Bayless, BTW, was a rotation player for several teams. I don't understand why anyone would bash trading your 15th player with no upside for a rotation player with upside, but I am funny that way. Skal's also had a 30-point game in the NBA before the age of 22. But yeah, let's continue to say he's garbage. Makes for a better thread, apparently.
So....back to Skal. He won't get much time unless there are injuries, but I would like to see what he can do out there defensively on the perimeter.
Write up by DraftExpress after his hoop summit game just to give a sense of how hyped he was not long ago. http://www.draftexpress.com/article/2015-Nike-Hoop-Summit-Final-Recap-4898/ While Murray paced the World Team with his play in the backcourt, Labissiere manned the middle, putting a lid on the rim on defense while scoring in a variety of ways in the half court and transition. The 7-foot pogo stick and our current projected No. 1 pick in the 2016 NBA Draft went for 21 points on 9-of-15 shooting to go along with six blocks and six rebounds in 27 minutes. The fluid and explosive Kentucky bound big man showed excellent timing and instincts as a shot blocker, helping frustrate the US Team early on as they failed to score until Luke Kennard hit a jump shot with 4:28 left in the first quarter. As expected, the World Team bothered the US Team all game long with its size and length and Labissiere was a big reason why. Aside from protecting the rim, Labissiere showed excellent versatility as a perimeter defending with excellent footwork on closeouts, evident late in the game as he was able to keep Kennard in front and get a piece of his potential game-tying jumper with 3.9 seconds left. Labissiere was much more than just a defensive presence, however. The 7-footer knocked down a couple of mid-range jumpers, finished several jump hooks in the lane, some with great range, and finished over length at the rim due to his excellent leaping ability. The bouncy big man also flashed his quick second jump on the offensive glass. Labissiere's physical tools, versatility on defense, and offensive skill-set him up for a monster season at Kentucky and should make it tough for whatever team ends up with the No. 1 pick in the 2016 NBA Draft to pass him up.
They did, but it was kind of a no win scenario. There was no way to reconcile what the real Blazer fans wanted with what the Canzano fans wanted.
A little over the top there? Nobody said he is garbage. What people are objecting to is bringing in another project when the team needs help NOW. If you are satisfied with being first round cannon fodder, that's your choice - but don't bash the fans who want the team to get better!
Finally, Caleb Swanigan is worth something. Skal is a low production player but he may get opportunity like Jake did.
“They were both ready for a change of scenery. Trying to do right by the player.” So it definitely sounds like Biggie wanted out. “Don’t know if either of us (Sacramento) saw the fit that might’ve been there when we drafted them.” Probably realized Biggie has no chance as a power forward. Olshey also thinks Skal is more of a five who can play the four in certain matchups, and fits their style of play better than Biggie. Not sure I agree. I think Skal is more of a four.
He was compared to a couple of guys who never amounted to anything in the NBA, weren't even in the league as long as he already has. We can argue semantics, but that pretty much equates to garbage. Second, the team IS better with Skal instead of Biggie. That's actually what this whole discussion was about. We traded our 15th guy with no upside for a guy that once had been considered a high lottery pick who has started and still has potential. You seem to have confused being better with being much better. You are arguing against yourself there, because I was not making that point. Essentially, you are hating on Skal because he's not as good as what you wanted. That's not his fault. It also doesn't mean the team's not better. You are arguing against yourself.
That Skal was a worthwhile acquisition, that we gave up next to nothing to get him and that he always was considered a better prospect than anyone you mentioned with the possible exception of Bayless, who, as noted, carved a decent niche for himself. Also, that if you had the opportunity to trade Biggie for Bayless straight up, anyone with an iota of reason would have done it. Now, pray continue.
Perhaps it would be interesting if Skal wanted #7, Brandon Roy would have to come down to Portland and tell him 'No' to keep him from having it. At least Brandon would show up in Portland again. He has completely abandoned where he spent 90+% of his career. Kind of sad.
When Roy was on the roster, many fans acted like he was a saint. This is exhibit "A" why I take all the Dame worship with a grain of salt. He's a great player - and that's enough for me.
I've always felt that since Brandon never really connected with the city in the way that Damian has, so it'll probably be different when Damian leaves or retires. I always got the feeling that Brandon felt it was beneath him to live in or play for Portland. Never once have I gotten that feeling from Damian. Now obviously Damian could be faking it, but it seems that in todays day and age it wouldn't be difficult to see signs of it. Dude lives here year round for fucks sake.
Interesting he mentions his pick and pop ability. I see a lot of Aldridge in his game, at least offensively.
Or how about he's just a reserved person in general and not someone community oriented and outgoing like Dame? Jesus Christ, the people in this forum assumes so goddamn much about players.
