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

12 and 6 senior year in only 23 minutes a game, shooting 59%. He was pretty dominant for his usage level.

 

ok...the context of my 'objections' for Edey, in this thread, is this:



I was in a thread discussing who the Blazers should take with the 7th pick...and no matter how much you advocate for him I won't agree he'd be worth the 7th pick; and I explained why I held that view

I also said this:

for sure, I'd much prefer Portland swung for the fences with both picks and took their swings at wings, not drop-coverage C's; undersized SG's that can't defend wings (or anybody else); or smallish PG's

as I just explained, I wasn't dismissing him entirely; mainly just dismissing him as a worthy 7th pick

but wait a minute...you're now excusing a C who can't defend mid-range shots? What are mid-range shots? I'd define them as 10-18 feet. So yeah, if a C is incapable of defending shots in that range...forget him

 

We havent blazed any trails of late, thats for sure.

 

I hereby proclaim with as many youngsters, we shall be known as the Trail Guppies!

 

If we normalize their stats to amount per 40:

Edey:
31.5 pts, 15 boards, 2.7 blocks 66% TS

Karnowski:
21/10/1.6 on 59%.

Also Edey was the focal point of opposig defenses, and is much bigger. A 9'7 standing reachin 7'11 wingspan..

Karnowski's wingspan is almost a full foot shorter at 7'0, and his standing reach is 7 inches less.

They are simply not in the same tier.

 

How you gonna do the Zers like that?

 

Clingan and Edey are intriging options for a backup center. Seem to have a very high likelhood of having some value there. But there is a very low ceiling on their value as a part time backup. Basically they are a very high percentage single. The Blazers need to at least swing for doubles. If we had a starting 5 set and need the last role players to contend then I'd be interested in them but we need to take swings at getting starters first.

 

Big whoop, that's the least efficient shot in basketball. Scoring inside is still the most efficient shot in basketball, and even more so, when you consider how it leads to more FT attempts.

Having a big man that can dominate in the paint is such an obvious boon. It's bizzaare to me that some people seem to be more concerned about players getting mid range looks than they are about a center that can dominate inside.
https://news.syr.edu/blog/2024/02/09/deflation-study-shows-nba-3-point-shot-has-lost-its-value/

 

I dunno - getting blown out by 60+ twice in one season had never been done before

 

so you want the Blazers to draft Edey at 7

no thanks

 

BTW, does someone have a video highlight that shows how Edey was so absolutly terrible on defense that he was unplayable?

 

I'd be excited if we took Zach. Prospects like him doing come around very often. I think he's going to make a lot of people look stupid for passing on him..

 

This must be a joke

 

good point but I view that more like not knowing how to even pick up a trail or digging a hole in the ground.

 

Pretty sure Edey has a skill that will translate. He is an elite offensive player. He will DOMINATE offensively in the NBA. His “skill” is also more reliable on a game to game basis.

And surprise surprise… most centers in the NBA are much smaller than Edey.

But, I acknowledge he is gonna be attacked in the PnR pretty much every time he is on the court

 

So many NBA players were absolutely dominate in college and it doesn’t translate to the NBA. Just look up the last 30 or so college player of the year award winners.

Then tell me how many of them had fruitful NBA careers.

 

I think just about every team in the league could put a lineup on the court that would make him unplayable on defense and I don't think the dominance he showed in college on offense translates to the NBA in a way that could make up for his defensive liabilities against lineups with five shooters. You might be right and he could be such a weapon on offense and in the defensive paint that he dominates... it's just not a gamble I see anyone taking in the top 10.

I actually think the Heat could take him at 15 and he might look really good as a change up pitch to Bam... even playing in lineups with Bam at times.

 

Can you say Walter Berry.....

 

That's why Jokic fell to the 2nd round. How were the nuggets ever able to win a championship without a gazzel at center that can guard the perimeter?