Draft prospects @ 10

[DusterBuster]

Chad Ford has been mentioning on his blog about an apparent injury to Dieng which is perhaps
why he does seem to be working out much.

I'm skeptical Portland will take either Adams, Gobert or Dieng unless one of these guys just
has a killer workout or Portland gets another pick. None of the centers in this draft with
the exception of Len are worth the #10 pick (Noel is a PF).

Chris Haynes was on 1080 today and he said the word he keeps hearing out of the Blazers is that they're absolutely just going to go BPA, regardless of position. So yeah, I don't think the Blazers are locked into only picking a C either.

[Norm2953]

If that's the case, Portland's pick will be either McCollum, Pope or Zeller.

The wild cards in the top 10 are MCW and Shabazz and a team like the Kings might
really mix things up if they reach at 7. I'm waiting for Shabazz to come to Portland
for a workout for apparently has been having good workouts for teams and there
has been talk of McLemore slipping for his workouts are only fair and he went into
them out of shape.

[TBpup]

Chris Haynes ‏@ChrisBHaynes 29s
Pittsburgh C Steven Adams & C Rudy Gobert will work out for #Blazers Thursday, I'm told. Will be a good one. Paul Allen appearance worthy.

Haynes only a couple of hours behind it already being on RealGM...nice.

[GreenRiddler]

nobody knows who the Blazers view as the BPA. What if Bazz, Zeller, KC-P and Adams are on the board? Nobody knows.

[GreenRiddler]

Great write up on SG's.

http://www.draftexpress.com/article/Sit ... -Crop-4273


http://www.draftexpress.com/article/Jus ... -Crop-4272

[Talent Chaser]

I wouldn't be opposed to Burke @10, I think he could develop into a great player and could become a valuable asset down the road.

[JD45]

Chad Ford has been mentioning on his blog about an apparent injury to Dieng which is perhaps
why he does seem to be working out much.

I'm skeptical Portland will take either Adams, Gobert or Dieng unless one of these guys just
has a killer workout or Portland gets another pick. None of the centers in this draft with
the exception of Len are worth the #10 pick (Noel is a PF).

Chris Haynes was on 1080 today and he said the word he keeps hearing out of the Blazers is that they're absolutely just going to go BPA, regardless of position. So yeah, I don't think the Blazers are locked into only picking a C either.

I hope they stick to that on draft night. This draft is so wide open and unpredictable there is no way to be sure who is going to be there at #10. I think there is a chance Noel or McLemore could even be there. So locking into certain positions could really backfire if the best player is someone else.

[Joshumitsu]

If we can get another pick and draft Gorbat or Adams next to Shabazz, I'd be stoked.

Otherwise, I don't have very much confidence we'll do anything useful with the pick.

[DaVoiceMaster]

Let's say the Blazers acquire the Dallas pick and want to mess with Utah again...

Blazers draft McCollum at #10
Blazers draft Carter-Williams at #13
Utah trades #14 & #21 and receives Freeland & the draft rights to the #10 pick McCollum

If rumors are true that Utah wants to move up to acquire a PG, could the Blazers force Utah to swap the Shabazz or Adams at #14 for MCW at #13 AND Freeland???




The bench just got younger, but does it have more talent than Babbitt, Smith & Price?

[JasonStern]

So if we're talking about the centers in this draft, how do you guys rate them from NBA ready down being a project ?

I kind of have it at Zeller, Len, Dieng, Whithey, Muscala, Adams, Gobert

I'd move len down, as he's more of a project big.

I'd move muscala up, as he is a four year player with less potential than many of the other players. not hating on muscala. I'd love for portland to package their 2nd round picks to move up and get him, especially with jaiteh foregoing the draft.

not sure how gobert's english is, but there's the potential language barrier problem which tends to affect younger foreign players in their rookie season.

I'd also add plumlee towards the top given the projected draft range of the players listed.

I'm sure we have all hears Chad Ford saying that 25 teams are selling draft picks and it's hard to get a good deal done when so many people are selling. I feel like that makes this the perfect time to buy. If we are truly in asset acquisition mode we should be looking to buy low. If we can use our capspace, Euro and 2nds(along with trading down) to pick up a couple additional 1sts why not? For example treading #39, #40 and Papa for #13, then trading #10 and #45 for #14 and #21. In a flat draft you can just take whoever fall. Maybe KCP or Shabazz @13, Gobert/Adams or Bebe' @14 and Tony Mitchell or Plumlee @21. Not saying these trades are available just making a round about point to buy low.

I completely agree about buying low. however, marion's contract is attached to the #13 pick, and possibly carter's. so the question then becomes whether or not a player available at #13 is worth potentially eating all of portland's cap space. and there's no way to know that until after the 12th pick is made.

but then it might be entirely academic. marion has a player option, and I don't know the rules on trying to trade him before he makes a decision on that, and I don't know when the deadline is for him to opt in or out. and I thought portland already renounced jeffries, which means I don't think portland has the cap space/tradeable expiring contracts at the time of the draft to eat marion's contract, even with freeland included. but then I'm not a cap/cba guru...

Maybe we need to temper our expectations for the 10th pick and just swing for the solid role player and not risk going for the potential.

the only thing that scares me about that statement is that was the exact rationale chad buchannon used to justify picking nolan smith.

Chris Haynes ‏@ChrisBHaynes 29s
Pittsburgh C Steven Adams & C Rudy Gobert will work out for #Blazers Thursday, I'm told. Will be a good one. Paul Allen appearance worthy.

I'm more curious who, if either, gets invited to dinner with paul allen. those tend to be the players paul allen is legitimately interested in drafting post-workout.

None of the centers in this draft with
the exception of Len are worth the #10 pick (Noel is a PF).

you said the same thing about brook lopez, roy hibbert, marc gasol, marcin gortat, etc., etc.

Adams sister Valerie is 3x world Champion and 2x Olymipc Champion for women's shot put.

so you're saying if the blazers draft adams, they'll have to see:



...court side?

[Marcus50]

So if we're talking about the centers in this draft, how do you guys rate them from NBA ready down being a project ?

I kind of have it at Zeller, Len, Dieng, Whithey, Muscala, Adams, Gobert

I'd move len down, as he's more of a project big.

I'd move muscala up, as he is a four year player with less potential than many of the other players. not hating on muscala. I'd love for portland to package their 2nd round picks to move up and get him, especially with jaiteh foregoing the draft.

not sure how gobert's english is, but there's the potential language barrier problem which tends to affect younger foreign players in their rookie season.

I'd also add plumlee towards the top given the projected draft range of the players listed.

I'm sure we have all hears Chad Ford saying that 25 teams are selling draft picks and it's hard to get a good deal done when so many people are selling. I feel like that makes this the perfect time to buy. If we are truly in asset acquisition mode we should be looking to buy low. If we can use our capspace, Euro and 2nds(along with trading down) to pick up a couple additional 1sts why not? For example treading #39, #40 and Papa for #13, then trading #10 and #45 for #14 and #21. In a flat draft you can just take whoever fall. Maybe KCP or Shabazz @13, Gobert/Adams or Bebe' @14 and Tony Mitchell or Plumlee @21. Not saying these trades are available just making a round about point to buy low.

I completely agree about buying low. however, marion's contract is attached to the #13 pick, and possibly carter's. so the question then becomes whether or not a player available at #13 is worth potentially eating all of portland's cap space. and there's no way to know that until after the 12th pick is made.

but then it might be entirely academic. marion has a player option, and I don't know the rules on trying to trade him before he makes a decision on that, and I don't know when the deadline is for him to opt in or out. and I thought portland already renounced jeffries, which means I don't think portland has the cap space/tradeable expiring contracts at the time of the draft to eat marion's contract, even with freeland included. but then I'm not a cap/cba guru...

Maybe we need to temper our expectations for the 10th pick and just swing for the solid role player and not risk going for the potential.

the only thing that scares me about that statement is that was the exact rationale chad buchannon used to justify picking nolan smith.

Chris Haynes ‏@ChrisBHaynes 29s
Pittsburgh C Steven Adams & C Rudy Gobert will work out for #Blazers Thursday, I'm told. Will be a good one. Paul Allen appearance worthy.

I'm more curious who, if either, gets invited to dinner with paul allen. those tend to be the players paul allen is legitimately interested in drafting post-workout.

None of the centers in this draft with
the exception of Len are worth the #10 pick (Noel is a PF).

you said the same thing about brook lopez, roy hibbert, marc gasol, marcin gortat, etc., etc.

Adams sister Valerie is 3x world Champion and 2x Olymipc Champion for women's shot put.

so you're saying if the blazers draft adams, they'll have to see:



...court side?

Adams should be able to put on a bit of extra Muscle Mass do you think

[b33nine]

not sure how gobert's english is, but there's the potential language barrier problem which tends to affect younger foreign players in their rookie season.

Stotts is fluent in French, so that shouldn't be an issue.

[Butter]

not sure how gobert's english is, but there's the potential language barrier problem which tends to affect younger foreign players in their rookie season.

Stotts is fluent in French, so that shouldn't be an issue.

Gobert "Say I love crepes or I will break your arm"
Meyers "These colors dont run. Break it Pepe Lapugh"

[TBpup]

I'm more curious who, if either, gets invited to dinner with paul allen. those tend to be the players paul allen is legitimately interested in drafting post-workout.

I believe there was supposed to be a dinner last night for Adams..didn't hear anything regarding Gobert.

[TBpup]

http://www.3news.co.nz/Opinion-Steven-Adams---NZs-next-big-thing/tabid/1771/articleID/301202/Default.aspx

Nice article on Steven Adams from NZ tv/newsite.

But fast tracks have a way of not being as simple as they sound. Kenny Mac insisted that if Steven was serious, he would have to be at training every morning at 6am before school. Pretty soon, Steven was texting Kenny every night to make sure he’d get picked up at 5.30am.
“He went for about four years straight where he never missed a training,” Kenny told us.
Kenny remembers when he realised this 14-year-old had what it takes.
“Oh, yeah, about three months into working with me. Here was a kid who don’t miss no trainings, is energetic, enthusiastic and had tunnel vision."

More...

The NBA can be bruising and brutal, crushing vulnerable spirits and weak players. But when you meet Steven Adams, when you marvel at his athleticism and you realise how emotionally robust and insightful he is, you just know he’s going to be okay.

[Talent Chaser]

http://www.3news.co.nz/Opinion-Steven-Adams---NZs-next-big-thing/tabid/1771/articleID/301202/Default.aspx

Nice article on Steven Adams from NZ tv/newsite.

But fast tracks have a way of not being as simple as they sound. Kenny Mac insisted that if Steven was serious, he would have to be at training every morning at 6am before school. Pretty soon, Steven was texting Kenny every night to make sure he’d get picked up at 5.30am.
“He went for about four years straight where he never missed a training,” Kenny told us.
Kenny remembers when he realised this 14-year-old had what it takes.
“Oh, yeah, about three months into working with me. Here was a kid who don’t miss no trainings, is energetic, enthusiastic and had tunnel vision."

More...

The NBA can be bruising and brutal, crushing vulnerable spirits and weak players. But when you meet Steven Adams, when you marvel at his athleticism and you realise how emotionally robust and insightful he is, you just know he’s going to be okay.

Yes, plenty of basketball players work hard. However, that doesn't guarantee success.

[TBpup]

Yes, plenty of basketball players work hard. However, that doesn't guarantee success.

Agree, not at all but I would much rather have one with a serious work ethic. It's why I preferred Durant over Oden...Durant lived in the gym. There are also a lot of talented players that slack off and don't work very hard. Give me 7' guy who can run, jump, block shots, likes contact, shoots better than we thought due to a thumb injury in college and works his tail off all day long.

[sabi]

Any news on how Steven Adams' workout went?

[Brandon-Clyde]

The burgeoning prospects, who each have been linked to the Blazers in mock drafts at some point this offseason, faced off for the third time this summer and left Portland with a renewed respect for one another. Adams, who has as much personality as he does basketball ability, marvelled at the towering presence of Gobert, who stands 7-foot-1 and has a wingspan that stretches 7-8 1/2.




“He’s giant,” the 7-foot, 250-pound Adams said. “He’s freaking huge. “Oh, my, God, he’s a large human being.”




The 20 year-old French prospect played most of his life at small forward, according to Blazers small forward Nicolas Batum, who attended Thursday’s workout to support his fellow Frenchman. But a late growth spurt forced Gobert to move to center and he’s still learning the intricacies of playing down low. His shot isn’t pretty, his postgame is a work in progress and it will take time to mold him into capable offensive player.




But Gobert’s staggering size is enough to entice and his post-protecting possibilities on defense only add to his appeal. For 15 days last summer, Gobert trained with the French National Team in preparation for the London Olympics. During the first two workouts, Batum said, Gobert struggled to match the intensity and physicality of his French teammates, including NBA players Joakim Noah and Ronny Turiaf. But after taking his lumps for a couple days, Gobert adjusted and held his own.




“This guy never give up,” Batum said. “The first two days, he got killed. They were NBA big men (and) he just started playing pro. He was 19. So he didn’t know. But he didn’t give up. The next couple days, he responded. That’s his mindset.




“We don’t have a lot of guys like (him) in basketball — that tall, that smart, who can protect the rim.”




Adams, a 19-year old from New Zealand, boasts his own unique defensive ability. He played one season at Pittsburgh, averaging 7.2 points, 6.3 rebounds, 2.0 blocks and 23.4 minutes per game. Like Gobert, his offense needs grooming. But Adams embraces defense and his superior athleticism and length have propelled him into the lottery discussion.




“My defense is the main (focus),” he said, when asked what he’s trying to showcase during predraft workouts. “That’s what I think I’m going to get on the court for. Defense. Rebounding. Finding the lanes. Setting screens. Blocking shots. That’ll be my foundation, because that’s what big men are supposed to do. They’ve got plenty of scoring in the NBA already.”




And according to some draft experts, the Blazers have genuine interest in Adams’ long-term potential. The respected draft web site Draftexpress.com predicts that the Blazers will select Adams at No. 10. And while ESPN draft guru Chad Ford says the Blazers will select Lehigh guard C.J. McCollum, Ford adds that “Adams looks like a potential fit” at No. 10.




He certainly would fit into the Portland culture. Adams was comfortable and quirky in front of the cameras Thursday, quick to flash a smile and eager to tell a joke.




He said he played rugby growing up in New Zealand, but eventually quit in his early teens to focus on basketball after he “got absolutely hammered by some big Samoan kid with a mustache.” And while Adams relishes physical play, he admitted the NBA would offer a new level of beastly athleticism that he wasn’t necessarily prepared for.




“I don’t know,” Adams said, when asked if he was ready for the physicality of the NBA. “Because I saw Zach Randolph and Blake Griffin (in the playoffs). “I was like, ‘Oooofff! Pssst!’ I don’t know about that. That was like some judo, some wrestling or something. That was amazing.”

http://www.oregonlive.com/blazers/index.ssf/2013/06/one_week_before_nba_draft_trail_blazers_evaluate_p.html#incart_flyout_sports

[Downtown]

They said Adams had the largest hands at the combine. From that picture he looks like he can get a pretty good grip on someone. It is interesting that both Adams and Gobert have worked out against each other three times already. I guess Portland could get a fairly good read as to which one might be a notch above the other since both know each other by now and would try to outdo each other.

That's not to say that they will take either one. Just saying it makes for a good comparison. I wonder who they will bring in to go against Dieng, if anyone?