JOEL FREELAND: Spain's player of the MONTH

Many doubters on this board but this young man who started Bball so late just keeps on improving, I see him as a Blazer next summer and one who can play a solid role for us. Star? no but a nice piece and much need big, yes IMO.

http://www.hoopsfix.com/2011/11/joel-freeland-has-dominant-start-to-season/

 

So is he ready to take over Chris Johnsons role?

 

You mean, as a human cigar? LOL

Maybe not the same role, since they have different skill sets, but definitely his place on the bench.

Johnson sure is exciting. But then again, I was also excited to see HA!

Seriously, I think Freeland should be able to contribute off the bench more than CJ did last season. At the same time, I'd give CJ another year to develop. You just can't teach that kind of athleticism. If only CJ could put on some of the 40 pounds Shawn Kemp used to lose every off season.

 

Can't wait to see the Blazers dominate in the playoffs with GO in 2012 and then add Freeland to the Roster for the 2012-2013 season!

This team could be really good with a solid frontline.

 

It's funny but I have more hope for Freeland at least helping the team then I have for oden ever really doing anything and even remaining a Blazer after this year. And for now I don't see us as doing anymore then making the playoffs and losing, but I always hope I get surprised.

 

I hope Uncle Paul is saving up for those championship rings.


This is HUGE news

 

My question is, who in the NBA does Freeland compare to. Skill set, athleticism, body type, etc.

 

Jeff Pendergraph?

 

Andrew DeClerq

 

Freeland is taller and more athletic. He has much better offensive moves and a better shot. Will it translate, I don't know, but the two are nothing alike.

 

For the life of me I can't remember crap about that guy other than he existed.

 

Dwayne Schintzius?



HCP used to rock this cut^

 

Jeff Pendergraph isn't actually too far off, except Pendergraph couldn't stop fouling and never gave the impression of a high basketball IQ. Freeland is a little bit taller, less crazy, but about the same kind of athleticism (very solid but not jump-out-of-the-gym) and certainly seems to have a more reliable shot (even out to the 3 point line) and runs the pick and roll very well.

Freeland's really taken a great leap forward this year - on a par with what Aldridge did with the Blazers last year. MVP of the Spanish league, even for one month, is nothing to sneeze at. Remember Barcelona beat the Lakers last season, and it wasn't a fluke.

Freeland's definitely a PF, though. He's around 6'9, I think. His game is actually very Aldridge-esque, albeit without the Rasheed Wallace-like fadeaway. But at the same time he really works hard off the ball and crashes the boards. I don't think he's ever likely to be an all-star, but he's a solid rotation player, certainly if he keeps the rate of improvement he's shown.

 

Ooh, ooh, I know: a slightly bigger Taj Gibson. (Gibson is just under 6'9, and supposedly Freeland is 2.08M, which is just under 6'10".) Similar game - can score, but unlikely to be the centerpiece of a good team.

One thing I notice with Freeland is that he's always moving towards the hoop. His situation is better this year with better PGs, but there's a lot of times when he is rolling to the hoop and all they'd have to do is hit him with a pass and he'd get a dunk but they ignore him and throw up a shot. If and when he comes over, I hope we have somebody of Andre's abilities at the point.

 

When drafted he measured in at 6'10" w/o shoes but had a rather average wingspan.

 

Some highlights:

[video=youtube;9y0mDLsXxfI]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9y0mDLsXxfI&feature=feedu[/video]

[video=youtube;Krc8RQbfrOY]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Krc8RQbfrOY&feature=related[/video]

 

Reminds me of David West.

 

I don't think he could be any worse than the other options we have at backup power forward currently ... which reminds me, who do we have at backup 4? GW (as a part-timer), Camby, Chris Johnson? Meh.

I'm not asking for game breaker, but a solid guy who can rebound some and play with just a little bit of toughness and -- god forbid -- skill off the bench would be a welcome addition to this team.

 

Game-wise, that's a good comparison. But West is shorter, but definitely nastier.