International Blazer Joel Freeland Named ACB's Monthly MVP

by Ben Golliver on Nov 1, 2011 10:21 AM PDT in News

It's been a good week for Portland Trail Blazers in Europe.

Over the weekend, we noted that Blazers forward Nicolas Batum was named MVP for the second week of Euroleague action. And, as meru notes in the FanShots, British big man Joel Freeland, a 2006 draft pick of the Blazers, was named MVP for the month of October in Spain's ACB league.

HoopsFix.com has more...

Great Britain rising star Joel Freeland has had a dominant start to the ACB season with Unicaja Malaga in Spain, culminating in being named the league's Player of the Month for October.

After missing the season opener with an injury, the forward is averaging 17.5 points (3rd in the league), 9 rebounds (3rd), 2.3 assists and 1.5 blocks (5th) on 60.4% shooting from the field, with an average +26.3 efficiency rating in just under 30 minutes per game.

His best individual performance came against Lagun Aro GBC, where he finished with a 22 point-10 rebound double double, going 9/12 from the field and 4/5 at the line. Unicaja currently stand at 4-1 and are third in the table.

You can read a translated interview with Freeland on ACB.com in which he says that the award makes him very proud, honored and happy. You can watch video highlight here.

In October, Freeland said that the Blazers were still keeping an eye on him. There was a report in September that he would considering making the jump to the NBA in the summer of 2012. All the way back in January, Blazers Acting GM Chad Buchanan (then director of scouting) said that Freeland was "very comfortable" in Spain and that his desire for playing time and the status of his contract in Spain "presented challenges."

Freeland, now 24, is currently scheduled to join the Blazers in September 20never. Just kidding.

-- Ben Golliver | benjamin.golliver@gmail.com | Twitter

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I am almost positive that Joel Freeland speaks english

You can read a translated interview with Freeland on ACB.com ….

Maybe an un-translated version would be better for me

Sabas: 'You can't smoke, you can't drink, you can't play basketball.' So of the things I like, only sex is left,"

by 92wastheyear on Nov 1, 2011 10:41 AM PDT reply actions

Well, he now actually gives interviews in Spanish. Scroll to the bottom.

http://www.unicajabaloncesto.com/noticia-7305-joel-freeland-mvp-octubre-liga-endesa.html

by Norsktroll on Nov 1, 2011 2:48 PM PDT up reply actions

In all seriousness

When if ever can we expect Freeland to play for the Blazers? I think next season would be great if possible. I think he would be a solid player, and nice addition for us.

"Unless commitment is made, there are only promises and hopes, but no plans."

by SurReal on Nov 1, 2011 10:48 AM PDT reply actions

I predict that Freeland will come over for the 2012-13 season

After the lock-out is behind us.

by BBK on Nov 1, 2011 11:24 AM PDT reply actions

I, too, hope the Blazers bring Freeland over for the 12-13 season. He should be a solid reserve.

long live the jd.

by jksnake99 on Nov 1, 2011 11:27 AM PDT reply actions

if he will come

let’s see – good money, far fewer games, lots of playing time, one of the better players in the ACB vs. good money, far more games, much farther from home, much less playing time, bench role player.

He seems pretty comfortable where he is, and pretty content. Is he the kind that wants to test himself in the NBA, or would he rather be a bigger fish in a smaller pond, enjoy the good ride, and live happily ever after?

"But if Ding Dongs and prime rib were the path to NBA pivot stardom we'd all be wearing the uniform." -Dave

by douglast on Nov 1, 2011 12:34 PM PDT up reply actions

I think he’ll want to come over and test himself eventually, but there’s certainly no guarantee of that. If he does come over, its true that it may not be for a few years.

long live the jd.

by jksnake99 on Nov 1, 2011 4:58 PM PDT up reply actions

you are right

A person who is good and competitive enough to make it to the NBA won’t let that experience pass them by.

by Kevlar Rocket on Nov 1, 2011 9:37 PM PDT up reply actions

This is the biggest stage in the world

That’s like being JV and turning down an offer to play for the varsity team. Sure you might win more against lesser competition, but it doesn’t mean much if you aren’t playing in the big leagues.

Then again I’ve seen it happen,so I guess it’s not for everyone.

by Batumshakalaka on Nov 2, 2011 3:21 AM PDT up reply actions

Not everyone thinks the same way

Freeland didn’t grow up in the US, idolizing MJ or anyone else. Neither did the rest of the Europeans. Some of them want to come here and test themselves. Others are quite happy to stay in Europe, be well compensated, play far few games, and be closer to home.

We don’t know which camp Joel is in

"But if Ding Dongs and prime rib were the path to NBA pivot stardom we'd all be wearing the uniform." -Dave

by douglast on Nov 2, 2011 7:38 AM PDT up reply actions

Freeland, you're not serious about this relationship.

I’m over you. There’s this fella named Chuck Hayes I’m kinda partial too. I’ll let you know if things don’t work out between us.

"You can pretty much flip a coin to see which Portland team will show up: the dark-horse world-beaters or the mixed-up eggbeaters" - Dave

by conspirator5 on Nov 1, 2011 1:16 PM PDT reply actions

Yuck, I don't want to watch Chuck chuck free throws every game

by Norsktroll on Nov 1, 2011 2:00 PM PDT up reply actions

Okay this reply is like two days late.

But if you look at the numbers, he has steadily improved his FT% and is now up in Pryzbilla 2.0 territory.

"You can pretty much flip a coin to see which Portland team will show up: the dark-horse world-beaters or the mixed-up eggbeaters" - Dave

by conspirator5 on Nov 3, 2011 4:49 PM PDT up reply actions

That highlight reel

made me think of Joel Freeland as kinda Tim Dunan-esque.

"Coach said to always be careful around Greg, because Greg costs a lot and even the slightest amount of basketball can damage him." -- The Onion

by RedUniInLA on Nov 1, 2011 1:37 PM PDT reply actions

I like to think of him as a 6'11" David Lee

by Norsktroll on Nov 1, 2011 2:00 PM PDT up reply actions

As his upside at least. Of course there is also a lot of potential downside.

But I’d think even if he doesn’t improve from there but still gets around 20 minutes per game he could be someone like Keon Clark with a better outside shot.

by Norsktroll on Nov 1, 2011 2:13 PM PDT up reply actions

shoot. if he can translate 20 points and 10 rebounds in an nba game, bring his butt over here as soon as possible

by notoriousj on Nov 1, 2011 1:52 PM PDT reply actions

does anybody know his style of play?

is he just another finesse big guy like Toronto’s bargnani or is he a physical style like our once beloved przbilla?

by notoriousj on Nov 1, 2011 1:54 PM PDT reply actions

and i didn't mean to stereotype him by comparing him to 2 other white guys :D

by notoriousj on Nov 1, 2011 1:55 PM PDT up reply actions

He's a physical player usually playing inside. But recently has improved on his 3 point shot when his new coach started using him more as a PF than a C.

His scoring might not fully translate to the NBA, but he likes to bang the boards too which would be helpful for a backup PF/C. Check out this rebounding sequences vs. China this summer

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H_ogcJ1IER4

by Norsktroll on Nov 1, 2011 2:03 PM PDT up reply actions

To unintentionally advance the stereotype

How about a comparison with Mehmet Okur? He seems about all around in all areas, but can shoot the three as well.

by Batumshakalaka on Nov 2, 2011 3:28 AM PDT up reply actions

Freeland so far is a lot more efficient in his scoring, partly because he plays closer inside than Okur did even in Europe (Efes Pilsen). And is a stronger rebounder and shot blocker.

Okur might have developed into a more highly skilled player, and he had quite a big role on some Jazz teams. We’ll have to see what parts of his game translate once Freeland plays in the NBA.

by Norsktroll on Nov 2, 2011 12:19 PM PDT up reply actions

Freeland is why I woory about signing any full MLE bigs this year

With Camby coming off the books next year the savings from him and amnestying Roy could give to Blazers the cap room to resign Batum and bring Freeland over. Signing a full MLE guy would throw a wrench in that.

Red means run, son, numbers add up to nothin

by Biph on Nov 1, 2011 2:54 PM PDT reply actions

Freeland is the only beacon of hope from our draft and stash days of KP

I don’t care if he plays PF or C for us, he can play one and LMA can play the other, I just want another legit big man that actually has some skills and isn’t as old as father time himself.

The smarter you are, the more likely you are to be tripping balls at any given moment.
Bring Back Dre.

by gtbassett on Nov 1, 2011 4:05 PM PDT reply actions