Running list of prospects meeting/working out with Portland

He talked about playing multiple positions and apparently they had him shoots some '3's and he made some....whatever number or percentage that is. Maybe as much upside as anyone in the Draft. But can he achieve it? That is the big question with most of these players. There are very few that you have a really good idea of what they will do. Smith? Banchero? Murrey? Ivey? That's about it. The rest.....are big time projections.

 

I've read that rumor too. If their preferred player, Ivey, is gone they might take Duren.

 

He can contest anyone's shot on the perimeter with his length. He's not going to stop a lot of players from dribbling by him, but his recourse is to track them down and affect their shot, and he has excellent skills and athleticism for blocking them from behind just when the other guy thinks he has a wide open layup.

 

Duren would greatly benefit from playing with a passer like Nurk.

 

okay well the more I look at the prospects I look at it this way..
Out of the following:
Paulo
Jabari
Chet
Ivy
Murray
Sharpe
Daniels
Matherin


which of those guys would you take Duren over?

 

I’ve always kind of been enamored with Duren. He’s a physical specimen no doubt and looks like he can move his feet. I’m trying to find the reason he’s not getting drafted higher than he is?

Thomas Robinson was a physical freak at Kansas as well and we all know how that translated.

I’m more in the draft as many long, wing type players you can because you cant have enough athletes that can defend 1-4. But, if Duren projects to be a great shot blocker I’m all for it as it makes Lillard and Simons getting blown by their man a little easier to swallow

 

While different sizes, Robinson is a sneaky nice comparison

 

Robinson didn’t amount to skwat in the NBA. I’d hope we aim higher than that.

 

Comments above especially regarding Duren also playing PF ... I agree, he's looks like a good, defense-oriented big ... with quite a ways to go on O and skills and ...
He does look like a guy who can quickly get on the court. So what that he's not Rookie of the Year material. He's an option from amongst a handful (or a few) of draftees along with the well discussed trade proposals.
Cronin was quoted and referred to as a guy who wants to go for upside. I'm interested to see what Cronin, et.al. are able to pull off. Fun stuff.

As young as he is and as far as he has to go in development, Duren is absolutely a grown @$$ man at 18.

 

I think the comp was David Robinson, not Thomas Robinson, or Danger Will Robinson

 

Duren actually kinda reminds me of a big man version of Nas. Top recruit, elite athlete that didn’t really get to showcase his full skillset in college.

 

If the comp was David Robinson we wouldn't be having this conversation as he would be the consensus #1 pick.

 

I have had STOMP on ignore for a very long time. He single handedly killed our Duck forum. That's just his MO. Put him on ignore and be done with it. He's not worth reading. You're a perfectly nice poster. I'm the one who's condescending.

 

I think Duren will be better, but it would be interesting to try and figure out why Robinson failed. His rebound rate is still extremely good

 

Basketball IQ and offensive skills. Duren lacks mightily in those areas as well.

 

Agreed.
Physically they look amazing.... especially in a 1 in 0 situation.

Out them in a 5v5 game & they'll have a flash here or there - but overall they are not a net positive player

 

Is Duren nonbinary? If he's not (and sorry if they are) then I don't know who the other people you're talking about when you say "they". As far as how he's looked 5v5, we have a ton of footage of that and he's looked damn good. There is one skill that he showed ina 1 in 0 situation that will transfer... shooting the three. If this guy with all of his phisical gifts that translate to paint dominance can also hit threes when alone in the corner, that makes a huge difference when considering what he can do for us on offense.

He is better at a very important offensive skill than anyone we have on the team right now and that is finishing in the paint. I also see his basketball IQ as an area of promise and not a deficit. He makes great reads and decisions on defense and he has shown flashes of doing the same on offense.



In our position, I wouldn't take anyone at 7 unless it was Paolo or Jabari by some miracle or Ivey even though he's not the perfect fit with what we currently have. I would trade back and Duren would be the guy I'd be targeting... along with acquiring other assets to acquire other players at areas of need. Outside of Ivey, Banchero, Smith, Holmgren and Sharpe, Duren has the highest ceiling of anyone in the draft and a higher floor in my opinion than Holmgren and Sharpe. If Banchero or Smith fell to us it would be a no brainer. If Ivey fell to us it wouldn't be as great because we have two ball dominant guards but we'd have to take him and make it work. Those guys aren't falling to us though... the only one on that list that might is Sharpe and I view him as a bigger risk than Duren who again I think we can get by trading back and getting more assets along with him.

 

In his interview yesterday I would have guessed the guy is 28 years old.

 

I've liked Duren from the get go, but many say draft a big at 20. This kid won't be there. He is not as polished as Paulo and Jabari. I'd take them over Duren today. But i'm afraid Duren will be the much better player in 3 years. Chet scares me too much. With the Blazers big man luck if Chet doesn't end his career with a broken leg I would be surprised. Sharpe also scares me as there are so many unknowns with him. Ivy won't be there at 7. I would take Duren over Murray at 7 because I think Duren can play the 4 and become the 5. But after the consensus top 4, I have;

5. Duren
6. Murray
7. Daniels
8. Sharpe based on nothing but reports he is good

Just my opinions. Cheers