Is WESTY the guy?

[waverider]

I've got a gut feel Westbrook from UCLA is the guy KP is targeting if we decide to draft a PG. While players draft stock can change dramatically between now and draft day, if "Westy" stays in the 10-16 range IMO he is the GUARD we go after.

Do note that if we could trade for a PG like Harris I think we'd prefer to go that route, I am sure KP has several "plans" here. But if we do draft, my money's on Westy, lets hope he stays at a pick level we could get him if we wanted.

[JD45]

Sounds like a fit, but he is currently projected to go #9 on NBADraft.net.

http://www.nbadraft.net/

Chad Ford said today that Wastbrook would not fall past Portland in the draft.

[waverider]

Sounds like a fit, but he is currently projected to go #9 on NBADraft.net.

http://www.nbadraft.net/

Chad Ford said today that Wastbrook would not fall past Portland in the draft.

I think only one major mock draft currently has him Top 10 and we know how things can chane between March madness, workouts, and finally the draft. And there is of course the issue as to whether he even declares this yr.

[Telfaire]

I find it hard to believe that 4 out of 12 teams that would draft ahead of Portland would take a combo guard...Mayo, Gordon and Bayless should be gone by the time we draft, but Westbrook would be available.

I also think he's a good fit, if he improves his outside shot. He's already a better defender, passer and ball handler than Jack - we'll just trade him and maybe the Pacers' 2nd rounder for a future 1st round pick, and let Sergio, Rudy and Westbrook duke it out for backcourt minutes off the bench.

[Goldbum]

I'm not sold on Westbrook yet. I'll keep an open mind about this guy but right now he seems more like plan F than plan A or B.

[Spykes]

I'm not completely sold on Pritchard actually wanting to keep the pick.

[waverider]

I find it hard to believe that 4 out of 12 teams that would draft ahead of Portland would take a combo guard...Mayo, Gordon and Bayless should be gone by the time we draft, but Westbrook would be available.

I also think he's a good fit, if he improves his outside shot. He's already a better defender, passer and ball handler than Jack - we'll just trade him and maybe the Pacers' 2nd rounder for a future 1st round pick, and let Sergio, Rudy and Westbrook duke it out for backcourt minutes off the bench.

Many of the teams drafting 1-13 have big holes at the guard position, therefore guards IMO will be in demand, good thing this is a guard heavy draft.

[Mr Odd]

Westbrook is tin, a joe. Blazers
should take a powder on him.
That idea is all wet, not aces.
It would be brodie to draft him.
The Blazers should use the pick in
trade and get a keen trigger man.. .



I love 1930's slang!!

[waverider]

I'm not completely sold on Pritchard actually wanting to keep the pick.

I think its VERY FLUID Spikes as to what POR might do. As I stated in the original post I think the "preference" would be to trade the pick and some players for a good quality vet PG - like a Devin Harris. Problem is there are very, very few of those available and perhaps none for a "fair or decent price".
I also like the idea of perhaps trading up to a top 5-6 pick but that could also prove very expensive/difficult. So if we could get a Westbtook or even Mayo (if he falls and passes character parameters) at the 10-15 area I think that may end up being a very real possibility as the other two options may simply not be doable.
It is going to be very interesting.

[waverider]

Westbrook is tin, a joe. Blazers
should take a powder on him.
That idea is all wet, not aces.
It would be brodie to draft him.
The Blazers should use the pick in
trade and get a keen trigger man.. .



I love 1930's slang!!

If a "trade" is "doable" for a not to old vet triggerman I am all for it, however the "quality PG pool" for our needs is a very small one and those teams may ask too high a price for what we seek. Hence I see many "plans" here and a very fluid situation.

[Butter]

I'm not completely sold on Pritchard actually wanting to keep the pick.

Its crazy to think about all of the PG's that Portland would have on their roster after drafting Westbrook. Even if they move Jack, they'll still have:

Blake
Sergio
Kopenon(SP?)

Draft pick...

I guess they could leave Kopenon overseas, let Blake start, and let said draft pick and Sergio battle it out, while Sergio talks trash about the rotation to Rudy in Spainish..

[waverider]

-= original quote snipped =-



Its crazy to think about all of the PG's that Portland would have on their roster after drafting Westbrook. Even if they move Jack, they'll still have:

Blake
Sergio
Kopenon(SP?)

Draft pick...

I guess they could leave Kopenon overseas, let Blake start, and let said draft pick and Sergio battle it out, while Sergio talks trash about the rotation to Rudy in Spainish..

It may be "crazy" but our PG's simply suck. Blake is an adequate backup, Jack has shown he's lousy amd inadequate, Sergio is a long term project at best, Kopo may never come here and is also likely years away!
We don't have to have a great PG but we need a QUALITY one who can mesh well with Roy and the team. It is our most glaring weakness and if we can fill the need then it offers the most upside fot the team.

[BlackMamba]

well, this would be what? the 4th year in a row the blazers draft a pg?

[waverider]

well, this would be what? the 4th year in a row the blazers draft a pg?

What's your solution? Like I said I prefer to trade for a good one, buy that may not be so easy. And the recent PG's we drafted were all later 1st rd picks. Lets not mention we passed on CP3.

[Mr Odd]

Unless you can get a guy who can really
change things from the draft its silly to
draft since already have enough young
players. What needs to happen is if you
cant get a good vet pg thru trade using
the pick & players, you move Roy to PG
and you try & trade for a good scorer at
the SG since its a little easier then getting
a good PG. The Blazers need to try and
upgrade the team without going younger.

[Billy]

I'm not particularly well versed with this years prospects. I do agree with the notion that most everyone seems to hold that Portland's preference would be to grab a 2-4 year vet who has shown some promise and still has room to grow.

KP does seem to target a few specific guys and does a full court press to acquire them. My guess is that Westbrook may be on the radar, but KP might still have his eyes on higher picks.

[PhilipNelsonFan]

For the sake of sanity, I hope Westbrook doesn't declare. He's so overrated at this point.

But if he does, good. One more player for teams to take over O.J. Mayo.

[Yadadimean]

Westbrook is tin, a joe. Blazers
should take a powder on him.
That idea is all wet, not aces.
It would be brodie to draft him.
The Blazers should use the pick in
trade and get a keen trigger man.. .



I love 1930's slang!!

cause is there's something this team is lacking in, its guys who settle for jumpshots!

[Mr Odd]

-= original quote snipped =-



cause is there's something this team is lacking in, its guys who settle for jumpshots!

If you noticed I put 1930s slang words.
Trigger man does not mean jump shooter.
It means a hired gun, IE: someone thru
FA or thru a trade.. .Good LORD man,
get to know your slang words, geeze!!

[DaVoiceMaster]

Am I reading his bio right that he only plays 9 minutes per game? If that's true, how in the world is he a top 10 pick?