Randolph Headlines Saturday (UPDATED)
posted: 6/21/2008 at 10:42 PM
UPDATE---
Monday's previously scheduled workout has been cancelled. Tuesday will be the final pre-draft workout for the Trail Blazers. Attending that session will be Washington State guard Kyle Weaver, Michigan State's Drew Neitzel, Shan Foster, from Vanderbilt, and Nevada's Marcellus Kemp.
One more update- North Carolina State's J.J. Hickson, 6-9, 242, has now been added to Tuesday's final workout. It'll be the second workout for Hickson in Portland. He's projected to be a late first-round pick.
___
You don't get weekends off in this business- not even in the off season. As you know, there is no real off season. For scouts and NBA execs this is crunch time. So, while many of you were mowing the lawn, hanging on the couch, or playing golf (Mike Rice), the rest of us were sitting on metal benches inside the Blazers' practice facility in Tualatin. Or, in the case of Blazers' TV producer Scott Zachry, sitting on an exercise bike on the edge of the court.
There are only two days of pre-draft workouts left for the Trail Blazers. They'll take Sunday off, and then will have Monday and Tuesday to get their final looks at prospects. The NBA Draft, as you know, is Thursday. We'll have our annual NBA Draft radio show from 4pm-7, live from the club level at the Rose Garden. You're welcome to join us, by the way. Or, you can listen in on 95.5 FM The Game, or listen on line. I promise you, when it all comes down, trades, picks, ect., you'll hear it here first. Wheels will be sitting outside the war room at the practice facility, in case you haven't noticed, he has good ears. He's broken every bit of news that's come out of that room in the past four drafts.
Saturday there were two shifts of workouts. The first one involved five players, and after that, LSU freshman Anthony Randolph worked out by himself. This is sometimes the case with players projected to go in the top five or six picks, and is always by the agent's request.
Randolph is projected to go around pick six, but has also been talked about as a guy who could slide. Of course, anyone can slip, but it seems Randolph has been pegged as the guy most likely to slide, if anyone does. He was impressive in his workout for Portland, and is catagorized as a hybrid small forward / power forward.
Randolph is plenty athletic, but is also very raw. He's from Dallas, and some have compared him to fellow-Dallas native Chris Bosh. But, it'll be a few years before we see if that is a fair comparison. He is one of the only guys I know who already has his own website (anthonyrandolph.net).
The early part of the workout on Saturday, was led by Brandon Rush and Mario Chalmers, both out of Kansas. On most mock drafts, Chalmers is projected to go slightly ahead of Rush. But, if I'm picking, I take Rush first. He's certainly bigger, 6-6 as compared to 6-1, and appeared to be just as quick, and slightly more athletic. Both will go in the first round though, so who's complaining.
The other three guys in the first workout were Georgetown's Patrick Ewing, Jr., Temple's Mark Tyndale, and Luc Richard Mbah a Moute, out of UCLA. The hands down winner among these three is Mbah a Moute, who was making his second appearence for the Blazers. He's very athletic, and has a great work ethic. In case it matters to you, he's a prince in his village of Bafia (Bia Messe) in Cameroon. Not many guys in this draft can say that. He is projected to go mid-second round, but his stock could be slightly on the rise. Being royalty can't hurt either.
Have a good rest of your weekend, and I'll check back in Monday. And, forget that Barbosa rumor. Tis' the season of smoke screens in the NBA. Just about everything you read, during this time, was placed there for a reason. Except for what you read here, of course.
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Thank you for the update MB.
Even though they didn't work out together, how would you compare Westbrook and Chalmers ?
All smoke and mirrors aside, that's the biggest question I still have waiting for Thursday.
See you at the Rose Garden.
Let's Go Blazers !!!
Portland may never have a roster as deep as they do now. It could be argued that every one of our players(including Jack, Sergio and Frye)has the attention of at least 3-4 nba teams. I think KP is smart enough to realize that when you have this much trade bait you take advantage of it to do something big. Forget the free agent market next year. We'll take advantage of that when the time comes. In the meantime I think KP dips into our deep roster to land Rose. Jack, Sergio, Frye and the # 13 to Chicago. That alleviates the overcrowding on our roster, and Chicago has enough expendable players on their roster to make a 1 for 4 player deal work.
Kyle Weaver huh? I've been watching him since his freshman year in college and all I can say is that guy knows how to defend. He's a hustle player and plays scrappy. Doesn't have the greatest jump shot in the world but plays fundamental basketball. I think in a few years, he could potentially be someone who could shut down the other team's best scorer. The question is, will anyone take a chance on him this year?
If not, I hope he doesn't give up because he is a really solid player. Him and Derrick Low were my favorite players at Wazzu.
From what was written about Brandon Rush, I feel more excited about him being the player the Blazers take. If he is so skilled as to be immediately ready to play, then I would start him in place of Webster. And I still feel we need to get another center as we only have 2. What if one is injured? Frye or Aldridge surely are not adequate to compete against Duncan, O'neal, Ming, Gaso, etc. Western conference is full of good big men so it would be great to have a much greater advantage in this area. I'm imagining a lineup of Oden, Aldridge, Rudy, Roy, Rush, Rodriguesz. A good group which provides good balance defensively and offensively.
I like the idea to trade up... Rose might be outta our reach. But maybe we can target the #3 spot and add OJ Mayo. for example: #3 and Ryan Gomes for Channing Frye and Jack and #13. I like Gomes versatility and size, he is a character guy who hustles and OJ is a special type of scorer. If this works moneywize, it would be something to consider. Can't waite til next season.
Lou jag that would be great and I'll wish right along with you but I don't thing its going to happen.
I know this doesn't have to do with the subject of this post but I've been concerned about something. I have been feeling nervous that the Blazers might trade Martell Webster. I know Webster wasn't around to finish strong but I really hope KP doesn't write Webster off. Since we have become even more team oriented, Webster hasn't had a chance to put the ball on the floor and explore his game.
I was thinking about the time when Roy was out and Webster was called upon to step up. Martell scored 24 points in that quarter. The Blazers needed someone to step up, a individual to carry the team, and Webster was there. He was scoring off the dribble and getting to the line. He is a player I'm enjoying seeing develop and I would hate to seem him go. This guy also impressed me with his shot blocking ability believe it or not.
He is a great guy, player, and one of the first of the new generation of players that turned the team around. I hope KP keeps in mind that the time Webster has been with the Blazers has been mostly good and he is a quality player that works hard.
I'm having a hard time finding info on the draft party this year.. anyone have any info? Thanks!
Our reliable source for all NBA news...our very own Mike Barrett.
So there is absolutely no truth to the barbosa and richard jefferson rumor or just the barbosa rumor? Richard is a hell of a player and I wouldn't mind adding him to our team at all. Barbosa I would mind.
I need you MB!! Help us out here!
George
george,
I'm not saying there wasn't ever any truth to the Barbosa rumor, I just don't think it was the exact deal that was leaked by Phoenix. But, no, I don't see it happening now at all.
There's been interest in Jefferson in the past, but keep in mind, he's owed about 43 million bucks over the next three years. We'll be a major player next summer in free agency and taking on a contract like that would greatly cut into any money we'd have available. That being said, I like him as well, and would certainly qualify as the veteran presence some say this team needs. It should be an extremely eventful week.
MB
Thanks for the reply MB! That's a good point about Jefferson's contract. I know there are some bigger names that are going to be available for us next summer and taking on his contract wouldn't help in that regard.
Man, I gotta come to Portland somehow for a game next season and escape from my LA/Orange County bubble of smog.
How do guys handle hearing their names in trade rumors? I'm asking that because I know Travis' name was thrown out there. Have you had a chance to talk to him? How is he doing?
After reading John Hollinger's report on ESPN it seems like DJ Augustin's is an underrated player. The report is based solely on statistics but Hollinger's predictions usually are quite accurate.
Does anyone here get the ESPN Insider reports? I was curious what they had to say about Batum in their Rumor section.
MB,
Thanks for posting Courtside for download! I always seem to miss it when it's on and love to be able to listen to it anyway!
Were you the one saying that McRoberts probably is a taller Alexander? You think he is just as good as Alexander? Would McRoberts then be a top ten pick this year?
Thanks again!
I also meant to say why does everyone think we have to trade the 13th pick if we can't move up? A lot of times players that was suppose to be pick higher drop and we might be able to get someone that we like without having to trade anyone.
Thanks, Mike, for posting the entire 2 hours of Courtside.
The deal in the media involving the Suns was a joke if i've ever seen one. They may have had talks, as i'm sure KP has had with many teams. However, that deal only could have come from their side, and i'm sure it was over the phone if they did make that offer. No way they could keep a straight face in person.
Hey MB,
So much of the talk regarding the Blazers and the Draft has focused on upgrading the Point. What about the Blazers other need of a defensive stopper at the "3" who can stretch opposing defenses by knocking down the long ball (being a "sniper" as Nate has said).
The person who set the standard for this role in the NBA for years has been Bruce Bowen. He's in his late 30's, so he probably won't be in the league in a couple of years.
The next generation of Wings who fit the "Bowen role" on an NBA roster include Shane Battier, Tayshaun Prince, Stephen Jackson, Ron Artest and maybe even Portland's own Ime Udoka. All players will be 30 years old this season, give or take a year. That means that while they might be in their prime right now, they'll likely be losing a step in a couple of years.
The question I was wondering if you could answer is ... "who's the NEXT generation ?" Who is in their early 20's in the NBA right now, who can match up in terms of defensive ability with Prince, Battier, Jackson or Artest ? Is there someone in the draft who could fill that role ? Is there someone on the Blazers roster who could develop into that role ?
It appears that the job is essentially Martell's to lose. Martell has a chance to become one of the most important role players for the Blazers, for years to come. If he can continue to develop defensively, and if he improves his handle, Martell is going to be critical to the Blazers chances at winning a Championship in a couple of years.
What do you think ?
Phil
Thanks for the update. I heard that European star Morris Finley has been invited to the Blazers mini camp. This kid is a great basketball player, I have actually been keeping track of his accomplishments. He has been overseas for 4 years playing in 3 different leagues, and every league he plays in he lead that league in scoring. He is a great player. We can really benefit from him coming off the bench. Just thought I would mention him.
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