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

Exactly. Which is why I'm not opposed to Mathurin. We need the bpa. If they think he is the guy that has the potential to be a star most out of who is available, draft him.

 

don't you guys think we can/should be aiming higher if that's his ceiling?

i have doubts whether his playmaking will translate to the NBA with his OK handle and first step. And I worry about his shooting. Not as much the 25% from 3, but the 60% from the line, which is generally the better stat to extrapolate shooting ability in the league.

Defense is hard to gauge at the GLeague level but he was certainly disruptive.

I just think the upside play would be Mathurin/Sharpe ahead of Daniels given their offensive abilities. And Mathurin certainly has the better track record of performing at the biggest stage. Also like his confidence and brashness. He's also essentially the same age even if he's a sophomore. (he's actually a month and half younger than Holmgren while Chet is still a freshman).

 

Jeremy Woo of Sports Illustrated said his favorite player comparison is Ron Harper, the Ron Harper who played with the Bulls and Lakers.
This is from Wikipedia: "Harper found his niche with the Bulls upon Jordan's return, eventually becoming a fan favorite by reinventing himself as a big perimeter defender, ball handler, and mid-range scorer."

That's a good description of what Daniels is right now.
the perimeter defense is even more important now than 20 years ago.

 

I agree with that. If Cronin is true to his word about wanting to take a big swing Daniels won't be the highest player on his list.
It also won't look good if Sharpe (or Mathurin) goes to New Orleans and blows up and becomes a star.

 

I think im finally ending up on a what i want in the draft on thursday if we're staying at 7.

- Murray, my first choice if he drops.

- Mathurin. I have a sneaking suspicion that he's our guy. I think Indy will trade with Sac to get to 4 for Ivey, and Sac will take Murray at 6. My worry is Detroit. I'm tempted to climb to 5 if we can.

- Sharpe... albeit reluctantly.

By Tuesday or Wednesday, I'll have combed through all intel to figure out a decent prediction on what might happen.

 

If the Blazers can draft Mathurin, my goal for him would to play like Josh Hart (the rebounding Josh Hart). Luckily, Josh Hart is on our roster. Like Hart, Mathurin is a demonstrative energy guy. He would be the perfect mentor / model for how Mathurin should play.

Mathurin is a bigger guy than Hart, with a standing reach of 8'8" and better vertical leap. I don't know what the player comp is for that. it would be a very good player.

 

I agree with you but Mathurin’s defense leaves a lot to be desired.

I want Murray real bad though. I think he would be perfect.

 

When I look at prospects, specifically in relation to how the NBA is played today, I look at four things; athleticism, shooting, playmaking, defense. Gotta be elite in at least one of them to be a cornerstone imo. It’s why I’m not as high on Banchero as others and why I wouldn’t draft him in the top 5. I don’t think he’s elite in any of four. I think he’ll settle into more of a really good role player as opposed to star. I remember thinking the same about Ayton (although he was a great athlete) and posted about my preference for Doncic. Doesn’t mean I’m right about Banchero, but it’s how I look at prospects in the top half of the lottery. I’d take him at 7 though, even if I prefer other players (ie Daniels, Duren)

 

Socham is elite defensively. And he could be the guy Chauncey wants. Daniels then Sochan. If we take Daniels Pels will jump on Sochan.

 

Yeah I like Sochan a lot. Dunno about taking him at 7 though. If we’re sticking at 7, I’m going for the biggest upside.

 

Random thought of the day… Maybe the lack of media coverage around the Mathurin workout actually means that he is much higher on their board and the extra coverage around the other prospects brought in is more of an agent favor to help get the word out for their clients?

 

If the Blazers pass on Sharpe or Mathurin, New Orleans will take Sharpe or Mathurin.

 

Not a crazy theory. Wasn’t there some other guy who wasn’t made available to the media as well?

 

Pretty sure Mathurin is high on the list for Detroit and Indiana too.

 

sochan, but he left early.

 

been saying this for a week now, that if you look beyond the obvious fuss made about the duren/daniels' workouts, the guy laying behind the weeds is mathurin. but Mathurin didn't do a single interview with local markets after workouts even if he went to a bunch of them. i think this particular instance was probably an ask from his camp to keep things quiet.

 

Mathurin to me is the biggest boom or bust. I don’t have a feel for him. There was times where he stepped up big on the big stage and times he disappeared. I guess he is just a kid though

 

I think coming to a situation where Dame holds players accountable will bring out the best in him.

 

i think that's sharpe.

my best case: consistent 25 ppg scorer, all star.
my worst case: headcase who complains about lack of PT early on and doesn't get a second deal.

i think with his BBIQ and shooting, the floor for Mathurin is a rotational wing player.