Joel Freeland!

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Pinwheel1

Pinwheel1

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Didn't see this posted anywhere: http://www.basketball247.co.uk/news/archives/00000236.shtml

JOEL Freeland could be heading towards NBA fame and fortune after making a huge impact in Spain.

The 21-year-old Brit, whose US rights are owned by the Portland Trail Blazers, has taken the ACB by storm with his team Gran Canaria.

On Sunday, he was top scorer, with 15 points and 8 rebounds in only 19 minutes, as Granca won a thriller 68-67 at Manresa to continue their shock start as joint league leaders.

And with Freeland out of contract at the end of the season, Portland have already stated that they are keeping a close watch on the 6'11" GB star with a view to signing him next summer.

GB coach Chris Finch said: "Joel is certainly heading in the right direction for the NBA.

"He has a lot of the basics that the NBA get excited about, which is obviously why they drafted him in the first place, and now we are starting to see that out on the court.

"I'm not surprised at how well he is doing because we saw his potential playing for Britain this summer. But I am really pleased he has been given the opportunity to show what he can do."

Freeland's form is also good news for Finch's GB team who will face Spain - along with Slovenia and Serbia - in their group in next summer's European Championship Finals in Poland.

Finch added: "It is important for Joel to be playing meaningful minutes at this stage of his career but the way he is playing is also going to help the GB team.

"He has managed to carve out a meaningful role for himself in Spain, which is to his and his team's credit and, given how hard Joel works I think we will see even more improvements."

Ian Whittell for 24/7
 
I liked what I saw in Freeland but he duplicates a lot of what we have in Outlaw and Batum I think....he's definitely a gunner type that's not afraid to attack the rim. We don't have room on our roster for him for a few years, barring major trading. he needs to get his game a little tighter IMO before he comes over anyways.
 
Xericx said:
I liked what I saw in Freeland but he duplicates a lot of what we have in Outlaw and Batum I think....he's definitely a gunner type that's not afraid to attack the rim. We don't have room on our roster for him for a few years, barring major trading. he needs to get his game a little tighter IMO before he comes over anyways.
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My understanding is his game has changed in the last two years from a SF into that of a Center. I could be wrong but it was my impression he is much more physical now. Am i wrong? We know he has Hops. i wonder how much he weighs.
 
he was pretty physicial, so I could see that. I don't know if we'll see him here next year....damn, we still have him and Petteri overseas!
 
Xericx said:
he was pretty physicial, so I could see that. I don't know if we'll see him here next year....damn, we still have him and Petteri overseas!
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Sounds ike his contract is up after this year. We may not have a choice as he will be looking at long term contracts. Back up center is a need for us. If Pryz or Greg go down we need another big. We saw that in the first game against Minnesota and Utah.
 
This is good news. He's been stymied by his former team previously, so it's great to see him getting some playing time and producing.

If he keeps improving, at minimum he can turn into a valuable trade piece (not REALLY valuable, necessarily, but more than a throw-in, I mean)... or maybe he can provide depth and another young and cheap prospect on our bench if/when we consolidate over the next 10 months or so.

Ed O.
 
I saw the first post, and wondered if it was April 1 or something. Hard to believe he could be an NBA player after what we saw... if KP's scouting is *that* prescient, I am in awe.

iWatas
 
I'm not going to hold my breath, but if he turns out to be serviceable and roster spot worthy I think Channing's clock is winding down as a Blazer.
 
Iwatas said:
I saw the first post, and wondered if it was April 1 or something. Hard to believe he could be an NBA player after what we saw... if KP's scouting is *that* prescient, I am in awe.
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I actually thought he looked pretty good in summer league for someone as inexperienced and young as he was.

He's played well for the UK team lately, as well.

We all knew that IF he was going to pay off it was going to be years down the road. We'll see :)

Ed O.
 
Nikolokolus said:
I think Channing's clock is winding down as a Blazer.
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that writing on the wall became very clear when he didn't sign an extension. The way KP has wheeled and dealed in these past offseasons, I've got to expect him to clear some cap space and consolidate some of his other assets.

The way CF has been shooting hasn't been helping his chances of sticking either, but dude does seem to be generally a good fit with the guys skill and personality wise. Maybe Freeland would be a better fit for the sort of minutes that should be available.

STOMP
 
I am of the impression that Freeland is more of a C/PF as opposed to Frye who is more of a PF/C. And before we start pushing for Frye's departure, let's not forget that LaFrentz's contract expires at the end of this season and he will be gone and there is also Diogu's #14th roster spot to consider.

The Blazers do need a back-up center to Greg and Joel and if Freeland is turning it on in the Euro League, he just might fit in next summer. I would like to see how he does.

JAFO

GO BLAZERS
波特兰篮球队好棒 很利害
 
Freeland can take Randolph or Ike's spot no problem or raefs we are looking more and more like the spurs....euro talent mixing with american you have to love that! There is a trend of toughness coming from euros now, finesse players seem to be fading, euro gets touchness look out, LONDON LYONS 'ere we come.

I am on record saying that Joel Freeland will be good and play for us after watching the 17(18 or 19) year old exsoccer player play int he summer league.

and we have patteri how is he doing now?
 
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During his last Summer League the guys on Courtside said opposing coaches and scouts were calling Freeland a David Lee type of player. He also has a nice mid-range jumper. Jason Quick was also pretty high on Freeland saying KP found himself another "gem."
 
Ed O said:
I actually thought he looked pretty good in summer league for someone as inexperienced and young as he was.

He's played well for the UK team lately, as well.

We all knew that IF he was going to pay off it was going to be years down the road. We'll see :)

Ed O.
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I completely agree. He seemed very agressive in summer league as well, which is important, because it meant he wasn't afraid of his competition.
 
I can't wait until he comes over to become our backup power forward. Our second unit will be anchored by the Twin Towers Of Joel.
 
Looking at the roster next season......Raef is gone, Diogu is gone, S-Bo is just a spare part, and Frye has one foot out the door.

I'm not holding my breath on Freeland, but it does seem that there will be room for a big body on the bench.

In fairness, I have to note that Frye got off to a poor start last season as well, but was able to turn it around.
 
From a per-minute standpoint, there is not a more productive player in the ACB at the moment. Per-40 minutes Freeland is averaging 28 points, 12 rebounds and 2.5 blocks, after only playing 9 minutes per game in the ACB last season.

At 6-11 and approximately 250 pounds, Freeland is quite an interesting player from a physical standpoint, as his frame appears to have filled out nicely and he’s retained pretty much all the athleticism that made him a prospect to begin with. Freeland runs the floor well, is very explosive off his feet, and possesses nice fluidity and agility for a player this size.

Inside the paint Freeland can make a big impact, as he has the size, bulk and explosiveness to finish everything around the rim with a powerful dunk, and is quick and active enough to go out of his area and make a living on the offensive glass as well. He is an excellent finisher and is beginning to improve his skill-level to a certain extent as well, showing nice hands and decent touch when forced to finish with a bit of finesse.

Freeland is still fairly limited when asked to create offense for himself, either with his back to the basket or facing up, as he lacks significant offensive polish and is still clearly learning the fundamentals of the game. Defensively he is a solid shot-blocking threat, but is still a little bit inexperienced in his knowledge of the game, making him somewhat foul prone at times.

At just 21 years old, and only playing basketball for a few years now, Freeland obviously still has a great deal of upside left to tap into. He is probably still a few years away from being able to contribute to an NBA team in a meaningful way, but the sparks he’s showing at times are quite promising. The Trailblazers are probably the last team in the NBA who need another young big man prospect, but they have the advantage of continuing to let him develop in Spain for free, and reaping the benefits later.

The only problem is that at some point, the highly unattractive slot allotted to the last pick of the first round according to the rookie scale may be outweighed by far better offers from Europe, especially considering Freeland’s British passport, which makes him a Bosman A player. Another season in Europe may make things difficult on Portland later, even if Freeland clearly isn’t ready right now for the NBA.

Regardless of what happens, you have to tip your hat to Kevin Pritchard and his outstanding staff for continuing to stockpile such promising prospects.
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-Draftexpress

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