Pretty certain he promised Dame too. His draft outfit matched perfectly with team colors. Collins got a promise too I believe. Nearly everyone had him going to us in mocks leading up to the draft.
I don’t remember a report of a promise. They also gave him two workouts. Would be weird if they gave Mattise a promise without working him out once.
Yup he got one. https://www.blazersedge.com/2018/6/22/17491970/2018-nba-draft-blazers-promised-anfernee-simons
How did we promise Collins and how was he mocked to us when we didn't have the 10th pick until after the draft started?
When you are good on defense you can contribute right away. Maybe that's what Olshey wants right now, to find somebody that can give us a few rotation minutes since it seems we will lose some players.
I hope that's true because eliminating the Celtics at 22 from taking Bazley would ease my mind a little.
Sure it does, the guy has a 7' wing span. And you will see more zone in the pros much like the Raptors did against GS.
Actually they got better, then worse, then better again. Methinks his shot is just inconsistent, and he's never worked with a good shooting coach.....
I agree with this. A swarming/switching defense that is now being employed in the NBA is really just a more complicated zone. I think this will continue.
There's upside to Thybulle. He's a guy who has the potential not just to be a plus defender. He has the potential to be an ELITE, shutdown defender. But he scares me because Washington didn't play enough man-to-man. Those steals and blocks are coming on reading passing lanes and helping out. I want to know if he's going to be able to be in Klay Thompson's grill and driving him crazy just to get the ball and create a shot. I can't see that when he's always playing zone. The other upside is he's athletic. He MIGHT have untapped offense in his game. I just don't know where it might be. If he's an elite defender who can give you 10 ppg, whoever gets him is getting a steal. If he's an elite defender who other teams don't have to guard, then it's meh. Would've loved to see video of him D-ing up Kevin Porter Jr. one-on-one. That'd give you a great read on how good a defender he truly is, because Porter has an NBA offensive game.
This is true but is this draft really about next year? All these guys are going to sit next year and work on their game. Don't they all have areas they need to improve on before they are ready for the playoffs? However to your point I am always leery of drafting athletic guys who need to improve their shooting, but it is better than drafting a shooter who will never EVER be athletic.
