Who the Blazers Need to Draft this June


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The Draft is my Christmas In June, which fits, as it is always the Thursday that is 6 months after Christmas. I love projecting players, discussing who will be good, and who will be a bust.

Mostly, I just love discussing who I want to be a Blazer, and who I do not. I am not an NBA GM, but I think I would be a really excellent one given the opportunity, so here is my draft board if I was GM, and a few players I would avoid if I was ( hopefully you disagree, I love the discussion):

1. Trey Burke

A few years ago, Chad Ford wrote an article about Tiers of the draft, and how teams now draft on Tiers, I think Burke is the only player in the “highly likely superstar” tier. I would love to watch him and Lilliard in a multiple PG push the pace offense with Wes, Nic, and Aldridge. I know Aldridge does not want to be a center, but I bet Batum would not mind being listed as a center.

The big thing, though, is I see Burke as a potential superstar, and you cannot pass that up. He reminds me of a shorter Lilliard or Kyrie Irving: impact players. Plus it was obvious in the NCAA Tourney that he is the best player in college. I don’t care that he is 6’1″.

2. Nerlens Noel

My wife’s name is Noelle, so that is reason No. 1 to draft him. Second, he is really talented, athletic and plays really good help D. Plus he has the best hair in the draft.

3. Anthony Bennett

This pick is really hard, but when I look at his body, his shoulders remind me of a young Dwight Howard. You can tell his body can put on a lot of weight really quick if he wants. Combine that with his athleticism and all-over skill, I like where he projects.

4. Ben Mclemore

I am a little biased against him, as people say, “Ray Allen, but better.” No. Ray Allen is the best shooter ever (Stephon Curry is chopping that tree down) and supposedly he has motivation problems. I will take a killer over talent ever day (Wes Matthews is a killer, so is Nate Robinson in these playoffs), but he is talented and athletic, so I’d be OK with him.

5. Cody Zeller

Perfect compliment to Meyers Leonard. He’s skilled, not a high ceiling, everything opposite of Meyers, and he may be falling that far. I think he would be a perfect fit. One year ago he was projected as No. 1 in this class.

6. Otto Porter

My first tough choice, having barely seen him play. I hear comparisons to Tayshaun Prince (I like) and MKG (I would like if he could shoot outside of 5 feet), so I am a little undecided on him.

7. Victor Oladipo

I think he was overrated last year, but I can’t think of anybody more athletic, talented and driven that I would take over him.

8. CJ Mcollum

I wish he was bigger, but the talent is there. He’s a great shooter, took a small school to new heights, has the same problem that Stephon Curry and Damien Lilliard had with where he played — can you name the state Lehigh is in? I only can because a high school friend went there.

9: Kelly Olynyk

Friends almost talk me out of this, but I like him. He’s very efficient and reminds me of Anderson Varajeo, but I hear he is no where near the defender.

10. Micheal Carter Williams

[highlight color=”yellow”]BLAZER’S PROJECTED PICK:[/highlight] I don’t see him going here, and I don’t trust a guy who played Zone in college, but good size, good player, and may be good value.

11. Tim Hardaway Jr.

At this point I get a little less excited about prospects, but I still really like Jr. here. Elite athlete (did you see that dunk in the NCAA championship? Wow). I also think that having a father play in the NBA is a helpful factor. I have not seen him this high on any draft boards, but I think he is going to have a long NBA career.

12: Glen Rice Jr.

With this I will allow myself one “crazy” pick: Another “junior,” back-to-back. Played really well in the D-League toward the end of the season, for a winning team. I’m a little worried about attitude and character, after getting kicked off the Georgia Tech team, so probably a risky pick, so I don’t see him being taken this high, but a good player nonetheless.

 

With the players I want, there are a few I really do not want:

Shabazz Muhammad: There is a reason OJ Mayo was not offered more than a 1 year deal and was benched at points in Dallas: he is a cancer to a team. I see the same thing here, if you disagree, just watch his reaction to teammate Larry Drew hitting a buzzer beater. Great talent, crappy human being. No.

Alex Len: Blazers already have him, except he goes by the alias Meyers Leonard. Let somebody else have him.

Shane Larkin: Like watching him in college, tremendous talent, but thats how I felt about Nolan Smith. The first time I saw Nolan Smith I knew he did not belong in the NBA. Just too small. The only way you can be that small in today’s game is if you have that F YOU IM F’ING CRAZY attitude. Allen Iverson had it, Nate Robinson has it… Larkin does not.

Well there is my outside opinion of who I would take being the blazers GM. I don’t have the access Neal Olshey has to players, so I do not get to meet any of them, nor have I actually seen any of them play in person, which I believe is the biggest factor in evaluating talent.

Some people may call a few of my thoughts dumb or crazy, which I am OK with since these are just my opinions and I am sure they will change in the next two months. And really we won’t know how good or bad they may be for a decade. Having this in writing it will be fun to revisit in one season, five seasons or any other time.

Stay tuned for my mock draft featuring my predictions for all teams.

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