He had a few problems when he was with us last. 1. He just wasn't explosive, which was worrying given that he had the skills of a 5 in a 6'8" body. 2. He couldn't shoot (so, again, a midget center) 3. He didn't know how to play basketball (a common problem for Kansas grads) He seems to have made significant strides in correcting 1 and 2 - he seems lighter and more explosive, and he's hitting jump shots out to 3 point range. HOWEVER, 3 remains a problem. It's the same problem that has doomed fellow Jayhawk TRob to journeyman status.
Agreed. He has a great NBA body and is certainly worth a look. If he keeps playing the way he is now though I would guess someone will give him a contract just on his potential. FWIW, I like Ed, but don't see him as part of the long term in Portland. I would gladly hand his spot to someone like Alexander.
Was just looking at the draft file for Indiana's Thomas Bryant, and I see a lot of similarities between him and Alexander. Undersized center, long arms, poor feel for the game, etc. Either one would be worth a flyer to see if their fantastic physical tools can translate into being a solid front-court complement for Nurkic.
FWIW Cliff has the same standing reach as Nurk and also has a longer wing span. Not saying the Blazers need to get him, but his 6'8" body is deceiving. And I agree he is a center not a PF.
So let me get this straight, because a big puts up good numbers against D-League bigs... Portland should drop a big who is a year removed from getting votes for 6 man of the year, and is 27. Who has a career MPG average of 20.9.. Give me a break. Not to mention Alexander is same big while he was on the Portland roster. During practice he didn't look like he belonged on the same court as Nards/Plumlee/Davis/Vonleh. That highlight video of Cliff Alexander reminds me of when this preseason people on this board blew their load because Vonleh did this
Since the new CBA allows a 17 man roster (2 in the D-League), it comes down to - is Cliff Alexander a better prospect than 2 of: - Connaughton (I'd say definitely yes. His contract is non-guaranteed.) - Ezeli (Considering the injury and the lux tax - I'd say yes. His contract is only guaranteed about $1M.) - Quarterman (I'd say yes. His contract is non-guaranteed.) - #28 in the 2017 draft. (I could go either way.) - #23 in the 2017 draft. (Probably not.) No need to cut any guaranteed contracts to make room for Alexander (Especially Ed Davis). Alexander is a young big with quite a bit of upside potential.
Quarterman vs Napier. One will be gone next year. They both are 2 completely different types of backup pg's. I like both. One roster spot will be available though.
Dude is a baller. Somebody will pick him up, and hopefully for Alexander it is somebody who knows how to use him and gives him some room to play. He looks like he's already good enough to get ~10 minutes off the bench.
