Pendy's gonna get dropped by an opposing team's vet big man anytime now. But props, though. We haven't had a guy who talks as much smack while acting tough on the court in a long while.
I am so glad to see the Blazers finally picked up a tough guy. This team needed toughness in the worst way.
You gotta love these two rooks. They were the un-sexy pick, they were not Mr. Big Butt Blair or good story Casspi, but they are two bad-ass, good fundamentals guys - and they produce. I especially liked the Pendergraph pick - if you remember, the Blazers had Dante, Jeff and Psycho-T for a workout - and they were singing Jeff's praises after this workout. With all due respect to Blair - Psycho-T was a much better player than him at the College level - and the Blazers found Pendergraph to be a cheap alternative to Psycho-T. That's very smart drafting, right there. It's like the Blazers noticed what the Rockets did to them with Landry and Hayes - and went and got 2 guys that play the same way in the 2nd round. Very, very nice.
I don't think Pendy is going to get dropped by anybody. NBA players may act tough but 98% are not trying to get in a fight with anybody their size. Look at Tyson Chandler, last year him and Joel got into it and the pussy slapped Joels injured wrist...I love Jeff's outlook and he is exactly what we needed. This team had one guy that was willing to step up for their teammate and he is out for the year. Jeff will be a part of this team for years and I am glad to see him here. Great pick.
The thing I like about these guys is they do all the little things you need to win. In the last game, Dante did a great job on Maggette. Both guys get you extra posessions, but get out of the way and let the offensive guys do their work. It reminds me a little bit of the year the Pistons picked up Rodman and John Sally. Neither one of them were offensive powerhouses. But they did the little things that helped transform the Pistons down the line.
I like JP's toughness, but I wish he'd keep his mouth shut. NBA officials aren't going to let him "hit" people and gloat about it in the media for very long. Let your game do the talking young man.
This is why I love building through the draft and what Portland did this Summer. Portland could have gone out and made a deal for higher profile bigs via trade (Hansbrough) or taken a risk on a prolific big with a less than a 100% knee (Blair), instead they got the biggest bang for the buck IMO. They only had to give up a second rounder (we had a bundle of those) and Sergio (no longer fit) to nab Bam Bam, whose knees should be more dependable over the long haul than Blair's. They gave up nothing to get another versatile big, Cunningham, who will make Outlaw expendable IMO. Just smart basketball management if you ask me.
Pendergraph is quickly becoming my favorite Blazer. A very good rebounder who's not afraid to clock an opponent during a game.
If either guy ends up half as good as Rodman I will shit a brick. That dude was seriously one of the best players in the NBA.
