Noah Vonleh - thoughts

I'm trying not to get too excited about his potential until we know whether he's gonna be here long term. But if he's still a Blazer after tomorrow night, I think he's here to stay!

 

Fuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuck.

 

Nbadraft.net from last year:

Outlook: Could turn into a huge threat on both the pick-and-roll and pick-and-pop due to his mobility, strength and touch … His upside is potentially at All-Star or borderline All-Star level … Seen as a likely top 10 pick and a relative lock for the lottery ... A hard working kid with a lot of upside, the only drawback is that he may take time for things to click and could lose confidence if he is not successful in his first 2-3 seasons. A candidate to disappoint initially and break out with his second NBA team ...

 

That profile was written before the season started - when he was 17.

 

I like his upside numbers-wise. He's already a 38.5% 3pt shooter, for example. He's a slightly above average defender at 19. He doesn't foul a lot (2.8 per 36).

Hell, for shits and giggles, here is compared to Batum last season.
http://bkref.com/tiny/WtOxk

He's worth keeping for two or three years.

 

Don't think you can judge too much from last year's numbers at all. Only played 25 games an pretty much only played garbage time with garbage players against garbage players.

 

Yeah but garbage time isn't defense time, and his DRtg is pretty decent. At least he's trying out there.

 

By all accounts he's got a high motor and great work ethic. Might be a case of lotta movement, little results.....at least for now. But its certainly better than the alternative.

 

High motor guys are worth the trouble more often than low motor guys... he's a project, but I'm not too broken up over trading Batum for the opportunity to play this scratch-it ticket.

 

I think Vonleh is a mix between Paul Millsap and Josh Smith.

 

Nice mix!

 

We traded a point-SF for a point-PF?

 

Well, I hope he turns out. Apparently, Aldridge is gone, per ESPN. So, it looks like either he or Biebs is our starting PF.

 

Good upside for some team. Us if we keep him, or another if we deal him

 

Just keep in mind of how young he is.

He's only three months older than Karl Towns.

 

I just watch the highlights posted on Oregonlive. I think he and Leonard could work well together in another year or two. Vonleh looks to be a pretty good shot blocker, a quick leaper, good enough touch from the outside to step outside if need be, but willing to attack the rim.

I hate taking a step back next year if we lose LMA, but I think those two give us a good young foundation with their length and hops and shooting skills for bigs. Maybe get a bigger SF to go with them. Like a Stanley Johnson type.

 

Thanks for the info, folks! I'm starting to get excited about Vonleh. Specifically a Vonleh/Leonard front court in 16/17!
We've got some good front court potential - let LMA walk!

 

Not Charlotte, and they should know.