Notice Official Blazer Press Release - TRAIL BLAZERS ACQUIRE DRAFT RIGHTS TO JAKE LAYMAN

Archived video of Jake the Snake from the future:

 

And the board confusion continues, with people posting to both threads. No one has a clue why Sly won't merge them, or started the problem in the first place.

 

I want him to develop a good one-dribble step-back so we can call him Jake'n'Bake. Or an up'n'under in the post would fit the bill, too.

 

Not at all comparable. Novak was an elite shooter and a below average athlete. Layman is way more athletic and not as good of a shooter. If were going to make lazy comparisons based on skin color, Parsons is the best one.

 

I referenced nothing about skin color. I simply stated stats.

Lazy comparison? Thank you for that analysis. I agree Parson's is a good comparison. Although he was a better college rebounder and assists than both Layman and Novak.

Finding a good comparison involves more than simply skin color and 'look' of athleticism. I believe the results of their actions (stats) are what should be compared.

If Layman can achieve only a fraction of Parsons has achieved so far (5 seasons, 14.3 ppg), I'd be very happy. Novak to me seemed like a more reasonable ceiling (10 seasons, 4.7 ppg).

 

So the Blazers received what 90% of you computer nerds are so desperately seeking.......... a lay, man.

 

What we really want is a lay, man on the white side.

 

GOLF, $1.2 MILLION, AND A PHONE CALL: HOW LAYMAN BECAME A BLAZER
http://www.csnmidatlantic.com/maryland-terps/golf-12-million-and-phone-call-how-layman-became-blazer

 

It was a lazy comparison because they're nothing alike. Only thing they have in common is skin color. Using stats to compare players is an interesting method to say the least.

 

“I heard that they were very interested in me. I’ve watched them play a lot,” Layman said. “They shoot a lot of threes. Their offense fits me well, so I think it’s a great fit.”

 

It remains to be seen if Layman can play defense in the NBA. His scouting video listed it as a weakness and showed him getting posted up by guys 4 inches shorter than him. And Luke Babbitt can jump.. His vertical at the combine was less than 2 inches less than Layman's.

 

Draft express had this to say about his D......"With his athletic profile, and strong lateral quickness, Layman has the potential to be a versatile stopper with multi-positional defensive prowess. He can be a real playmaker here, playing the passing lanes for a steal or rotating over for a huge block at the rim, but his consistency is a question mark on this side of the floor as well. Layman has a tendency to drift defensively and can be a step slow to react to off-ball movement or dribble penetration. Bringing a high level of effort and intensity every possession could turn him into a more well-rounded defensive player and help him provide more value to his professional team. To his credit, Layman improved on this part of his game as his career moved on, and it's rare to find a 6'9 player who can effectively guard three positions like he showed the ability to at times.

 

I can pretty much assure you that he can't play NBA defense right now. However, I think that eventually he will be a much, much better defender than Babbitt Nation ever was, and a Babbitt that can defend is an excellent NBA player, maybe even a starter. All players fill out, and with the appropriate gym workouts done by Blazer players, his body will develop to where it needs to be.

That being said, I'll repeat that I'm a Blazer Homer during the offseason.

 

I really don't get it in regards to Layman. I imagine no one here would have selected him after purposefully trading for that second round draft pick. But, I do have a lot of trust in Olshey. I have to imagine that he sees something in the kid to warrant targeting him specifically. I still don't get it, but I'm just going to have to give Olshey the benefit of the doubt on this one.

 

A quote from maybe my favorite movie (Charlie Wilson's War): "You can teach 'em to type, but you can't teach 'em to grow tits."

The blazer philosophy is that it is easier to teach hard working shooters to do most anything, than it is to teach athletic players to shoot.

Considering Layman's skill set, he's a logical pick for the Blazer's system. Apparently, before his agent told Layman where he was going, his agent used the term "home run" to describe this fit.

 

And at 47, I think it's all about fit. If this guy ever makes an NBA roster, it's a win. If he doesn't it didn't cost us any players or even any cap space, just some of PA's loose change. His upside may not be huge, but the risk is negligible. As I said originally, he's cheap insurance for the 14th or 15th rooster spot.

BNM

 

Before the beginning of the season he was projected as a first round pick. So I don't think it was as much of a reach as it sounds.
Apparently he dropped because his stats did, while playing on a very deep and good Maryland team. But he picked it up toward the end of the season. I think the increase in Euros hurt his draft stock as well.

 

I understand your point, but you can't just ignore the defensive side of the ball when throwing out small ball lineups. To use your example, even Channing Frye rebounds to average level for a PF and can guard bigs competently. Layman will struggle to do either at even a below average level. Ultimately it's a moot point as he's not going to be asked to play that role, especially if Harkless is retained this summer.