Summer league: First impressions

[Natebishop3]

Honestly he’s probably only interested in SL to play with Scoot and if Scoot isn’t there why would he even bother? It’s summer league. This isn’t even preseason. The only people getting any real practice are the ones protecting Wemby from being physically touched at all.

Yeah his body language reminds me of Dame during the Allstar game. He’s just not fully invested.

 

[RippedCity]

The only people getting any real practice are the ones protecting Wemby from being physically touched at all.

I heard that Wemby's bodyguard was offered a position as an NBA referee!

 

[PDXFonz]

Rupert is much more of a WIP than I thought he would be, which is alright. But like the OP said, he’s going to need to put in a lot of work to become a rotational player.

 

[Natebishop3]

I don't understand why we drafted Murray instead of giving that pick to the bulls for ours back.

We could have just kept watford instead

I think we should have taken Leonard Miller.

 

[SharpesTriumph]

I mean, I guess. But isn't that like 3-4 years out when it turns to a 2nd? I have to.think.we make the playoffs in the next 3-4 years. We will need to make our moves within 4 years if we pay Sharpe and plan on paying Scoot to really maximize our cap.

I'd rather have had the flexibility. To get Chicago to take the protections off it likely would take unprotecting a year. Pick #23 seems like a small price to pay. Watford is younger than Murray too.

Yeah it's a few years out, but so is the peak of this team. Maybe the Blazers make the playoffs in that time frame or maybe not.

Trading #23 away in a very deep draft to reclaim a pick that might not be a 1st rounder is poor asset management.

If the Blazers really need the pick later for a star trade they can settle it with Chicago then.

Now if you don't like Kris at #23 that's a whole different criticism. But leaving the pick debt as is was clearly the best choice assuming Chicago didn't offer some enticing package (very doubtful)

It's certainly a phone call Cronin needs to make every draft of settling that pick. A good GM could now sell the idea the pick will never convey in negotiations so perhaps eventually we can settle for a good offer. Chicago certainly wouldn't have been receptive to that if they were good negotiators when it appeared we were in win now mode and possibly pressured to make a big trade to appease Dame.

 

[SlyPokerCat]

Yeah it's a few years out, but so is the peak of this team. Maybe the Blazers make the playoffs in that time frame or maybe not.

Trading #23 away in a very deep draft to reclaim a pick that might not be a 1st rounder is poor asset management.

If the Blazers really need the pick later for a star trade they can settle it with Chicago then.

Now if you don't like Kris at #23 that's a whole different criticism. But leaving the pick debt as is was clearly the best choice assuming Chicago didn't offer some enticing package (very doubtful)

It's certainly a phone call Cronin needs to make every draft of settling that pick, now a good GM could sell the idea the pick will never convey in negotiations so perhaps eventually we can settle for a good offer. Chicago certainly wouldn't have been receptive to that if they were good negotiators when it appeared we were in win now mode and possibly pressured to make a big trade to appease Dame.

If they plan on missing the playoffs the next 4 years I agree, it would be poor asset management. I don't think they do though.

I'd rather have our full chest of picks in a year or two to try and get a player to put next to Scoot and Shaedon instead of Kris Murray.

 

[B-Roy]

I'm fucking annoyed that there were so many good bigs in the last two drafts and we got none of them

Jalen Duren
Mark Williams
Walker Kessler
Jarace Walker

Any one of these and our young core would be set.

 

[Pinwheel1]

I'm fucking annoyed that there were so many good bigs in the last two drafts and we got none of them

Jalen Duren
Mark Williams
Walker Kessler
Jarace Walker

Any one of these and our young core would be set.

The first 3 I can see, but Jarace is a 6/8" PF who went #8....why are you annoyed with not getting him? How was it possible while keeping Scoot?

 

[B-Roy]

The first 3 I can see, but Jarace is a 6/8" PF who went #8....why are you annoyed with not getting him? How was it possible while keeping Scoot?

Defensive big. Not just center. Walker can anchor a defense IMO.

As far as how to get them: Duren was traded for what we traded for Grant. I understand not doing that because we wanted to compete with Dame, fine.

But for Walker - if we had more clarity on the Dame situation, we could have made moves to get Walker IMO.

 

[Natebishop3]

I'm fucking annoyed that there were so many good bigs in the last two drafts and we got none of them

Jalen Duren
Mark Williams
Walker Kessler
Jarace Walker

Any one of these and our young core would be set.

I think we're going to regret passing on Leonard Miller. I don't think Murray is that dude.

 

[Pinwheel1]

Defensive big. Not just center. Walker can anchor a defense IMO.

I like him, I just don't see how we could have gotten him and Scoot.

 

[Predator]

I've gathered no meaningful impressions based on glorified street ball

 

[illmatic99]

I've gathered no meaningful impressions based on glorified street ball

It all looks pointless for the most part. I said in quarter 1 of the first game that Scoot is too good for this. Not sure what these guys get out of it.

 

[glazeduck]

I think we're going to regret passing on Leonard Miller. I don't think Murray is that dude.

I share these concerns.

That said, it took his brother a while last season to really hit his stride. I also don't think that this is really the right kind of basketball to showcase what he [supposedly] can do, so I'm willing to give him a little bit of benefit of doubt.

It may ultimately be that his pick was one of Joe's last earnest swings to keep Dame and thread the 2 timelines loop...

 

[Hoopguru]

Murray will play better and to his strengths with regular team.
He will know his role and the legit pros will find him.

 

[Shaboid]

I think we're going to regret passing on Leonard Miller. I don't think Murray is that dude.

Name is too close to Meyers Leonar_

 

[riverman]

Murray made many beautiful cuts to get wide open under the basket yesterday and the guards were ignoring him and shooting over a crowd of defenders trying to "get theirs"...he's going to be a really good player within a system that moves the ball. Pass him the ball and he'll make the right play...he's smart like his brother ..they are team players, not ISO players. Murray can hoop...I wouldn't put too much stock in the summer league look...it's a showcase for chuckers

 

[Natebishop3]

 

[wizenheimer]

I mean, I guess. But isn't that like 3-4 years out when it turns to a 2nd?

2028

 

[lamlor]

I am glad for this post because I was worried I was the only one having worried thoughts.

Sharpe looks like a guy trying to take it easy on younger players on a playground using little effort. I don't want to see him taking 3 pointers and trying to break the rim on break-a-ways. I want to see him setting up defenders and driving. I want to see energy. I am a little disappointed.

Scoot- His 2.5 arts were what I hoped for. I liked what I saw and his game will only get better with better players around him.

KM - Ya a spot up 3 point shooter with little else to show so far.

Batum 2.0 - He looks the part of a 2nd round project. I have no problem with that, but have no great hopes for him at this time. A lot to work with though. Thybulle ceiling?

The rest are summer league fill. We will see some on the G League roster and hope the bigs can become at eat backup level in a couple years.