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Centers available in the draft
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  1. boomtown
    boomtown
    Posts: 272

    Posted 06/21/2012 11:25 AM

    I have suppressed the opinions of others at times when I support guys like Meyers Leonard and Fab Melo, or when I trash on Drummond.  

    I really think people just need to understand that there are no superstar centers in this year's draft.  If Portland were to resign Thabeet & Przy, and make a play for a more polished free agent like Hibbert or McGee to help, I am absolutely fine with that.

    Because honestly, I think Drummond will end up in the D League and I don't see Meyers emerging as an all-star, or Fab for that matter.  Of all the centers in this year's draft, Meyers may have the best shot of making an all-star team one day just because of his work ethic.  

    I just wanted to clarify how I really feel because I am just not high on this crop of centers.  I actually don't even want Hibbert, but Portland needs something.  I'd say maybe draft Ezili later, and roll with Przy and Thabeet, then address center in a future draft when there's better prospects.

    In fact, I think there are very few all-stars in this year's draft.  I do like Kidd-Gilchrist a lot because he's pretty sound defensively, not bad offensively, he's coming out as a freshman and being as polished as he is at such a young age, well, I think he's going to develop great and he's a guy I want.  Anthony Davis could afford to add some weight so he can bang more because I could see him stepping outside and assuming a cliff robinson or rasheed wallace type role, but as effective a shot blocker he is, his game has to be in the paint, but he's going to get hammered.  Still, he'll make the all-star team because he is one of those rare athletes who makes it look easy.  When Webber came out of college, I knew he'd be a star because he was a guy who could always quietly compile stats... he just had a knack for the game.. he was in the right spot at the right time and always knew what to do....  That's Anthony Davis.... and if Portland wants a sure thing, they should trade up for MKG or AD.  Forget Beal, portland should develop Williams and Matthews has to work hard.  He spends too much time on twitter.

    anyway.  i'm getting off topic.  Point to take from this is Portland should do what they can to by at Center until a bonafide star emerges in the college ranks... 
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  1. boomtown
    boomtown
    Posts: 272

    Posted 06/21/2012 11:28 AM

    the only good thing about the crop of centers in this year's draft is that there's at least 3 7-footers.  I think Ezeli is 7 feet, maybe 6-11.  I know meyers and fab are.  So having that height is a good thing.  And meyers is more developed offensively than Thabeet, but I think Thabeet is much better defensively... 

    And one more thing, if Portland wants a blocking center, who can also rebound, really, please take a look at Kyle O'Quinn in the 2nd round.  He's a 3 or 4 year starter who is a double double guy who has great shot blocking ability.  I think he'd complement L.A. great and with przy and thabeet, well, I think that'd be a serviceable trio until a bigger star comes along in a future draft.... 

    that's my humble opinion.

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  1. jwood
    jwood
    Posts: 117

    Posted 06/21/2012 11:36 AM

    i know it's not a game situation but watch drummond's sacramento workout.  he looked surprisingly good with his jumper.  he didn't miss from about 10 feet out and had good form for a big guy.  not sure if he has been working hard on his game or what, but it does not look like he is as worthless offensively as you've described.  i know his FT percentage and all that but he looks like he is already devoloping his game to me.  he's one of the youngest players in the draft too. 
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  1. Ricky
    Ricky
    Posts: 415

    Posted 06/21/2012 11:52 AM

    Everything I have seen on Drummond does not reflect what Jwood has seen.  What is the truth? 
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  1. jwood
    jwood
    Posts: 117

    Posted 06/21/2012 12:17 PM

    http://blog.ctnews.com/uconnbasketball/2012/06/15/drummond-looking-good-in-workouts/
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  1. DHawes22
    DHawes22
    Posts: 6475

    Posted 06/21/2012 1:13 PM

    Take Kyle O'Quinn in the 2nd round. He's got the heart, motor, and drive to be a player in this league for a while. I think when we look back at this draft, teams' are going to be kicking themselves for not taking him higher.
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  1. boomtown
    boomtown
    Posts: 272

    Posted 06/21/2012 1:24 PM

    lol  alright, well, did you guys see him play in college?  Like the comments at the top, Drummond has worked on his game, his release point is higher, he has more arc on his shot and a lighter touch.  Last year he was throwing line drive bricks with no air, and he did a weird push shot as opposed to letting the ball roll off his fingers.  fundamentally he didn't look good last year.  I can tell he's worked hard and honestly, well, seeing that video HMMMMMMMmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm.   damn.  18 years old.  shot blocker, 270 lb kid.  I know the video only showed his good attributes and there's a lot of work ahead, but I like the progress I see.

    I dunno, seeing that, well, I thought Lilllard was sounding like a shoe-in at 6 and now i think i would feel better about drummond than I did before seeing that video.

    lol.
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  1. cmeese47
    cmeese47
    Posts: 2223

    Posted 06/21/2012 1:26 PM

    There is a reason I have pretty much avoided picking a Center in this draft.
    I am a fan of Getting Defensive Players This Summer.
  1. boomtown
    boomtown
    Posts: 272

    Posted 06/21/2012 1:32 PM

    yeah, I"ve been talkin about O'Quinn for awhile.  I profiled him last year after seeing his Norfolk State team play a couple times and I knew they were going to cause problems for Missouri.  Ratliffe and that mizzou team were talented and O'Quinn put up 26 and 14 with a couple blocks.  And that's what he did all year for Norfolk.  His worst games were when he got in foul trouble, but he got better in that department as the year progressed.  He had as many as 7 blocks and 19 boards in a single game last year, and he saved his best scoring effort of the year for Mizzou.  

    He shoots with a good percentage.  He's not a great athlete like Drummond, but for a 2nd rounder, well, I dunno, he could start some games.

    I think even if Portland takes Drummond that O'Quinn would provide good depth (which is also needed pending Prz and Thabeet).
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  1. cmeese47
    cmeese47
    Posts: 2223

    Posted 06/21/2012 2:29 PM

    O'Quinn could be a cheap option but not a great one in my opinion but anything is better than what we have
    I am a fan of Getting Defensive Players This Summer.
  1. D_pickett
    D_pickett
    Posts: 608

    Posted 06/21/2012 5:37 PM

    If we pick Drummond and keep Joel as a mentor, do you think all those "motor" and "behavior" concerns disappear? Maybe he's just a college student that needs to grow up. Andrew Bynum and Dwight Howard need to work on all their off-court/behavior issues, but they certainly stick it to Portland every time they meet on the hardwood. Something to think about.
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