Thoughts about the draft - player movement
by KevNW on May 30, 2010 12:32 AM PDT
Email
Print
Some thoughts about the team and possible moves...
I posted this on Oregon Live about the question, if you were the GM...and of course do so without the benefit of hours of watching players and doing research on them, so it's based on what information is at hand. With that being said here is some thoughts:
Unless someone comes along and offers a blockbuster deal (Chris Paul, Bosh, maybe Devin Harris, etc.) I think the thing to do is stand pat, for the most part (keep the core group together) and hope the team gets healthy.
However I think they could tinker a bit - especially if they don't think they are going to win it all next year, which is unlikely, but hope to make a push in two years. If this were the case then I might look to move some pieces (especially pieces that may not be happy with their current situation) and pick up some talent in the draft that may be ready to contribute in year two.
Some of those moves might be trading Rudy and the rights to Victor Claver to Toronto for the #13 pick (maybe Toronto, which has a fair amount of international players, would accept such a deal).
Then deal Bayless and possibly cash or the #22 to Indiana for the #10 pick (too much to offer?).
And then look at seeing if they could get into the end of the 1st or early second round.
With those selections, I'd take Xavier Henry and one of the PF's - Patrick Patterson, Ed Davis, Ekpe Udoh, take a look at Daniel Orton or possibly Larry Sanders (although Larry could fall around the 22nd pick, where the others should be gone by then). With the late first/early second would look at players such as Solomon Alabi and Mikhail Torrance as possibilities (wouldn't mind seeing a PG prospect being taken here that could be looked at as competition with Patty - if neither one looked like they were ready to play behind Miller, then it wouldn't be a bad option to look at making a deal for one or bringing back Blake until one can be sought).
If this were the case, the team would rely quite a bit on Martell for next year - backing up both the 2 and 3, with Xavier getting his feet wet. I think Duante would do okay spelling time at the 3 as well.
The team would have to feel one of the PF would be better then Duante or Jeff in order to make the deal, or look at Hassan Whitesite as insurance down the road for Greg.
A player I'm starting to have some interest in is Luke Babbitt. He tested out better then I thought at the NBA combine (among the players who are likely to go in the top 40 picks, he had the 4th fastest lateral agility drill and tied for second with the best Max vertical jump (37.5 - only John Wall had a better jump) - didn't expect this out of him. He has a great shot from the outside and the question was could he create his own shot and be quick enough to be a decent defender. So while the combine shouldn't be weighted much (emphasis isn't anywhere near what the NFL combine is on skill test) - it can show that the athleticism is there. This isn't a position of need, but from what I know of him, and if the team made a deal that included Martell, it wouldn't break my heart if the team selected him.
This may not be the direction the team is wanting to go, getting younger, but again I wouldn't mind keeping the core intact and bringing in some players who might contribute quite well to the core in a year or two down the road.
<!-- ./templates/global/shared/community/commentForm.mtml start -->
49 comments
|
0 recs |
Do you like this story?
Comments
I don't understand what you are trying to accomplish
The Blazers already have a ton of talented young players. We are having trouble finding minutes to develop the young talent we already have, why are you trying to bring in more?
Why are you trading Bayless? Bayless was considered a steal at #11; he had been projected to go between 4-8. Now we have invested two years in his development. By almost every measure, he was our most improved player last year and he stepped up big time in the playoffs. Now you want to trade him for a #10 pick and leave a huge hole in our rotation. Why?
If you are going to play GM, I think you have to start by identifying what needs are priorities for the team. Next you have to determine if those needs can best be filled through the draft, through free agency, or through trades.
The Blazers have one major long term roster need, which is a long term starter at PG. Bayless is far and away the most likely player to develop into that role. If you are going to trade him, you almost have to be getting back a player who you think is a better fit as a future starting PG.
We already have two young PFs on the roster. If you don’t think they are ready to contribute back-up minutes, why bring in another rookie?
You haven’t explained your thinking and therefore your moves don’t make any sense to me.
by upper left corner on May 30, 2010 2:28 AM PDT reply actions
Yes, a plan.
Rather than single out players that are shinny and new, make a plan. That’s what brass is doing.
Also, you can’t fall into the trap that the team did last year. Turk looked good. He was vet with an attractive, point forward style of play. They, however, overlooked Batum, and what Turks addition would mean for his development.
If you say point guard is your issue, what are you saying about Bayless? Are you done developing him? Not likely. As long as KP is here, he’s likely going to want to keep the path clear for his possible ascension, at least for now. It’s how a GM keeps his job. If Bayless is hindered, he’s KP’s failure. Plus, KP spent a decent amount to move up to get him. If he clogs the path, or just plain gives up on a player that has shown significant growth, it means there is no plan, or that there is no cohesion at the top.
I sincerely doubt that there is anything but a complete working unity in Tualatin. There will be discussions, and there will be arguments, but just one purpose.
The case for developing an off-guard/small forward to play behind Roy and Batum would be interesting. This would mean that decisions on Rudy and/or Martell are being cemented.
If they like what they have, and find themselves unwilling to measure up yet another set of training wheels, I wouldn’t be surprised to see them move out of the first round altogether.
Depends on the plan.
by damonrayhymer on May 30, 2010 10:15 AM PDT up reply actions
I sincerely doubt that there is anything but a complete working unity in Tualatin.
That “united we stand” front looks formidable until the name “Patty Mills” is brought up.
Not to mention Tom Penn
When reached 40 years of following Portland basketball you have, be as passionate of the Trail Blazers you will not!
I could be wrong,
but i could not imagine heads rolling, or fists flying, over PM.
I’d bet the TP ordeal was nasty, though. But its over. And I would think everyone knows where they stand.
by damonrayhymer on May 30, 2010 9:35 PM PDT up reply actions
i could not imagine heads rolling, or fists flying, over PM
If you go back and read the articles from the day the final roster cuts were made last October, Nate was not able to conceal his displeasure about not having Ime Udoka on the roster, and KP was trying (unsuccessfully) to do damage control. The feeling amongst the writers and (most) bloggers was that Patty was Paul Allen’s draft choice and that the owner had overruled his front office and coaching staff re: the 15th roster spot. I don’t think that was the first time, and it probably won’t be the last
When reached 40 years of following Portland basketball you have, be as passionate of the Trail Blazers you will not!
No, I remember.
It just seems so stupid, in retrospect, this battle over the 15th roster spot. I agreed w/ Nate, but please. Only in Portland would this be a front page argument. Nate was impassioned, no doubt, but I’m sure it was over quickly, and w/out residual angst. Unlike KP, Nate is very well compensated.
by damonrayhymer on May 31, 2010 6:57 PM PDT up reply actions
Because of the injury to Nic, it ended up mattering a lot
Ime could have made a big difference in December and January, when Nic and Rudy were out, and when our defense was relying on Howard as an interior “stopper.”
Of course, this is all hindsight, but the decision on PM probably cost as a few games and better playoff seeding.
by upper left corner on Jun 1, 2010 12:32 AM PDT up reply actions
Ime would have helped from the beginning on the season
Can’t recall how close the news was on Nicolas and Travis, but both reports that they would be out for some time seemed to come shortly after Ime was released – I think he would have been on the roster if the injuries occurred a few weeks earlier.
They had to know Nic's shoulder was wonky during fall camp
Batum didn’t run into Oden and hurt his shoulder to the extent that it required surgery until late in camp, but it was barking all summer long so it’s not like the news came out of the bleu
Nate had discussions with Ime during camp and was reasonably certain that Udoka would be the team’s 15th man. Until Patty was
When reached 40 years of following Portland basketball you have, be as passionate of the Trail Blazers you will not!
I wouldn’t be surprised to see them move out of the first round altogether.
Neither would I. It makes more sense to spend that 1st round guaranteed slot money on a veteran FA with the BAE, especially if the Vulcans are concerned about Paul paying too much luxury tax
When reached 40 years of following Portland basketball you have, be as passionate of the Trail Blazers you will not!
actually. I'm interested
to see what PA will do to avoid the tax. There’s been a lot of conjecture but I am not so sure. Really, if you think about it, the Hedo signing was going to take us over the threshold, no doubt about it. Unless he was convinced that low-ball crap was going to work on Roy. That was silly.
by damonrayhymer on May 30, 2010 9:47 PM PDT up reply actions
it's not PA who will try to avoid paying the tax
it’s his sister and the Vulcans who could be telling him “this far and no further” in regards to the team’s payroll. If the Blazers had advanced deeper into the post season I suspect he’d have some more leeway, because the franchise would’ve banked more revenue from the additional home playoff games and merchandise sales
When reached 40 years of following Portland basketball you have, be as passionate of the Trail Blazers you will not!
I think we will know better come draft day
If the FO moves up into the lottery, I think that’s a sign that they’re going all-in on the group of guys we have. If that’s the case, spending won’t be an issue so much as getting all the players PA and KP need/want in order to get a title.
If most of KP’s activity is in the second round, we’re looking at another year or two of managing salary and letting players develop.
I'm using Martell Webster's salary as my indicator
If the Blazers decide they can keep Marty and sign a FA with their MLE to “blow through” the luxury tax threshold in July, then Blazer fans can be sure that “happy days are here, again!” But if they deal Webster on draft day, that would signal (to me) that they are concerned about keeping the payroll near the LTT.
By comparison, the amount they would pay their 1st round draft choice (if any) is much closer to the BAE than the MLE, even though it’s a 3 year commitment
When reached 40 years of following Portland basketball you have, be as passionate of the Trail Blazers you will not!
I'm not sure I follow you,
To get to the lottery, FO would have to expend assets, i.e. someone in the group of guys we have. It would also signal a need, i.e. someone in the group of guys we have is not getting it done. It also makes us younger, probably much younger, not a quality usually found in a true contender.
I would suggest that “letting players develop” means leaving the first round altogether.
by damonrayhymer on May 31, 2010 9:06 PM PDT up reply actions
I'm gonna try and be nice here.
His sister? What did she invent? You know, we all love our sisters, but I guess I’m lucky enough to have one who knows where to get off. His sister, could you imagine the gall?
As for the Vulcans, I always thought that they were an extension of his desires. Do they slap his hand if he goes for a third cookie? Not that I can tell. Are they like Cato from the Pink Panther? Probably not.
“Now, Mr. Allen, times are tough, and need I remind you: you’re down to your last $4 billion.”
“But these treatments are a killer, and all I want is a new PG, a young one.”
“I’m sorry, sir, but you promised you’d exercise some control after the Pete Caroll signing.”
by damonrayhymer on May 31, 2010 6:51 PM PDT up reply actions
I guess you haven’t heard.
Paul’s sister is in charge of the business side of his vast empire. A small part of that corporation is the Trail Blazers. Paul’s other businesses haven’t done so well since 2008 and he’s lost a lot of his net worth. It’s not like he’s going to apply for food stamps any time soon, but to expect him to have the freedom to write big luxury tax checks to the NBA (again) is to not understand the dynamics of his financial position. Allen wants to win a championship, but he can’t just throw money at the problem, anymore. Blazer fans will eventually get used to this idea.
BTW, if Paul succumbs to Hodgkins, his sister will own the Blazers, and she’s not a basketball fan. Think about that, the next time you worry about KP’s job security
When reached 40 years of following Portland basketball you have, be as passionate of the Trail Blazers you will not!
No, I had not heard.
And she’s his heir, incredible. That would make me even more dubious, as a sibling. Here I am, possibly dying, and my sister is worried about how many of my billions she’s going to control when I’m gone.
Now I know why people give their money to the SPCA, as my aunt attempted to do, but ended up unsuccessful. I bet she’s rolling around too.
by damonrayhymer on May 31, 2010 8:06 PM PDT up reply actions
what did paul allen invent?
not much, they just bought other people’s OS’s and marketed them better.
dinasour type of guys choir boys
Now we have invested two years in his [Bayless’] development
As I pointed out elsewhere, that “investment” was certainly made in tiny deposits of PT “currency” for a lottery pick, at least until after the Blake trade. (Oh well, better late than never, eh?)
We already have two young PFs on the roster. If you don’t think they are ready to contribute back-up minutes, why bring in another rookie?
This is my point as well, why choose a player like Damien James when you just drafted Cunningham last year? The Blazers will say they “always” will pick the BPA, but then they’ll usually try to trade up (or down) to make sure the BPA that they select is the one they really want
I suspect that this year’s target will be a 2-3, with Rudy (and perhaps Marty) being on the move
When reached 40 years of following Portland basketball you have, be as passionate of the Trail Blazers you will not!
yes, I agree w/ your thinking here.
It seems to me that wings are easier to transition into a game plan anyway. PG’s take more patience, and guidance. That would bode for Bayless staying, and our bench wings leaving.
by damonrayhymer on May 30, 2010 9:38 PM PDT up reply actions
I agree that a Rudy replacement is probably the #1 priority
Do you get that guy in FA? In trade for Rudy? Or a Rookie?
I would like to see a SG with good size, excellent defender who can hit the three. Is that Martell with a better handle and a little more consistency, or do we need another player?
We also need a third PG is that Mills? Or do we need to go get a vet?
by upper left corner on May 31, 2010 12:05 PM PDT up reply actions
i agree with this...
Someone in the likes of a Tony Allen/ Roger Mason. Allen is an UFA this summer but i cant see him leaving the celtics. A player like him though would be perfect
by blahblah4864 on May 31, 2010 1:19 PM PDT up reply actions
Raja Bell
would also serve well but he might want a bigger role
by blahblah4864 on May 31, 2010 2:18 PM PDT up reply actions
I hope Bayless pans out, but not quite sold
Bayless made progress this past year, but I still don’t see him as a pg – he fits the true mold of a combo guard. I love the energy he brings and the fact that he works hard, but I think you can get better at the 2 and the 1, but I could be wrong and Bayless could continue to develop and suprise me.
Back in the 2008 draft, when seeing Brook Lopez fall (I thought he’d go top 3-4) I wanted the Blazers to move up and select him. Greg was out that year with the micro fracture and had concerns about his long term health. It would have been a bold move on the Blazers part, taking him when they had Oden, but I thought he could play some at the 4, and be a solid backup at both positions, and if Greg didn’t pan out, then it would be good to have him.
I’m thinking something similar with Xavier Henry (although I’m going more on some video clips, watching the NBA combine and what I’ve read, versus watching Lopez for a few years and having a feel for him).
And as I stated, unless the team can make a good deal (bringing in a vet would make sense) and if the team isn’t quite ready to get deep into the playoffs, then I wouldn’t mind bringing in a few players who may significantly make an impact in year two – for many I realize they are feeling that way about Bayless, and that’s fine.
AST %
2008: 18.1
2009: 22.3
2010 Playoffs: 27.9
I think it is definitely too soon to be making statements like he is not a PG.
by upper left corner on May 31, 2010 12:07 PM PDT up reply actions
Again I hope I'm wrong
This is why Bayless has been polarizing among fans – some believe he will develop as a PG and others see him strictly as a combo guard…
I believe that he is neither...
I believe that he is the guard that will play opposite of all-around Guard B-Roy. Bayless has PG duties in some areas, SG responsibilities in others.
that's a good way to look at it
similar to Porter-Drexler, back in the day
When reached 40 years of following Portland basketball you have, be as passionate of the Trail Blazers you will not!
Indeed
Nowadays, the model of a traditional PG has started to erode quite considerably. Only a few teams have a starting player that can be truly considered a classic PG, while most, especially the really good teams, have one or more players who share ball-handling duties, or they use some combination of the two. This last scenario is what we have going on right now with Miller and Roy (as well as Blake, before he was traded), and it is also what Boston and, to a lesser degree, Cleveland do. Of this years playoff teams, those that don’t stick to the traditional PG model were/are L*L, Cleveland, Miami, Spurs, Boston, Atlanta, and Portland, maybe even Charlotte. In addition, both of last years Finals teams, the L*kers and the Magic, used a combination of players for ball-distribution. A true PG isn’t necessary anymore.
My thoughts
Either trade some players and the pick to get an established bench player, or Trade some players and the pick to move up in the draft to get a top tier Center/Power Forward to take the reins after Pryz and Camby are gone. Standing pat to me would be a disappointment.
Draft Cole Aldrich
by jlarose78 on May 30, 2010 8:04 AM PDT reply actions 1 recs
best trade proposal
Heat Trade: Beasley, Chalmers, D. Cook, J.Jones, $3 million
Receive: TE, future 2nd
The Heat cut cap for that 3rd max FA. They get to keep their 1st rounder, and if they don’t want the cap hold they could potentially trade it for a future 1st.
Blazers Trade: Rudy, Webster, minor filler, future 2nd
Receive: Beasley, Sessions
Oden/Camby/**Przy
Aldridge/#19
Batum/Beasley
Roy/Bayless
Dre/Sessions
The Blazers steal a former #2 pick and add an offensive punch off the bench. If Beasley exceeds expectations and Oden is healthy, Aldridge becomes expendable for an upgrade at the PG.
Wolves Trade: future protected 2nd, some of their cap space
Receive: Rudy, Chalmers, Webster, James Jones, $3 million to buy JJ out
the Wolves would make the following deals on draft day:
#4, Flynn, #23 to the Grizzlies for M.Gasol, Mayo
K.Love, the #16 and Ellington for the #3 – Favors and Hump
Al Jefferson to the Pistons, Prince and the #7 to the Sixers and Iggy to the Wolves
M.Gasol/Pekovic
Favors/Hump
Iggy/Brewer
Rudy/Webster
Mayo/Chalmers/***Rubio
In 2011, the Wolves get Rubio to come over and roll with this line-up:
M.Gasol/Pekovic
Favors/Tyrus Thomas (if he gets QO)
Iggy/Webster
Mayo/Rudy
Rubio/Mayo/vet min
that team is absolutely stacked, and there’d be not bitching for minutes in the back court with Mayo, Rubio and Rudy playing around 30 minutes each. Rudy could even play spot minutes at the 3 in case of injury. Marc Gasol is a very good young C that could man the frontcourt with Favors for the next 10 years. Iggy can make plays on both ends of the court and is young enough to fit with the young core, and expires in time for some of the extensions, which is good as he’ll be around 30 IIRC.
/cambyfive
I'm not sure I would call this tinkering.
There is no way that Bayless leaves and we don’t have a vet PG signed or coming back in the trade. Not tinkering to me is targeting one rookie, not two, and aggressively going to get that player. It is hard to say how much value Rudy has. If we could turn Rudy and #22 into Xavier Henry, I’d be very happy. Any team trading for Rudy has to worry that he is headed back to Spain in a year. Toronto may want to save some $ and they need bigs. They could be interested in Pryz and his ec or Pendergraph, but I suspect they would prefer to hold on to their lottery pick. They might like to lose Calderon’s contract. That is interesting to some Blazer fans. I don’t see how Calderon, Miller & Bayless coexist. Again, none of this ends up being tinkering, but Toronto is a potential trading partner and Henry is one of the targets we should be looking at IMO.
by 52therim on May 30, 2010 10:14 AM PDT via mobile reply actions
Luke Babbitt. He tested out better then I thought at the NBA combine (among the players who are likely to go in the top 40 picks, he had the 4th fastest lateral agility drill and tied for second with the best Max vertical jump (37.5 – only John Wall had a better jump) – didn’t expect this out of him.
Just a reminder. Joe Alexander tested out with some awesome agility and vertical stats back in ’08 and where is he now?
When reached 40 years of following Portland basketball you have, be as passionate of the Trail Blazers you will not!
We already knew he could play
The question was about his athleticism. A 6’11 wingspan and a 37 inch vert answers that well. Still I wouldn’t mind taking a chance on Joe Alexander.
Joe Alexander vs. Babbitt
Joe Alexander was highly thought of because of his athleticism, Babbitt is thought of more on his skills with questions of athleticism. Some have made compared his game to Chris Mullins – again, not the biggest positioin of need.
I'm trying to decide if the team is targeting a 1-2 or a 2-3
They don’t really need a small guard who can only defend PGs, with Miller and Bayless on the roster
I’m of the opinion that Rudy will be gone, if so they’ll need a backup 2
but the Blazer prefer players who can defend multiple positions, if possible, and they already have enough 4s and 5s
So, will it be a 1-2 like Dominique Jones or Mikhail Torrance, or a 2-3 like James Anderson? Babbitt is listed at 6’7, 215, and if he’s quick enough to defend 2s then he might be a decent choice as Batum’s backup, but that would also mean that Marty is movin’ on
When reached 40 years of following Portland basketball you have, be as passionate of the Trail Blazers you will not!
I think they go with a 2-3
one that would primarily play as either Brandon or Nic’s backup. Whether they go with someone they see primarily as a 2 or a 3 depends on their faith in Bayless as a 2 and in Marty as a backup. I agree that they seem fairly certain that Rudy is not a long term fit, and that wing depth is a priority.
Although Bayless is really polarizing the fan base, I do believe that the front office, coaching staff, and ownership have a lot more faith in the guy than we do. They may go for a 1-2 in the second round, but in the first round, our most immediate need is a more consistent backup at the 2-3. Also, we have Koponen waiting to come over in the next couple of seasons. KP’s not going to want to give guaranteed money to a 1-2 in the first round (like Jones or Bradley), when he can go with a senior in the second round that can contribute for cheap in the short run but won’t tie up a roster spot long-term. Someone like Greivis Vazquez seems more likely.
If the rumors are true that KP is trying to move all the way up to the #4, I’d say he’s going for Wes Johnson; if not, I can really see KP going after Xavier Henry as a failsafe option (the big question mark there is whether KP wants someone who is more experienced and contribute more immediately than Henry).
Although Bayless is really polarizing the fan base, I do believe that the front office, coaching staff, and ownership have a lot more faith in the guy than we do.
I agree. KP seems to be really high on JB (as he should, since he was KP’s last lottery choice!) and even though I criticize Nate for playing Blake/Sergio instead of Rex during the past 2 seasons, I think that Bayless has finally won McMillian over with his play in March-April. Coming out of summer league (where Bayless struggled at the 1) I wouldn’t have believed it possible for him to reach this level of confidence from his head coach, but the injuries and the Camby trade had a lot to do with Jerryd’s unexpected opportunity to shine
The reason I like D-Jones is because he has PG skills (PnR, etc) and is a bigger/longer defender who could (eventually) team up with Bayless. The two of them could defend “whatever” the opposition throws at them at the 1-2 and they both have “enough” ballhandling and shooting skills to be a bench combo now, and they potentially could show enough improvement to be a starting tandem, maybe 4-5 years down the road.
Regardless if it’s a rookie or a veteran, I think the Blazers need to add a 6’4-6’5 player with long arms, good defense and outside shooting to their roster. If that player has decent playmaking skills to help run the offense when Roy and Miler aren’t on the floor, then all the better. Jones doesn’t have excellent shooting ability but he did shoot 35% from three as a freshman, so he has it “in” him. (The fact that he was the focus of the oppostition’s defense for the last 2 years probably drove down his shooting percentage, to 31%) With reps and a pro shooting coach, I expect he could raise his 3pt% back up to 35, and perhaps higher if he sees more open looks playing with superior offensive teammates
When reached 40 years of following Portland basketball you have, be as passionate of the Trail Blazers you will not!
Regardless if it’s a rookie or a veteran, I think the Blazers need to add a 6’4-6’5 player with long arms, good defense and outside shooting to their roster. If that player has decent playmaking skills to help run the offense when Roy and Miler aren’t on the floor, then all the better.
If only Ray Allen weren’t so dadgum expensive…
I think you hit the nail on the head. Also, to clarify my last post, for some reason, I was thinking Jones was projected to go in the first round. If we pick him up in the second round (where he is actually projected) on a non-guaranteed contract, I’d be very happy, as long he is ready to contribute. However, if Koponen’s foot heals and he comes over next season as his agents want him to, I can see him filling that role as well.
I'm a big Petteri fan
It helps that I’ve got Finnish ancestry on my father’s side of the family…sisu!
It’s too bad he hurt his foot, and now that Rudy is forcing the issue I don’t think the Blazers can afford to “wait around” for Koponen’s foot to heal. I’ve seen Jones in the 20s on draft boards, but never as low as 31 (2nd round) The paucity of PGs in this draft would seem to argue against DJ slipping that far.
At the end of the season Ray Allen was my pipe dream as a potential FA acquisition as well, but he’s played so well in the playoffs that there’s no chance the Blazers have a shot at him with their MLE.
One PG that they might be interested in is Luke Ridnour, because of the Sonic connection. Even though I’m a Duck I’d rather see Jones drafted in the first round than Luke signed with the MLE.
Another long-shot is for Steve Blake to fail to find a new NBA home and return to Portland for “only” the BAE. Blakey would be a decent backup PG, but my fear is that Nate would “overplay” #2 again, at Bayless’ expense
When reached 40 years of following Portland basketball you have, be as passionate of the Trail Blazers you will not!
Mikhail Torrance
WE (The Blazers) need a future back up even if Bayless works out te be a long time Blazer. someone has to take over when Miller goes and if Bayless is that guy he needs a back up or if Bayless backs up Roy then the Blazers will need a back up PG or a starting point guard after Miller Leaves. Sounds like he could play back up at both guard postion.Torrance has great physical tools for either guard position, standing 6-5, with a nice frame, long arms and excellent athleticism. He did a great job putting pressure on the defense all week long, getting to the basket time after time with his powerful long strides and showing terrific creativity running the pick and roll and finding the open man off the dribble. The fairly wide open nature of this setting benefited him greatly, as he looked very comfortable showing off his passing skills and terrific court vision and was able to make some very impressive plays in every game he played.
The aggressive slashing mentality Torrance shows—rarely will he hesitate to take the ball to the basket with a full head of steam—combined with his size and quickness make him very intriguing prospect in today’s NBA. He collected a large number of assists and got to the free throw line at a great rate,
Mikhail T.
BJJ,
See you have been a Mikhail fan for a while.. I am also now impressed with his game. A very versatile player that would fit in with the Blazer’s present and future guard needs… His game is very well rounded. Few guards are as good with so many facets of the game as he is.. and he has room to grow. He is NBA ready to come off of the bench and contribute.. He could develop into the starting PG role in a year or two..
Mikhail would be a nice pickup in the second round.
Mikhail would be a nice pickup in the second round.
But he probably won’t last until #44. This is where I’m thinking that Portland will either buy a pick in the early 2nd round or try and trade their #22 and #44 for a couple of early 2nd rounders
I don’t remember if it was Born or Buchanan who said a couple of weeks ago that they think the draft is 35 deep. This was a buzz word for me, that Portland likes at least one player in the 30-35 range—which is right in the middle of #22 and #44 (and coincidentally is right about where they chose Pendy and Ferno, last year) Keep in mind that those early 2nd round picks won’t need to be given guaranteed contracts, and that could be even more attractive to a team that is now up against the luxury tax threshold.
Maybe they’ll take Rudy and the 22 and move up, but also take Marty and #44 and move up? I don’t think next year’s team really needs 2 more rookies, but it’s the best way to keep the payroll under control, and if the 2nd round choice doesn’t survive fall camp he’ll be cut and his non-guaranted salary won’t count against the cap
When reached 40 years of following Portland basketball you have, be as passionate of the Trail Blazers you will not!
? 2nd round
I don’t think Mikhail Torrance will make it to the 2nd round. The Blazers need to Hope Torrance don’t go before 22 and take him at 22., Why because some mock drafts I’ve looked at have the Faken bakers down south taking him. and as a Life time Blazer fan I would hate for him to go down there with Kobe and burn us in the comming years. He would be a Steel if they could get him in the second round. But I just don’t think he will last until the 2nd rd. If he don’t go in the high teens somebody will snatch him up in the late first round.
It's a deep draft
Unless BPA get’s thrown out the window or his draft stock rockets upward, he should be around for the late first/early second
Of course it only takes one team to take a liking to someone
At this point I see Mikhail Torrance going late first, early second – there seems to be a number of players that look pretty good in this range.
When I look at the draft, the players who are being projected to go between the 25-40 range are made up of a lot of guards, sprinking of SF’s, some center projects (Solomon Alabi, Jerome Jordan, Miroslav Raduljica) and very few PF’s (Kevin Seraphin – France, Jarvis Vanardo – Miss St.). If the Blazers are looking at drafting a PF, they can either take a chance that Larry Sanders will be there, taking a chance on a player like Seraphin, or moving up – I don’t think selecting one in the second round will provide the team with anyone better then Duante or Jeff).
There are however some guards who could go in the second who I could see turning out to be pretty good.
Joe in Sumner,WA.:
Do u think Blazers could use Torrance? could he be PG of Future. do U think he could back up PG/SG in his Rook season.U think he could play/w Bayless or BRoy?
Yannis Koutroupis:
The great thing about Torrance is that at 6’5 he can play both guard positions. He prefers to play on the ball, but is capable of playing off of it. He’d be a nice fit along Roy, if I was Portland I’d trade Bayless upon drafting Mikhail
Read more NBA news and insight: http://www.hoopsworld.com/Chat.asp?CHAT_TOPICS_ID=989#ixzz0poAqY78G
Comments For This Post Are Closed
Secondary Sidebar
User Tools
NBA Playoffs Content Module
Related FanPosts on Blazer's Edge
Related FanShots on Blazer's Edge
FanPosts
Community blog posts and discussion.
Recommended FanPosts
Recent FanPosts
FanShots
Quick hits of video, photos, quotes, chats, links and lists that you find around the web.
Recommended FanShots
Recent FanShots
In Association With
Ball Don't Lie - NBA - Yahoo! Sport
- Behind the Box Score, where the Boston Celtics are moving on to the conference finals
- NBA Playoffs Fan Fiction: San Antonio Spurs vs. Oklahoma City Thunder
- The Indiana Pacers? Gone till November
- Shaquille O’Neal is in a Chinese beer commercial, too (VIDEO)
- ‘Deep Thoughts’ and Cheap Thoughts: San Antonio Spurs vs. Oklahoma City Thunder
