Olshey not too sure about Freeland

[Mediocre Man]

Europe disagrees with you.

I wonder how people that matter, like NBA GM's and scouts feel?

Rudy was great in Europe, not so much here. (Probably Nate more than anything though)

Sergio was a very good prospect in Europe

I guess I am just saying that while there are certainly Euro's that have come over an had an impact, there are also just as many if not more that don't pan out. I personally don't think Freeland's game translates to the NBA. Not saying he won't be good, I just don't think he will

 

[barfo]

I guess I am just saying that while there are certainly Euro's that have come over an had an impact, there are also just as many if not more that don't pan out.

Sort of like American prospects.

barfo

 

[Mediocre Man]

Sort of like American prospects.

barfo

It's different, but sure, like that

 

[Pinwheel1]

I wonder how people that matter, like NBA GM's and scouts feel?

Rudy was great in Europe, not so much here. (Probably Nate more than anything though)

Sergio was a very good prospect in Europe

I guess I am just saying that while there are certainly Euro's that have come over an had an impact, there are also just as many if not more that don't pan out. I personally don't think Freeland's game translates to the NBA. Not saying he won't be good, I just don't think he will

You could be right, but what part of his game do you think won't translate to the NBA? Like I said I have not seen him play in 6 years, but from what I remember he was atlhletic with more skills than most big men these days. He is compared to a taller David Lee. And no I am not saying he will be as good as David Lee, but from what I saw I can see the compariosn. He was very active.

I guess the question is he better or cheaper than JJ Hickson? Although right now I think we could use both if we do not draft a top big man in two weeks.

 

[Mediocre Man]

You could be right, but what part of his game do you think won't translate to the NBA? Like I said I have not seen him play in 6 years, but from what I remember he was atlhletic with more skills than most big men these days. He is compared to a taller David Lee. And no I am not saying he will be as good as David Lee, but from what I saw I can see the compariosn. He was very active.

I guess the question is he better or cheaper than JJ Hickson? Although right now I think we could use both if we do not draft a top big man in two weeks.

I have had the opportunity to see him play a couple of times. I'm really not sure what it is, other than the ever subjective "eye test." I am going to see him play next Wednesday here in Houston

 

[The_Lillard_King]

My guess is that it is a money thing.

If you can bring Claver over under the rookie salary cap, then it is worth the risk. If you have to buy out Freeland and offer him enough money to be happy (at least match what he can get in Europe), then he becomes a significant part of the salary cap.

I don't know if I have all that right, but it would make sense on why they want to rush Claver over and take a wait and see approach with Freeland.

 

[HailBlazers]

My guess is that it is a money thing.

Agreed, Money and Minutes for Freeland.

Too bad players are always looking out for themselves and don't realize that if your team succeeds you will too.

 

[Eastoff]

sitting on the passenger side of slypokerdog's ride, tryin' to holla at Neil!

Europe can't get no love from Neil!

 

[Further]

My guess is that it is a money thing.

If you can bring Claver over under the rookie salary cap, then it is worth the risk. If you have to buy out Freeland and offer him enough money to be happy (at least match what he can get in Europe), then he becomes a significant part of the salary cap.

I don't know if I have all that right, but it would make sense on why they want to rush Claver over and take a wait and see approach with Freeland.

I think it's a combo of two things, first, as you stated a money issue, but secondly, Freeland has said several times that he does not enjoy sitting on a bench all season and will only come to the nba if he expects to be used.

He spent his first couple seasons on a team where he was not used and did not feel appreciated by his coach so it makes total sense that there could be positional issues. Especially if the blazers use one of their picks on a center, who will likely get unearned minutes. There are only so many minutes to go around, and if a player is not going to be accepting of a very limited role, then it makes sense for the team to not Try and bring him over.

By the way, I have watched Freeland a several times over the last two years streaming on the internet and actually really like his game for the nba. More defensively and rebo unding then on offense, but he can do a bit of that too.

 

[Eastoff]

Probably Nate more than anything though

Whoa, those are some good meds!

 

[Blazinaway]

I think it's a combo of two things, first, as you stated a money issue, but secondly, Freeland has said several times that he does not enjoy sitting on a bench all season and will only come to the nba if he expects to be used.

He spent his first couple seasons on a team where he was not used and did not feel appreciated by his coach so it makes total sense that there could be positional issues. Especially if the blazers use one of their picks on a center, who will likely get unearned minutes. There are only so many minutes to go around, and if a player is not going to be accepting of a very limited role, then it makes sense for the team to not Try and bring him over.

By the way, I have watched Freeland a several times over the last two years streaming on the internet and actually really like his game for the nba. More defensively and rebo unding then on offense, but he can do a bit of that too.

Seems like bringing hime here would be an easy sell, we currently have ONE big on the roster for next yr - ONE! Even if we draft Drummond there are plenty of minutes for him at PF/C, unless he is awful he should expect decent minutes but I certainly don't want to guarantee anybody anything, if he wants that he can stay in Europe.

 

[Pinwheel1]

Seems like bringing hime here would be an easy sell, we currently have ONE big on the roster for next yr - ONE! Even if we draft Drummond there are plenty of minutes for him at PF/C, unless he is awful he should expect decent minutes but I certainly don't want to guarantee anybody anything, if he wants that he can stay in Europe.

Yeah I can't think of a better team or a better time for Freeland to jump to the NBA than right now with the Blazers. We have the minutes and we have the money. Sign him or trade him in the next 45 days

 

[Mediocre Man]

Chris Sheridan ‏@sheridanhoops
A look around the #NBA at teams with major personnel decisions to make, on the court, the bench and front office:http://www.sheridanhoops.com/2012/06/13/bernucca-thunder-among-teams-with-gm-coach-decisions/


Not sure where to post this

 

[BoBoBREWSKI]

on BlazersEdge via Wendell Maxey

Brother Wendell Maxey writes on Crossover Chronicles that representatives of Portland Trail Blazers international big man Joel Freeland are working to get a sense for the interest level in their client around the NBA.
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Freeland will wait until after playing this summer with the Great Britain National Team before making his decision final. But in the meantime, Freeland's camp is fielding interest and talking to a number of teams around the league according to a number of people who are familiar with the situation.
The thinking here is, there remains a chance that Portland could trade Freeland’s draft rights come draft night and his camp wants to be familiar and have all of the information available to make an educated decision about his NBA future.
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Blazers GM Neil Olshey said on Monday that the team will visit with Freeland on Friday in Houston. Last week, Olshey said that he wanted to avoid a situation where the Blazers brought Freeland, a 2006 first round Draft pick and one of the premier big men in Europe, to the NBA under "false pretenses."