In general I'd say it's best to draft a Tier 2 guy (assuming he pans out) because it means you probably got a borderline all-star or better (assuming he pans out ...) With the lower tier guys you are probably hoping for "good starter" as their ceiling ... but then again I suppose it also matters how your roster is put together; if you're drafting at the back of the order and a perennial title contender, maybe some low cost, serviceable players are all you really need. In the case of the Blazers there is a real dearth of star power so you try to go for the home-run and hope for the best.
I think Olshey has done a pretty good job describing what the Blazers feel would be BPA. 1. Sustainable roster 2. Competes 3. He wants the Blazers to defend, control the ball, and play with motion 4. Strong character So to me, the Blazers definition of BPA is someone who can defend, has a certain, or a few skill sets that will make him a valuable NBA player for a while, someone who can pass and isn't a ball hog, and someone who will get some high praise from his coaching staff. Many, many players fit that bill right now, but someone like Harrison Barnes, Brad Beal or Terrence Ross are good examples because they seem to have a high basketball IQ. Lillard, Drummond and someone like MKG would also go on the list because of their skill sets. Players like Leonard, Camareros and Lamb wouldn't because of Immaturity, The need to dominate the ball and overall IQ. LOL I re-read this and said nothing. Oh well
Based on a cursory overview of the levels so far, we have the following (player must have been ranked at least three times to appear). Player name and then their average rank and number of mentions in parenthesis. Davis: 1.2 (6) Robinson: 1.7 (7) MKG: 2.3 (6) Beal: 2.3 (7) Barnes: 2.5 (6) Drummond: 2.6 (7) Lillard: 3.1 (6) PJ3: 3.2 (6) Ross 3.4 (5) Sullinger: 3.6 (6) Waiters: 3.6 (5) Marshall: 4.0 (6) Henson: 4.0 (6) Lamb: 4.0 (4) Rivers: 4.0 (6) Wroten: 4.0 (3) Moultrie: 4.0 (4) Zeller: 4.1 (6) Leonard: 4.2 (5) Harkless: 4.3 (3) Based on these rankings and the Blazers having 6 & 11, we would draft Drummond and either Waiters or Sullinger. Of course, we have no say in the matter and this probably has nothing to do with reality but it was fun while it lasted. Gramps...
I don't know, I think BPA after Davis is very subjective, and that subjective "tier" could extend down easily below the #10 spot
Thanks for doing the math. I think that is a pretty good and accurate list. And, Drummond and Waiters is a real possibility.
Shoulda known that if anyone were going to take my suggestion, it would be Gramps. As for the conclusion, you may notice that Ross comes in 9th in our tier rankings, but you know that he will not be drafted that high, meaning that he would be our highest-tiered player available at 11. So, Drummond and Ross it is. Hmm--not bad...
I didn't see Ross play this year. He certainly has great skills. Is he an aggressive offensive player? Does he use his skill set well?
I love Ross. My concern is that I didn't get to see him in the tourney, so he didn't prove like Beal did that he can turn it on against much better competition with something on the line. But he was lighting up the Pac-12, and doing it efficiently. And of all the 2-guards (Beal, Ross, Rivers, etc) he's the one that can be consistently above-average to great on D.
Not to mention how excited some people around here would be if we got O'Quinn and Crowder at 40 & 41.
Let's shoot for the all NW/west coast feel good draft and off season You are all going to love this, I know Wait for it. Draft Lillard #6 - Oakland Draft Ross #11 - Portland Draft T. Jones in 20's - Portland Draft Wrotten 2nd round - Seattle Sign Spencer Hawes - Seattle Tade LA and Wes to Minny for Love (Lake O) and Ridnour UO
I could certainly live with that. Despite my huge concerns over Drummond, I can see why you would roll the dice on him.
No. Walton was the best passer on our title team. Sabas was the best passer on our title contending teams. Wait just a second, I might be on to something here?
