Groupthink 2023 Mock Draft: Pick #3

Discussion in 'Portland Trail Blazers' started by Ed O, Jun 1, 2023.

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Who should Portland pick at #3?

Poll closed Jun 2, 2023.
  1. Brandon Miller

    66.7%
  2. Amen Thompson

    27.8%
  3. Cam Whitmore

    2.8%
  4. Other (comment below)

    2.8%
  1. e_blazer

    e_blazer Rip City Fan

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    Miller makes me nervous because of the bad judgment. Scoot is a really exciting player, but that 27.5% 3pt shooting stat is a deal-breaker for me. I’m going to say Amen on this and pray he’s the Blazers’ pick if they don’t trade it. Amen and Shaedon would be the highest-flying 2-3 pairing since Clyde and Kersey.
     
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  2. Pinwheel1

    Pinwheel1 Well-Known Member

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    There is no guarantee for anyone of them to be an all-star. Maybe Victor at #1...... but that's it.
    Who in the top 5 from last year will be an all-star other than #1?

    I am just saying if Scoot has already been taken based on the parameters from the OP......Miller is a safe pick based on his size and skill level.
     
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  3. Ed O

    Ed O Administrator Staff Member Administrator

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    Amen Thompson was playing against vastly inferior opponents, is a year older than Henderson, and shot 25% from three point range. He also shot about 10% worse from the free throw line.

    A wing that can't shoot is just about worthless these days, and I'm worried that Amen is going to be that. Not that a PG that can't shoot is always awesome, but as much as I dislike Westbrook, he has proven a guy can carve out a spot at the PG spot without being a good shooter.
     
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  4. KingSpeed

    KingSpeed Veteran

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    Really, EdO??? We already have a #3 pick discussion thread. It’s a pretty great thread too. Read that instead.
     
  5. Ed O

    Ed O Administrator Staff Member Administrator

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    I am reading and posting in that other thread. This is different.

    I am doing one thread a day, based on each pick of a mock draft. This poll and thread are based on the assumption that Scoot Henderson will be gone (as determined by yesterday's poll and thread) and we can make no trades... all of those make this different than the 119-page thread you reference.

    Tomorrow will be #4.

    Read the board, then post.

    ;)
     
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  6. e_blazer

    e_blazer Rip City Fan

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    You convinced me. Trade the damned pick for someone who can shoot.
     
  7. Ed O

    Ed O Administrator Staff Member Administrator

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    We might make the playoffs. Maybe.

    Woo hoo.

    In any event, this is not a "trade the pick" thread by its definition.
     
  8. e_blazer

    e_blazer Rip City Fan

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    It’s not a “you get to knock my reasoning no matter how incorrect it may be” thread either. ;)
     
  9. blazerfan11

    blazerfan11 Well-Known Member

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    Or Jordan and Pippen.
     
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  10. blazerfan11

    blazerfan11 Well-Known Member

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    What competition did Sharpe play against before the NBA?
     
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  11. LayneStaley

    LayneStaley Well-Known Member

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    I think Cha trades with Hou, Hou takes Scoot. Then many of you are disappointed when PDX doesn’t find the deal with Scoot gone then double downs on disappointments(not for me) and takes Amen over Miller after selling Dame on the athleticism and playmaking of Amen.

    Then Nurk/Ant/Little are shipped out to Brooklyn for Claxton/DFS/Harris/FutureProtected 1

    Dame/Amen
    Sharpe/Joe Harris
    Amen/Thybulle
    Grant/DFS/Watford
    Claxton/#23/Walker

    Harris provides scoring off the Bench
    Thybulle provided D off the Bench

    I’m sure Amen won’t start day one but by mid season.

    Sharpe/Amen/Grant/ Claxton in the starting lineup would make our D much better.

    We continue running dual timelines but if by midseason it isn’t working we trade Dame for a package to fill the holes with young guys that match the other guys timelines.
     
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  12. blazerfan11

    blazerfan11 Well-Known Member

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    Early in game 1, Nikola Jokic is zero for zero shooting, but he has 6 assists.
    Aaron Gordon is 6-8 shooting. All of his points have come at the hoop.

    This is how Amen Thompson can be effective in the NBA, with a combination of passing to shooters, and the ability to attack the hoop with his speed / ball handling / athleticism (where Gordon uses his size/strength).
     
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  13. tlongII

    tlongII Legendary Poster

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    I think Miller is a no brainer if he’s available.
     
  14. Predator

    Predator The Godfather

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    You take Miller all day, every day, and twice on Sunday.
     
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  15. SharpesTriumph

    SharpesTriumph Well-Known Member

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    Jokic has the ability to score inside and outside with the 3. That opens the floor for his passing. If Jokic couldn't shoot he wouldn't get as many assists.
     
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  16. Predator

    Predator The Godfather

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    Amen is a PG
     
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  17. Predator

    Predator The Godfather

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    Love the way you’re thinking, except I would want Amen as backup PG and possibly backup SF when we are closing games and they’re putting pressure on Dame. Would use simons or MLE for a starting SF
     
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  18. theprunetang

    theprunetang Shaedon "Deadly Nightshade" Sharpe is HIM

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    Fully agree. People are reaching for flaws.
     
  19. STOMP

    STOMP mere fan

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    If Scoot is gone at #2, which is what I voted for, I think Portland will trade the pick unless the offers are piss poor. They won't want the bad press over the gun/murder and there are several other prospects who I like at least as much based strictly on their games. If Portland keeps the pick, which again I don't think they will, my guess is Amen.

    STOMP
     
    Last edited: Jun 1, 2023
  20. blazerkor

    blazerkor Well-Known Member

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    Brandon Miller's floor is Ingram in my opinion and I think he'll be much better than BI. So yeah that's who I would take and if I didn't let emotional attachment and PR get in the way I would keep Miller with Ant and Shae. I do not think that's the way it's going to go and I'm cool with it because if we have the chance to we need to give Dame the best team he's had around him right now to see if he can take that team all the way.
     

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