Recent content by MrDraftGuy

Similar to Deni or Sharpe, Clingan is showing signs of what he'll look like in his prime years. Hopefully people don't sour on him when Dame/Scoot, Sharpe, and Deni become the main scorers again and Clingan is relegated to being a rebounder/shot blocker with opportunistic scoring as his...

Aside from being projected to be a .500 team or slightly below, understand that with Deni and Sharpe's newfound success, this team is more like Aldridge and Dame's first year together or when Brandon Roy and Aldridge had their first year as starters while Oden was hurt. I don't know if...

Regarding Flagg.... Lebron didn't have very many dominant games in his first 13-15 games & was just averaging 14ppg on 43 FG% through those early 13 games (which is where Flagg is right now). His 3rd ever game, against Portland, I remember Stoudamire shutting Lebron down on a few plays and...

Yes, that's the way I view it, too. Sharpe was also around 47% from mid-range last season, which is historically good and on par with some of the best years of Lavine, Derozan, Dirk, Lamarcus, Jordan. SGA was also 47% from mid-range when he was 21 years old, as well. Aside from driving it in...

I don't think anyone disagrees. But yes, your comment makes me think. Even now, Edgecombe is starting to slow down after his hot start. Then, remember that last season, Knecht was viewed as a legitimate stud throughout November only to become trade bait a few months later. In the past...

It's only been a few games. Give it half a season. International ball is much shorter, features far less games, & allows for certain rules (ex. no defensive 3 second that allows people to camp and rest, handchecking also slows things down). By that, will their bodies and mentality be able to...

- Being unable to rebound and counter Ayton means the Lakers could employ a zone defense and force Portland to shoot threes while gobbling up crucial defensive rebounds. On an average night, it doesn't work since Portland would make 33% of their threes. But on a night like this, Portland...

Some thoughts: - Portland has done very well against two playoff caliber teams. - Splitter's offense tremendously benefits bigger guards/wings/forwards like Jrue, Deni, and Grant. Kris Murray, too. Due to the tempo, they can play bully ball against opponents and due to their size and...

Judging by the guys who will be playing the bulk of the minutes - Toumani, Deni, Sharpe, Jrue, Clingan, Grant, I think it's clear the defensive identity wasn't a fluke for those who still harbored doubts. If everyone commits to defense and Sharpe shows the passable defensive effort he currently...

Provided they are healthy & recovered, 30ppg players should be relevant into their mid-late 30s. Kareem, Karl Malone, Jordan, Lebron, Durant, Wade, Harden, Steph are examples. No guarantees of All-Star level play but they can reach something like current Fred Van Vleet or prime Dennis...

Well, "Draft Experts", including very respectable ones like Givony (Mike's former partner), often get it wrong. Look at their big boards and they always miss out b/c, imo, they're evaluating talent in a vacuum, especially as it relates to a weaker league. Therefore, they may over emphasize...

Not a good selection imo. You could've acquired him later. In fact, that Pelicans deal where you get the #23 and an unprotected 2026 pick would've sufficed here. Otherwise, my assessment is Hansen's wingspan is slightly too short for my liking and his shoulders/hips are too small. His...

I'll still stick with my hope that the pick isn't traded for a mid tier "win now" player, Portland can get one of Essengue/Jaku/Demin (in that order) at #11 and trade for Fleming. Also, for while, I wasn't sure how to pinpoint VJ Edgecombe and now, I want to say he reminds me of Derek Anderson...

I'll be surprised if Essengue slips out of the Top 10. His transition scoring is quite elite and very similar to Amen Thompson (though, he's not as freakishly athletic). Versatile player and defender, as well. I want to say he could be what a modern day James Worthy looks like. Versatile...

Blazers main focus is finding one more guy to match up with the "under 24 year old" core. In 4-5 years, they'll all break out and be in their primes together. Otherwise, 22 year olds are expected to dominate and outscore younger competition. However, if they're 22 and still not showing...