Draft prospects @ 10

[Wizenheimer]

I am now on the Zeller bandwagon.

The combine measurements and athletic results eliminated a lot of the risk that I saw with Zeller. He had a top 10 college PER, is very skilled in the paint, claims to have a lot more shooting range than was used at Indiana, measured good size for a PF and tested as one of the most athletic big men in the database.

There were concerns he wasn't big enough to play NBA C, but was not fast enough to play NBA PF. He now seems perfect for the PF position with enormous upside. I would probably pick him at #1 now.

Hold your horse 1? I think your taking too much from the combine. I think he is a good BPA pick, and I would gladly pick him over some other "need" guys, like Dieng, but not 1.

I think he could end up being a blessing in disguise for a team like Monroe was for the pistons or Paul George was for the Pacers. If he is the BPA left at 10 I wouldn't be upset.

If Zeller is capable of playing effectively as either a C or PF that would give him more value

and if he had good potential as a PF, then if this summer's moves generally end up as failures, having a guy like Zeller might be good insurance if the Blazers do put Aldridge on the market this year

I have to admit that his verticals, lane agility, and sprint marks were ultra-impressive. Of course, wasn't that the case for Joe Alexander?

[Clarity]

I haven't reached any concrete conclusions about the guy, except that the price to get him would probably be too high. D-Wade was measured as only 1/2" taller and an inch more wingspan and he turned out all-right

that's why I suggested Oladipo might be the SG version of Avery Bradley or Eric Bledsoe. Uber-Athletic in the open floor and good at attacking the basket while being disruptive defenders. But those guys have some limitations as well.

I still don't see a way Portland gets into position to draft him short of jumping into the top-3 in the lottery

Think Tony Allen more, Oladipo's offensive game isnt very good. Average at best ball handling, little ability to create his own shots, streaky shooter.

He is an elite defender & a freak athlete though, his motor is one of the best to come out in a minute.

For Port though where their current 2 & 3 are both average at best ball handlers who cant create their own shot i'd prob look in another direction.

[Case2012]

So if you have Zeller, Bazz, and CJ on the board still when ten comes up, who do you pick? I'm completely torn.
Zeller could've gone #1 in last years deep draft, and now he might be there at ten, so by that logic wouldn't you have to take him? Same goes for Bazz, as he was the favorite for the first this year for a few years. CJ could be this years Damian Lillard, and would be a great fit offensively next to him.

[Case2012]

I haven't reached any concrete conclusions about the guy, except that the price to get him would probably be too high. D-Wade was measured as only 1/2" taller and an inch more wingspan and he turned out all-right

that's why I suggested Oladipo might be the SG version of Avery Bradley or Eric Bledsoe. Uber-Athletic in the open floor and good at attacking the basket while being disruptive defenders. But those guys have some limitations as well.

I still don't see a way Portland gets into position to draft him short of jumping into the top-3 in the lottery

Think Tony Allen more, Oladipo's offensive game isnt very good. Average at best ball handling, little ability to create his own shots, streaky shooter.

He is an elite defender & a freak athlete though, his motor is one of the best to come out in a minute.

For Port though where their current 2 & 3 are both average at best ball handlers who cant create their own shot i'd prob look in another direction.

His ball handling looks pretty good here.
[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dk4XNbRYhKA[/youtube]

[Clarity]

His ball handling looks pretty good here.
[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dk4XNbRYhKA[/youtube]

check out the draft express video, they do such a great job over there with prospect videos.

Oladipo's work ethic makes me believe he will get better but right now its average at best.

[JD45]

I have to admit that his verticals, lane agility, and sprint marks were ultra-impressive. Of course, wasn't that the case for Joe Alexander?

Measurements are certainly go guarantee. But Zeller tested much better than Alexander on lane agility (10.8 vs 11.33) They had similar leaping, but Alexander was much faster on the 3/4 sprint (3.15 vs 2.99), even though Zeller is still very fast relative to others. But the biggest difference between them is that Zeller is far more offensively skilled. He has a variety of low post offensive moves and can get his own shot. Alexander could not. Zeller was also a much better rebounder in college.

I don't think there is a single player in this draft that is a certain All-Star or that couldn't be a bust. Zeller is no exception. But his risk perceived risk was size and athleticism, and I think the combine proved that isn't an issue.

[Case2012]

check out the draft express video, they do such a great job over there with prospect videos.

Oladipo's work ethic makes me believe he will get better but right now its average at best.

I have. I just thought this was a good contrast, especially since this workout was done after the season, when his scouting video was made. You can see a lot of growth based on this video alone.

[TBpup]

Wesley Matthews thinks that ball handling drill/exhibition is really no big deal.

[Marcus50]

This draft will throw up some surprise selections, Dont think Noel will be # 1 For a start,

[Wizenheimer]

Wesley Matthews thinks that ball handling drill/exhibition is really no big deal.

did you know that Wesley Matthews averaged 0.92 points/possession in isolation. That actually ranked 39th of all players in the NBA.

he also averaged 0.84 points/possession as a P&R ball-handler. That ranked 48th

he averaged 1.16 points/possession on spot-up. That ranked 42nd

and 0.94 points/possession on hand-offs. That ranked 38th

and 1.09 points/possession off screens. That was good enough to rank 16th.

Overall, he averaged 1.02 points/possession. That ranked 39th in the league and 1st on the Blazers.

he also only gave up 0.82 points/possession on defense. That ranked 88th in the league and he didn't have the advantage of a good interior defender backing him up like so many other perimeter players did. That average also, just like on offense, led the team

considering that Draft Express lists ball-handling as an Oladipo weakness, I'm not sure that believing there would be some big positive team differential derived from going from Matthews to Oladipo because of ball-handling is justified. Matthews is one of the more efficient players in the league, who also plays good defense and makes a lot of hustle and energy plays. This could end up being a don't-know-what-you've-got-till-it's-gone situation

I'm not saying Matthews is untouchable. Not close. But exchanging him for a player who hasn't touched an NBA floor is pretty risky, and that doesn't factor in team chemistry and leadership

[Blazinaway]

Nevermind.. I thought Dieng was taller.. Give me Withy. He's going to bolster the interior D wherever he goes. He tries to block everything.

6'11 in shoes with a big standing reach and wingspan isn't tall enough? He is a solid athlete and appears very mobile, wish he could have participated in the combine tests. His weight is my concern and note that Withey was 8lbs lighter than Dieng at 222 lbs - that ain't good and both Dieng an Withey are 23 yrs old, they are likely not going to fill out that much more (gain weight/muscle) as compated to a 19/20 yr old.

[James72]

RUmors going around we are looking to trade up for Victor. However, i think its all smoke, doesnt make sense to me trading up. Only way i would consider it is moving mathews. but would #10 and mathews get us a #4? It would allow us more cap, that's for sure. Maybe replace him with redick?


https://www.google.com/search?client=sa ... 8&oe=UTF-8

[DeBlazerRiddem]

Doesn't make sense to me earlier. Even if Olshey identified Oladipo as "the man" this draft, I doubt he would tip his hand that much and Oladipo is not falling to us. Even if we were expecting a cheap move-up cost, making it well known that we've fallen in love with someone will just increase that cost.

[Blazinaway]

Doesn't make sense to me earlier. Even if Olshey identified Oladipo as "the man" this draft, I doubt he would tip his hand that much and Oladipo is not falling to us. Even if we were expecting a cheap move-up cost, making it well known that we've fallen in love with someone will just increase that cost.

a
gree, this is classic BS at this time of year

[Wizenheimer]

Doesn't make sense to me earlier. Even if Olshey identified Oladipo as "the man" this draft, I doubt he would tip his hand that much and Oladipo is not falling to us. Even if we were expecting a cheap move-up cost, making it well known that we've fallen in love with someone will just increase that cost.

GM's like to cultivate good relationships with agents.

if this rumor doesn't make much sense (and you're right, it doesn't) maybe it's worth seeing if Oladipo has signed with an agent yet, and if he has, who else is the agent representing. Too tin-foil hat?

[fishnc]

I hope we can trade two of our 2nd rounders for a late first. I'd really love to get Reggie Bullock. Also Shane Larkin.

[The Sebastian Express]

It probably is too tin-foil hat, considering his agent is apparently Raymond Brothers.

http://transactions.hoopsrumors.com/wid ... ency_ID=33

A list of his clients. Someone else in his agency represents Tony Allen according to their website, but that is about it.

[ptown08]

Let's say Cleveland wants to take Matthews and Aldridge for cap space, Olapido, and next years first. That pick next year is more likely to be in the 16+ range than top 10

Jsun...very true but the collateral fall out is that Portland could easily have a top-5 pick to go along with that. So imagine something like;

Leonard/Gobert/O'Neal
T. Thomspon/O'Neal
Batum/Claver
Oladipo/Barton/Williams
Lillard/Oladipo/veteran backup

That is a lot of young talent to go with a ton of cap room next summer when the FA's are much better. Add to that a likely top-5 and mid 1st round pick in the deepest draft in recent memory.

A friend and I were discussing this earlier today while playing ball. He is very invested in keeping this core (LMA, Batum, Wes) together to give them another shot, with some added FA help like a Dalembert.

On the other hand I am intrigues by that trade above, in that, yeah we lose an all-star in LMA but we get "our guy" Oladipo, who is a pretty nice prospect, and then add to that the 10 pick this year (could be scorer Bazz) and two first round picks next year in a potentially franchise changing draft. I would really heavily consider that! Puts Portland in a much more earnest rebuild position, with a real chance to find the talent to build a true contender. That doesn't come around all that much, I say jump on it.

[fishnc]

I wonder if Atlanta would trade 17 & 18 to move up to 10? I would definitely do that.

[DeBlazerRiddem]

Doesn't make sense to me earlier. Even if Olshey identified Oladipo as "the man" this draft, I doubt he would tip his hand that much and Oladipo is not falling to us. Even if we were expecting a cheap move-up cost, making it well known that we've fallen in love with someone will just increase that cost.

GM's like to cultivate good relationships with agents.

if this rumor doesn't make much sense (and you're right, it doesn't) maybe it's worth seeing if Oladipo has signed with an agent yet, and if he has, who else is the agent representing. Too tin-foil hat?

It very well could be that Olshey likes Oladipo. I like Oladipo, why wouldn't the Blazers?

Maybe this would make some sense once the lottery order is determined, but any talks Olshey would have had would have been exceedingly preliminary. That is why this "rumor" feels more like "seeing if sh*t sticks to walls" than "i know something you don't know".

If the price ends up being right to acquire Oladipo, sure I bet the Blazers would consider a trade up. However, if Olshey had identified Oladipo as the man to acquire at any cost, this rumor getting out would be quite damaging to his efforts.