Post by DB on Jul 5, 2008 16:03:33 GMT -5
The Portland Trail Blazers come into the 2008 BBS season with high aspirations for there young roster. This past season GM Dan Basone added five first round draft picks to their roster. They belonged to the Milwaukee Bucks, Los Angeles Laker's, Orlando Magic, and the Atlanta Hawks. Two of their picks were in the lotto and the rest were scattered through out the draft. Basone set himself up for a busy off-season, one that would make or break his team’s future success.
The Trail Blazers already had young talents such as Thaddeus Young, their future small forward. Al Thornton, a 6’8 forward that can be compared to a Lamar Odom type. Glen Davis a great young big man who could be utilized off the bench, and Salim Stoudamire a good sharp shooting guard. With some of his roster spots filled, Basone knew that it would be through this coming draft that his team would really take form.
With the seventh pick in the BBS draft the Portland Trail Blazers selected DJ Augustin from Texas. He was a highly touted point guard that was said to be able to start from day 1. Basone liked the abilities this kid showed in camp and said he could be a future component to this roster. With the 12th pick the Blazers selected Russell Westbrook out of UCLA. Scouts said this kid could have the most upside out of anyone in the draft. He fell all the way down to the Blazers at 12 and Basone knew he had to grab him. “When a talent such as Russell falls to you so late in the lotto you have to grab it even though we took DJ at seven. People may wonder why you selected two point guards in five picks. Well, I tell them, why the hell not?” Basone grabbed Westbrook because he felt he could play the 1 or 2, but he did not know how long it would take for him to develop. Within one training camp, Russell has grabbed the starting point guard position from DJ. We still are hearing reports that DJ is their man and Russell will have to make the switch over to the 2 spot in do time.
With their next two picks coming up and being back to back, Basone decided to take a risk on two young prospects; Bill Walker out of Kansas State and Jason Thompson out of Rider. Walker was scouted as being an amazing athlete coming into the draft that had tons of upside. Many felt that his game was just not there though and his work ethic would fall in the way of his success. Jason Thompson was an unknown big man that really came on in the try outs the Blazers held for him. He shows great ability to score and rebound and could be utilized off the bench.
The Blazers final first round draft pick was traded to the Hawks that was owed to them in a past trade. The Blazers second round selection Javale Mcgee was cut in a deal with the Pacers.
The Portland Trail Blazers future is very bright. With other key players added to their roster in the off season such as Pau Gasol and Joel Przybilla the Blazers could be back on track to the playoffs in no time. It only took two seasons for GM Dan Basone to rebuild his franchise once more as he hopes he can take them back to the glory days of Jason Kidd and Dikembe Mutombo.
This is Erin Andrews Reporting live from the Rose Garden.
The Trail Blazers already had young talents such as Thaddeus Young, their future small forward. Al Thornton, a 6’8 forward that can be compared to a Lamar Odom type. Glen Davis a great young big man who could be utilized off the bench, and Salim Stoudamire a good sharp shooting guard. With some of his roster spots filled, Basone knew that it would be through this coming draft that his team would really take form.
With the seventh pick in the BBS draft the Portland Trail Blazers selected DJ Augustin from Texas. He was a highly touted point guard that was said to be able to start from day 1. Basone liked the abilities this kid showed in camp and said he could be a future component to this roster. With the 12th pick the Blazers selected Russell Westbrook out of UCLA. Scouts said this kid could have the most upside out of anyone in the draft. He fell all the way down to the Blazers at 12 and Basone knew he had to grab him. “When a talent such as Russell falls to you so late in the lotto you have to grab it even though we took DJ at seven. People may wonder why you selected two point guards in five picks. Well, I tell them, why the hell not?” Basone grabbed Westbrook because he felt he could play the 1 or 2, but he did not know how long it would take for him to develop. Within one training camp, Russell has grabbed the starting point guard position from DJ. We still are hearing reports that DJ is their man and Russell will have to make the switch over to the 2 spot in do time.
With their next two picks coming up and being back to back, Basone decided to take a risk on two young prospects; Bill Walker out of Kansas State and Jason Thompson out of Rider. Walker was scouted as being an amazing athlete coming into the draft that had tons of upside. Many felt that his game was just not there though and his work ethic would fall in the way of his success. Jason Thompson was an unknown big man that really came on in the try outs the Blazers held for him. He shows great ability to score and rebound and could be utilized off the bench.
The Blazers final first round draft pick was traded to the Hawks that was owed to them in a past trade. The Blazers second round selection Javale Mcgee was cut in a deal with the Pacers.
The Portland Trail Blazers future is very bright. With other key players added to their roster in the off season such as Pau Gasol and Joel Przybilla the Blazers could be back on track to the playoffs in no time. It only took two seasons for GM Dan Basone to rebuild his franchise once more as he hopes he can take them back to the glory days of Jason Kidd and Dikembe Mutombo.
This is Erin Andrews Reporting live from the Rose Garden.
