Merged: The Draft Thread For Stuff About The Draft Including Thoughts About The Draft

[chzbrgr]

When has a draft and stash really worked out well? I mean Sabonis comes to mind right off the bat but we got him after injuries had immobilized him... Any recent examples when its worked out? I feel like its just a waste of a pick to spend it on a euro who might never even make it to the top spanish league let alone the NBA. and at #20 no less when NBA role players can still be had? hard pass

 

[Nate]

When has a draft and stash really worked out well? I mean Sabonis comes to mind right off the bat but we got him after injuries had immobilized him... Any recent examples when its worked out? I feel like its just a waste of a pick to spend it on a euro who might never even make it to the top spanish league let alone the NBA. and at #20 no less when NBA role players can still be had? hard pass

Dario saric

 

[tester551]

Jonathan Jeanne anyone? Second coming of Rudy Gobert they say...

I like his length, but he is just so painfully skinny.
I'd have to watch him a bit more. As of right now, I'm inclined to pass.

I do like Pasecniks though.

 

[Sarni]

Lottery tomorrow. I really, really hope Philadelphia get a top 3 pick at the expense of Lakers and as a result also get Lakers pick. Because that would mean Lakers failed at tanking and would get to pick in a worse 2018 draft, and would be ultimate end to The Process with two backcourt players.

 

[Boob-No-More]

hang as in hang out off the court? or...? cause on the court that was far from the case.

He only played 16:40 in Game 3, most of it in the first half. We were up 7 after the first quarter and up 13 at the half with him playing. It was the only time we led in the series. In spite of still being hobbled by his injury, and playing very limited minutes, he still led all players in rebounds with 11 and tied for the team lead with 4 assists. He was +8, by far the highest of any Blazer.

Yeah, it's a ridiculously small sample size, and he was playing hurt, but it was the only time in that series we looked like we belonged on the same court as GSW. In fact, we pretty much dominated them in the first half when Nurk was in the game. Then, in the second half, with Nurk out, GSW went on their typical run and took over the game. That game was a microcosm of our season and showed how much better the team is with, than without, Nurkic.

Too soon to tell and moving out of the lottery is a big deal dont act like it's not. A lotto pick is worth 2 of our three at least, so this is a poor argument.

That's a big assumption. With one pick, it's hit or miss. With two picks, at least you get better odds of getting one of them right.

We made the playoffs because all the teams around us sucked and we just sucked less at the worst possible time and played some shitty teams at home. Nurkic or no Nurkic we probably win the same amount of games maybe a difference of a game.

Really, a one game difference? We were 11 games under .500 at the time of the trade and ended up at exactly ,500. That's a pretty impressive turnaround. And we didn't just get fat against weak teams at home. We were 14-6 with Nurk, including 7-4 on the road with road wins over OKC, SAS, ATL and MIA. We also had home wins over OKC and HOU during that stretch. It was easily the best 20 game stretch of the entire season.

Personally, I think Nurk will have a bigger impact on both ends of the court the during the 2017-18 season than ANY player selected in this year's draft. Even if we hadn't gotten Nurk and had continued on the same losing trajectory, we still would not have been in the running for a top 3 pick. It's not like making the playoffs cost us a sure fire superstar. We got a very young, very talented player that is a great fit with the rest of our roster. He addressed several needs. And we also got the 2oth pick as compensation for moving down 5 - 7 spots in the draft. I still think we came out WAY ahead.

The draft is a total crap shoot, even if you're picking in the top 8. We know we have a difference maker in Nurk and Neil has three shots at adding one, or two, more core pieces (either through the draft or trading the picks). Things look a hell of a lot better to me now than they did before the trade. I enjoyed all the wins after the trade and I'm looking forward to draft day (whether we keep the picks our bundled two, or more, in a trade).

BNM

 

[BonesJones]

Lottery tomorrow. I really, really hope Philadelphia get a top 3 pick at the expense of Lakers and as a result also get Lakers pick. Because that would mean Lakers failed at tanking and would get to pick in a worse 2018 draft, and would be ultimate end to The Process with two backcourt players.

Fingers crossed. I'd love to see Philadelphia with the 1st and 4th picks. They'd take Fultz #1, and then could take a PG, SG, or SF at 4 because Fultz and Simmons can play any combination of 1 & 3, 2 & 3, or 2 & 1.

 

[BonesJones]

When has a draft and stash really worked out well? I mean Sabonis comes to mind right off the bat but we got him after injuries had immobilized him... Any recent examples when its worked out? I feel like its just a waste of a pick to spend it on a euro who might never even make it to the top spanish league let alone the NBA. and at #20 no less when NBA role players can still be had? hard pass

Jokic.

 

[chzbrgr]

He only played 16:40 in Game 3, most of it in the first half. We were up 7 after the first quarter and up 13 at the half with him playing. It was the only time we led in the series. In spite of still being hobbled by his injury, and playing very limited minutes, he still led all players in rebounds with 11 and tied for the team lead with 4 assists. He was +8, by far the highest of any Blazer.

Yeah, it's a ridiculously small sample size, and he was playing hurt, but it was the only time in that series we looked like we belonged on the same court as GSW. In fact, we pretty much dominated them in the first half when Nurk was in the game. Then, in the second half, with Nurk out, GSW went on their typical run and took over the game. That game was a microcosm of our season and showed how much better the team is with, than without, Nurkic.



That's a big assumption. With one pick, it's hit or miss. With two picks, at least you get better odds of getting one of them right.



Really, a one game difference? We were 11 games under .500 at the time of the trade and ended up at exactly ,500. That's a pretty impressive turnaround. And we didn't just get fat against weak teams at home. We were 14-6 with Nurk, including 7-4 on the road with road wins over OKC, SAS, ATL and MIA. We also had home wins over OKC and HOU during that stretch. It was easily the best 20 game stretch of the entire season.

Personally, I think Nurk will have a bigger impact on both ends of the court the during the 2017-18 season than ANY player selected in this year's draft. Even if we hadn't gotten Nurk and had continued on the same losing trajectory, we still would not have been in the running for a top 3 pick. It's not like making the playoffs cost us a sure fire superstar. We got a very young, very talented player that is a great fit with the rest of our roster. He addressed several needs. And we also got the 2oth pick as compensation for moving down 5 - 7 spots in the draft. I still think we came out WAY ahead.

The draft is a total crap shoot, even if you're picking in the top 8. We know we have a difference maker in Nurk and Neil has three shots at adding one, or two, more core pieces (either through the draft or trading the picks). Things look a hell of a lot better to me now than they did before the trade. I enjoyed all the wins after the trade and I'm looking forward to draft day (whether we keep the picks our bundled two, or more, in a trade).

BNM

Yes I dont mean to belittle the addition of Nurkic but he wont fix everything. Again I think its too soon to tell about the impact he will have net year. Markelle fultz could average 15-20ppg next year we dont know how it will shake out. But we all saw what this team was without Nurk and that is more my point, we're kinda terrible. The playoffs didnt help us. There was no confidence gained by the godawful performances of games 1,2, and most especially 4. We wouldnt be in the range for a top 3 pick but number 10 vs 15 is a big jump. We were in a tough spot you cant tell guys to take nights off but some pop style resting down the stretch when it was clear we were a dumpster fire (aka before nurk) could have saved us some embarrassment and draft positioning. We abandoned the development idea after last year and instead tried to act like we were gunna end up in the WCF. This was the fatal mistake of the entire season imo the delusion that we were a playoff team as constructed.

 

[BonesJones]

Yes I dont mean to belittle the addition of Nurkic but he wont fix everything. Again I think its too soon to tell about the impact he will have net year. Markelle fultz could average 15-20ppg next year we dont know how it will shake out. But we all saw what this team was without Nurk and that is more my point, we're kinda terrible. The playoffs didnt help us. There was no confidence gained by the godawful performances of games 1,2, and most especially 4. We wouldnt be in the range for a top 3 pick but number 10 vs 15 is a big jump. We were in a tough spot you cant tell guys to take nights off but some pop style resting down the stretch when it was clear we were a dumpster fire (aka before nurk) could have saved us some embarrassment and draft positioning. We abandoned the development idea after last year and instead tried to act like we were gunna end up in the WCF. This was the fatal mistake of the entire season imo the delusion that we were a playoff team as constructed.

Wait, the fatal mistake was NOT telling Lillard and CJ to sit out games when they wanted to claw back into the playoff picture??

Everyone with this argument doesn't realize how things would actually shake out with the front office/coaching staff/players and how it would affect the culture.

Pop rests guys because they're old, and because he's in a position to (2nd seed in the West). What are we going to say we're resting guys for when we're 10 games under .500? You can't say your resting guys for the playoffs, because resting those guys will make us miss the playoffs. That will be obvious to everyone, and the day this franchise is sending Dame and CJ the message that they don't want them to play because they want a 3-4 pick increase in draft position is the day when Canzano's right about the "culture" and this franchise turns to shit.

Yeah, not doing that shit was a fatal mistake. SMH.

 

[BonesJones]

I hope that SAC jumps up to 3, and PHX jumps ahead of Boston. That would leave us with a draft order of:
1 PHX
2 BOS
3 PHI (Swap w/ SAC)
4 PHI (from LAL)
5 SAC (Swap w/ PHI)
...

The reason being: I think you could entice the Kings with a package of 15, 20, 26, and Harkless for the 5th pick. Maybe add in our 2018 1st. (I just want PHX to win because Fultz+Booker would be a joy to watch, and BOS would be an interesting team at #2 to pick between Jackson and Ball).

At 5, you could draft Jayson Tatum, who would be an excellent pickup. PHI likely doesn't want Tatum since they have Simmons at SF. If they wanted Crabbe for free, we could trade AC and 5 up to 4 (which would effectively just be dumping AC for free).

Tatum would be the best fit possible in this draft for us. 3rd scorer, another ball-handler, a versatile defender, can play small ball 4 and do things in the pick n roll.

I think that Sacremento might consider that offer because they need help at every single position. They don't have their 2019 1st (It's unprotected and guess who gets it... fucking Philadelphia!)... Therefore, SAC needs to add young depth immediately, and would probably like to add three 1st round picks in a deep draft as well as the 34th pick to their roster. Knowing Divac, this is possible. He traded 8 for 13 and 28 last year, and took Papagiannis at 13 when he could've taken Chriss at 8. 5 for 15, 20, 26, and Harkless seems about even to 8 for 13 & 28, especially since this draft is deeper.

Trading Moe for Tatum saves money, and by trading one of Aminu or Davis, you open up the full MLE (~$8M I believe). I'd try to trade Davis, Napier & the MIN/LAL 2nd for Kyle O'Quinn and then use the MLE on Amir Johnson. Then, ideally you'd swap Aminu for a PG. Maybe D.J. Augustin and one of ORLs 2nds?

Lillard / Augustin
McCollum / Crabbe
Tatum / Turner
Johnson / Vonleh
Nurkic / O'Quinn

Lillard, Nurkic, McCollum, and Tatum is a legit Big 4 going forward. Johnson and O'Quinn are good defenders that can hit shots. Not much turnover but makes us a lot better immediately and for the future.

 

[BonesJones]

I'm just gonna step out on a limb and say

JAYSON TATUM IS THE BEST PLAYER IN THIS DRAFT.

 

[Minstrel]

The only thing I really care about in the NBA lottery is the Lakers ending up outside the top-three.

 

[Boob-No-More]

Yes I dont mean to belittle the addition of Nurkic but he wont fix everything. Again I think its too soon to tell about the impact he will have net year. Markelle fultz could average 15-20ppg next year we dont know how it will shake out.

So could Nurkic, but with Nurkic, it's not just about his scoring. He makes the team so much better in so many ways. He sets better screens AND the opposing defense has to respect him rolling to the basket. He's a great passer, but in a much different way than Plumlee. Plumlee got most of his assists from the top of the key either in transition or in the half court, usually with players cutting to the basket. That's nice, but Plumlee's assists rarely led to a 3-pointer.

Because Nukric is such a load in the low post, it collapses defenses. He does a great job of recognizing this and locating the open teammate at the 3-point line. As a 3-point shooter the best pass you can receive is one that comes from under the basket. You catch the ball with your feet set, your shoulders square and your eyes on your target. Although he didn't make a single 3-pointer, the addition of Jusuf Nurkic IMMEDIATELY improved this team's 3-point shooting.

I'm highlighting this paragraph for the tldr crowd. If you ignore everything else I write, read this:

In the 55 games prior to the trade, the Blazers longest streak of consecutive games of 3FG% => than .400 was 2 games. After the trade the team immediately went on a streak of 7 games of shooting .400 or better from 3-point range. In 55 games with Plumlee, the team shot => .400 from 3-point range just 14 times (14/55 = 25.4%). In 20 games with Nurkic, the team also shot better than .400 from 3-point range 14 times (14/20 - 70%). We went from a team that shot .400 or better from 3-point range once every 4 games to one who did so 7 out of every 10 games.

That's a huge impact that goes beyond Nurk's scoring. His picks, the defensive attention he commands in the low post and his passing all helped make this team a much better 3-point shooting team and much more efficient on offense.

He had a similar impact on the defensive end. Sure, he blocked and altered a lot of shots, but his impact was greater than that. He's a wide body that takes up a lot of space and defends the pick and roll well. With him in the game, it makes it much more difficult for opposing guards to blow by the screen and get to the rim for a layup. Nurk's large presence prevents that and allows our guards time to recover from the screen.

And, he's also an elite level rebounder. He dramatically improved our team on both end of the court. That's how you go from being a 23-32 (.418) team to a 14-6 (.700) team.

But we all saw what this team was without Nurk and that is more my point, we're kinda terrible. The playoffs didnt help us. There was no confidence gained by the godawful performances of games 1,2, and most especially 4. We wouldnt be in the range for a top 3 pick but number 10 vs 15 is a big jump.

I don't think the jump from 10-15 is all that great. We'll just have to agree to disagree on that, but the jump from no-Nurk to Nurk was HUGE. He addressed so many of this team's weaknesses (low post scoring, rim protection and pick and roll defense, team 3-point shooting and overall offensive and defensive efficiency). Plus we also got that 20th pick to improve our odds of getting another quality player, either through the draft or by trading picks.

So again, I'll take Nurk + 15 and 20 over no Nurk + 10.

BNM

 

[Trackjack]

Well no one knows who going to bust in this draft. If you got a good scouting team you are less likely to miss on any of your players in the draft. Look at the Spurs there accomplishment in the late rounds. There teams have been in the lottory for years has the lottery been helpful for those team no. So getting in the lottery don't mean your going to excel as team and get in the playoffs the next year. There not one player in this draft going to turn a franchise around.

 

[damianlillard]

I'm just gonna step out on a limb and say

JAYSON TATUM IS THE BEST PLAYER IN THIS DRAFT.

agreed, that kid have the potential to be a PG13 type of guy

 

[Boob-No-More]

Well no one knows who going to bust in this draft. If you got a good scouting team you are less likely to miss on any of your players in the draft. Look at the Spurs there accomplishment in the late rounds. There teams have been in the lottory for years has the lottery been helpful for those team no. So getting in the lottery don't mean your going to excel as team and get in the playoffs the next year. There not one player in this draft going to turn a franchise around.

Exactly! SAS got Kawhi by trading for the 15th pick. SAC has had 8 top 8 picks in 8 years and never even sniffed the playoffs (never won more than 33 games). I know picking earlier gives you more options, but having good scouting and talent evaluation teams is the most important factor, no matter where you're picking.

BNM

 

[JDC]

I'm just gonna step out on a limb and say

JAYSON TATUM IS THE BEST PLAYER IN THIS DRAFT.

Yeah, it's not out of the realm of possibility. He probably has the highest offensive upside among the top 10 other than Fultz and Smith Jr. while offering the most defensive upside of the 3 based simply on being a SF w/some positional versatility.

 

[Pinwheel1]

Lottery tomorrow. I really, really hope Philadelphia get a top 3 pick at the expense of Lakers and as a result also get Lakers pick. Because that would mean Lakers failed at tanking and would get to pick in a worse 2018 draft, and would be ultimate end to The Process with two backcourt players.

Plus if they lose their pick this year they ALSO lose their pick in 2019.

Needless to say Lakers talk radio was enjoyable today while listening to how stressed the homers are. Hopefully Wednesday is even more entertaining......

 

[PDXFonz]

Hmm do I want the lakers to miss out on their pick, or draft Lonzo?

Tough call.

 

[BonesJones]

2017 Mock Draft 2.0 - May 15th:

 

[MickZagger]

I know some want to move up to draft ZachCollins; here is interview and workout video of him: http://www.draftexpress.com/article/zach-collins-nba-pre-draft-workout-and-interview-5931/

I gotta admit, he is a pretty good shooter!

Absolute baller.

 

[MickZagger]

School affiliation shouldn't mean anything these days when 80% of the players are 1 and done anyways.

 

[MickZagger]

He's already 5x better than MyLe at low post scoring.

Right





First video the 2:45 mark.

Second video the :25 second mark


Two post moves that Leonard could only dream of.

 

[MickZagger]

Who can we poach off Boston when they make room for Fultz???

Bradley and Olynyk please.

 

[ripcityboy]

Who can we poach off Boston when they make room for Fultz???

Bradley and Olynyk please.

Mick.... I'll make you a deal. If the Blazers take Bell and Collins. Then I'll go to the UP Gonzaga game next year wearing full Gonzaga gear.

 

[MickZagger]

Mick.... I'll make you a deal. If the Blazers take Bell and Collins. Then I'll go to the UP Gonzaga game next year wearing full Gonzaga gear.

That would be a home run draft.

 

[Boob-No-More]

When has a draft and stash really worked out well? I mean Sabonis comes to mind right off the bat but we got him after injuries had immobilized him... Any recent examples when its worked out? I feel like its just a waste of a pick to spend it on a euro who might never even make it to the top spanish league let alone the NBA. and at #20 no less when NBA role players can still be had? hard pass

Manu Ginobili.

BNM

 

[TBpup]

The only thing I really care about in the NBA lottery is the Lakers ending up outside the top-three.

With the way the NBA is, I would just about mortgage my house that the Lakers get a top-3 pick. NO WAY the NBA doesn't want the Lakers and the Celtics to get top picks.

 

[TBpup]

Draymond Green comes to mind.

 

[ripcityboy]

With the way the NBA is, I would just about mortgage my house that the Lakers get a top-3 pick. NO WAY the NBA doesn't want the Lakers and the Celtics to get top picks.

Shades of that David Stern, that little fucking weasel.