Keeping our pick? This might be a Lottery year

i've been really cold on AJ Griffin but his 3pt efficiency is undeniable. Still scoffing at the ubiquitous Jimmy Butler comps-- I think he's more like a Wayne Ellington/taller Ben McLemore.

 

He’s a tough one to get a read on for sure. It kinda funny that he move like Jimmy butler but doesn’t play like him necessarily. He’s a way better 3 point shooter than butler ever was. But he doesn’t seem to have a playmaker skill or defense that butler possessed. I think March madness will give us a really good read on him

 

Diallo was 46 in his class. Sharpe is consensus top 5. Not exactly the same.

But if you wanted to compare to a prospect who was a top 10 high school class kid with little to no college experience, look no further than Anfernee Simons. Simons was ranked anywhere 5-10 in his class and didn't go to college.

 

I can't believe we are tied with the Knicks now. I looked at the Knicks schedule and there's a chance they lose every game from now until the end of the season. Holy shit. We really need to tank even harder.

 

so Portland and the Knicks sink together.

 

I dont think theres a chance he goes late lottery.

 

Wish I could combine Agbaji and Bruan's skillsets.

I'm cool with Agbaji late lotto though if we keep both and go one swing and one safe pick.

 

I would do everything humanly possible to get Ivey still. Superstar. They need to tank like no team has tanked before.

 

i caught the purdue wisconsin game yesterday. really liked ivey even with his missed FTs.

thought davis was a bit better.

 

Wasserman just released his mock, I think he’s one of the best draft analysts out right now

https://bleacherreport.com/articles...hake-up-in-the-top-5-full-2-round-predictions



9. Portland Trail Blazers: Jalen Duren (Memphis, C, Freshman)
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1. 
   Currently projected to pick twice in the lottery, the Portland Trail Blazers figure to be thinking about Jalen Duren with one of those selections.
   
   Their No. 28-ranked defense would benefit from adding a rim protector like Duren, who offers a unique mix of power, length and bounce around the basket.
   
   He's also been more productive offensively over Memphis' last seven games, averaging 14.6 points on 65.1 percent shooting and 71.4 percent from the line. The hope is that he has the room to improve his low-post footwork and mid-range touch, considering he's still just 18 years old. In the meantime, Duren will be used as a finishing target, offensive rebounder and defensive presence.
   

10. Portland Trail Blazers (via NOP): Bennedict Mathurin (Arizona, SG/SF, Soph.)
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1. 
   With the New Orleans Pelicans pick, the Portland Trail Blazers could grab Bennedict Mathurin to add athleticism and shooting to their wing.
   
   One of the draft's purest shot-makers, he just rattled off four consecutive 20-point games in February for the top-three Arizona Wildcats. And at 6'6", 210 pounds, he's earned 32 dunks while shooting 53.6 percent inside the arc.
   
   Mathurin could improve his off-the-dribble and mid-range game, but in Portland alongside Damian Lillard and Anfernee Simons, he'd be in a good spot to play to his strengths as a catch-and-score weapon.
   
   
   
   1. 
      
      39. Portland Trail Blazers: Ousmane Dieng (New Zealand Breakers, SG/SF, 2003)
      
      1. 
         
         58. Portland Trail Blazers (via Grizzlies): Keon Ellis (Alabama, SG, Senior)
         
      
      

 

Duren is okay. I am a little concern about how he walk, run, and sprint. There’s something off there. He’s gonna have knee issue at some point. I am coming around on Mathurin. He got a solid size for a SG who can play SF. It will be nice to see what he does in March madness, as it will be for literally every other prospect in lottery

 

Damn....Pelicans with back to back 30 point wins. Ingram was 15-19.

 

jabari with shades of KD in his game tonight. he's been scoring at will as of late.

dear god please let us be in position to land someone like him.

 

So here is a question. Is the lottery based on regular season records? I assume it still is, but hypothetically if the Pelicans finish 10th in the west but somehow end up winning the championship, are they still a lottery team? The play in game has my half brain confused

 

GS finished with a better record, but Memphis is starred as a playoff team and GS isn’t

 

Is it? Alright. Thank you

 

20 games to go. Blazers tied with the Knicks for the #8 Lottery spot. New Orleans now in the Play-In, but it would take a lot for them not to have to still win 2 games to get into the Playoffs. They will likely catch the Lakers for #9, but they are 6 games back of the Clippers for the #8 spot which likely means they would still have to win twice to get into the Playoffs where Portland would not get their Lottery pick. Unfortunately, that means the pick is also likely to be in the #12-13 range.

That would be somewhere around the Jalen Duren, Ben Mathurin, Jeremy Sochan range. Happy to use that one in a trade.

Knicks - could easily lose 10 straight. The Knicks @ Blazers (March 16) is a MUST lose for Portland. Their schedule is much tougher than Portland's the rest of the way.
Spurs - not a lot of winnable games on their schedule either, but they do play the Blazers 3 more times.
Kings - have around 6 opportunities for wins left. That is, if they are still trying to get in. They are 4 GB of the #10 spot and may throw in the towel shortly.
Pacers - also have around 6 chances for wins left. But Indiana is 7 games out of the Play-In, so their tank may start in earnest very shortly.

Just a win here or there for the Blazers, and they may not get much higher in the Lottery than they are right now, just because other teams aren't going to win enough games to pass them.