Ping Pong Balls

by BlazerD on May 5, 2008 10:47 PM PDT

Now, we all know who we'd want to get if we somehow landed picks 1 or 2. But what if, a big what if, what if we get a lucky ping pong bounce and move to the #3 pick? Let's say that KP decides that we can't make a worthwhile move to get a vet PG so we're getting one in the draft at #3. Who do we take? Bayless, Mayo or everyone's favorite darkhorse, Russell Westbrook?

Poll

Who do we take with the 3rd pick in the 2008 NBA Draft?

OJ Mayo

28 votes

Jerryd Bayless

54 votes

Russell Westbrook

38 votes

120 votes | Poll has closed

Tweet Comment 12 comments | 1 recs |

Do you like this story?

Comments

If we wanted Westbrook,

W could trade down and get more peices, but why not just go for that experienced PG. Or try and trade up to get ROse

by raging WebTed on May 5, 2008 11:47 PM PDT reply actions

I remember the last time we traded down.

Not everyone was happy with those results.

One of Two Official Blazer's Edge Poets Laureate for the 2008-2009 Season

"Scholars have long known that fishing eventually turns men into philosophers. Unfortunately, it is almost impossible to buy decent tackle on a philosopher's salary." - Patrick McManus

by T Darkstar on May 6, 2008 8:24 AM PDT up reply actions

So, yeah, trading up would be good.

But out? at that point? Depended on who we got I guess.

I meant to put this under my last one, but got an itchy post-clicker finger.

One of Two Official Blazer's Edge Poets Laureate for the 2008-2009 Season

"Scholars have long known that fishing eventually turns men into philosophers. Unfortunately, it is almost impossible to buy decent tackle on a philosopher's salary." - Patrick McManus

by T Darkstar on May 6, 2008 8:26 AM PDT up reply actions

Yeah

I kinda figured that. Just wanted a third option behind the other two. I do think there is a chance he can shoot up the draft charts though. He’d be a great one on one defender off the bench who can also finish in transition and throw a couple nice passes.

by BlazerD on May 6, 2008 12:00 AM PDT reply actions

Ideally, we probably move out of that position...

but if we pick, you would probably have to consider Bayless there, too high for Westbrook (and I think Bayless could be just as effective with a better shot and playmaking skills), and while I think Mayo will be a decent player in the NBA, I don’t think he will be a good fit on the PTB.

by The Graduate on May 6, 2008 1:43 AM PDT reply actions

Mayo

I think it would have to be Mayo. I’m not a huge fan, but he’s gonna be a great scorer, can get his own shot and he can play lock down D.

I like Bayless, but I’m not sold on him being all that good in the NBA.

Witty Unpredictable Talent and Natural Game

by iDea on May 6, 2008 7:03 AM PDT reply actions

Mayo is the one...

Mayo can create his own shot, has great ball-handling skills and a quick first step, at 6’5” he is a combo guard, like a clone of Brandon Roy, and Mayo has elite athleticism that transfers into his offensive firepower and lock-down defense. Mayo wouldn’t have a problem guarding smaller guards because he is very quick.

I think Mayo would be a great piece of our puzzle here in Portland, and I don’t think that he will be a headcase in the NBA. If you get drafted to a team with as much talent as the Blazers have, you are going to have to come and perform every night to get a little spot light on you. I think the situation would help Mayo successfully transfer from College to the Pros and keep him intact with a high level of motivation to succeed.

by Portland Dynasty on May 6, 2008 9:28 AM PDT up reply actions

I'm not sure

he has great ball handling skills at the NBA level.
That’s the one concern that made me vote for Bayless.

by Falcao on May 6, 2008 11:10 AM PDT up reply actions

I think Augustine is the best of the rest

and he will likely be available at #13 if KP and the brain trust decide to draft a PG. Augustine has played a difficult schedule two years and plays with brain as well as body. Augustine is most ready to play in the NBA. If we do get # 3 we do not draft a PG there (unless someone misses the time deadline and Rose is available) as that would not seem to be value for that spot. Another big seems more likely, but are any of them better than McBob? A sweet-shooting wing over 6-8 like Peja would be cool but is there such a player available? Perhaps a Euro still a year or two away.

Aldridge said. "We feel like we can beat any team. We feel like we can beat the Spurs, Suns, Lakers, Mavericks, whoever any night right now, and we'll still be here when those teams get old and their guys retire. We're going to be here for a long time."

by lee3022 on May 6, 2008 12:01 PM PDT reply actions

I think if you jumble the letters in "Augustine" ...

you get “Stoudamire.” No? Well, close anyway …

by bfan on May 6, 2008 1:41 PM PDT up reply actions

Father of the Western Church.

St. Augustine revolutionized not only Western theology, but Western thought. He’s got to be good at basketball too. I vote an indiscriminate and irrational yes, because I can.

One of Two Official Blazer's Edge Poets Laureate for the 2008-2009 Season

"Scholars have long known that fishing eventually turns men into philosophers. Unfortunately, it is almost impossible to buy decent tackle on a philosopher's salary." - Patrick McManus

by T Darkstar on May 7, 2008 9:36 PM PDT up reply actions

http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/lottery2008/mockdraft

espn moch lottery has us picking bayless at 3, but I would only want rose through the draft. reading the ESPN columnists gymnastics, there was a quote saying that oden was to be a front runner for this years roy. wich would mean that he would be #1 in this draft as well. I dont want the second or 3rd best gaurd in a softer then last years draft. thats just me.

In the NBA, on the other hand, the vast majority of NBA championships are won by teams led by a player who would be considered the best player in the league at the time, or among the top three players in the league at the time.

CP3+ODEN=DYNASTY

As the great Vonnegut said, more or less... "You are what you pretend to be, so you must be very careful what you pretend to be."

by timbo on Apr 29, 2008 7:33 AM PDT

by ptwnblzr on May 8, 2008 8:05 PM PDT reply actions