My thing with CMB is I think he's a Dude's Rug kind of guy - you know, he pulls the whole room together. That is, he's a player that produces a whole that is greater than the sum of its parts, which is never going to show up in flashy stats (although his stats are pretty gaudy anyway). However, the worry with him is that we're already committed to Clingan, and if he can't shoot AT ALL, you have a frontcourt of two non-shooters. Mind you, if Clingan keeps working on his three...
Unless a GM sees Essengue as a future star, then top 6 is out. High risk and there are good draftees available — Edgecombe, Johnson, Knueppel and Bailey. Pels at 7 have forwards. Maluach in play at every pick from here on. Maybe Fears with Dejounte’s Achilles rehab. Nets at 8 wants to win. Essengue in play from this pick on. The Nets are hard to read for me. Raps at 9 love switchable forwards but their best players are forwards and a PG. They can use talent everywhere (like the Blazers). A surprise to me if Maluach gets below 9. Bryant may show up here. This is a trouble spot for the Blazers. Suns at 10 need a starting PG, PF, and center. They have SGs and SFs. With Booker in his prime, they need to win. Carter Bryant next to Dillon works? Demin is unselfish. Queen is a popular, playmaking choice. IMHO, 8-10 is the minefield. Yes, Portland would want most anyone in the top 5. But what this mental exercise (guesstimating) is about is that — except for another really cool draft day trade — Portland can let a really useful rotation player (good 8th man or better) fall to them at 11. Moving down means not being in control of getting one of a handful of guys they (and importantly that I) want. Moving up to 7 to get Essengue (or the guy they think is a dude)? That works. Marks likes to deal, so 8 is open. Dealing with Toronto really sucks, so 9 is unlikely as hell. Two days until the draft and it certainly feels like Portland will pick 11 … then hopefully trade a vet or two …
I won't mind it if we take a big like CMB or Newell that are more switchable than Clingan on D but I would hope they'd have the potential to spread the floor on O... again though it wouldn't be disheartening to me if we got either of those two. If we did make a guy like either CMB or Newell our pick at 11 then we better have a home for Ayton or we'll watch the number 11 pick wither on the bench and not have any idea if he's a bust or not. If we drafted Essengue I think we'd have time before we'd need to see him on the court. I just really hope we see Ant and Jerami moved and if not both, for the love of god, move at least one of them.
I think if you watch Essengue and don't see huge star potential then you're not watching well but I agree he should go behind the guys you're saying... maybe not Kneupple but he probably will go behind him. Also I think the caliber of guys available at 11 should be there at 15, so if we can get 15 and 24 I think we should. The only reason we wouldn't is if we don't expect to move any of the contracts that we currently have or on a brighter not think we'll get good contracts back in return.
If San Antonio and OKC weren’t lurking at 14 and 15, my objection to moving down is slightly less. I’ve seen them pick favorite draftees of mine too many times. D@mn annoying! And at 11 in trade, either one would be practically guaranteed to annoy. With this draft being ‘variable,’ waiting until 11 is bad enough — fortunately, there should be a dude there. I see star potential in Essengue down the line a couple/few years, but getting there — if he gets anywhere near there — will require patience some GMs cannot afford. His range in mock drafts is pretty wide.
Talked to a coworker who is heavy on the college basketball. Compared Carter Bryan to Dyson Daniels but with a better jump shot. That sounds pretty damn appealing actually.
I'll be surprised if Essengue slips out of the Top 10. His transition scoring is quite elite and very similar to Amen Thompson (though, he's not as freakishly athletic). Versatile player and defender, as well. I want to say he could be what a modern day James Worthy looks like. Versatile defender (good but not All Defensive intensity), elite transition scoring, highly capable of attacking the rim, solid playmaking skills. You put all that next to Deni, I think you'll see a 'turbo combo' on offense/in transition with strong defense complimenting that speedy playstyle.
Why the fuck is that O'Connor's business?!? If Essengue's new life is in the NBA, I don't mind him leaving a team that he obviously saw a stepping stone to be present when his new life begins. That's a shitty take from an adult about an 18 year old young man.
Middle of the road. Both play a great style of the game. If they develop, they could be very good. The "if" is what keeps me from getting too excited or disappointed.
