I was reading the espn insider mock draft and they had us taking the VCM SF and I decided to look at who was "taken" after us and I saw Quincy Pondexter. He fits the profile of being a 4 year college player and according to the mock is a "jumpshot away from being a star". He is from UW and I think would be a good choice for us if he is available. Plus, its not like we don't have the time or depth. We would be able to let him mature over a few years and not need a high impact immediately. Who else have you guys thought about?
First off, I'm not so sure our depth is all that great, and secondly, Pon is already 22; you don't draft seniors for their untapped potential, you draft them for what they can give you immediately. In this case, that would defense, slashing and hustle, with maybe the outside chance he develops into a good shooter. But I do like him. Other guys I think the Blazers will take a look at are Dominique Jones, Paul George, Kevin Seraphin, Alabi (if he's still on the board) and maybe Miroslav Raduljica in the first round. it all depends on whether or not they stand pat with their 22nd and 44th picks though.
If we stay at #22 or trade up slightly to around #15-ish, I'd target Avery Bradley. Only a freshman PG/SG he's probably the best defensive PG in the draft. He's also Jerryd Bayless-athletic. A projected mid-first rounder and could sneak into the late lotto. [video=youtube;sYJVTePSMYw]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sYJVTePSMYw[/video]
Fez, you really think Bradley is going that high? which mock did you see him in the late lotto or mid first? Everything I've read that I find remotely reputable has him late first (draftexpress at 28th, ESPN 25th, and NBAdraft.net at 22nd).
Just food for thought - we pick 22nd. Here are the PGs available at or past that spot in recent drafts: Code: 2009 25. Thunder Rodrigue Beaubois PG 34. Nuggets Sergio Llull PG (playing very well for Real Madrid) 42. Lakers Patrick Beverley PG (guarded Ricky Rubio very well for Olympiakos) 53. Spurs Nando De Colo PG (best player on Victor Claver's team) 2008: 26. San Antonio George Hill - PG 34. Minnesota Mario Chalmers - PG 45. San Antonio Goran Dragic - PG 2007: 26. Houston Aaron Brooks 30. Philadelphia Petteri Koponen 56. Milwaukee Ramon Sessions 2006: 24. Memphis Kyle Lowry 25. Cleveland Shannon Brown 26. LA Lakers Jordan Farmar 27. Phoenix Sergio Rodriguez 42. Cleveland Daniel GIbson 2005: 22. Denver Jarrett Jack Those are just the PGs. There are a TON of useful players at other positions, too. Check them out for yourself.
Cahd Ford's draft blog an excerpt on a couple of guys in that 22nd pick range (draftexpress currently has us slotted to take George) http://insider.espn.go.com/nba/blog?name=nba_draft
Re: Cahd Ford's draft blog Interesting. I wish both mentioned something about defense, because, if there's one thing we need more of, it's defense. Somebody who's been mentioned on this board that people on this board should have seen a lot of is Quincy Pondexter. He sounds the same mold as the people mentioned, only supposedly he's a lockdown multi-positional defender. AND he's from Roy's alma mater. Comments on him?
Re: Cahd Ford's draft blog Ford didn't have anything to say about Pondexter in this article, but you're right Pon is a very good defender and from the few times I watched him the past couple of years and his work in the tournament I think it'll translate fairly well to the next level. In any case, here's what Jonathan Givony has to say about James' defense (whose scouting abilities I trust a great deal more than Chad Ford's) George I believe is seen as being a somewhat weak defender with effort and focus issues.
Re: Cahd Ford's draft blog I hope we don't take somebody with a "questionable motor". At this point, for this team, I'll take somebody with slightly less skill with a big "motor".
Re: Cahd Ford's draft blog Assuming the team goes for a wing - there are 2 holes that need to be filled, and finding a player at 22 who can fill both is going to be tough. A) The team could really use another solid perimeter defender. B) The team needs someone to replace Outlaw. It was supposed to be Rudy, but we all saw how well that worked out. Pondexter looks like he can fill role A, but does he have the shooting touch to fill B?
Re: Cahd Ford's draft blog This guy sounds VERY intriguing. (And Givony didn't even mention the Thunder's French MVP - Serge Ibaka.)
Re: Cahd Ford's draft blog You win. But nobody has come forward to say that they've seen him play and think X about him. Surely plenty of people on this board watched a ton of UW games?
Re: Cahd Ford's draft blog Is it worth merging this thread with the "Who to draft" one into a mega draft thread? And maybe sticky-ing it?
Re: Cahd Ford's draft blog Kevin Seraphin is interesting. A legit 6'11" and athletic. His ceiling, IMO, is Nene. [video=youtube;uGtkDU_HvaI]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uGtkDU_HvaI[/video] (#11) - Draft Express
Re: Cahd Ford's draft blog Interesting. I'm the opposite. We drafted a couple of high-motor guys last year in Cunningham and Pendergraph, and neither of them were able to help us. I'd rather take a chance with a potential difference-maker than try to draft more role players. Ed O.
