Running list of prospects meeting/working out with Portland

[Mediocre Man]

Leave out the outlier centers -- Embiid, Jokic -- for the purposes of a lottery pick. If a guy isn't elite, a lower lottery pick is still risky.

Duren's reported (non-combine) measurements: 6’9.5” w/o shoes, 7’5.25” wingspan, 250 lbs ... really nice.

Centers who can hedge and slide their feet then get back to defend the hoop ... cover ground to defend the corner 3 ... have value. If he can do that with his size and musculature (holy crap), okay. A possible pick especially if trading down? [I wanted the Blazers to go after Robert Williams in trade before he blew up. Pritchard, too. RW is valuable even without the scoring that Duren can do.] Nurkic gets signed regardless of the pick or trade (unless it's Ayton). Nurkic has too much value not to sign him on a < $20 million yearly deal ($14-16 for 3-4 years ... okay!) Would Duren be a back-up C in the short-term? Yes. This would be plenty for him as Nurkic isn't a 30-minute center so far. At such a young age, could Duren be Portland's Bam or Ayton? Maybe. The raw tools are there. Nice to hear him in an interview -- intelligent, well spoken.

Fixing the forwards for Portland is a must-do. Get Duren, too? Okay.

EDITED: [one more comment] Quickly rewatching Mark Williams of Duke -- who is not in the same class athletically with Duren. Long, tall ... good college center. Remarks about being "heavy" footed look accurate. Hops aren't a problem with ht/length but more of an old school center. Duren gets up pretty quickly and again.

How about thinking outside the box and putting him at PF? He is more than athletic enough to guard perimeter players and can obviously guard on the box. He has a decent stroke, so he can add that, but pairing him with Dame, Ant and a shooting 3 and D guy at the 3 could be intriguing. If not this year, next

 

[TBpup]

Get up big man!!

 

[TBpup]

^^^^His waist is above that kid's head, and that is after he reached the height of his jump. He is on the way back down. Add a couple inches higher for the zenith of that jump.

 

[UKRAINEFAN]

After watching his interview and workout I am warming up to him. I mean, how many guys are built like he is at 18? Any of his scouting reports say if he could guard 3 through 5?

 

[TBpup]

After watching his interview and workout I am warming up to him. I mean, how many guys are built like he is at 18? Any of his scouting reports say if he could guard 3 through 5?

He is able to guard out in space pretty well. No big outside of maybe prime AD, is stopping the elite, quick, PG's, but he moves his feet quite well.

 

[Scalma]

No prospect has Durens mix of athleticism, power, and measurables. I believe in Billups’ ability to develop players, so I would love to have Duren. If 7 is too high, trade down, pick up more assets, and take him. Honestly the only other prospect I want as much as Duren is maybe Daniels.

 

[Fez Hammersticks]

sheesh

 

[STOMP]

Aren't you the savior that this forum deserves... You are the first person to call me condescending. Good to know.

Savior that this forum deserves? No, not condescending at all. Good grief man.

STOMP

 

[STOMP]

Duren's reported (non-combine) measurements: 6’9.5” w/o shoes, 7’5.25” wingspan, 250 lbs ... really nice.

Centers who can hedge and slide their feet then get back to defend the hoop ... cover ground to defend the corner 3 ... have value. If he can do that with his size and musculature (holy crap). At such a young age, could Duren be Portland's Bam or Ayton? Maybe. The raw tools are there. Nice to hear him in an interview -- intelligent, well spoken.

His tape is outstanding for all the reasons you and others note. Once I heard him speak, my last box was checked. Dude is bright and comes off as humble/realistic.

Fixing the forwards for Portland is a must-do. Get Duren, too? Okay.

Portland's forwards have been well below average for a while, no doubt. But in the draft you take the best of whats before you especially if you're as talent poor as Portland who I see in a big rebuild. Personally I'd have a hard time passing on Duren if I'm Detroit, so maybe one of the forwards slides down to them. I see him as the #5 prospect in this draft

STOMP

 

[blazerfan11]

How about thinking outside the box and putting him at PF? He is more than athletic enough to guard perimeter players and can obviously guard on the box. He has a decent stroke, so he can add that, but pairing him with Dame, Ant and a shooting 3 and D guy at the 3 could be intriguing. If not this year, next

Actually, I can see Nurkic being one of the better passers on the high-low to Duren. Let the young guy do the running around for position and have Nurk throw it in to him. Nurk knows how much it sucks when he has a mismatch and nobody throws him the ball.

 

[TBpup]

His tape is outstanding for all the reasons you and others note. Once I heard him speak, my last box was checked. Dude is bright and comes off as humble/realistic.


Portland's forwards have been well below average for a while, no doubt. But in the draft you take the best of whats before you especially if you're as talent poor as Portland who I see in a big rebuild. Personally I'd have a hard time passing on Duren if I'm Detroit, so maybe one of the forwards slides down to them. I see him as the #5 prospect in this draft

STOMP

He talked about playing multiple positions and apparently they had him shoots some '3's and he made some....whatever number or percentage that is. Maybe as much upside as anyone in the Draft. But can he achieve it? That is the big question with most of these players. There are very few that you have a really good idea of what they will do. Smith? Banchero? Murrey? Ivey? That's about it. The rest.....are big time projections.

 

[blazerfan11]

His tape is outstanding for all the reasons you and others note. Once I heard him speak, my last box was checked. Dude is bright and comes off as humble/realistic.


Portland's forwards have been well below average for a while, no doubt. But in the draft you take the best of whats before you especially if you're as talent poor as Portland. Personally I'd have a hard time passing on him if I'm Detroit.

STOMP

I've read that rumor too. If their preferred player, Ivey, is gone they might take Duren.

 

[blazerfan11]

After watching his interview and workout I am warming up to him. I mean, how many guys are built like he is at 18? Any of his scouting reports say if he could guard 3 through 5?

He can contest anyone's shot on the perimeter with his length. He's not going to stop a lot of players from dribbling by him, but his recourse is to track them down and affect their shot, and he has excellent skills and athleticism for blocking them from behind just when the other guy thinks he has a wide open layup.

 

[Sheldon Shape]

Actually, I can see Nurkic being one of the better passers on the high-low to Duren. Let the young guy do the running around for position and have Nurk throw it in to him. Nurk knows how much it sucks when he has a mismatch and nobody throws him the ball.

Duren would greatly benefit from playing with a passer like Nurk.

 

[blazedanugz]

If Portland is to use the pick and they value a PG or Center prospect on a higher tier with more potential, you'd be for the lessor player?

Good grief, they are no where close to competing. Hindsight on the draft reveals mistake after mistake where teams place their current needs above taking the best available talent probably because the GM wants to win more now so he doesn't get fired. Portland fans should lower their hopes for 2022-3 and look to the future. Get the BPA and figure it out down the line.

STOMP

okay well the more I look at the prospects I look at it this way..
Out of the following:
Paulo
Jabari
Chet
Ivy
Murray
Sharpe
Daniels
Matherin


which of those guys would you take Duren over?

 

[MickZagger]

I’ve always kind of been enamored with Duren. He’s a physical specimen no doubt and looks like he can move his feet. I’m trying to find the reason he’s not getting drafted higher than he is?

Thomas Robinson was a physical freak at Kansas as well and we all know how that translated.

I’m more in the draft as many long, wing type players you can because you cant have enough athletes that can defend 1-4. But, if Duren projects to be a great shot blocker I’m all for it as it makes Lillard and Simons getting blown by their man a little easier to swallow

 

[Mediocre Man]

I’ve always kind of been enamored with Duren. He’s a physical specimen no doubt and looks like he can move his feet. I’m trying to find the reason he’s not getting drafted higher than he is?

Thomas Robinson was a physical freak at Kansas as well and we all know how that translated.

I’m more in the draft as many long, wing type players you can because you cant have enough athletes that can defend 1-4. But, if Duren projects to be a great shot blocker I’m all for it as it makes Lillard and Simons getting blown by their man a little easier to swallow

While different sizes, Robinson is a sneaky nice comparison

 

[MickZagger]

While different sizes, Robinson is a sneaky nice comparison

Robinson didn’t amount to skwat in the NBA. I’d hope we aim higher than that.

 

[HoopsFanAZ]

Comments above especially regarding Duren also playing PF ... I agree, he's looks like a good, defense-oriented big ... with quite a ways to go on O and skills and ...
He does look like a guy who can quickly get on the court. So what that he's not Rookie of the Year material. He's an option from amongst a handful (or a few) of draftees along with the well discussed trade proposals.
Cronin was quoted and referred to as a guy who wants to go for upside. I'm interested to see what Cronin, et.al. are able to pull off. Fun stuff.

As young as he is and as far as he has to go in development, Duren is absolutely a grown @$$ man at 18.

 

[wizenheimer]

Robinson didn’t amount to skwat in the NBA. I’d hope we aim higher than that.

I think the comp was David Robinson, not Thomas Robinson, or Danger Will Robinson

 

[Scalma]

Duren actually kinda reminds me of a big man version of Nas. Top recruit, elite athlete that didn’t really get to showcase his full skillset in college.

 

[oldmangrouch]

I think the comp was David Robinson, not Thomas Robinson, or Danger Will Robinson

If the comp was David Robinson we wouldn't be having this conversation as he would be the consensus #1 pick.

 

[Natebishop3]

feel free to ignore my posts as i have yours. you are the most disrespectful poster here and in my decade plus have never been responded to with curses and insults like i have by you.... for literally no reason.

i don't need to keep on getting insulted from you for basketball opinions. add me to your ignore list.

I have had STOMP on ignore for a very long time. He single handedly killed our Duck forum. That's just his MO. Put him on ignore and be done with it. He's not worth reading. You're a perfectly nice poster. I'm the one who's condescending.

 

[Mediocre Man]

Robinson didn’t amount to skwat in the NBA. I’d hope we aim higher than that.

I think Duren will be better, but it would be interesting to try and figure out why Robinson failed. His rebound rate is still extremely good

Robinson didn’t amount to skwat in the NBA. I’d hope we aim higher than that.

 

[Sheldon Shape]

I think Duren will be better, but it would be interesting to try and figure out why Robinson failed. His rebound rate is still extremely good

Basketball IQ and offensive skills. Duren lacks mightily in those areas as well.

 

[HansenYang]

Basketball IQ and offensive skills. Duren lacks mightily in those areas as well.

Agreed.
Physically they look amazing.... especially in a 1 in 0 situation.

Out them in a 5v5 game & they'll have a flash here or there - but overall they are not a net positive player

 

[blazerkor]

Agreed.
Physically they look amazing.... especially in a 1 in 0 situation.

Out them in a 5v5 game & they'll have a flash here or there - but overall they are not a net positive player

Is Duren nonbinary? If he's not (and sorry if they are) then I don't know who the other people you're talking about when you say "they". As far as how he's looked 5v5, we have a ton of footage of that and he's looked damn good. There is one skill that he showed ina 1 in 0 situation that will transfer... shooting the three. If this guy with all of his phisical gifts that translate to paint dominance can also hit threes when alone in the corner, that makes a huge difference when considering what he can do for us on offense.

Basketball IQ and offensive skills. Duren lacks mightily in those areas as well.

He is better at a very important offensive skill than anyone we have on the team right now and that is finishing in the paint. I also see his basketball IQ as an area of promise and not a deficit. He makes great reads and decisions on defense and he has shown flashes of doing the same on offense.



In our position, I wouldn't take anyone at 7 unless it was Paolo or Jabari by some miracle or Ivey even though he's not the perfect fit with what we currently have. I would trade back and Duren would be the guy I'd be targeting... along with acquiring other assets to acquire other players at areas of need. Outside of Ivey, Banchero, Smith, Holmgren and Sharpe, Duren has the highest ceiling of anyone in the draft and a higher floor in my opinion than Holmgren and Sharpe. If Banchero or Smith fell to us it would be a no brainer. If Ivey fell to us it wouldn't be as great because we have two ball dominant guards but we'd have to take him and make it work. Those guys aren't falling to us though... the only one on that list that might is Sharpe and I view him as a bigger risk than Duren who again I think we can get by trading back and getting more assets along with him.

 

[BBert]

Damn, do I dare suggest that they give him a drug test? He is not built like your average 18 year old basketball player.

In his interview yesterday I would have guessed the guy is 28 years old.

 

[BIG Q]

okay well the more I look at the prospects I look at it this way..
Out of the following:
Paulo
Jabari
Chet
Ivy
Murray
Sharpe
Daniels
Matherin


which of those guys would you take Duren over?

I've liked Duren from the get go, but many say draft a big at 20. This kid won't be there. He is not as polished as Paulo and Jabari. I'd take them over Duren today. But i'm afraid Duren will be the much better player in 3 years. Chet scares me too much. With the Blazers big man luck if Chet doesn't end his career with a broken leg I would be surprised. Sharpe also scares me as there are so many unknowns with him. Ivy won't be there at 7. I would take Duren over Murray at 7 because I think Duren can play the 4 and become the 5. But after the consensus top 4, I have;

5. Duren
6. Murray
7. Daniels
8. Sharpe based on nothing but reports he is good

Just my opinions. Cheers

 

[HailBlazers]

In his interview yesterday I would have guessed the guy is 28 years old.