Post by Akomplice on Jan 23, 2011 17:52:53 GMT -5
Heading into the draft the Blazers only had one pick, the second to last draft pick. However like in every draft, once some of the bigger names come off the board the picks start to become available for sale. Typically a late first round pick isn't really desirable but with the development league in effect now, for teams it has become real valuable for those without picks in the future.
The Blazers were able to purchase two first round picks and an early second. Due to the fact that the Blazers lost some serious front court depth due to free agents, the Blazers were in the market looking for insurance as they attempt to bring back both Ratliff and Diop. Their first selection was Hilton Armstrong, the center out of UCONN. Armstrong brings an interesting game, mainly due to his 7'4 wingspan. The Blazers are hoping that he will be able to help on the boards and alter some shots. He shouldn't be relied on much to score the ball, as most of his offense is limited to putbacks. He can hit down the occasional long range shot, but rarely is that ever considered to be one of the first options on offense.
With their second pick the Blazers selected Shannon Brown out of Michigan State. Shannon Brown was often overlooked because of Mo Ager his teammate, but Brown has a real drive to continue to get better. He feel in the draft probably because of his C potential, but the Blazers feel that he is one of the most ready SSBL prospects in this draft. He is electrifying when he takes off the ground, he is a fast break wonder. On defense he is very active and loves to gamble for those steals. He can handle the ball pretty good for a shooting guard and has been working on his jump shot. He probably will see some time in the SSBL this year and go down to the development league next year.
With their next pick the Blazers selected Hilton Armstrong's teammate from UCONN in Josh Boone. Like Armstrong, Boone brings that defensive/rebounding element to the team. He can run the floor and be that scrappy player that every team needs. Boone is limited offensively, but that won't be his role on this team. The Blazers are hoping for one of them to be able to be a solid contributor to the team this year while the other spends time in the development league. They will be playing behind Tyson Chandler so hopefully they will be able to soak up some knowledge from them. They both come from a great program and great college coach in Jim Calhoun. The Blazers are hoping that one of them breaks through.
With the second to last pick the draft usually don't offer any prospects of interest, however that was not the case this year. Gerry McNamara is this years SSBL version of MY Player, that scrub that you start with and make him into an all star. McNamara has been a household name for any college fan over the years as he has proven to be a natural born winner. He has hit big shots time and time again, whether it's preseason or the final four. His size and lateral quickness really don't help his case in being drafted, but the Blazers love his approach and love for the game. He will be playing behind the MVP in Joe Johnson, but are hoping on him to come in and knock down some threes off the bench.
Overall the Blazers had a fairly solid draft considering they entered it with only one second round pick. With no first round pick the Blazers will look to do this all over again probably.
The Blazers were able to purchase two first round picks and an early second. Due to the fact that the Blazers lost some serious front court depth due to free agents, the Blazers were in the market looking for insurance as they attempt to bring back both Ratliff and Diop. Their first selection was Hilton Armstrong, the center out of UCONN. Armstrong brings an interesting game, mainly due to his 7'4 wingspan. The Blazers are hoping that he will be able to help on the boards and alter some shots. He shouldn't be relied on much to score the ball, as most of his offense is limited to putbacks. He can hit down the occasional long range shot, but rarely is that ever considered to be one of the first options on offense.
With their second pick the Blazers selected Shannon Brown out of Michigan State. Shannon Brown was often overlooked because of Mo Ager his teammate, but Brown has a real drive to continue to get better. He feel in the draft probably because of his C potential, but the Blazers feel that he is one of the most ready SSBL prospects in this draft. He is electrifying when he takes off the ground, he is a fast break wonder. On defense he is very active and loves to gamble for those steals. He can handle the ball pretty good for a shooting guard and has been working on his jump shot. He probably will see some time in the SSBL this year and go down to the development league next year.
With their next pick the Blazers selected Hilton Armstrong's teammate from UCONN in Josh Boone. Like Armstrong, Boone brings that defensive/rebounding element to the team. He can run the floor and be that scrappy player that every team needs. Boone is limited offensively, but that won't be his role on this team. The Blazers are hoping for one of them to be able to be a solid contributor to the team this year while the other spends time in the development league. They will be playing behind Tyson Chandler so hopefully they will be able to soak up some knowledge from them. They both come from a great program and great college coach in Jim Calhoun. The Blazers are hoping that one of them breaks through.
With the second to last pick the draft usually don't offer any prospects of interest, however that was not the case this year. Gerry McNamara is this years SSBL version of MY Player, that scrub that you start with and make him into an all star. McNamara has been a household name for any college fan over the years as he has proven to be a natural born winner. He has hit big shots time and time again, whether it's preseason or the final four. His size and lateral quickness really don't help his case in being drafted, but the Blazers love his approach and love for the game. He will be playing behind the MVP in Joe Johnson, but are hoping on him to come in and knock down some threes off the bench.
Overall the Blazers had a fairly solid draft considering they entered it with only one second round pick. With no first round pick the Blazers will look to do this all over again probably.
