Dante Cunningham is a 3-4, not 4

by Broy_07 on Jun 26, 2009 4:07 PM PDT

Dante Cunningham and Jeff Pendergraph are not near-identical interchangable power forwards. A lot of people are making a mistake on this.

Nate McMillan said, "Dante is a guy who can play the 3, play the 4, very physical...".Cunningham position is listed at TrailBlazers.com as a "forward" not as a power forward.

Dante Cunningham with an 11.18 on his lane agility. 11.18 lane agility is normally shooting guard county. James Harden came back with an 11.10. Stephen Curry an 11.07. Last year Jerryd Bayless had an 11.26, and D.J. Augustin had an 11.27.

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Who Cares?

Its not like he will make the team or play significant minutes if he somehow make team.

by Balian on Jun 26, 2009 4:13 PM PDT reply actions 4 recs

+1

rec

"It’s a good ol’ fashioned Rip City beat down!"

by Magnum on Jun 26, 2009 4:14 PM PDT up reply actions 1 recs

Are you sure?

He might be a better passer than Bayless.

by staylost on Jun 26, 2009 4:21 PM PDT up reply actions 1 recs

-1

He will be making the team.

by ggassen85 on Jun 26, 2009 4:30 PM PDT up reply actions

Yeah we have plenty of open roster spots

I would think he would unless we do something crazy in trades bringing a bunch of players in.

"Knowledge will get you from A to B. Creativity will get you anywhere." Einstein

by Garden of ODEN on Jun 26, 2009 11:58 PM PDT up reply actions

You're right

he’s neither capable of being a 3 or a 4. Doesn’t have the requisite range we’d need for him to be our 3, and isn’t good enough down low to be our 4.

by as11osu on Jun 26, 2009 4:20 PM PDT reply actions 2 recs

as11osu – Substitute “defense” for “range”, and you just described Travis Outlaw.

I’m not saying you are wrong, I’m just wondering if they envision him being a more defensive verison of Outlaw, and maybe this pick (along with Pendergraph if either pans out) was done with the idea of replacing Trout down the line.

MLB2PDX!!! (someday...)

by The Cactus Leaguer on Jun 26, 2009 5:53 PM PDT up reply actions

na your right, lets just start him at the 1 and see what happens.... that's where this is going right ? :)

The Faith don't panic, the faith freaks out, burns out farms, and torchs small villages in the name of The Faith.

"New Man Law: If you don't show up for the draft you don't get to come later if you're picked. If you believe in yourself, show up and sit there. If nobody else believes in you, take it and cry like a man...in front of the cameras."

-Dave

by faith on Jun 26, 2009 8:43 PM PDT up reply actions

I agree

I think Cunningham’s best position will ultimately end up being the 3. He is a work in progress in terms of developing the offensive skills that a 3 should have (especially since he played as a center most of the time in Villinova’s small-ball system), but he is working on improving his shooting and defensively he does appear to have the lateral quickness to play at the 3. Long-term I see him being more of a big SF rather than a small PF.

by trk on Jun 26, 2009 4:26 PM PDT reply actions

I’d say he’s a 4-3 more than a 3-4 if I was gonna nit-pick. He played center at Villanova because he was the only non-guard who played. He’s much more physical than normal 3’s and doesn’t have the range that our other 3’s have.

I think he’s a good pickup and someone who could find some minutes here, esp when people get injured(they always do).

by danielfarrell on Jun 26, 2009 4:28 PM PDT reply actions

Better clarification: Dante Cummingham is not an NBA player

She lives in my lap
WORD UP.STAY.FRESCO

by Dheepan on Jun 26, 2009 4:30 PM PDT reply actions 1 recs

But apparently Dante Cunningham is now. ;-)

by danielfarrell on Jun 26, 2009 6:45 PM PDT up reply actions

Wow!

by staylost on Jun 26, 2009 6:48 PM PDT up reply actions

Really? Someone should tell him then… sounds like he’s making plans and such.

MLB2PDX!!! (someday...)

by The Cactus Leaguer on Jun 26, 2009 8:25 PM PDT up reply actions

A weak draft 2nd rounder

yeah 2nd rounders often don’t last too long but give him a chance. Let him play a summer before you say that

"Knowledge will get you from A to B. Creativity will get you anywhere." Einstein

by Garden of ODEN on Jun 27, 2009 12:07 AM PDT up reply actions

be truthful here

how many of you have acutally seen him play, other then NCAA turnament games, to come out and say he has no shot of making the team.

by ggassen85 on Jun 26, 2009 4:31 PM PDT reply actions

seriously...

wasn’t he the only “big” that played for Villanova? 4 guards + him. i heard the Big East had some fairly tough post players this year…avg 35 min/game…16 pts and 8 boards…and Nate already basically gave him and Pendergraf two rosters spots…

Life is about growth. People are not perfect when they're 21 years old. - Bill Walton

by NEP on Jun 26, 2009 4:53 PM PDT up reply actions

Yeah, he was the only big there. He’s a tough guy with some skill. I’d much rather him on the roster than Raef, Ruffin or Shav.

by danielfarrell on Jun 26, 2009 6:43 PM PDT up reply actions

8 boards in 35 minutes of play

when you play with 4 guards is downright pathetic.

by as11osu on Jun 26, 2009 11:49 PM PDT up reply actions

Depends on the scheme they are playing

Also the pace. But he is a Blazer now build his trade value.

"Knowledge will get you from A to B. Creativity will get you anywhere." Einstein

by Garden of ODEN on Jun 27, 2009 12:09 AM PDT up reply actions

We did such a good job with Sergio, I can't imagine us failing here.

by staylost on Jun 27, 2009 1:28 AM PDT up reply actions

I dont know about their pace

but his rebounding s are pretty average at 20 of his teams rebounds.

Life is exhausting when you are this stupid.

by jonestr on Jun 27, 2009 5:14 PM PDT up reply actions

His first major role on the Blazers

Is to be the first alternative off the two man game of JB and JP in Las Vegas.

Bedge or go home.

by Ojala John on Jun 26, 2009 4:33 PM PDT reply actions 1 recs

FYI, Tom Penn called him a 4/3, not a 3/4. It does seem that he’ll be more of a power forward who can play some 3 than vice versa.

by Cablinasian on Jun 26, 2009 4:58 PM PDT reply actions

I want to see DC play at summer league

before coming to any conclusions. I like what I hear about his hustle and BBIQ. He’s going to have to develop a 3pt shot to eventually play SF for Nate, but Outlaw and Batum have shown that outside shooting can be coached up, with reps

by two4larue on Jun 26, 2009 5:02 PM PDT reply actions

Most guys drafted where Cunningham was drafted

Don’t really make it in the NBA. I’m hope Cunningham is an exception, but I’m not wagering much emotional investment on him.

by PoliSam on Jun 26, 2009 5:04 PM PDT reply actions

All right, let's do a side-by-side comparison y'all!

PLAYER A

ATHLETIC MEASUREMENTS
Position @ College: Center
Height w/o Shoes: 6’7"
Height w/ Shoes: 6’8.5"
Weight: 227 lbs
Wingspan: 6’11"
Standing Reach: 8’10.5"
No Step Vertical Leap: 28"
Maximum Vertical Leap: 35"
Lane Agility: 11.18 Seconds
3/4 Court Sprint: 3.26 Seconds
Bench Press @ 185 lbs: 18 Reps
Body Fat: 4.8%

STATS AS COLLEGE SENIOR
31.6 MPG
16.1 PPG
2.6 ORPG
4.9 DRPG
7.5 TRPG
1.2 APG
2.2 TPG
0.57 A/T
1.2 SPG
1.2 BPG
52.5 FG%
69.7 FT%
00.0 3PT%
52% eFG%
56% TS%
24.1 PER

PLAYER B

ATHLETIC MEASUREMENTS
Position @ College: Center
Height w/o Shoes: 6’8.25"
Height w/ Shoes: 6’9.75"
Weight: 227 lbs
Wingspan: 7’0.25"
Standing Reach: 8’8"
No Step Vertical Leap: 30"
Maximum Vertical Leap: 32.5"
Lane Agility: 10.54 Seconds
3/4 Court Sprint: 3.25 Seconds
Bench Press @ 185 lbs: 13 Reps
Body Fat: 5.5%

STATS AS COLLEGE SENIOR
32.7 MPG
13.6 PPG
3.0 ORPG
6.1 DRPG
9.1 TRPG
1.8 APG
2.0 TPG
0.88 A/T
1.4 SPG
0.7 BPG
62.4 FG%
65.1 FT%
00.0 3PT%
63% eFG%
64% TS%
26.5 PER

Player A = Dante Cunningham
http://www.draftexpress.com/profile/Dante-Cunningham-5513/

Player B= James Augustine
http://www.draftexpress.com/profile/James-Augustine-160/

Dante Cunningham is a power forward similar to James Augustine, although stylistically Aaron Williams is the closest comparison in recent memory. All in all, though, I can’t fathom Cunningham effectively playing small forward on offense.

by AK1984 on Jun 26, 2009 5:06 PM PDT reply actions

both of those dudes

must have borrowed Pee Wee Herman’s shoes for the draft measurements.

Life is exhausting when you are this stupid.

by jonestr on Jun 27, 2009 5:17 PM PDT up reply actions

All I care about is how they look wrapped in a towel

by tominhawaii on Jun 26, 2009 5:38 PM PDT reply actions 1 recs

how do you feel about toga parties?

"It’s a good ol’ fashioned Rip City beat down!"

by Magnum on Jun 26, 2009 5:44 PM PDT up reply actions

We are like two peas in a pod.

Certified blazer.fangirl

by Roybot on Jun 26, 2009 5:45 PM PDT up reply actions

so that's why you like basketball

"It’s a good ol’ fashioned Rip City beat down!"

by Magnum on Jun 26, 2009 5:46 PM PDT up reply actions

methinks he’ll be wearing a suit, not a towel this year.

MLB2PDX!!! (someday...)

by The Cactus Leaguer on Jun 26, 2009 5:55 PM PDT up reply actions

some guys still like to shower with the team

even if they didn’t play that game

"It’s a good ol’ fashioned Rip City beat down!"

by Magnum on Jun 26, 2009 9:12 PM PDT up reply actions

bottom line

you take BPA, or at the very least fill a need. I don’t understand how DC fills a need, and based on projections he was not even close to being better than Blair. 99 times out of 100, you take Blair over Cunningham at the 33, and unless the blazers had some prior knowledge that Blair is a guaranteed bust which we obviously do not have, I would say we made a mistake.

Based on what WE as blazer fans know, I think it is impossible to justify the DC pick. You can speculate all you want about why the Blazers picked him, but based on our knowledge today, Blair is the better player.

But here’s what ought to temper depression over last night’s results: we achieved the goals of our draft. We consolidated our guard rotation (slightly), we drafted an international guy who seems to be a boom/bust type of pick that we prolly won’t bring over here, and we filled our PF2 spot with a big body. Although I am still bummed about letting that opportunity get away, we were essentially playing with house money with the 33 as all our draft needs were taken care of.

"B-Roy is the best shooting guard I have played against"

-Ron Artest

by premthegrem on Jun 26, 2009 5:54 PM PDT reply actions

What if you decide that you need a SF more than you need a PF?

If that were the case, would you still take Blair over Cunningham 99 times out of 100? You could argue that the Blazers need backup 4s more than they need backup 3s, but that can change quickly. For all we know, KP could already have a trade lined up to get us a veteran backup 4 for some of our small forwards.

by trk on Jun 26, 2009 9:01 PM PDT up reply actions

good point

by The Arkitect on Jun 26, 2009 9:02 PM PDT up reply actions

which is why I said

“based on what we know currently”.

For all we know, KP could already have a trade lined up to get us a veteran backup 4 for some of our small forwards.

The point is that we don’t know, yet. As it stands right now, we have an overabundance of 3’s (w/o adding cunningham). When you’ve already got the 3 spot filled, why not draft a guy with major upside like blair who showed elite abilities at rebounding? Even if the guy’s knees explode in the first summer league game (god forbid), his contract is nonguaranteed, we already have another backup 4 in pendergraph, and we’re not hurting for guys at any other position anyway.

"B-Roy is the best shooting guard I have played against"

-Ron Artest

by premthegrem on Jun 26, 2009 11:44 PM PDT up reply actions

The real skinny

Cunningham is a warrior; much beloved throughout the Villanova program for his ferocity and his uncanny ability to stick the 18ft jumper. He will make it in the league barring injury. He may never be a starter for Portland, or anywhere else, but he will see the court. He has improved dramatically each of his years in college. Be content.

by DCBlazerinPDX on Jun 26, 2009 7:58 PM PDT reply actions 2 recs

Interesting perspective

Villanova alumnus?

how does he compare to a McRoberts or Alando Tucker?

by The Arkitect on Jun 26, 2009 8:03 PM PDT up reply actions

He’s stronger than either McRoberts or Tucker. He really is a warrior. He was their only big man and guarded the biggest and strongest on the other team while also having the quickness to stay with people on the perimeter.

by danielfarrell on Jun 26, 2009 8:19 PM PDT up reply actions

interesting...

I don’t think I saw any Nova games this year, so I haven’t really seen him play outside of highlights

by The Arkitect on Jun 26, 2009 8:25 PM PDT up reply actions

The same was basically said of Curtis Sumpter two years ago, but he didn't pan out at all whatsoever.

by AK1984 on Jun 26, 2009 8:21 PM PDT up reply actions

Didn't he have some knee issues?

by tingeyga on Jun 26, 2009 9:15 PM PDT up reply actions

Broy_07

Please, for the love of basketball, take a chill pill. You made a great point in your original post, one that needed to be said. People are all over the place with their criticisms here, most of which have nothing to do with DC being a 3/4 versus a 4. It’s impossible to defend a hypothetical, so it’s not even worth trying.

MLB2PDX!!! (someday...)

by The Cactus Leaguer on Jun 26, 2009 8:32 PM PDT reply actions

What happened to this thread?

There shouldn’t be this much conflict over a 2nd round draft pick. Remember guys and gals, we’re on the same side.

"It’s a good ol’ fashioned Rip City beat down!"

by Magnum on Jun 26, 2009 9:15 PM PDT reply actions

refresh it... it's been scrubbed

but before you do, can you grab my draft analysis

by The Arkitect on Jun 26, 2009 9:17 PM PDT up reply actions

if it's been scrubbed

how are you replying to me?

"It’s a good ol’ fashioned Rip City beat down!"

by Magnum on Jun 26, 2009 9:19 PM PDT up reply actions

ohhhhhhhhhhh

hold up, you mean the bad part of the thread

"It’s a good ol’ fashioned Rip City beat down!"

by Magnum on Jun 26, 2009 9:20 PM PDT up reply actions

yeah

by The Arkitect on Jun 26, 2009 9:20 PM PDT up reply actions

tee hee

I can still see all the hate

"It’s a good ol’ fashioned Rip City beat down!"

by Magnum on Jun 26, 2009 9:21 PM PDT up reply actions

I feel like an accessory to a crime

"It’s a good ol’ fashioned Rip City beat down!"

by Magnum on Jun 26, 2009 9:21 PM PDT up reply actions

and now I feel like Timbo

"It’s a good ol’ fashioned Rip City beat down!"

by Magnum on Jun 26, 2009 9:21 PM PDT up reply actions

“KP hasn’t missed on a player yet.” – Broy_07
ok, let’s play this game…

2006 – KP’s first year in control of the draft

2nd pick – LMA – Great Pick by all accounts

6th pick – Broy – your namesake – Superstar player drafted at 6… amazing

27th pick – Sergio Rodgriguez – serviceable back-up, doesn’t understand why he can’t start, gets traded with the 38th pick and cash for the 31st pick in a draft all the pundits call weak – net loss of 4 places in the draft, 38th pick and cash

30th pick – Joel Freeland – Outcome unknown, he hasn’t sniffed the NBA yet
2007 – With the #1 pick…

1st pick – Greg Oden – still recovering from injury, tremendous potential, jury is still out on this pick

24th pick – Rudy Fernandez – KP spent Paul’s money and got a great player

30th pick – Petteri Koponen – Outcome unknown, he hasn’t sniffed the NBA yet

37th pick – Josh McRoberts – possibly made to make Oden happy, traded to Indiana after 1 season as part of the Bayless deal… seams destined to be a career 12th man

52nd pick – Taurean Green – traded to Denver mid-season for Von Wafer who is released at the end of the year
2008 – Playoffs?

11th pick – Jerryd Bayless – Lights up summer league, possible PG of the future? 3rd on the depth chart at the end of the season

25th pick – Nicholas Batum – Great pick, great Value

KP trades out of the second round
By looking at the list I surmise that KP is a good evaluator of talent, but far from infallible. The Sergio pick and subsequent trade yesterday alone should be enough to tell that KP is not above reproach or second guessing. Which is all that is happening.
.
.
.
I don’t see anyone here taking this as life and death (if I missed it, show me an example and I’ll own being wrong) Part of the rights of being a fan is second guessing management and keeping them honest… lest we end up like the Clippers

"It’s a good ol’ fashioned Rip City beat down!"

by Magnum on Jun 26, 2009 9:20 PM PDT up reply actions

thank you

you never know when this could come in handy

by The Arkitect on Jun 26, 2009 9:21 PM PDT up reply actions

mmm... for some reason the middle part was cut out of my copy :(

The Faith don't panic, the faith freaks out, burns out farms, and torchs small villages in the name of The Faith.

-Dave

by faith on Jun 26, 2009 9:21 PM PDT up reply actions

Was this nuked?

From Russia With Love

by L-TrainFTW! on Jun 26, 2009 9:22 PM PDT reply actions

just cleaned up

by The Arkitect on Jun 26, 2009 9:22 PM PDT up reply actions

keep it clean

"It’s a good ol’ fashioned Rip City beat down!"

by Magnum on Jun 26, 2009 9:26 PM PDT up reply actions

You guys want to know what you all manged to prove today?

You managed to prove that a guy like me..a guy who…

- who lost both parents this year
-one parent to Huntington’s Disease…
-a genetic disease I’m getting tested for myself shortly

…can’t control his temper well enough to participate in this community without getting warnings. That what you proved today.

Keep Portland Weird.

by Broy_07 on Jun 26, 2009 9:48 PM PDT reply actions

I am sure we all sympathize and apologize for your loss

From our angle, obviously we do not enter the “debate” armed with that knowledge and would react how people normally react when someone accuses them of saying or doing things they are not doing, or telling people to leave the thread.

It seems like you came looking for a fight.

I sincerely apologize for what has happened to you recently.

Mortimer

by Mortimer on Jun 26, 2009 10:05 PM PDT up reply actions

I echo what Morty said…
.
.
.
know that no one on here wishes you ill

by The Arkitect on Jun 27, 2009 12:34 AM PDT up reply actions

Hey, nothing I have experienced would even let me understand that kind of personal loss.

I can, and do, say that I am sorry if my posts upset you.

Positively, everyone here seemed to find your ideas interesting and at the very least we’ve all learned some new stuff about Cunningham.

Most importantly you ought to have all of our prayers and/or best wishes as you go through testing.

by staylost on Jun 26, 2009 10:27 PM PDT up reply actions

you "manged" that all on your own

sorry about your issues but don’t blame others for what happened in this thread. Especially when you baited others multiple times with your lame “garden variety internet denizen” bs.

by truk on Jun 26, 2009 11:27 PM PDT up reply actions