I'm not sure Lillard is as much upside as ready to play. Upside picks for me would be: Drummond PJIII Rivers Lamb
Brian Berger's been saying this for a while too. Claims Barnes and Kyrie Irving are good buddies, and has convinced himself that Irving will talk management into drafting Barnes.
Here is his "source" Yesterday's ESPN mock........ http://insider.espn.go.com/nba/draft...raft-version-6
I think POR will be using both #6 & #11 based on what Olshey and Allen were saying and I would not be surprised to see them buy a late 1st or trade thier 2nd rounders to move up to the late 1st.... I think they will try and bring Freeland & Claver over...add 3 rookies and then add 1 significant FA, any others will be on short (1-2 year contracts) to fill in any holes in the roster.... I would also not be surprised to see POr use some of its cap space to gain a pick or young player from a team who wants to shed some salary....
If we strike out in FA I wouldn't be surprised if we go after a player on a horrible contract for a young talent/lottery selection from this year. Something like Autin Daye/PJones(just assuming the pistons take him at 8) while taking on Ben Gordon terrible contract. I should check but I think Gordon's contract ends in two years which would be the start of the harsh Lux tax rules. Not really the home run I was hoping for this summer but that is looking more and more like Dwill or bust. I wonder how much NO wants to get out of okafers contract. Grabbing him from them and taking the #10 in return could be interesting. Fills a void at center for a few years while he is overpaid he is decent. Maybe entice them into a sign and trade Gordon with us for ewill at the same time? Scared of his injurys but i'm just throwing stuff out off the top of my head at the moment.
This to me is the most interesting mews about the draft today: "According to Sam Amico, one western conf GM says that 80-90 of all mock drafts are completely wrong right now. Apparent there's a TON of chatter coming out of the Chi combine and it's not even started, be on the lookout for player stocks to change drastically. People saying that the Top 10 will have players no one is even talking about." I think with the equality of talent after #1 and perhaps extending past the 5 or 6 other players who have been "consensus 2nd Tier", the situaltion is going to be very fluid pending combine results and further workouts. This draft may have a lot more top 9 (after Davis) surprises then most
If Drummond could put up Tyson Chandler-type numbers for the Blazers, would you still take him at #6?
Chad Ford chat With Olshey now at the helm in Rip City and preaching the importance of young talent, do the Blazers target a potential "cornerstone" this draft? Do they package the 6 and 11 to move up and get it? Is Drummond that guy? Or do they upgrade the 2 with Beal? Chad Ford (1:18 PM) Olshey spent a lot of time on the high school circuit and really values young players who were highly ranked coming out of high school. Look at their picks, DeAndre Jordan, Al-Farouq Aminu, Eric Bledsoe, etc. He also loved OJ Mayo and worked hard to get him. So ... if they can't move up (I could see Beal) as a target, he won't be afraid at all to go after a guy like Andre Drummond or Perry Jones.
Hell yeah! Why wouldn't you? An energetic big man that can block shots, rebound, play tough, gritty D on other big men. Who doesn't need that on their team?
Sam Amick More proof that the NBA combine is getting worse: Source says Anthony Davis, Bradley Beal, Andre Drummond, Dion Waiters, and Harrison Barnes are declining to take part in skills drills that involve running and shooting tomorrow. This list is likely to get longer, as agents try to limit the chances that their prospect works out in front of a large group and instead prioritize individual team workouts.
I would in a heartbeat. I'm just gauging the collective interest in Drummond here. His shooting (FTs especially) scares me and would limit him being on the floor in close games. He's a great finisher around the rim, and I like his motor going after offensive rebounds (something we've really lacked). I keep hearing the word "upside" and I like all the video I've seen of him.
I think it's important to note that he didn't say play like Chandler, but put up Chandler-type numbers. No guarantees of gritty d there.
I would still be ok with 11 PPG with a Center who consistently stretches the floor and puts up a double double almost with 1.5 blocks
I noticed that. But the times I've watched Drummond play, he ain't afraid to scrap and play some "D". If he can come and take care of D and rebounding, anything we get on offense is gravy. My buddy says "Mutumbo". I think Drummond has more potential on offense, but he certainly will need to work on it (especially his FT's).
