was underwhelming at Memphis, but trust me when I say that this area is bad for the local recruits to stay in. He should have transferred instead of declaring, but regardless, he's still got talent, and a playoff team picking mid-2nd with some vets that can also spare sending him to the D-League can acquire a lottery talent in the second round by picking him up. There are also some guys in this year's draft that I just wouldn't want on my team, at least in the area they're being projected at. That's an easier but shorter list to make - Cody Zeller (wouldn't take him that high) Michael Carter-Williams (same as above) Archie Goodwin (couldn't pay me to draft him)
Without having watched as much college BB (or any, for that matter) as I usually do, I think my strategy still applies (especially since the bench was hot garbage for most of the year): load up on projects/niche players/Tremendous Upside Potential/risks in the 2nd round. Sign them to team-friendly DeJuan Blair-like deals (3-4 years @ 900k per or something). Some players I like for this year: Nate Wolters. No-brainer for me. Saric or Adetokunbo if they drop to the 2nd. Nogueira a tier below these guys. Westermann's intriguing, but probably not a good enough prospect to rate it. CJ Wilcox as a pure bench shooter. If you see something from guys like Kabongo/Pressey/etc. who've dropped.
