Came across this article - https://www.blazersedge.com/2023/6/...ts-2023-myles-burns-davis-lewis-rice-tshiebwe - that lists him among prospects who tried out for us. What was interesting to me is his numbers: 16.5 points, 13.7 rebounds, 1.6 steals, 1.0 blocks in 33,5 mpg, 56.0% FG He's maybe undersized at 6-9 but having these numbers in a program like Kentucky is impressive. He is a senior so I guess doesn't have as much upside/untapped potential but look at these numbers, he's going to be at least a solid player
I just watched his post workout interview and I fuggin love this guy already. One thing I’ve noticed is that good rebounding generally carries over to the NBA. Blazers need rebounding desperately.
Tshiebwe is a rebounding beast. Not a ton of offensive potential and very little explosiveness around the basket. And despite a 7'4" wingspan, not great defensively or as a rim protector. But the boards.....have mercy, the boards. "Rebounding Machine"....that's awesome! He has to be accounted for because he can dominate the glass with relentless effort and creates additional shots for himself or teammates on the offensive end. On the defensive end, he helps end possessions. Here he is putting up 37 points and 24 rebounds against Georgia. If he is there at #43, or as an UDFA, absolutely a guy to have on your bench. Blazers have no one like that.
He doesn't appear to be ranked high enough to get drafted at the moment. But this draft doesn't have a ton of big men, so maybe a team that needs rebounding snags him at the end of the second round. Then again, seems like nobody wants a traditional big man anymore. I kinda expect he'll end up in the g league or going overseas.
Every draft expert and coach say that rebounding is the one thing that Carrie’s over from college to the pros
Oscar would be a perfect match alongside Wemby. Not saying he's a starter or anything like that. Just that his strengths and style would be perfect in that role. Plus, you'd never have to run anything for him or worry about him wanting more shots. He's been a darkhorse favorite of mine. The best thing he could do for Portland is moving Grant to the SF position.
In the 2nd round, take him. Nnaji? Him, too. Take bigs in the 2nd round. Got a skill — rebounding. Or loves D. Or athletic ability. Take extra shots for a deeper, bigger bench. Guys in the 20s and 30s with more experience and/or multi-skill development … nice investments.
Nnaji will likely go in the 1st round, or potentially not at all. It has to do with his buyout. My understanding, is he can come over if he is a 1st round pick, but if he goes in the 2nd round, there is a buyout that has to be negotiated. Some team with an extra 2nd round pick might take him and stash him at that point.
Lively (aka, the non-Wemby center) is a possible dude. One reason to ship Nurk + 3 for WCJ + 6 + 11 is Lively at 11. Center addressed. Getting a Thompson with 6 or shipping Ant + 6 (+ sweetener?) for Bridges, and I’m a happy camper … which is the point of the trades. EDITED: Someone I know — a few years back — made the case for going tall. Not big and slow or injured or inconsistent. But to have a tall, athletic defense-oriented center AND size at forward. That if the guards are busy scoring, with at least one 3 & D forward, the D better be behind them. See Denver. And it’s not merely being reactive to Denver and getting poor imitations after seeing what worked and didn’t in the playoffs. (e.g., lettuce for Evan Turner as a point-forward initiator for the 2nd unit who neither shot 3s nor took it all the way to the rim after getting blanketed by the Pels’ double teams)
It might have been Blazersland, but I wrote an article somewhere a couple of years ago about 'doing the opposite' and going big. Denver has done just that. Great size/length all over the place.
I like him a lot..he seems to love the game and plays like someone who's focused on everything while on a court. Also seems like a great locker room presence. Lot of maturity and strong as an ox.
