Draft Hate Thread

Welcome to our community

Be a part of something great, join today!

I don't want Portland to draft anyone unless they are then used in a trade for a quality NBA player.

The time to wait for potential is over. Portland needs sure things now.
 
I think mostly I hate the Digger Phelps and Jay Bilas fawning over him for the past 4 years, he's a decent player, but he gets way too much credit for being 'all heart' ... being intense and playing with a bloody nose doesn't make you a good NBA prospect.

I hate him for the same reason I hate Tim Tebow: constant media attention because he's intense which really masks average (pro) talent.
No doubt he generates some of this attention being a star white player at a premiere program... I'm sure we can all recount a few examples of past players who received similar love only fade to obscurity in the pros. I understand the hate reaction to this as its the sort of thing that normally turns me off too, but I'm looking at this offseason differently. I'm hoping they look to acquire some players that the general public knows/follows to increase the Blazer brand awareness across the country. I'm of the opinion that Stern's league isn't straight hoops... that there is a sports entertainment/ratings angle that factors in, resulting in some teams being treated more equally (via the officiating) then others. Portland will never be treated equal like the Lakers, but adding a familiar face or two would help move the sliding scale their direction. Adding the right FA icon wouldn't hurt this cause either. If Portland can hook the general public early on in their run with a few of these types, they could turn the corner and become a marquee team for years.

I see very few players in this draft cracking Portland's rotation for more then token minutes next season and only a few with starter potential down the line. KP moving high up in the lotto for one of those guys is another discussion. But TH clapping intensely on the Blazer bench gives some of the many UNC/ACC fans an intro to the young Blazers and the national press another positive angle to play to. Also his size and skills project decently into a spot they actually have some needs (assuming Frye is gone). He measured and tested better at the combine then I'd expected... like Tebow he's actually a pretty well put together athlete. He's an inch taller then Travis and has a stockier build much better suited for inside play. As a pro I project him as a bigger Eddie Najera in that he'll battle, set picks, take a charge, hit an open J, and use his 6 fouls.

He should go higher then #24 though... probably mid teens

STOMP
 
Last edited:
I was talking as a pro. One poster projected him to be like Milsap, I project him to be like Traylor. Maybe I'm right, maybe I'm wrong, but you aren't going to change my opinion based on college statistics. Were you also going to post that Hansbrough will be like Karl Malone as a pro because they had similar collegiate statistics? Also, Blair must be headed for the Hall of Fame, because his college stats compare favorably to Charles Barkley. :biglaugh:

You compared him directly to Robert Traylor. Of course we don't know how Blair will turn out as a pro. All I did was show that at a similar age and level of competition Blair was a much better, much more productive player than Traylor. What is your basis for the Traylor comparision? That they both wore husky sizes as kids? You've provided absolutely no basis for the comparison.

And please stop trying to put words in my mouth with the strawman arguments. I've never mentioned Hansbrough and Malone or Blair and Barkley in the same post (until now). If you want to dispute what I wrote, please feel free. Just try to do so without making up stuff I never said.

BNM
 
Really? Who?

http://www.nbadraft.net/nba_draft_history/2006.html

Millsap is the only player I see on the board that is better then those listed players. You can't count Green either. That was Nates pick. Not KPs.

Looking at 2007 draft, Ramon Sessions (but no one knew he would pan out, as with Millsap in '06), I see Marc Gasol, Carl Landry. But at that time we didn't really need a big body.


Sergio and Freeland were picked before Leon Powe, Daniel "Boobie" Gibson, Paul Milsap. Freeland will either eat up cap space for nothing, or will be released this summer and will have been a complete wasted draft pick.

Landry, Sessions, Gasol, Davis were all picked behind Koponen. You say we didn't need big bodies, but we also didn't need a PG who will probably never play for us either.


I guess I shouldn't insinuate that they were bad picks, Maybe more like wasted picks. All Koponen and Freeland will bring us is cpa holds, and Sergio with Nate is maybe the worst fit in NBA history. And letting Nate pick Green was maybe his worst decision.


I love the job KP has done, but he doesn't walk on wtaer like a lot of people think he does.
 
No doubt he generates some of this attention being a star white player at a premiere program... I'm sure we can all recount a few examples of past players who received similar love only fade to obscurity in the pros. I understand the hate reaction to this as its the sort of thing that normally turns me off too, but I'm looking at this offseason differently. I'm hoping they look to acquire some players that the general public knows/follows to increase the Blazer brand awareness across the country. I'm of the opinion that Stern's league isn't straight hoops... that there is a sports entertainment/ratings angle that factors in, resulting in some teams being treated more equally (via the officiating) then others. Portland will never be treated equal like the Lakers, but adding a familiar face or two would help move the sliding scale their direction. Adding the right FA icon wouldn't hurt this cause either. If Portland can hook the general public early on in their run with a few of these types, they could turn the corner and become a marquee team for years.

I see very few players in this draft cracking Portland's rotation for more then token minutes next season and only a few with starter potential down the line. KP moving high up in the lotto for one of those guys is another discussion. But TH clapping intensely on the Blazer bench gives some of the many UNC/ACC fans an intro to the young Blazers and the national press another positive angle to play to. Also his size and skills project decently into a spot they actually have some needs (assuming Frye is gone). He measured and tested better at the combine then I'd expected... like Tebow he's actually a pretty well put together athlete. He's an inch taller then Travis and has a stockier build much better suited for inside play. As a pro I project him as a bigger Eddie Najera in that he'll battle, set picks, take a charge, hit an open J, and use his 6 fouls.

He should go higher then #24 though... probably mid teens

STOMP

Hmm ... well if we're interested in adding a UNC/ACC player to get name recognition then I'd rather trade up to get Lawson than trade up to get Hansbrough. If you're going to draft a guy you might as well get somebody that at least has a shot at being a good starter as a ceiling versus career backup guy.
 
Hmm ... well if we're interested in adding a UNC/ACC player to get name recognition then I'd rather trade up to get Lawson than trade up to get Hansbrough. If you're going to draft a guy you might as well get somebody that at least has a shot at being a good starter as a ceiling versus career backup guy.
Lawson isn't without draft value for me. His combine #'s match up pretty well with Chris Paul's, so he is within the low end of acceptable size. He's quick and can play some, he might be good enough to some day get real minutes. From what I understand there are some concerns with both health and character, and those concerns might be legit :dunno: but if he's only going to be on the bench, I doubt he'd connect with the audience locally or more importantly nationally like the other wide eyed Ty.

Psycho T becomes Token T

STOMP
 
You compared him directly to Robert Traylor. Of course we don't know how Blair will turn out as a pro. All I did was show that at a similar age and level of competition Blair was a much better, much more productive player than Traylor. What is your basis for the Traylor comparision? That they both wore husky sizes as kids? You've provided absolutely no basis for the comparison.

After he was compared to Milsap. The basis of my comparison between Traylor and Blair is their girth and lack of of a handle while being undersized for their position. Seemed pretty obvious to me. Milsap has an outside shot; Blair does not. That comparison seemed like a stretch to me.

And please stop trying to put words in my mouth with the strawman arguments. I've never mentioned Hansbrough and Malone or Blair and Barkley in the same post (until now). If you want to dispute what I wrote, please feel free. Just try to do so without making up stuff I never said.

BNM

I have an opinion that differs from you. There is no need to personalize this or get upset. I replied to your use of Blair's college statistics as a marker for professional success with a few other examples of players and how they end up as pros. Is only your use of Blair's statistics to predict professional success legitimate, and my examples illegitimate? Help me out here. I'd like to know why Blair's stats at Pitt mean anything once he gets to the NBA. Since we're using his stats at Pitt, however, it appears he can't shoot from the outside and struggles both at getting to the line and hitting his FTs when he gets there.
 
Last edited:
A point guard, I am sold on Bayless and don't see anyone in this draft better than him
Budinger..yuck, bust-o-rama
Trading up to get a guy like DeRozan, Evans, Curry, Thabeet, Hill
The only player I like in the top 10 is Harden
BJ Mullens..can't even get off the bench at OSU
Not a big fan of guys we'd have to give up too much to get (Henderson)
 
To be honest, I like a LOT of the 2nd round guys this year more so than the mid-late 1st rounders
Toney Douglas
Patty Mills
Danny Green
Victor Claver
Marcus Thornton
DeMaree Carroll
Jodie Meeks
Dionte Christmas
Sergio Llull

I think a lot of these guys could have more staying power in the league than some of these projected 1sts like Budinger.
 
OK... so we talk about options and we talk about who we want the Blazers to pick...

Who don't you want them to pick?

I'm watching the NBATV draft overview and they had Sam Young associated with us, which caused me to create this thread. I do NOT want the Blazers to draft Young.

Why not?

  1. He's old. He's older than Webster and Batum and Rudy, and he's only 9 months younger than Outlaw.
  2. He's unpolished. He still has lousy handles and a shaky offensive skillset.
  3. He doesn't seem to do anything particularly well. His defense appears to be his best skill, but... I don't know that will be enough to get him minutes over, say, Batum with the Blazers.

Whattaya think?

What other players do you hate?

Ed O.

I was impressed with Young this year, but you're probably right about his all-around game. I'll point out that Josh Howard was 23 when he was drafted, and he improved his game, so it's not like Young couldn't be a productive player. That said, I don't want a SF drafted at this point, so that overrides any net/net about Young's capabilities.
 
Here's what we do:

Trade Greg Oden + #24 for a bad contract + pick #2.
Then, we draft Thabeet.

We got Tha-beet.
Every-body, get on your feet.
We got Tha-beet.

:drumroll::drumroll::drumroll::drumroll:

Well, maybe not! I don't know if Thabeet will be a bust, but I'm very sure he won't warrant a #2 pick in this year's draft. He won't every be as good as Joel Pryzbilla.
 
Here's what we do:

Trade Greg Oden + #24 for a bad contract + pick #2.
Then, we draft Thabeet.

We got Tha-beet.
Every-body, get on your feet.
We got Tha-beet.

:drumroll::drumroll::drumroll::drumroll:

Well, maybe not! I don't know if Thabeet will be a bust, but I'm very sure he won't warrant a #2 pick in this year's draft. He won't every be as good as Joel Pryzbilla.

royal-fail.jpg
 
After he was compared to Milsap. The basis of my comparison between Traylor and Blair is their girth and lack of of a handle while being undersized for their position. Seemed pretty obvious to me. Milsap has an outside shot; Blair does not. That comparison seemed like a stretch to me.

Well, if it's so obvious to you, perhaps you should state it clearly for the rest of us who can't read your mind. How are we supposed to get all that out of:

"Do you like a smaller Robert Traylor?"

I have an opinion that differs from you. There is no need to personalize this or get upset. I replied to your use of Blair's college statistics as a marker for professional success with a few other examples of players and how they end up as pros. Is only your use of Blair's statistics to predict professional success legitimate, and my examples illegitimate? Help me out here. I'd like to know why Blair's stats at Pitt mean anything once he gets to the NBA. Since we're using his stats at Pitt, however, it appears he can't shoot from the outside and struggles both at getting to the line and hitting his FTs when he gets there.

You are, of course, entitled to your opinion. But statements like:

"Were you also going to post that Hansbrough will be like Karl Malone as a pro because they had similar collegiate statistics? Also, Blair must be headed for the Hall of Fame, because his college stats compare favorably to Charles Barkley."

are clearly strawman arguments. I never made any such comparisons and you know it. Throwing them out there just dilutes the issue and adds nothing to the discussion.

You don't like me using Blair's college stats to project how he'll perform as a pro? That's fine. At least I have a basis, other than personal opinion and somebody's waist size, for my argument. I still think the Blair/Traylor comparison is shallow and ill conceived. Sure, it's easy to toss out the name of a player with large girth who failed at the NBA level, but other than their waist size, they have very little in common - as players. I find it amusing that you are so eager to discount Blair's college production as a predictor of his future success when the basis of your Blair/Traylor comparison is their waist size. So, exactly what does Robert Traylor's waist size have to do with whether, or not, DeJuan Blair will be successful at the next level?

BNM
 
I am really not that interested in the draft. I doubt anyone would get any this year. I could see us trading out of the `st round and just wasting the 2nd rounders on foreign players.
 
Well, if it's so obvious to you, perhaps you should state it clearly for the rest of us who can't read your mind. How are we supposed to get all that out of:

"Do you like a smaller Robert Traylor?"

It was in response to another poster. The poster I quoted. The poster who quoted me and responded by posting "Touche". Perhaps I missed where I was addressing you with my brief retort to a similarly brief post. If I did address you, I apologize. If I didn't, what's your problem?



You are, of course, entitled to your opinion. But statements like:

"Were you also going to post that Hansbrough will be like Karl Malone as a pro because they had similar collegiate statistics? Also, Blair must be headed for the Hall of Fame, because his college stats compare favorably to Charles Barkley."

are clearly strawman arguments. I never made any such comparisons and you know it. Throwing them out there just dilutes the issue and adds nothing to the discussion.

You compared Blair to Traylor based on their collegiate stats. I already gave my take on the lack of accuracy in using those stats to predict professional success.

You don't like me using Blair's college stats to project how he'll perform as a pro? That's fine. At least I have a basis, other than personal opinion and somebody's waist size, for my argument. I still think the Blair/Traylor comparison is shallow and ill conceived. Sure, it's easy to toss out the name of a player with large girth who failed at the NBA level, but other than their waist size, they have very little in common - as players. I find it amusing that you are so eager to discount Blair's college production as a predictor of his future success when the basis of your Blair/Traylor comparison is their waist size. So, exactly what does Robert Traylor's waist size have to do with whether, or not, DeJuan Blair will be successful at the next level?

BNM

Really? They both are undersized, they both can't shoot, they both are athletic for their size, and they both lack a handle. Those are similarities other than "waist size", and I posted 3 of them previously in this thread. Please stop lying about what I have posted. I have yet to lie about your position, but since you opened the can of worms, I just may start doing so.

Have a nice day, liar.
 
Last edited:
I suppose the New York Times is lying about coaches comparing Blair with Traylor. :biglaugh:

There are a few precedents for the mix of Blair’s body type and athleticism, but not many. Numerous coaches brought up Charles Barkley and Robert Traylor, known as Tractor. The Boston Globe basketball aficionado Bob Ryan compares him to Wes Unseld because of the combination of size and ability to burst up and snatch rebounds.

http://www.nytimes.com/2009/03/26/sports/ncaabasketball/26pitt.html

More comparisons

http://www.google.com/search?q=deju...s:IE-SearchBox&ie=UTF-8&oe=UTF-8&sourceid=ie7
 
Don't wanna get in the argument above, but the link provided this gem:

“Its freakish how well his feet move with that girth, that size of a butt,” said the former Pitt assistant Mike Rice, now the coach at Robert Morris. “The way that he uses it, it’s unfair.”

That - my friends, is Mike Rice's son showing he, too, has a way with words...
 
I suppose the New York Times is lying about coaches comparing Blair with Traylor. :biglaugh:

http://www.nytimes.com/2009/03/26/sports/ncaabasketball/26pitt.html

Did you even read the article? Or did you just google "blair + traylor" and post the first link that popped up? Because if you actually read the article, you would have seen that it's highly complemetary of Blair's unique talents and seriously damages your argument that he will be a bust at the next level.

"Blair, a sophomore, has many attributes that led a co-Big East player of the year award. He has hands like suction cups, the energy of an overcaffeinated kindergartner and the agility of a tightrope walker. But what makes him an elite player is how all his strength, dexterity and athleticism mix with his distinctive frame."

"So how can a big backside be an asset? Look at 7-3 Hasheem Thabeet, who shared the conference player of the year award with Blair despite being overwhelmed in Pittsburgh’s two victories over UConn this season. Blair is eight inches shorter yet in their first matchup scored 17 more points and grabbed 19 more rebounds than Thabeet, who is listed at 263 pounds."

"Rice said that post play was all about balance. Players use head fakes, ball fakes and elbows to try to get their defender off balance. All Blair has to do is swing his hips.

“Hasheem Thabeet has such trouble with him because DeJuan is always knocking him off-balance with his derrière,” Rice said. “And he creates space so a 6-foot-7 guy can score on a 7-foot-3 guy."

"There are a few precedents for the mix of Blair’s body type and athleticism, but not many. Numerous coaches brought up Charles Barkley and Robert Traylor, known as Tractor. The Boston Globe basketball aficionado Bob Ryan compares him to Wes Unseld because of the combination of size and ability to burst up and snatch rebounds."

So, two of the three players they compared him to are MVP winners and Hall of Famers. Note: I have not compared Blair to Barkley or Unseld, but why are those comparisons any less valid (or any less ridiculous) than your Tractor Traylor comparison?


Ah yes, like I thought. A quick google search without actually reading what the articles say.

BNM
 
Did you even read the article? Or did you just google "blair + traylor" and post the first link that popped up? Because if you actually read the article, you would have seen that it's highly complemetary of Blair's unique talents and seriously damages your argument that he will be a bust at the next level.

"Blair, a sophomore, has many attributes that led a co-Big East player of the year award. He has hands like suction cups, the energy of an overcaffeinated kindergartner and the agility of a tightrope walker. But what makes him an elite player is how all his strength, dexterity and athleticism mix with his distinctive frame."

"So how can a big backside be an asset? Look at 7-3 Hasheem Thabeet, who shared the conference player of the year award with Blair despite being overwhelmed in Pittsburgh’s two victories over UConn this season. Blair is eight inches shorter yet in their first matchup scored 17 more points and grabbed 19 more rebounds than Thabeet, who is listed at 263 pounds."

"Rice said that post play was all about balance. Players use head fakes, ball fakes and elbows to try to get their defender off balance. All Blair has to do is swing his hips.

“Hasheem Thabeet has such trouble with him because DeJuan is always knocking him off-balance with his derrière,” Rice said. “And he creates space so a 6-foot-7 guy can score on a 7-foot-3 guy."

"There are a few precedents for the mix of Blair’s body type and athleticism, but not many. Numerous coaches brought up Charles Barkley and Robert Traylor, known as Tractor. The Boston Globe basketball aficionado Bob Ryan compares him to Wes Unseld because of the combination of size and ability to burst up and snatch rebounds."




Ah yes, like I thought. A quick google search without actually reading what the articles say.

BNM

My only point was that Blair has been compared with Traylor by coaches. I also note how you comment on the Barkley comparison, when earlier in the thread I mentioned Blair's collegiate stats compared with Barkley's.

All I can surmise is that, in your opinion, comparing Blair with Traylor is so egregious an offense that it must be berated in lengthy posts. In the opinion of others, myself included, there is a valid comparison in their minds. It's a scary world. Some people don't have the same opinion with you. Now please apologize for lying about what I posted. :ghoti:

So, two of the three players they compared him to are MVP winners and Hall of Famers. Note: I have not compared Blair to Barkley or Unseld, but why are those comparisons any less valid (or any less ridiculous) than your Tractor Traylor comparison?

They're not any less valid. They may be applicable as well. They are opinions. Scary, I know.
 
Last edited:
You compared Blair to Traylor based on their collegiate stats. I already gave my take on the lack of accuracy in using those stats to predict professional success.

We're talking about a potential back-up power forward here. No one has claimed Blair would start over Aldridge. Rebounding is one skill that translates very well to the next level. Guys who are elite rebounders in college are usually at least above average rebounders in the NBA. On the other hand, guys who are great scores in the NCAA often struggle to score at the next level. So, yes I do think there is a strong correlation that Blair's tremendous rebounding in college will carry over to the next level. Robert Traylor was never an elite rebounder in college, and he also had trouble scoring against taller, quicker players in the NBA. Even though I would not look for Blair to be a big scorer, he has had no trouble scoring against much taller players in the NCAA.

Really? They both are undersized,

Define undersized? Undersized for what, a back-up power forward? Blair may lack height, but you don't play basketball with the top of your head. He has an enormous wingspan (larger than many starting centers in the NBA) and his standing reach is typical of NBA starting power forwards. I fail to see how this makes him undersized - especially for a possible back-up power forward.

they both can't shoot

While it's true he doesn't have 3-point range or a great jump shot, he has great low post moves and shot nearly 60% from the field in college. I'd much rather have a back-up power forward who can score in the low post than one who floats around the perimeter hoisting up jump shots. Don't we already have enough (too many) jump shooters on our second unit?

they both are athletic for their size, and they both lack a handle. Those are similarities other than "waist size", and I posted 3 of them previously in this thread. Please stop lying about what I have posted. I have yet to lie about your position, but since you opened the can of worms, I just may start doing so.

Have a nice day, liar.

Your so-called similarities are bogus. Blair isn't undersized and he doesn't have a poor handle (he has great hands for a big man). Just because you make something up doesn't mean it's the truth.

You can't defend your position, so you resort to name calling and personal attacks. Typical and expected. This tactic has become your calling card in this forum.

BNM
 
We're talking about a potential back-up power forward here. No one has claimed Blair would start over Aldridge. Rebounding is one skill that translates very well to the next level. Guys who are elite rebounders in college are usually at least above average rebounders in the NBA. On the other hand, guys who are great scores in the NCAA often struggle to score at the next level. So, yes I do think there is a strong correlation that Blair's tremendous rebounding in college will carry over to the next level. Robert Traylor was never an elite rebounder in college, and he also had trouble scoring against taller, quicker players in the NBA. Even though I would not look for Blair to be a big scorer, he has had no trouble scoring against much taller players in the NCAA.

Robert Traylor averaged 16.2 points/10.2 rebounds/2.6 assists/1.3 blocks his last year at Michigan. Blair averaged 15.7 points/12.3 rebounds/1.2 assist/1.0 blocks last year at Pitt. Traylor shot one three; Blair shot zero. Traylor shot 162 FTs @ 64%. Blair shot 162 FTs @ 60%. Blair shot 59% from the field; Traylor shot 58%. You're right. There are no similarities.


Your so-called similarities are bogus. Blair isn't undersized and he doesn't have a poor handle (he has great hands for a big man). Just because you make something up doesn't mean it's the truth.

You can't defend your position, so you resort to name calling and personal attacks. Typical and expected. This tactic has become your calling card in this forum.

BNM

I defended my position. You lied about what I had previously posted. I called you a liar. You now address the points I already made (in ways that I don't agree with, saying Blair has a handle is laughable) and try to play the victim. You lied. You're a liar. Poor you. I now feel I shorted Traylor. At least he could pass the ball out of the post.
 
Last edited:
I defended my position. You lied about what I had previously posted. I called you a liar. You now address the points I already made (in ways that I don't agree with, saying Blair has a handle is laughable) and try to play the victim. You lied. You're a liar. Poor you.

Welcome to ignore. If you can't discuss basketball related topics in a calm, rational manner without resorting to childish name calling, I have no desire to read your opinions on this, or any, topic.

BNM
 
Last edited:
Robert Traylor averaged 16.2 points/10.2 rebounds/2.6 assists/1.3 blocks his last year at Michigan. Blair average 15.7 points/12.3 rebounds/1.2 assist/1.0 blocks last year at Pitt. Traylor shot one three; Blair shot zero. Traylor shot 162 FTs @ 64%. Blair shot 162 FTs @ 60%. Blair shot 59% from the field; Traylor shot 58%. You're right. There are no similarities.

Their size, game, athleticism, and stats are close, but it's an insult to compare Blair to Traylor. :biglaugh:
 
Welcome to ignore. If you can't discuss basketball related topics in a calm, rational manner without resorting to childish name calling, I have no desire to read your opinions on this, or any, topic.

BNM

I addressed it. You lied about my position. Too bad you won't see my next post where I point out the similarities between Blair and Traylor in their last year of college. Now run along and post some more rumors about players using illegal drugs. If you can't discuss basketball without lying about what I had already posted, you're no loss.
 
I addressed it. You lied about my position. Too bad you won't see my next post where I point out the similarities between Blair and Traylor in their last year of college. Now run along and post some more rumors about players using illegal drugs. If you can't discuss basketball without lying about what I had already posted, you're no loss.


Actually, Traylor was *convicted*. His involvement with drug trafficking is more than a rumor.
 
Actually, Traylor was *convicted*. His involvement with drug trafficking is more than a rumor.

I was talking about the "OT: McSteroids" thread started by BNM. Traylor is a criminal. That has nothing to do with his similarity (or lack thereof) to Blair as a player.
 
Last edited:
Any SF. Period.

We have our future in Nic Batum and Martell Webster.
 
All that wasted energy on a 2nd-round talent, Boob_No_More.
 

Users who are viewing this thread

Back
Top