Official '13-'14 Blazers Training Camp Thread

For some reason it won't play for me.

 

I'm still really excited about Thomas Robinson. I think people are going to regret passing him off so easily.

 

Consider the source, but one of my peeps says he is "beasting" in practices!


Sent from my baller ass iPhone 5 FAMS!

 

This. I've said it before (as have several others), this could ultimately be one of the biggest steals we've seen in some time. I'd like to think the Hornets were considering drafting T-Rob at #1, because I thought he was that enticing. I love Lillard, but at the time, it was hard not getting excited about some rumors that had us trading to #2 to take Robinson. To have a proven Lillard, and now have Robinson for cheap, talk about a gift. He seems like the type that learned and was motivated from last season, not the type to wallow and become entrapped. So I see him making strides. I love LMA, and I think we're not deep with bigs (we are, I believe if everyone is healthy), but I'm not terrified if LMA were to go down for ten games. I was nervous about Sheed, when we had a young, unproven Z-Bo. Zach stepped in and was quite solid for a young guy getting his first taste. It's nice to at least feel like we have some young, serious potential on the bench.

 

Yeah Robinson is the guy I'm probably most excited for too. I was thinking before the 2012 draft how cool it would be if we traded up to get him and could run a frontcourt with him and LaMarcus along with another big off the bench. With Lopez on board I've basically got my wish. All these bigs bring unique strengths, and should be able to play together. LaMarcus mentioned at media day how he thought he could play some 5 with TRob at the 4 so I'm glad he isn't insisting he only plays PF. Sounds like LMA just wanted to have a center in the for at least a part of the game which he never had at all last season.

 

I think that's why the last few years have been so rough. We went through a stretch of having an embarrassment of riches in the frontcourt. That really changed once we lost Warkentein. He was our big man scout. When you have someone like Luke Babbitt playing the four, that means you have a fucking problem.

 

Add me to the list of people most excited about Robinson this coming season. I think he'll have his growing pains but he'll also make some solid strides in becoming the player most thought he would be last year.

 

Yeah it kinda reminds me of the summer of 1996 (I believe that's correct). We were going to trade Strickland to the Bullets for #4 and draft Wallace or KG in 1995. I was so stoked. It fell apart. We made it happen the next year. Good things came of that. Hoping for a similar situation now.

 

Yeah, in terms of raw athleticism I think Robinson is definitely up there. Obviously Sheed was a freak, but I think Robinson could be super dominant with how strong and quick he is.

 

Yeah different type players. Just similar overall things, in that we were rumored to be moving up for both players, both loaded with potential, and we get them a year later as potentially key pieces to rebuilding. Very different. Ironically, you combine the two, and you might just have the greatest PF ever.

 

I think Robinson reminds me of Brian Grant. Obviously there are differences, but their college numbers are very similar.

Grant's senior year at Xavier - 17.3 ppg, 10.3 boards, 55 FG%

Robinson's senior year at Kansas - 17.7 ppg, 11.9 boards, 52 FG%

 

Not a bad comp, though I do think Robinson came to the NBA with a higher ceiling, at least as far as from the analysts' perspective.

 

I think so too, but BG was drafted 8th overall in 1994. He had a decent rookie season too. I think Robinson is more athletic, and has the potential to be a more effective scorer than Grant ever was.

 

Re: TRob: if he does become good, it will be a total mystery why two teams basically gave away a high lottery pick for nothing.

Don't forget what we saw in summer league: a great rebounder who looked lost when he tried to do other things.

 

I'd look to develop him as primarily a p&r player -- like how PHX brought along Stoudemire.

 

As am and do I. I'm not sure when, maybe from day one, maybe at the break, or maybe next year, but I think he has the tools to be a very food player