With the #7 pick, the Portland Trail Blazers select....

Nikola Jovic has got great size and it looks like basketball skills. Would love to find a way to get him.

 

Dame just followed Dyson Daniels.

To recap, he now follows three draft prospects:

*Keegan
*Dyson
*Griffin Jr.

 

From what I have read, Daniels sounds like the 2nd coming of Evan Turner. Hard pass!

 

His D looks strong for a young guy. Smart. Quick decisions.
Unlike ET, he doesn’t pound the rock and isn’t allergic to taking 3s.
The draft stock rising should always be questioned. Really like how he plays.

 

Yuck

 

Banchero, Sochan or Daniels.

 

Notice how there is no mention of defense.

 

He would not be my first choice at 7, but the articles I have read say his defensive potential is quite high. I imagine that his 7' wing span helps with that assessment.

I realize there are other red flags for this guy, but if he has the size and athletic ability to play defense, then it
can be taught with the right coaching. I wouldn't rule out an 18-year-old based on his defense in one year of college.

 

This is my prediction (1-6 are not in exact order):
Smith Jr.
Holmgren
Banchero
Ivey
Sharpe
Murray
If those are the first 6 picks, then the #7 pick for the Blazers is Benedict Mathurin. If one of those first 6 picks drops to 7, the Blazers will take that guy.
Mathurin can be explosive on offense and is a proven 3-point shooter. He has some lapses on defense, but I think that's correctible. He's 1.5 inches shorter than Daniels, but should be able to play the SF position at 6'6" in shoes.
So this is who I think the top 7 picks will be (not necessarily in this order):

He could very well end up being a steal in the draft. New Orleans might pick him at #8 if Benedict Mathurin is already gone. If Zion gets healthy having a 3-point shooter like Griffin would be very tough on the defense.

 

I did not know that Sharpe posted a 49" vertical at the combine. I can see why that and his near 7' wing have teams leery of passing on him.

 

how does that compare to Anthony Edwards?

 

Murray could drop, which i see as totally possible due to the fact Detroit needs a 2G the most, and Mathurin or Ivey are fantastic talents. Sactown is the one wildcard IMO. They could draft Keegan, and move Barnes, but they're gonna have to sweeten a deal to move Barnes with that contract. My pick at 7 is Murray. He's ready . But my wildcard for the Blazers is Benedict Mathurin, who they're working out today. I see a lot of Jordan in him. Not saying he's MJ, but many teams are going to wish they didn't pass on him. The Blazers, in turn, could move Ant in a sign & trade to Atlanta in trade for John Collins, if Murray is gone by pick 6. Hawks want a top notch facilitator playing beside Young. So he can work off the ball, and take less punishment.

 

If he was still on the board assuming Smith, Banchero and Keegan were already gone I think you have to take him.

 

Vertical Leap? That is 8" higher than Edwards. I believe Sharpe broke the records from last year. (Keon Johnson had a 48" VL)
He also has about a 3" longer wing span than Edwards.

 

For sure. The question is if someone's job is on the line, will they 1) gamble that Sharpe's physical skills directly translate to scoring etc. 2) be willing to wait a few years when a prospect like Ben Mathurin is probably one year

I think the comparison is what they think Sharpe will look like when he's actually playing on the court. Being a big guard but not really the need (because he can shoot over them) or quickness to blow by people, he'll take a couple dribbles and let a 3 pointer fly. If there is an opening to the hoop he'll take advantage of that. Keon Johnson was a big leaper too but we really didn't see it on offense very much. Being able to make 3-pointers is much more important.

 

the edwards comp came straight from mike schmitz's mouth after he watched Sharpe in person at a UK practice. but he also couched it by saying some guys are amazing in practices but their games don't translate to real games which makes projecting sharpe's future in the NBA very difficult.

 

True the 3-ball is more important, but then again Sharpe is a lot longer. Keon is a leaper but with only a 6'7" wing span. That is less than Dame's. Sharpe's is 6'11 1/2. That will help in attacking the basket.