Back-Up Power Forwards in the Draft

[Boob-No-More]

OK, everyone knows our two biggest needs are upgrades at starting SF and starting PG. I'd rather acquire proven veterans at those positions (Andre Miller) than draft a 20-year old kid with lots of upside and watch him sit on the bench next season (Jerryd Bayless). We already have two young players at those positions (Batum and Bayless) that are likely better than any we would get in this year's draft anyway.

So, I turn my attention to our next most glaring need - back-up PF. I know Kevin Pritchard likes "length", and we've got plenty of that. Now, I'd like to see us add some "wide" to go with our "long". I really wanted the Blazers to take Paul Millsap with the 30th or 31st pick in the 2006 draft. I believe the Blazers ended up passing on Millsap a total of 4 times before he was finally taken 47th by Utah. That 2006 draft turned the franchise around. Starting the day with the 4th pick and somehow managing to land the TWO best players in the draft was mind boggling. But, imagine if we would have picked Millsap to go along with getting Roy and Aldridge...

So, in this draft we have a fairly late 1st round pick, as well as a pile of 2nd rounders. Pritchard will most likely use some of the picks on young international players he can let develop in Europe for a few years. I'm fine with that - as long as we don't pass on the next Paul Millsap in the process. With that in mind, here are my top realistic (we're not getting Blake Griffin) targets for back-up power forwards in the 2009 NBA Draft:

Moving on Up:

Dejuan Blair - we'd have to move up about 10 spots to land Blair, but I'd absolutely LOVE to have this guy. He's a rich man's Paul Millsap, the kind of player that puts POWER in power forward, a wide body that thrives on physical contact and a rebounding machine. Like Millsap, he's undersized (aka: short) for playing power forward in the NBA. I don't care. He'd be backing up LaMarcus Aldridge, not starting. With his size, strength and aggressiveness, he'd absolutely kill back-up power forwards around the league. He's far and away my first (realistic) choice as a back-up power forward in this year's draft. For just one minute, close your eyes and picture Greg Oden and Dejuan Blair side-by-side in the paint... pretty scary, no? Talk about intimidation.

Standing Pat:

Tyler Hansbrough - OK, he's not quite the banger/wide body type I'm after, but no one else likely available in the mid-20s jumps out at me. This kid plays tough, plays smart and backs down from no one. He won't overwhelm anyone athletically, but his aggressive play and ability to draw fouls impresses me. His work ethic is unquestioned (Josh McRoberts, are you listening). He's a smart, 4-year player that could contribute of the bench right way.

Sloppy Seconds:

We have a ton of 2nd round picks. Rather than use them all in trades in Kevin Pritchard's tireless pursuit of owning the entire 2nd round in the 2018 draft, or to stash more young Euros overseas, I'd like to see the Blazers take a chance on a couple of undersized wide bodies that have proven they can rebound at the NCAA level - a skill that usually translates well to the NBA.

Jon Brockman - another 4-year player who is a rebounding stud. Brockman is undersized and unathletic - which means he'll be available in the 2nd round. Not a big time scorer, but he is a big time rebounder and that's what I want out of my back-up power forward. Besides, the last 4-year player we got out of the U of W worked out pretty well.

Luke Harangody - a slightly taller, less ripped version of Jon Brockman. Like Brockman, Harangody has established himself over the last two seasons as one of the top rebounders in the NCAA. He also scored a lot more in college than Brockman, but I'm not sure how well his low post oriented offensive will translate to the next level. I do like the fact that he actually has a back-to-the-basket game and uses it to draw fouls on opponents. Again, on the Blazers he'd spend most of his minutes against opposing back-up 4s - who I think he could score against from the low blocks.

Those are my realistic back-up power forwards from this year's draft. They all have limitations - which is why they won't go higher in the draft. I'm not looking for a star, or even a starter, just an aggressive player who can bring energy off the bench, draw fouls and most of all rebound. Of the players in this year's draft, those are the four who I think best fit that role (that we have a shot at getting).

BNM

 

[Tortimer]

I agree with you about Blair and would love to get him especially if we can't sign a FA backup PF like Bass, Thomas etc.

 

[MAS RipCity]

Blair would finally help us Blazer fans get our Rasta Monster and Buck fix back.

 

[oldmangrouch]

Personally, I wouldn't mind rolling the dice on Brockman. I have a sneaking suspicion that he is going to test out better at the combine than people expect.

 

[Fez Hammersticks]

Blair or bust. The guy is exactly what we need. He's Danny Fortson, minus the crazy.

Another PF worth looking at is Wake Forest's James Johnson. He's 6'8" 240 lbs, a bit of a Antawn Jamison type.

Flying under the radar amidst his very strong freshman class, James Johnson had a very good first season for Wake Forest, scoring nearly 15 points per game, pulling in 8 rebounds per game, and showing a nice assortment of skills to build upon. The 6’8 combo forward won’t blow you away with explosiveness, vertically or with his first step, but he’s a good athlete regardless, excelling with his mobility, fluidity, and coordination.

 

[Nikolokolus]

Dear God, anybody but Tyler "I have no position in the NBA" Hansbrough. He's got tons of heart, but he's a classic tweener stuck between 3 and 4. He just doesn't have enough skill to compensate for his lack of athleticism, height and bulk to play power forward in the pros, and not nearly enough quickness, ball-handling, lateral quickness or speed to play small forward.

 

[BasX]

From afar, Blair would be great for you guys. I'd avoid Hansbrough at all costs, unless you grab a late late first and nothing else is there. And I mean nothing.

 

[Nikolokolus]

From afar, Blair would be great for you guys. I'd avoid Hansbrough at all costs, unless you grab a late late first and nothing else is there. And I mean nothing.

No joke, I would actually rather have Brian Scalabrine on my team than Tyler Hansbrough :shudders:

 

[VanillaGorilla]

I think Blair is being overrated in here. He might become a solid back-up but saying

he'd absolutely kill back-up power forwards around the league

is over the top IMO. He is only 6'6", and is an average athlete. While I agree we need a POWER forward, and I would be fine with it if we got Blair, I believe there are better options in the draft and free agency. And if we could get a better one for a good price, I wouldn't mind making a trade either.

 

[Further]

I like those picks, especially Blair, however I would not give much more than $$ or our trade exception to move op to get him.

As far as Hansbrough, I like him more than most around here do. You have to give him a ton of credit for all he accomplished at the NCAA level and most of that was just pure HEART. On a team where he is not asked to do much other than hold down a spot for a few minutes a game I think he will surprise by doing a lot of the little things. This is not like the Stash, who was being picked real high, this is picking @ 24. If he was more athletic or more long, he would go much much higher.

 

[Rastapopoulos]

Don't forget about Joel Freeland.

Also, if Carlos Boozer doesn't opt out in Utah (and he'd probably be silly to), then we could probably get Millsap.

 

[Nikolokolus]

I like those picks, especially Blair, however I would not give much more than $$ or our trade exception to move op to get him.

As far as Hansbrough, I like him more than most around here do. You have to give him a ton of credit for all he accomplished at the NCAA level and most of that was just pure HEART. On a team where he is not asked to do much other than hold down a spot for a few minutes a game I think he will surprise by doing a lot of the little things. This is not like the Stash, who was being picked real high, this is picking @ 24. If he was more athletic or more long, he would go much much higher.

True this is not the same as drafting Adam Morrison, but even if Morrison had gone late in the first round (like he should have) he'd still be just as much of a bust, no? Frankly If I'm stuck choosing between a low upside 22 or 23 year old senior and a raw 19 or 20 year old prospect with tons of athleticism but no polish I'd go with the latter, and I'm guessing there will be a few of those available when it comes time to pass on Hansbrough.

 

[Further]

Don't forget about Joel Freeland.

Also, if Carlos Boozer doesn't opt out in Utah (and he'd probably be silly to), then we could probably get Millsap.

Good point about Freeland, he would certainly be a lotto pick this year if he was in the draft. He has had a good year, and more than that, he has really been improving at a good clip. I think he very well may end up our BU PF next year.

 

[Boob-No-More]

Dear God, anybody but Tyler "I have no position in the NBA" Hansbrough. He's got tons of heart, but he's a classic tweener stuck between 3 and 4. He just doesn't have enough skill to compensate for his lack of athleticism, height and bulk to play power forward in the pros, and not nearly enough quickness, ball-handling, lateral quickness or speed to play small forward.

Given that we're currently stuck playing Travis Outlaw or Channing Frye (gone) at the back-up 4, I don't see how Hansbrough could possibly be any worse.

He's basically the exact opposite of Outlaw. He's smart, plays hard and hits the boards. Travis is extremely athletic, but there is absolutely no power or intelligence in his game, and he's a horrible rebounder for a back-up 4.

Sure, he's a little short and unathletic - for a staring power forward, but he'd be playing against other teams' back-up 4s where I think he'd be able to hold his own physically. If he was 2" taller or a freakish athlete, he'd be a high lottery pick. Since he's neither, he might be available at 24.

Pritchard likes guys who come from winning programs, who are used to playing in (and winning) big games. Hansbrough certainly fits in with his whole "culture of winning" mantra.

It's not like I'm suggesting we make Hansbrough a high lottery pick, but I don't think he'd be a reach at 24 where we're picking. If anything he's a safe pick. Not a lot of upside, but after watching him produce at a consistently high level for one of the top teams in the country for the last 4 years, at lest you know what you're getting.

BNM

 

[Boob-No-More]

True this is not the same as drafting Adam Morrison, but even if Morrison had gone late in the first round (like he should have) he'd still be just as much of a bust, no? Frankly If I'm stuck choosing between a low upside 22 or 23 year old senior and a raw 19 or 20 year old prospect with tons of athleticism but no polish I'd go with the latter, and I'm guessing there will be a few of those available when it comes time to pass on Hansbrough.

Do we really need another project? A raw 19 - 20 year old isn't going to help win for a couple years (at the earliest). I want the Blazers championship window to start NOW - not keep putting it off why we develop more raw 19 - 20 year old kids. When I think raw 19 - 20 year old with tons of athleticism but no polish, I think of Travis Outlaw. In fact, that's exactly what he was when the Blazers drafted him - and it took him 5 years before he became a halfway decent NBA player. I don't want to wait 5 years for the next Travis Outlaw to develop.

BNM

 

[VanillaGorilla]

Don't forget about Joel Freeland.

YES.

 

[Boob-No-More]

Don't forget about Joel Freeland.

I'll reserve judgement on Freeland until I see him play against NBA caliber big men.

Also, if Carlos Boozer doesn't opt out in Utah (and he'd probably be silly to), then we could probably get Millsap.

I doubt if we'd be able to get Millsap at this point. I think the price would be too high. Sure, we could probably get him, but it would likely mean INSTEAD of a good veteran SF or PG - that's where I want to use our cap space and trade assets. If we target a back-up 4 in the draft, we'd still have all our other assets for landing someone like Andre Miller.

BNM

 

[Nikolokolus]

Given that we're currently stuck playing Travis Outlaw or Channing Frye (gone) at the back-up 4, I don't see how Hansbrough could possibly be any worse.

He's basically the exact opposite of Outlaw. He's smart, plays hard and hits the boards. Travis is extremely athletic, but there is absolutely no power or intelligence in his game, and he's a horrible rebounder for a back-up 4.

Sure, he's a little short and unathletic - for a staring power forward, but he'd be playing against other teams' back-up 4s where I think he'd be able to hold his own physically. If he was 2" taller or a freakish athlete, he'd be a high lottery pick. Since he's neither, he might be available at 24.

Pritchard likes guys who come from winning programs, who are used to playing in (and winning) big games. Hansbrough certainly fits in with his whole "culture of winning" mantra.

It's not like I'm suggesting we make Hansbrough a high lottery pick, but I don't think he'd be a reach at 24 where we're picking. If anything he's a safe pick. Not a lot of upside, but after watching him produce at a consistently high level for one of the top teams in the country for the last 4 years, at lest you know what you're getting.

BNM

I could be completely wrong in my assessment of Hansbrough and his ability to translate his game to the next level, but I suppose part of my reticence comes from the fact that this team already has forward/center wating in the wings in Freeland (who by all accounts had a great year in the ACB) who is longer, more athletic and has considerably more upside.

Whatever happens, I trust that KP will take the best player available, and if at 24 I was offered the prospect of choosing between Hansbrough and a guy like Patrick Mills or Darren Collison (who project somewhere in or around our range) I'd rather go with guys that at least have NBA quickness and athleticism.

 

[VanillaGorilla]

I doubt if we'd be able to get Millsap at this point. I think the price would be too high. Sure, we could probably get him, but it would likely mean INSTEAD of a good veteran SF or PG - that's where I want to use our cap space and trade assets.
BNM

I don't even want to try for a veteran SF. Veteran PG maybe, but even then I would prefer someone under the age of 30. I would say backup PF and starting PG are our biggest and only needs at this point.

 

[Nikolokolus]

Do we really need another project? A raw 19 - 20 year old isn't going to help win for a couple years (at the earliest). I want the Blazers championship window to start NOW - not keep putting it off why we develop more raw 19 - 20 year old kids. When I think raw 19 - 20 year old with tons of athleticism but no polish, I think of Travis Outlaw. In fact, that's exactly what he was when the Blazers drafted him - and it took him 5 years before he became a halfway decent NBA player. I don't want to wait 5 years for the next Travis Outlaw to develop.

BNM

In the first place, I want a veteran backup power forward picked up in trade or through free agency and not a rookie to take up the slack when LaMarcus is on the bench. Any player drafted at 24 (regardless of position) is likely to wind up third on the depth chart, and in that circumstance I'd rather have a raw guy with some upside and innate phsyical tools versus guys who are pretty much maxed out in terms of physical ability and unlikely to ever be an impact player.

Do you really see any draft pick at 24 (Hansbrough or not) being the difference between contending and not contending?

 

[Boob-No-More]

Do you really see any draft pick at 24 (Hansbrough or not) being the difference between contending and not contending?

Depends on who we get with our other assets. Like I said, I'd rather use those assets to acquire veteran help at PG and SF than use them on a back-up PF. I think we can get a back-up banger in the draft without giving up much, or anything, to get them. Paul Millsap was drafted at 47 and immediately became part of Utah's regular rotation and a solid contributor on a play-off team. So yes, I do believe we can get someone at 24 that can help this team immediately.

I'd rather have someone who can come in, bring energy, play smart and hit the boards than a 19-20 year old athletic freak that will make an occasional spectacular dunk, but won't box out, will lose his man on defense and make costly turnovers.

I'm not a big "upside" guy. Everybody has it, but few reach it. Therefore, I prefer a known "is" over a hypothetical "might be".

Teams that go deep in the play-offs have smart role players coming off the bench. These are always guys who have limits to their game, but are smart enough to know those limits and not make a lot of mistakes that hurt their teams. Shane Battier is just one example. He played center at Duke, but has successfully made the transition to 2/3 in the NBA. He gets by much more on smarts than athleticism or size.

I'm not comparing Hansbrough's game to Battier's, just giving an example of a player that contributes a lot simply by playing smart and not making mistakes that hurt his team. That's the kind of player I think Hansbrough will be in the NBA - a solid, but unspectacular back-up who helps his team more than hurts them when he's in the game.

I might be wrong on Hansbrough, but the Adam Morrison comparisons are completely off base. Yes, they are both white, but their games in college could not be more different.

BNM

 

[Nikolokolus]

Depends on who we get with our other assets. Like I said, I'd rather use those assets to acquire veteran help at PG and SF than use them on a back-up PF. I think we can get a back-up banger in the draft without giving up much, or anything, to get them. Paul Millsap was drafted at 47 and immediately became part of Utah's regular rotation and a solid contributor on a play-off team. So yes, I do believe we can get someone at 24 that can help this team immediately.

I'd rather have someone who can come in, bring energy, play smart and hit the boards than a 19-20 year old athletic freak that will make an occasional spectacular dunk, but won't box out, will lose his man on defense and make costly turnovers.

I'm not a big "upside" guy. Everybody has it, but few reach it. Therefore, I prefer a known "is" over a hypothetical "might be".

Teams that go deep in the play-offs have smart role players coming off the bench. These are always guys who have limits to their game, but are smart enough to know those limits and not make a lot of mistakes that hurt their teams. Shane Battier is just one example. He played center at Duke, but has successfully made the transition to 2/3 in the NBA. He gets by much more on smarts than athleticism or size.

I'm not comparing Hansbrough's game to Battier's, just giving an example of a player that contributes a lot simply by playing smart and not making mistakes that hurt his team. That's the kind of player I think Hansbrough will be in the NBA - a solid, but unspectacular back-up who helps his team more than hurts them when he's in the game.

I might be wrong on Hansbrough, but the Adam Morrison comparisons are completely off base. Yes, they are both white, but their games in college could not be more different.

BNM

I don't recall directly comparing Hansbrough's game to Morrison's. But I do think they are both players that excel(led) at the college level but project(ed) rather poorly at the pro level and that common thread between them is that they are both tweeners -- guys without a position at the NBA level -- Morrison an unathletic 3 and Hansbrough a severely undersized 4 (both in terms of height and bulk).

 

[Uther TheGardener]

I'll reserve judgement on Freeland until I see him play against NBA caliber big men.



I doubt if we'd be able to get Millsap at this point. I think the price would be too high. Sure, we could probably get him, but it would likely mean INSTEAD of a good veteran SF or PG - that's where I want to use our cap space and trade assets. If we target a back-up 4 in the draft, we'd still have all our other assets for landing someone like Andre Miller.

BNM

joel freeland = plays against grown men

but you reserve judgement because he does play against boys? *cough* college still wet behind years....

 

[BlazersBlood]

Yup, I'm on the Blair bandwagon. It's hard to tell where he'll go in the draft at this point. His upside is really limited, but he's very very solid. He's the perfect backup PF. It will be interesting to see if teams fall in love with his intangibles.

For whatever reason, intangibles are not a big factor in the NBA draft as much as it is in the NFL draft. It's probably due to the limited talent pool that can make it in the NBA.

 

[Dufferduck]

Antonio McDyess

Please no more youth, we have to find minutes for the Young'ns

 

[Boob-No-More]

I don't recall directly comparing Hansbrough's game to Morrison's. But I do think they are both players that excel(led) at the college level but project(ed) rather poorly at the pro level and that common thread between them is that they are both tweeners -- guys without a position at the NBA level -- Morrison an unathletic 3 and Hansbrough a severely undersized 4 (both in terms of height and bulk).

Severely undersized 4 (both in terms of height and bulk)? He's listed at 6'9" 230 lbs. While that's a bit on the small size for a starting 4 in the NBA, it's not bad for a back-up 4. If he measures out at a legit 6'9". or even 6'8" he'll be taller than many other back-up 4s (and even a few starters like Carlos Boozer and Kevin Love). Since he doesn't rely on athleticism, I'm sure Bobby Medina could help him add 15 lbs. of muscle to address the bulk "issue".

You do realize that our back-up 4 currently is Travis Outlaw who is also 6'9" (in shoes) and 23 lbs. lighter than Hansbrough. Plus, Hansbrough doesn't shy away from contact and draws a lot of fouls, He'll also be a better rebounder than Outlaw.

Concerning Hansbrough's lack of position at the next level, Draft Express characterizes him as "Stuck between 4 and 5". With Oden and Przybilla, the Blazers wouldn't need him to play the 5, just back up the 4 spot. Again, I'm not looking for a star here, just a guy who can back-up Aldridge for 10 or 12 MPG, play hard, play smart and not make mistakes. After watching Frye and Outlaw struggle at the back-up 4 this season, I can't imagine Hansbrough wouldn't be an upgrade at that position. At the very least, he'd play harder than Frye and smarter than Outlaw.

BNM

 

[Boob-No-More]

Antonio McDyess

Please no more youth, we have to find minutes for the Young'ns

McDyess wouldn't be a bad pick-uop - as long as getting him doesn't use assets that could be used on an established PG - and possibly SF.

Even at 34 (soon to be 35), McDyss is still productive (when healthy). but he's probably only got a couple more years left in the tank. If the Blazers could get him on a cheap (about half the MLE) 2-year contract with a 3rd year team option, I wouldn't be opposed to it.

Minutes won't be an issue for the back-up 4 spot. Whoever we get to fill that role, young or old, will get PT. Frye is gone, and Outlaw isn't a 4.

BNM

 

[Boob-No-More]

BTW, this summer's free agent class is heavy on power forwards. Not even counting restricted free agents or guys who might opt out, in addition to McDyess, several other well-traveled, experienced power forwards will be unrestricted free agents this summer, including:

Juwan Howard
Joe Smith
Rasheed Wallace
Drew Gooden
Lamar Odom
Chris Andersen

There are also 2nd tier guys like Chris Wilcox and Mikki Morre, and 3rd tier guys like Stromile Swift, Shelden Williams and Melvin Ely.

As well Brandon Bass who should see a nice pay increase this summer, Carlos Boozer who may opt out, Paul Millsap who the Jazz may be forced to renounce if Boozer and Okur opt out and Utah re-signs them both to big contracts, David Lee who the Knicks may renounce if they think he'll cost them too much to keep, etc.

Some of these guys will re-sign with their current teams. Some are of no interest to the Blazers. But, with so many PFs looking for work this summer, it should be a buyers' market. Perhaps the Blazers can take advantage of the situation and get a solid, experienced back-up 4 at a reasonable contract starting at $3 - $4 million a year.

BNM

 

[Nikolokolus]

Severely undersized 4 (both in terms of height and bulk)? He's listed at 6'9" 230 lbs. While that's a bit on the small size for a starting 4 in the NBA, it's not bad for a back-up 4. If he measures out at a legit 6'9". or even 6'8" he'll be taller than many other back-up 4s (and even a few starters like Carlos Boozer and Kevin Love). Since he doesn't rely on athleticism, I'm sure Bobby Medina could help him add 15 lbs. of muscle to address the bulk "issue".

You do realize that our back-up 4 currently is Travis Outlaw who is also 6'9" (in shoes) and 23 lbs. lighter than Hansbrough. Plus, Hansbrough doesn't shy away from contact and draws a lot of fouls, He'll also be a better rebounder than Outlaw.

Concerning Hansbrough's lack of position at the next level, Draft Express characterizes him as "Stuck between 4 and 5". With Oden and Przybilla, the Blazers wouldn't need him to play the 5, just back up the 4 spot. Again, I'm not looking for a star here, just a guy who can back-up Aldridge for 10 or 12 MPG, play hard, play smart and not make mistakes. After watching Frye and Outlaw struggle at the back-up 4 this season, I can't imagine Hansbrough wouldn't be an upgrade at that position. At the very least, he'd play harder than Frye and smarter than Outlaw.

BNM

I agree, I don't want to see Outlaw and Channing play backup power forward either, but I also don't want to see a rookie handed the job if it can be helped. If the team needs some emergency depth to play third string power forward or center then I can't see the sense in drafting (another) late first rounder to fill that role when we've already got the draft rights to a legit 6'10"- 6'11" forward/center having a great season in the ACB -- competition at least as good and maybe slightly better than NCAA hoops.

As for bringing Hansbrough in to backup LaMarcus because he'd be mistake free, I just don't see that being the case at all for any rookie (including Freeland). If that's the role you're looking to fill then this team needs a legit NBA veteran banger with a reputation of being able to provide bankable defense and rebounding. Hansbrough might or might not be capable of providing that, but I sure wouldn't bet on it.

 

[Nikolokolus]

BTW, this summer's free agent class is heavy on power forwards. Not even counting restricted free agents or guys who might opt out, in addition to McDyess, several other well-traveled, experienced power forwards will be unrestricted free agents this summer, including:

Juwan Howard
Joe Smith
Rasheed Wallace
Drew Gooden
Lamar Odom
Chris Andersen

There are also 2nd tier guys like Chris Wilcox and Mikki Morre, and 3rd tier guys like Stromile Swift, Shelden Williams and Melvin Ely.

As well Brandon Bass who should see a nice pay increase this summer, Carlos Boozer who may opt out, Paul Millsap who the Jazz may be forced to renounce if Boozer and Okur opt out and Utah re-signs them both to big contracts, David Lee who the Knicks may renounce if they think he'll cost them too much to keep, etc.

Some of these guys will re-sign with their current teams. Some are of no interest to the Blazers. But, with so many PFs looking for work this summer, it should be a buyers' market. Perhaps the Blazers can take advantage of the situation and get a solid, experienced back-up 4 at a reasonable contract starting at $3 - $4 million a year.

BNM

That's my sincere hope.