Wow! Just finished reading all of your great posts. Thought there wold be more of a meltdown over Leonard.
Guys typically aren't physically mature (or mentally) at 19 or whatever ... they might not be mentally more mature at 21 or 22, but their bodies are certainly closer to becoming finished products ... so yeah, it does matter; maybe it's not a death knell (for the older guy) or the most important thing but history has shown it matters.
After a night reflection I realize I don't know Barnes from Lillard from Drummonds. So I'm ready to accept the draft picks, cheer them on and see how it all works out. My opinion of Olshey remains the same and I see my feeling ares confirmed by Quick and Canzano (since I seem to be the only one concerned with the fact Olshey just spews out whatever he wants to say to make us buy into the Blazers). Olshey may or may not be a good GM, but he is defintely a salesman. Canzano is buying what he is selling and Quick is just calling him out as a salesman. Personally I'm going to try to not read too deeply into anything Olshey says because I don't think he is sincere and will say anything as kind of a sales pitch. I hope in learns that in Ptd, you don't need to sell the Blazers like it's snake oil. Fan are intelligent and will eventually recognize when are being sincere and when you are talking out of your ass. Olshey loves to talk . . . I hope the talk to Blazer fans turns more into substance and less into sales pitch as he settles into his job. Time to go get a free agent. This is where Olshey's talent for talking should hopefully shine through.
Only if you're focused on averages more than individuals. The Roy's and Wade's of the world have proved plenty of people wrong.
I'm always focused on the rule versus the exception when I talk in generalities. Until we see how Lilliard actually pans out, he's still an unknown and is subject to that rule. That doesn't mean he can't become good or great and make leaps and bounds from where he is now physically, but he's got to prove it.
Will be saying it more if he morphs into all the other American white centers taken in the lottery though
[video=youtube;qGj7TWHYIco]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qGj7TWHYIco&feature=player_embedded[/video] Baltimore accent!
Alex Kennedy @AlexKennedyNBA Last night, the Philadelphia 76ers drafted small forward Moe Harkless. Today, Andre Iguodala sold his home in Philadelphia. Coincidence?
Maybe. Dunno if you drink at all, but anyone who has, has over-done it. Actually, I wasn't crazy or anything. At the end of the evening, I spent my time reading the draft analysis (and watching a replay of the SF Giants game), sipping some wine. Think I just drank too late into the evening.
I can't remember a draft where all three picks had such compelling stories from where they came from that you just want to root for them even more. Interesting video
"I've been Lillard's biggest fan all year and think he's a great fit in Portland. They really needed a point guard, and I think with time, he could be very good. He shoots the ball well, attacks the basket and plays very hard. He'll need to continue to develop his floor vision, but his work ethic is tremendous, and I think he'll find a way to succeed. I'm not as crazy about Leonard. I see the upside, and I see the need. But I think he's a bigger project than people think. I wouldn't expect dividends on this pick for several years, Blazers fans. Barton was a nice get in the second round. He's got a great midrange game, is a good athlete and has a scorer's mentality. I wouldn't be surprised if he, in a few years, supplanted Wes Matthews as the starting two guard in Portland."