First Impressions: Blazers Introduce Babbitt, Williams And Johnson
by Ben Golliver on Jun 28, 2010 3:45 PM PDT
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PrintThis afternoon, the Blazers held a press conference to introduce their new crop of rookies: guard Elliot Williams from Memphis, forward Luke Babbitt from Nevada and guard Armon Johnson from Nevada.
A few brief notes. Williams will travel to Summer League but will not play due to a bumped/bruised knee suffered during a pre-draft workout for the San Antonio Spurs. This decision is being labeled "precautionary" and he is fully expected to be ready for training camp. Second, Chad Buchanan said he expects Patty Mills to play for the Blazers in Las Vegas during the Summer League and that the team is waiting on some paperwork to finalize the decision. Within the next few days it should go official. Mike Born also confirmed Ridiculous Upside's report that Demetris Nichols will be playing for the Blazers in Vegas.
Lastly, as Jason Quick reported over the weekend, the Blazers appear poised to release Ryan Gomes. The Blazers said today that they would continue to follow up with a few teams that have expressed interest in Gomes today but, when pressed a little bit, said they had no solid offers on the table and they seemed somewhat doubtful that anything would develop. They said all options would remain open until tomorrow's deadline. Earlier this morning, there was a report that provided information regarding a large trade exception and cap space to be gained by waiving Gomes. That report was incorrect. Mike Barrett does a really nice job summarizing the financial benefits to the Blazers of waiving Gomes.
Later tonight or tomorrow morning, I'll have a bunch of thoughts from the scouts on how these guys will fit into the roster next year.
But first, click through for some pictures and first impressions to get yourself acquainted.
-- Ben Golliver | benjamin.golliver@gmail.com | Twitter
Scouts Mike Born and Chad Buchanan briefly introduced the three rookies at the Rose Garden's media room. From left to right...
Mike Born was pretty serious throughout. Chatting afterwards, he said this year was slightly different because, with Kevin Pritchard's absence, he didn't get his customary post-draft recovery time. Nevertheless, he was excited about putting the finishing touches on the Summer League roster and said he felt confident stepping in for Pritchard this week because KP included both Born and Buchanan in so many of the talks with other teams in the past.
A few years ago, we seized on the "Bayless Face" and today we got a long look at the "Elliot Williams Face." Half the shots I took of Williams today had this exact same look. I'm not entirely sure what emotion that is. Williams is a very straightforward communicator with a strong, clear voice. He talked at length about his time at both Duke and Memphis. His game continues to draw comparisons to Bayless.
Luke Babbitt got a really nice haircut. I definitely approve. If there was a headline regarding Babbitt today it was Chad Buchanan comparing him to Travis Outlaw in his ability to create his own shot from a number of different places on the court. In keeping with the "trout" history, I propose "halibut" as a nickname for Babbitt.
Armon Johnson was the happiest guy in the room (until we get to the next picture, that is) and made sure everyone was clear: it's pronounced AR-MOHN. I wrote at length about this during the pre-draft process but he doesn't lack for confidence in his abilities. There was some teasing between Johnson and Babbitt because they've known each other since elementary school. His game was compared to Greg Anthony.
What a difference 72 hours makes for Chad Buchanan. I wrote on Thursday that nobody is more excited to have this draft class than the two scouts because the prospects were so clearly on their target screen. Last week, the exctiement was manufactured due to the exhaustion from the draft process and also the emotional weight of KP's departure. Today, it was nothing but smiles for Buchanan, who briefly listed the strengths of each rookie and stayed long afterwards to patiently answer questions. Buchanan was careful to thank the entire scouting staff by name and said that he is enjoying wrapping up this process, but he admitted with a smile that he can't wait to get back to the scouting trail himself. If there is a single fact about Chad Buchanan that you should commit to memory, it's this: he is doing exactly what he wants to do and exactly what he was born to do.
-- Ben Golliver | benjamin.golliver@gmail.com | Twitter
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Regarding Babbitt
In keeping with the “trout” history, I propose “halibut” as a nickname for Babbitt.
Are you sure? I’m not really seeing the resemblance:
Well…..maybe if he’s always wide eyed.
Ph'nglui mglw'nafh Cthulhu R'lyeh wgah'nagl fhtagn
by postup on Jun 28, 2010 4:08 PM PDT reply actions 1 recs
babbitt kind of looks like a younger version of przy
loveisrespect
by portlandgiirl91 on Jun 28, 2010 4:27 PM PDT up reply actions
Nice to know I wasnt the only person who thought so
Logical descriptions of complex worlds contain within themselves the seeds of their own limitation. A world that was simple enough to be fully known would be too simple to contain conscious observers who might know it.
by Sexual Tyrannosaurus on Jun 28, 2010 5:47 PM PDT up reply actions
babbitt kind of looks like a younger version of przy
when I listen to Luke being interviewed, I hear Joel. Same inflections
the two of them share the same trainer. If Babbitt has Przy’s work ethic and give-no-quarter attitude, then Portland will have something special
Cunningham isn’t going to give up his 4-3 minutes without a fight, so the rookie had better pack a lunch
When reached 40 years of following Portland basketball you have, be as passionate of the Trail Blazers you will not!
Dante is too short to be a real PF, and isn't a SF either.
I love the hustle and desire, but he’s a 3/4 tweener. Note that he never made a 3-pter his entire college career (when the line is considerably shorter). He also cannot put the ball on the floor. He’s a limited player (though I wish him well).
ignacio
He has the athleticism and desire
to be great defensively, against SF’s especially. His mid-range jumper is money and he hits the offensive glass hard.
I can think of a lot of players with worse skill sets as a backup SF. You don’t have to be a spot up 3 pt shooter or dribble slasher to be a small forward. And he almost never makes a mistake, meaning he won’t cost you on either end.
he's actually bigger than Buck Williams was (6'8, 225)
I’ve watched DC box out centers ho outweigh him by 30lbs because he gets good leverage with his wirey frame and keeps a low center of gravity. He’s only going to get stronger, and he’s got mad hops for his size
I agree he doesn’t have low post moves and he’s not comfortable taking the ball to the basket. But in Nate’s offense, that’s not what he really needs to do to be effective.
DC didn’t shoot 3s at Nova because he was the only post player on a team of guards. Anyone who watched him shoot last year knows he’s got good footwork and a reliable jump shot out to 20 feet. It’s only a matter of time and reps before he extends his range to include the corner 3 ball, then he’ll be even more of a floor-spreading weapon in Nate’s offense (BTW, it took Travis Oulaw 4 seasons before he was able to master that shot, I don’t think we’ll have to wait nearly that long for Dante) I’m sure we’ll come to find that he’s been working hard on that shot this summer
When reached 40 years of following Portland basketball you have, be as passionate of the Trail Blazers you will not!
You ever had Monkfish?
Logical descriptions of complex worlds contain within themselves the seeds of their own limitation. A world that was simple enough to be fully known would be too simple to contain conscious observers who might know it.
by Sexual Tyrannosaurus on Jun 28, 2010 5:49 PM PDT up reply actions
yeah, its like my favorite, I couldn't believe what a bizarre bottom dweller it is...
Swordfish is yummy too, and has the looks to match.
"You be realistic," Oden said. "I’m going to stay happy. All right?"
flounder
is also a flat bottom dweller, but much smaller than a mature halibut that can weigh more than 500 lbs
"CRUSH YOUR ENEMIES, SEE THEM DRIVEN BEFORE YOU, AND HEAR THE LAMENTATION OF THEIR WOMEN." CONAN
by SELFDESTRUCTABLE on Jun 28, 2010 7:56 PM PDT up reply actions
this is a halibut
http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/3/38/Halibut_DSC02249.JPG
"Oh Yeah!" ~ Kool Aid Man
yeah but you can't really
see the upper floating eye that great on top in that pic :P
Ph'nglui mglw'nafh Cthulhu R'lyeh wgah'nagl fhtagn
the pic you link'd has both eyes on the same side.
by In Walks Rudy on Jun 28, 2010 7:18 PM PDT up reply actions
k, look at the fish's forehead lol
the second eye is there
by In Walks Rudy on Jun 28, 2010 8:28 PM PDT up reply actions
I've caught several halibut
when they are very little (say less than six inches), they have one eye on each side of their head, and their mouth is straight. Once they begin living on the bottom, they start lying on one side predominantly (when they swim up in the water column in their baby-post plankton stage they swim upright). The eye thats down on that side begins to migrate across the head until it ends up on the same side as the other eye. The mouth also begins twisting until it ends up at a wierd diagonal. It’s really weird, and a little creepy, but if you can find pics of different sizes of halibut you can see what I’m talking about.
Ph'nglui mglw'nafh Cthulhu R'lyeh wgah'nagl fhtagn
by postup on Jun 28, 2010 7:44 PM PDT up reply actions 1 recs
alright alright
just dug into this Halibut is of the flounder family…
never knew that.
"Oh Yeah!" ~ Kool Aid Man
hopefully he has a little more fight in him than a halibut
"And our second unit can probably start in most NBA cities." -Maurice Lucas
If there is a single fact about Chad Buchanan that you should commit to memory, it’s this: he is doing exactly what he wants to do and exactly what he was born to do.
Then hopefully his high-falutin’ agent won’t try to manipulate events so that Chad comes across as wanting to be elevated to the GM’s chair, or else. The Peter Principle (like Murphy’s Law) can be a cruel mistress
When reached 40 years of following Portland basketball you have, be as passionate of the Trail Blazers you will not!
What about Mike?
Isn’t he doing what he was Born to do?
by MiledAnimal on Jun 28, 2010 4:56 PM PDT up reply actions 6 recs
thank you
now I don’t have to do it….
Geriatric Dunk Squad!
1/4/10 - Juwan Howard dunks on Chris Kaman.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HTkOqDgLb6s
3/7/10 - Andre Miller Tomahawk jams on the Denver Nuggets.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R-JVgm7F1QA
4/12/10 - Marcus Camby drops 30 and 13 on OKC to cement 50 wins. http://www.nba.com/blazers/media/camby_chant_041310.mp3
by Eat Politicians on Jun 28, 2010 5:08 PM PDT up reply actions
Here's a sick Babbitt highlight video
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R0_PCqoB0aI
He makes a guy straight fall over with a hard jab step at the 3:09 mark
Sick
"I'm passing it down," Howard said. "Showing the guys that, hey, here's an example of a guy who played 16 years. If you don't want to listen and get the valuable, free information from him - soak it up like a sponge - then you've got to be a damn fool."
Nice jab step
but he doesn’t look that comfortable driving with the ball in his hand unless on a fast break. I don’t want to come across as a hater, but I feel like a remarkably similar video could be made for Luke Jackson. Especially with a bit of a lack of mid-range game and (apparently) limited athleticism. Can someone correct me and point out the differences?
Not sure about Luke Jackson, but...
Actually Babbitt looks like a solid mid-range shooter, especially off the bounce.
I think the Luke Jackson comparison is fair
However, I think Babbitt has a little more of everything….a little more size, a little more speed, a little more athleticism, a little more offensive versatility, a little better ball-handing….and he seems psyched to be here, so I think he’ll be a solid backup for Batum
If Luke Babbitt has anything on Luke Jackson, it's size. Beyond that, though, the similarities ...
are there when they’re compared to each other as small forwards. In light of the size differences, Babbitt is a better rebound and Jackson a better passer — although they’ve porbably got equal handles — however, they both suffer from being relatively athletic, yet also slow-footed regarding side-to-side defensive movement. Why is that? Well, I’m not sure; however, it’s a huge negative factor when it comes to on-ball defense.
He is fearless from range
"I'm passing it down," Howard said. "Showing the guys that, hey, here's an example of a guy who played 16 years. If you don't want to listen and get the valuable, free information from him - soak it up like a sponge - then you've got to be a damn fool."
I'd be psyched too ...
… if someone rescued me from a chaotic losing atmosphere like Minnesota and brought me to a chaotic winning atmosphere like Portland.
I thought this athleticism thing has been covered
There are a few good links around here which indicate the lack of “athleticism” is more a perceived lack of “african”. His combine numbers match up very nicely.
by levelhed on Jun 28, 2010 6:46 PM PDT up reply actions 1 recs
No,
there are a few threads in which people get really defensive about that issue and attribute any critique of his athleticism to it despite observations like the one above. Attributing an observation to a ridiculous motive does not dispel the observation.
—Dave
I’ve been looking for info on the kid but haven’t come across much objective observation to support “limited athleticism”. I have seen combine numbers that would refute that label, and since none of us have seen a lot of film of him, I gotta assume there’s a bit of prejudice going on here.
I’m sure you spend more time researching than I do, so please educate me. Show me his athleticism is limited. I’m open-minded.
The only limited athleticism I’ve seen on video is a somewhat subpar lateral quickness that will probably make it difficult for him to defend the quicker and stronger SFs of the league. There are a quite a few of those in the NBA, although rarer among backups. His combine lane agility test is pretty good so there is definitely hope, but in-game his defense is a question mark observed by about all pro scouts. And I don’t think he’ll have the strength to defend power forwards, so it’s the 3 position that he’ll have to learn to defend and play at a pro level.
He’s no Adam Morrison who had pretty atrocious combine numbers, that is for sure. There are further question marks if he will be able to finish around the rim and create separation on dribbles like he did in college or can just work as a spot-up shooter, but that will be seen fairly quickly during summer league and his rookie campaign. And the rest can be worked on, especially in a team defensive scheme. The much higher picked Wesley Johnson isn’t exactly laterally agile either, and they were able to cover for him in a system at Syracuse that uses much more team zone defense than he will get to use in the NBA. I would be way more worried about drafting him in the top 5 with the intention to start him, than about using Babbitt as a backup to Batum for maybe initially 15+ minutes per game.
Exactly, Wesley Johnson is an African-American individual who'll also be unable to ...
translate defensively as a one-on-one perimeter defender for reasons like Luke Babbitt. Johnson lucked out playing in a 2-3 zone defense at Syracuse, which let him roam a lot as a help defender and cover his weakness as an atrocious on-ball defender.
Dude was a Sophomore
He is like having a lottery ticket with 4 numbers that match and two to go. Wish me luck!
"I'm passing it down," Howard said. "Showing the guys that, hey, here's an example of a guy who played 16 years. If you don't want to listen and get the valuable, free information from him - soak it up like a sponge - then you've got to be a damn fool."
One thing we can safely say...
He’s FAR more athletic than Adam Morrison.
"...it was like he brought his own personal cross-wind to the arena." - Dave
The point is
we’re going to have to see. Some scouts love the guys strengths. Some on paper, some otherwise, have concerns about his ability to translate those strengths to the next level against NBA athletes. I’ve tracked down all the highlight clips you’ve probably already seen plus a tape someone sent me of him playing in an actual game. I was not displeased by his showing in the latter but my concerns weren’t alleviated completely either. Combine numbers can provide part of the picture but they aren’t in themselves sufficient, as those drills are run without opposition. I never cite them in isolation when evaluating a potential (or in this case actual) draftee. He should be able to make some noise in Summer League.
One of the things going for Babbitt is that he’ll likely be playing against NBA reserves. If we had him slated to be the starting small forward I’d be more worried. I’ll be interested in how he fits into the team offense and whether he can defend individually. Being able to do both would be a good, though not yet sufficient, sign. Serious issues on either score should raise red flags. Summer League isn’t quite NBA reserve quality play but it’s a step in the right direction. Some of those guys can be fast, especially on offense.
I don’t begrudge anyone saying that they think he’ll be fine. I certainly hope he is. But the “Anyone who disagrees with me is doing so because he’s white” thing is neither accurate nor appropriate. In general I’ve been disappointed by that conversation.
—Dave
It's just what they always say.
"I'm passing it down," Howard said. "Showing the guys that, hey, here's an example of a guy who played 16 years. If you don't want to listen and get the valuable, free information from him - soak it up like a sponge - then you've got to be a damn fool."
Pretty low-risk
medium-high reward draft pick though. We gave up Webster and got cap space (if Gomez is waived) and a guy that at worst will have similar flaws as Webster (lack of handles, inconsistency) and at best could be the sharpshooter we thought Webster was going to be (and wasn’t).
Don’t get me wrong—Webster was one of my favorite Blazers—but I’m excited to see what Babbitt can do.
The big flaw with Luke Babbitt is his lack of agility and mobility when it comes to lateral ...
quickness. For whatever reason, he’s not shifty and seems to plod along in that regard. This will be an issue with one-on-one perimeter defense against opposing small forwards; plus, his mediocre standing reach of 8’8.5" high makes the idea of him bodying up against power forwards man-to-man a less than thrilling proposition.
Most of the highlights I've seen
seemed to show that he has a very shifty step-back jumper (comparable to a poor man’s Paul Pierce) and some decent moves on the way to the hoop. He’ll never be Brandon Roy, but could be pretty decent creating his own shot.
Combine numbers
and game speed are two completely different things. As for your insinuation of his lack of “African”, he doesn’t seem to have the explosion or ability to separate from his man of a Joe Alexander. If he’s going to be a spot up shooter, that’s fine, but from that video I don’t see him creating his own shot when no one falls for that jab step because he can’t get around anyone. Again, I’d be more than happy to be wrong, but that’s how it appears to me.
Thoughts about the highlight vid:
1. It’s already been said he’s got a high release point. He also seems to have a very quick release too. Not Rudy-fast where it seems like the ball leaps out of his hands on it’s own, but really nice. Taken together, I see the Outlaw comparisons.
2. Just fun watching an SF take guys of the dribble and realize he’s a Blazer. No knock on Nic at all.
3. Liked washing him dish those assists effectively. I haven’t heard ANYBODY call Luke a playmaker, but unlike Outlaw (or even Webster, if just going by this past season) he’s clearly not going to be an automatic endpoint to ball movement… aka NOT a black hole.
4. He made a number of those shots from well behind the college 3. I don’t think we’ll have to worry about trouble adjusting to the new 3-pt line.
Like the Whos down in Whoville they did it without boxes or ribbons or bows, they did without centers or posting down low. They won without All-Stars and Spaniards and Frenchmen. They won with old geezers and sub-par defense-men. They won playing rookies from deep off the benches. They won with their grit and their guts in the trenches. And some who observed them have been known to say that their hearts grew three sizes (at least!) on the way. One hopes with their poise and their passion now proven that once they are healthy their game will be groovin'.
by conspirator5 on Jun 28, 2010 7:10 PM PDT up reply actions
the new numbers for our team are
9-11-01 thats kinda scary
ALLLL Rudy Then!!!!!
by Miker Blazer on Jun 28, 2010 4:41 PM PDT reply actions 4 recs
We'll wreck New York
"I'm passing it down," Howard said. "Showing the guys that, hey, here's an example of a guy who played 16 years. If you don't want to listen and get the valuable, free information from him - soak it up like a sponge - then you've got to be a damn fool."
by LaoTzu on Jun 28, 2010 4:47 PM PDT up reply actions 4 recs
flag
Marcus Camby was gaining energy again as the game wound to a close, much like a vampire sucking the life out of a dainty maiden. Amare Stoudemire, on the other hand, looked daintier and more maidenly with every possession.
too soon
Michael Jordan is the Nicolas Batum of America
marty>babbitt
by thomasikehara on Jun 28, 2010 6:19 PM PDT up reply actions
with the conspiracy theorists of 9/11 being an inside job...
… Was KP and Penn an inside job? These are 2 stories that we’ll never have the honest answer. What a strange coincidence.
by 1ofthe7 on Jun 28, 2010 8:00 PM PDT via mobile up reply actions
Actually, Patterson thought of it first
It was confirmed on Sports Talk Radio!
"I'm passing it down," Howard said. "Showing the guys that, hey, here's an example of a guy who played 16 years. If you don't want to listen and get the valuable, free information from him - soak it up like a sponge - then you've got to be a damn fool."
Who's our backup 3????
Not to rain on anybody’s parade, but right now our wing rotation is Nic Batum, Roy, Rudy (unless and until traded), and Williams (rookie). You could argue that Babbitt and Cunningham could play the 3, but they’re definitely more like small 4s.
Anybody else feeling uneasy about this? Batum is playing this summer, and has had some injuries; Roy has his own injury issues; Rudy is Rudy, and cannot possibly play the 3, and the others are all rookies or sophs.
Why exactly did we release the only other natural 3 on the team besides Nic? For $8M? Which doesn’t even give us any more cap space??? I’m starting to doubt the “deepest pockets in basketball” stuff I’ve been hearing about Mr. Allen…
Uh, I think Babbitt's been assumed to be a 3.
In fact I’ve only seen him mentioned very rarely as possibly eventually a stretch 4.
You can measure skill and talent with your eyes, but productivity is shown through statistics.
Williams is a 2.
Babbitt has the inside track to be the backup 3, I would assume, and I think he has a chance to be better offensively than Martell from day 1, albeit almost certainly a defensive downgrade.
I think the defense will come
He was on 95.5 saying how he wants to overcome the perception that he is a one-dimensional player, and he cited his own quick feet and wingspan as defensive weapons.
Technique will pull whatever defensive abilities he has out of him, and if he is going to be good, I doubt it will take 6 years to manifest….
by blacknoiseNW on Jun 28, 2010 5:39 PM PDT up reply actions
I doubt it will take 6 years to manifest
No, but it’s going to take more than 6 months
Look at Cunningham, last year. Dante played 4 years in the Big East and was fundamentally sound coming out of Nova. But he still struggled to defend NBA forwardfs in space and played sparingly during hs rookie year, even though the frontcourt was decimated by injuries. I see Luke playing a sniper role off the bench (wait in corner, shoot the three) and when he’s in the game the Blazers will try to hide him in a zone at the defensive end
Hopefully there will be a lot of garbage time PT for Babbitt and Williams this year. I suspect Johnson wil be playing near home in Boise
When reached 40 years of following Portland basketball you have, be as passionate of the Trail Blazers you will not!
There are the Dantes, but there are also the Nic Batum and Rudy Fernandez types, who make a more immediate impact.
Collison’s a good example of a player in the early twenties who made an impact last season.
Will Babbitt? No idea, but it’s not crazy to think he’ll be playing 16 minutes per game, especially considering our hole at backup 3.
why leave the hole at backup SF
when the team has the MLE and there are FAs like Miller, Bell and Korver out there?
I remember Nate’s response to the Cunningham/Pendergraph/Hansbrough workout last June (“they didn’t look too bad…for rookies”)
Nic is a young SF, this contending team should have a veteran reserve at the 2-3 who can come in off the bench and help Bayless run the 2nd unit. Rookies should only play for playoff teams when there’s an emergency. Babbitt can help spread the floor in late-game situations and be the Wally Walker of garbage time
When reached 40 years of following Portland basketball you have, be as passionate of the Trail Blazers you will not!
I don't know, Roy has been productive in the 3 spot
I hear he’s okay.
"I'm passing it down," Howard said. "Showing the guys that, hey, here's an example of a guy who played 16 years. If you don't want to listen and get the valuable, free information from him - soak it up like a sponge - then you've got to be a damn fool."
Roy in the 3-spot rotation?
Roy as the backup 3 may work sometimes, not others. Roy against Melo works only on rotating defense in the last few seconds of the game – but you don’t match him up, there.
Rather, I think the premise is that relying on an unproven rookie to occupy a rotation spot is usually a recipe for a letdown.
Nothing against Babbitt (and nothing I’ve seen on him says he can’t produce), I’d be more comfortable with a proven commodity in a rotation spot. In fact, I think Mike Miller would be the perfect mentor for Babbitt.
by blacknoiseNW on Jun 28, 2010 11:19 PM PDT up reply actions
carrying the extra weight to defend SFs
can’t have done wonders for Roy’s joints
his career and the team will be better off with Rudy gone and Roy exclusively at the 2
When reached 40 years of following Portland basketball you have, be as passionate of the Trail Blazers you will not!
Williams is a 2.
Elliot weighs 175 lbs, according to DX. That’s Sergio-skinny
When reached 40 years of following Portland basketball you have, be as passionate of the Trail Blazers you will not!
isn't Boink playing on Koponen's team?
if you want micro-guards on your roster lke Patty Mills, go right on ahead you wascally wabbit. The slow and steady PGs will catch up by the end of the season and knock your team out in the playoffs. If you make it that far
Williams has length and if he puts on some muscle he can eventually defend most NBA 2s. But he’s got to learn how to use his right hand; the Blazers should run him through ballhandling drills and forbid him to use his southpaw. Put an oven mitt on it if they have to
When reached 40 years of following Portland basketball you have, be as passionate of the Trail Blazers you will not!
rumors of Mills' diminutive stature are greatly exaggerated
Mills is the same size as Paul, for instance (well, somehow he has a higher standing reach with a 1/2" less height and a 2" shorter wingspan – how does that work?)
Still, he is officially a 6’0 180lb guard, which makes Mills pretty average and hardly diminutive.
by blacknoiseNW on Jun 28, 2010 11:29 PM PDT up reply actions
Paul outweighs Patty
and Chris is not easily shouldered aside by bigger guards
When reached 40 years of following Portland basketball you have, be as passionate of the Trail Blazers you will not!
who says Paul outweighs Patty?
According to NBA.com, Patty is 5 lbs heavier.
by blacknoiseNW on Jun 29, 2010 1:13 PM PDT up reply actions
Anybody else feeling uneasy about this?
If anyone thinks that Babbitt is a good enough defender to play backup 3 in a contending team’s regular rotation…well, you’re probably a Sun’s (or Knick’s) fan.
The Blazers need to take their MLE and use it on a veteran wing who can backup Batum and Roy. A solid shooter and perimeter defender would be his most-important skills
When reached 40 years of following Portland basketball you have, be as passionate of the Trail Blazers you will not!
You are almost certainly right, but...
the same could have been said about Batum, even after summer league, and would have been dead wrong. Yeah, I know Batum had been playing pro ball in Europe for a couple years… and getting limited minutes and production.
I’m with you that we have to target a vet wing and not be in position to NEED minutes from a rookie, but Babbitt’s skills, shooting and rebounding often translate pretty well from the college game. We get a vet, but I hope we give the kid a chance to earn some minutes. He might just surprise us like Nic did.
by 52therim on Jun 28, 2010 10:35 PM PDT via mobile up reply actions
Nic caught a break because of Webster's foot
and because Travis couldn’t hold down the starting SF job
I don’t expect lightning to strike twice with Luke. If the team acquires a veteran wing and Batum (heaven forbid) gets hurt again, then we’ll see if Mr. Babbitt can duplicate Nic’s rookie success. But I never leave for a long trip without a spare tire in the trunk
When reached 40 years of following Portland basketball you have, be as passionate of the Trail Blazers you will not!
Can’t wait to see this Babbitt kid taking it strong to the hole! I’ve seen some videos of him recently (Idaho comes to mind) where he just straight up overpowered some guys to the rim. Love that he has a nose for the rim!!! Don’t know much about the other two guards. This team has a ton of them. But wow, an athletic, physical sharpshooting three? Yes please.
"You know, when you are in the game, you hear 20,000 people behind you, you don't feel anything."
- Nicolas Batum on playing through his shoulder injury during the 2010 playoffs.
physical against the WAC is one thing
I’d pay to see the summer league workout wars between Dante and Luke
When reached 40 years of following Portland basketball you have, be as passionate of the Trail Blazers you will not!
woo
Michael Jordan is the Nicolas Batum of America
marty>babbitt
by thomasikehara on Jun 28, 2010 6:13 PM PDT reply actions 1 recs
Johnson says
“I don’t want to be a D-leaguer thissss much”
When reached 40 years of following Portland basketball you have, be as passionate of the Trail Blazers you will not!
williams tweets
just finished my press conference with the Portland Blazers! The fan support here is through the roof!
ok portland talk to me!! Us rookies were discussing this today, what does “R.I.P City” mean???? everyone says it out here
Michael Jordan is the Nicolas Batum of America
marty>babbitt
First, the guy has to meet Bill Shonely
Then he has to spell it Rip City, since nobody died. Then the Shonz can tell him that he made it up when Jimmy Barnett nailed a half court shot (before there were 3 pointers, of course).
Still on the Rex bandwagon.
by dan_the_man on Jun 28, 2010 10:24 PM PDT up reply actions
Williams and Babbitt are video game picks
They are the type of players that you want in NBA 2k10. Williams can take it to the rack with the ball handling and Babbitt can hit threes and dunk.
Williams can take it to the rack with the ball handling
Curb the enthusiam, Elliot is lefthand dominant and doesn’t have a RH counter move. NBA scouts and defenders figure that out pretty quick
When reached 40 years of following Portland basketball you have, be as passionate of the Trail Blazers you will not!
he can develop it i hope
Michael Jordan is the Nicolas Batum of America
marty>babbitt
by thomasikehara on Jun 28, 2010 6:43 PM PDT up reply actions
Its a mental thing with Williams. If he wants to go to the rack he goes
Same way doesn’t matter. Problem is his finishing suffers. Hopefully the players around him will keep the shot blockers off.
I'm with you on questioning Elliot Williams, since I'd've rather used the BAE on a veteran with a ...
proven skill set of defending opposing 1s and knocking down treys from downtown like Keyon Dooling.
I dunno about this one.
He’s only a career 35% shooter from deep and it’s worse if you throw out his highly aberrant 42% from two years ago. I’m not wild about Bayless being our primary backup at 1 and 2, but I can’t see Dooling as anything less than a step backwards.
"One of the bright spots of the young season has been rookie point guard Jonny Flynn, whose name sounds like he should be the lead character in a Broadway Musical. "What are you doing here, Jonny Flynn?" "Why I'm here to court trouble, and woo a girl, and build the most fantastical contraption the world has ever seen!" -- Dave, Game 7 Blazers versus Timberwolves preview
"It was bad reffing...but not rip apart the fabric of time bad." -- The Arkitect, Game 79 Blazers versus Mavericks Post-Game Thread
by BlazersOrBust on Jun 28, 2010 11:46 PM PDT up reply actions
He’s only a career 35% shooter from deep and it’s worse if you throw out his highly aberrant 42% from two years ago
If you add up KD’s 3-pt attempts and makes from the past 2 years, he’s still over 40%
Not many NBA guys can maintain that kind of percentage playing less than 20 mpg. I see him as an emergency backup PG and a late-game sniper to bring in off the bench and spread the floor. Kind of a Blake who Nate won’t play more than he should
When reached 40 years of following Portland basketball you have, be as passionate of the Trail Blazers you will not!
there's still room for that veteran PG
I’m not conceding the backup 2 or the #3 PG spots to the rookies. They could impress in training camp and still be sent to play in Boise, just like Mills was
When reached 40 years of following Portland basketball you have, be as passionate of the Trail Blazers you will not!
Rookie analysis from insignificant presser:
1. Elliot Williams: Dude will be a great interview when he learns to stop filling his pauses with “um.”
2. I so, SO want to believe that what we’ve got here is Joel Pryzbilla’s heart in a Small Forward’s body… and it’s not just the haircut.
3. I like this Ah-MONs personality. I will frequently wonder how he’s doing in Idaho and I hope he blogs more than McBob did.
Like the Whos down in Whoville they did it without boxes or ribbons or bows, they did without centers or posting down low. They won without All-Stars and Spaniards and Frenchmen. They won with old geezers and sub-par defense-men. They won playing rookies from deep off the benches. They won with their grit and their guts in the trenches. And some who observed them have been known to say that their hearts grew three sizes (at least!) on the way. One hopes with their poise and their passion now proven that once they are healthy their game will be groovin'.
EW was great on Canzano today.
Dude got a 3.7 at Duke and plays chess. Said he needs to hit the weights and sees himself using his length to check quicker guards.
I don’t see any of these rooks playing next year but we’ll see.
I'm just not crazy about player nick names...
by Hipster Olympic Team! on Jun 28, 2010 8:32 PM PDT via mobile up reply actions
You know that just ups the creepy Bayless deja vu...
http://www.oregonlive.com/education/index.ssf/2009/11/chess_for_success_tournament_t.html
Like the Whos down in Whoville they did it without boxes or ribbons or bows, they did without centers or posting down low. They won without All-Stars and Spaniards and Frenchmen. They won with old geezers and sub-par defense-men. They won playing rookies from deep off the benches. They won with their grit and their guts in the trenches. And some who observed them have been known to say that their hearts grew three sizes (at least!) on the way. One hopes with their poise and their passion now proven that once they are healthy their game will be groovin'.
by conspirator5 on Jun 29, 2010 1:11 AM PDT up reply actions
I really like Williams and Babbit. Not sure about Johnson.
These guys seem like great fits on and off the court. I can see why the Blazers got these guys.
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