FanPost

NBA Draft Day Reflections

You think you know some things about basketball and the NBA and then the 2017 draft day happens. I know I'm way back in the line of articles being posted about this event, and it will probably continue to be talked about ad nauseam on here but that's what BE fan posts are for. We get to exorcise our demons and vent about the Blazer's because we are passionate fans. I have to be upfront with you here, I am conflicted about what went down.

Zach Collins:

I believe it was before the arrival of Nurkic and the resulting uptick in Vonleh's performance, that I wrote a couple posts on here gauging the talent of big men in college basketball. It was still pretty early but BE fans were willing to vote and discuss who might be the best option to draft for the Blazer's thin frontcourt.

Fast forward to several months later and it was reported that Zach had taken a psychological test for Portland. He seemed kind of unsure about it at the time. I don't blame him, I saw it as a nod towards a prospect that would challenge Meyers Leonard for minutes, but minus the confidence issues Leonard has on the court. In hindsight, bravo Olshey for not making it evident how high he was on Collins. No workout, just a test on a computer. The rest of the league MAY have perceived this as having mixed feeling about the young Gonzaga player. Therefor he didn't appear to be as desirable as he really was to this organization.

Caleb Swanigan:

I remember feeling pretty high on Swanigan when I first reviewed his draft profile and read his story. That feeling waned a bit as time wore on. He did work out for the Blazer's (among a bevy of other players) which re-ignited my interest, but my head was on a swivel at that time. After a lot of different ideas coming out in the days leading up to the draft about what Olshey's plans were, I found myself fairly certain the Blazer's would pass on him. Turns out I was wrong.

So when Olshey traded the #15 and #20 picks for the #10 from Sacramento, I was nervous. This could be really good or really bad. He surprised me by drafting Collins, but I couldn't help but feel lost when he drafted Swanigan later. I guessed that the strategy would be to package some of the picks and players to dump salary. Or a two-way wing player. Or a small ball 5 somewhere in the mold of Draymond Green. Wrong wrong wrong on all accounts.

It just goes to show that you can't read somebody's mind and rarely anticipate the moves they will make. I do however think I am beginning to understand a little bit more of the grand design Olshey and the front office of the Blazer's have in mind.

Thin Frontcourt:

-The Blazer's suffered through injuries to basically all of their big men during the regular season. Ed Davis (shoulder), Nurkic (Non-displaced fracture in his leg), Aminu (Back contusion, sprained left knee, etc). Coming into the season Leonard was nowhere near 100% on his shoulder, and Ezeli's knee was definitely still hurt. Vonleh was pretty much the healthiest guy on the court but was still learning how to play with the team.

-While Collins and Swanigan will doubtfully be starting or even earning meaningful minutes off the bench as they adjust to the NBA, they will be there for emergencies and development. If anything the Blazer's now have more bodies in a frontcourt that may be fleeced of a few players during the season.

Small Ball 5:

-Plumlee was the best option that the Blazer's had last season for this role. After being traded, the arrival of the Bosnian Beast absolutely transformed the team. I don't think Olshey or anybody else for that matter expected it. In the playoffs Nurkic did have a short tenure on the court and although it didn't seem anything like his previous form, it did put some pressure on the Warriors to deal with him. Guy's like Nurkic don't exactly hang on the low easy-to-reach branches of the NBA. Enter a change in direction for the Blazers.

-McLillard seemed to be Portland's answer for the small ball craze currently gripping the NBA. While it works to a degree during the regular season it was apparent more was needed. After drafting Collins and Swanigan, it looks like the Blazer's are leaning away from the trend and aiming at creating a hybrid of small ball guards paired with big men who can either bang on the block or stretch the floor with shooting. Although it is possible they do continue playing guys like Aminu and Volneh as their small ball 5 when it suits their purpose, I have a feeling they will try using bigger bodies to compliment their guards.

Wing Player:

-Barring any amazing trades, the Blazer's wing players are likely what you see them as right now. Essentially you have 3-4 players will all different kinds of skills. Turner and Harkless to me are the most rounded of this bunch. If Turner continues to mesh well with the team he could be very useful, especially with all the big men he can pass to now. Harkless is still growing at a steady rate, if it continues as such this season he will be pretty good by time the Blazer's start chasing a playoff berth.

Thanks for reading everybody, let me know if you think the Blazer's are changing directions, or what you anticipate their plan may be going forward.