Luke Babbitt thoughts

[Natebishop3]

Why Paul Allen would fire the guy who drafted LMA/Roy (Steve Patterson) and promote the guy who wanted Adam Morrison (Kevin Pritchard) is beyond me.

Unless it didn't happen that way ... nah, couldn't be.

We don't know who to believe on that one... Patterson claims he was behind it.

 

[RoyToy]

We don't know who to believe on that one... Patterson claims he was behind it.

Well of course he would say that.

However, someone posted an article a few months back where Barrett mentioned that Paul Allen said KP was responsible for that draft. The original article was right after that draft.

 

[PapaG]

We don't know who to believe on that one... Patterson claims he was behind it.

Then that would make me question Paul Allen, and think it's all worthless to assume a good decision would ever be made from this ownership group.

That said, it's reported that Paul Allen said that KP was behind that draft, but maybe Paul Allen and Chad Buchanon are the liars, and Steve Patterson, still yet to work in the NBA after his masterminding that incredible draft, is correct? The assertion below has never once been refuted or questioned by anybody other than Steve Patterson.

http://blog.oregonlive.com/behindblazersbeat/2010/06/trail_blazers_firing_of_kevin.html

His first splash came in summer 2006, when he was the assistant general manager to Patterson. Allen viewed Pritchard as a rising star, and gave Pritchard the reins to the 2006 draft, telling him to "Go get it."

Pritchard and the Blazers did more than that -- executing two deals that produced team cornerstones Brandon Roy and LaMarcus Aldridge.

The tone for that ground-breaking draft was set earlier in the month, when Pritchard showed what would turn out to be his management style, which would encourage open dialogue and allowing employees the freedom to do their job and have a voice.

Shortly after being given control of the draft by Allen, Pritchard assembled his scouts and Patterson in an Orlando hotel before a predraft camp.

In red ink he wrote "We're Back!!!"

The message was designed to encourage the scouts to dream about returning the 21-win Blazers back to the top of the Western Conference. In that regard, he didn't want to talk about which players were better, but rather ways to maximize the draft to better the organization.

That's when Chad Buchanan, the team's director of college scouting, asked the question that would change the team's thinking: What if the Blazers had three draft picks instead of one?

Soon, the draft became Pritchard's forte. He and his staff not only became a master evaluator of talent -- finding under-the-radar talents such as Nicolas Batum, Dante Cunningham and Jeff Pendergraph -- but also a sharp dealer. He turned Sebastian Telfair and Theo Ratliff into Brandon Roy and quickly jettisoned Zach Randolph to adhere to the team's pledge for character.

 

[Natebishop3]

Then that would make me question Paul Allen, and think it's all worthless to assume a good decision would ever be made from this ownership group.

That said, it's reported that Paul Allen said that KP was behind that draft, but maybe Paul Allen and Chad Buchanon are the liars, and Steve Patterson, still yet to work in the NBA after his masterminding that incredible draft, is correct? The assertion below has never once been refuted or questioned by anybody other than Steve Patterson.

http://blog.oregonlive.com/behindblazersbeat/2010/06/trail_blazers_firing_of_kevin.html

Hey, if that's how it went down, great. I just remember reading somewhere that Patterson took credit... but it really wouldn't surprise me if he was lying. The guy was an asshole.

 

[jlprk]

Why Paul Allen would fire the guy who drafted LMA/Roy (Steve Patterson) and promote the guy who wanted Adam Morrison (Kevin Pritchard) is beyond me. Unless it didn't happen that way ... nah, couldn't be.

We don't know who to believe on that one... Patterson claims he was behind it.

Well of course he would say that. However, someone posted an article a few months back where Barrett mentioned that Paul Allen said KP was responsible for that draft. The original article was right after that draft.

Well of course he would say that. It's Allen's job to start the new GM off on the high road with praise. You think Allen's going to tell the truth?--"The guy I just fired got us Roy and Aldridge, influenced by all the peanuts in the room like Pritchard." Of course not. Allen's going to say, "Pritchard, the brand new GM, was the only voice in the room. Praise be to the guy whose charisma I've fallen for this year. Every year there will be someone new, like Miles, Mills, or Carlesimo."

Why do you doubt Patterson's statement, but not Allen's?

 

[hasoos]

Bledsoe has had a GameScore of over 10 one time in his last 20 games.

In his first 20 NBA games, he had 6 double-digit GameScores and was starting.

Maybe going to the bench because of Baron Davis screwed him up, but he was a much better player at the beginning of the season. He has regressed since roughly Game 22.

The Clippers, conversely, are playing much better presently than they did with Bledsoe playing "well".

http://www.basketball-reference.com/players/b/bledser01/gamelog/2011/

Yes and how many games of those have you watched? Keep quoting stats and I will start tuning you out. There are more to games than stats, and if the games were all just played on paper, we might as well not even watch.

 

[Blaze01]

Nate is just fucking Babbitt over....unlike Mills\Johnson where he is almost forced to play one of them, he has little choice but not too...

At Babbitt's positions, he has plenty of other options.....Batum, Matthews, Rudy, Cunningham....

Does anyone really believe that Mills (or Johnson) would have gotten off the bench if Bayless was still around?

I think not......

 

[jlprk]

This thread was leading into the Babbitt issue, and then someone had to reawaken the 7-month old thread!!

http://sportstwo.com/threads/177968-Nate-and-Playing-Rookies

McMillan thinks Babbitt has some things to learn. But you can't estimate his future success from the bad college coaching he apparently received. He'll be better next year. I think he'd be getting more minutes under most coaches (contrary to the thread I just cited).

 

[Fez Hammersticks]

 

[MickZagger]

Alexander could never shoot for a lick though. He was a prospect for his athletic ability alone.

 

[THE HCP]

Alexander could never shoot for a lick though. He was a prospect for his athletic ability alone.

Kinda opposite of your boy Morrison!

 

[MickZagger]

Kinda opposite of your boy Morrison!

Damn! HispanicCausinPanic bustin' out the zingers this evening. Morrison had a slightly better career and some bling on his fingers.

 

[MickZagger]

[video=youtube;2PKY3ashUMI]

 

[The_Lillard_King]

Nate is just fucking Babbitt over....unlike Mills\Johnson where he is almost forced to play one of them, he has little choice but not too...

At Babbitt's positions, he has plenty of other options.....Batum, Matthews, Rudy, Cunningham....

Does anyone really believe that Mills (or Johnson) would have gotten off the bench if Bayless was still around?

I think not......

Babbit was advertised as a tweener who could play SF and PF. We don't have too many PF options and Babbit doesn't seem to be able to get any PT.

I don't blame Nate, I think Babbit isn't ready . . . but the kid will get his shot someday and then we will know the answer.

 

[Blaze01]

Fair enough...

But getting PT and struggling is one thing...

Not getting PT and being labeled as struggling is quite another....

 

[BrianFromWA]

so are the blazers just blowing smoke when they name him "Jermaine", for how he tears it up in practice but never sees the floor?

 

[The_Lillard_King]

Fair enough...

But getting PT and struggling is one thing...

Not getting PT and being labeled as struggling is quite another....

That is fair and true.

 

[LittleAlex]

so are the blazers just blowing smoke when they name him "Jermaine", for how he tears it up in practice but never sees the floor?

This is second hand from Mike and Mike.

Not exactly the soundest of sources at the best of times.



Here's the thing, though.
Jermain did get to play every now and again that season and he was pretty good when he did.
Babbit has not been good at all.

 

[Nikolokolus]

so are the blazers just blowing smoke when they name him "Jermaine", for how he tears it up in practice but never sees the floor?

Yes. He's a 6'9" 3/4 and Sean Marks gets PT in front of him ... SEAN MARKS!!

 

[Blaze01]

Come in Nik...Marks is a center and Babbitt a 3/4....

that logic just doesn't fly....same goes for the Armon Johnson\Babbit comparisons....

 

[maxiep]

Damn! HispanicCausinPanic bustin' out the zingers this evening. Morrison had a slightly better career and some bling on his fingers.

Zan Tabak.

 

[MickZagger]

Zan Tabak.

.....was on par with Greg Ostertag, 'Big Country' Bryant Reeves, Chris Mullin and Chris Sabo for ugliest crew cut of all-time.

 

[Kaydow]

Come in Nik...Marks is a center and Babbitt a 3/4....

that logic just doesn't fly....same goes for the Armon Johnson\Babbit comparisons....

I think Nate just trusted that Marks knew his limitations and wouldn't go out there and try to do anything stupid. From a talent perspective, anybody can see that Babbitt has more tools. But he's looked shaky in there at times (when he has gotten to play) Sean Marks didn't force shots, or turn the ball over, or get totally lost on defense. But of course he didn't do a lot of good either. He just did less damage than what Nate probably thought Babbitt was capable of.

 

[Pinwheel1]

Babbit was advertised as a tweener who could play SF and PF. We don't have too many PF options and Babbit doesn't seem to be able to get any PT.

I don't blame Nate, I think Babbit isn't ready . . . but the kid will get his shot someday and then we will know the answer.

I agree with this. Rookies used to always take a year befor they got meaningful minutes. (When the league had less teams) You can't evaluate him on what we have seen. Not saying he will ever be a starter, but he has skills. And although he does not have blazing speed, he is not slow. He has a good feel for the game. But until he gets consistent minutes we just won't know. And right now he is not ready to get those minutes. Next year will be a different story. After he continues to hit the weight room.

Look at Mills. He may not be an ideal backup PG, but you have to admit he gets better every game. Sure he is inconsistent with his shot, but he looks like he belongs in the league now. Where last year in sporatic minutes he did not. But again it is not Nate's job to develope rookies. It his job to win basketball games.

Batum is our SF and LMA is our PF. I see Babbitt as another Dante C. A tweener who fills a role depending on what the match ups are. (My guess is a PF who can stretch the D) He just needs more muscle and more playing time. I am not worried about his shot. And I know he is a good passer.

 

[Nikolokolus]

Come in Nik...Marks is a center and Babbitt a 3/4....

that logic just doesn't fly....same goes for the Armon Johnson\Babbit comparisons....

Sean Marks is a butter soft, pick and pop power forward. Babbit has enough size to play a similar role ... assuming he possesses the ability to play at an NBA level.

 

[BLAZER PROPHET]

Luke reminds me of Wally Walker, an ex Trailblazer- under sized, under talented, but could shoot.

 

[PapaG]

Sean Marks is a butter soft, pick and pop power forward. Babbit has enough size to play a similar role ... assuming he possesses the ability to play at an NBA level.

Marks is 6'10", 250 lbs.
Babbit is 6'9", 225 lbs.

Babbitt can't play center. It could be said that Marks can't either, but Babbitt isn't a center, and he won't be one in the NBA.

 

[Nikolokolus]

Marks is 6'10", 250 lbs.
Babbit is 6'9", 225 lbs.

Babbitt can't play center. It could be said that Marks can't either, but Babbitt isn't a center, and he won't be one in the NBA.

As you said, Marks can't play center either and he doesn't. Typically he's been in the game with LMA sliding over to the five, or with Camby or even Dante assuming the role of post defender. So I'm not sure where we disagree?

 

[PapaG]

As you said, Marks can't play center either and he doesn't. Typically he's been in the game with LMA sliding over to the five, or with Camby or even Dante assuming the role of post defender. So I'm not sure where we disagree?

I just don't find it in Babbitt's best interest to have him defend out of position. Plus, Marks barely plays these days. As this season continues to spiral downward, I woudn't mind seeing Babbitt get some of Rudy's minutes, in a Mills/Matthews/Babbitt/LMA/Camby line-up while Nic (I'd add Miller, but I'm assuming he's going to be traded within the next two weeks) gets some rest.

 

[Pinwheel1]

Luke reminds me of Wally Walker, an ex Trailblazer- under sized, under talented, but could shoot.

I don't see the comparison. Wally walker was not undersized in that era. At 6'7 he played mostly SF and some SG.
Babbitt was projected as a a big SF. Yes at PF he needs to add 10-15 lbs of muscle, and he will always be a finess player and not a banger.