Pat Connaughton

[KeepOnRollin]

With more hops and less defense, but the guy can shoot for sure.

Yes, Wes is definitely better at D. But while Wes was always good at D he wasn't near this good at first. He got better every year (kind of like his O - the man just has the will to improve, I will give him that!). I see Pat as a willing defender. He might not hit Wes territory but I have no doubts that he gets better at D every year as well. The only thing I can't tell about Pat is his heart. That will be the deciding factor.

 

[Denny Crane]

I have zero expectations for the guy.

Any minutes he plays are a plus.

His real value is that he can be signed for ~$500K, which is cap savings over a vet minimum salary to fill out the roster.

 

[Natebishop3]

This guy is exactly the kind of player that would annoy the hell out of me if he was on another team.

 

[KeepOnRollin]

I have zero expectations for the guy.

Any minutes he plays are a plus.

His real value is that he can be signed for ~$500K, which is cap savings over a vet minimum salary to fill out the roster.

I think that is a given for almost any second round pick. Remember though, Wes wasn't even drafted.

 

[Denny Crane]

I think that is a given for almost any second round pick. Remember though, Wes wasn't even drafted.

Olshey has been making cap saving moves. I'm pointing out that he made one with this guy, too

 

[HailBlazers]

With more hops and less defense, but the guy can shoot for sure.

Funny, his 3PT stroke kinda looks similar to Matthews.

 

[KeepOnRollin]

Olshey has been making cap saving moves. I'm pointing out that he made one with this guy, too

While I have no doubt that it was part of it he would have picked someone else if he didn't like this kid's chances.

 

[Pinwheel1]

Athletic freak (44 inch vertical) who can shoot and defend. Dare I say reminds me of a more athletic Wes Matthews

I was thinking this as well. The knock on him is that his lateral movement is average at best, so his defense against quicker guards comes into question. As does his handles. But isn't that Wes as well?

Wes makes up for it with being smart and tenacious on D. They both look to have a little "junk yard dog" in them. And while I assume Wes is better at a few things, (i.e stronger) I am guessing that Pat can finish better on the break with that vertical leap. And help on weakside D

 

[BlazerDuckSeahawkFan94]

This guy is exactly the kind of player that would annoy the hell out of me if he was on another team.

Those are the guys you love to have off the bench.

The Corey Brewers of the world.

 

[KeepOnRollin]

I was thinking this as well. The knock on him is that his lateral movement is average at best, so his defense against quicker guards comes into question. As does his handles. But isn't that Wes as well?

Wes makes up for it with being smart and tenacious on D. They both look to have a little "junk yard dog" in them. And while I assume Wes is better at a few things, (i.e stronger) I am guessing that Pat can finish better on the break with that vertical leap. And help on weakside D

This block is just silly:

He did get beat bad at the beginning but recovered nicely.

 

[BlazerCaravan]

This guy is exactly the kind of player that would annoy the hell out of me if he was on another team.

He'd start for SA in four years.

 

[oldmangrouch]

Athletic freak (44 inch vertical) who can shoot and defend. Dare I say reminds me of a more athletic Wes Matthews

Except that the scouting reports I have seen list defense as a weakness.

 

[HailBlazers]

He'd start for SA in four years.

I hear ya, but honestly I've never felt better about player development as a Blazer fan as with Neil at the helm.

 

[Denny Crane]

http://portlandtribune.com/pt/12-sports/265050-138439-connaughton-will-have-a-shot-with-blazers

The Trail Blazers acquired early second-round pick Pat Connaughton on Thursday as a piece in a draft-day trade with the Brooklyn Nets.

Within the hour, Connaughton was drafted 39th by Brookyln and then dealt, with Portland sending its first-round selection, No. 23 Rondae Hollis-Jefferson from Arizona -- to the Nets for Connaughton and third-year NBA center Mason Plumlee.

Not only did Connaughton assist Notre Dame basketball to the Elite Eight last season, averaging 12.5 points and 7.4 rebounds and shooting 42.3 percent from 3-point range, but he also was a pitcher for the Irish baseball team.

The Blazers’ first order of business is to find out which sport Connaughton plans to pursue.

...

“We’re really high on Pat. He can really shoot the ball. He’s a big-time athlete,” Portland general manager Neil Olshey said. “He’s going to help (coach) Terry Stotts with his release on the mound next time he throws a pitchout.”

Olshey added that Connaughton plans to play in the Las Vegas Summer League in July, although as a second-round pick he has not signed a contract yet, nor guaranteed himself a spot on the season roster.

Blazers such as Allen Crabbe, Will Barton and Armon Johnson have earned multi-year chances with the franchise after being selected in the second round.

And, the 22-year old Connaughton has athleticism on his side, as he posted a 44-inch maximum vertical leap at the NBA Draft Combine in June.

While the Blazers know what they’re getting out of Plumlee, the potential impact of Connaughton is uncertain, though.

“We didn’t get a chance to have him in [for a private workout],” Branch said. “His agent would not let him come in here.”

 

[BBert]

I was thinking this as well. The knock on him is that his lateral movement is average at best, so his defense against quicker guards comes into question. As does his handles. But isn't that Wes as well?

Wes makes up for it with being smart and tenacious on D. They both look to have a little "junk yard dog" in them. And while I assume Wes is better at a few things, (i.e stronger) I am guessing that Pat can finish better on the break with that vertical leap. And help on weakside D

Yes.

Yes.

 

[Paine Tablet]

I hate Notre Dame, but after seeing Connaughton interviewed at the halftime of a postseason all-star game, I came away impressed and willing to root for this one specific Irishman. A clearly bright guy who has a competitive edge to him. He will be easy for the fanbase to root for.

 

[Boob-No-More]

The only thing I can't tell about Pat is his heart. That will be the deciding factor.

Really? Did you not see the Notre Dame/Kentucky game where the 6'5" Connaughton started at power forward and pulled down as many rebounds as top 6 picks Towns and Cauley-Stein combined? If there is one thing I'm NOT worried about from Connaughton, it's his heart (or his effort). The guy puts it out there. It was no fluke ND won the ACC. They went a combined 4-1 against Duke and UNC, and Connaughton was a big part of that.

Talent, not effort, will limit how far he goes in the NBA.

BNM

 

[KeepOnRollin]

Really? Did you not see the Notre Dame/Kentucky game where the 6'5" Connaughton started at power forward and pulled down as many rebounds as top 6 picks Towns and Cauley-Stein combined? If there is one thing I'm NOT worried about from Connaughton, it's his heart (or his effort). The guy puts it out there. It was no fluke ND won the ACC. They went a combined 4-1 against Duke and UNC, and Connaughton was a big part of that.

Talent, not effort, will limit how far he goes in the NBA.

BNM

I didn't see the game but saw highlights. And I didn't mean he lacked it just meant it might not be on Wes' level (who I and others were comparing him to) but that is only because Wes might have the most heart out of any player in the whole NBA.

I am actually pretty well sold on this kid. Other's need convincing.

 

[BlazerDuckSeahawkFan94]

I wouldn't be shocked if this guy started day one. Not as a big minutes guy but like a rookie Batum did.

 

[SpamKing]

The only reasons I've heard of this guy before the draft:
1. He's still deciding if he like Baseball or Basketball better
2. He got a really surprisingly high vertical at the combine (you know, like Jordan Farmar)
3. People speculated he "gamed it" by purposely getting a low "reach" measurement, because they work out the vertical by subtracting your standing reach from the highest point you can touch
4. He made a big fuss about fitting with Boston
5. He played with a player I actually wanted in Jerian Brown Grant

Supposedly, everybody "games it" . . .

 

[Boob-No-More]

I wouldn't be shocked if this guy started day one. Not as a big minutes guy but like a rookie Batum did.

I'm not that high on the guy, but I do see him developing into a solid rotation player of the bench. I think his lack of lateral quickness may make it difficult for him to guard other starting NBA SGs, but hey, J.J. Reddick is a starting SG in the NBA and Connaughton is more athletic, in general, than him. So, you never know.

BNM

 

[Scalma]

Wonder how high he would've went if he wasn't white.

 

[blue9]

I think I'd rather start this guy than Crabbe or Wright.

 

[OSUBlazerfan]

I think I'd rather start this guy than Crabbe or Wright.

We don't own those two players, so yea, I would too

 

[blue9]

We don't own those two players, so yea, I would too

They're also FAs? Didn't know that!

 

[Schilly]

Wright is, Crabbe could be as he is non-guarantee.

 

[42N8Bounce]

 

[KeepOnRollin]

Deciding? Shouldn't that be Decided?

 

[DryHeat]

Sleeper of this draft.

 

[KeepOnRollin]

Sleeper of this draft.

Welcome to the forum @DryHeat