Jun 26 2009
Draft Recap
What the hell just happened?
It’s fun to read a bunch of pre-draft scouting reports and expect so much and then the guy you get’s name is pronounced VEEK-tor. It’s like asking for a Power Ranger action figure for a birthday and getting the knock-off Dollar Store “Space Ranger;” it’s not the same. Then again, the move was somewhat anticipated.
I’ve never seen so many fans just go crazy over who or who won’t be the guy to be selected by the Blazers to be stored overseas for like five years until he comes over, Arvydas Sabonis style, and has bulging back discs explode like so many microwaved potatoes.
Claver seems, from the few reports I’ve read, like a very solid player. Still, I wonder why we need a 20-year-old small forward when we already have a 20-year-old small forward that is NBA-ready. Just thinking out loud here. Then again, if he was the best player available and that was Pritchard’s strategy, I’m with that. Also, he’s exceptionally valuable to us because he won’t take up a roster spot for at least the next two seasons. Does this sound like me talking myself into a questionable pick? It should. Honestly, though, there wasn’t much value to be had at this pick, and we were later vindicated with other picks.
The two early second round picks of Jeff Pendergraph and Dante Cunningham were absolutely perfect. They give us that hungry blue-collar back-up power forward that the entire fan community has been clamoring for throughout the season. Even better that they were picked at the same time and there will be competition for minutes. Unfortunately, this spells the end for a number of Blazers, namely Shavik and Ruffin. Too bad.
Full disclosure here: I stopped watching the draft after the 40th pick because I figured we weren’t going to get and real value and I had places to be. Who knew that we would end up with an actual player so late in the draft? Patty Mills is a solid point guard and could be a contributor, or at least have some trade value, in the future.
The real greatness of the off-season will be postponed until July. We still have the glaring gap at the PG spot. We’ll have to wait until July 8th until we actually have a chance to address it through trade, as that’s when we can start making our unbalanced trades. I’m hoping that it’s Hinrich, but honestly, I’m more of an ABB man: Anyone But Blake.
Basically, one minor need was addressed during this entire episode, with the back-up power forward spot being in flux yet solidified. This is the first time I can say it during the Pritchard era: that draft was anti-climactic.
I heard Bayless was going to be the starter next year
I’ve heard those rumors too. I just can’t quite see him as a starter yet. The main role of our starting PG is to be able to hit the kickout three, and Bayless can barely hit a shot from the elbow. Then again, knowing how hard he works, he could come back with an awesome shot.
DeJuan Blair? led the ncaa in rebounding, exactly what we needed. He has toughness, more than Pendergraph.