Lol. There are definitely some stylistic similarities. But yeah way better hands, more skilled...i could go on I don't want to hype him up too much.
Duren reminds me more of Bam, than Jokic or Embiid. Bam took a few years to develop to what he is now. I have no idea if Duren can reach that level, but that is the type of center we will eventually need. Having said that I would rather have a 2 way PF from this draft if there is one at 7.
A plodding center who good teams like the Celtics iso all night long. Where is the logic behind sticking with that IF you view a serious upgrade as available. Siting Nurk reminds me of passing on Chris Paul because we've got Sebastian Telfair so lets go with the star wing from a Seattle HS where we have a more urgent need. Yes Portland's current forwards suck even more, which is why I don't understand the rush of needing a draftee to be ready immediately. This team is multiple good players and years away from being a contender, they've got the time. If management thinks Daniels or whoever is viewed as the BPA with the highest ceiling, fine. I don't agree and see him more as a SG then SF, but he's one of the others I'd be excited to add. But I was answering the question of why they wouldn't want to develop a superstar wing from this draft instead of a Center... I don't see the wings likely available at #7 having the same sort of potential. I get that siting an example of a high draft pick who flamed out suits the purpose of degrading the guy being debated, but how about you choose someone remotely similar? Duren is at least a half size bigger then Noel. His shot mechanics are not broken and it's unlikely that he misses the first year of NBA play recovering from a serious knee injury. Being a physical specimen is largely why Duren is a top prospect, the promise of what he could become. Unfortunately Noel's NBA story is of a promising player who's career was decimated by knee and foot injuries. STOMP
I just hope the team upgrades at whatever position they draft at, and don't do a trade out of desperation. Well, another trade out of desperation.
Both his tournament games. And Dwight was a freak who not only had the upper body but could get up quick
Remind me where Jokic was picked? He must not have showed enough of those skills pre-draft, either. Good, maybe he'll be durable. Can't lift up their teams? Sure seems like Jokic and Embiid had pretty mediocre rosters around them and both teams were still considered among the contenders. Take those two guys off Denver and Philly, and you're probably looking at the two worst records in the league. Winning a championship isn't the singular measurement of success. Haven't and can't are two very different concepts.
Everyone these young rookies has flaws but I am not going to risk the number 7 draft pick on a player that question his motor and might be a bust. Hopefully he not a bust I hope he has a great career and that all players that gets drafted. But seeing him playing 6 or 8 games he didn't show me enough motor or enough to be draft at 7. Just because his body looks great don't make him a sure thing in the NBA.
I respect that, but I have to admit questioning a player's motor in college is a pet peeve of mine. I see it all the time from posters and I think the vast majority of the time it never turns out to be accurate unless the guy is really lethargic. Just my opinion, but I just don't think the common fan knows enough to make that conclusion. (Myself included) Yet I see it made all the time.
Not trying to be combative, but what examples do you have of someone who's motor was questioned who turned out to be better in the NBA? I think the old saying is correct - 'tigers don't change their stripes'. It's difficult for a player to change how active/energetic they play... it requires a complete mind shift.
Ben Simmons and Jaylen Brown stick out to me in recent history as guys who vastly underperformed in college due to apathy and broke out in the NBA. (yes, i see the irony in Simmons now). This kinda stuff happens quite a bit. Rudy Gay was another example whose motor was questioned at UConn but he had a very long career in the league.
John Collins comes to mind since we are talking about trading for him now. At least one poster said he was a black hole on offense and no motor on D.
i agree with you. There's quite a long list of guys who balled out in college because of max effort but did not break out in the NBA for a variety of reasons. I don't think motor is all that great of a predictor for nba success at all.
I agree with you here. Just because they 'balled out' in college does not mean they will have success in the NBA. It is just 1 key skill that may benefit them. But none of that has any bearing on players with 'questionable-motors'... I still think the success rate of people with questionable motors is quite low. (ie - Drumond) From the examples provided above, I don't remember anything pre-draft about Simmons or Brown. They weren't possible targets for the Blazers - so I didn't pay attention to them. Regarding John Collins - I don't remember anyone questioning his motor. In fact, I think the general consensus was that he was more of a 'high-energy' player.
This Duren thread is still pretty active compared to other people brought in so is there some rumor I have not heard about maybe he is the Blazers prime target with this pick or maybe a small trade down and still get him type thing. OR Have fans just fallen in love with him even with the chance he could be a bust I personally am torn on him -- I would take him if the team traded down and if still there around 10 to 12 but not at 7 I think he could be a total stud but I am not so blind to the fact that just as good IF not greater he will be a bust or even at best like a Whiteside type player
A lot of the top players/prospects in college have their defensive ”motor” questioned, often because they have such a large offensive burden to carry. Jayson Tatum comes to mind.
