I'm Ready For Next Season!!

[ABM]

Let's get this party started.

What draft picks do the Blazers have? OTOH, does it matter? If it does, PG or Big?

 

[Minstrel]

Best player available, IMO. Maximize your chances of getting a good NBA player, rather than potentially taking an inferior player just to match the roster better.

If there's a point guard or big man Pritchard likes, he should trade up or down to the slot he thinks is most right for that prospect.

 

[Nikolokolus]

Let's get this party started.

What draft picks do the Blazers have? OTOH, does it matter? If it does, PG or Big?

We have the 22nd and 44th picks this year. As for who we would take at those spots, your guess is as good as mine. Who I think we should take is also nothing but guess work. Right now www.draftexpress.com has us taking some kid named Paul George from Fresno State

http://www.draftexpress.com/profile/Paul-George-5688/

Fresno State’s Paul George has steadily been climbing NBA draft boards since he broke out onto the national scene as a freshman last season. We were high on him a year ago and he’s certainly made improvements to his game – living up to the preseason hype that surrounded him in the beginning of the year. His versatility, athleticism and scoring ability are all part of the package of this highly talented small forward, and in a draft class limited with skilled wing players; George could be one of the best options at that position come June.

George has made huge strides from last season to this season, which is extremely encouraging considering the fact that he’s the go-to-guy on a struggling Bulldogs team and the focal point of every opposing defense. Despite all the attention, he’s averaging an impressive 20.3 points per 40 pace adjusted – getting the bulk of his points in transition and in spot up situations.

With a long and wiry frame, George runs the floor well and is good for a highlight reel dunk or strong finish at least once a game – which is one of his biggest improvements from last season. In ’08-’09, George converted a measly 39.3% of his shots around the basket. This year however, he’s finishing at a much higher rate, shooting a fantastic 55.8% at the rim, which dispels some of the questions regarding his lack of toughness.

He’s also increased his free throw attempts a game, albeit not by a considerable amount (3.9 FTA to 4.5 FTA), but it nonetheless shows his attention and focus to better his progress is in the right place. Furthermore, George has made a gigantic leap in his efficiency as a free throw shooter, going from a below 70% shooter from the charity stripe to making 90.6% of his attempts, ranking him 2nd in our entire database.

I've never watched him play a full game so I have no idea how good he would fit or if he's NBA ready, but I hunted down a few youtube clips and all I can tell is that he's got a pretty decent stroke and apparently likes to bomb away from deep three point range in college (shot 44% his freshman year and 36% this year).

Other guys in our general draft range include:
Gordon Hayward
Solomon Alabi
Kevin Seraphin
Quincy Pondexter
Willie Warren
Avery Bradley
etc.

In the second round I wouldn't even want to hazard a guess who they would try to take (maybe Craig Brackins, Jarvis Varnado, Jerome Randle or even Dexter Pittman).

 

[<-=*PdX*=->]

Ready steady.

 

[barfo]

We have the 22nd and 44th picks this year. As for who we would take at those spots, your guess is as good as mine. Who I think we should take is also nothing but guess work. Right now www.draftexpress.com has us taking some kid named Paul George from Fresno State

That would be fine, but in the 2nd round we need to take John Ringo.

barfo

 

[BLAZER PROPHET]

NBA Draft has us taking this center in round #2. He looks pretty decent: http://www.nbadraft.net/players/jerome-jordan

 

[oldguy]

That would be fine, but in the 2nd round we need to take John Ringo.

barfo

Who does he play for?

Go Blazers

 

[Nikolokolus]

That would be fine, but in the 2nd round we need to take John Ringo.

barfo

Johnny Ringo was good, but he was no match for Doc Holladay

 

[BlazerCaravan]

NBA Draft has us taking this center in round #2. He looks pretty decent: http://www.nbadraft.net/players/jerome-jordan

LOOOONG arms, good height, a little slow, but smooth movement. Has a good hook shot. I'd give him a try.

 

[THE HCP]

Just found out we start the season at home against the Lakers on Halloween night!!!!

 

[e_blazer]

Sweet! A Blazers victory over the Lakers and then I leave the next morning for 2 weeks in Hawaii. Now that's how to kick off a new season.

 

[OSUBlazerfan]

Just found out we start the season at home against the Lakers on Halloween night!!!!

For Sure??

 

[THE HCP]

For Sure??

NO!

 

[Fez Hammersticks]

In this draft I think you trade up or trade out.

Swing for the fences at a prospect like Patrick Patterson (6'9" PF), Donatas Motiejunas (7'1" PF), or Cole Aldrich (6'11" C).

Or go insane and trade up for a PF of the future - Derrick Favors (6'10" PF/C)

 

[hasoos]

In this draft I think you trade up or trade out.

Swing for the fences at a prospect like Patrick Patterson (6'9" PF), Donatas Motiejunas (7'1" PF), or Cole Aldrich (6'11" C).

Or go insane and trade up for a PF of the future - Derrick Favors (6'10" PF/C)

Cole Aldrich is swinging for the fences?

 

[Fez Hammersticks]

I like Aldrich a lot. Maybe 'swinging for the fences' doesn't really apply but I think he's going to be a lot like a young Przybilla. Very similar skill-set. Though, Cole is a much more talented offensive player.

 

[hasoos]

I like Aldrich a lot. Maybe 'swinging for the fences' doesn't really apply but I think he's going to be a lot like a young Przybilla. Very similar skill-set. Though, Cole is a much more talented offensive player.

This year will be interesting, just because Wall is the projected #1, and there is the possibilty Utah might get that pick. Outside of the top 2 picks, I see most of the picks as being available for not too expensive of a price. If Utah gets the top pick, it might even be available because of Darren Williams being there already. Cole Aldrich will probably have a long NBA career. But I am just not sure that he is worth moving up at all to get.

 

[RoyToy]

If you're swinging for the fences you swing for a proven NBA player/star, not an unproven kid coming out of the draft.

 

[BrianFromWA]

If you're talking about sticking at 22, I like Pondexter and Hayward, for different reasons but both of whom allow Nic to play more 1.

If we're swinging for the fences, I'd see what Minny would want to do so that we could get Love and #2 (Evan Turner) for LMA, Rudy, Claver and ??.

 

[Nikolokolus]

If you're talking about sticking at 22, I like Pondexter and Hayward, for different reasons but both of whom allow Nic to play more 1.

If we're swinging for the fences, I'd see what Minny would want to do so that we could get Love and #2 (Evan Turner) for LMA, Rudy, Claver and ??.

With all due respect, why would Minny give up Love and Evan Turner for LMA and Rudy and other bits and pieces? Love is a superior passer, superior rebounder and more efficient although LMA is probably slightly more skilled and versatile on the defensive end (though you wouldn't know it with the way he plays at times) and that doesn't even factor in the Turner side of the trade -- he's almost certainly going to be about 5 times the player Rudy will ever be.

 

[Minstrel]

If we're swinging for the fences, I'd see what Minny would want to do so that we could get Love and #2 (Evan Turner) for LMA, Rudy, Claver and ??.

I'd be thrilled if Pritchard could make that deal. Absolutely thrilled. I don't think it's at all realistic, though. Love is probably the more valuable asset than LMA, especially if you consider contracts. But even if you call that part of the swap even, there's no way Rudy+Claver+??? = Evan Turner, unless ??? were Roy or Oden, in which case Portland is paying too high a price.

 

[BrianFromWA]

Minny doesn't want Love, and his production for them is nowhere near what LMA would give them. Love's coming off the bench behind Darko, for goodness' sakes. LMA would play Triangle Center for them. They've already said that they have to get rid of Love or Jefferson, and Big Al's going nowhere.

Yes, Evan Turner > Rudy. But having your C go from Darko to LMA, and getting Rudy and Claver (both of whom fit their system better than Corey Brewer and Turner, who'd probably play the 2 for them) might be > sticking with what they've got.

 

[BrianFromWA]

And that's without the whole "upgrading from Jonny Flynn to Rubio running an offense with Rudy" side of things.

 

[BGrantFan]

With all due respect, why would Minny give up Love and Evan Turner for LMA and Rudy and other bits and pieces? Love is a superior passer, superior rebounder and more efficient although LMA is probably slightly more skilled and versatile on the defensive end (though you wouldn't know it with the way he plays at times) and that doesn't even factor in the Turner side of the trade -- he's almost certainly going to be about 5 times the player Rudy will ever be.

Love comes off the bench for a 15-win team. Some may call this a red flag.

 

[Nikolokolus]

Love comes off the bench for a 15-win team. Some may call this a red flag.

Sure is. Like it might mean Rambis is possibly the stupidest man currently coaching in the NBA ... sort of like making Johnny Flynn and Ramon Sessions into triangle point guards instead of running the pick and roll where they are at their best.

 

[ABM]

Someone had us taking this guy @ #22. Don't know much about him.

http://www.draftexpress.com/profile/Dominique-Jones-5052/

 

[Nikolokolus]

David Thorpe listed him as one of his draft sleepers and Jonathan Givony has had some pretty high praise for Dominique Jones. Mostly I get the impression that he's a big combo guard who plays hard on defense, likes to drive to the cup, but has a trouble with his outside shot -- I believe I heard him called Tyreke Evans lite.

I guess if Rudy and/or Bayless are moved on draft day then I could see it happening.