What? The experts changed their minds on this draft? Before the season, weren't we jealous of teams who were smart enough to get multiple FRPs for this draft? Didn't the experts say it was the deepest in years? Persoanlly I hope this draft does suck from 12 or so on. But I think there will be talent when we pick. Just not one that can start the first year. So like most drafts.
I've honestly felt that this draft has been overrated since the jump. It has better top-end talent (or at least potential talent) than some years, but by the time you get to pick 5, how many of the remaining guys have even an inkling of #1 option potential? Maybe Jeremiah Fears? Anyone else you look at and feel they could be a #1 or even #2 option on a contending team if they hit their ceiling? There is, of course, still some solid talent after that point, but you're aiming to get high-level role players from that point on. Inevitably, someone lower pops unexpectedly, but I'm struggling identify those with even the remote chance (Clayton? Clifford? Bryant becomes something different in like a Jimmy Butler transcendency?). It definitely makes me understand the "#10 as a trade asset" take. It just doesn't feel like the risk of opportunity cost feels that severe this year. If the trade you make busts, you might lose out on having taken solid role player. Not ideal, but certainly not catastrophic. In fact, I'd argue that last year's famously awful draft had more high-upside potential in that mid-first-round range than this year's. I felt like last year and you could at least squint at guys like Carrington, McCain, Ware, Knecht, Dillingham, Williams, Topic and see some really high-end outcomes if they hit their ceilings. I'm just struggling to find those guys this year.
I agree, but.........I think there will be players who are now slotted for late first and early 2nd who will suddenly jump into the 15-20 range. Once people start breaking down all the film. Probably a couple of international players. Again, they will not be ready from the get-go, but that will be true of almost every single player in the draft outside of maybe Flagg, and he will probably struggle his first year, too. All of the players I saw struggled at times against college talent, so it only makes sense that they will struggle their first year in the Association.
This is why I’m pro shooting for Sabonis with this pick. We need to add to our playoff prospects - NOT more unproven young raw talent. That’s going backwards
Sabonis is too old and has proven to be a questionable impact guy vs the highest level teams. But he's also good enough that it may just put us in bubble playoff team purgatory. I'd shoot higher or just continue to build through the draft.
Lottery talk, Zach's first blush feel on some guys and J Kyle Mann with some Blazers optimism. Starts at 53:35, Blazers stuff at 1:04:09.
I'm jealous of teams who have multiple FRPs in consecutive drafts (regardless of how strong/weak the draft). That's how you build a championship contender.
You build a championship contender by finding generational players in the draft and then surrounding them with the right pieces. Tatum might not be generational, but he’s a multi time allstar and one of the best players in the league. Same with the Kawhi Raptors, but Jokic, Steph, Lebron, Giannis, Portland may not have won a title with Dame, but had our fucktard of a GM surrounded him with the right pieces, we would have competed for one most seasons.
Yep. And the draft is the best way to do that in Portland. More bites of the pie increases the odds of nabbing that player as well as the talent to fill out the roster.
I’ve spent a lot of time and effort on this draft looking at prospects that are either under the radar or projected low 1RP or 2RP. This pick is as good as gone if we don’t move up into the top-3. I’m swinging for the fences and taking a shot at Rocco Zikarsky. Building one of the biggest center rotations in nba history
Works for me. The NBA is returning to big people in the middle for defense. I do not see any super player after the 5 th pick.
Why do you like him? When I watch some game film, he seemed a bit clumsy. I also didn't see anything that he did that stood out - besides being the biggest guy on the court.
Upside and defensive feel - he has a high bball IQ. He’s nimble for a 7’3” player (or was) but we’ll have to see how he returns from injury. This is the only thing that’s keeping him from being a 1RP. Injury isn’t serious but he’s a legit giant so it’s obviously a gamble but one worth taking imo. It’s the same approach OKC took last year with Nikola Topic.
What is Domas possibly too old for? He can offer us 7 straight years of prime. Is 2040 “the year” or wat
48 hours. The luck that’s in team building. The skill and hours staffs put in during multi-year analyses of prospects. Good luck, Monday, Mr. Cronin, Mr. Schmitz.
