If the arena doesn't have Omar whistling Farmer in the Dell keyed up next season, I'll be disappointed.
People are waiting to be rid of Evan Turner, but he was a big help for Jake Layman in the 2nd unit. It’s likely that Turner could do the same for Little if Little gets in the rotation (and Turner is still here of course). And I hope Simons becomes the 2nd unit point guard. He looks like he can make some nice passes up the court.
I think Little will be more Zach Collins than Simons re: playing time as a rookie. Like Zach, he won’t be leaned on to play, but I see his role expanding as the season goes on.
Evan can't shoot but he can break down a defense, be nice to see him dish to a cutting Nasiiir for a JAM. My hope for the season is the Blazers conjure up Dr. Jack play great Defense and push the tempo. I'll never forget sneaking into the second row during Dame's Rookie Fan fest. Mrs.Lillard sat next to us and was as down to Earth as Dame. The fact both the Little's are United States Veterans is huge.
Nah, if I remember correctly in the Duke/NC game in Chapel Hill, Zion schooled him like 3 trips in a row down the stretch.
Here’s an accurate representation of what Little is gonna do to Harkless to take the starting spot...
The number 1 pick schooled the number 25 pick? Man you are bringin' it! I watched film somebody posted of him schooling Zion on several plays...creating turnovers...beating him off the dribble...he didn't back down from Zion at all..played him tough
To be accurate, 24 teams didn't pass on him as several had multiple picks. I agree he's a project with upside and don't expect much immediate help. Barring injuries or shelf clearing roster moves, my guess is he'll be brought along slowly like Collins with hopes he also earns a rotation spot in year 2 or 3. He has physical tools but obviously has a lot of learning/refining to do especially on offense. I won't be surprised or disappointed if it takes him a couple seasons to reach a competent level in the league. If that is his career arc where he's not an immediate success, I'm sure we'll be seeing the same posters who are gushing superlatives today calling him hopeless before his rookie year is completed... seen that movie a few times. STOMP
Schmitz:Nassir Little dropping all the way to No. 25. We've learned since the collegiate preseason that he's far from a perfect prospect. Questions about his work ethic and motor arose during the pre-draft process, which aligned with his uneven season at UNC. But even with that in mind, for 25 teams to pass on a player with his tools and defensive versatility is mind-boggling. Hopefully this lights a fire under Little, as he has top-10 talent in the Jaylen Brown mold. Portland figures to be a great fit for him alongside Damian Lillard and CJ McCollum.
I was thinking Jaylen Brown would be a good comp (right down to the good GPAs) and it's worth noting that he looked like a bust his first season or so.