the "BPA" debate

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a bird in the hand is worth two in the bush
 
I think I'd rather have a Tier Two than two Threes, because I think you have to have All-NBA players to be able to compete in the league. So I'd pick the Tier Two.

After that, though, I'd want to maximize the number of risky players I take. I'd rather take Wroten, for instance, than Sullinger. Wroten could be an Evolutionary Gary Payton, or he could be a large bust. Sullinger could be David West, but he also isn't getting more athletic and he may not be able to hang at the PF spot effectively. If the dice roll comes up 7s on each, on one hand you have an absolute stud PG. On the other, you have a serviceable, effective PF who may or may not be an all-star someday.
 
My Tiers: This suprised me putting it together this way.

Tier One (This category is usually reserved for guys who are surefire All-Stars/franchise players.): Davis

Tier Two potential All-Stars: Beal, Robinson

Tier Three have NBA All-Star potential, but have significant weaknesses that could keep them from living up to it : Drummond, MKG, PJ3, Barnes

Tier 3.5 Long term starters (Crash or Batum level): T. Jones, Zeller, Sullinger

Tier Four Fringe starters: Leonard, Barton, Wroten, Lillard, Waiters, Henson, White, Nicholson, Fournier, Taylor, Moultrie, Crowder

Tier Five Role players (bench) : Melo, Rivers, Harkless, Ross, J.Lamb, Marshall, Q.Miller, Teague, Jenkins, D.Lamb
 
Here is a question that might stir some good debate

Is it better to draft one tier 2 guy, or two tier 3 or a tier 3 and 4 guy?

two tier 3. I'd rather get an extra pick in the 5-15 range then move up our #6 pick to a #2 or 4
 
Tier 1: Davis, Robinson.

Tier 2: Drummond, MKG, Lillard

Tier 3: Beal, Ross, Barnes, Waiters, PJ3, T. Jones

Tier 4: Sullinger, Moultrie, Henson, Harkless, Teague, Wroten, Rivers,

Tier 5: Kendall Marshall, Leonard, Zeller
 
Depends on the draft if I'd take a tier 2 or two tier 3 players.

Last year? Give me 1 tier 2 player. 2009? Two tier 3 players. This year is tough, I'd probably stick with a tier 2 choice over two tier 3. Solely because I think Lillard, Drummond both fill needs as well as being BPA (in my rankings). So I'd rather have one of them, than 2 of Beal, ross, Barnes, waiters, PJ3 or t Jones, which would all be luxury picks - except maybe Waiters, and I'm not nearly as high on Beal as some others are.
 
Thought of this when mentioned in a different thread, or similarly. How does one exactly define BPA? It was mentioned in Lillard over Drummond. I still would go Drummond, personally, but it made me think, when saying best player available, how is it defined? Do you say well Drummond has more potential, so he is best available? Do you say best right now? best fit? Best pro overall? Who you think is most likely to hit their ceiling? Whether you think Drummond is likely to hit 60% of his ceiling, but that is equal to 95% of Lillard's ceiling, and you think Lillard only gets to 90? How do you choose who is best?
 
Thought of this when mentioned in a different thread, or similarly. How does one exactly define BPA? It was mentioned in Lillard over Drummond. I still would go Drummond, personally, but it made me think, when saying best player available, how is it defined? Do you say well Drummond has more potential, so he is best available? Do you say best right now? best fit? Best pro overall? Who you think is most likely to hit their ceiling? Whether you think Drummond is likely to hit 60% of his ceiling, but that is equal to 95% of Lillard's ceiling, and you think Lillard only gets to 90? How do you choose who is best?


I think the answer is simple, if not certain. It depends on the team, the evaluators and the roster.
 
I guess I meant more for us. And as blazer fans.
 
Here is a question that might stir some good debate

Is it better to draft one tier 2 guy, or two tier 3 or a tier 3 and 4 guy?

In general I'd say it's best to draft a Tier 2 guy (assuming he pans out) because it means you probably got a borderline all-star or better (assuming he pans out ...) With the lower tier guys you are probably hoping for "good starter" as their ceiling ... but then again I suppose it also matters how your roster is put together; if you're drafting at the back of the order and a perennial title contender, maybe some low cost, serviceable players are all you really need.

In the case of the Blazers there is a real dearth of star power so you try to go for the home-run and hope for the best.
 
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I guess I meant more for us. And as blazer fans.

I think Olshey has done a pretty good job describing what the Blazers feel would be BPA.

1. Sustainable roster
2. Competes
3. He wants the Blazers to defend, control the ball, and play with motion
4. Strong character

So to me, the Blazers definition of BPA is someone who can defend, has a certain, or a few skill sets that will make him a valuable NBA player for a while, someone who can pass and isn't a ball hog, and someone who will get some high praise from his coaching staff. Many, many players fit that bill right now, but someone like Harrison Barnes, Brad Beal or Terrence Ross are good examples because they seem to have a high basketball IQ. Lillard, Drummond and someone like MKG would also go on the list because of their skill sets. Players like Leonard, Camareros and Lamb wouldn't because of Immaturity, The need to dominate the ball and overall IQ.


LOL I re-read this and said nothing. Oh well
 
Based on a cursory overview of the levels so far, we have the following (player must have been ranked at least three times to appear). Player name and then their average rank and number of mentions in parenthesis.

Davis: 1.2 (6)
Robinson: 1.7 (7)
MKG: 2.3 (6)
Beal: 2.3 (7)
Barnes: 2.5 (6)
Drummond: 2.6 (7)
Lillard: 3.1 (6)
PJ3: 3.2 (6)
Ross 3.4 (5)
Sullinger: 3.6 (6)
Waiters: 3.6 (5)
Marshall: 4.0 (6)
Henson: 4.0 (6)
Lamb: 4.0 (4)
Rivers: 4.0 (6)
Wroten: 4.0 (3)
Moultrie: 4.0 (4)
Zeller: 4.1 (6)
Leonard: 4.2 (5)
Harkless: 4.3 (3)

Based on these rankings and the Blazers having 6 & 11, we would draft Drummond and either Waiters or Sullinger. Of course, we have no say in the matter and this probably has nothing to do with reality but it was fun while it lasted. ;)

Gramps...
 
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I don't know, I think BPA after Davis is very subjective, and that subjective "tier" could extend down easily below the #10 spot
 
Based on a cursory overview of the levels so far, we have the following (player must have been ranked at least three times to appear). Player name and then their average rank and number of mentions in parenthesis.

Gramps...

Thanks for doing the math. I think that is a pretty good and accurate list. And, Drummond and Waiters is a real possibility.
 
Based on a cursory overview of the levels so far, we have the following (player must have been ranked at least three times to appear). Player name and then their average rank and number of mentions in parenthesis.

Based on these rankings and the Blazers having 6 & 11, we would draft Drummond and either Waiters or Sullinger. Of course, we have no say in the matter and this probably has nothing to do with reality but it was fun while it lasted. ;)

Gramps...

Shoulda known that if anyone were going to take my suggestion, it would be Gramps.

As for the conclusion, you may notice that Ross comes in 9th in our tier rankings, but you know that he will not be drafted that high, meaning that he would be our highest-tiered player available at 11.

So, Drummond and Ross it is. Hmm--not bad...
 
Shoulda known that if anyone were going to take my suggestion, it would be Gramps.

As for the conclusion, you may notice that Ross comes in 9th in our tier rankings, but you know that he will not be drafted that high, meaning that he would be our highest-tiered player available at 11.

So, Drummond and Ross it is. Hmm--not bad...

That would be a great draft, IMO
 
I didn't see Ross play this year. He certainly has great skills. Is he an aggressive offensive player? Does he use his skill set well?
 
I didn't see Ross play this year. He certainly has great skills. Is he an aggressive offensive player? Does he use his skill set well?

He seems to be in workouts, and he is huge. He has great size for a 2
 
I didn't see Ross play this year. He certainly has great skills. Is he an aggressive offensive player? Does he use his skill set well?

I love Ross. My concern is that I didn't get to see him in the tourney, so he didn't prove like Beal did that he can turn it on against much better competition with something on the line. But he was lighting up the Pac-12, and doing it efficiently. And of all the 2-guards (Beal, Ross, Rivers, etc) he's the one that can be consistently above-average to great on D.
 
Man, if the Terrances are there at 17/18, and Wroten's at 30....we gotta go get that.
 
Man, if the Terrances are there at 17/18, and Wroten's at 30....we gotta go get that.

Not to mention how excited some people around here would be if we got O'Quinn and Crowder at 40 & 41.
 
Man, if the Terrances are there at 17/18, and Wroten's at 30....we gotta go get that.

Let's shoot for the all NW/west coast feel good draft and off season

You are all going to love this, I know

Wait for it.

Draft Lillard #6 - Oakland
Draft Ross #11 - Portland
Draft T. Jones in 20's - Portland
Draft Wrotten 2nd round - Seattle
Sign Spencer Hawes - Seattle
Tade LA and Wes to Minny for Love (Lake O) and Ridnour UO
 
Shoulda known that if anyone were going to take my suggestion, it would be Gramps.

As for the conclusion, you may notice that Ross comes in 9th in our tier rankings, but you know that he will not be drafted that high, meaning that he would be our highest-tiered player available at 11.

So, Drummond and Ross it is. Hmm--not bad...

I could certainly live with that. Despite my huge concerns over Drummond, I can see why you would roll the dice on him.
 
Let's shoot for the all NW/west coast feel good draft and off season

You are all going to love this, I know

Wait for it.

Draft Lillard #6 - Oakland
Draft Ross #11 - Portland
Draft T. Jones in 20's - Portland
Draft Wrotten 2nd round - Seattle
Sign Spencer Hawes - Seattle
Tade LA and Wes to Minny for Love (Lake O) and Ridnour UO

So starting would be

Lillard
Ross
Jones
Love
Hawes
 
Is it troubling that the PF & C might be the best passers out of those 5?

No. Walton was the best passer on our title team. Sabas was the best passer on our title contending teams.


Wait just a second, I might be on to something here?
 

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