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BlazerFan1
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Post subject: Three Reasons Why Blazers Should Keep The Pick
 Posted: May 23, 2008 - 06:44 PM PST
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The Blazers aren't sugarcoating it. It's been that way for the past few months.
Portland's pick – 13th overall – is officially on the market, even though towards the end of the regular season General Manger Kevin Pritchard let the draft cat out of the bag. Then, much like now, the slogan was essentially described as obtaining "experience" over "youth."
Translation: trade the pick.
"I think we need more good players," said Pritchard recently about obtaining know-how instead of a novice.
"We've got Greg (Oden) and Rudy (Fernandez) coming in next year, we hope, and we're going to have to be active. That's never been something we've been shy to do and we're going to have to do that."
That's Pritchard for you – he tends to make life happen on the court via the draft instead of sitting idly by and watching 29 other teams around the league get better and better. But considering some marquee names who have been selected 13th overall in past NBA Drafts, is moving the pick truly the best scenario at this point?
Devils advocate, meet wishy-washy.
For every reason why Portland should keep the pick, someone will find fault why the Blazers should make their move.
But why stop at one reason? For sake of argument, let's make it three.
Here's three reasons why Portland should deal 13th overall pick: Rickey Brown (13th overall in 1980), Keon Clark (1998), Marcus Haislip (2002). Both Brown and Haislip had a cup of coffee in the league before becoming NBA vagabonds overseas. As for Clark, he's facing a year in jail after being convicted on a misdemeanor weapons charge stemming from a March 2006 incident at his Danville, Illinois home. And that's not even half of Clark's woeful story since being exiled from the league in 2004.
That's a different story.
And three reasons to keep the 13th overall pick: Karl Malone (13th overall in 1985), Kobe Bryant (1996), Richard Jefferson (2001). Malone was selected one of the "50 Greatest Players in NBA History," was a two-time NBA Most Valuable Player, 11-time All-Star, and will go down as perhaps the league's best defensive power forward. Jefferson remains one of the league's best scorers and most versatile players. And then there is Bryant; do we really need to note Kobe's credentials?
Seriously.
Aye, there's the rub; For both Bryant (selected by the Charlotte Hornets) and Richardson (by the Houston Rockets) were traded during the draft process after being selected 13th overall. But at least the Malone theory holds weight, right?
So will this make Pritchard's decision that much easier? Probably not. Bringing in a younger player via the draft may not be the first option, but nevertheless it remains a possibility.
"If it's the right player," Pritchard said about adding a young player to the Blazers mix. "If Brandon Roy is out there again, I think I would take him again."
Yet if the Blazers are going to improve their backcourt issues and shooting concerns – two areas Pritchard believes Portland needs to improve - can such help be obtained in the draft?
"I think it could be obtained in the draft. But I'm not sure that is the road to fill some of those holes," explained Pritchard.
"I think we need to get more athletic in the backcourt. We have to continually look at shooting and make that a priority because of what (Greg) Oden, LaMarcus (Aldridge) and Brandon (Roy) are going to bring. I think all three have a chance to demand double-teams, so shooting is going to be a priority as will some speed and quickness."
The other option is obvious. Trade the pick and shift the focus to free agency or invest in the players you received by swapping the selection.
Read the entire article:
http://www.hoopsworld.com/Story.asp?story_id=8800 |
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