As arguments about Richardson are spilling across multiple threads, I thought we should silo them into one specialized thread instead. Have at it!
Elite shooter Elite finisher at the rim +defender Can play point - Izzo played him off the ball for over 1/2 the season. In the modern era, your PG has to be able to shoot. With Jase’s jumper and his ability to get to the rim, he’ll add a dynamic that Scoot just hasn’t proved that he can do on a consistent bases. In the playoffs teams will hunt for Scoot in the form of forcing him to shoot. Jase shot 50% on wide open threes - you can’t leave him open. You let Scoot or Jase earn the starting job. No more coddling for three+ years.
Out of these 3 players, Jase is the best prospect. Scoot should still start. Jase can come off the bench to replace Simons' role.
All things???? Short people got no reason Short people got no reason Short people got no reason To live They got little hands And little eyes And they walk around Tellin' great big lies They got little noses And tiny little teeth They wear platform shoes On their nasty little feet Well, I don't want no short people Don't want no short people Don't want no short people 'Round here Short people are just the same As you and I (A fool such as I) All men are brothers Until the day they die (It's a wonderful world) Short people got nobody Short people got nobody Short people got nobody To love They got little baby legs And they stand so low You got to pick 'em up Just to say hello They got little cars That got beep, beep, beep They got little voices Goin' peep, peep, peep They got grubby little fingers And dirty little minds They're gonna get you every time Well, I don't want no short people Don't want no short people Don't want no short people 'Round here
With the 11th? I don't know if I draft anyone of them. If we trade for another first rounder further down, then Jace or Nique.
I really like Jase. His combination of body contortion, touch around the rim, and slick footwork + body control to get off and make tough shots in the mid range / floater area make him very intriguing. Finishes through contact really well too despite his size. Pair that with his shooting, low mistake game, ability to toggle on and off the ball seamlessly and the feel and competitiveness on defense and you have a player with a lot of different paths to becoming a good NBA player even if the doesn't develop into a pure point guard. He will need to continue to add weight, especially to help him defensively. He has trouble anchoring right now and carries most of his weight in his mid section like his dad did. Like I've posted in the past, I don't think he's the absolute best fit but I like his ceiling more than anyone projected to be in our range minus maybe Coward, Essengue and Queen and that's what you shoot for in the draft. Also, Tankathon has his birthday listed incorrectly. He's an October 2005 birthday and will be 20 before the season starts.
Stat summary for Jase: ↑ pts36: 17.3 ↑ reb36: 4.7 ↑ ast36: 2.7 (2.25 a/t) - blk36: 0.4 - stl36: 1.2 ↑ 3FG%: 41.2% (3.2 at/gm) - PER: 20.7 ↑ BPM: 11.6 (#9 NCAA) ↑ Orat: 132.0 - Drat: 100.3 . . Draft Age: 18.7 Height (w/o shoes): 6' 0.5" (4th shortest at 2025 Combine) Wingspan: 6' 6.0" Max Vertical Leap: 38.0" (11th highest at 2025 Combine) I've got Jase Richardson at #10 on my big board. I'm a fan. https://fanspo.com/nba/draft-big-boards/90oTqErIV-obBW
Here's a comp of a player previously taken at the #11 spot: Picking Jase at 11, I think the Blazers would be finding a player that will have a high likelihood of a solid NBA career. This wouldn't be a swing for the fences pick, but I also don't think it would be a bunt or single pick either. I would consider this a sold double. And picking at #11, and looking at the Blazers roster, I'm good with a double. (Did I just use a baseball analogy on a basketball forum? Ugh)
At 11, a reasonable expectation is getting a starting player or 6th man (using terminology from the 2009 Roland Beech analysis http://82games.com/nbadraftpicks.htm). 15% chance of a star. 15% chance of a solid player. 30% role player. 35% deep bench. I have not seen a more recent analysis like this, though The Ringer and others try to help fans with draft expectations. Taking a “big swing” is to get closer to a star than a solid player/starter. For me in this draft, that’s Essengue and Demin. At 11, even with the risk but with enough intell, getting a positionally appropriate-sized guy who D’s up and shoots well is less likely to be a star. Perhaps, a #2 or #3 guy on a team if he hits, but a 6th or 7th man if he develops — Bryant and Coward. Jakucionis fits as a really good, “safe” pick for Portland. After missing by one number on one lottery ball in consecutive lotteries, some good fortune and the skill of Schmitz and others will maximize the pick … I hope. If I was confident that Jase would (1) end up as a PG and (2) be somewhere between Pritchard and Brunson, then make that pick every time. As a 2, it’s not just the concern what he scores versus what he gives up; it’s his effect on teammates on D.
