My first choice was Huerter, because of his shooting, but he was gone. I was pleasantly surprised to hear more than one commentator say that Trent was the best shooter in the draft, even over Huerter. People keep comparing Trent to wings who were two years older. You have to compare Trent to those wings when they were freshmen. Not too many players shooting over 40% from three on 6+ attempts as freshmen.
How about reposting that comparing them at the same ages? Here, I will help you out: https://www.basketball-reference.com/play-index/pcm_finder.fcgi?request=1&sum=1&player_id1_hint=Kelly Oubre Jr.&player_id1_select=Kelly Oubre Jr.&player_id1=oubreke01&y1=2018&player_id2_hint=Al-Farouq Aminu&player_id2_select=Al-Farouq Aminu&player_id2=aminual01&y2=2013 Hmmm. Similar defensive numbers. Oubre better at 3pt%, points scored, turnovers...
Basically, each of the guys who went with the next pick after ours--Mo Wagner at 24, Khyri Thomas at 37.
I like our draft. For me, this is how it breaks down: You can get one of either Simons or Thomas, they both play the 1/2. Simons has potential, Thomas for an immediate contributor. Can’t take both... too redundant, can’t slide over to 3. So, at 24 I’m taking Simons or Musa. Next, I’m taking Khyri if I selected Musa. If I selected Simons, I’m taking Bonga or Trent Jr.
Why though? This is the problem with what's going on with the Blazers, I think. No plan. Just drafting guys...or signing bad players or whatever. Remember Damian's career arc or whatever Olshey used to say? Oubre doesn't fit that, Collins doesn't fit that (but might!), Simons doesn't fit that, etc etc etc. Oubre is fine, but he is most definitely not an improvement over Chief, so why? Wait until we find someone that actually helps. Remember the other thing Olshey used to say about the needle moving? I mean, for fuck's sake, he's gaslighted the entire fanbase!
It would be really interesting to get Gortat. I wonder what would happen in the rotation. Just for giggles: https://www.basketball-reference.co...rtat&player_id2=gortama01&idx=players&y2=2018 Last year they had very similar numbers across the board. Gortat was a significantly more efficient scorer with half the turnovers. Of course he is more than a decade older, but I wonder what Stotts would do? I could see games where Nurkic wasn't bringing it and Gortat could be more consistent. Could create a bit of a mess.
I'm really disappointed that Orlando didn't take Bonga at 35. I would've loved to see their Bonga/Bamba/Biyombo front-court.
I think that is debatable. I'm not going to argue who is the better defender right now, because that is obviously Chief. But, I think the window for Dame (realistically given Nurkic, Collins, etc.) truly starts after next season. After next season I expect Collins to be up and running well, Nurkic to be a beast or be gone, and Oubre would fit nicely in that window. What does Oubre have that Chief/Harkless does not? Better handles, in two years similar defensive ability. Oubre is just a more well rounded SF. You feed him the ball spotting up for three and he can either rise or go in for the monster dunk (around obstacles). Right now neither Chief or Harkless (who I really like) can do that. My preference would be for Harkless to step up, work on his handles and driving, and take over the SF spot. I think he has everything we need at that spot if he could handle and drive. BUT (big BUT), I also think that Olshey has to prepare for a future where Dame/CJ never get over the top and in 2020 or so, the team decides it just isn't going to happen and it's time to rebuild on the fly. At that point in time I really like the possibilities of: Simons, WBIV Trent, Oubre, Harkless Collins, Biggie? Nurkic, And whoever we pick up along the way.
