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I wasn't a fan of KM at #23 either. I was hoping for James Nnaji (that is who I couldn't think of on last night's pod) with the potential and massive wingspan he had. It is what it is now, and hopefully he develops, but his shots seems really slow and he doesn't seem very quick. He seemed like he could play undersized PF in college, but doesn't have the skills to do that here. He seems behind Jabari and Camara right off the bat.
 
blazerfan11 said:
I don't know about other people, but I am judging who should get playing time now, not someone's NBA career.
The playing time decision needs to be made now for upcoming games.
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There are people in and around this thread making comments about Murray as a wasted pick.

I don't think anyone is arguing for Murray over Camara atm.
 
Fez Hammersticks said:
stacey-augmon-of-the-portland-trail-blazers-during-the-game-against-the-charlotte-hornets-on.jpg
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this is a great comp! well done.

people forget how electric the plastic man was in the ATL.
 
I personally don't want Time Lord playing next to DA. If you're limiting his minutes for his longevity than have him and DA split the center minutes about 28-30 for DA and 18-20 for TLord.
Grant is not a PF. If he starts there with Tisse or Shady at SF, we will get embarrassed on the boards again. Jabberwocky and Bitchin' Camara are the types we need at PF. Decent to good defensively, very good rebounders, both can effectively space the floor, neither is gonna demand shots. When we go small with Tisse or Shady at SF, I hate the idea of Grant at PF. I like Grant's game, a lot. But, just like the experience of watching 2 midgets in the backcourt for too long, I hope Chauncey sees the outcome when Grant plays PF much quicker.
I'm tired of watching Portland have the smallest team on the floor. Now, they have the height and length to avoid that situation. Thunder in the frontcourt, lightning in the back.
 
cheesehoff said:
I personally don't want Time Lord playing next to DA. If you're limiting his minutes for his longevity than have him and DA split the center minutes about 28-30 for DA and 18-20 for TLord.
Grant is not a PF. If he starts there with Tisse or Shady at SF, we will get embarrassed on the boards again. Jabberwocky and Bitchin' Camara are the types we need at PF. Decent to good defensively, very good rebounders, both can effectively space the floor, neither is gonna demand shots. When we go small with Tisse or Shady at SF, I hate the idea of Grant at PF. I like Grant's game, a lot. But, just like the experience of watching 2 midgets in the backcourt for too long, I hope Chauncey sees the outcome when Grant plays PF much quicker.
I'm tired of watching Portland have the smallest team on the floor. Now, they have the height and length to avoid that situation. Thunder in the frontcourt, lightning in the back.
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The truth is Grant or Thybulle isn’t the best long term fit due to the reasons you’ve listed, but it’s the best we’ve got for now and they’re a decent stop gap for now. It’s better than having Harkless, Aminu, and Vonleh to start a rebuilding roster with.

Schmitz at least has us on the right path, bringing in guys with the right physical profiles that can defend, rebound, and shoot. Walker and Camara are great NBA ready players given their draft selection. Kris hasn’t shown much yet but may show something soon. Right now, I like Kobe Brown as a guy we can get back in a Brogdon trade. He’s another guy that looks NBA ready and has great physical attributes: 6’6.5 no shoes (6’8 with shoes), 250lbs, 8’10.5 standing reach, 7’0.75 wingspan and in the mold of Camara/Walker.

That would give us four guys in Camara, Brown, Kris, and Walker that will be fighting for minutes at forward. If more than one of those guys show us they need minutes, it makes Grant and Thybulle easier to trade.
 
Samuel said:
Yeah I’m not sure why people are heavily judging Murray after a handful of minutes.

Even 23 year olds need an adjustment period.
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It’s not just a handful of minutes. I watched him in summer league too. So far I’m not seeing NBA athleticism. He just seems slow. If he can carve out a 3&D role that’s great, but for a guy who is 23 and should be more NBA ready because of his age, he doesn’t look at all ready for minutes. It doesn’t help that Camara has looked exactly how you want a 23 year old rookie to look.
 
Natebishop3 said:
It’s not just a handful of minutes. I watched him in summer league too.
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Like I said—a handful of minutes.

Not every young player is going to be able to immediately jump into rotation minutes even on a bad team.

Sure, I'd love Murray to be ready to rock right now but I'm not going to write the guy off or call him a bust already.
 
Samuel said:
Like I said—a handful of minutes.

Not every young player is going to be able to immediately jump into rotation minutes even on a bad team.

Sure, I'd love Murray to be ready to rock right now but I'm not going to write the guy off or call him a bust already.
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It’s not about labeling him a bust or writing him off. It’s saying that I’m not seeing the tools to be a significant contributor. It’s forecasting.
 
https://ftw.usatoday.com/2023/10/to...ard-trade-portland-trail-blazers-phoenix-suns


The Portland Trail Blazers got a huge return after in exchange for Damian Lillard. While many will focus on the draft picks, they also got an impressive rookie.

Portland will have a new look next season, revitalizing their frontcourt by trading for Deandre Ayton and Robert Williams. The front office also added veteran guard Malcolm Brogdon as well as three first-round picks and two additional first-round pick swaps.

Dayton’s Toumani Camara, the 52nd overall pick in the 2023 NBA Draft, was widely considered more of an afterthought. But perhaps, like Portland’s 2022 second-round pick Jabari Walker, he will exceed expectations.

This is not the first time we have written about Camara. Here was our last scouting report on the second-round pick:

“He performed well at the 2023 NBA Draft Combine and his lane agility (10.7 seconds) ranked in the 92nd percentile among all participants since 2000, via Stadium Speak.

Camara recorded 38 dunks last season, per Bart Torvik, which ranked fifth-best among all collegiate players drafted. The forward also shot 72.0 percent at the rim, which was third-best among collegiate players drafted as well.

When he played at Dayton, he also showed a willingness to do the little things. For example, he averaged 0.15 off-ball screens per offensive chance. That ranked third-most among all drafted players, via Stats Perform.”

Although his jumper wasn’t falling during the NBA 2K24 Summer League, he showcased some impressive flashes while on the court.

He played four games with the Suns and reached double-digit scoring figures each time, even notching 20 points in two of the performances.

The former Dayton standout is once again playing well now that he is on the Trail Blazers. Camara is averaging 1.53 points per possession, per Synergy, which ranks in the 97th percentile so far during the preseason.

He is impressive in the open court, connecting on all three of his 3-pointers in transition. The forward is 5-for-8 (62.5 percent) on his jumpers and 3-for-4 (75.0 percent) at the rim, including two dunks.

He also has a strong defensive presence, recording two blocks and one steal against the Jazz on Oct. 14:

Here is what Portland head coach Chauncey Billups has said about Camara:

“There are so many things to love about (him),” Billups said. “The thing that stands out to me is his toughness. He don’t quit on no play. It could be a breakaway layup (or) somebody coming downhill at him at a disadvantage, he don’t care. He is fearless and is a competitor. That’s what I love most about him. … When you put him out there, he is going to play his butt off.”

Camara will have an opportunity to fight for minutes in Portland’s rotation, and based on how he has played so far, he could even play an important role on the Trail Blazers next season.

Don’t be surprised if, as Tom Haberstroh noted, Camara develops a similar reputation to what Walker Kessler did after the Rudy Gobert trade last year.

Portland and Camara will close out the preseason with one final exhibition game against the Phoenix Suns, the franchise that drafted and then eventually traded the former Dayton forward.
 
Natebishop3 said:
It’s not about labeling him a bust or writing him off. It’s saying that I’m not seeing the tools to be a significant contributor. It’s forecasting.
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respectfully, have you watched any tape on the guy? I see a 6-8 forward who has good defensive fundamentals, good passing instincts and court vision for a player of his archetype and a jumper that will come around with a little time.
 
I'm watching for three things this season:
1. How the young guards play and learn this year. Huge impact. And obvious.
2. The impact of a new team and a hard-playing Timelord (add in Brogdon, Grant, and Matisse as vets) influencing Ayton.
3. The battle royale of the young guys -- Rupert, Murray, Walker, Camara. This is the one I want to hear about the most!
 
inconceivable said:
Is Camara better than Jaquez?
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I for one didnt think Jaquez was all that much better than Camara in college or as an NBA prospect..

Camara is a superior athlete for sure n his game is a bit more straightforward while Jaquez has old man tricks up his sleeve but it'll be interesting to track.


2/2 from 3 in Camara's debut with a block... a strong showing for certain!
 
I'm sure the Blazers were asking for Camara at the time of the trade

I'm skeptical about the growing narrative that the Blazers knew how good Camara was going to be. To me, it looks like they were just wanting another prospect and Camara was about all Phoenix had; and the Blazers got lucky
 
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