Workouts Wrap Up
posted: 6/24/2008 at 2:00 PM
The auditions are over, and now it's time to churn through the information prior to Thursday's NBA Draft. There is plenty of information, that's for sure. As Kevin Pritchard put it on Tuesday morning, "we were locked in that room for about 10 hours yesterday, and we've got a long way to go." Part of it will be sorting through the many smoke screens and disinformation tossed out by teams and agents during this time of the year.
"Everyone is lying to everyone," laughed Pritchard. "That's just the way it goes right now. Nobody wants to tip their hand, and I'm certainly the same way. If teams are really praising one guy or another, you can rest assured, they're not taking him in the draft. Our job is go through the scenarios and offers, one by one."
The pre-draft workouts ended on Tuesday, with the Blazers working out four players, including one they've already seen. North Carolina's State's J.J. Hickson was back for a second time, and had another strong workout.
Hickson was working out with Michigan State's Drew Neitzel, Vanderbilt's Shan Foster (pronounced "Shane") and Washington State's Kyle Weaver. Foster shot the ball very well, and showed toughness. Neitzel we already knew was a great shooter, but is only 6-feet tall. That's really the only knock against him. And, Weaver, while not a great shooter, is very polished with the rest of his game, and is a very good defender. Weaver is also a very solid kid, and can play several different positions.
Hickson will likely go late in the first round, and possibly could slip into the second. But, as I mentioned, he's got an NBA-ready body, and that's what scouts like about him. He also plays extremely hard. In other words, he looks good in these workouts, and sometimes that's enough to get your stock rising. Weaver could go in the early to mid-second round, and Neitzel will likely go late in the second.
I talked to Neitzel after his workout, which was his 9th. He said it's been tough, but that "once you get rolling through this process, all the workouts kind of run together." He said the travel has been the toughest aspect of all of this, because he's criss-crossed the country several times in the past three weeks. Now, he said, it's time to just sit back and enjoy the draft. Easier said than done, but I like the attitude.
So, we look ahead- and we've got a couple of days to do that. The Trail Blazers worked out approximately 50 guys, with several of them making two appearences. They also attended the pre-draft camp in Orlando, and were part of a six-team workout in Oakland. So, anyone they're likely going to be interested in, they've seen, and talked to.
As Pritchard says, "it's our job to know the entire draft, beginning to end, because you never know where we'll be picking." He also said that right now he could sit down and put together a mock draft that he thinks would be very close to what's going to happen Thursday.
As you probably know, ESPN's Chad Ford has reported that the Trail Blazers have acquired the 27th pick from New Orleans. At this point that's just a report, but everyone in the league knows KP's recent history in the draft, and also know that he's got the most supportive owner in the NBA backing his every move. In other words, it's likely the customers will be lining up outside the shop when the "open" sign is lit on Thursday. As it's been in recent years, Portland stands to be in the drivers' seat in this draft, despite the fact that the only certainty going into this week was that they owned the 13th pick.
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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
Looks like we have double trouble for most teams at all positions but one - point gurad.
Oden - Prisbilla @ Center
Aldridge - Fry @ Power Forward
Fernandez - Outlaw @ Small Forward
Roy - Jones @ 2 guard
? - Blake @ Point
The key question is do we trade up for DJ Augustine or trade out for Veteran. Mike - you make the call!!!
PhilStar
that "bowen-type" player in the draft would be brandon rush, he fits that mold and is nba ready because of his skill-set and size. but, i see portland trading up. i think a couple of things are going to happen: jarrett jack, martell (hope marty stays!) and/or channing (chan too, he showed a lot of promise at the beginning and end of the season and i think he will fit in nicely as a pop-out type player with oden in the paint) will be gone; or we trade up for the #5 pick and draft westbrook, alexander, or augustin; or we end up with ben gordon or leandro barbosa in a package deal. just my opinion, but with our current situation regarding protecting our salary cap for future signings of free agents (cp3 or deron?) and keeping aldridge and roy; our posession of current assets; and concerning the blazers' specific team needs and taking into account what players/contracts teams are willing to give up...all or some of these things will go down soon. i know that is a loaded statement, but hey.
btw, can you feel that buzz surrounding the portland trail blazers lately? in the past couple of weeks (i can kind of pinpoint it after rudy fernandez declared he was coming to portland)
numerous sports analyst on radio and shows like espn have mentioned that the blazers are the team to look out for next season. i think word has been getting out that greg is healing nicely and that he is the next coming of hulk.
i have goosebumps right now as i write this. i hope they can live up to the expectations. if oden can stay healthy and learn how to stay out of foul trouble, i think we will be pretty good...knock on wood.
also, it was so satisfying to see the lakers get crushed in the finals by the celtics. even though i felt dirty rooting for boston. i live here down in los angeles and my stomach turns every time i see their bandwagon fans ride around with their corny lakers flags on their cars. i truly hate the lakers and their fanbase and the only thing as bad are the yanks and their fans, you can quote me on that, bay-bee.
anyways, can't wait to fly up to p-town for the season opener and hopefully the lakers v blazers matchups (i have decided not to attend anymore of the lakers v blazers at the staples center. i realized i was giving my hard earned money to the lakers organization, that is wrong.)
mb: keep up the good/hard work. i enjoy watching you and mike "crazed homer" rice on the NBALP, i feel like i'm back up in p-town when i watch you guys.
blazermaniacs: stay faithful, keep rocking that red & black , have a cool summer and beatdown (physically or emotionallY) any poser rocking lakers gear!
best wishes,
tt
That second paragraph completely summed up what I've been thinking when I see the mock drafts. Kevin Love is being hyped up so much I know he can't being going that high, same with Alexander. I also wonder why Eric Gordon is going so low in the top ten.
I'm glad KP knows the draft game so well. Wouldn't want any other person making wheeling and dealing for the Blazers on draft night.
Have you heard whether James Jones has opted out? His deadline is tomorrow.
Captain GEO
Hey MB,
Everyone talks about the cap space for free agents next Summer. That sounds great when you talk in generic terms ("... the Blazers will have the cap space to sign a big time free agent next Summer ..."), but the reality is, when you look at who's available, I don't know that there's anyone I would be interested in signing if I was KP. There are lots of Restricted Free Agents coming off of their Rookie contract, but every player with any value at all will be resigned by their current team. No team is going to let a Chris Paul or a Deron Williams walk away, so the people that think that could actually happen aren't being the least bit realistic. Listed below are the Unresticted Free Agents. I don't know that I'd want any of them in a Blazers uniform .... What do you think ?
Baron Davis (if he does not exercise the opt out in 2008)
Ron Artest (if he does not exercise the opt out in 2008)
Carlos Boozer (player option for 09/10 - unlikely to opt out)
Mehmet Okur (player option for 09/10 - unlikely to opt out)
Steve Nash (player option for 09/10 – unlikely to opt out)
Hedo Turkoglu (player option for 09/10 – unlikely to opt out)
Antoine Walker (player option for 09/10, 10/11 – likely to opt out)
Jamal Crawford (player option for 09/10 and 10/11)
Eddy Curry (player option for 09/10, 10/11)
Kobe Bryant (option)
Allen Iverson (almost certain to re-sign with Denver)
Marquis Daniels (team option, unlikely to be picked up)
Rasheed Wallace
Elton Brand
Lamar Odom
Jason Kidd
Stephon Marbury
Drew Gooden
Andre Miller
Grant Hill
Steve Francis
Mike Bibby
Desmond Mason
Chris Wilcox
Eric Snow
Brevin Knight
Damon Stoudemire
Smush Parker
Juwan Howard
Jason Collins
Bobby Jackson
Malik Rose
Raef LaFrentz
Wally Szczerbiak
Hey MB,
It looks like the Blazers just bought the rights to New Orleans 1st Round Draft Pick (no. 27). I guess it's no surprise that KP has made the first trade of the 2008 Draft. I'm sure it won't be his last one over the next 48 hours .... It's gettin' fun !!!
Phil
I hope the Blazers use the #27 pick to select Kyle Weaver. His is a quality kid with the character, integrity, and personality in the likes of Brandon Roy, Travis Outlaw, Lamarcus Aldridge, etc. He is a tenacious defender and would be a great reserve for the Blazers for years to come.
Weavers stock has been steadily rising with many mock drafts predicting him to go late in the first round to early second round. He would be a great pick for Portland at #27.
COMCAST...where do we stand? It has been months since we've heard anything about Comcast cutting deals with the satellite providers and other cable companies. What is the latest?
Thanks.
Mike;
I read the piece in Oregon-live about the salary cap, signing on our Rookie and Sophomore players, the 300% of Restricted free agents until they are signed, helps me to understand the protecting of to many players until they have signed a multi-year contract.
The article suggested that Frye, Martell and JJ. Are very tradable because of this and it has nothing to do with Chemistry, how good they may get or like or dislikes. It is just common good business practice.
With all that being said and although you may not have a gag order on you it would not be ethical for you to give an opinion as to which of the three players we keep if any of the three, can we put any of them in a European league? And still keep our salary cap, or do we have to get rid of them?
If we traded them I think a veteran would be the way to go, but have no idea which one.
If we drop the three players that the salary is expired,(I hope we resign Jones) and we drop one or two others and all our lottery pick, we should be able to get a decent veteran.
I guess I am rambling on but all this multi trade and what ifs is two mind bogging to me. Maybe it is partly due to not knowing all the laws and who and who is not tradable and why. Maybe understanding more will help.
I guess I will find out very soon. I am not that excited because with Oden and Rudy added to our last years team makes us great, and they are enough for me.
MB,
Do you have any info on the "roadtrip" through Oregon this summer? Looking forward to the stop in Klamath.
If the Blazers trade up to No. 10 and select DJ Augustin and play him at least 30 minutes a night, I hereby guarantee he'll break Mark Jackson's rookie assist per game record of 10.6.
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