Hm, so none of since 2013? None of whom were as touted or projected as highly as Chet? None of those guys are remotely CLOSE to having the blend of skillset, agility, length, and shot-blocking as Chet. Chet isn't like those guys as a basketball player. But you're so hung up on skin pigmentation that you fail to see that.
Depends on what we do with the 1st Pick but probably Dyson Daniels, Jalen Duren, Tari Eason, Ochai Agbaji, Jeremy Sochan. Mathurin if he's there but I don't think he will be.
The ones that aren't busts seem to be able to do two of the following things well or be absolutely elite in one of them: Pass Shoot Protect the rim The only outliers would be Steven Adams (taken in the late lotto, still just a role player) and DeAndre Ayton (#1 pick, doesn't seem like he'll reach all-star status. Many of the busts don't do two of things things noticeably well and aren't elite at any one. Chet should be elite rim protector and has a chance at being an elite shooting 5 and good passer. He needs to add strength for that position but that's why I see him as a 4 for his first couple of seasons.
I see facts and history. Again, if he so happens to finally be the exception and not just another rule then good on him and the team that takes him.
The one reason I would want Chet is because I don’t really think Nurk is all that great. The Blazers have Nurk until Chet actually becomes NBA ready. I just don’t think he’s quite there yet. I feel Chet needs another year to fill out and get up to speed. If the Blazers somehow get a chance and actually pick Chet Holmgren I’m good with that.
The WCC offered very good competition this year, thats a fact. Someone making a fool of themselves was throwing the conference name out there trying to put down Chet... hope that helps you understand. STOMP
I can see where you’re coming from. But let’s just assume the safe guess that we stay put in the lottery and aren’t in position to draft him—there’s about 3-5 centers that will go after Holmgren, Duren, and Williams, probably at least one of them will slip into the 2nd. Orlando Robinson: his skillset reminds me of KAT’s. 6’11 with a 7’4 wingspan and moves pretty well. Maybe his defense develops under Chauncey. Junior—so that may be a reason for falling past 37 if it happens. Yannick Nzosa: international prospect. Right now, he is pretty much a pure athlete and defensive specialist and can really run the floor. 6’11 with a 7’6 wingspan with a chance to really be special on defense. He reminds me of early OKC Ibaka pre-jumpshot, I’ve seen Capela as a comp as well. Christian Koloko: rim protector. 7-1 with a 7-4 wingspan. Played 3 years at Arizona so he can probably contribute sooner than we’d think. Even Kessler and Tshiebwe are intriguing. I would skip on C’s in the lotto and just focus on drafting the two best wings at our position. I’ve been on the ‘bring Jalen Smith here’ bandwagon since post trade deadline. I think a C rotation of Nurkic/Johnson/#36 (and you can include Brown as an undersized C) is a diverse core at. Smith is young enough that you still prioritize his development, but our third string center will get minutes whenever Nurkic is injured. A rotation of Nurkic/Duren/___ (still assuming we’re not in position to get Holmgren) will probably be better than, say, Nurkic/Johnson/Nzosa. But consider where we’d be picking with a number of wings on the board, I’d say Nurkic/Johnson/Nzosa is more worth it for its price. And right now, besides TJ Warren, I don’t know any other forwards I’d give the MLE to—and I don’t necessarily think he’d be a good fit on the team. I’d be interested in Smith, Bamba, and Ibaka though. So free agency also steers me in the direction of not drafting a C in the lotto.
Chet needs more than a year to "fill out"--but again KD was said to be too skinny for the NBA game and he turned out fine.
I'd be good with getting Chet but yeah i can see others that might be just as effective. Duren is said to be weak on screens and that will be a problem with Dame. Williams obviously doesn't shoot the three. That also might be a huge problem? Nzosa I'm reading up on but everything says project who will need a lot of work. Boy could that be a huge get in the second round? Koloko will be 22 and might be a bit more ready to bang with the Players in the NBA. Obviously not a three point shooter either. What i agree with most on your post is I always think it's best to take the best player available no matter who we have.
That is certainly true. I would point out, however, that KD actually spent his rookie year playing SG. He had the quickness and skills to compensate for his lack of NBA level strength. That is pretty rare. Holmgren doesn't have that kind of versatility.
Like Durant isn't one of the most elite athletes in the history of the game... the dude still blows by everyone after 15 seasons and a blown achilles.
If we are going for lazy comps, we should at least talk about the high failure rate for Gonzaga big men in the NBA!