Shaedon Sharpe is our future

[blazerfan11]

Interesting questions.

I think we all agree the Blazers "Future 5" are:
- Scoot
- Sharpe
- Deni
- Camara
- Clingan

If you had to play one game for the championship tonight with the current squad, and they were all healthy, who do you start? Here's my 'current best 5':
- Simons
- Sharpe
- Deni
- Camara
- Ayton

Sharpe should be in the starting 5 either way you look at it for me.

I think Deni beats out Grant either way. He's better for win now, and he's better for the future.

I enjoy watching Ayton when he's engaged. I think we've seen a nice uptick for him this year. I still hold out hope for him to be a long-term piece. Players like him are hard to find.

I think Simons is currently a better combo/pg than Scoot. As long as Simons plays a team game and moves the ball, and avoids the hero ball game, I'm good with him facilitating the offense. It frustrates me to see him jack up a tough shot with a lot of time left on the shot clock. He needs to focus on facilitating for the rest of the team first, then create a shot for himself if the Blazers need it late in the shot clock.

Even if Billups for some odd reason doesn't start Sharpe, Sharpe needs to get the minutes and be the primary focus of the offense when he's in there.

I don't trust Ayton to set good screens (or any screen at all sometimes), or to affect paint shots by the opponent the way Clingan does.

To me, Ayton is not a good complementary piece to Sharpe. Sharpe will do best when all of his teammates are looking to break him free to get downhill.

Sharpe will also probably do best when he knows he's the 1st option and dumping a pass to a standstill Ayton for a mid-range shot isn't part of the offense.

I would rather Sharpe himself dribble to that spot and take that shot.

At times in a game, if the Blazers need some 2-point shots, Ayton would be a good option.

 

[blazerfan11]

nets were throwing double teams at him after the first quarter. and he handled it generally well outside of a couple misreads.

this is what i want to see the last 20 games: can he be the #1 option?

if chauncey puts him back on the bench, i will be so irritated.

 

[Foxx]

I don't trust Ayton to set good screens (or any screen at all sometimes), or to affect paint shots by the opponent the way Clingan does.

To me, Ayton is not a good complementary piece to Sharpe. Sharpe will do best when all of his teammates are looking to break him free to get downhill.

Sharpe will also probably do best when he knows he's the 1st option and dumping a pass to a standstill Ayton for a mid-range shot isn't part of the offense.

I would rather Sharpe himself dribble to that spot and take that shot.

At times in a game, if the Blazers need some 2-point shots, Ayton would be a good option.

DA had become the ultimate role player before he went down recently - in terms of not getting in the way. Unlike Ant and JG, DA usually doesn’t even have the capacity to shoot us out of games. I don’t get the constant hate he gets

 

[STOMP]

it sure opens things up for him when he's hitting from the outside. Thats two games in a row he's been rolling though it was against bottom feeder teams. Tomorrow will be a real test against Cleveland.

STOMP

 

[THE HCP]

He reminds me more of a young Dr J... Dr J was 6'6

His drives and step backs….. purely TMAC.

 

[Rastapopoulos]

On this redraft of 2022, the writer bumped Shaedon down to #13. Seems harsh! (I also think one or both of the Thunder players should move past Banchero just because they play elite defense.)

 

[SharpesTriumph]

On this redraft of 2022, the writer bumped Shaedon down to #13. Seems harsh! (I also think one or both of the Thunder players should move past Banchero just because they play elite defense.)

At first glance that seems shocking low but looking at each player above Sharpe you can make a pretty good argument for all of them. I was going to say Ivey and Duren have been on a bad team but the Pistons were way better last year than the Blazers have ever been in Sharpe tenure.

I guess the hope with Sharpe is that as a high schooler in the NBA he breaks out more in the next few years than these older players.

Sharpe had a super promising rookie year. Then 2nd season was filled with injuries. Then last year he was super inefficient - so its understandable he isn't ranked very high.

 

[SharpesTriumph]

(I also think one or both of the Thunder players should move past Banchero just because they play elite defense.)

This dynamic kind of reminds me of the Dame vs Jrue arguments. Yeah Dame was way better leading a team's offense just as Paolo is. But a guy like Jrue can fit with nearly any set of other talented NBA starters and elevate far more teams to a title.

Guess it comes down to if you think its better to lead a losing playoff team in scoring or be the 2nd/3rd best player on a team winning a title.

 

[Pinwheel1]

I am already starting to feel sorry for the kid. We do need him to be great for the Scoot, Deni, Tou, Clingan, and SS young core to work. We need scoring from the SG. But I have a feeling we are going to put a lot of pressure on him to be great, rather than just being pretty good.

Ideally, we draft another scoring option (i.e, Coward) that can keep other teams from doubling Shae. So IMO that takes players like
Egor out of the discussion at 11. We will need scoring off the bench.

 

[UKRAINEFAN]

On this redraft of 2022, the writer bumped Shaedon down to #13. Seems harsh! (I also think one or both of the Thunder players should move past Banchero just because they play elite defense.)

Agree. Both Holmgren and Williams better than Banchero and I don 't think it's close.

 

[UKRAINEFAN]

On this redraft of 2022, the writer bumped Shaedon down to #13. Seems harsh! (I also think one or both of the Thunder players should move past Banchero just because they play elite defense.)

You failed to mention that our Jabari Walker came in at #25 in the redraft!

 

[Sheldon Shape]

You failed to mention that our Jabari Walker came in at #25 in the redraft!

He really figured out his 3 ball last year. I hope he's retained and can get in the rotation because he's shown to be a productive player already.

 

[SharpesTriumph]

I am already starting to feel sorry for the kid. We do need him to be great for the Scoot, Deni, Tou, Clingan, and SS young core to work. We need scoring from the SG. But I have a feeling we are going to put a lot of pressure on him to be great, rather than just being pretty good.

Ideally, we draft another scoring option (i.e, Coward) that can keep other teams from doubling Shae. So IMO that takes players like
Egor out of the discussion at 11. We will need scoring off the bench.

Just draft whoever projects as the best NBA player. If it's more of an all round player we can add a scoring vet. If it's a scorer we can prioritize a role playing vet. Our team isn't a finished product so we don't need a draft picks to be the final piece. If the draft picks can be a good player that matters 100x more.

 

[SharpesTriumph]

You failed to mention that our Jabari Walker came in at #25 in the redraft!

He really figured out his 3 ball last year. I hope he's retained and can get in the rotation because he's shown to be a productive player already.

Yeah if Walker can continue to hit the 3 that's a game changer. Can't believe he was MUCH better from 3 than Sharpe last year.

If Sharpe can't hit the 3 he's really kind of useless. His defense is below average. Shaky, handle, poor ball control. Can create his own shot sometimes but not near enough to be a lead offensive player.

Kind of think Sharpe will jump way up into the top 10 /top5 of this list in a year or drop below Jabari in the 20s.

 

[Pinwheel1]

Just draft whoever projects as the best NBA player. If it's more of an all round player we can add a scoring vet. If it's a scorer we can prioritize a role playing vet. Our team isn't a finished product so we don't need a draft picks to be the final piece. If the draft picks can be a good player that matters 100x more.

You are absolutely right, but I think this year there are some players like Coward who already possess 2-way skills. I love that he has the pull-up mid-range jumper as well as 3pt range. (and is long with solid defensive skills) The fact that he fits a need that I think we will have to add is a huge plus. Players like Demin, on the other hand, make me nervous. Right now, despite having a huge upside......is just a good passer.

 

[Sheldon Shape]

Yeah if Walker can continue to hit the 3 that's a game changer. Can't believe he was MUCH better from 3 than Sharpe last year.

If Sharpe can't hit the 3 he's really kind of useless.

Useless? He was one of the best in the mid-range. What are you talking about? His defense significantly improved in the latter half of the season. If he stays healthy and has no Ant to compete with on shots, he's going to be great.

 

[wizenheimer]

You are absolutely right, but I think this year there are some players like Coward who already possess 2-way skills. I love that he has the pull-up mid-range jumper as well as 3pt range. (and is long with solid defensive skills) The fact that he fits a need that I think we will have to add is a huge plus. Players like Demin, on the other hand, make me nervous. Right now, despite having a huge upside......is just a good passer.

with the ubiquitous disclaimer that I am bad at gauging how college players will perform in the NBA...

I'm in favor of BPA, but with some mitigation that is should be BPA among wings. I don't see as much value in PG's or C's as the value of wings. If it was a tie between a PG/Wing or a C/Wing, I'd take the wing every time

at this point, in my ignorance, I'd be looking at either Rasheer Fleming or Coward at 11. I'm not happy that they are older; both with 3 years of college experience, Coward will be 22 next season, Fleming 21. But maybe that's why their highlights look better, at least they do to me. More developed.

I don't really want the Blazers to take Queen (poor man's Zach Randolph), Richardson (homeless man's Ben Gordon), or Demin (middle class man's Delano Banton)

 

[SlyPokerDog]

If the Blazers feel the best player at #11 is a shooting guard, you have to take him.

 

[Pinwheel1]

with the ubiquitous disclaimer that I am bad at gauging how college players will perform in the NBA...

I'm in favor of BPA, but with some mitigation that is should be BPA among wings. I don't see as much value in PG's or C's as the value of wings. If it was a tie between a PG/Wing or a C/Wing, I'd take the wing every time

at this point, in my ignorance, I'd be looking at either Rasheer Fleming or Coward at 11. I'm not happy that they are older; both with 3 years of college experience, Coward will be 22 next season, Fleming 21. But maybe that's why their highlights look better, at least they do to me. More developed.

I don't really want the Blazers to take Queen (poor man's Zach Randolph), Richardson (homeless man's Ben Gordon), or Demin (middle class man's Delano Banton)

I agree with your post. Although as much as like Fleming, is he a wing? I have flip-flopped a lot on the draft, as I always do
weeks before it happens, but I would move Carter Bryant up over Fleming because he is more of a wing IMO. Coward above both.

 

[wizenheimer]

If the Blazers feel the best player at #11 is a shooting guard, you have to take him.

not if he's a 6' SG....been there/done that/fuck that

 

[Rastapopoulos]

You failed to mention that our Jabari Walker came in at #25 in the redraft!

Is he going to be ours next season? I wouldn't be amazed if he's played his last game for us.

 

[STOMP]

I am already starting to feel sorry for the kid. We do need him to be great for the Scoot, Deni, Tou, Clingan, and SS young core to work. We need scoring from the SG. But I have a feeling we are going to put a lot of pressure on him to be great, rather than just being pretty good.

Ideally, we draft another scoring option (i.e, Coward) that can keep other teams from doubling Shae. So IMO that takes players like Egor out of the discussion at 11. We will need scoring off the bench.

I'm intrigued by Egor's skillset/Bball IQ but scared off by a lack of athleticism. For an athletic reference, Rasheer Fleming measured the same height as him (6'8.25"), but with much more length. Despite weighing 33 pounds more, the projected 4/5 Fleming bested Egor in every run/jump measurement taken. I think at least initially Demin will be a target on D no matter where you play him so he'd likely rarely leave Chaucey's bench his rookie year let alone provide much scoring. Unless he's thought to be a late bloomer still developing physically, I wouldn't take him.

In general, Cronin has favored adding physical specimens. Especially in the frontcourt he's prioritized D. If you put together a team of players with size/length, above average defensive ability and don't have to hide guys who teams can target, you become better then the sum of your parts... like what we're seeing with OKC's historic D. I'm reminded of the Mike Schmitz gathering that poster Stevenson recently relayed about how management views the team they're putting together...

The second half of the season really showed that things are coming together, that their commitment to culture and player development is working. They look for guys who are coachable, team-first, defensive minded, tough, good guys, community oriented. He compared the team they are putting together to the old Pistons team with Isiah, Chauncey, and Laimbeer - no clear superstar, but a lot of excellent multi-functional players.

If they're trying to put together a team that fits together and are factoring in traits they seem to prioritize rather then just swinging for the fences on individual upside, they could use another good defender at most any size and they could really use more plus perimeter shooting. I think it's likely they go for someone who fits those traits like Bryant, Fleming and Coward. I like that they had Fleming in recently to workout and scrimmage with a couple other frontcourt projected 1st rounders Newell & Riley. Size wise he'd fill in perfectly between Deni and Clingan. His pick and pop potential could be a base offensive set. The eldest of the 3 is Coward who is between Scoot and Shaedon in age. He seems the best shooter with both catch and shoot and some off the dribble skills. He definitely showed out at the combine and fits between Sharpe and Toumani in size. Carter is the youngest of the 3 I mentioned at 19.5, is about Toumani's size and may have the highest overall upside. The Schmitz thoughts about management prioritizing being community oriented may just be smoke being blown up the public's backside, but I know both Bryant and Coward have great personal backstories.

STOMP

 

[SharpesTriumph]

You are absolutely right, but I think this year there are some players like Coward who already possess 2-way skills. I love that he has the pull-up mid-range jumper as well as 3pt range. (and is long with solid defensive skills) The fact that he fits a need that I think we will have to add is a huge plus. Players like Demin, on the other hand, make me nervous. Right now, despite having a huge upside......is just a good passer.

Coward is a low upside senior that's not exceptional at anything. Sure he's fine at many things but do we really need another Kris Murray except stayed past his junior year?

Although my post wasn't really meant to dissect individual prospects, just that we don't need to target a rookie with such and such specific skill set.

If Demin or Queen or Coward or whoever is the best prospect at our draft slot we should take him and worry about playoff rotations when we have a proven playoff team.

 

[SharpesTriumph]

not if he's a 6' SG....been there/done that/fuck that

Isn't that what a bunch of posters here said with Donovan Mitchell?

If we get one of the best players in the draft I don't care what position he is, take him!

We can play them with our guys, have someone off the bench, or eventually send anyone else on this roster packing as well. We have zero all-stars or zero people close to it. Maybe Deni or Camara (big big maybes) but as wings they each have about 3 positions.

 

[STOMP]

Coward is a low upside senior that's not exceptional at anything...

...besides his length, overall athleticism and jumper. Dude tested more athletic then VJ Edgecombe & would be among the best shooters on the Blazers. He's also said to be a plus defender capable of switching onto a wide variety of players. Yup, not much to like at all!

Sure he's fine at many things but do we really need another Kris Murray except stayed past his junior year?

Kris Murray??? Cedric had a vastly better combine then Kris, posted much better shooting stats in college & will be over a year younger then Murray was when he's drafted. And fyi, next year would be his Senior year. If want to be persuasive degrading a prospect, it would help if you got basic facts correct.

STOMP

 

[SharpesTriumph]

...besides his length, overall athleticism and jumper. Dude tested more athletic then VJ Edgecombe & would be among the best shooters on the Blazers. He's also said to be a plus defender capable of switching onto a wide variety of players. Yup, not much to like at all!


Kris Murray??? Cedric had a vastly better combine then Kris, posted much better shooting stats in college & will be over a year younger then Murray was when he's drafted. And fyi, next year would be his Senior year. If want to be persuasive degrading a prospect, it would help if you got basic facts correct.

STOMP

Coward played at the powerhouse basketball program of Willamette University in Salem back in 2021, then Eastern Washington next two years, then WSU last season. At a bigger program in WSU he was durable enough for 6 games last season before having season ending shoulder injury back in November. So fact is he's a senior.

 

[wizenheimer]

Isn't that what a bunch of posters here said with Donovan Mitchell?

If we get one of the best players in the draft I don't care what position he is, take him!.

again, for every Donovan Mitchell there's an Eliott Williams, Brandon Knight, Shane Larkin, Trey Burke, Ben McLemore, Elfrin Payton, Kris Dunn, Dennis Smith, Lonnie Walker, Anfernee Simons, Jordan Poole, Kira Lewis Jr., Cole Anthony, Davion Mitchell, Tre Mann. I'm not talking about PG's like Dame or Kyrie Irving. I'm talking about tiny SG's who have no capacity, at all, to play wing

 

[SharpesTriumph]

again, for every Donovan Mitchell there's an Eliott Williams, Brandon Knight, Shane Larkin, Trey Burke, Ben McLemore, Elfrin Payton, Kris Dunn, Dennis Smith, Lonnie Walker, Anfernee Simons, Jordan Poole, Kira Lewis Jr., Cole Anthony, Davion Mitchell, Tre Mann. I'm not talking about PG's like Dame or Kyrie Irving. I'm talking about tiny SG's who have no capacity, at all, to play wing

Theres dozens of elite short guards in the NBA. You make it sound like there's only a couple in the league.

For every Kawhi elite wing there's many dozens of useless wings drafted too. Blazers have drafted plenty of those useless wings themselves.

My post was that I want the best player available regardless of position for the Blazers. If it's a short guard that's fine. If it's a big wing that's great too.

For all we know Blazers will trade Ant and Scoot will be best long term as a backup and our biggest need on this roster will be another short guard. Or maybe not

Even if we don't - we have plenty of years to adjust for a playoff run. Right now it's more important to add rotation level players, or better yet a starter, or even better an all-star.

I'd say the most complete players we actually have are both wings in Camara and Deni. So one argument could be that wing is the least important position for us to draft.

Wings are so versatile I don't subscribe to that.

I just think a bunch of posters here are scarred from Dame/CJ/Ant/Norm as undersized options and want to avoid any similar situations. But I don't want the Blazers run by fear of ghosts of old players. I want us to add the best talent that can help us win going forward.

 

[HansenYang]

...besides his length, overall athleticism and jumper. Dude tested more athletic then VJ Edgecombe & would be among the best shooters on the Blazers. He's also said to be a plus defender capable of switching onto a wide variety of players. Yup, not much to like at all!


Kris Murray??? Cedric had a vastly better combine then Kris, posted much better shooting stats in college & will be over a year younger then Murray was when he's drafted. And fyi, next year would be his Senior year. If want to be persuasive degrading a prospect, it would help if you got basic facts correct.

STOMP

LOL.
Coward was a senior last season. If he returned to college he was going to be a 5th year senior...

Also I personally don't care about the combine athletic testing. It's about functional in-game athleticism. Coward is a decent athlete, but he is not elite in any way. VJ is significantly more athletic in game (and it's not particularly close).

Coward is an exceptional shooter. He projects to be Martell Webster v2. I anticipate him being a good role player with very limited upside

 

[LayneStaley]

I really hope theres a trade for a young proven player so we can play some meaningful games after the all star break next season.