With the 7th pick in the 2024 NBA Draft, The Portland Trailblazers select. . .

its one thing when there are "clear cut" talents in the draft (you dont have to be a good scout/gm to pick one, but its whole other thing where there arent), thats where you show your capability as gm/scout

hopefully mike schmitz targets the right one, but obviously its joe cronin who makes the ultimate decision

 

Yeah, they were entertaining. They had a couple of good tidbits. James was not a huge Ace Bailey fan...that was interesting.

Their comments on Tidjane all seemed to be second-hand information. But exciting if true.

I did agree when he said Matas would eventually be better at PF than Wing. And he did say he thought Portland was a good fit for him.

Their biggest concern for him was his ball-handling skills. I am not sure this guy agrees:
https://www.fiba.basketball/eurobas...-buzelis-will-be-lithuania-s-future-superstar


"I have him as a top-5 pick in this draft," says O'Donnell, before explaining: "The creativity he shows with the ball in his hands is really unique for someone so tall. At 6'10", he's comfortable playing on the perimeter but he's also not afraid of contact."

Besides his versatile offensive skillset, Buzelis made strides when it came to his defense during the 2023-24 season.

"His defense beat my expectations this year. He looks good on rotations to the rim and can offer some extra shot blocking," states O'Donnell, while Baumbach takes it a step further: "He was one of the best shot blockers and weak side rim protectors in the G League this past season."

When it comes to his NBA projection, scouts mention his strength and his jump shot as the two aspects that Buzelis will need to improve, but if he does, the sky's the limit for him.

"Realistically, I think he'll be in the Deni Avdija ballpark — a multi-positional defender with some playmaking chops that teams can't completely ignore from behind the three-point line," Baumbach says before warning: "If his jumper really gets going, then he could be in the All-Star mix."

 

If Buzelis is good then we won't get him, and if we get him he won't be good.

 

This surprised me a bit. I was figuring everyone saw Matas as a 4.
I think he fits REALLY well with Scoot, Sharpe, and Ayton as a connecting player at the 4. Their skill sets match nicely.


This quote is spot on....

Having said all that, I have more faith that Holland will reach all-star caliber over all the other wings/PF in the draft. I love how Holland approaches the game, his mentality, and personality.

 

He is a likable guy and would be a fan favorite....until his 2nd contract when we would turn on him.

 

I like Salaun at 14. I’m terrified of taking him at 7.

 

Yeah, I agree. He looks like a safe bet to be a stretch 4 in a couple of years. But does he have any mid-range game off the dribble? Maybe but the highlights never show any. That doesn't mean he doesn't have the ability though. On the other hand, I have seen it from Cody Williams and Buzelis. We need a 3-level scorer

 

I'm glad someone said it.

 

The only way Matas should be drafted is if the team thinks he's a PF. His advantages are muted at the three spot.

All of these videos should be taken with a grain of salt, of course. It's just someone's take. But I have heard a lot of the same criticisms about Matas' game, not just in this video.

I too like Matas as a connective piece, but I think I'd go with Holland if he's here and go for a Salaun or Ware with the later pick. I also agree that I think Holland is more likely to reach his ceiling than Matas. I think at his best, Matas is a connective piece where as I think Holland can be more.

 

I would as well.

 

Eventually people might figure out he’s a turnover machine

 

Right now @ 7:
Castle, Holland, Topic

Salaun, Williams, and Matas would be meh for me

NO: Knecht, Dillingham

14:
Ware, Dadiet

 

They all have their warts. They all have their interesting aspects. Honestly I kinda just trust Schmitz on this one. I’m just scared of Salaun right now, but he has his interesting aspects too.

 

For almost completely irrational reasons, I'm on the Holland+Ware bandwagon.

 

Saluan has tried a few pull-up middy's, but the results were....not good. He literally hit the top of the backboard on his last attempt. He has no control of his shot if his momentum is going forward (or backward).

I couldn't find the example I'm referring to, but there's an example in this video at 7:02 of him attempting a fade-away and again hitting the top of the backboard. Keep watching for another hilarious play (7:32-38) that demonstrates his touch around the basket.



He's a full 4-year project. I can't recall a prospect looking quite this green and overcoming that with an insane rate of development to become a good NBA player.

Of course there are "projects" who worked out, but they all had something going for them: OG, Jerami Grant, Jermaine O'Neal, PG, Bynum, Giannis, Marc Gasol, Ibaka, DeAndre Jordan, Gobert, Jimmy Butler, Drummond.

 

It’s like people are worried he’s the next Giannis and they don’t want to miss out.

 

I prefer Holland as well over Buzelis, but why isn't he considered a "turnover machine" (3,2 per game) where Buzelis is? (2.2 per game)
My guess is it had to do more with the Ignite team than the 2 players. I could be wrong but didn't their PG get injured and others were forced to play out of position? Either way, the team folded which is fine with me.

 

It's more fun to refer to Giannis as "Antetokounmpo" in draft conversations because it suggests that the "next Giannis" is more likely to be Thanasis....