Power Forward of the Future

[Trackjack]

As we'll probably be in the lottery and most likely keeping that pick, I'm going with a PF that will be in the draft. Lauri Markkanen. A 7 footer who can shoot and do some rebounding. He turns 20 this May, so a little older than most freshmen. Might be a good match with Nurk.

This kid hasn't produce nothing against good teams in the PAC 12 he is soft has hell we already got one those his name is ML.

 

[Pinwheel1]

This kid hasn't produce nothing against good teams in the PAC 12 he is soft has hell we already got one those his name is ML.

I have not been that high on him either for the same reason you stated above, and have said as much. But I must admit after watching him a little more closely since he has entered our draft conversations, I do see why he is rated so highly on the mocks. His "potential" is pretty high. Granted he could be another Bargnani but the guy does have a beautiful shot and his ball handling is much better than most other 7 footers. His tournament games should tell us more.

 

[Trackjack]

We need as close to two way players as we can. This one way player stuff need to go especially during the draft.

 

[BlazerDuckSeahawkFan94]

We need as close to two way players as we can. This one way player stuff need to go especially during the draft.

I would be okay drafting a strict defensive stud who can catch lobs. Like a PF version of DeAndre Jordan (with better ft% hopefully).

 

[tester551]

Lol. I'm down on all 4 guys you want.

Markkanen, Lydon and Rabb don't project to be very versatile offensively and have serious defensive issues. I'm with you on Collins, though. Eye test has never matched the production for me and he's another pf with a limited defensive upside.

Bigs that I like include:

• Robert Williams: Defensive fundamentals and motor are serious issues and he'll need to be able to play the PF to reach his upside (borderline all-star), but he's still young and has an intriguing foundation of skills to build on--Elite lob target/finisher, weakside shotblocker, fluid shot mechanics and passing vision.
• Justin Patton: Strength and conditioning are the biggest problems with him. Also might never be strong enough to consistently hold his position (narrow frame/high center of gravity) or enough of a rim protector (instincts/length+reach don't look elite) to make it defensively. Might have enough skill potential to make up for it, but he's still very raw on the offense end.
• Johnathan Motley: Needs to play with more energy and awareness defensively, but brings a wide range of skills offensively plus above average defensive tools. Has the fluidity and range athletically to play both 4 and 5. Projects to be great in space where he's a much better athlete and has the shooting touch, handle, craft, agility, passing instincts and ability to draw fouls to be highly effective in pnr and spot up situations.
• Bam Adebayo: Elite vertical athlete in space which makes him a very good lob target/dunker spot finisher. Has the rangy/fluid athleticism to guard in space/pnr and switch plus the frame to play small ball 5. The jumpshot will be big for him as far as expanding his offensive skill set because right now he looks like strictly a play finisher who plays fifteen feet and in. Scary considering he doesn't have great length/reach or touch/craft around the rim in traffic (gets swallowed up if forced to put it on the ground at this stage)
• TJ Leaf: Would take him as my offense first big over Markkanen. Projects to be more versatile offensively, and can play the 4 defensively if he can add upper body strength. Markkanen is a clear 5 on both ends who will be far below average defensively for the position. Don't think he brings enough outside of the jumper to make up for it. Also could lose some versatility as a shooter as he bulks up which is an issue considering he's already a below average vertical and straight-line athlete.
• Jordan Bell: Elite defensive numbers on an elite defensive team plus the tools to give him a reasonable chance to translate. Offensive skill set is an issue but shows signs of mid range spot up J and can pass while also taking care of the ball.

Williams and Patton are the highest upside guys, but also furthest away. Small percentage chance to reach ceiling as well. Williams probably the higher floor due to outlier physical tools.

Motley and Bell are the closest to playing right now. Bell probably has the higher floor do to defensive upside, but Motley is probably the only big outside of Patton and Williams who has a chance of becoming a starter while also having a reasonable floor as a versatile two-way third big.

Leaf probably won't play much as a rookie either, but is the most versatile of the stretch 4's while also having a chance to not be a disaster defensively.

I like your take & agree with most of what you said.

What about Caleb Swainagan? I don't hear him mentioned a lot, but I think he has a lot of potential.

 

[Pinwheel1]

I would be okay drafting a strict defensive stud who can catch lobs. Like a PF version of DeAndre Jordan (with better ft% hopefully).

That would be fine, but I am not sure that type of PF would compliment Harkless or ET at the 3. IMO we need either our SF or PF to be an excellent shooter.

 

[BlazerDuckSeahawkFan94]

That would be fine, but I am not sure that type of PF would compliment Harkless or ET at the 3. IMO we need either our SF or PF to be an excellent shooter.

I agree, it's a real catch 22 but maybe we could make a deal to get that 3 who can create. Paul George would be so god damn ideal but so unrealistic

 

[TBpup]

I think it could be Vonleh if they would just use him. Tonight against DET was just another example. He scored the first 5 points of the game and then the Blazers never went back to him again.....for the rest of the half. He had a couple of rebounds, an assist and was a +12. Then Stotts plants his butt on the bench for most of the rest of the half. Then he'll get 6-7 minutes to start the 2nd half and then he'll sit for the rest of the game.

 

[Nate]

I think it could be Vonleh if they would just use him. Tonight against DET was just another example. He scored the first 5 points of the game and then the Blazers never went back to him again.....for the rest of the half. He had a couple of rebounds, an assist and was a +12. Then Stotts plants his butt on the bench for most of the rest of the half. Then he'll get 6-7 minutes to start the 2nd half and then he'll sit for the rest of the game.

Tater totts drives me insane.

 

[craigehlo]

Vonleh is a backup at best. Low hoops IQ, questionable jumper and is just a tad short to guard a lot of opposing PFs. I'd be much happier drafting a a new starter than counting on him making any sort of next level jump.

 

[JDC]

Yeah nothing Vonleh does is impressive to me. Play finisher with a shaky jumper and struggles in traffic. Unless he shoots the 3, he's not even an average offensive player going forward.

Defensively he's agile but foul prone. Not overly smart or instinctive either. Will make a nice contest at the rim here and there, but he doesn't have the size to be a major presence at the rim.

 

[TBpup]

Vonleh has his issues but when he plays with confidence, he is good at quite a few things. He scored the first 5 points of the game and they can't get him a shot for the rest of the night? He was a +18 while Aminu was a -25. He was the only one who did well on Morris. When they actually go to him and he gets a little rhythm, he is a bull at the basket (needs to finish better) and his outside shot starts to fall.

His perimeter defense if quite good when he gets rotated on to a 'small' and he (like Nurkic) is one of the few Blazers with real strength.

 

[JDC]

Vonleh has his issues but when he plays with confidence, he is good at quite a few things. He scored the first 5 points of the game and they can't get him a shot for the rest of the night? He was a +18 while Aminu was a -25. He was the only one who did well on Morris. When they actually go to him and he gets a little rhythm, he is a bull at the basket (needs to finish better) and his outside shot starts to fall.

His perimeter defense if quite good when he gets rotated on to a 'small' and he (like Nurkic) is one of the few Blazers with real strength.

There's no doubt he has tools, but I'm not sure Noah "putting it all together" amounts to enough that you're shifting your gameplan to cater towards his development imo.

 

[PtldPlatypus]

There's no doubt he has tools, but I'm not sure Noah "putting it all together" amounts to enough that you're shifting your gameplan to cater towards his development imo.

What's the worst that could happen to the team if Vonleh were given 30mpg and force fed 10-15 shots per game over the final 23 games this season? We drop in the standings?

 

[BBert]

What's the worst that could happen to the team if Vonleh were given 30mpg and force fed 10-15 shots per game over the final 23 games this season? We drop in the standings?

Did you mean best thing?

 

[PtldPlatypus]

Did you mean best thing?

That's kind of my point. Honestly, the best thing would be that by force-feeding him, he gains confidence and competence, displays the toughness his size and build suggest, the Vonleh-Nurkic frontcourt becomes an imposing force, the game gets significantly easier for Dame/CJ as a result, and we magically develop into a legit threat in the west.

Vonleh playing poorly and causing us to lose games at an even more accelerated clip would in fact be the worst-case, but would improve our draft prospects, and it would help us reach a final decision on his future with the team. So basically, there really isn't a downside.

 

[Blazer4ever]

I agree that we looked good with Vonleh. Also, if we use Leonard as a C (where is Davis?) our options besides Vonleh at PF are either Harkless or Aminu, who are both undersized. I think we need to play smaller in the backcourt (with 2 of Dame, CJ and Napier for most if not the entire game) but also play bigger in the front-court. Leonard at Center with Aminu at PF isn't big enough

 

[PtldPlatypus]

I agree that we looked good with Vonleh. Also, if we use Leonard as a C (where is Davis?) our options besides Vonleh at PF are either Harkless or Aminu, who are both undersized. I think we need to play smaller in the backcourt (with 2 of Dame, CJ and Napier for most if not the entire game) but also play bigger in the front-court. Leonard at Center with Aminu at PF isn't big enough

Davis' absence from the rotation makes me sad. I think I agree with you; I would like to see a Vonleh/Davis PF rotation to go along with Nurkic/Leonard at center.

Of course, what we're missing more than anything else right now is Evan Turner. He had really come into his own as the third ball-handler on this squad before his injury.

 

[Minstrel]

I don't think Vonleh has a whole lot of upside, based on how low his existing baseline is and how little he's improved (statistically) during his time in the NBA. That said, I agree with PtldPlatypus that there's no downside to giving him starter-like minutes and letting him shoot the ball more. Maybe all he ever needed was a coach to put a hand on his shoulder and say, "Son, I believe in you."

 

[TBpup]

I think it's tough to improve when night after night you get no shots other than offensive rebound or loose ball chances. Even when he has knocked a couple down in a row, Stotts REFUSES to call his number again regardless of the mismatch he may have. So he just goes out there and sets screen after screen for guards that are going to shoot a lot and ignore him when he's open.

Very difficult to gain confidence or improve stats when that is happening on a nightly basis.

 

[BBert]

That's kind of my point. Honestly, the best thing would be that by force-feeding him, he gains confidence and competence, displays the toughness his size and build suggest, the Vonleh-Nurkic frontcourt becomes an imposing force, the game gets significantly easier for Dame/CJ as a result, and we magically develop into a legit threat in the west.

Vonleh playing poorly and causing us to lose games at an even more accelerated clip would in fact be the worst-case, but would improve our draft prospects, and it would help us reach a final decision on his future with the team. So basically, there really isn't a downside.

I'm all for it.

 

[PtldPlatypus]

I don't think Vonleh has a whole lot of upside, based on how low his existing baseline is and how little he's improved (statistically) during his time in the NBA. That said, I agree with PtldPlatypus that there's no downside to giving him starter-like minutes and letting him shoot the ball more. Maybe all he ever needed was a coach to put a hand on his shoulder and say, "Son, I believe in you."

I read that in Morgan Freeman's voice, and even I was inspired to try harder today.

 

[Rastapopoulos]

So Vonleh 2017 is Telfair 2006? Here's hoping we get to trade him for a top 10 pick!

 

[PtldPlatypus]

So Vonleh 2017 is Telfair 2006? Here's hoping we get to trade him for a top 10 pick!

"Hey Danny--You guys clearly need a young PF to groom to replace Horford in a few years..."

 

[Rastapopoulos]

Vonleh reminds me a lot of Elden Campbell. Not a name that will mean much to other people, but I was living in LA in the early 90s. He even has the same thick legs. Campbell always showed flashes but never panned out. (A teammate of Dale Davis in college.)

 

[PtldPlatypus]

Vonleh reminds me a lot of Elden Campbell. Not a name that will mean much to other people, but I was living in LA in the early 90s. He even has the same thick legs. Campbell always showed flashes but never panned out. (A teammate of Dale Davis in college.)

Same long neck too. The listed heights of both are deceptive because their necks are so long.

 

[e_blazer]

Same long neck too. The listed heights of both are deceptive because their necks are so long.

You know what they say, "Long neck, long.......arms". Vonleh's pre-draft standing reach was 9', the same as Meyers Leonard.

 

[PtldPlatypus]

You know what they say, "Long neck, long.......arms". Vonleh's pre-draft standing reach was 9', the same as Meyers Leonard.

True, but both play much smaller than their reach.

 

[e_blazer]

True, but both play much smaller than their reach.

Yes. Sad, but most definitely true.

 

[Trackjack]

Vonleh is not part of the offense period he doing things that coaches wanted him to do set screen and Reb and play defense. Is that wrong yes he should be part of the offense but there 29 other teams in the league that has there Vonleh on there team. Someone on there team that does the little thing to help try to make there team to win.