So the more tape (aka full g league games on YouTube) I watch of Gabriel, the more I believe he could be developed as a SF in Portland’s system. He just looks fluid, is more finesse than banger, and shows an ability to stay with wings and even guards. So out of curiosity I looked up how he tested in various agility drills. Seems he wasn’t invited to the combine, but did do testing in 2016 at Kentucky. His lane agility drill time was 11.24. That would put him ahead of Simons, Trent, and Hoard. His shuttle time of 2.98 would’ve put him ahead of Simons, Trent, Nassir, and would’ve landed him into the top ten at this years combine. His 3/4 sprint is better than Hoards. His ball handling looks markedly improved from college, and even last season, and its not like he would be asked to handle the ball too much with Dame and CJ around. He’s pretty good on the boards for a power forward, and is averaging nearly 3 blocks per 36 in the g league, so having that kinda guy at the three would be veryyyy intriguing. Even if he isn’t as a full time three, having a guy that can seemingly alternate between both forward positions seems like something worth developing.
The one thing about Gabriel is that he fits what I see as a need with the Blazers as a long, combo forward. I was eyeing Precious Achiuwa as a guy in the mid-teens in the draft, and Gabriel does offer some of the same qualities. Precious is more polished, though, and I think ultimately a much better bet to make it than Gabriel. But we'll see. He definitely fills a niche on this team and has a ton of upside.
I wonder what the plan is with Gabriel. Personally I’d give him all the backup minutes at the four until Skal returns/another move is made. Nas barely plays even when we’re desperate for bodies, so it’s obvious Stotts doesn’t trust him, plus he’s more of a three anyway. Realistically, he will probably be stuck at the end of the bench while Melo plays 35 minutes.
Can Gabriel hand the ball off in the Blazer weave? If so, Neil will gloat on how quickly he picked up the play-book.
https://www.blazersedge.com/2020/1/...n-refugee-kings-kentucky-two-way-contract-nba Blazersedge article by Steve Dewald. (by Ben Tolliver) Good piece with a video story that the Kings put together earlier.
If Olshey hadn’t taken Bazemore away from him he’d still be getting 25+ minutes a night. If Hood were healthy, Trent wouldn’t even play.
Are you implying that playing lineup of Melo, Hezonja, and Swanigan as our forwards when we needed stops in the 4th quarter was a bad decision? LOL Literally anything Gabriel or Little did would've been better than having that lineup out there.