Like I said—a handful of minutes. Not every young player is going to be able to immediately jump into rotation minutes even on a bad team. Sure, I'd love Murray to be ready to rock right now but I'm not going to write the guy off or call him a bust already.
It’s not about labeling him a bust or writing him off. It’s saying that I’m not seeing the tools to be a significant contributor. It’s forecasting.
https://ftw.usatoday.com/2023/10/to...ard-trade-portland-trail-blazers-phoenix-suns The Portland Trail Blazers got a huge return after in exchange for Damian Lillard. While many will focus on the draft picks, they also got an impressive rookie. Portland will have a new look next season, revitalizing their frontcourt by trading for Deandre Ayton and Robert Williams. The front office also added veteran guard Malcolm Brogdon as well as three first-round picks and two additional first-round pick swaps. Dayton’s Toumani Camara, the 52nd overall pick in the 2023 NBA Draft, was widely considered more of an afterthought. But perhaps, like Portland’s 2022 second-round pick Jabari Walker, he will exceed expectations. This is not the first time we have written about Camara. Here was our last scouting report on the second-round pick: “He performed well at the 2023 NBA Draft Combine and his lane agility (10.7 seconds) ranked in the 92nd percentile among all participants since 2000, via Stadium Speak. Camara recorded 38 dunks last season, per Bart Torvik, which ranked fifth-best among all collegiate players drafted. The forward also shot 72.0 percent at the rim, which was third-best among collegiate players drafted as well. When he played at Dayton, he also showed a willingness to do the little things. For example, he averaged 0.15 off-ball screens per offensive chance. That ranked third-most among all drafted players, via Stats Perform.” Although his jumper wasn’t falling during the NBA 2K24 Summer League, he showcased some impressive flashes while on the court. He played four games with the Suns and reached double-digit scoring figures each time, even notching 20 points in two of the performances. The former Dayton standout is once again playing well now that he is on the Trail Blazers. Camara is averaging 1.53 points per possession, per Synergy, which ranks in the 97th percentile so far during the preseason. He is impressive in the open court, connecting on all three of his 3-pointers in transition. The forward is 5-for-8 (62.5 percent) on his jumpers and 3-for-4 (75.0 percent) at the rim, including two dunks. He also has a strong defensive presence, recording two blocks and one steal against the Jazz on Oct. 14: Here is what Portland head coach Chauncey Billups has said about Camara: “There are so many things to love about (him),” Billups said. “The thing that stands out to me is his toughness. He don’t quit on no play. It could be a breakaway layup (or) somebody coming downhill at him at a disadvantage, he don’t care. He is fearless and is a competitor. That’s what I love most about him. … When you put him out there, he is going to play his butt off.” Camara will have an opportunity to fight for minutes in Portland’s rotation, and based on how he has played so far, he could even play an important role on the Trail Blazers next season. Don’t be surprised if, as Tom Haberstroh noted, Camara develops a similar reputation to what Walker Kessler did after the Rudy Gobert trade last year. Portland and Camara will close out the preseason with one final exhibition game against the Phoenix Suns, the franchise that drafted and then eventually traded the former Dayton forward.
respectfully, have you watched any tape on the guy? I see a 6-8 forward who has good defensive fundamentals, good passing instincts and court vision for a player of his archetype and a jumper that will come around with a little time.
I'm watching for three things this season: 1. How the young guards play and learn this year. Huge impact. And obvious. 2. The impact of a new team and a hard-playing Timelord (add in Brogdon, Grant, and Matisse as vets) influencing Ayton. 3. The battle royale of the young guys -- Rupert, Murray, Walker, Camara. This is the one I want to hear about the most!
I for one didnt think Jaquez was all that much better than Camara in college or as an NBA prospect.. Camara is a superior athlete for sure n his game is a bit more straightforward while Jaquez has old man tricks up his sleeve but it'll be interesting to track. 2/2 from 3 in Camara's debut with a block... a strong showing for certain!
I'm sure the Blazers were asking for Camara at the time of the trade I'm skeptical about the growing narrative that the Blazers knew how good Camara was going to be. To me, it looks like they were just wanting another prospect and Camara was about all Phoenix had; and the Blazers got lucky
