I hear ya, but honestly I've never felt better about player development as a Blazer fan as with Neil at the helm.
http://portlandtribune.com/pt/12-sports/265050-138439-connaughton-will-have-a-shot-with-blazers The Trail Blazers acquired early second-round pick Pat Connaughton on Thursday as a piece in a draft-day trade with the Brooklyn Nets. Within the hour, Connaughton was drafted 39th by Brookyln and then dealt, with Portland sending its first-round selection, No. 23 Rondae Hollis-Jefferson from Arizona -- to the Nets for Connaughton and third-year NBA center Mason Plumlee. Not only did Connaughton assist Notre Dame basketball to the Elite Eight last season, averaging 12.5 points and 7.4 rebounds and shooting 42.3 percent from 3-point range, but he also was a pitcher for the Irish baseball team. The Blazers’ first order of business is to find out which sport Connaughton plans to pursue. ... “We’re really high on Pat. He can really shoot the ball. He’s a big-time athlete,” Portland general manager Neil Olshey said. “He’s going to help (coach) Terry Stotts with his release on the mound next time he throws a pitchout.” Olshey added that Connaughton plans to play in the Las Vegas Summer League in July, although as a second-round pick he has not signed a contract yet, nor guaranteed himself a spot on the season roster. Blazers such as Allen Crabbe, Will Barton and Armon Johnson have earned multi-year chances with the franchise after being selected in the second round. And, the 22-year old Connaughton has athleticism on his side, as he posted a 44-inch maximum vertical leap at the NBA Draft Combine in June. While the Blazers know what they’re getting out of Plumlee, the potential impact of Connaughton is uncertain, though. “We didn’t get a chance to have him in [for a private workout],” Branch said. “His agent would not let him come in here.”
I hate Notre Dame, but after seeing Connaughton interviewed at the halftime of a postseason all-star game, I came away impressed and willing to root for this one specific Irishman. A clearly bright guy who has a competitive edge to him. He will be easy for the fanbase to root for.
Really? Did you not see the Notre Dame/Kentucky game where the 6'5" Connaughton started at power forward and pulled down as many rebounds as top 6 picks Towns and Cauley-Stein combined? If there is one thing I'm NOT worried about from Connaughton, it's his heart (or his effort). The guy puts it out there. It was no fluke ND won the ACC. They went a combined 4-1 against Duke and UNC, and Connaughton was a big part of that. Talent, not effort, will limit how far he goes in the NBA. BNM
I didn't see the game but saw highlights. And I didn't mean he lacked it just meant it might not be on Wes' level (who I and others were comparing him to) but that is only because Wes might have the most heart out of any player in the whole NBA. I am actually pretty well sold on this kid. Other's need convincing.
I wouldn't be shocked if this guy started day one. Not as a big minutes guy but like a rookie Batum did.
I'm not that high on the guy, but I do see him developing into a solid rotation player of the bench. I think his lack of lateral quickness may make it difficult for him to guard other starting NBA SGs, but hey, J.J. Reddick is a starting SG in the NBA and Connaughton is more athletic, in general, than him. So, you never know. BNM
