Notice Blazers draft Greg Brown!

[Pinwheel1]

I think Brown's future is at the 4. We don't really have a 4 on the team so the spot is wide open. I think he has the length and athleticism to play there. We'll see how it goes.

Agree, just not this year. He only weighs 205. Although not really a huge factor against stretch 4s.

 

[Wizard Mentor]

Early returns make it look like another Olshey home run. So far, on track to contribute in year 2 or 3.

 

[wizenheimer]

Early returns make it look like another Olshey home run. So far, on track to contribute in year 2 or 3.

"home run"? maybe a base hit, and if you're a bit homerish a double.

Olshey has a good batting average in the 2nd round, but he's hit singles and dinks mostly, and maybe a double once (Trent). Might have stolen a base trading trent for powell. Got caught stealing though trading barton & a 1st for Afflalo. And he got tossed for using pine tar when he matched Crabbe's offer sheet

Since Olshey has been Portland's GM, these guys have been drafted in the 2nd round:

Draymond Green
Khris Middleton
Jae Crowder
Joe Harris
Spenser Dinwiddie
Jerami Grant
Nicola Jokic
Jordan Clarkson
Montazel Harrell
Josh Richardson
Richaun Holmes
Norman Powell
Malcolm Brogdon
Thomas Bryant
Dillon Brooks
Jalen Brunson
Devonte Graham

now those are home runs with an occasional triple thrown in

Maybe baseball is a poor analogy. Maybe poker is better. Olshey sure seems to be calling Dame's bluff even before the first flop

 

[Wizard Mentor]

ridiculous.
1) The median 2nd rounder plays in the league 2 years or less. Most of Olshey's 2nd rounders are around MUCH longer than that.
2) Undoubtedly most, if not all, of the players on your list were simply drafted. The GMs flipped a crooked coin which is randomly going to come up heads every once in a while. Finding a $20 bill on the ground is fortuitous - not a home run. Olshey, OTOH, often goes AFTER players he likes in the 2nd round.
3) IMHO, getting a rotation player for a playoff team is a home run. You can quibble about it (everyone here, including me, loves to quibble) saying it's "only a double". A legit opinion, but not mine.

"home run"? maybe a base hit, and if you're a bit homerish a double.

Olshey has a good batting average in the 2nd round, but he's hit singles and dinks mostly, and maybe a double once (Trent). Might have stolen a base trading trent for powell. Got caught stealing though trading barton & a 1st for Afflalo. And he got tossed for using pine tar when he matched Crabbe's offer sheet

Since Olshey has been Portland's GM, these guys have been drafted in the 2nd round:

Draymond Green
Khris Middleton
Jae Crowder
Joe Harris
Spenser Dinwiddie
Jerami Grant
Nicola Jokic
Jordan Clarkson
Montazel Harrell
Josh Richardson
Richaun Holmes
Norman Powell
Malcolm Brogdon
Thomas Bryant
Dillon Brooks
Jalen Brunson
Devonte Graham

now those are home runs with an occasional triple thrown in

Maybe baseball is a poor analogy. Maybe poker is better. Olshey sure seems to be calling Dame's bluff even before the first flop

 

[tykendo]

Roco is a 4

Not really. I mean, he's playing the 4 for us because we don't have one. He's best suited for the 3. Perfect size.

 

[riverman]

Not really. I mean, he's playing the 4 for us because we don't have one. He's best suited for the 3. Perfect size.

He's a 4...he played the 5 for the Rockets alot..same height as Greg Brown I believe...

 

[wizenheimer]

ridiculous.
1) The median 2nd rounder plays in the league 2 years or less. Most of Olshey's 2nd rounders are around MUCH longer than that.
2) Undoubtedly most, if not all, of the players on your list were simply drafted. The GMs flipped a crooked coin which is randomly going to come up heads every once in a while. Finding a $20 bill on the ground is fortuitous - not a home run. Olshey, OTOH, often goes AFTER players he likes in the 2nd round.
3) IMHO, getting a rotation player for a playoff team is a home run. You can quibble about it (everyone here, including me, loves to quibble) saying it's "only a double". A legit opinion, but not mine.

lol...sure...I'm ridiculous, yet you're the one calling Brown a home run after 5 summer league games?

 

[Sheldon Shape]

He's a 4...he played the 5 for the Rockets alot..same height as Greg Brown I believe...

Except that his advanced stats as a small forward are much better than at power forward. Also, he played much of his career as a small forward.

You really like bringing up advanced stats so this should matter to you.

 

[riverman]

Except that his advanced stats as a small forward are much better than at power forward. Also, he played much of his career as a small forward.

You really like bringing up advanced stats so this should matter to you.

?? we have 3 guys 6'8....one on a two way....somebody sawe don't have another PF....we do..stats or not. You have me confused with the S2 moneyball crowd...I don't need to know his rookie free throw percentage from back in the day or why he put up numbers with the Wolves...I am interested in who he is right now.....Roco is the same height as Big Ben Wallace...he and Norm and Nurk will build some chemistry with the starting unit and we should be good at the 4...Snell is 6'6 I believe so he'll probably back Nas and Norm at the 3...I think we'll target another backup 4 at the deadline

 

[wizenheimer]

?? we have 3 guys 6'8....one on a two way....somebody said we don't have another PF....we do..stats or not. You have me confused with the S2 moneyball crowd...I don't need to know his rookie free throw percentage from back in the day or why he put up numbers with the Wolves...I am interested in who he is right now.....Roco is the same height as Big Ben Wallace...

or, more accurately, only two guys, other than the injury-prone C's, who are 6'7 or taller on the 13 man roster

 

[BBert]

I like Brown. He's definitely worth a two-year flyer to gauge his progress and potential. I think it will come down to how dedicated he is and the quality of his training. I agree his complete focus these next two years should be as a 3 and D player. That will get him on the court, where the real education begins.

 

[THE HCP]

I think Brown's future is at the 4. We don't really have a 4 on the team so the spot is wide open. I think he has the length and athleticism to play there. We'll see how it goes.

His future is in the G-League FAMS.

 

[riverman]

His future is in the G-League FAMS.

You said this about Dame too I'm pretty sure didn't you? His rookie year he wouldn't play....isn't that the line?

 

[THE HCP]

You said this about Dame too I'm pretty sure didn't you? His rookie year he wouldn't play....isn't that the line?

I will admit I wanted Austin rivers over Dame that draft, and Harrison Barnes over Meyers, but I don’t think I ever said Dame wouldn’t play. You have to find those posts son.

 

[riverman]

I will admit I wanted Austin rivers over Dame that draft, and Harrison Barnes over Meyers, but I don’t think I ever said Dame wouldn’t play. You have to find those posts son.

but...but...rookies don't see the court!!! it's your chant every season with first year players! Even Alan Crabbe saw the court and he was a second round pick......we need a PF....Brown will get the Noah Vonleh treatment at least

 

[tlongII]

Roco is a 4

I don’t think so. Roco is a 3 playing the 4 in my opinion.

 

[tlongII]

His future is in the G-League FAMS.

This year sure. He has potential though. I don’t know what kind of head he has on his shoulders, but if he’s smart and a hard worker he could become a good player.

 

[riverman]

I don’t think so. Roco is a 3 playing the 4 in my opinion.

Roco defends the best player on the other team which is often a 3 but he is a 4 in our lineup...just like Chief was...Roco and Nurk have only played a handful of games together...when they get some chemistry he'll look better at the 4 on offense...he's a stretch 4

 

[handiman]

Roco defends the best player on the other team which is often a 3 but he is a 4 in our lineup...just like Chief was...Roco and Nurk have only played a handful of games together...when they get some chemistry he'll look better at the 4 on offense...he's a stretch 4

The thing is, RoCo is an adequate PF -- almost exclusively due to his defensive versatility -- but would be a fantastic SF if we had a legit PF alongside him. Just because he has played PF in flawed small ball lineups here and in Houston doesn't make that his best position.

 

[Wizard Mentor]

The thing is, RoCo is an adequate PF -- almost exclusively due to his defensive versatility -- but would be a fantastic SF if we had a legit PF alongside him. Just because he has played PF in flawed small ball lineups here and in Houston doesn't make that his best position.

You may be right, but my feeling is the opposite. RoCo is actually not very good at moving his feet.

 

[handiman]

You may be right, but my feeling is the opposite. RoCo is actually not very good at moving his feet.

I haven't seen that.

 

[Scalma]

https://www.oregonlive.com/blazers/...enges-ahead-im-excited-by-his-work-ethic.html

Portland Trail Blazers rookie forward Greg Brown III certainly made his mark during the NBA summer league in Las Vegas.

High-flying dunks. Spectacular blocked shots. Energy and enthusiasm. The play of the team’s second-round pick out of Texas teased of what might be, should he develop his game. There to get the first crack at polishing all of that raw talent in Brown’s slender, 6-foot-9 frame was Roy Rogers, the Blazers’ summer league coach, who described the rookie as a bundle of energy bound to make mistakes but eager to learn from them.

“I’m excited by his work ethic,” Rogers said. “He has a chance to be a good player provided he puts in the work each and every day.”

Brown played 19 minutes per game in Las Vegas and averaged nine points on 57.1% shooting 5.4 rebounds and 1.4 blocks for the 2-3 Blazers, who concluded their schedule on Tuesday.

Brown, who has room for growth as a shooter, made just 25% on threes (0.6 of 2.4 per game). At Texas, he shot 33% (30 of 91) on threes from a closer distance. But he looks comfortable shooting and has a solid stroke. So, there’s reason to believe he could evolve in this area.

The Blazers, who didn’t have a pick in the first round after trading it as part of the Robert Covington trade during last year’s NBA draft, acquired Brown from New Orleans after it selected him with the 43rd overall selection. Portland sent the Pelicans a future second-round pick and cash.

The Blazers have had a strong track record in recent years with second-round picks, most notably Gary Trent Jr., taken in 2018. Brown, once considered to be a potential lottery pick by some, could become a similar find for the Blazers.

Just 20, Brown went to Texas last season rated as the No. 9 high school player in the country on 247Sports and No. 10 by Rivals.com. Brown played well for the Longhorns but didn’t live up to the recruiting hype, averaging 9.3 points and 6.2 rebounds per game.

Brown offers something that the Blazers have never found in the second round. He is 6-foot-9, rangy and ultra-athletic. But he is also super raw and at times battled maturity issues at Texas.

Last season, Brown threw down a powerful dunk against Baylor but received a technical foul for taunting.

Late during the final game of the regular season against TCU, Brown attempted a dunk similar to the one he made Tuesday against Houston, when he went between his legs with the ball, but missed, much to the dismay of Longhorns coach Shaka Smart.

In the Big 12 tournament quarterfinal game against Texas Tech, Brown played just 13 minutes and at one point walked away from the bench and up a tunnel before returning. Brown did not start in the Big 12 championship game against Oklahoma State and played just six minutes.

None of these situations should be considered huge issues, but they are signs that Brown has some growing up to do. He said last week that he appreciated the fact that the Blazers summer league roster had numerous NBA veterans who have helped teach him how to carry himself as a professional.

The Blazers featured forward Michael Beasley (11 years), guard Emmanuel Mudiay (five years), center Kenneth Faried (eight years) and guard Antonio Blakeney (two years). They were brought in, in part, to help pass on knowledge to the younger players, according to Rogers.

Some of the lessons learned, Brown said, include being early, staying late, building relationships, working hard in the weight room and simply being professional.

“Every day is a learning experience,” Brown said. “They’ve been teaching me how to become a pro on and off the court and I’ve been soaking it all in, being a sponge and trying to get better.”

The lessons, Brown said, will make him better prepared for the start of training camp in late September.

“I know what to expect when I go into training camp, what to look for and how to approach the locker room when I go to my team,” Brown said. “So, overall I think it was a very helpful experience.”

Veteran advice led to Brown’s spectacular dunk in the second quarter on Tuesday. Brown said he put down some dunks at a recent practice, leading to Beasley telling him he should do that in the game.

“When the opportunity came, I remembered that conversation,” Brown said.

On the play, CJ Elleby, the team’s second-round pick last year, made the long pass to Brown during a fast break, then watched the show.

“I was just staring at him in disbelief,” Elleby said.

The dunk also impressed Rogers.

“Greg is so athletic and that’s just a rare glimpse into his athleticism,” Rogers said. “I told him, ‘I’ve been in this league a long time as a player and a coach. I’m not sure I can ever remember witnessing something like that in a summer league game, a preseason game, or any game.’ I’m excited for Greg. He’s an eager learner. He works hard. I think he has a really bright future provided he stays humble and continues to work.”

Brown’s long legs produce long strides, allowing him to eat up space quickly before launching toward the basket with great explosion. He could already become a threat in transition and on lob passes for the Blazers during the upcoming season. But powering through dunks as he did in college and summer league is not going to be as easy against stronger and more experienced NBA veterans.

Brown must improve his overall skillset (ballhandling, footwork, shooting) and his decision-making to become a valuable member of the team’s rotation. Playing time at small forward won’t be easy to come by with starter Norman Powell and backups Derrick Jones Jr. and Nassir Little on the roster.

Rogers said at the beginning of summer league that the game was moving at lightning speed for Brown while he learned terminology, plus defensive and offensive sets.

Rogers said he liked the fact that the rookie was getting a chance to make tons of mistakes in summer league.

In an early game, Brown allowed a dunk, turned to Rogers standing near the bench and asked: “That was mine, right?”

Rogers responded, “Yes,” and although pleased that Brown recognized what happened after the fact, urged him: “Next time, do it before the play.”

“There’s a lot going on right now for him, but I like the fact that he continues to work, he doesn’t get down on himself and he’s improved since the first day of training camp,” Rogers said.

Brown said he feels that he can fit in with any team and expects to do so with Portland. As for his role next season, Brown said he expects to provide athleticism and rebounding, and is ready for whatever else comes his way.

“If my role gets bigger, it gets bigger,” he said. “If not, I’ll keep doing whatever to help the team win.”

 

[Freshtown]

Of course Beasley encouraged him to do a between the legs dunk in game. Lol. I don’t want that clown anywhere near our regular season roster.

 

[handiman]

Of course Beasley encouraged him to do a between the legs dunk in game. Lol. I don’t want that clown anywhere near our regular season roster.

If you watch GB's highlight reel video posted above, it probably didn't take much encouragement. That's a very rehearsed dunk of his.

 

[Wizard Mentor]

 

[Wizard Mentor]

Greg Brown, DJJ, Ant, Nas....
If we added a speedy PG, we could become a very dangerous fast-breaking team.

 

[riverman]

You may be right, but my feeling is the opposite. RoCo is actually not very good at moving his feet.

My feeling about Roco is that he needs chemistry with Nurk and Norm and all 3 guys need to move their feet together....string...they really don't have chemistry yet at all...that needs a training camp at the very least...I think we'll see massive improvement in Roco's help defense...Chauncey talked about it at length. Chief and Nurk and Mo had that chemistry much more than we saw last season with the Norm acquisition and Nurk's return...I think we have the staff to get them playing together

 

[Scalma]

if this is the roster we’re going into the season with, I think Brown might carve out a role, especially in the likely scenario that one of our centers miss time. Rogers mentioned how he he’s a quick learner and has a good work ethic. That’s always the type of comment I look for when it comes to rookies. Mix that in with his elite physical traits, and I’d say the odds of him playing are higher than other players we’ve had.

 

[RR7]

 

[Lanny]

Tools are almost always the most important thing. Skill can be gained, as I said when we coulda drafted Giannis and Gobert "You can't teach height, length, and athleticism". Obviously, I'm not saying this guy will come remotely close to those two, just saying Tools are absolutely critical. A 5'8" guy with god-level skills will never make it in this league.

This means that me, at 5' 9" has a chance?