Let's talk about the draft
With all the talk in here about what PG to get and by what means, it might be interesting to address what should be the top priority: who to draft and why?
In my opinion, the guy to draft (provided he declares) is Tyler Hansbrough. All I needed to know about him I learned last year in the game when he got his nose broke (or maybe just bloodied) and looked like he wanted to fight someone. That's the kind of heart and toughness this Blazers team needs now and for the future. Plus, his pure hustle makes him a rebound machine. He'd be a great second unit player at the 3 or the 4, despite size (he's listed at 6'9 but is likely 6'7 or 6'8.
The guy we should avoid at all cost: Kevin Love. I really hope he doesn't end up in Portland. He could end up the size of Oliver Miller. yikes.
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I voted Hansbrough too
Hansbrough may not have "tremendous upside potential", but he doesn't really have a downside either. In that way, he reminds me a lot of Shane Battier. Other than the broken nose, he's never had injury problems. He's a hard worker. He's got a nasty streak. He may not be a future hall of famer, but this is his second year in a row as one of the best players in college hoops. He's got to have some skills... and we're not talking Adam Morrison streaky shooter skills here, we're talking solid front court banger skills. Just think of this frontcourt:
Oden
Przybilla
Aldridge
Outlaw
Hansbrough
Throw in Roy, Fernandez, and Blake/Jack/PG-to-be-named-later in the back court and the Blazers would have a heck of a top 9 rotation.
On another note, Kevin Love is also my least favorite choice, but in my case it would simply be because the Duck fan in me would be so conflicted. It would be like 'Sheed coming back, except instead of an All-Star that will be retired before too long anyway, it would be an unproven rookie that's probably going to be around for a while.
by Gargen on Mar 6, 2008 10:40 PM PST reply actions 0 recs
I agree
He lives and breathes basketball. Draft Tyler Hansbrough!
by DraftTylerHansbrough on Mar 6, 2008 10:53 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs
Instead of drafting Hansbrough
by Parks on Mar 6, 2008 11:00 PM PST reply actions 0 recs
Interesting
To be honest I did not know a lot about him prior to the Kidd trade and when rumors came out that we may be a possible destination for him and that KP might of went after him. Taking a look at him, I found that he was a PG with good athleticism, good perimeter defender, and good on the fast break.
AS per hoopshype:
"One of the top defensive point guards... Decent scorer... Good vision of the court... Great first step... Very quick and intense... Pretty... Not very strong... Bad three-point shooter."
Hmmm. sounds much like this prospect also:
"Athletic and explosive combo guard with the length to make up for his lack of height … Attacks the basket with a lethal first step and crossover ability … Can handle the rock well and gets into the lane effortlessly … Finishes well at the rim and is unafraid to go up in traffic … Huge wingspan allows him to play much bigger than his 6-3 height … Gets good lift on his jumpshot and has a quick release … Solid passer with unselfishness, always looks for the open man … Has an excellent mid-range game … A gym rat, really works hard to improve … Has a great attitude, extremely coach-able … Has the potential to be a bigtime scorer when given the chance … Really excels defensively and has a chance to develop into a great defender … His anticipation for steals and his on ball defensive ability are special … Solid passer who shows the ability to play the point guard position"
Now first off let me say that it is my preference to try to move up in the draft to get a Bayless, Mayo, Gordon or Rose(yeah right, but it doesnt mean I dont want him.) As next year, we will still be incorporating Greg and Rudy into our team and will still have some time to grow, so adding another lotto pick to the team would not be that much of a disaster. Plus, I advocate a combo guard who can play good preimiter D, shoot the 3 at a good clip and play off the ball well to compliment Roy.
Now assuming that we cannot move up to land one of the big 4 Gs and there is no attractive trade offer, I suggest picking the second player listed who sounds a lot like one Devein Harris.
He is not a freshman and here are his stats as a sophomore:
33.1 min
12.4 pts
3.7 reb
4.6 ast
2.7 to
1.7 stl
.2 blk
.487 fg
.708 ft
.346 3pt
Compared to Harris' sophomore season
34.3 min
12.7 pts
4.6 reb
3.1 ast
1.6 to
2 stl
.1 blk
.463 fg
.756 ft
.387 3pt
That mystery players name is Russell Westbrook.
Now mind you I still like Rose, Bayless, Mayo, Gordon in that order but I am starting to come around to grabbing Westbrook if he is avalible at 13 and we do not have to do much work to get him.
The more I think about Harris and Westbrook the more similar they appear to be, albeit Westbrook is a few years behind but we have a few years to develop both him, Oden and Rudy.
Lastly, I like Psycho-t but would not spend a #13 pick on him AT ALL. We could probably use our 2nd rounders and maybe cash to move up and grab him if KP felt that he would be a great asset, but taking him at #13 is a reach.
Where Kyle Korver happens.
by SpyderRyder on Mar 7, 2008 12:54 AM PST reply actions 0 recs
trading up.
by mrwonderfull on Mar 8, 2008 6:26 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs
i'd be cool with westbrook
hansbrough is a great college player but is a second rounder IMO...if we can pick him up with one (or any combination of more than one) of those second rounders i'd take him, but not with a #13 by any means. He certainly fills a need, but i see him as a maxiell/millsap type player, and those tend to be avaliable in the 2nd round anyway even if some other team bites on him earlier
for instance though nbadraft.net has him going in 2009, but with the 27th pick. even if he went this year around that spot, most teams would trade the 27th pick for that many second rounders if they had space for more prospects or were trying to get younger
honestly i'd be happy to come out of the draft with westbrook and hansbrough (barring a trade up, which i wouldn't mind either)
by DominicanAvenger on Mar 7, 2008 11:58 AM PST reply actions 0 recs
WWLBD
http://www.insidehoops.com/nba-mock-draft.shtml
16) Portland Trail Blazers: Donte Green (SF 6-8 215 Syracuse)
They have Tyler Hansbrough @ 13
http://www.mynbadraft.com/2008-NBA-Mock-Draft
16 Nicolas Batum Ht/Wt: 6-7/185 lbs Position:SF Drafted From:France Class:International
They ain't got no Tyler Hansbrough
http://www.draftexpress.com/nba-mock-draft/2008/
12 Trailblazers Nicolas Batum SF 19 years old; 6'8"; 214 lbs. Le Mans Sarthe Basket, International
They have Tyler Hansbrough @ 20
by tominhawaii on Mar 7, 2008 1:00 PM PST reply actions 0 recs
Donte Green
by blazernerd on Mar 7, 2008 1:14 PM PST reply actions 0 recs
Tyler Hansbrough
The Blazers need his work ethic as a source of motivation. That way it's not always on Brandon Roy to be the team motivator.
by DraftTylerHansbrough on Mar 7, 2008 5:35 PM PST reply actions 0 recs
pick at #10? Pick at #6
Looks like Mayo will go by 6th pick overall. What would the Blazers have to give to trade up that high?
by mrwonderfull on Mar 8, 2008 6:18 AM PST reply actions 0 recs
Hold the Mayo
by DrivetheLane on Mar 8, 2008 12:55 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs
Since I don't see Portland trading up
Two guys I'd be interested in seeing us select are Batum and Jawai. Hansbrough is a guy I'd be ok with as well. David Thorpe is pretty high on him.
I don't worry or even think too much about the draft. That's because I have faith in Pritchard's abilities. I know he's considerably more capable at both evaluating talent (and character) and knowing what the team's needs are, than I am. While I am in the group who thinks drafting a good rebounding PF would be nice, I'm willing to go with whatever KP does. Faith is a very comforting thing.
by timg56 on Mar 9, 2008 9:37 AM PST reply actions 0 recs
Since I don't see Portland trading up
Two guys I'd be interested in seeing us select are Batum and Jawai. Hansbrough is a guy I'd be ok with as well. David Thorpe is pretty high on him.
I don't worry or even think too much about the draft. That's because I have faith in Pritchard's abilities. I know he's considerably more capable at both evaluating talent (and character) and knowing what the team's needs are, than I am. While I am in the group who thinks drafting a good rebounding PF would be nice, I'm willing to go with whatever KP does. Faith is a very comforting thing.
by timg56 on Mar 9, 2008 9:39 AM PST reply actions 0 recs
why not?
We've got a minutes crunch coming. Another young guy who can't get minutes and can't develop doesn't do us much good....
I think we only use a #13 if we do a 2 for 1 trade elsewhere, or if there is a good Euro to draft, who won't be coming over. So maybe Batum.
by jscot on Mar 9, 2008 3:12 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
I don't see us trading up
by timg56 on Mar 9, 2008 5:45 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs




















