This topic contains 17 replies, has 13 voices, and was last updated by AvatarAvatar PulseGlazer 11 years, 11 months ago.

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  • #38585
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    JoeWolf1

     Well, Portland’s season went to crap a month or so ago, but as most losing teams do, they are playing their young guys some more.   A few are infamous names many people have written off.  It’s not uncommon to see a spike in production this time of the year for rookies and sophs.  I just thought some of the guys on this roster are interesting.

    Luke Babbit’s last 10 games – 9.5 ppg 3.7 rpg .8 apg 41% 3 PT

    Hasheem Thabeet last 5 games – 3.6 ppg 4.4 rpg 1.2 bpg (only 1.6 fouls in 13.6 mpg)

    Jonny Flynn last 5 games – 5.6 ppg 5.2 apg 2.2 rpg

    You see any of these guys finding a home in Portland or making a comeback?  Just curious to see what everyone’s opinions are.

    I think Lube Babbitt will have a decent career, as a Kyle Korver type player and I think Thabeet will stay in the league 10 years as a guy similar to Diop and Flynn will be out of the leauge after his rookie contract is up.

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  • #663182
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    Critically Thinking
    Participant

     Me being a UConn fan I have enjoyed seeing Thabeet getting an oppurtunity to play, and it looks like he has been producing solid defensive numbers. But, he still has zero offensive game and he still looks slow running up and down the floor. I agree with all of your outcomes except I dont think Babbitt will have quite the career as Korver, as I think Korver curls off screens tighter and quicker, while having a smoother shooting stroke. The only advantage I see Babbitt having is his length

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  • #663186
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    Bmore_DC
    Participant

     I dont think Flynn will be out of the league, he has too much quickness and potential…theres a reason teams are trading for him…hell get another contract and if doesnt live up to that one, you may be right…

    i agree on the Thabeet and Babbitt comparisons tho…

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  • #663190
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    akhan786
    Participant

    He hasn’t been doing too bad as well. Averaging 8.8 points, 4 assists, and 3.2 rebounds.

    He also had back to back games of 14 and 16 points.

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  • #663223
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    Malik-Universal
    Participant

     i thought nolan smith woulda gotten more PT at the begining of the yr….. nuthin like 20 min a game but at least like 13 or 15

     but looking at his numbers so far for april… 5 ppg, 18 mpg, and shooting only 38%……. so i guess not much of a surprise as to why hes just starting to get pt…. and the fact the blazers didnt get anywhere this  yr…… 

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  • #663242
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    Johnny Chill

    Is he hurt again?

    If not, this guy needs more burn.

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  • #663247
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    OldSkoolBasketball
    Participant

    Elliot had surgery like a month or two ago. Blazers are high on him. 

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  • #663248
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    mgreener_34
    Participant

     I think they should keep Thabeet and hope that he can develope into a decent back up big man. At this point in his career it’s not like someones going to over pay for his services. We all knew Babbit could stroke it, so with those two players Portland could really solidify their bench. They already have the 3 and 4 position sured up for years, and Wes Mathews under contract for a reasonable price for a few more years as well. All they need is THAT player 

    I’m also kind of surprised no ones mentioned JJ Hickson yet. He’s still only 23, and has been balling for Portland since they picked him up averaging 15/8. If they can sign him on the cheap he would add to what could be a monsterous back court in the future (A lot of people are projecting the Blazers to draft a center with one of their picks). 

    All this team really needs is a decent point guard, and maybe another person who can create their own shot and they will be fine. With all the younge players they brought in I wouldn’t be sirprised to see a trade somewhere down the lines. 

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  • #663249
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    mookie
    Participant

    I was hoping thabeet would prove me wrong and be a good NBA player but he’s just as big a bust than darko.  right on about smith, and babbit. 

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  • #663250
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    omphalos
    Participant

    Don’t fool yourself, Thabeet is much worse than Darko. Darko provides decent post defense, has some semblance of an offensive game when he decides to use it, and is an underrated passer out of the post.

    That said, if Thabeet can just learn not to be so foul prone I don’t see what’s stopping him being a DeAndre Jordan type of player who gets oops and challenges shots with his length.

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  • #663253
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    OldSkoolBasketball
    Participant

    I saw a game of Thabeet this season where he jumps at every pump fake. 

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  • #663258
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    aarondsonixfan
    Participant

    I truly believe that next year LA should start at the 5 and JJ Hickson should start at the 4. JJ has been awesome throughout LA’s absence, and I think that they would play pretty well together.

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  • #663282
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    PulseGlazer
    Participant

    Hickson and LA together at the 4 and 5 would be one of the worst rebounding and defending frontcourts in the NBA.  Hickson is bad at D.

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  • #663292
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    TheArtistPaysthePrice
    Participant

    But Flynn and Hickson have shown flashes on some great chemistry together. They may be a nice 2nd team combo for the right price next year. Im sure other teams wont knock their socks off with great offers. Luke Babbit has great range, but is he going to miss 30 games every one of the next 4 seasons? I dont care if he is, I would keep him around, nice and have shown ability in spurts.

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  • #663354
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    omphalos
    Participant

    They could try and mimic what Boston is doing by playing Aldridge at the 5, with Hickson filling the Bass role. Of course, Garnett is more than capable of defending 5s, which remains to be seen with Aldridge.

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  • #663596
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    OldSkoolBasketball
    Participant

     Aldridge is kind of like Bosh. He doesn’t like playing the 5.

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  • #663702
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    TheLastWord
    Participant

    Babbitt has a future, the other two do not.

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  • #663732
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    PulseGlazer
    Participant

    Flynn is at worst going to be a decent backup when he finds the right coach.  Thabeet might fall out of the league, but there’s little reason he couldn’t anchor a zone on the cheap for 5 minutes a night and change a game’s pace.  Babbitt is a really good stretch 4- so good that you can live with his D there.  Williams is the best of the bunch, if he can ever stay healthy, and I wouldn’t be shocked to see him start next to Batum. 

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