2024 NBA Draft Thread (1 Viewer)

[Strenuus]

Watched us be a 6th seed and all the anti tankers will be like BUT WE SUCK PLS GIVE US OUR PICK.

 

[bxb]

Watched us be a 6th seed and all the anti tankers will be like BUT WE SUCK PLS GIVE US OUR PICK.

Totally for that scenario btw.. Im not in team tank, I want to see the bully ball work, I wanna see us upset playoff teams, I wanna see chauncy take the next step as a coach here... The roster is so young it's better for our progression to be competitive, no question. But I mean I'm pretty sure Simons is gonna need to score like 32 points per game like hes tracy mcgrady in '03 for the Blazers to hold the 6th seed.. but ill keep my fingers crossed

 

[bxb]

Interested to see what Alex Karaban is gonna do in his Sophomore season at UConn after being so solid as a freshman in the national championship run(3 blocks in the championship game) -- He's 6'8 and clear as day a 3-and-d specialist. Lights out shooter.



Wonder what kind of blocks and steals numbers he puts up too, I'm more of an eye-test guy n i watch the games, but as I understand these advanced metrics they like players like Karaban who drill 3's and also collect steals and blocks..

 

[bxb]

There's also an insane sleeper to keep an eye out for... Ulrich Chomche from Cameroon(appears to be the best prospect from Cameroon since Joel Embiid...) and he's born 12/30/05 so he'd easily be the youngest player in the field, if he was born 2 days later he wouldnt be eligible for this draft..

6'11 and 234lbs with a 7'4 wingspan and he can shoot 3's and flashes really nice body control and according to Jonathan Givony shows ability to defend smaller players out on the perimeter, and he's quite strong for his age, wide frame. seems mobile n like hes a solid passer n like hes got a good feel for the game, solid touch on offense.. Seems good to me..Dont really see what there is to complain about with him at this stage..N if this draft is weak --- give this kid a promise, he's not really supposed to be in this draft, but stash him in the g-league...



I know Joakim Noah was working with him at one point in these NBA africa camps n he raves about this kid.. (I'm a little rusty still knocking the cobwebs off from the offseason)

I really dont think that Rayan Rupert for example is a better longterm project than Chomche. tbh. but maybe im wrong.. we'll see... Chomche seems better and far more fluid than Charles Bassey who had some injury issues n is more limited to pure 5 duties, n Bassey has managed to stick with the Spurs.

 

[bxb]

I'm a believer in the Rylan Griffen Sophomore Breakout campaign too.. Even though he averaged 6ppg and shot 36% from the field as a freshman. This is a skinny player who's tall and is slippery with the ball in his hands and he's got potential to affect the game in many ways, he's got solid catch and shoot potential it appears. N he's crazy explosive can do all sorts of dunk contest type of stuff.



In a 'down year' for draft talent, players like this seem to be worth keeping an eye on.. He was like 180lbs last season and they say he grew an inch and is now 190.

This kid has the quickness to be able to guard some PG's, SGs and SF's. He's got a knack for getting steals and when he gets blocks theyre usually spectacular, fun player to watch.


Grant Nelson is playing for Alabama (they had a mass exodus of x-fers too) alongside Griffen this season, thats a fun 1-2 inside-out scoring punch if you ask me. Alabama has an interesting freshman named Jarin Stevenson who grew to like 6'11 and has a chance to be selected in the next few drafts.

they just landed Aiden Sherrell a few weeks ago one of the best bigman recruits in 2024, so if Griffen doesnt make it to the draft this year he'll have another crazy productive big who can shoot like Nelson to work with Jr. year --- But im hoping Griffen makes it this season.

 

[BankTeller]

Totally for that scenario btw.. Im not in team tank, I want to see the bully ball work, I wanna see us upset playoff teams, I wanna see chauncy take the next step as a coach here... The roster is so young it's better for our progression to be competitive, no question. But I mean I'm pretty sure Simons is gonna need to score like 32 points per game like hes tracy mcgrady in '03 for the Blazers to hold the 6th seed.. but ill keep my fingers crossed

To be fair, Ant averaging 32ppg and this team making the 6th seed would do as much for the team, if not more, than for this team to suck enough to have a top 3 pick. A dude entering year 6 averaging, say, 30/3/6, with two stupid cheap years left on his deal--how much do those guys go for on the open market? He would likely get at least a lottery pick in the '24 draft and 1-2 more picks and another young player.

 

[bxb]

To be fair, Ant averaging 32ppg and this team making the 6th seed would do as much for the team, if not more, than for this team to suck enough to have a top 3 pick. A dude entering year 6 averaging, say, 30/3/6, with two stupid cheap years left on his deal--how much do those guys go for on the open market? He would likely get at least a lottery pick in the '24 draft and 1-2 more picks and another young player.

I think its far more realistic his scoring upticks to the mid-20's instead of near 30.. but one of the silver linings of these "Ant scoring a ton" scenarios is the offensive rebounding with Ayton and Williams must be working, cuz for Ant's scoring to really uptick hard --- they've gotta get him as many free open 3's as possible and the easiest ones to be found are after offensive boards n tip outs..

But yeah his trade value would explode, I'd think it stands to reason Ant will be one of the better 4th quarter scorers in the league.. n thats why they were smart to avoid the Tyler Herro trades cuz Herro and Simons woulda stepped on each others toes.. Too many chefs ruin the stew scenario, n other teams look to rip you off when you cause a foolish amount of "overlap" n need to undo it.

But i mean, the west is about to be brutal... This is about to be a trial by fire.. Theres nowhere to hide outwest anymore, this freak of nature Wembanyama is on the Spurs now, Holmgrens healthy, Suns finally have a settled roster and Beal, theres only put-up or shut-up. But Ant is sneaky n picks his spots well n can jab step n create his wrinkles, so I wanna see him really navigate this best he can n find a rhythm..

 

[RR7]

@bxb thanks for all your write ups. Haven't read them all yet, but always appreciate people doing deep dives on prospects, and giving their thoughts, versus me just googling a quick scouting report on draft day!

 

[bxb]

@bxb thanks for all your write ups. Haven't read them all yet, but always appreciate people doing deep dives on prospects, and giving their thoughts, versus me just googling a quick scouting report on draft day!

You got it! Everything starts to happen so fast once the season tips off I figure I might as well point out a few of my favorites beforehand.



247 sports has Layden Blocker (that video has his name wrong its Layden but that video is from the state championship game so its good footage) ranked 58th in this class which I think is very low.. All Blocker has to do is hit his 3's and his stock will soar because hes extremely explosive and has lots of burst and speed and he's like 6'2" so he could gain NBA draft hype in a hurry cuz he's got the physical profile to be a plus defender as well as a PG who can get downhill n dunk it on your head.

Unsure of what kind of role he's gonna have right away. Arkansas has a lot of moving parts ---- basically players to monitor for this draft at every position.. El Ellis, Tremon Mark, Trevon Brazille, Baye Fall are all varying degrees of relevant, n I feel like Blockers talents have been sort of marginalized n overlooked with all the stuff they've got going on. Hoping we see a lot of a 3 guard look with Blocker-Ellis-Mark then Brazile at PF with Fall at C..(Not even mentioning Davonte Davis who got voted SEC Preseason 2nd team) and they have some good 5th year seniors too.

I've wondered for some time if Blocker is exactly the type of guard whos ranked below Bronny James who can outperform him.. Their different but I still wonder..Bronny's much more of a combo or a SG, thats why they wanted him at USC next to a PG like Isaiah Collier, while Blocker isnt a pure PG/floor general by any stretch but he's much more of a PG than Bronny.. n really Blocker has a wicked fast 1st step.. n draws tons of FT's getting downhill, you want the ball in his hands, once he gets a step on his defender the help defense is in a REALLY precarious situation that needs to be dealt with FAST or its 2 points..their very different.. N I wonder how these players measure out too.. If Blocker is really 6'3 thats gonna help him..

I think its a bit distasteful n a headline grab these mocks even have Bronny's name on them after what happened to him this summer.. Let the kid get healthy first! put some other player whos father isnt a billionaire name up there please! Is that too much to ask?


Blocker played PG with Matas Buzelis at Sunrise Christian in Kansas btw.. If we could land Buzelis with the lotto pick and then Blocker with some 2rp that'd be cool. Blocker profiles as type of project most any team would want to get big reps in the g-league to develop if ya ask me, if that 3pt shooting is consistent he's good-to-go n an NBA player.

Cuz make no mistake, lots of the guards you see projected in the 1st rd are NOT athletic like Blocker.. But this also goes back to why Scoota woulda been a top pick in this draft with ease too..

This is another one of the reasons you see A.J. Johnsons name floating around these mocks and why he got the NBL contract even though hes 6'5 and 160lbs -- Its known theres a lack of these explosive guards, with electric 1st steps in this class, so the athletes like Blocker n Johnson have a whole lot to gain if they show proficency n make their 3's. This is also why Elmarko Jackson is projected as a lottery pick by many, (I like Jackson).. N really why Buzelis should pretty much be a lock for the top10. Its also why Elliot Cadeau whos got a bursty 1st step reclassed up to try and get his name in this draft.

 

[BankTeller]

What I’ll say is, I love the team Schmitz is constructing at the moment. Taller guys, longer wingspans.

Hoping for more of the same this draft.

 

[BankTeller]

@bxb have you already done a writeup on Bobi Klintman yet? Would be interested to know your thoughts.

Between 6’8 and 6’9 w/o shoes and it’s safe to assume his wingspan is well over 7’0 and standing reach around 10’11. For me, he’s kind of the size of GG Jackson, but he moves better on the perimeter.

This was a scouting report posted just a few days ago:
https://www.youtube.com/live/qAM56t1YeXI?si=R8lRTQIe_KW7KZnh

 

[bxb]

@bxb have you already done a writeup on Bobi Klintman yet? Would be interested to know your thoughts.

Between 6’8 and 6’9 w/o shoes and it’s safe to assume his wingspan is well over 7’0 and standing reach around 10’11. For me, he’s kind of the size of GG Jackson, but he moves better on the perimeter.

This was a scouting report posted just a few days ago:
https://www.youtube.com/live/qAM56t1YeXI?si=R8lRTQIe_KW7KZnh

Well I'm a bit biased towards Klintmann tbh and I had him higher than Kris Murray on my board before he withdrew his name.. I root for Wake Forest in the ACC and was monitoring his progress in last years draft. But also he runs very well, he's very fluid for that size, so if that 3pt shot which is a little funky but looks good on the release out of his hand is falling, hes a good running mate with Scoot and Simons on the break.. He's got a solid frame and he can grab boards, he's got good tools its just a matter of putting them all together --- very good in transition too.. I think he made a good choice going to a more professional setting.


So before I go any further --- This french player whos 6'9" Tidjane Salaun, he moves very well too like a SF.. but he's like 2 1/2 years younger than klintman. something to be monitored as well, I have a good feeling about him too.


and also.. I mean.. We're talking about the Blazers here who currently have guys like Jabari Walker, Thybulle, Kris Murray and Camara --- but those guys dont factor into taking a player like Klintman or some of the higher ranked combo forwards in this draft --- Klintman is an obvious upgrade here.. Clear as day.. but there's gonna be some other solid options on the board too..

But with Klintmann i'm gonna hold back a bit --- cuz now he's facing pros and much older competition lets see how he does once the games get rolling.. seems like he should be a featured player for that teams offense n take lots of 3s.

 

[bxb]

Melvin Ajinca is more of a player who i think is worthy of a big writeup now cuz he's got 6 games in this season and i've seen him 2 summers on these fiba teams.. Firstly I'll just say right off the bat my initial impression of Ajinca (who's name I recognized cuz his uncle was a 1st rd pick and played 9 seasons) was "looks like Taurean Prince" "lefty" "long arms, defensive potetntial" just very basic stuff but I remember thinking right away he sort of looks like Taurean Prince..

This was also a team, 2 summers ago, with a very hyped Rayan Rupert and an unheralded Bilal Coulibaly.. I was on a different forum dropping posts with some dude from serbia going over this particular fiba tournament closely.. N honestly I was dead on the money about all 3 of them somehow.. not to talk too much smack, but thats just how it happened..well I wasnt dead on the money with Ajinca, I only thought he looked like he could be decent if he made his 3's. Ajinca was starting infront of Coulibaly too.

Coulibaly, I knew somehow he looked like a better version of Dante Exum but more like a swingman version.. n Rupert was just very raw n a bit more out of control looking while Coulibaly was smooth in the way that Dante Exum got major points for looking smooth.. but also Coulibaly was really better at using his length, it was apparent Coulibaly is just one of those dudes that u dont wanna jump with he's vicious, n he had some hops to him Exum was really more just downhill n long strider but not vertically explosive..



But somewhere near that 1st rd fringe does seem appropriate for Ajinca you ask me.. Cuz he's strengthened up, kid is tough, he's got long arms.. n their gonna let him shoot a ton of 3's right now hes at 36% thru 6 games.. classic 3-n-d.. Turns 20 right around the draft.. Its very unlikely his stock will deteriorate deep into the 2nd rd if his 3pt shooting stays decent.. Cuz the sell with him is he's sorta a bit more polished than 20 y/o.

Could be an interesting fit for the Blazers

 

[bxb]

 

[cheesehoff]

I haven't read this entire thread, so if I'm repeating something that's been said it is by mistake.
My take on this draft is that I normally hope Portland takes the BPA because they've had so many needs every year. This year is a little different and that's because of one thing...Wemby. We are gonna face him 3, 4, maybe more every year for the foreseeable future. If there is one thing this draft is deep in it's the long, lean forward. So, I'm hoping they lean towards guys who could match up (notice I didn't say stop) with Wemby. Not just guys assigned to him, but guys who have the length to have a chance to bother him from off the ball, in a help situation. And depth of that type of player is very important, too.
For my money, defense is one of the things I refuse to grade a guy at based on stats. Way too many variables. I trust my eyes and the opinion of a few posters on here. One of the most important traits I'll be looking for when I'm watching college games will be guys who fit that mold. To be honest, all I've seen for a lot of the prospects is their offensive highlights. This might be the year to disregard (unless a prospect just drops like crazy) BPA and focus our picks on getting guys who fit that specific mold.

 

[Blazinaway]

Watched us be a 6th seed and all the anti tankers will be like BUT WE SUCK PLS GIVE US OUR PICK.

I don't want the team to tank, want them to play hard, learn/develop and win as many games as they can with the youngsters getting experience. IMO we are just not that good and won't need to tank, if they "surprise" to the upside then I am totally happy with that!

 

[bxb]

4-star freshman Freddie Dillone (Tennessee) is underrated rn! This kid is a scoring guard sorta like Anfernee Simons, where hes dangerous on the catch and the dribble, Dillone gets a hothand u keep feeding him the ball -- like Simons...

I think Dillone's got a chance to go 1-and-done and be a first rd pick in 2024 as he's 6'5" a good 3pt shooter and very creative with the ball.

If the Blazers are losing lots of games by wide-margins, this is the type of player (who maybe could be nabbed with the warriors 1rp) who can instantly add a boost to any offense.


One of the most fun freshman to watch play offense in the nation. I'd be shocked if he doesnt score a lot of points right away in college, seems overqualified for that task IMO..


Tennessee also has a handful of other players worth monitoring --- particularly interested to see if defensive dynamo Jahmai Mashak's offense has made progress. We should see a lot more of 3-n-d 5man Jonas Aidoo who's got a solid frame n good athleticism n shoots 3s with a lot of rotation on the ball, his jumpshot looks good out of his hands plus he blocks shots at 6'11 with a 7'4" wingspan -- Aidoo is an obvious future pro.

Tennessee's PF's with Tobe Awaka and then the 2 freshman JP Estrella and Cade Phillips, some of those guys will be pros in some form, not gonna say NBA players but they aren't just amateurs. So that team is loaded and Dillone should be the focal point of the offense, so he's under the radar even though he's very talented.. Cuz thats the type of dumb stuff that goes on preseason, espn's preseason rankings, the ap preseason rankings are always trash IMO, n its stuff like this they overlook, n they overrate the returning players n underrate the high impact 4-star recruits cuz they arent 5-stars not because its an objective opinion.. (neway im ranting lemme cut this off)

 

[bxb]

Jared McCain(5-star freshman at Duke) is worthy of a post before the games tip off ---- Cuz WHAT POSITION IS HE EVEN???

I keep seeing Jared McCain listed at -------- -POINT GUARD these days..... Which is news to me(and i follow this stuff...)!


Traditionally, for years, McCain has been listed at Shooting Guard, even though he's 6'2"... The kid is an absolute marksman, dead eye shooter off the dribble and the catch... Not just a shooter but he's a scorer(who does most of his damage with the jumper)


There have been some short SG's drafted in the lottery --- Ben Gordon went #3 in 2004, he was generously listed at 6'3", but really Gordon had this insanely reliable floater that helped him score in the paint over the trees.. Malik Monk isnt very tall for a SG, he went in the lottery, 11th in 2017 ---- Monk can jump out of the damn gym though, n challenges defenders twice his size IN HALFCOURT OFFENSe, Monk can get downhill and yam it on your head... Jared McCain sure cant, he aint that guy..

So how did McCain go from SG to PG? Cuz for my money... He's whats called... A combo guard..


Well part of it is hope... They are trying to mold McCain into a more versatile player who appeals to all the teams...

The thing is... IMHO... McCain already makes sense for the Blazers... They dont really need him to play PG, he'd just be a guard off the bench who can shoot.... Brogdon is 6'5" Simons is 6'4" and however tall Scoota is, he plays like he's 6'4 ---- So we have a solid group of guards to add a 6'2" dead-eye marksman if they are out to add 3pt firepower..

Though to me Duke has ANOTHER 5-star combo guard, who makes even more sense for the Blazers -- Caleb Foster.. Everyone, the headline chasers, are gonna be talking about Tyrese Proctor, but for the Blazers i've got my eyes on these 2 freshman shooters, Foster and McCain..

 

[bxb]

and one more thing... Kentucky's whole roster grew an inch taller apparently in their press release like a few weeks ago... seems fishy if u ask me..

Robert Dillingham from 6'2 to 6'3"
Justin Edwards from 6'7" to 6'8"
Adou Thiero from 6'6" to 6'8"! (this kid is actually still growing so it might be true)
Antonio Reeves a 5th year senior was listed at 6'5" last season, now 6'6"
Ogonna Onyenso Kingsley from 6'11 to 7'
Also DJ Wagner is listed at 6'4! when he's usually listed at 6'3"..

as a Kentucky fan... lemme be the first to call BS on this.. Coach Cal probably realized they cant hide the heights n manipulate the medias headlines/writeups due to the changes in the NBA Combines rules n the stripping of the power of agents to avoid testing..

So coach cal probably decided to just fluff up everyones measurements during the season so maybe they can catch hype n perform -- n then by the time they "measure small" at the NBA combine, they'll have enough momentum n made their point where it'll seem inconsequential.

I sense a sort of "fake it til you make it" strategy being employed..

 

[bxb]

there's also some players who get underrated because they were injured last season.. 6'6" Sophomore now at Syracuse -- Chance Westry.. Would have really loved to have seen what that Auburn team coulda done with him last year cuz Johni Broome was so good.



This is one of those 6'6" swiss-army-knife combo guards whos got a little spencer dinwiddie, a little shake milton, a little edmond sumner, even a little will barton to his game, though hes not an electric athlete the way barton once was.. But he's really like got an interesting blend of skills, he can handle the ball and pass it, and hes an energetic defender, n high bbiq player -- profiles as a player I'd like to have on a young team like the blazers.

N honestly he coulda had a big impact last season n gained hype but a knee injury ruined all that. So I'm rooting for him.

Westry can shoot it from 3 too.. so if he does that his stock will go up quickly cuz he brings a lot to the table.. He's got glue player written all over him.. I think he can stick for a while in the league, n so a young team like the blazers might be a good spot for him to carve a niche off the bench tbh, he's reliable n trustworthy, consistent, scrappy, things like that -- almost like having a 2nd PG on the floor, and he's 6'6" with long arms...

Syracuse has another big-time x-fer whos more commonly seen on mock drafts too, J.J. Starling whos a 6'4" scoring guard some have him projected in the 40's on their mocks currently..

then they have Judah Mintz vieing for a draft spot too, so thats a very serious backcourt. and Westry can dribble circles around most of these SF's they'll have defending him..

Plus we'll see if Benny Williams has made big progress, once thought to be a very high upside player..

and they have 7'4" NaHeem McCleod(not draftable but still a fun player to watch) x-ferring in from FSU -- so Syracuse is gonna be quite the spectacle.. Hope they can get all these new peices settled in quickly cuz man was the ACC BRUTAL to watch last season, so many overrated teams playing on ESPN while the lesser conference games on ESPN3 were 10x better n more competitive.

 

[bxb]

Classically whenever Tom Izzo gets a highly rated bigman --- HE BURIES THEM ON THE BENCH for a few seasons (see Marcus Bingham Jr and Mady Sissoko) I'd argue if he does this with Xavier Booker this season, its not a particularly good outcome for us Blazers fans.

If this draft is kind of weak.. which ima big optimist so i dont buy that, but thatswhat everyone says --- that this draft is weak, n i understand the context of the previous drafts n what the next few might look like n why they say that sorta thing.. Its really about Starpower tho n everyone wants Flagg in '25. The blazers could use stars, sure, could also use good basketball players n theres gonna be plenty of those in this draft.....

But the weakness and strength of this draft IMO is almost irrelevant for the Blazers, we have weakness on the depth chart n this draft can help solve those problems.. Just gotta make the right picks. So the idea of like trading away these picks for vets and stuff, It better be a vet whos in their 20's n a meaningful upgrade or its a bad trade. Anyone floating the idea of trading these 2024 picks is probably lacking context..

They said the 2013 draft was weak too... Ya know.. the draft where Giannis Antetokounmpo wasnt good enough to be selected in the lottery --- WEAK DRAFT INDEED... Also no-burst having Trey Burke got selected over Super-fast, super quick, Dennis Schroder, who glides laterally on defense and can fullcourt press NBA starting pgs... Plus a long list of no-name C's went before --- Rudy Gobert, it cost the Jazz like $750k and the rights to Erick Green to get Gobert IIRC...

sensing a theme there? international players, long arms, athletic... "raw"... questions about the quality of competition(this is what was particularly damning about Giannis falling so far).. questions about reps and readiness..

In these perceived weak drafts, for teams like the Blazers, n frankly we're bottom-feeders, its a plenty viable strategy to try and take a ton of flyers on high upside projects n see what happens (for all the hate ill send at Rayan Rupert in this thread, he qualifies exactly as this n i'm fine with his selection, i wasnt crazy about the rest of those players on the board --- The kid Seth Lundy is a better SG than Rupert but does this blazers team need Seth Lundy as the 3rd string SG when we have SKylar Mays --- Redundant, woulda been an overpay --- Developing Rupert (whos got a monstrous work ethic) is a solid gamble..



So 6'11" PF/C Xavier Booker is right in line with all that... He's long been perceived to be one of the highest upside players in the class -- just he's very raw.. but for us as Blazers fans, I say we should be hoping he gets big reps -- cuz if he does good he's got all the tools to rise up boards, very athletic and he's got the right build n long arms n he's got soft touch n shows a bit of everything. he's like 6'11 with a 7'4 wingspan, something like that.

He just turned 19 too.. so for all the "young and high upside" mystery..

I mean IDK bout you guys but I graduated highschool at 17 years old.. Those whole "super young and full of upside" sales pitch --- watching Josh Jackson who was like a 20 year old HS kid n also Marvin Bagley become busts here, I dont like to give these old dudes all that benefit of the doubt like that anymore --- and I sure dont wanna see Izzo hide this kid.. Especially now that I'm a blazers fan..

Cuz he'd be cool to take with like the late 1st or early 2nd, u stash this player in the G-League these days, if Izzo has him riding the bench for MSU im not even gonna watch MSU..

 

[bxb]

So another player whos even much more of a darkhorse (though NBA teams are well aware of him n he was doing workouts for teams this summer before he withdrew[didnt workout for the blazers, but portland was working out older players mostly looking at this list]) n sorta is one of these bigs whos very skilled is 7'1" Isaiah Miranda who will be a Sophomore at Oklahoma State. He turns 20 in january. I almost hate even discussing the players class anymore, n just prefer to go by age, so much easier.

Miranda is a Sophomore or maybe he's Freshman n redshirted.. but he showed up to NC State halfway thru last season(now he x-ferred) and didnt play a game ---- Just like how Shaedon Sharpe showed up early to Kentucky n was practicing with the team ... actually a very similar situation, just far lower profile.

N Miranda is even bigger than Xavier Booker in the above post... Miranda's like a legit 7'1"with i'd say a 7'6" wingspan.. He's been adding good weight too, used to be much skinnier. n his shoulders used to be narrower so he might've actually stretched that wingspan out a little more.

(theres apparently a very famous youtuber with the same name so be sure to type in "Isaiah Miranda Basketball" or "Isaiah Miranda Oklahoma St" or your search results will be nothing but crappy social media pictures with assaultingly bright filters n clickbait fitness youtube style videos)

https://www.youtube.com/shorts/WGlQ4oq3wQ0 -- So this is a crappy vertical format youtube short that the kids like n i hate cuz i do photography n these compositions suck but nevertheless, its more recent --- MIRANDA is 7'1" legit 7'1" do you see how he kind of moves more like a PF than a C?

Miranda is very fluid! A prospect like Thon Maker(lotto pick), very mechanical compared to Miranda. Miranda had the frame of a C but the game of a PF, n so he's sort of transitioning to a tweener C/PF..

N Miranda can actually shoot the ball too, not saying he's the next Karl Towns or anything but the shot looks good out of his hands n he gets a ton of rotation.. n hes very fluid.. n so there are these wild darkhorse candidates for these next few drafts.. But this is a player im VERY HIGH on, n he's like barely in the top100 or whatever..

Its tough to find footage of Miranda recently.. You can go back 2 years ago n find him playing vs Donovan Clingan in highschool... He's from near my neck of the woods (I'm very thorough with the sort of massachuessets/new jersey/new york area for recruiting, I've got friends i grew up playing with who coach n train in AAU and stuff around here [why im a bigtime Moses Brown fan]...)

Oklahoma State is gonna be fun to watch.. I mean that frontcourt is loaded with Miranda and Brandon Garrison and Justin McBride -- and Eric Dailey Jr should be able to cause all sorts of mismatches at SF.. So i'm really just hoping their guards are good n thats a team Id think could surprise.. but really the progress of Miranda will have NBA scouts attention for sure.. He's sorta been training behind closed doors for a while now, got tons of feedback from NBA teams this summer, so it should be a good show to watch him and OK St. this season.

 

[bxb]

Lemme make a post about some of the Retuning college players I've got my eye on..

Milos Uzan 6'4" CG at Oklahoma.. Very interested to see how much scoring load he can take on this season



He shot 41% from 3 on 2.2 attempts as a freshman.. Lets see how that goes with way more volume.. He's a crafty scorer too. Profiles more as a 6th man type in the NBA i'd assume, but I'm hoping he outperforms.

AND WTF I WAS ABOUT TO MAKE A POST ABOUT ARTERIO MORRIS (6'3 cg sophomore kansas) BUT THIS KNUCKLEHEAD GOT IN TROUBLE AGAIN N HES SUSPENDED INDEFINITELY --- Kid with talent but a bad attitude damn, hate to see it... Not particularly good for Kansas tbh.. Morris and Elmarko Jackson were gonna be a really punishing backcourt to face, but Morris is kicked off the team i dont even wanna read the story, he was on a short leash..

Guess i'll post quickly about Riley Kugel who closed last season for Florida with a major bang.. I thought Kugel could've been selected in the late first in 2023, I thought he looked pretty good. But if he's able to replicate his success from late last season or anywhere close to it as the go-to guy for Florida all season, he can climb into the top20 with relative ease, cuz he's very good off the dribble and 6'5", but much more of a combo guard than a pure SG.



But Kel'el Ware the 7-footer is going to be quite the Sophomore to watch --- but for us Blazers fans not so much.. Im not all that concerned with the C's this year tbh.. We have Ayton and Williams..



n i hope they unleash Terrance Arceneaux fully at Houston this year, it was kinda brutal trying to get a glimpse of him last season with all the other big prospects they had... now its his time to shine.. hopefully he makes those 3's cuz everything else will look really easy for him if he does.... n hopefully he's added some weight, was too skinny last season..


N then one more Sophomore I cant wait to see is Yohan Traore at Santa Barbra, which is a college that has a streak of a first rd pick in the last 2 drafts --- Traore represents a chance at keeping the streak alive.. N he's got A LOT of work to do.. They have another player Ajay Mitchell a 6'4 guard from Belgium whos getting some draft hype too..

Brandin Podziemski last season sure had a lot of work to do too, n he made it to the 1st rd.. Traore is a 6'10 C/PF whos mobile n will need to put up big stats.. So I'm hoping the best for him.. JAelen Williams who was a lotto pick for the Thunder was seen as a mid 2nd rd pick until the combine too... Almsot wanna give them the benefit of the doubt with Traore cuz they did such a good job with Williams and Podziemski..

But again Traore isnt relly someone I think profiles as a Blazers pick unless he can really show the skill of a PF. cuz really Traore was buried behind Johni Broome at Auburn, and rightfully so, Broome was probably destroying Traore in practice.. N Broome makes more sense for the Blazers than Traore does, unless something drastically changed with Traore..

 

[bxb]

Ja'Kobe Walter deserves bigtime mention in a thread like this too because if he is nailing those 3's he will be in the lottery for certain n probably quite high.. He would function as a form of insurance for if Brogdon walks 2 summers from now, could be groomed to fill that role even though he's more of a SG, he has a very solid handle n an easy jumper



This player is an NBA player.. Make no mistake about that one.. We dont need to see Walter play a season in Baylor to determine that.. He could have a disastrous season(highly unlikely) and still get drafted given his talent level.

Baylor is sneaky loaded as always.. I dont think people realize how good Langston Love is for example.. Miro Little looks like a future pro, Yves Messi --- Jaelen Bridge is in a lot of mocks int he 2nd rd.. They have RayJ Dennis x-ferring in the Mac Player of the year to run PG, he isnt an NBA prospect but that team is gonna be SOLID.. the 6'8" forward Junior forward Caleb Lohner jumps out of the gym too he's actually an NBA quality athelete wonder if he makes the g-league.. It's Baylor, their very good.. Don tneed to spend too much time on them preseason cuz they seem to stay relevant in march n beyond all the time.

 

[bxb]

6'8" PF Ryan Dunn at Virginia is a player I've got my eye on too.. I'm a believer he can breakout bigtime in his Jr season..Explosive finisher who can shoot the ball and defend.. Very much like what the Blazers are hoping to see from Toumani Camara..

 

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and lets not forget 6'4" London Johnson in the G-League who will be tasked with filling Scoot's shoes.. turns 20 in january..

He's a pretty good prospect too if ya ask me, looks like he could fit on the Blazers, dont see why not.. N he's slippery at 6'4" n lets see if he shoots the ball well, which he usually does, so his stock could EXPLODE.. its worth pointing out.. N Johnson is a menace in the passing lanes defensively this kid is sneaky..

 

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and ya know KK Mega Bemax, team with these hideous magenta or neon pink jerseys, in the Serbian KLS league is LOADED.. LOADED!!!! they have some teenage big guy on that team whos gonna be a very high pick in the draft in like 2027.. or maybe I'm confused but there is some crazy hearalded serbian prospect many years in advance n hes like 6'11 with long arms built like a polar bear n he can shoot n pass already. trust me that team has a very real pipeline of talent n should be monitored closely like its one of these college teams loaded with top shelf prospects..

Nikola Topic whos a 6'5" shooter with PG like qualities who isngt much of an athlete but is like a stone cold killer type of skilled player is gaining lots of hype in this 2024 draft..


They also have Nikola Djurisic who had an injury plagued first year of NBA draft eligibility last season --- Djurisic is a freight train of a 220lb wing with a lot of core strength n he can dribble.. n to start this season Djurisic is shooting the 3 well so far -- if that continues his stock will rise closer to the 1st rd. Cuz Djurisic is one of these players with a build for the NBA he isnt one of these "will be a lot stronger when he's 25" types, Djurisic is strong as an ox as is.. Skinny wings go bouncing off of him like hes a bigman.. Djurisic acts like he thinks hes the real M. Bison on a basketball court(N i dont blame em. I'd act the same if I was as tall n strong as he is at 20 years old with that handle).

If Djurisic can put it all together, he'd be a nice value pick for the Blazers(look at the dribble move he does 1:16! his handle n body control are solid!).. He plays a punishing brand of ball n teams are gonna try to bully the blazers at every opportunity so he's probably a good fit demeanor wise, Djurisic has that sort of scrappy blue collar game that Coach Billups won a championship with playing in Detroit in '05. Most of these teams that have won the championship since that '05 team ARE SOFT in comparison n led by starpower, that '05 team, the defense was the star of that team!

 

[bxb]

n Im still seeing mocks (Sports Illustrated) from this month where Cody Williams is projected in the lottery --- after an ATROCIOUS showing for Team USA in this complete failure of a U19 Tourney that honestly Team USA did a HORRIBLE job constructing the roster --- players like Williams dont deserve to be absolved for their poor play because the roster construction was woefully flawed... Ya learn more watching these missteps than if the players passed the eye test with flying colors..

Don't think im being dramatic either.. team usa was PUTRID, u dont wanna sit thru watching those games, very boring n sloppy n uncompetitve, n really Team USA looked unprepared as well... n they had opportunities to salvage the tournament n failed over n over.. Their loss in the bronze medal game was the coup de grace.. this team was like catastrophic levels of a spectacle bad..

Im unsure if any of you guys saw that U19 team this summer, it was GHASTLY though, the fact that a player the quality of Dylan Harper (Ron Harper Jr.'s son) had such useless older teammates was shameful --- But the other players on that team sure didnt pass the eyetest, team was a disgrace (Kylan Boswell wasnt horrible tbh, but he was just solid, couldnt save that trainwreck). N team USA took too many young players, too many 17 year olds at an u19 tournament -- shoulda brought real C's not PF's and 19 year olds...


Anyways Cody Williams looked like a fish out of water, If ya ask me.. I remember thinking "Cody Williams woulda been better off not showing up, this is such a bad look for him"

team USA looked like they woulda been better off with Asa Newell out there (who's a highschool senior right now) n instead Newell was riding the bench while Williams n a bunch of others (Omaha Billiew was putrid in this tourney too, he'd have been better off not showing up) were stinking it up.


N Cody Williams is lacking a jumpshot, n so it manifests into some of the overly hesitant funkiness that fans HATE Ben Simmons over, or the way the Warriors sagged off of Domas Sabonis in rd 1 of the playoffs last season n threw him out of rhythm..

Plus Williams is young n growing n only recently slingshotted up the rankings, not some longtime heralded prospect thats been in the public eye (though obviously his brother Jaelen was a lotto pick n made the all rookie 1st team) but Cody's not ready yet, dont think its particularly fair to that kid to put those expectations on him at this stage given his raw skillset...

(( but I also dont think Ron Hollands skills are sharp enough to be #1, and he's the consensus #1 player rn.. So who knows --- maybe I'm the clueless one.. Sarr sure did whoop Holland in that matchup tho, i know that for sure.. ))

I'm sure interested to see how he performs at Colorado, cuz anythings gonna be better than that Fiba tourney..

Tristan Da Silva (who im pretty sure the Blazers worked out this summer) is gonna be drawing scouts attention too so Coach Billups alma matter CU should be fun for draftwatchers like myself.

If Cody Williams can actually shoot like lets say.. .30% from 3 this season in college, I'd say thats a very good # for him.. cuz I think they are gonna let him take a bunch, its just not expected he makes some.. so 30% would almost be way ahead of schedule..

 

[bxb]

I'm a Tyler Smith fan.. Playing for the G-League hopefully should sharpen his defense up better than anywhere else he could go.. good athlete, n he's 6'10 and can shoot it and interesting player for the Blazers to keep an eye on. turns 19 next month.

He's one of these players thats actually pretty gifted offensively so hes got the tools for defense but needs to learn how to use em better, and needs to strengthen up..

Bit more of a project than some of the other bigs projected in his range, but he also offers quite a bit of upside to make up for the lack of readiness. N the Blazers have time for players like this to develop long as we can get em for late 1sts or 2nd rd picks(like Rupert)..

I'm interested to gauge his progress up against another lefty 6'10 PF Kwame Evans Jr at Oregon.. Smith is more explosive and raw than Evans but Evans is longer and shows patience n has a calm demeanor.

 

[BankTeller]

6'8" PF Ryan Dunn at Virginia is a player I've got my eye on too.. I'm a believer he can breakout bigtime in his Jr season..Explosive finisher who can shoot the ball and defend.. Very much like what the Blazers are hoping to see from Toumani Camara..

Wow does this guy look like he can defend. Love the measurements, I’m reading he could be 6’7 barefoot, 7’1 wingspan?

Is this a target with the Warriors pick? He kind of reminds me of Kobe Brown, but younger.

I like him.