Portland at 24
jrue has not had a better fresh season then any of the other top pgs in the draft overrated player any team that takes him in the top 20 this year is not making a bad choice he needs to show he play on his own next year
Weaknesses: Had a very disappointing season in terms of the hype he had coming in from highschool ... Played out of position for the majority of the season, and struggled finding his comfort zone … Battled inconsistency with his shot all year and it threw the rest of his offensive game off balance … Defenses showed very little respect for his outside shot, daring him to shoot and taking away his driving lanes … His form is a big issue as it throws his stroke off and makes his release inconsistent … He shoots off the side of his head with the shooting elbow way out, as a result his shot is all over the place …He does not have the superb athleticism or strength like many other combo guards … Tends to waste dribbles on the perimeter, killing the flow of the offense because he can be a ball stopper at times … Gets into trouble by over penetrating and then trying to make the spectacular play while in traffic and under pressure … Settles for contested jumpshots from outside and takes a lot of fading and offbalance attempts inside … Leaves his feet to make passes and gets caught with no options … Is stuck between positions because he has not proven that he can be a consistent scorer or that his decision making will translate to the next level …
I read somewhere that they were gonna try to get rid of the pick to save some cap space. Which makes sense because at 24 they probably are'nt gonna add anybody that can really help considering how deep they are at every position. With Webster coming back and Bayless still developing I don't think they have enough minutes to go around for any more young players unless it was a top 10 type guy.
I have also heard rumors that Portland could possibly move up to pick Curry. That would be a great combo where Broy could handle the ball, and Curry could also handle the ball. (Curry, Broy, Outlaw, LA, and Oden) sounds like a pretty good starting 5 to me!
Well they either can put Blake in the trade, or Bayless, either way I think one of them will be gone to provide space with Curry. I think Curry is a much better fit for the Blazers than Bayless. Curry is a much better off the ball cutter, than Bayless. Bayless is much more of a driver and finisher.
I see your point nikeduck...Bayless is a ball dominant guard on a team that shares the ball. Roy is best distributing 2 guard in the league, so you need guys who can make outside shots, and Curry can for sure do that better than Bayless, who is still a stud in his own right.
Its just like Kobe with the Lakers, Lebron with the Cavs, and Dwade with the heat. All 3 of those players handle the ball a lot for their team. If Curry came to Portland, Broy would do much of the ball handling for them, and they could run Curry off screens, and LA could post up.
i'm just waiting to see pritchard turn all these talented parts into a GREAT player... Port has to be following the boston model of packaging a bunch of young prospects for a star (like KG). an nba rotation is like max 10 guys but the blazers have like 15 talented guys who should be playing in the league. I see them packaging Bayless and Outlaw/Webster and draft picks... maybe rodriguez too.
Who knows what Portland will do?! You never know when it comes to Kevin Pritchard lol. He'll do something though. I think it'll be a trade. They have a lot of young talent right now. There aren't enough mins to go around. They're no longer rebuilding. They think they can win a championship & will look to add the pieces that'll get them there.
- They have to decide if they're satisfied w/ Steve Blake as their starting pg. Other than a few bone headed mistakes during the playoffs, he played really well all season. I honestly think he's a backup pg though. I've heard talk of them possibly trading for a veteran pg or look to sign one via free agency. There's been rumors that they're interested in Andre Miller & Jason Kidd.
- They have to make a decision on who's their backup pg... Sergio or Jared? Sergio complained about playing time last year & Jared is HUNGRY for playing time, however he's NOT a pg. He has a scoring mentality, which this team doesn't need considering they have Roy & Aldridge. They have a decision to make here. One key thing is Roy usually slides over to pg during key stretches in the game.
- Webster will be back next year. That'll give them Roy, Fernandez, Outlaw, Batum & Webster. Batum shocked them last year & proved he was ready to play right away. I think this puts pressure on them to trade either Outlaw or Webster. Webster is coming off of an injury (broke the same foot twice) & I'm not sure how many teams would be interested. There is A LOT of interest in Outlaw on the other hand. Outlaw is a good offensive player, but he doesn't rebound or defend very well.
- They need a backup power forward who's a banger... & can give them 10-15 solid mins consistently off of the bench. I don't know Channing Frye's contract situation, but I don't expect him to be w/ the team next season. I heard rumors that they were extremely interested in David Lee & tried to pull off a big trade this past season. I don't know how happy he'd be w/ only 10-15 mins off of the bench though. Unless they trade Joel... Then Lee could back up both power forward & center.
Other things they need:
- LaMarcus needs to attack the rim more & stop settling for jumpshots.
- Oden needs to continue getting healthy. I think he'll come back lighter, which will help his agility & bounce. I hope he works on his post moves, both back to the basket & facing the basket, all summer.
Players who could be traded:
- Outlaw
- Sergio
- Bayless
- Webster
- Blake
- Pryzbilla
- Frye
I look for Portland to pose a serious threat to the Lakers & Denver next season.
I think Martell and Outlaw can go to free space for Rudy, and Batum. Batum is a VERY good defender that you cannot trade away. And Rudy give them a very good spark off the bench. Also, I think Bayless can be traded away to give room for a outside shooter (Curry) to come in and Roy can slide to the PG position like Kobe and Lebron does. I think if they trade Bayless to say the Knicks or the Twolves he could play right away.
True, but let's be real here... Oden was the #1 pick & he needs to play. Even during games he didn't get in foul trouble, he only played 20-25 mins. He needs to play more & he will next year. He needs experience competing against starting centers, not backups. Pryzbilla does a great job, but he'll never be able to do the things Oden can do. Oden needs to be the full-time starting center. How will Pryzbilla deal w/ that? If he can deal w/ it, then I'm sure they'll keep him. If he can't, then I'm sure they'll let him go.
I don't think they WANT to trade Pryzbilla, but I can see it happening.
I think Oden needs to prove that he can stay in the games and not get into foul trouble. I think he can learn with another year behind Joel. He can learn how to block the ball like Joel, and how to defend in the low post. Also, there are more pressing need at the PG and SF position.
Along w/ Roy & Aldridge, Oden is the future of the franchise... One of it's faces. It makes no sense to keep him behind Joel. Oden needs to compete against starting centers, not backups. He needs to play against Yao, Dwight, etc.
Pryzbilla is a good center, but he will never be able to do the things Oden can do. It's good thinking to make him play behind Joel, but it's not going to happen. They're not going to keep their #1 pick on the bench. Plus, I think Oden will EARN the starting job. Based on what I've heard, he's already busting his ass this summer & has lost pounds. Oden will be the starter next year... Period. Next season will be a completely different Oden. I like the Vanilla Gorilla, but it makes more sense to make sure Oden gets the playing time he needs.
& they don't need a small forward. They have Rudy, Batum & Webster. All three of those guys can play both the 2 & 3. Even Roy can play & defend 3's.
Portland needs a backup power forward for sure... MAYBE a point guard.
Jrue Holiday dropping to 24th is a joke right..haha..he is a lottery pick.
Portland apparently wants to sell their first round pick to the highest bidder.
Agreed Portland may try to trade up. If they do trade up then it will be to get a PG that they like. It has been said that they need a true PG. Bayless is more like a Ben Gordon type player.
Do you guys think Jrue Holiday will drop all the way to 24? and if not, do you think Portland will trade up? or trade for a veteran? OR stay where they are?