Let's talk about the draft

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.

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.

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

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.

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.