2011 DRAFT blather goes here. Part 3...

[popper]

I can understand why some teams covet kemba Walker. He is a rare athelete with a winning pedigree. If we didn't already have Wall I'd be hard pressed to pass on him at 6. This could really work out in our favor. If he falls to us and there are two or three teams (as it's speculated there will be) vying for a trade up to select him we can host a bidding competition and walk away with some valuable assets. Let the bidding begin.

[closg00]

Givony went on a tweeting rant the other day basically saying the workouts, for the most part are meaningless(I'm using this word). Any good scouting department would have a binder full of info on these guys, so these workouts are probably just to put any finishing touches, or check out guys who may be invited to Summer League.

I wouldn't read too much into the workouts. If I recall, we didn't even work Seraphin out.

Not working-out works both ways, if Seraphin had worked-out for teams, he would have been drafted late in the 1st or early in the 2nd round. Today he'd be a 2nd rounder for sure.

[Mr. Grundle]

If Kanter is gone I've got no problem taking Kemba or Marcus Morris at 6 and keeping them. Both are pretty much guaranteed to be at least good players in the NBA. What more do you want at #6 in a weak draft? I'm not enticed by "raw with upside" or "foreign player who's game may or may not translate to the NBA" gambling this high in the draft. Give me a big time player from a big time college program who you know will be a solid player for you. OKC took James Harden at #3 in a one-man draft because they knew he would be solid, even though he had limited upside and questionable athleticism. Looking like a smart move so far.

If we take Kemba we can let Nick walk. He can take backup PG minutes so we don't have to play Wall 46 minutes a game, and they can also find situations where they can share the floor together. A backcourt of Wall, Crawford, and Walker might not play much D, but we sure as hell won't have to worry about guards who can't score anymore (Antonio Daniels, Deshawn Stevenson, etc.) And tell me those 3 won't make each other better competing in practice every day, all being youngins and coming up together.

I just don't wanna be the Portland Trailblazers and not draft Michael Jordan because I picked Clyde Drexler the year before.

[sfam]

I just don't wanna be the Portland Trailblazers and not draft Michael Jordan because I picked Clyde Drexler the year before.

This may be the first post I've seen to convince me that getting Kemba at #6 is a good idea. If we really believe he is that good, there's worse things than having our PG position totally nailed for the forseable future.

That said, given the number of holes we have I really would like to approach filling out an NBA calibur starting roster this year.

[Error Afflalo]

If Kanter is gone I've got no problem taking Kemba or Marcus Morris at 6 and keeping them. Both are pretty much guaranteed to be at least good players in the NBA. What more do you want at #6 in a weak draft? I'm not enticed by "raw with upside" or "foreign player who's game may or may not translate to the NBA" gambling this high in the draft. Give me a big time player from a big time college program who you know will be a solid player for you. OKC took James Harden at #3 in a one-man draft because they knew he would be solid, even though he had limited upside and questionable athleticism. Looking like a smart move so far.

If we take Kemba we can let Nick walk. He can take backup PG minutes so we don't have to play Wall 46 minutes a game, and they can also find situations where they can share the floor together. A backcourt of Wall, Crawford, and Walker might not play much D, but we sure as hell won't have to worry about guards who can't score anymore (Antonio Daniels, Deshawn Stevenson, etc.) And tell me those 3 won't make each other better competing in practice every day, all being youngins and coming up together.

I just don't wanna be the Portland Trailblazers and not draft Michael Jordan because I picked Clyde Drexler the year before.

The players involved aren't as good as those guys, but your overall point is a great one. If Kemba is the best player left, take him and figure it out later because we're still building a core and can't afford to pass on talent. I hate when teams reach for need.

With that said, would anyone be open to a deal like #6 for Batum and #21? There may have to be some other pieces involved but I like that deal if we can't move up for Williams or Kanter. Batum can defend and shoot threes, which makes him a very good fit next to Wall. We could always try to use our mid-firsts to get back up if we covet someone in the 10-12 range.

[long suffrin' boulez fan]

If Kanter is gone I've got no problem taking Kemba or Marcus Morris at 6 and keeping them. Both are pretty much guaranteed to be at least good players in the NBA.

I just don't wanna be the Portland Trailblazers and not draft Michael Jordan because I picked Clyde Drexler the year before.

The players involved aren't as good as those guys, but your overall point is a great one. If Kemba is the best player left, take him and figure it out later because we're still building a core and can't afford to pass on talent. I hate when teams reach for need.

With that said, would anyone be open to a deal like #6 for Batum and #21? There may have to be some other pieces involved but I like that deal if we can't move up for Williams or Kanter. Batum can defend and shoot threes, which makes him a very good fit next to Wall. We could always try to use our mid-firsts to get back up if we covet someone in the 10-12 range.

Yes, without thinking twice. Doubt the Blazers would do it though.

Batum, Brooks, Honeycutt, Williams... Pretty good haul.

[hands11]

There are several ways this could work out for us.

I'm not worried in the least.

I trust in Ted and EG to add the right pieces.

[SUPERBALLMAN]

I just don't wanna be the Portland Trailblazers and not draft Michael Jordan because I picked Clyde Drexler the year before.

This may be the first post I've seen to convince me that getting Kemba at #6 is a good idea. If we really believe he is that good, there's worse things than having our PG position totally nailed for the forseable future.

That said, given the number of holes we have I really would like to approach filling out an NBA calibur starting roster this year.

Right, we have so many needs it would be nice to spread some talent throughout the roster. I definitely prefer the sure things over the upside and euro prospects.


This is what I'm starting to think about...

Kanter at 6 isn't impossible, though not likely. A Kanter & Singleton at 6 and 18 draft would be ideal. If Kanter is gone, an alternative might be to flip the Center and SF picks and use that 6 on Leonard (replacing Singleton as the defensive SF pick) and at 18 take Nikola Vucevic (replacing Kanter as the center pick) as a big man we can work into a platoon with McGee.

At 34 my top choice would be PF Trey Thompkins. Other 2nd round possibilities I like, though not necessarily at 34, include Harper, Parsons, Holiday, Hansbrough, Nolan Smith.

[Hoopalotta]

If Kanter is gone I've got no problem taking Kemba or Marcus Morris at 6 and keeping them. Both are pretty much guaranteed to be at least good players in the NBA. What more do you want at #6 in a weak draft? I'm not enticed by "raw with upside" or "foreign player who's game may or may not translate to the NBA" gambling this high in the draft. Give me a big time player from a big time college program who you know will be a solid player for you.

I've been with the drafting Kemba part as that strikes me as the value move, but it's a myth that we're any more likely to draft a guy who's game translates well by going NCAA over Euros. That's more a matter of "will the player be able to continue doing what he does well when he gets to the NBA?"

There's plenty of NCAA guys who might have "translation issues" and Marcus Morris hardly strikes me as a guy who's guaranteed for anything in particular given that the position he plays is an uncertainty at this point.

It's more a matter that American fans have seen more of the NCAA guys and have a better comfort level and/or man-crush propensity there than anything.

Still, I too would rather give a hard look at Kemba who could be a nice trade piece a year out or so rather than leave value on the board and talk myself into dipping down into the next tier.

With that said, would anyone be open to a deal like #6 for Batum and #21? There may have to be some other pieces involved but I like that deal if we can't move up for Williams or Kanter. Batum can defend and shoot threes, which makes him a very good fit next to Wall. We could always try to use our mid-firsts to get back up if we covet someone in the 10-12 range.

I'd at least think about it with the subsequent trade up sounding good too.

The downside is we'd have to pay Batum soon, so I might squeeze Portland a bit tighter. If the hardcap comes in, they'll have a real hard time trying to retain him.

[popper]

This probably goes against what most of us would like to acquire in the upcoming draft but the more I look at Shumpert the more he reminds me of Wade. He's got the size, the ups, the defense and a developing shot.

He might be a good choice at 18 if our other favorites are gone.

[J-Blaze]

This probably goes against what most of us would like to acquire in the upcoming draft but the more I look at Shumpert the more he reminds me of Wade. He's got the size, the ups, the defense and a developing shot.

He might be a good choice at 18 if our other favorites are gone.

i been following shumpert all his years at Georgia Tech, i really would like him on this team

[LyricalRico]

Minny reportedly keeping the #2, IMO probably because Kanter is a better prospect than any other big they could get in a trade. Would Utah pass on Williams to take a guard? Or would they trade down knowing they can get a guard later? Can we get in on that?

[sfam]

Minny reportedly keeping the #2, IMO probably because Kanter is a better prospect than any other big they could get in a trade. Would Utah pass on Williams to take a guard? Or would they trade down knowing they can get a guard later? Can we get in on that?

I think it would be worth giving up the #18 plus something to get Williams. Williams could be the perfect finisher/asst source for Wall. Utah would only do this if they thought, say, Kemba would still be there at #6.

[closg00]

Minny reportedly keeping the #2, IMO probably because Kanter is a better prospect than any other big they could get in a trade. Would Utah pass on Williams to take a guard? Or would they trade down knowing they can get a guard later? Can we get in on that?

Another pipe-dream, but imagine if this happened.

1. Irving
2. Kanter
3. Knight
4. Jonas Valanciunas
5. Walker
6. Williams

[nate33]

Minny reportedly keeping the #2, IMO probably because Kanter is a better prospect than any other big they could get in a trade. Would Utah pass on Williams to take a guard? Or would they trade down knowing they can get a guard later? Can we get in on that?

I don't think they have the balls to draft Kanter at #2. Nobody wants to be the guy who passes on Derrick Williams in order to draft a prospect with so many question marks.

[pcbothwel]

I think our chances of trading up are basically drying up each day. I think the plan should be to sit at 6 and take whoever of Kanter or Valanciunas falls. If they are both gone someone will fall in love with whoever of Knight or Walker falls. while number 6 isnt an ideal spot, we need to be thankful that we are not 7th as that would leave nobody to draft and nobody left for another team to trade up for.

I maintain my stance that our best hope is JV. I think he becomes a guy that breaks another teams will with his motor and incredible rebounding ability. I think his shooting touch will make him and Wall a deadly P n' R combo for years.

BTW, what are everyones thoughts on JaJuan Johnson. He seems like he has the athleticism and size to be solid 4 in the NBA. he continues to fill out his frame which has allowed his interior game to mature a bit as well as his rebounding. He has worked hard on his shot and he has become quite consistent out to 17-20 feet and his 80% FT show he has a natural touch. I cant see how you can get a better prospect at 34. Thoughts?

[doclinkin]

More recent footage of Jonny Valley. I swear he's put on 15-20 lbs of thickening since the start of the season.

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DbF1X10UXHw&feature=iv&annotation_id=annotation_347270[/youtube]

[jazzfan1971]

Minny reportedly keeping the #2, IMO probably because Kanter is a better prospect than any other big they could get in a trade. Would Utah pass on Williams to take a guard? Or would they trade down knowing they can get a guard later? Can we get in on that?

Jazz roster
PG - Devin Harris
SG - Gordon Hayward, Raja Bell
SF - CJ Miles
PF - Derrick Favors, Paul Millsap, Jeremy Evans
C - Al Jefferson, Mehmet Okur

Do you see a glaring hole there? If not, I'll tell you, it's at the SF spot. What do YOU think the odds are of the Jazz passing on Derrick Williams if they get the chance to draft him?

It's my not so humble opinion that the Jazz will HAPPILY take whoever of Kanter, Irving, or Williams that is left on the board when they draft.

IMnsHO most likely scenario

PG - Harris, Watson (resigned), Jimmer (#12)
SG - Hayward, Bell
SF - Miles, AK (resigned)
PF - Favors, Millsap, Evans
C - Jefferson, Kanter (#3), Memo

Although I'm pretty high on Burks or K. Thompson if either are there at #12. So, not so sure about that pick.

[WizarDynasty]

Yeah i would take J Val. If Enes is gone. HE is definitely worthy of top five pick looking at more recent footage of him.

[TGW]

Jonas is not going to be there. The more I think about it, the more I believe the draft will be:

1. Irving
2. Williams
3. Kanter
4. Jonas
5. Knight
6. ?