I think I’m done with Scoot

[BlazersBroncos]

Using advanced stats Scoot isnt even as good as Dennis Smith JR was his first 2 years in the league.

He is approaching epic bust levels. You dont win them all.

Thankfully this upcoming draft has some nice PG prospects in Harper, Demin, Kasparas, Traore and even guys like Saraf, Fland, Philon.

I hope we can turn Simons/Grant/RWIII/Ayton into at least 1 2025 FRP. Then either end up with -

1 - Flagg / Fland
2 - Harper / Mgbako

I like the archetype of Mgbako - 6'8 and a high volume 3PT shooter with enough athleticism to get by. I see Deni / Clingan as the PF/C of the future (With the caveat that if BPA is a PF you slide Deni up and go that way).

[Trailblazing]

If he were a stock I'd be dumping it.

[BlazersBroncos]

FWIW - I watched Kasparas and the guy made more winning, heady plays in a single game than I have seen Scoot make in his career as a Trailblazer. When you have it, you have it. When you dont, you dont.

[Village Idiot]

FWIW - I watched Kasparas and the guy made more winning, heady plays in a single game than I have seen Scoot make in his career as a Trailblazer. When you have it, you have it. When you dont, you dont.

Jakukionis is a really talented and poised combo-guard who looks to have the desired qualities of a PG and SG. Really high BBIQ kid. Hard to see him failing.

[BlazersBroncos]

FWIW - I watched Kasparas and the guy made more winning, heady plays in a single game than I have seen Scoot make in his career as a Trailblazer. When you have it, you have it. When you dont, you dont.

Jakukionis is a really talented and poised combo-guard who looks to have the desired qualities of a PG and SG. Really high BBIQ kid. Hard to see him failing.

Ya he has special BBIQ and enough athleticism.

42% from 3 - 86% from FT (On nearly 6 per game).

On offense he is close to the total package - can score efficiently from all 3 levels, passes when he should pass, shoots when he should shoot, range, gets to the line, etc. Basically only lacking elite athleticism (And if he had this, he would be #1 over Flagg IMO).

He is also SO QUICK to make decisions with the ball. For a guy to put up these stats from scoring to passing while posting a 24 USG - thats a big sign of a quick processor. No dribble-dribble-dribble, just pure processing.

Not sure where he fits defensively on the next level but just from his college metrics he is posting an elite DWS/40 (.111), DRTG (92.0), and DBPM (4.7).

I have him 3 after Flagg and Harper. I think he would be the easy #1 pick in the past draft, and would rate him as a prospect as better than anyone in 2023 outside Wemby. Kid is a stud. IMO this is quickly becoming a 3-player draft re blue chips.

Demin is nice but I am not sold on the shot, nor do I think he is actually 6'9.

Ace is a 'looks like Tarzan, plays like Jane' guy IMO (His advanced metrics are ugly and he passes about as well as Hassan Whiteside).

[Walton1one]

nm

[Blazinaway]

I think I am done with this team as coached and GM'd - simply inept

[JRoy]

FWIW - I watched Kasparas and the guy made more winning, heady plays in a single game than I have seen Scoot make in his career as a Trailblazer. When you have it, you have it. When you dont, you dont.

Jakukionis is a really talented and poised combo-guard who looks to have the desired qualities of a PG and SG. Really high BBIQ kid. Hard to see him failing.

Ya he has special BBIQ and enough athleticism.

42% from 3 - 86% from FT (On nearly 6 per game).

On offense he is close to the total package - can score efficiently from all 3 levels, passes when he should pass, shoots when he should shoot, range, gets to the line, etc. Basically only lacking elite athleticism (And if he had this, he would be #1 over Flagg IMO).

He is also SO QUICK to make decisions with the ball. For a guy to put up these stats from scoring to passing while posting a 24 USG - thats a big sign of a quick processor. No dribble-dribble-dribble, just pure processing.

Not sure where he fits defensively on the next level but just from his college metrics he is posting an elite DWS/40 (.111), DRTG (92.0), and DBPM (4.7).

I have him 3 after Flagg and Harper. I think he would be the easy #1 pick in the past draft, and would rate him as a prospect as better than anyone in 2023 outside Wemby. Kid is a stud. IMO this is quickly becoming a 3-player draft re blue chips.

Demin is nice but I am not sold on the shot, nor do I think he is actually 6'9.

Ace is a 'looks like Tarzan, plays like Jane' guy IMO (His advanced metrics are ugly and he passes about as well as Hassan Whiteside).

I appreciate posts like these.

Don’t normally watch much ncaa until March so the insight is useful.

[Walton1one]

Yes, Jakucionis has been impressive, clearly a top 5 pick IMO. I watched the game against TEN, and he struggled a little there, but still impacted that game, hit some tough contested 3’s made good passes just plays with a really good pace. I would not be upset at all if POR drafted him.

[Norm2953]

Tankathon has him going sixth to Portland

[BlazersBroncos]

Tankathon has him going sixth to Portland

That would be a coup. VJ and Ace combined dont have half of his BBall IQ.

I see VJ and Ace as pure balls of clay. They have the measurables, especially VJ, but your going to have to hope that the shooting, shot selection, BBall IQ on both sides of the ball (Ace here more than VJ), processing, passing, etc. all dramatically improve for them to be even starter caliber players.

I think Kasparas median outcome is Dragic, but IMO he has the chance to be quite a bit better.

I prefer not to forecast ideal outcomes (Flagg) - so realistically finding a second 2025 FRP and ending up with -

FRP 1 - Kasparas Jakucionis G
FRP 2 - Noa Essengue F

Thats my hope right now. I see both as having pretty high ceilings. Kasparas has less variance, I just think at worst he is a capable 3rd guard (But IMO its very likely he is much better). Noa has bust potential but a guy his size, with his fluidity and a workable shot? I am buying that stock and if it crashes, it crashes. I also love that both get to the line.

Noa is getting there 6 times per game - a pretty impressive number from a 6'918 year old in 22 minutes. His 3PT isnt falling but I like the mechanics. He is getting mocked in the 20's right now. I think there is little chance he doesnt end up lotto unfortunatley by the time the draft rolls around.

The unfortunate thing is Kasparas really doesnt fit the archetype that Schmitz prefers (Seems to be a measurables guy who crosses his fingers that the other things shake out / build out over time). I

[Tim Lehrbach]

I prefer not to forecast ideal outcomes

I prefer to forecast ideal outcomes, so I look forward to Dylan Harper bumping Scoot and Simons both on outta here next year.

Of course, I should be careful what I wish for. Harper may have a broken shot too (need to see it against NBA defense before I'm convinced he can be a credible deep threat), and his best skill is "getting downhill." If we draft him, he'll probably be Scoot 2.0.

[BlazersBroncos]

I prefer not to forecast ideal outcomes

I prefer to forecast ideal outcomes, so I look forward to Dylan Harper bumping Scoot and Simons both on outta here next year.

Of course, I should be careful what I wish for. Harper may have a broken shot too (need to see it against NBA defense before I'm convinced he can be a credible deep threat), and his best skill is "getting downhill." If we draft him, he'll probably be Scoot 2.0.

Harper to me has a lot of similarities to Brandon Roy with some Harden. Really like his game - but as you said his shot isnt exactly confidence inspiring. Not bad, but not a pure shooter at all IMO.

[Tim Lehrbach]

I prefer not to forecast ideal outcomes

I prefer to forecast ideal outcomes, so I look forward to Dylan Harper bumping Scoot and Simons both on outta here next year.

Of course, I should be careful what I wish for. Harper may have a broken shot too (need to see it against NBA defense before I'm convinced he can be a credible deep threat), and his best skill is "getting downhill." If we draft him, he'll probably be Scoot 2.0.

Harper to me has a lot of similarities to Brandon Roy with some Harden. Really like his game - but as you said his shot isnt exactly confidence inspiring. Not bad, but not a pure shooter at all IMO.

Yeah, good call. Harden and Roy are good upside comps: guys who didn't have lightning-quick releases or limitless range but could get any shot they wanted with their masterful and quick footwork, body control, and handles. I'm a big fan of Harper too, all exaggerated pessimism aside.

[Jstock12]

FWIW - I watched Kasparas and the guy made more winning, heady plays in a single game than I have seen Scoot make in his career as a Trailblazer. When you have it, you have it. When you dont, you dont.

Jakukionis is a really talented and poised combo-guard who looks to have the desired qualities of a PG and SG. Really high BBIQ kid. Hard to see him failing.

Ya he has special BBIQ and enough athleticism.

42% from 3 - 86% from FT (On nearly 6 per game).

On offense he is close to the total package - can score efficiently from all 3 levels, passes when he should pass, shoots when he should shoot, range, gets to the line, etc. Basically only lacking elite athleticism (And if he had this, he would be #1 over Flagg IMO).

He is also SO QUICK to make decisions with the ball. For a guy to put up these stats from scoring to passing while posting a 24 USG - thats a big sign of a quick processor. No dribble-dribble-dribble, just pure processing.

Not sure where he fits defensively on the next level but just from his college metrics he is posting an elite DWS/40 (.111), DRTG (92.0), and DBPM (4.7).

I have him 3 after Flagg and Harper. I think he would be the easy #1 pick in the past draft, and would rate him as a prospect as better than anyone in 2023 outside Wemby. Kid is a stud. IMO this is quickly becoming a 3-player draft re blue chips.

Demin is nice but I am not sold on the shot, nor do I think he is actually 6'9.

Ace is a 'looks like Tarzan, plays like Jane' guy IMO (His advanced metrics are ugly and he passes about as well as Hassan Whiteside).

The biggest current weakness in his game is a rather high turnover rate. His decision making seems to be fine (aside from some risky/careless passes sometimes) - he rather struggles with ball security against guys who can really put pressure on the point of attack. That seems like the main area he should work on right now. He's really crafty though and can drive both right & left and is completely ambidextrous finishing around the rim. Court vision is elite too.

[BlazersBroncos]

Jakukionis is a really talented and poised combo-guard who looks to have the desired qualities of a PG and SG. Really high BBIQ kid. Hard to see him failing.

Ya he has special BBIQ and enough athleticism.

42% from 3 - 86% from FT (On nearly 6 per game).

On offense he is close to the total package - can score efficiently from all 3 levels, passes when he should pass, shoots when he should shoot, range, gets to the line, etc. Basically only lacking elite athleticism (And if he had this, he would be #1 over Flagg IMO).

He is also SO QUICK to make decisions with the ball. For a guy to put up these stats from scoring to passing while posting a 24 USG - thats a big sign of a quick processor. No dribble-dribble-dribble, just pure processing.

Not sure where he fits defensively on the next level but just from his college metrics he is posting an elite DWS/40 (.111), DRTG (92.0), and DBPM (4.7).

I have him 3 after Flagg and Harper. I think he would be the easy #1 pick in the past draft, and would rate him as a prospect as better than anyone in 2023 outside Wemby. Kid is a stud. IMO this is quickly becoming a 3-player draft re blue chips.

Demin is nice but I am not sold on the shot, nor do I think he is actually 6'9.

Ace is a 'looks like Tarzan, plays like Jane' guy IMO (His advanced metrics are ugly and he passes about as well as Hassan Whiteside).

The biggest current weakness in his game is a rather high turnover rate. His decision making seems to be fine (aside from some risky/careless passes sometimes) - he rather struggles with ball security against guys who can really put pressure on the point of attack. That seems like the main area he should work on right now. He's really crafty though and can drive both right & left and is completely ambidextrous finishing around the rim. Court vision is elite too.

Ya - TO rate is something that I think is very fixable with a prospect. If I had to pick a trait someone struggled with, TO rate would be up there as the top option as I believe it is very workable - especially when the vision, processing, IQ is all there. He is just young IMO and tries to do too much at times.

Would much rather have that as a weakness than shooting, shot selection or passing for example.

[Skybox]

If you’re really out…

ORL sends: Cole Anthony (1 yr, then TO), DEN 25 frp
POR sends: Scoot, Reath

Or,

ORL sends: Anthony Black, Jett Howard, Cole Anthony
POR sends: Scoot, Avidja

A Black, Sharpe backcourt would be enticing

[Blazinaway]

If you’re really out…

ORL sends: Cole Anthony (1 yr, then TO), DEN 25 frp
POR sends: Scoot, Reath

Or,

ORL sends: Anthony Black, Jett Howard, Cole Anthony
POR sends: Scoot, Avidja

A Black, Sharpe backcourt would be enticing

If Scoot can sustain his play of the last two games then we got something - a solid PG om the making "perhaps". Shae seem to be emerging to what we have hoped for and its rather amazing just how much better Scoot has looked, love the reduced TO's, looks like we give him more time - and was it a coincidence he played so well with Chauncy not here?

[Butter]

Scoot seems to be having a bit of a resurgence over the last few games. Not sure if that's due to the temporary coaching change, or if he's just stepping up to the challenge.

If he continues his improved play over the rest of the year, would Blazers fans rather keep him, or trade hine for a rookie PG?

[Blazinaway]

Scoot seems to be having a bit of a resurgence over the last few games. Not sure if that's due to the temporary coaching change, or if he's just stepping up to the challenge.

If he continues his improved play over the rest of the year, would Blazers fans rather keep him, or trade hine for a rookie PG?

He's still 20 years old, IF he can sustain this type of play I have to think we'd be happy with him, now whether he can do that is a big "if", but you draft BPA regardless