http://www.draftexpress.com/article/NBA-Combine-Media-Availability-Interviews-3238 If you weren't sold on Blair before, you will be now. Knows his role Brings Toughness Hard Worker Great Interviewer..seems like he'd fit right in C'mon KP..make it HAPPEN!
I think it's highly unlikely we'll actually use our 1st round pick. Either we trade up or we trade out.
I was going to say that being a great interviewer doesn't mean jack shit but then I watched the interview and it was really good... haven't seen him play though.
I can think of another power forward who gives a great interview (I mean, an absolutely sparkling personality):
That's what I think too. One thing this team lacked was a solid 3rd scorer, or "vet" leader. Getting another rookie (or multiple rookies, considering we have 18 picks in the second round) probably doesn't help. And I think we're at the state were we're solid enough in certain roles (C, SG, PF and some bench) that passing up pick(s) this year won't be as much of an issue. I wouldn't be surprised to see the team trade out of the draft, or draft someone and have them play elsewhere. I wouldn't be surprised to see them buy picks, only to trade them, or trade for picks and trade them and some of our extras. Of course, it wouldn't be surprising to me if I was completely wrong.
I want to apologize for my comment above, I think I came across a little snide or dismissive. I agree he did give an excellent interview and if he was going in the middle of the first round (like he would be in a normal draft) I'd be fine with trying to move up and get him, but I just can't envision any realistic scenario where this team moves up into the top ten without giving up some considerable value ... if it doesn't take that, and this team also adds some veteran toughness at some of the other positions then I'd be fine with getting him, I just don't see it in the cards.
In each draft there are 75 players with some write up somewhere just like this. Then, we find out that only 3 or so really lived up to the hype. I try not to jump up & down over these things.
I think he'd be a nice backup for us, but I'm not sold that he's the ultimate answer and we should trade the farm for him. Is he worth a Travis Outlaw? Or if whoever wanted Sergio, I'd give him up for Blair.
Agreed. However, Blair is much more of a freakish physical specimen than Millsap is, and hopefully a better rebounder. And besides, we don't want Blair to score outside of putbacks. So I don't know. I'd be all for Blair at this point given our needs.
Blair is going to be better than Milsap, just watch and see. He is a better rebounder than Paul in college and played in the best conference in america
Hmm... Millsap led the entire NCAA in rebounding all three years he was in school. I would be quite surprised if Blair is a better rebounder than him. Ed O.
So what happens if we get this guy? Does he play great and try and take time from our starter (LMA)? or is he willing to come off the bench for most of his career. I would rather see the Blazers get someone that can help now and be a great backup with some leadership and past playoff experience...McDyess?
He can compete for the starting spot. As a rookie who isn't considered to have star upside, I suspect he'll lose that competition pretty clearly, it won't be a question of seniority or politics. At that point, he can settle into a backup role. He can do that for four or five years (compete, probably lose, be the backup) and then decide if he wants to remain a Blazer (if the Blazers want to keep him). If his chances of starting and making more money are low elsewhere, then he'll likely stay. If by some chance he beats out Aldridge for the starting position (as incredibly unlikely as that is), then Portland has two star power forwards, which is a nice situation. They can trade one of them. Basically, I don't see this as a problem. The dynamics of competition will work things out.
I love competition as well. I guess my hope would be 1) he makes LMA better and 2) he is willing to be a backup.
