Game Thread 2023-24 PRESEASON - BLAZERS @ JAZZ - OCTOBER 14, 2023 - SATURDAY - 6:00 PM - ROOT, NBA LP

Hard to tell with Luke. He was athletic before his injuries. The guy completely tore his hamstring off the bone. But yeah he probably got drafted too high.

 

Yeah, as I noted in the Camara thread, he was a guy I was really intrigued by for our second round pick heading into the draft. I really liked his well-rounded athleticism and seemingly mature game from the little I saw. Of course, at the draft, I was also quite pleased with the Rupert selection, and I be lying if I thought that Camara would look this solid this early.

On Murray, and it's easy to say now, I wonder if he should have ever been considered an NBA ready type of prospect. I think people assume NBA readiness due to his age, but this is a guy who didn't really figure out the his fit in college until the third or fourth year. I wouldn't be shocked if 1) Murray does become a solid NBA rotation piece; and 2) if it doesn't happen until like his 3rd year in the league. Of course, the NBA moves so quickly that it may not wait that long for him.

 

Rewatching the game and focusing in on TC.

It's really really really hard to temper my enthusiasm. Man come on. Why couldn't we have landed this guy a few yrs ago?

 

shhh he a top secret and will one day provide shock-and-awe in the league

 

Focus? Focus your Camara? Is this one Toumani Camara jokes today?

 

We didn’t draft Lopez.

 

So what? We're talking about getting lesser Blazer brothers aren't we?

 

don’t care one way or the other, and I liked RoLo, but your Robin Lopez comment was in response to CC saying we shouldn’t DRAFT brothers, so I was just clarifying we didn’t draft Lopez.

The post you responded to: “Blazers need to set a rule never to draft the brother of someone already in the league... especially if that brother is good.”

Edit: And further, those two entered the league at the same time.

 

That’s why I said it’s a way too early hot take. But you don’t usually become more athletic as you get older and he’s 23. The guy just doesn’t stand out at all.

 

He hasn't had enough opportunity to show what he got yet. It might happen if Jerami gets injured or traded. Just like Rayan probably won't get to show his talents while Brogdon is here and healthy

 

actually, it wasn’t smart-ass semantics. even if that’s what’s expected of me and I admittedly do a lot. it was factual. doesn’t apply here.

 

you stole my line but keep up the post policing! It's a thankless job!

 

I’m not a mod but I call out incorrect info (when I care enough to read the board).

 

Good reminder on that it’s an admittedly early hot take. It’s not a bad take even though mine’s more positive.

College stats are a starting point. Tape on him as well. How similar were his stats to his brother’s (2 years) with Kris (years 2 and 3)? [I liked where both teams got the Murray’s, so there’s my admitted bias.] As a general statement looking at their stats from college, Keegan’s took the bigger, earlier leap where Kris’s simply scaled up from rotation player to starter.

Kris’s size, length, athleticism (IMHO) pass the threshold for the NBA at forward. SF is a more open position — but with Grant’s value (minus rebounding), PF may open up soon enough. Will Murray’s game and athleticism be a better fit at PF? I’d say yes, so it will take some time to put on good weight. He’s “a keeper.”

 

After watching some of the highlights I noticed Ant getting 4 3’s off Scoot assists.

It’s amazing how great of a shooter he is. He can shoot a perfect looking 3 ball so quick in minimal space. I think that with Dame, we were asking Ant to do too much to get his shot. Dame is primarily looking for his own shot, and Ant is getting his 3’s running off screens, maybe it takes too much energy out of him.

From the highlights I watched yesterday, outside of the 3’s he’s creating for himself, he got some 3’s trailing and off passes from Scoot. Let’s see what happens 20 games into the season, but it seems like Ant will have to exert less energy to get off his 3’s.

There’s no reason for Ant to NOT shoot at least 10 3’s a game this year. I think he can shoot 12 3’s and still be a 40% shooter.

 

Another observation: Shae looks more engaged when he has more responsibility with the ball handling and decision making. I think I’m starting to come around to having Shae come off the bench, reason being that he can get more opportunities on the ball without Scoot and Ant.

Brogdon/Shae/Camara/____/Williams, fill PF with whoever you want, I think this could be a pretty good lineup to play against opposing benches.