I agree with your Ayton comments regarding Cronin … and if they want Ayton closer to the hoop and dunking, then get him there. He’s good at the midrange, so that’s part of his diet which is fine. We’ve seen guys taking practically no mid range and almost exclusively putting up 3’s and within about 3’ so coaching matters. If Ayton isn’t playing effectively in the next year, then let him go. Given what he makes and given Clingan increasing his minutes, the choices get obvious. I’m more concerned about them making the right call on Ant in a timely manner (as in right away).
Now, since this thread is about Noa Essengue — perhaps my favorite target at 11 — a recent comment by Mike Richman to Tyler Rucker (of No Ceilings) got my attention. Richman really likes Essengue’s production this early and against pro’s even though Richman said he can’t dribble or shoot … there was some hyperbole and humor from him. The point can get lost, but Essengue is becoming increasingly productive and his physical abilities ARE impressive in spite of what he currently lacks. What he can become once he develops those beginning versions of skills and with getting his NBA body is a ‘big swing’. I look first to a player’s movement both in space and in a phone booth. Their feet. Then to a guy’s activity and what it produces. To one’s court sense and what is done with it. Opportunism, connectedness, focus. My favorite Blazer currently is Camara. When the clock is running, so is he. He’s not a stand around looking kind of guy. Essengue isn’t quite that, but he’s young and moves much more smoothly and easily than guys of his height. Just on movement at that age, he looks different and crosses a threshold (IMHO) for being — potentially — a serious dude.
Completely agree. Given the likelihood that he's going to be gone by 11 - Im leaning more towards preferring a trade down scenario. I like a lot of players in this draft. Noa is the only one (outside the top 5) that Id be excited about
If you like Camara, Carter Bryant says he watches him and patterns his game after him. If you like Deni, then Demin is your man as he says he patters his game after Avdija. Interesting that two players in the Draft are trying to be like Blazers.
Rough outing today. Extremely raw - maybe as raw as Rupert. His jumper isn’t broken but it’s going to take years to turn him into a reliable shooter. His handle is a ways away too. CMB >>>
we should be so lucky that Noa drops into our laps. Size/length + athleticism + coordination + rapidly improving & still growing at 18.5 years old is a gamble I'd love to see them take. STOMP
Honestly I am 50/50 on him and if i am being honest he is worth a gamble but i could understand why a team or the Blazers would pass on him IF there. I will say this IF he is there and he is the pick then one thing is for sure Rupert is getting released or part of a trade package cause they are the same only Noa is prolly a better talent in the long run.
I don't think he's Salaun, but he's also not as polished as Risachere. We knew that. He would be the youngest later in this draft if it weren't for Cooper. And only by a few days.
Watching him you get flashes of a young Tashaun Prince ….or Greg Brown lll. Carter Bryant and CMB >>>
Might be the worst player comp I've ever seen someone put out. Greg Brown was an incredibly explosive 6'7 athlete with jump shot mechanics comparable to Charles Barkley's golf swing. Essengue is 3" taller, much more fluid but not nearly as explosive. While his jumper hasn't been reliable thus far his shot mechanics are actually good and certainly not the eyesore that Brown's J was/is. To my eyes, Noa is a bit of a baby giraffe still filling and figuring out his gangly body which apparently is still growing. I could easily see him weighing 220+ in a couple years when he's 20. This physical maturation is near guaranteed to happen but a team drafting him will be betting they can hone his jumper to at least a respectable level. Achieve that or more and he'll be a hell of a player. STOMP
I'm amassing a list of guys I would be happy with and a list of disappointments. Happy: Bryant-I see a little Deni and Tou in him. Pretty good model. Coward-we need his shooting anf defensive flexibility. At minimum I think he is a great depth guy. Essengue-it's gonna take a couple years, but he could be Chet-lite. I want to hear more about his attitude and work ethic. Clifford-too early, but I think he'll be a very good second unit guy. No holes in his game. Bailey-if he spirals, Chauncey is the kind of coach that can get the most out of him. Attitude questions are pretty scary though. Disappointing: Queen-I can't get Oliver Miller off my mind when I watch Queen. If I could, I'm afraid Caleb Swanigan (RIP) takes over my mind. CMB-just don't think his game translates. I think his ceiling is Ed Davis with a little more offense. Fears-if he falls, get out of the way and let him keep falling. Kneuppel-too one dimensional. Getting Wally Szczerbiak vibes. Not the athlete he's getting credit for. Traore-too wild. I think he needs another year or two to prove he can run an offense. Richardson-too small. I think they are building with height and length and JR isn't. If somehow we get another pick: McNeeley-he's going to be a really good third option, soon. WCJ-solid backup or spot starting PG. Loved his toughness he showed on the big stage. Yannick Konan Neiderhauser-if he hits, I think he has the highest ceiling of all the guys in the late first round.
