With the #7 pick, the Portland Trail Blazers select....

[SlyPokerCat]

I want to draft a guard if he's the best player available and has All Star potential. Can't think of a better team than the one with Damian Lillard, Anfernee Simons and Josh Hart for a guard to reach their potential in the NBA.

Exactly. Which is why I'm not opposed to Mathurin. We need the bpa. If they think he is the guy that has the potential to be a star most out of who is available, draft him.

 

[illmatic99]

Role player on a championship team.

Daniels can be something between Tayshaun Prince and Nic Batum. Not as long as either but he’s a defensive minded playmaker with a high IQ on both ends.

don't you guys think we can/should be aiming higher if that's his ceiling?

i have doubts whether his playmaking will translate to the NBA with his OK handle and first step. And I worry about his shooting. Not as much the 25% from 3, but the 60% from the line, which is generally the better stat to extrapolate shooting ability in the league.

Defense is hard to gauge at the GLeague level but he was certainly disruptive.

I just think the upside play would be Mathurin/Sharpe ahead of Daniels given their offensive abilities. And Mathurin certainly has the better track record of performing at the biggest stage. Also like his confidence and brashness. He's also essentially the same age even if he's a sophomore. (he's actually a month and half younger than Holmgren while Chet is still a freshman).

 

[blazerfan11]

Daniels can be something between Tayshaun Prince and Nic Batum. Not as long as either but he’s a defensive minded playmaker with a high IQ on both ends.

Jeremy Woo of Sports Illustrated said his favorite player comparison is Ron Harper, the Ron Harper who played with the Bulls and Lakers.
This is from Wikipedia: "Harper found his niche with the Bulls upon Jordan's return, eventually becoming a fan favorite by reinventing himself as a big perimeter defender, ball handler, and mid-range scorer."

That's a good description of what Daniels is right now.
the perimeter defense is even more important now than 20 years ago.

 

[blazerfan11]

don't you guys think we can/should be aiming higher if that's his ceiling?

i have doubts whether his playmaking will translate to the NBA with his OK handle and first step. And I worry about his shooting. Not as much the 25% from 3, but the 60% from the line, which is generally the better stat to extrapolate shooting ability in the league.

Defense is hard to gauge at the GLeague level but he was certainly disruptive.

I just think the upside play would be Mathurin/Sharpe ahead of Daniels given their offensive abilities. And Mathurin certainly has the better track record of performing at the biggest stage. Also like his confidence and brashness. He's also essentially the same age even if he's a sophomore. (he's actually a month and half younger than Holmgren while Chet is still a freshman).

I agree with that. If Cronin is true to his word about wanting to take a big swing Daniels won't be the highest player on his list.
It also won't look good if Sharpe (or Mathurin) goes to New Orleans and blows up and becomes a star.

 

[illmatic99]

I agree with that. If Cronin is true to his word about wanting to take a big swing Daniels won't be the highest player on his list.
It also won't look good if Sharpe (or Mathurin) goes to New Orleans and blows up and becomes a star.

I think im finally ending up on a what i want in the draft on thursday if we're staying at 7.

- Murray, my first choice if he drops.

- Mathurin. I have a sneaking suspicion that he's our guy. I think Indy will trade with Sac to get to 4 for Ivey, and Sac will take Murray at 6. My worry is Detroit. I'm tempted to climb to 5 if we can.

- Sharpe... albeit reluctantly.

By Tuesday or Wednesday, I'll have combed through all intel to figure out a decent prediction on what might happen.

 

[blazerfan11]

don't you guys think we can/should be aiming higher if that's his ceiling?

i have doubts whether his playmaking will translate to the NBA with his OK handle and first step. And I worry about his shooting. Not as much the 25% from 3, but the 60% from the line, which is generally the better stat to extrapolate shooting ability in the league.

Defense is hard to gauge at the GLeague level but he was certainly disruptive.

I just think the upside play would be Mathurin/Sharpe ahead of Daniels given their offensive abilities. And Mathurin certainly has the better track record of performing at the biggest stage. Also like his confidence and brashness. He's also essentially the same age even if he's a sophomore. (he's actually a month and half younger than Holmgren while Chet is still a freshman).

If the Blazers can draft Mathurin, my goal for him would to play like Josh Hart (the rebounding Josh Hart). Luckily, Josh Hart is on our roster. Like Hart, Mathurin is a demonstrative energy guy. He would be the perfect mentor / model for how Mathurin should play.

Mathurin is a bigger guy than Hart, with a standing reach of 8'8" and better vertical leap. I don't know what the player comp is for that. it would be a very good player.

 

[Natebishop3]

I think im finally ending up on a what i want in the draft on thursday if we're staying at 7.

- Murray, my first choice if he drops.

- Mathurin. I have a sneaking suspicion that he's our guy. I think Indy will trade with Sac to get to 4 for Ivey, and Sac will take Murray at 6. My worry is Detroit. I'm tempted to climb to 5 if we can.

- Sharpe... albeit reluctantly.

By Tuesday or Wednesday, I'll have combed through all intel to figure out a decent prediction on what might happen.

I agree with you but Mathurin’s defense leaves a lot to be desired.

I want Murray real bad though. I think he would be perfect.

 

[Scalma]

When I look at prospects, specifically in relation to how the NBA is played today, I look at four things; athleticism, shooting, playmaking, defense. Gotta be elite in at least one of them to be a cornerstone imo. It’s why I’m not as high on Banchero as others and why I wouldn’t draft him in the top 5. I don’t think he’s elite in any of four. I think he’ll settle into more of a really good role player as opposed to star. I remember thinking the same about Ayton (although he was a great athlete) and posted about my preference for Doncic. Doesn’t mean I’m right about Banchero, but it’s how I look at prospects in the top half of the lottery. I’d take him at 7 though, even if I prefer other players (ie Daniels, Duren)

 

[Hoopguru]

When I look at prospects, specifically in relation to how the NBA is played today, I look at four things; athleticism, shooting, playmaking, defense. Gotta be elite in at least one of them to be a cornerstone imo. It’s why I’m not as high on Banchero as others and why I wouldn’t draft him in the top 5. I don’t think he’s elite in any of four. I think he’ll settle into more of a really good role player as opposed to star. I remember thinking the same about Ayton (although he was a great athlete) and posted about my preference for Doncic. Doesn’t mean I’m right about Banchero, but it’s how I look at prospects in the top half of the lottery. I’d take him at 7 though, even if I prefer other players (ie Daniels, Duren)

Socham is elite defensively. And he could be the guy Chauncey wants. Daniels then Sochan. If we take Daniels Pels will jump on Sochan.

 

[Scalma]

Socham is elite defensively. And he could be the guy Chauncey wants. Daniels then Sochan. If we take Daniels Pels will jump on Sochan.

Yeah I like Sochan a lot. Dunno about taking him at 7 though. If we’re sticking at 7, I’m going for the biggest upside.

 

[Kell]

Random thought of the day… Maybe the lack of media coverage around the Mathurin workout actually means that he is much higher on their board and the extra coverage around the other prospects brought in is more of an agent favor to help get the word out for their clients?

 

[blazerfan11]

Socham is elite defensively. And he could be the guy Chauncey wants. Daniels then Sochan. If we take Daniels Pels will jump on Sochan.

If the Blazers pass on Sharpe or Mathurin, New Orleans will take Sharpe or Mathurin.

 

[Scalma]

Random thought of the day… Maybe the lack of media coverage around the Mathurin workout actually means that he is much higher on their board and the extra coverage around the other prospects brought in is more of an agent favor to help get the word out for their clients?

Not a crazy theory. Wasn’t there some other guy who wasn’t made available to the media as well?

 

[blazerfan11]

Random thought of the day… Maybe the lack of media coverage around the Mathurin workout actually means that he is much higher on their board and the extra coverage around the other prospects brought in is more of an agent favor to help get the word out for their clients?

Pretty sure Mathurin is high on the list for Detroit and Indiana too.

 

[illmatic99]

Not a crazy theory. Wasn’t there some other guy who wasn’t made available to the media as well?

sochan, but he left early.

 

[illmatic99]

Random thought of the day… Maybe the lack of media coverage around the Mathurin workout actually means that he is much higher on their board and the extra coverage around the other prospects brought in is more of an agent favor to help get the word out for their clients?

been saying this for a week now, that if you look beyond the obvious fuss made about the duren/daniels' workouts, the guy laying behind the weeds is mathurin. but Mathurin didn't do a single interview with local markets after workouts even if he went to a bunch of them. i think this particular instance was probably an ask from his camp to keep things quiet.

 

[MickZagger]

Mathurin to me is the biggest boom or bust. I don’t have a feel for him. There was times where he stepped up big on the big stage and times he disappeared. I guess he is just a kid though

 

[Driew]

Mathurin to me is the biggest boom or bust. I don’t have a feel for him. There was times where he stepped up big on the big stage and times he disappeared. I guess he is just a kid though

I think coming to a situation where Dame holds players accountable will bring out the best in him.

 

[illmatic99]

Mathurin to me is the biggest boom or bust. I don’t have a feel for him. There was times where he stepped up big on the big stage and times he disappeared. I guess he is just a kid though

i think that's sharpe.

my best case: consistent 25 ppg scorer, all star.
my worst case: headcase who complains about lack of PT early on and doesn't get a second deal.

i think with his BBIQ and shooting, the floor for Mathurin is a rotational wing player.

 

[illmatic99]

 

[Freshtown]

 

[Predator]

what do you see as daniels' ceiling? can he be anything more than a role player?

Ppl are gonna hate my comps but it’s a bigger Jason Kidd or I actually like his comp where he compares himself to Lonzo Ball. But I think it’s more a Lonzo / Tony Parker since he’s got the TP floater, which will make him better than Lonzo. More like what people thought Lonzo would be.

This ISNT a comp but he reminds me of Tim Duncan. Just plays the right way and constantly does all the right things. Isn’t flashy nor super athletic but plays a winning brand of basketball.

 

[Predator]

Role player on a championship team.

I can see him in the Draymond Green role on a championship team. But he’s a better shooter, ball handler and more athletic. But I see him stuffing the stat sheet. Rebounds, steals, assists, blocks, probably tops around 15 pts a game though.

 

[Predator]

IMO the upside plays are:
Sharpe > Daniels > Sochan > (reluctantly) Duren

I don’t see it with Mathurin personally.

 

[Natebishop3]

i think that's sharpe.

my best case: consistent 25 ppg scorer, all star.
my worst case: headcase who complains about lack of PT early on and doesn't get a second deal.

i think with his BBIQ and shooting, the floor for Mathurin is a rotational wing player.

Mathurin’s lack of defense is a non starter for me. We simply can’t use another one way player. Sharpe might be the same. Daniels might be the perfect guy to put next to Dame or Ant. He’s tall, he can run the point, and he defends. Perfect backcourt mate for either guy.

 

[CJ_is_Gone]

Daniels > Keegan Murray

I disagree here. I think Murray is being undervalued here because he's 'old'.

I’m drawn towards what could be with Daniels as well. Higher ceiling in my view.

Murray has a much higher floor. And IMO, I think he has a higher ceiling.

Daniels' most likely outcone is Evan Turner.

 

[CJ_is_Gone]

Mathurin’s lack of defense is a non starter for me. We simply can’t use another one way player. Sharpe might be the same. Daniels might be the perfect guy to put next to Dame or Ant. He’s tall, he can run the point, and he defends. Perfect backcourt mate for either guy.

We had Daniels on the team 4-5 years ago.... his name was Evan Turner

 

[illmatic99]

Mathurin’s lack of defense is a non starter for me. We simply can’t use another one way player. Sharpe might be the same. Daniels might be the perfect guy to put next to Dame or Ant. He’s tall, he can run the point, and he defends. Perfect backcourt mate for either guy.

I think "lack of defense" could be an exaggeration.

 

[HailBlazers]

I think "lack of defense" could be an exaggeration.

Or simply an undeveloped skill.

 

[illmatic99]

Or simply an undeveloped skill.

He's got good instincts, long arms, and is athletic. Good enough to not worry about as a negative.