Pre-season

[Walton1one]

All the more reason to play him a lot, so if they have to pivot in the 25' draft (Harper, Traore) they can.

[zzaj]

Listened to the game against Ratiopharm…

There won’t be one like that again. The German team had like 60 points on 3pters.

Other than that I’m not taking anything from this game—it was mostly dudes in their early-mid 20s playing against mostly teenagers.

Although it’s easy to see why some have Essengue in the Top 10 of next year’s draft—dude just oozes potential for a 6’9-6’10, 17 year old.

[Norm2953]

Listened to the game against Ratiopharm…

There won’t be one like that again. The German team had like 60 points on 3pters.

Other than that I’m not taking anything from this game—it was mostly dudes in their early-mid 20s playing against mostly teenagers.

Although it’s easy to see why some have Essengue in the Top 10 of next year’s draft—dude just oozes potential for a 6’9-6’10, 17 year old.

Tankathon has him going 18th in the 2025 draft

[zzaj]

Listened to the game against Ratiopharm…

There won’t be one like that again. The German team had like 60 points on 3pters.

Other than that I’m not taking anything from this game—it was mostly dudes in their early-mid 20s playing against mostly teenagers.

Although it’s easy to see why some have Essengue in the Top 10 of next year’s draft—dude just oozes potential for a 6’9-6’10, 17 year old.

Tankathon has him going 18th in the 2025 draft

If he continues to play like he did last night, it wouldn't surprise me to see him crack the top 10. I haven't dug that deep into this draft yet, but outside of the Top 5 it looks like that 3rd tier is a quite a ways down from tier 1 and 2. Essengue could be just as good a prospect (if not better) than Maluach, Zikarsky and McNeely...to just name a couple of SF-C players I have seen in the 5-12 range.

Age HAS to be factored into this too...the fact that he's only 17 and seemed completely comfortable (or as much as one can tell via radio, lol) with NBA players is pretty promising.

[Norm2953]

He plays a position that the Blazers need help at as well

Portland is going to be a work in progress until Sharpe gets back for the team is thin in the BC
with Thybulle out as well. I think we could see more of the bigger lineups with Deni/Camara
playing in the BC with Scoot.

It's a long season and if TL ever gets back onto the court he'll get minutes over Clingan

[zzaj]

He plays a position that the Blazers need help at as well

Portland is going to be a work in progress until Sharpe gets back for the team is thin in the BC
with Thybulle out as well. I think we could see more of the bigger lineups with Deni/Camara
playing in the BC with Scoot.

It's a long season and if TL ever gets back onto the court he'll get minutes over Clingan

You think? Essengue probably will end up a SF/PF in the NBA at 6'9" in socks and 200lbs. Right now the Blazers have Deni, Grant, Murray, and Walker all basically playing SF/PF. We can (hopefully) assume Grant is traded at some point, but Camara, Rupert and Banton play SF too...SF is probably the most crowded position on the roster. It lacks top-end talent, however.

If Deni is as advertised and Camara continues to play like he has on defense with just enough offense, the Blazers are probably feeling pretty set at the SF for the next couple of years.

The real question is PF...assuming the Blazers don't get lucky enough to capture the Flagg, my guess would be that Deni slides to PF once Grant is traded and Camara becomes the starting SF. Something like,

Scoot/Harper
Sharpe/Harper
Camara
Deni
Clingan

in 2026.

[zzaj]

Also, since we're on the topic of Essengue...if anybody wants to actually see him vs. the Blazers:

https://youtu.be/HrH1euDPP_k?si=PV3UwzGeQ_g96swF

[BlazersBroncos]

He plays a position that the Blazers need help at as well

Portland is going to be a work in progress until Sharpe gets back for the team is thin in the BC
with Thybulle out as well. I think we could see more of the bigger lineups with Deni/Camara
playing in the BC with Scoot.

It's a long season and if TL ever gets back onto the court he'll get minutes over Clingan

You think? Essengue probably will end up a SF/PF in the NBA at 6'9" in socks and 200lbs. Right now the Blazers have Deni, Grant, Murray, and Walker all basically playing SF/PF. We can (hopefully) assume Grant is traded at some point, but Camara, Rupert and Banton play SF too...SF is probably the most crowded position on the roster. It lacks top-end talent, however.

If Deni is as advertised and Camara continues to play like he has on defense with just enough offense, the Blazers are probably feeling pretty set at the SF for the next couple of years.

The real question is PF...assuming the Blazers don't get lucky enough to capture the Flagg, my guess would be that Deni slides to PF once Grant is traded and Camara becomes the starting SF. Something like,

Scoot/Harper
Sharpe/Harper
Camara
Deni
Clingan

in 2026.

I dont think Rupert or Banton should really figure into any long term plans when it comes to targeting a guy in the draft. And while I like Camara and Deni if you see a guy that you think has star power at forward you take him and figure the rest out later. We dont really have anyone on this roster that should stop us from drafting a guy if we think he has top-3 guy on a playoff team caliber talent.

Also interested in seeing whether Camara can play SG full time. He seems super comfortable on the perimeter. A guy his size playing SG full time would be pretty awesome and we wouldnt be as hand tied to paying Sharpe.

[Norm2953]

He plays a position that the Blazers need help at as well

Portland is going to be a work in progress until Sharpe gets back for the team is thin in the BC
with Thybulle out as well. I think we could see more of the bigger lineups with Deni/Camara
playing in the BC with Scoot.

It's a long season and if TL ever gets back onto the court he'll get minutes over Clingan

You think? Essengue probably will end up a SF/PF in the NBA at 6'9" in socks and 200lbs. Right now the Blazers have Deni, Grant, Murray, and Walker all basically playing SF/PF. We can (hopefully) assume Grant is traded at some point, but Camara, Rupert and Banton play SF too...SF is probably the most crowded position on the roster. It lacks top-end talent, however.

If Deni is as advertised and Camara continues to play like he has on defense with just enough offense, the Blazers are probably feeling pretty set at the SF for the next couple of years.

The real question is PF...assuming the Blazers don't get lucky enough to capture the Flagg, my guess would be that Deni slides to PF once Grant is traded and Camara becomes the starting SF. Something like,

Scoot/Harper
Sharpe/Harper
Camara
Deni
Clingan

in 2026.

Hard to say what Essengue will play at when he's 22 but with Clingan ultimately Portland's starting
center, his size/strength will allow for a Deni/Camara combination.

Interesting to see so many mock NBA drafts with the top 5 picks all Eastern Conference teams. Those
teams have to play each other at least 4 times/season and somebody has to win those games. The
Blazers playing in the western conference have only the Jazz who might be as bad as Portland are
going to rack up a ton of losses.

Until we see Flagg playing in college basketball games, the strength of the 2025 class will be its depth
but the odds are one of the top 5 so called elite prospects will be a bust. Hopefully the Blazers won't
take the player that busts

[zzaj]

He plays a position that the Blazers need help at as well

Portland is going to be a work in progress until Sharpe gets back for the team is thin in the BC
with Thybulle out as well. I think we could see more of the bigger lineups with Deni/Camara
playing in the BC with Scoot.

It's a long season and if TL ever gets back onto the court he'll get minutes over Clingan

You think? Essengue probably will end up a SF/PF in the NBA at 6'9" in socks and 200lbs. Right now the Blazers have Deni, Grant, Murray, and Walker all basically playing SF/PF. We can (hopefully) assume Grant is traded at some point, but Camara, Rupert and Banton play SF too...SF is probably the most crowded position on the roster. It lacks top-end talent, however.

If Deni is as advertised and Camara continues to play like he has on defense with just enough offense, the Blazers are probably feeling pretty set at the SF for the next couple of years.

The real question is PF...assuming the Blazers don't get lucky enough to capture the Flagg, my guess would be that Deni slides to PF once Grant is traded and Camara becomes the starting SF. Something like,

Scoot/Harper
Sharpe/Harper
Camara
Deni
Clingan

in 2026.

I dont think Rupert or Banton should really figure into any long term plans when it comes to targeting a guy in the draft. And while I like Camara and Deni if you see a guy that you think has star power at forward you take him and figure the rest out later. We dont really have anyone on this roster that should stop us from drafting a guy if we think he has top-3 guy on a playoff team caliber talent.

Also interested in seeing whether Camara can play SG full time. He seems super comfortable on the perimeter. A guy his size playing SG full time would be pretty awesome and we wouldnt be as hand tied to paying Sharpe.

Well yeah...I agree with this, I was just surprised at the "he plays a position that the Blazers need help at as well". IMHO, the Blazers need top-end talent at EVERY position. They are not in a place yet in the rebuild where they can be choosy. If Traore is the best player and you have the 3rd pick? Take Traore.

I also think that Blazer brASS views things differently than we do. I would be surprised if they gave up on Rupert at this point, unless it was in a trade for a clear upgrade at a position.

I also like Banton better than most on here. In a limited role as a jumbo PG/SG I think he has value...if for no other reason, he plays the same in big minutes as he does in limited minutes--he puts creation pressure on defenses and is a legitmate threat to pass or finish at the rim. I think the Blazers would have no issues moving away from him if the time was right.

[JRoy]

He plays a position that the Blazers need help at as well

Portland is going to be a work in progress until Sharpe gets back for the team is thin in the BC
with Thybulle out as well. I think we could see more of the bigger lineups with Deni/Camara
playing in the BC with Scoot.

It's a long season and if TL ever gets back onto the court he'll get minutes over Clingan

You think? Essengue probably will end up a SF/PF in the NBA at 6'9" in socks and 200lbs. Right now the Blazers have Deni, Grant, Murray, and Walker all basically playing SF/PF. We can (hopefully) assume Grant is traded at some point, but Camara, Rupert and Banton play SF too...SF is probably the most crowded position on the roster. It lacks top-end talent, however.

If Deni is as advertised and Camara continues to play like he has on defense with just enough offense, the Blazers are probably feeling pretty set at the SF for the next couple of years.

The real question is PF...assuming the Blazers don't get lucky enough to capture the Flagg, my guess would be that Deni slides to PF once Grant is traded and Camara becomes the starting SF. Something like,

Scoot/Harper
Sharpe/Harper
Camara
Deni
Clingan

in 2026.

I dont think Rupert or Banton should really figure into any long term plans when it comes to targeting a guy in the draft. And while I like Camara and Deni if you see a guy that you think has star power at forward you take him and figure the rest out later. We dont really have anyone on this roster that should stop us from drafting a guy if we think he has top-3 guy on a playoff team caliber talent.

Also interested in seeing whether Camara can play SG full time. He seems super comfortable on the perimeter. A guy his size playing SG full time would be pretty awesome and we wouldnt be as hand tied to paying Sharpe.

Banton is a nothing. Rupert might be as well. No point preserving a roster slot for either at this time, though Rupert might show something this season.

[Walton1one]

I was not able to watch the game.

What about Saraf? He is the player who had a lot of helium coming into this year, with a few websites projecting him as a potential top 10 pick.

[Norm2953]

Camara would be an interesting fit at SG but unless he's playing next to a dynamic scoring PG,
a Scoot/Camara BC isn't going to score many points.

One would suppose a unit with Scoot, Camara, Deni, Grant and Ayton is going to lead to Grant
and Ayton taking most of the shots

[BlazersBroncos]

I was not able to watch the game.

What about Saraf? He is the player who had a lot of helium coming into this year, with a few websites projecting him as a potential top 10 pick.

He looked pretty good IMO. His handle for his size is tremendous. His shot is good but needs some work, but he seemed to get to his spots for middies pretty well. Think the Blazers size was really bothering him - he was being guarded by Camara a ton and I doubt he has matched much with a guy that has the HWS of Toumari before.

He certainly was trying to do too much and IMO its pretty clear the Blazers game planned to get the ball out of his hands.

[zzaj]

I was not able to watch the game.

What about Saraf? He is the player who had a lot of helium coming into this year, with a few websites projecting him as a potential top 10 pick.

He looked pretty good IMO. His handle for his size is tremendous. His shot is good but needs some work, but he seemed to get to his spots for middies pretty well. Think the Blazers size was really bothering him - he was being guarded by Camara a ton and I doubt he has matched much with a guy that has the HWS of Toumari before.

He certainly was trying to do too much and IMO its pretty clear the Blazers game planned to get the ball out of his hands.

Were you at the game? I was bummed it wasn't televised at all...

I've heard a couple people mention that he's a "screen" player--meaning he's going to need screens to make up for his lack of initial burst attacking defenders--and that seems to track. I've also heard people mention his trouble finishing at the rim, which makes him a tier lower than a Manu, for sure. From what I've seen of him he does remind me of Topic quite a bit, with a little less passing gravity.

[Walton1one]

Someone should start a 2025 draft thread, it is never too early to look ahead!

Harper (20) & Bailey (25) put on a show in their first game

[BlazersBroncos]

I was not able to watch the game.

What about Saraf? He is the player who had a lot of helium coming into this year, with a few websites projecting him as a potential top 10 pick.

He looked pretty good IMO. His handle for his size is tremendous. His shot is good but needs some work, but he seemed to get to his spots for middies pretty well. Think the Blazers size was really bothering him - he was being guarded by Camara a ton and I doubt he has matched much with a guy that has the HWS of Toumari before.

He certainly was trying to do too much and IMO its pretty clear the Blazers game planned to get the ball out of his hands.

Were you at the game? I was bummed it wasn't televised at all...

I've heard a couple people mention that he's a "screen" player--meaning he's going to need screens to make up for his lack of initial burst attacking defenders--and that seems to track. I've also heard people mention his trouble finishing at the rim, which makes him a tier lower than a Manu, for sure. From what I've seen of him he does remind me of Topic quite a bit, with a little less passing gravity.

I like him much more than Topic. The Manu comp may not be as apt as the first steps are not that comparable (Manu was a freak first step). He may be more in the Dragic range of talent - which is still a Top-10 pick.

[zzaj]

Someone should start a 2025 draft thread, it is never too early to look ahead!

Harper (20) & Bailey (25) put on a show in their first game

Good idea. Done!

[zzaj]

Love seeing decent minutes and amazing production from Clingan, even if it was against meh competition. Hard not to be impressed. Such a different player than Ayton.

Scoot running the offense is just...bad. His feel for setting up teammates is so wonky. There were a couple of 3s that his teammates could have hit, but the passes had too much on them or were out of the shooters pocket. When he has off shooting nights it makes him look REALLY bad.

[AcFunk]

Toumani, Avdija and Clingan make a real tough defensive trio. They were the reason IMO the game was over so early.