Blazers' draft night RECAP

[Blazinaway]

I like both Felton and Smith, but as for next year, Felton is no better than Miller. Lateral move for next year, and we gave up a ton

LOL at we "gave up a ton", gimme a friggin break

 

[Rastapopoulos]

This sucks. I'm gonna be hated in here for liking a player on my own team! No matter how well Felton plays, I'll be bashed for liking him. Ugh.

Oh you can take it.

 

[craigehlo]

I like both Felton and Smith, but as for next year, Felton is no better than Miller. Lateral move for next year, and we gave up a ton

Gave up a ton?

Miller was BRUTAL for the last two season in the playoffs and this was necessary move. Everyone knows this team needs to get past the 1st round and we've seen Miller's disappearing act in the post season for 2 years now.

 

[Rastapopoulos]

I'm even more in the minority, because not only do I like Felton, but I'm also pretty sure that Smith is going to be our primary backup PG from day 1 and do a decent job in that role, especially on the defensive end. Overall, I think we got better at the PG spot, and I'm happy about that.

I guess I agree with this. Who's going to beat him out? Armon showed last year that he pretty much had no clue and Patty was just in there because he could hit threes.
Felton is certainly more outgoing than Miller. Or Rudy, come to that. Our lockerroom lost two quiet types and picked up two solid citizens.

I'm most upset for largely irrational reasons. I really wanted to see Koponen have a chance in a Blazer uniform, and I think Rudy did a lot of things that were unappreciated (of Blazer highlights over the past three years, he's been featured in a disproportionate amount, and he threw creative passes to our post players).

I guess Elliot Williams will get some of Rudy's minutes. That can't be bad... or can it?

 

[Blazinaway]

I guess I agree with this. Who's going to beat him out? Armon showed last year that he pretty much had no clue and Patty was just in there because he could hit threes.
Felton is certainly more outgoing than Miller. Or Rudy, come to that. Our lockerroom lost two quiet types and picked up two solid citizens.

I'm most upset for largely irrational reasons. I really wanted to see Koponen have a chance in a Blazer uniform, and I think Rudy did a lot of things that were unappreciated (of Blazer highlights over the past three years, he's been featured in a disproportionate amount, and he threw creative passes to our post players).

I guess Elliot Williams will get some of Rudy's minutes. That can't be bad... or can it?

Our defense got better all around, Felton > Miller on D, no Rudy and Nic or E Williams playing some SG - another Defense increase. E Williams was expected to be a very good defender coming out of college and Smith was also known for his very good D, Matthews plays good D. So basically besides Roy (will he even be here?) we have solid defenders at every position, backups as well. If Oden can play we are become a defensive stud team. If we can pick up a player like Chuck Hayes I would really like that team.

 

[PtldPlatypus]

Our defense got better all around, Felton > Miller on D, no Rudy and Nic or E Williams playing some SG - another Defense increase. E Williams was expected to be a very good defender coming out of college and Smith was also known for his very good D, Matthews plays good D. So basically besides Roy (will he even be here?) we have solid defenders at every position, backups as well. If Oden can play we are become a defensive stud team. If we can pick up a player like Chuck Hayes I would really like that team.

Good call. IIRC, perimeter defense has been one of our bigger complaints around here for years. Now, outside of Roy, do we have any backcourt players that are considered weak defensively? Is it possible that a perennial significant weakness could actually be one of our strengths next year?

 

[Blazinaway]

Good call. IIRC, perimeter defense has been one of our bigger complaints around here for years. Now, outside of Roy, do we have any backcourt players that are considered weak defensively? Is it possible that a perennial significant weakness could actually be one of our strengths next year?

It is, but some folks here haven't yet pulled their heads out and come up for air - no surprise actually.

 

[Mediocre Man]

Our defense got better all around, Felton > Miller on D

Nate and Chad both disagree with you


From the horses mouths

McMillan and Buchanan rated Felton's defense as OK. "He and Andre are very comparable,'' Buchanan said. "Neither are Russell Westbrook.''

 

[jwhoops11]

Feltons defense may not be much better than Andre's, but on pure foot speed alone I imagine he'll be much better at keeping oppossing point guards in front of him. I grew so tired of watching our defense colapsed because Andre (Patty and Roy to) couldn't keep their men out of the lane. For the Blazers to get to an elite level their defense is going to have to improve, and the start of that is to not let the other teams point guard take one dribble and get to the lane. Their has to be some resistance and I can only hope Felton, and Smith to can provide that!

So for that point alone, as much as I loved Andre's old school hard nosed offensive game, I'm thrilled to see him move along.

 

[BoBoBREWSKI]

I consider E.Williams as part of this draft since we didnt have him at all last year. I think he's going to be solid. I hope!

 

[Mediocre Man]

I consider E.Williams as part of this draft since we didnt have him at all last year. I think he's going to be solid. I hope!

So that makes last years draft that much worse.

 

[BoBoBREWSKI]

So that makes last years draft that much worse.

I try not to live in the past.

 

[e_blazer]

Feltons defense may not be much better than Andre's, but on pure foot speed alone I imagine he'll be much better at keeping oppossing point guards in front of him. I grew so tired of watching our defense colapsed because Andre (Patty and Roy to) couldn't keep their men out of the lane. For the Blazers to get to an elite level their defense is going to have to improve, and the start of that is to not let the other teams point guard take one dribble and get to the lane. Their has to be some resistance and I can only hope Felton, and Smith to can provide that!

So for that point alone, as much as I loved Andre's old school hard nosed offensive game, I'm thrilled to see him move along.

My thoughts exactly. Constantly playing Nic out of position to try to cover the other team's PG caused all kinds of switching issues.

 

[Nikolokolus]

So the real question now is: Will we need that lottery protection on our draft pick next year?

 

[Boob-No-More]

So the real question now is: Will we need that lottery protection on our draft pick next year?

If Oden is reasonably healthy, no. If Oden misses all, or most of the season, yes.

BNM

 

[Ed O]

Feltons defense may not be much better than Andre's, but on pure foot speed alone I imagine he'll be much better at keeping oppossing point guards in front of him. I grew so tired of watching our defense colapsed because Andre (Patty and Roy to) couldn't keep their men out of the lane. For the Blazers to get to an elite level their defense is going to have to improve, and the start of that is to not let the other teams point guard take one dribble and get to the lane. Their has to be some resistance and I can only hope Felton, and Smith to can provide that!

If their defense is the same, and Felton is superior in terms of staying in front of his man, doesn't it follow that Felton would be inferior at another aspect of his defense relative to Miller?

I had thought of Felton as a superior defender to Miller, too. I hope Buchanan's wrong on that minor point rather than on the bigger picture.

Ed O.

 

[Blazinaway]

I consider E.Williams as part of this draft since we didnt have him at all last year. I think he's going to be solid. I hope!

E Williams was one of the best athletes in last years draft,, excellent/elite defender potential, smart guy as well, IMO he will surprise a lot of people

 

[handiman]

Raymond Felton is a top 10 PG in this league and has upside.

Uh... That's some extreme overstatement, even by your lofty standards.

Clearly better than Felton:
Chris Paul
Derron Williams
Derrick Rose
Steve Nash
Tony Parker
Russell Westbrook
Rajon Rondo
John Wall
Tyreke Evans (?)
Jameer Nelson
Stephen Curry
Andre Miller
Chauncy Billups
Devin Harris
Darren Collison
Mike Conley
Jrue Holiday
Rodney Stuckey
Kirk Hinrich
Brandon Jennings
Jason Kidd
Ty Lawson

Probably better:
George Hill
Kyle Lowry
Eric Maynor
DJ Augistin
Jeff Teague
Leandro Barbosa
JJ Barea
Beno Udrih
Gilbert Arenas
Derek Fisher
Jose Calderon
Goran Dragic
Aaron Brooks
Jarrett Jack
Jordan Farmar
Mario Chalmers

Felton isn't even a top-20 PG in this league and may well be outside the top-35. Stats may say he's an average starter, but with Felton as our starting PG, we'll never have a game where we clearly have an advantage at the position.

 

[jwhoops11]

If their defense is the same, and Felton is superior in terms of staying in front of his man, doesn't it follow that Felton would be inferior at another aspect of his defense relative to Miller?

I had thought of Felton as a superior defender to Miller, too. I hope Buchanan's wrong on that minor point rather than on the bigger picture.

Ed O.

I totally agree, and while I haven't looked at any statistical comparisons, I'll assume that Andre was much better at stealing the ball, as I do think that was one of his strengths.

And honestly, this may only be my untrained opinion, Andre was a really poor defensive player. In fact, I'd be willing to bet that that crappy zone the Blazers played a lot throughout the season was in large ways an attempt to hide his, and Roy's and Rudy's innability to defend man to man.

Maybe I'm grasping at straws here, but Andre (To me) was a below average, even bad defensive player. Felton is younger, faster, lighter, and more athletic, I just can't comprehend that he isn't at least a step up in his defensive ability. If he isn't then the front office clearly has no idea what the hell they are doing!

 

[Ed O]

Maybe I'm grasping at straws here, but Andre (To me) was a below average, even bad defensive player. Felton is younger, faster, lighter, and more athletic, I just can't comprehend that he isn't at least a step up in his defensive ability. If he isn't then the front office clearly has no idea what the hell they are doing!

Felton is actually shorter and heavier. But I tend to agree with the rest of your post.

Ed O.

 

[3RA1N1AC]

Uh... That's some extreme overstatement, even by your lofty standards.

Clearly better than Felton:
Chris Paul
Derron Williams
Derrick Rose
Steve Nash
Tony Parker
Russell Westbrook
Rajon Rondo
John Wall
Tyreke Evans (?)
Jameer Nelson
Stephen Curry
Andre Miller
Chauncy Billups
Devin Harris
Darren Collison
Mike Conley
Jrue Holiday
Rodney Stuckey
Kirk Hinrich
Brandon Jennings
Jason Kidd
Ty Lawson

Probably better:
George Hill
Kyle Lowry
Eric Maynor
DJ Augistin
Jeff Teague
Leandro Barbosa
JJ Barea
Beno Udrih
Gilbert Arenas
Derek Fisher
Jose Calderon
Goran Dragic
Aaron Brooks
Jarrett Jack
Jordan Farmar
Mario Chalmers

Felton isn't even a top-20 PG in this league and may well be outside the top-35. Stats may say he's an average starter, but with Felton as our starting PG, we'll never have a game where we clearly have an advantage at the position.

felton was 18th last year in per, and isnt thought of as a plus defender, sooooo, yeah maybe top 20/25?

 

[Spud147]

One of the things that really hit me was from the press conferences afterward. They kept talking about Felton becoming part of our young nucleas and they could grow together (like Dallas did). But then they went on several times to list the young nucleas and each time it was LaMarcus, Wesley, and Nicolas. They never once uttered the name Roy. It makes me think they really are seriously considering him for the amnesty clause (if that happens with the new CBA) and were starting to try and make him ride off into the sunset. It really made me kind of sad. It's just amazing to me how he can be a hero for several seasons and then just get erased like he never existed. I know he's being very generously compensated for his time but that had to have just stabbed him in the heart!

 

[Pinwheel1]

One of the things that really hit me was from the press conferences afterward. They kept talking about Felton becoming part of our young nucleas and they could grow together (like Dallas did). But then they went on several times to list the young nucleas and each time it was LaMarcus, Wesley, and Nicolas. They never once uttered the name Roy. It makes me think they really are seriously considering him for the amnesty clause (if that happens with the new CBA) and were starting to try and make him ride off into the sunset. It really made me kind of sad. It's just amazing to me how he can be a hero for several seasons and then just get erased like he never existed. I know he's being very generously compensated for his time but that had to have just stabbed him in the heart!

They didn't say Oden either.

 

[Spud147]

They didn't say Oden either.

I noticed that too but figured it was because they hadn't extended the qualifying offer yet to him.

 

[Rastapopoulos]

One of the things that really hit me was from the press conferences afterward. They kept talking about Felton becoming part of our young nucleas and they could grow together (like Dallas did). But then they went on several times to list the young nucleas and each time it was LaMarcus, Wesley, and Nicolas. They never once uttered the name Roy. It makes me think they really are seriously considering him for the amnesty clause (if that happens with the new CBA) and were starting to try and make him ride off into the sunset. It really made me kind of sad. It's just amazing to me how he can be a hero for several seasons and then just get erased like he never existed. I know he's being very generously compensated for his time but that had to have just stabbed him in the heart!

Ouch. But can you honestly disagree with that assessment?

Think of him as like Bill Walton for the Celtics, when he used to be Bill Walton for the Blazers.

 

[Rastapopoulos]

Uh... That's some extreme overstatement, even by your lofty standards.

Never underestimate the loftiness of KingSpeed's standards of overstatement!

Clearly better than Felton:
Chris Paul
Derron Williams
Derrick Rose
Steve Nash
Tony Parker
Russell Westbrook
Rajon Rondo

No question.

John Wall

Certainly SHOULD be. But isn't yet.

Tyreke Evans (?)

Not, in fact, a point guard.

Jameer Nelson

Define "better". I don't like Nelson at all.

Stephen Curry

Is there a worse defender at PG in the league? Not the best of passers, either.

Andre Miller

Sigh. I'll give you that. But the three pointer is important. Imagine if Rajon Rondo could hit one - the Celtics would have at least one more championship.

Chauncy Billups

He's starting to break down. And if we count his numbers for the Knicks, then we've got to count Felton's.

Devin Harris

No, that's just wrong. Harris looked like he was going to be great once. Now he's barely average and always injured.

Darren Collison

You're seriously reaching.

Mike Conley
Jrue Holiday

Both should be soon. But actually Conley is a lot like Felton: both taken too high at 5, both early disappointments, only later growing into their roles. Difference is, Felton won that NCAA championship game when he got there.

Rodney Stuckey

No. Again, looked good once. They've given up on him at the point.

Kirk Hinrich

Pfft. MAYbe. Remember when we were all hot to get him? Is he ever healthy for more than a few games in a row?

Brandon Jennings

SERIOUS sophomore slump. If you don't like Felton's FG%...

Jason Kidd

Yeah, that's right: let's trade Dre for someone EVEN OLDER!!!

Ty Lawson

Another player very similar. Both championship-winning Tarheels. I don't think him starting over Felton means that Felton was the worse guard so much as they were more comfortable with Lawson.

Probably better:
George Hill

So, BOTH of Indy's PGs are better? Or both of San Antonio's.

Kyle Lowry

Lowry is a good PG. I'd rank them about the same.

Eric Maynor

So you think if he'd been on the Knicks he would've been borderline All-Star?

DJ Augistin

Makes you wonder why he could never beat out...RAYMOND FELTON in Charlotte. (And why Larry Brown said he "died" when they didn't re-sign Felton. And Augustin was right there. Awkward.

Jeff Teague

Let's see if he can do it for more than TEN GAMES.

Leandro Barbosa
JJ Barea
Beno Udrih
Gilbert Arenas
Derek Fisher
Jose Calderon
Goran Dragic
Aaron Brooks
Jarrett Jack
Jordan Farmar
Mario Chalmers

Try to retain some vestiges of your credibility.

 

[Spud147]

Ouch. But can you honestly disagree with that assessment?

Think of him as like Bill Walton for the Celtics, when he used to be Bill Walton for the Blazers.

No, I can't disagree at all. It was just shocking to me that they'd be so obvious... I'd say the handwriting is on the wall but it was actually more like a huge graffiti painting on the side of a high rise.

 

[handiman]

Try to retain some vestiges of your credibility.

Put it this way, a team headed by a PG among the last 10-12 names on my list would be no worse than one led by Felton. Unless we have an arrangement for Miller to be released by Denver and brought back to Portland, we now have pretty much the worst starting PG in the league and possibly the worst back court. If not, very close.

 

[B-Roy]

Put it this way, a team headed by a PG among the last 10-12 names on my list would be no worse than one led by Felton. Unless we have an arrangement for Miller to be released by Denver and brought back to Portland, we now have pretty much the worst starting PG in the league and possibly the worst back court. If not, very close.

This is the worst part, from BE:

The point guard of the future who's going to make this team so much better has one year remaining on his contract, meaning he's in position to extort the team into paying prime money for an average-level player simply because they have no alternatives. Or he could just leave. Either way, they're going to get a lockout-shortened season of play out of him and that's the only surety about this "future".

 

[Mediocre Man]

This is the worst part, from BE:

I think there are many, many Blazer fans who either don't know this, or don't understand this.

I am also unsure about his Bird rights. He only signed a two year contract, so only early Bird rights....I think