Beasley or Rose? Just for kicks...

by The Graduate on Mar 14, 2008 2:37 PM PDT

This diary remains purely speculative. First of all, it assumes that the Blazers do not make the playoffs (a high likely, but not 100% guaranteed scenario). Secondly, it also assumes that the Blazers pull off a lottery miracle that has never been witnessed: the Blazers against all odds win the draft lottery for the second consecutive year.

What would you have the Blazers do? Derrick Rose perhaps makes the most sense considering most posters desire to upgrade the point position. But would he take too long to develop? Does he adequately fit our culture/style/etc.?

Then there is Michael Beasley, the consensus Best Available Player- long thought to be KP's draft theory. Imagine a frontline of Beasley, LMA, and Oden- scary... but, do you buy the recent reports of his reformed attitude? Would drafting another combo forward (small and power) be the most beneficial in the long run?

Or would we trade the pick? Trade down a couple of spots and select a Bayless, Mayo, etc. Or do you trade the pick outright and pick up a bigger name veteran, and if so who? And what trade would be fair to the Blazers and the opposing teams?

Anyway, have fun with it. We are looking for creativity and realism (as much as it is possible with the Blazers winning the #1 pick). Have a great Friday and weekend!

Poll

What would you do with the first pick in the draft

0 recs | Comment 18 comments

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Comments

Whoops...

Not trying to be a stickler, but the "lottery miracle" has been witnessed. The Magic won the lottery in 1992, selected Shaq and went 41-41 during the 92-93 campaign. They missed the playoffs and, through some stroke of luck, again won the number one pick. They selected CWebb and promptly traded him for Penny Hardaway, back when Memphis was called Memphis State.

(Anyway, I'd say trade the pick.)

by 2011champs on Mar 14, 2008 2:42 PM PDT 0 recs

I wasn't saying it was impossible

There's no rule. I was just saying that it HAS happened, whereas in the post, it said that it would be a never-before-witnessed lottery miracle. There is some precedent (although, the lottery weighting system has been changed since 1993).

by 2011champs on Mar 14, 2008 2:49 PM PDT up 0 recs

Actually to clarify...

My bad; I wasn't clear. My "lottery miracle" was not the achieving the first pick twice in a row, but the fact that the Blazers would have achieved the first pick with the lowest possible percentage of likelihood. In fact, after the Orlando incident, the NBA redistributed the ping-pong balls in order to virtually make sure it never happened like that again. Portland at 13th slot, would have less of a chance the Magic did 1993.

by The Graduate on Mar 14, 2008 2:59 PM PDT up 0 recs

Point guard

After last night's "performance" by Blake/Jack it's more clear than ever that the Blazers need a PG. Whether that's Rose or not really depends on Pritch and his scouting formulas. My take has been that Roy needs a running mate that can defend quick guards and make outside shots. (If this "point guard" also has a assist to turnover ratio of 3/1 or better would be niiice.)

by two4larue on Mar 14, 2008 3:26 PM PDT 0 recs

Beasley, that guy is a beast

Rudy > MJ

by myemic23 on Mar 14, 2008 3:30 PM PDT 0 recs

Beasley

I'm not sold on Rose.
Take Beasley and make trade down the line for a good PG.
Trade either Beasley or LA who ever looks to be the inferrior player.

This is Jack Burton in the Pork Chop Express, and I'm talkin' to whoever's out there.

by Jack Burton on Mar 14, 2008 3:34 PM PDT 0 recs

Take the best player available,

so if that's Beasley take Beasley. I think we can probably get a good point guard in a trade with some combination of Blake, Jack, Rodriguez, Webster, Outlaw, LaFrentz's contract and next year's pick.

It is comely not to oppose the law, nor a prince, nor one wiser than yourself. -Democrates

by EnglandDan on Mar 14, 2008 3:41 PM PDT 0 recs

I agree 100%

by squareroot on Mar 14, 2008 3:59 PM PDT up 0 recs

Trading the pick

I'm a bit surprised to see so few votes for trading the pick. With as much youth and potential as the Blazers have, wouldn't a known quantity be nice? Maybe Rose is the next Kidd, but maybe he's Stephon Marbury. Beasley could be Carmelo, but what if he brings the attitude? The Blazers could spend precious years of their "window" trying to figure out and develop a younger guy, who may or may not pan out. The Blazers don't NEED a ton more talent to eventually be competitive, so why roll the dice?

Perhaps a Dirk, Elton Brand, or Deron Williams would be a safer bet if they could be had in trade?

by Engineering Problem on Mar 14, 2008 5:41 PM PDT 0 recs

I'd trade that hooey also

Unless KP disagrees.

Getting a big nice top 3 lottery pick might be just what we need to get a nice PG in a trade. However, even though we aren't far off from being the best, we are still very young and if Beasley or Rose are as awesome as predicted we got the time to let them become awesome. I don't believe they are projects, and would contribute right away. They can have their rookie year along with Oden, and we all grow together.

But if they don't fit or just ain't what we need, trade the pick and its limitless potential for a Devin Harris or sumthin'. And then sit back and wait for the Championship rings!

Mortimer

by Mortimer on Mar 14, 2008 5:46 PM PDT up 0 recs

Growth

Good points. I think we're more than a bit spoiled watching the maturation of Brandon Roy. He's worked out in every way possible, but he's also 23. Drafting an underclassman means more waiting and patience.

If the Blazers bring in a serious player, they could make a deep playoff run next year. Weird stuff happens. Oden could have a short career, LMA could leave as a free agent, etc. When you have a shot at the prize, you almost have to take it. This team isn't guaranteed a multi-year title run, as some have suggested. There have been a lot more dynasties in the making than actual dynasties.

by Engineering Problem on Mar 15, 2008 12:42 AM PDT up 0 recs

on the other hand

Did the NBA insiders really KNOW that Chris Paul would be as good as has been? If Deron Williams was such a sure thing, why didn't the Blazers draft him? Maybe one of these top 3 picks is the next CP3. It's not inconceivable to draft a point guard and have him be productive right away. I'll trust KP to figure this one out.

by blazernerd on Mar 14, 2008 11:07 PM PDT up 0 recs

True

Good point about Paul. As much as we all like KP, it's unrealistic to attribute his success 100% to skill - there's still a lot of luck involved in the draft process.

If Minnesota declines the #6/#7 swap and the Blazers don't win the lottery on a fluke, our future looks a LOT different.

The great thing about this team is that success isn't dependent on long shots any more. With all the uncertainty of the summer of 2009, it would be nice to have at least one solid veteran in place.

by Engineering Problem on Mar 15, 2008 12:33 AM PDT up 0 recs

Trade the pick

for monta ellis. period.

Get Greg outta the burbs

by BigCelPhone on Mar 14, 2008 10:31 PM PDT 0 recs

Trading the pick

for a PG like Calderon or Harris or for next year draft pick.

We have not playing time to develop more young players. We have not roster sopot for more young players. A new young good player earn more money each year and wants to play, so we will pay him while he is aging, not playing and thinking to go to a team where he can play.

We should trade to full our holes.

If there´s not option to trade for an interesting veteran, then we should trade the pick for next year pick, trying to get someone like Ricky Rubio, a great great prospect that could be undervalued because he will stay in Europe for some years, the time he need to development -without increasing his cost- and we need to open a roster spot and without sacrificing more cap space. We will have to pay some very expensive salaries few years from now.

"We were few and grandmother had a baby"

by amlmart1 on Mar 15, 2008 2:14 AM PDT 0 recs

Beasley or Rose?

Just for Knicks

by Sabonis4Ever on Mar 15, 2008 2:50 AM PDT 0 recs

Beasley fo sure

well if we decide to draft the best player.But Rose might be the better fit for us. If Beasley can shot 40% on 3s then he is the man to draft #1.
If we trade the pick for Calderon, Harris or Ellis then we are the ones getting screwed. Those guys aren't worth a #1 pick. Maybe Ellis but NOT Harris or Calderon. I would consider trading the #1 for Harris and Jersey's pick this year(which could be between 11-14) and then draft Hansbourgh or Westbrook.

PG- HARRIS/westbrook/SERGIO/BLAKE
SG- ROY/FERNANDEZ/JACK
SF- WEBSTER/OUTLAW/JONES
PF- ALDRIDGE/hansborough/FRYE
C- ODEN/PRYZBILLA/LAFRENTZ

That's 16 players right there. Either Frye goes if we get Tyler or Jack goes if we get Westbrook.Me like this so very much.

by VinnyB on Mar 15, 2008 5:26 AM PDT 0 recs

Beasley thoughts

I have a bias against Beasley (kstate) and his off-court red flags. However I think he is one of two players worthy of the #1 pick (also Rose). The thing I see in Neasley is a multi-dimensional player who can and probably will play the SF position for a talented club. He is amazingly quick and fast. He shoots well from the outside. He seems to try on defense and has the tools to be a lock-down defender. Is he right for the Blazers? That depends on his willingness to defer to other team mates and his willingness to be patient in the process.

In general I am against adding more very young talent to this team. We don't need a star now but role players. Rose will take several years to develop (Paul and Williams both had 3 years in college). Even then it is rare for a PG to be mature enough to run a team at 23. Beasley will likely be a rotation player next year for us so he is more likely to take us forward sooner. I would be happy with either player if KP decides the intangibles are ok and he fits into this team.

by lee3022 on Mar 17, 2008 11:48 AM PDT up 0 recs