I'll say Crabbe. If Wes' nagging little injury problems continue he will get enough playing time to show what he can do.
Gonna be LILLARD, blowing up so god dang much he'll make last season look like he was just learning how to knit. Bam!
But that's not really being a dark horse. People, coaches, fans and management all agree that Lillard will improve. Some have even said he may make the all star team.
Without reading the thread: Watson. I watched him share the Sonic starting PG spot with Ridnour. Watson isn't an outside shooter, but has Jarrett Jack-like toughness in driving to the basket. He will be ahead of McCollum in the PG rotation. (Not to worry. McCollum will get minutes as sub SG.)
I know, just having fun. I'm hoping it's Leonard, but I'm betting it's Crabbe. (I would say McCollum, but I think thats also not darkhorse.)
Magszy, I think Leonard has a good chance to surprise, he's got a chitload of narural ability and if just some of the mental stuff starts to click he could make big strides, he's so young and I still have good vibes. Also I think practicing against a strong and good at D center like Lopez every day could help him a lot.
I read it. Crabbe = Barton + shooting - a year of experience. They are a wash. Crabbe will love Idaho. Crabbe is worse than Freeland this year. Watson is a tough driver and defender. He is an adequate playmaker and shooter. A dark horse should come from the lower ranks.
Meyers Leonard might put up better numbers But it will be because of 3's and not banging down in the paint I want defense and rebounding out of my center. Leonard sucks at both.
Well like I said. I would love to be proven wrong and have all you guys bash me all season. If Leonard becomes a starting caliber center; then we are in really good shape. I just want to win baby!
starting caliber next yr? - no F'n way IMO, I'm not drunk yet! I'd just like him to improve and become a decent backup, if he pans out could be a starting C in 2-3 yrs from now
By definition, Robinson cannot be a 'dark horse'. He is not little known. He is not unlikely to succeed. The guy was the 5th overall pick in the 2012 NBA draft. Many projected he could go No. 2. Chad Ford and Bill Simmons were raving about him today. Many on this board, including me, have been expressing high expectations for him since the deal was announced. Next to C.J., he's the Blazers most exciting acquisition this summer. Dark Horse candidates would be the guys various posters insist are garbage, or not expected to contribute much. Like Freeland, Claver, Barton, Crabbe, or the young Mr. Leonard. Claver and Freeland have too many guys playing ahead of them. It could be Barton. He was a late second rounder, and didn't get much burn last year, but he was pretty unstoppable one-on-three at the end of last season in garbage games. He has supposedly improved. It could be Crabbe. He was a second round pick (and by definition not likely to succeed), and could very well be ready to score off the bench at this level. Or Leonard, because, even though he's still raw, unless we get another big, he's likely to get decent court time. Since I haven't seen any of them play this year, it's a complete shot in the dark. Leonard, since he'll get more minutes, he can score, and he'll improve his rebounding.
I didn't pick Robinson, but I disagree in that he can't be a 'dark horse', considering he's on his third team in one year. Also, Crabbe was the Pac-12 Player of the Year. He isn't an unknown player at all.
