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Jun 23

Mission Accomplished?

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By caseyholdahl Posted in: 2011draft, AndreMiller, RudyFernandez

First off, best of luck to Andre Miller and Rudy Fernandez. Both were important pieces for this franchise over the last couple years and should be commended for their contributions. I'll miss them both, personally and professionally.

But as one door closes, another opens. The acquisition of Raymond Felton from the Nuggets in exchange for Miller (and maybe some other pieces. Who knows at this point?) gives the Trail Blazers a relatively young guard who could be the point guard of the future. And right behind him is Nolan Smith, a four-year Dukie combo-guard who's been a winner everywhere he's ever been. And Jon Dielber, who shot a 50 percent from three last season for the Buckeyes, rounds out draft night, bringing much-needed shooting to a team that was in the lower third in the NBA from deep (though it's uncertain whether Diebler will be able to make the roster right away).

So the Trail Blazers got younger and better shooting at point guard, depth and defense at backup point guard (Smith's forte out of high school was his defense) and long-range shooting. Aside from backup power forward, I'd say the team accomplished all of their goals for the night.

But what say you? Happy with Felton for Miller? Like Smith over Kenneth Faried, who was still on the board when the Blazers selected at No. 21? Can Diebler crack the depth chart? Overall thoughts on the draft? Let's hear it.

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10 Comments

I like felton, from what I see hes a decent passer and can shoot the 3 (something we need)! Months before the draft I imagined the blazers drafting nolan smith but I do wish we got a big guy or at least tried to keep jordan hamilton. My only concern is the pg spot, we have patty armon smith and felton. Whos staying and going?

by Sully on 6/23/2011 9:59 PM
Can someone please explain why we got not 1, not 2, but 3 guards in this draft!!!??? please explain as I am getting very annoyed.Also, and maybe it is a product of the state I am in..can we stop firing GM's on the eve of our Draft's!!!??? Something tells me we are not done and this is not the end result, but a step to what we are gonna do in free agency. My only hope is that our staff believes Roy will indeed be healthier and Oden will return. If not, prepare to be very angry.

by L.T.G on 6/23/2011 10:12 PM
Oh also, while I understand a lot of people are not big on Rudy, well, I was. I like Rudy. He is a young intelligent player who can grow. He passes well, He shoots lights out when he is on, and He piles up the steals. Guess what, we just gave him to the world Champs, that's right, we gave them yet another weapon at range. Now sit back and watch Rudy blossom...sigh!! Farewell Rudy You will be missed by this fan.

by L.T.G on 6/23/2011 10:15 PM
Great draft day reporting Casey :)

by Cristi on 6/23/2011 10:46 PM
Thank you Casey for the report. I had to go to my bowling league at about the 16th pick and missed all the excitement. I believe Felton and Nolan will be a big help on our roster, The only problem being is we are in the same spot as being guard heavy. We lost 2 and gained three; Chad said they had to make a decision on Patty's qualifying offer, so it sounds like he might be gone also.

I read as much as I could on Diebler, he sounds to be a good 3 point specialist. so we will have to wait and see.

by Hg on 6/24/2011 2:58 AM
I will also miss Rudy, but the Blazers did him a favor as he is going to a far better team, hopefully one that will appreciate him more. I hope Dallas has the sense to keep him.

by Susanna on 6/24/2011 9:29 AM
It was a horrible night 'dre was such a rock for us Smith was taken to early at least Diebler can shoot. We still need to make some moves or it looks like another early playoff exit.

by cmeese47 on 6/24/2011 11:59 AM
i don't want to get into negativity here, Casey, but to answer the bog title question: mission not accomplished ... unless either of these guys can back up LaMarcus and Marcus at pf and center.

by Kassandra on 6/24/2011 1:10 PM
LTG: You can't keep holding on to players simply because you're afraid they'll be better somewhere else. I like Rudy a lot, but it was probably time for a change.

Cristi: Thanks, though "reporting" is probably giving me too much credit.

cmeese47: Losing Andre will be tough, but Felton is as good of a replacement as we were going to find. As for Smith being taken "early", says who, Chad Ford? As far as I know, he's not one of the 30 GMs in the league picking players. No one knows if Smith would have been there later. People can guess, but no one knows.

Kassandra: That's fair. We do still need to find a backup PF, but luckily, the season doesn't start tomorrow. Those guys are a lot easier to come by than point guards who can play in the league.

by caseyholdahl on 6/24/2011 2:15 PM
Casey, I understand that, but that was not what I was talking about. It was not about fear of losing Rudy because he might be good, it was GIVING Rudy to DALLAS for NOTHING that was the problem. Hopefully The Blazers have a plan with all this mess, if not, all they did was arm Dallas and take nothing for themselves. That being said, I still think the hope is that Roy comes back healthier and Oden comes back for the season, and Felton was just an end table piece.

by L.T.G on 6/24/2011 4:41 PM