Second Round Picks Can Be Pleasant Surprises (Columbian)

[ABM]

From: Brian Hendrickson - The Columbian

TUALATIN — As Chad Buchanan discussed the players working out for the Portland Trail Blazers on Friday, the descriptions he gave fit a common storyline.

Some would battle limitations in the NBA, explained the Blazers’ director of college scouting.

Others had one exceptional skill — such as shooting or rebounding — that they would have to ride to success.

They might end up on a summer league roster, but all would likely enter next week’s NBA Draft hoping to be taken in the second round, if they are to be chosen at all.

"Second-round guys, they have one defined skill that translates," Buchanan said after watching Gonzaga’s Jeremy Pargo, Texas’ A.J. Abrams and four other players work out. "And if they get with the right coach, the right team that has that need for that particular skill, they can succeed."

It could produce an unparalleled bargain if Portland can pick out the hidden gems in that group with one of their four second-round selections, just as Utah did with Paul Millsap three years ago, and other teams have with notable names like Michael Redd (43rd pick by Milwaukee) and Gilbert Arenas (31st pick by Golden State).

Sure, the Blazers can plug their holes on the free agency market next month, when they hope to have $7 million in salary cap room to spend on established players.

But if they can find one of those second-round gems, the reward relative to the paycheck could be even greater................

 

[Crimson the Cat]

Danny green baby.

 

[Shooter]

What a bonanza it would be if even one of our 4 second round picks turned out to be a hidden gem!

Make it happen, KP!!!

 

[RudyFor3]

Best Second Draft Picks:

Michael Redd
Manu Ginobili
Rashard Lewis
Nick Van Exel
Ben Wallace
Carlos Boozer
Paul Millsap
Trevor Ariza
Gilbert Arenas
Mehmet Okur
Mo Williams
Ramon Sessions
Luis Scola
Anderson Varejao
Monta Ellis

 

[BLAZER PROPHET]

When I think that we may be a team of the Big 3 + reserves, those #2 picks can get us nice position players who may only do 1 thing well, but they fill a need.

 

[Denny Crane]

Best Second Draft Picks:

Michael Redd
Manu Ginobili
Rashard Lewis
Nick Van Exel
Ben Wallace
Carlos Boozer
Paul Millsap
Trevor Ariza
Gilbert Arenas
Mehmet Okur
Mo Williams
Ramon Sessions
Luis Scola
Anderson Varejao
Monta Ellis

Chris Duhon

 

[BalancedMan]

Best Second Draft Picks:

Michael Redd
Manu Ginobili
Rashard Lewis
Nick Van Exel
Ben Wallace
Carlos Boozer
Paul Millsap
Trevor Ariza
Gilbert Arenas
Mehmet Okur
Mo Williams
Ramon Sessions
Luis Scola
Anderson Varejao
Monta Ellis

I'm sure you'll be able to add Mario Chalmers to the list before his career is over as well. The thing is that in some ways a high second round pick is more valuable than the last few picks in the first round...assuming that the player you want is still available when you get there. 2nd rounders are ultimate for high-risk/reward players...maybe you draft a Euro and he never pans out....oh well, you haven't guaranteed him money. If or when the guy comes over though, you may get a really good value.

Every year it seems like there is a guy who slides to the 2nd round, who turns out to be productive. Whether or not he was good at the draft, or rather improved as a pro, is a different story. If we grab someone like Pendergraph or Danny Green (whom I'm not a huge fan of, but looking at his numbers and contributes shows he will be Childress-like), then that's a pretty productive use of a later pick. Someone who shows promise to actually contribute, even if it's only in a role setting.

 

[crandc]

Clifford Robinson, Jerome Kersey & Kevin Duckworth were all second round picks who did pretty OK on the Blazers.

 

[KingSpeed]

You can't find a gem if you're not able to play him and we just don't have the minutes on our team for a rookie this season.