Science says SG and a C are the two positions to swing for the fences on. Lamb, IMO, has the best chance to be an elite talent at SG, and Drummond at C.
It is interesting to see how different Beal and Lamb are perceived. Obviously Beal is rated hire, but I've read really good stuff on Lamb.
I think Beal is probably the safer pick. At least that's what pizza guy thinks. But Lamb has the ability to get to the next level that Beal has not shown yet
I have come to the conclusion that POR has to take Austin Rivers.... NBA Pedigree (Doc's son) Great Size for PG (6'4) Big Shot Ability and Mentality (NC game) Good Outside shooter (47.7 2pt - 36.5 3pt) Great Slasher and finisher Good Vision Good Defender Youth\Room for Improvement (turns 20 in Aug) Played for a bg time program and played well\clutch against some big time schools\players (NC, FSU, OSU, Kansas & Michigan). There is A LOT of things adding up there to making him a very good pro player...He was only a freshman and he had a heck of a 1st year.... His situation could remind me of Westbrook, who climbed up the boards late in pre-draft process and wnet to OKC, top 10 pick and has turned out to be amuch better pro (fantastic pro) than he was as a college player...I think Rivers could be very similiar...I like him a lot more than Lillard or Marshall....
Niether was Westbrook really at UCLA either....more of a scoring guard.... I just think that Rivers has the potential to develop into that Westbrook type of impact player in the NBA, you know #2 guy...which is what POR really needs out of this draft (and if they don't get it in FA)... I like Beal and Lamb as well.... I'd be happy with one of Rivers\Beal\Lamb and then a big man with the other pick... Address PG in FA....
Not really a Rivers fan myself ... his on-court demeanor kinda screams "prima donna." Of course that doesn't mean he can't be good at the next level, but his ceiling feels like JR Smith to me.
With Doc Rivers as his dad? I just don't see the thug\street mentality of JR Smith in\hindering him in the NBA......
Who said anything about "Thug?" His on-court mentality is "gunner" and somebody Bill Simmons would call an "irrational confidence" guy.
Russell Westbrook averaged over 4 apg at UCLA, had a 1.7 a/to ratio, was projected as a PG, and was a freak athlete to boot. Rivers barely averaged 2 apg, has an a/to ratio below 1, is almost exclusively projected as a SG, and is average athletically. I'm sorry--I don't see the comparison at all.
Rivers isn't on the same level athletically as Westbrook is. That's the key, IMO very key difference Westbrook was much more of a passer in college than Rivers was as well
