All these SF suggestions are baffling to me. We seriously have our SF for the next decade already starting for us. Oh, and he's only 21.
some of us... as in the royal we? I've my hopes/dreams regarding NB's development, but at this point saying he'll run the point for PDX is putting the cart before the horse. Since coming into the league dude has played the point about as often as he's shot left handed hook shots from 3 point range. Maybe I've missed it, but I've read no one else here projecting him as the team's PG in the near future. But since he can guard most anyone 1-3 and plays an efficient wing game on offense, he can blend with a variety of players... I could certainly see him playing well with another good SF but it would probably help that this hypothetical SF also had some on-ball offensive skills STOMP
I must've missed the summer worth of 3pt hook shots in the European Championships I admit, I'm a big fan of Turner. Especially for our team. And I love Batum. (The "us" I was using for the people who've brought up --maybe regurgitating-- the Nic/Roy/Batum 1/2/3/). And to Stomp's last point, i think all three of them have on-ball offensive skills.
okay... as far as blending with Nic he does have some of the ball skills I was alluding to. Unfortunately for Portland's chances of obtaining him, he seems a pretty hot commodity and the consensus #2 pick. I'll note that he measured in just a shade larger then Brandon, which is much more SG sized. Somewhat because of Nic's versatility I wouldn't shy away from obtaining another SF if a superior talent was available. As I said in another thread, though he probably isn't ready to contribute next season, I like 19 y/old Al-Farouq Aminu quite a bit. He came in a half size larger then NB and projects to be able to guard most forwards. STOMP
I'm aware what role he played part time in the Euro games for France, but I did specifically refer to how much point he's played in the NBA when I made my hook shot comment. Don't you think the league is a different level of competition? Certainly he has a better handle then any other SF thats been on the Blazers since his idol PIP ran the point, but thats not saying much... dude just hasn't shown much playmaking ability thus far in his NBA career. Besides not actually running the point, last year per 36 minutes he averaged 1.7 Assts and 1.1 TOs. He doesn't take people off the dribble on drives to the hoop very often either as illuminated by the 2 FTA (per 36 min.) he averaged. believe me I'd love to be claiming otherwise STOMP