SB Nation User Blog: futurenba23

ARE YOU KIDDING ME?!?!?

futurenba23 — Tue, 23 Dec 2008 00:52:07 -0000

how did brandon roy NOT get named western conference player of the week?!?!

http://www.nba.com/2008/news/12/22/122208players.week/index.html

seriously?! I know Roy only had 2 games this week but:

v.s. Sac- 29 poitns, 5 assists. Blazers win 109-77

v.s. Phx- 52 points, 6 assists, 5 rebounds. Blazers win 124-119

Sure, Chris Paul did break the record of consecutive games with a steal, but when you look at how Brandon Roy first led Portland to a must-win over Sacramenton, then completely TAKES OVER against Phoenix and scores 52 points?! This is compeltely ridiculous!

Blazers: what kind of growth the future holds

futurenba23 — Fri, 07 Nov 2008 23:07:59 -0000

1. Greg Oden becomes consistent with that hook shot, along with getting back down to 260 pounds, eventually averaging 16 points, 12 boards, and 2.5 blocks per game.

Comparison: Those with David Robinson seem unfair to me, a more realistic one is (to me) is Al Jefferson, with a more refined defensive game and a less refined offensive game.

2. LaMarcus Aldridge develops more of a post game, developing an arsenal of hook shots, turnaround jumpers, while still having the versatility to step out and hit the 20 footer. potential stats: 20 points, 9 boards, 1.5 blocks

Comparison: Seriously, Lamarcus reminds me of KG. Totally. The only thing missing is the passion and leadership, which will come with time, but for now Roy is this team's leader.

3. Nicholas Batum becomes a lock down defender, and one of the best in the league, able to guard anyone ranging from the opponent's point guard, to their power forward. His outside jumpshot becomes more consistent and because of his basketball IQ, the assists will come also. stats: 13 points, 6 boards, 3 assists, 1.5 blocks, 2 steals

Comparison: With his length and defensive capabilities, it is definitely fair to draw comparisons of Batum to Tayshaun Prince.

4. Rudy Fernandez becomes a better defender, not great, but isn't able to be consistently beat on the dribble. He develops a great connection with Roy, enough that Nate is willing to start them both at the 1 and the 2. stats: 16 poitns, 5 boards, 5 assists, 2.5 steals

Comparison: With his athleticism, knowledge of the game, and ability to make big plays, Rudy reminds me of Andre Iguadala.

5. Brandon Roy is already one of the best all around players in the NBA, but the one thing he struggles with is defense. I foresee that Roy will develop a passion for defense once he realizes that defense wins championships, also, Roy moves to point guard while Rudy starts at the 2. stats: 23 points, 5 boards, 8 assists, 2 steals

Comparison: There really is no one to compare Roy to, he's one special player.

How Portland drafts tomorrow!

futurenba23 — Thu, 26 Jun 2008 02:40:18 -0000

First Big Trade:

The Portland Trailblazers trade Travis Outlaw, Raef Lafrentz, Jarrett Jack, and the rights to the #13 pick (Danilo Gallinari) to the New Jersey Nets for Devin Harris, Keith Van Horn, cash considerations, and the rights to the #21 pick (Donte Green)

At pick #27...

...The Portland Trailblazers select... Alexis Ajinca, center, France.

Second Semi-Big Trade:

The Portland Trailblazers trade Steve Blake and #33 pick to the Denver Nuggets for Denver's 1st round pick of 2009

At pick #36...

...The Portland Trailblazers select... DJ White, power forward, Indiana

Third Not-so-big trade:

The Portland Trailblazers trade the #55 pick to the Orlando Magic for Orlando's 2nd round pick of 2009 and cash considerations

THE END OF THE DRAFT

Portland cuts Keith Van Horn

Portland's lineup for 08-09

C- Greg Oden, Joel Pryzbilla, Alexis Ajinca (maybe stay in Euroleague for 1 more year)

PF- LaMarcus Aldridge, Channing Frye, DJ White

SF- Martell Webster, Donte Green

SG- Brandon Roy, Rudy Fernandez

PG- Devin Harris, Peterri Koponen, Sergio Rodriguez

I love this roster for Portland! We got a great starting five and a great bench! I'm pretty sure Koponen will be impressive in summer league and will make the team, so that gives lee-way to trade away Blake and Jack.

DJ White gives Portland some physicality at the 4 spot and a lot of hustle.

Ajinca can stay in Europe and develop or Portland can stash in away in the DLeague.

btw, McRoberts will be assigned to the Idaho Stampede

Overrated/ Underrated

futurenba23 — Wed, 25 Jun 2008 03:07:46 -0000

I was just wondering who you guys thought were being overrated or underrated in this draft. Here's my top 5 for each one:

Overrated:

1. Kevin Love

Will be a solid NBA player but a top 5 pick in a draft this deep? I don't think so. Non-athletic big man aren't exactly the new trend in the NBA. Awesome passer, but not good enough for a top 5 pick.

2. Eric Gordon

Love the kid's game, but his ball handling skills are worse than shaq's... and at 6'3" he can't really play shooting guard... reminds me of a stronger jason terry... inconsistent in the second half of the season too

3. JaVale McGee

Have you seen the kid play?! Sure he's long and athletic, but he has absolutely no post skills, and he's as skinny as they come! I'm seeing a Mark Blount sorta guy here... without the mid range game..

4. Robin Lopez

For a guy who's supposed to be a rebounder, five boards a game against college competition doesn't exactly cut it for me. No offensive skills at all, and yet he's been projected to go as high as 10.

5. Danilo Gallinari

Good passer, but not athletic enough for the new small forward prototype. international prospects have been overrated lately, no difference here.

Underrated:

1. Darrell Arthur

Good mid range shot, super athletic, reminds me of a younger Amare Stoudemire

2. Marreese Speights

Has range all the way out to the NBA 3, a variety of post up moves, and great size and length. reminds me of Al Jefferson.

3. Courtney Lee

Some project him to slip in the seocnd round, i say he goes 22nd to Orlando. The most complete wing player in this draft, he can shoot, he can slash, and he can defend.

4. Nicholas Batum

Unlike most international prospects, Batum is freakishly athletic and has a huge wingspan. Prototypical small forward in my mind.

5. DJ White

Love this kid! amazing work ethic and motor. Great rebounder. A variety of post moves. The only knock on him is his height.

Dreaming On! CP3 or DWill in a Blazers jersey!

futurenba23 — Sun, 22 Jun 2008 03:23:23 -0000

I know this may sound ridiculous, but next summer Chris Paul and Deron WIlliams are both becoming restricted free agents. If any of you guys know Kevin Pritchard, he likes to get what he wants. When Portland traded away Steve Blake, KP was furious, cuz he loved Blake. So when KP becomes GM, he gets Blake back. In the 2005 draft, the top two players on KP's draft board were:

1. Chris Paul

2. Channing Frye

The Blazer management went against KP and traded down to 6 and picked Martell Webster (sorry for the history lesson but it's vital for my "argument") Pritchard didn't get the players he wanted in that draft, but in a couple of years, after he became GM, he got one of them (Frye obviously) on a draft day trade. I'm not saying there will be another draft day trade that will bring CP3 to Portland, that is impossible.

Pritchard will always at least TRY to find a way to get the players that he originally wanted! He got Steve Blake back, he got Channing Frye back, and in the 2006 draft he got the top two players he wanted, LaMarcus Aldridge and Brandon Roy, for practically nothing it seems now! When KP wants someone, history shows that he gets that person, and he makes it seem as easy as taking candy from a baby!

Also, coming into play, of course, is the salary cap. Chris Paul will most likely ask for a max contract. That year though, who will be off Portland's salary? Darius Miles, Raef Lafrentz, Travis Outlaw, and STeve Blake. When Portland resigned Outlaw and signed Blake they did so for only 3 year contracts, so then this next summer they can try to land one of the top two point guards (CP3 and DWill)

Maybe I'm just dreaming.... maybe i'm insane... but maybe, just maybe, this is possible

Bold but very possible trade predictions!

futurenba23 — Sun, 22 Jun 2008 01:15:23 -0000

Here's a couple possible trade scenarios

1. Portland trades draft rights to the #13 pick (DeAndre Jordan), Channing Frye, and Travis Outlaw to the Minnesota Timberwolves for the draft rights to the #3 pick (Jerryd Bayless) and cap fillers

Minnesota is looking for a center, and since they're still a couple years away form actually competing, picking up a guy with as much potential as Jordan would fit into their long term plans. Also Outlaw can step in at SF and start immediately. Portland gets their shooter and decent ball handler to play alongside Roy. Bayless is super athletic, awesome shooter (made 30 straight threes in a workout), and decent with the ball in his hands.

2. Portland trades the #33 pick, #36 pick, and Steve Blake to the Denver Nuggets for the #20 pick (Nicholas Batum) and cap fillers

I think Kevin Pritchard really likes the way Batum worked out the other day. He was a silky smooth shooter with decent post up moves and with his length he could become a shut down defender. Denver has been looking for a real point guard to distribute and Blake has proven himself down there before, and the draft picks are just to make the trade more appealing to the nuggets

2008-2009 Rookie of the Year

futurenba23 — Sat, 21 Jun 2008 01:38:41 -0000

who's it gonna be? remember, Greg Oden and Rudy Fernandez will BOTH be considered rookies next year in accordance with the NBA rulebook.

Here's my prediction:

1. Michael Beasley> If he goes to Miami, they'll need to make some trades (moving Haslem) for Beaz to get some playing time, but he will be a

17 ppg 8 rpg 2 apg

2. Greg Oden> Won't get as much attention in Portland with BRoy and LA just lighting it up, but will get better numbers than Horford did last year. Oden would win the ROY if he was more of the go-to-guy on the team, but as the 3rd option at best, Beasley slips ahead and takes the trophy home

15 ppg 10 rpg 2.5 bpg

3. Eric Gordon> If he goes to LAC, he'll start right away.

18 ppg 3 apg 3 rpg

4. Kevin Love> if he goes to Memphis, he'll have a fine season

14 ppg 8 rpg 3 apg

5. Rudy Fernandez> comes off the bench for the first half of the year, slips into the starting lineup besides Roy to form a great backcourt

13 ppg 4 rpg 4 apg