Looks like he is that athletic, and I think he'll be similar to Brandon Roy. Let's not forget that he started his freshman year when he was only 17, so he's a young Sophomore at that. Via Draft Express: I would be down to pair him in the backcourt with Roy, but I figure he'll go Top-5 so it's very unlikely at this point.
He's creative with the ball, but he's still a shooting guard when it comes to playing defense. I like him, but he's a bad fit with the Blazers as currently constructed.
If you take out the last 3 years of Jackson's career where he was a glorified practice player I think any NBA team would be ecstatic to get that. 15.5 ppg 5.0 rpg 3.5 apg Roy's career so far 20.0 4.5 5.0 Jackson's vs Roy's first 3 years JJ 16.3 ppg/4.4 rpg/4.7 apg BR 16.8 ppg/4.4 rpg/4.0 apg JJ 19.2/4.4/4.6 BR19.1/4.7.5.8 JJ 25.7/5.1/3.7 BR 22.6/4.7/5.1 To me their careers look really close so far.
JJ was pretty good! I would take a gamble on Harden. But I wouldn't trade the world to get to a pick to get him.
Harden is one of the 3 players in this draft that I think will be pretty good, and i'd pick him 3rd. Griffon, Rubio, Harden would be my top 3 and then I think its a major drop off. From those, Rubio is the only one i'd want for the blazers, but don't think that is going to happen.
Heh, those are my thoughts exactly. I'm intrigued by Harden's talent, but I don't really see him fitting in on a Portland team stacked with young talent on the wing.
