2009 Draft Discussion

[Clips]

Thought I might as well start this now with the lottery in 10 days and draft in about 48.

Joe Ingles will be working out this time tomorrow with the Thunder in part of a 12 player work out.

[R-Diddy]

I so hope the Kings don't get the number 1 pick, I would hate to see Blake Griffen have to play for them.

[PyroCross]

I'm unsure if Ingles will make it at this point. I'm also a fan for Patrick Mills going back to college because of the vast benefits of being a PG in the 2010 draft where there is only one and he's going #1.

[DoubleA]

Thought I might as well start this now with the lottery in 10 days and draft in about 48.

Joe Ingles will be working out this time tomorrow with the Thunder in part of a 12 player work out.

Its been impossible to find out any info on this workout, I've looked everywhere.

[Wallitron]

Maybe because it's a closed workout.
http://www.arkcity.net/stories/050909/spo_0005.shtml

[angry ant]

Some info on Joe's workout with the Raptors-

"The last player from yesterday’s sextet was Australian Joe Ingles, a very intriguing prospect. Ingles nearly declared last year but decided to withdraw in the end in order to beef up his game for this year’s draft. He’s incredibly long and at 6-7, has great size for the 2 guard spot, apparently the position he mostly plays, and is quite skilled offensively. I was a bit leery of his ability to play a guard position at first glance, wondering if his game wasn’t better suited for the 3 or 4, however in drills, he was absolutely lethal from long-range and also displayed some great one-on-one moves, at one point beating a much smaller and quicker defender and cramming it down. Ingles will need to bulk up a bit but I wouldn’t be surprised to see a team taking a flyer on him late in the second-round and stashing him overseas for a while."

http://www.hooplife.ca/raptorshq/viewHQArticle.php?id=701

[DoubleA]

Ingles has also been officially invited to the NBA combine for potentially draftees, another good sign.

[Mike]

draft lottery results

http://www.hoopsworld.com/Story.asp?story_id=12693


lol clippers wouldnt know what to do with a good player

[Clips]

lol clippers wouldnt know what to do with a good player
If we fire Dunleavy as coach we are making a great start ;)

[Mike]

very good start, and also trade baron and randolph

[Clips]

Baron will need a good season before we can trade him. Likely the same with Kaman. Randolph I think can be moved if we include Thornton in the deal.

[Clips]

http://www.realgm.com/src_wiretap_archives/59323/20090522/ingles_is_looking_to_get_drafted/

Ingles part of a 6 player workout in Mil. Looking to get picked up this year.

[PyroCross]

As much as I want to see Randolph gone, there's no way anyone wants him or his contract for that matter. But they have to deal him because he'll be a bad influence for Griffin.

Although I do believe the best thing to do is trade down and take Rubio, it probably won't be the case.

[Clips]

As much as I want to see Randolph gone, there's no way anyone wants him or his contract for that matter. But they have to deal him because he'll be a bad influence for Griffin.

Although I do believe the best thing to do is trade down and take Rubio, it probably won't be the case.
If we deal down, we send a bad contract with the pick, which would be either Baron (Hinders Conley Jr) or Randolph (Hinders Griffin).

[DoubleA]

http://www.draftexpress.com/article/Priority-Sports-Workout-in-Chicago-3233/

Nice news on Ingles

[stellation]

DX have Joe at 53 and have bumped Patty up to 29 (he's sat at 30 for the last month or so).

I honestly have every bit of confidence that Joe will be drafted at the moment (and probably sent to Europe).

[Clips]

I'm confident of Pat getting to late teens early twenties and Joey getting into the forties. Quite a few reports have been impressed with him.

On a side note, Joe's standing reach is the same as Blake Griffins, at 8'11.

Measurement Analysis and link to full results history (http://www.draftexpress.com/blog/Jonathan-Givony/#Analyzing-the-NBA-Combine-Measurements-3237)

[meg]

http://news.smh.com.au/breaking-news-sport/aussie-star-keeping-name-in-nba-draft-20090602-btou.html

[RedbackVenom]

ESPN.com and NBA.com are both running with stories that our own Patty Mills is staying in the draft and is set to hire an agent.

http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/draft2009/news/story?id=4223003

He also states he wishes to play for Golden State and remain in the Bay area.

[alleyoop]

Jennings not impressed with Rubio

http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/draft2009/news/story?id=4255421

This Jennings sounds like he has some swagger. Will be interesting to see if he can back it up, though. From all reports he has game, but I think Rubio will also be decent (though perhaps he is a tad overhyped).

[Da Houndawg #55]

I'm confident of Pat getting to late teens early twenties and Joey getting into the forties. Quite a few reports have been impressed with him.

On a side note, Joe's standing reach is the same as Blake Griffins, at 8'11.

Measurement Analysis and link to full results history (http://www.draftexpress.com/blog/Jonathan-Givony/#Analyzing-the-NBA-Combine-Measurements-3237)

Only problem there is the massive glut of point guards (not that I'm saying anything we don't already know)... The list of pgs you'd expect off of straight talent who SHOULD be first round picks:

Rubio
Jennings
Curry
Flynn
Lawson
Maynor
Evans
Mills
Teague
Holiday

Then I guess Harden is a combo as well... he'll be top 5.

It's hard to see that many teams disregarding need and grabbing the best available player that Patty Mills (despite the fact that I think he's underrated by the US, that's where the picks will be coming from - he's clearly a guy better suited to the space the NBA affords than the college game as well...) goes in the teens.

I mean, that list there... that'd be a third of the round at one position.

Anyway, here we go... Blake Griffin should be announced by the Clips any second now...

[Da Houndawg #55]

Harden? Hmm...

Personally, I'd have gone Rubio and slid Westbrook over. It'd give them a nice breaking 3 of Rubio-Westbrook-Durant...

I thought Harden would be a top 5 lock, but a bit surprised they went that way. Mind you Rubio isn't strong and sliding Westbrook over is different than if you have a Kidd or Snow - someone who can legitimately guard the bigger 2s. What Rubio gives up in strength he has some height to make up for it, but at the 2 he'd be given more trouble at times...

Work ethic an issue with Harden though? And Westbrook is still on-ball...

[Da Houndawg #55]

Wow... Rubio is sliding... Not that I'm REAL surprised that Evans went there. Strength in a point guard is getting rated higher with Deron Williams showing how valuable it is.

He'll be a steal wherever he goes from now though. Let's watch Minnesota fuck him up... (either by picking him, or not picking him... MONEY MOney money...)

[Wallitron]

I asked the person I would trust most in knowing where Mills goes, and his mail was 20-30.

That would be awesome.

[Wallitron]

2-7 all guards.

[Da Houndawg #55]

HAHAHA Angry, angry New Yorkers...

[Da Houndawg #55]

2-7 all guards.

That's news to Hasheem Thabeet... :-P

[Da Houndawg #55]

Brandon Jennings... Hehhhh... The Bucks need can't miss guys, because anything less for them turns out bust.

To me he's overrated...

[Da Houndawg #55]

AHHHHHH HA HA HA HA HA! Monumental fuck-up by the Pacers!

[Da Houndawg #55]

I would love to see the Suns take Pat Mills here... but I doubt it'll happen...

[Da Houndawg #55]

Earl Clark's probably the best 3 in the draft... That'll do nicely I guess.

[Da Houndawg #55]

Why do they even interview Dick Vitale at the Draft... You know what he's going to say before he comes in.

Pedal his usual Orwellian mantra:
2 years bad, 4 years good.

[Da Houndawg #55]

Well, trade time in Minnesota...

[Wallitron]

Great news for Patty!! Wolves pick three PGs!! :)

[Da Houndawg #55]

Still, good thing for Mills.

Rubio
Jennings
Curry
Flynn
Lawson
Maynor
Evans
Mills
Teague
Holiday


The bold guys are gone, now let's have a look at the teams with picks left and think about how much they might need a PG...

Utah
Hornets
Blazers
Kings
Dallas
Mavs
Thunder
Bulls
Grizz

I'd be surprised if he were still there for the Grizz, to be honest, but if he is I'd think he'd be gone there at the latest...

[Wallitron]

Patty is the next point guard in line, real chance to go in the first round now.

Jazz, Mavs, Bulls??

Whoops, forgot about Maynor.

[Da Houndawg #55]

I wouldn't be surprised to see Kings... But I really don't want that to happen.

Blazers?

[Da Houndawg #55]

Patty's next PG in line now...

[Wallitron]

Hound, maybe he goes at pick 28? :)

[Da Houndawg #55]

Mavs would be a match for him... Kind of surprised to see Maynor go to the Jazz with the next pick with all the PGs flying, but Patty's next in line now.

[stellation]

Byron Scott liked him in the workout.

[Da Houndawg #55]

Hound, maybe he goes at pick 28? :)

HAHAHA

Nah, he'll be gone by then, perhaps they'll pick up Daniel Joyce having heard he can play some point...

[Da Houndawg #55]

Byron Scott liked him in the workout.

They wouldn't have to change gears when going to the bench... that'd be a plus.

I think the Hornets have other needs I just don't think this draft is where they'd be able to fill them... this is a PG draft. Hornets should understand that because they locked in the best one in the last PG draft...

[Da Houndawg #55]

22-24... here we go...

[Da Houndawg #55]

Hahaha shaq with the gold!

[Da Houndawg #55]

Still thinking Dallas with Jason Kidd getting on... But I'd think Memphis will be absolute bottom of the barrel failsafe...

[Da Houndawg #55]

And with that they draft BJ Mullens...

Why? I've no idea...

[Da Houndawg #55]

Beaubois? Alright, that one caught me off guard... but I thought they'd be looking for a 4 anyway...

[Da Houndawg #55]

Well, if he (Beaubois) goes to the Mavs that'll make some sense...

[Da Houndawg #55]

Eh, I don't rate Taj Gibson outside of college... Guy reminds me of a more mobile Sam Clancy. I reckon he'll rattle around and out in a few years.

[Da Houndawg #55]

C'mon Grizz... take Patty...

[Da Houndawg #55]

Oh for f***'s sake...

See, here's the Yanks underrating him again... He held his own with the number 7 pick whenever they met and down he slides.

C'mon Timberwolves... make it number 4...

You'd think the Lakers would be willing if he's still around there, they said they liked the look of him...

[Da Houndawg #55]

Ah fuck, he's going to be a fucking Laker...

C'mon... go to the Cavs.

Hey the Knicks... maybe he will go there. I'll take that!

[Da Houndawg #55]

For the 100th time in my life...

FTL!

[Da Houndawg #55]

Mills-Mo-Bron-Varejao-Shaq?

[Da Houndawg #55]

Mills-Mo-Bron-Varejao-Shaq?

Noooooope.

[Hoffa]

Might be better if he doesn't get picked at all now. :confused:

[stellation]

I knew this would happen. :(

[Da Houndawg #55]

Nah... He can't go back to college if he doesn't get picked.

Just means he won't have a guaranteed contract.

Now he NEEDS to go to a team that needs him, or get dealt to one after being drafted. Its an opportunity league, without that opportunity they'll assume he can't play whether its the case or not, til he bounces out of the league and then tries to crack it from the outside again.

He will get picked though, he's rated too highly for that to happen... its just a matter of where.

[Cussy]

It's clearly a case of racial prejudice against indigenous Australians.

[Nerf Herder]

They're Heightists... stupid Yanks... no clue...

They're gonna be kicking themselves though if he gets a chance to show his wares... (I STILL say he should have gone back to St Mary's for another season, but bygones...)

[Da Houndawg #55]

They're Heightists... stupid Yanks... no clue...

They're gonna be kicking themselves though if he gets a chance to show his wares... (I STILL say he should have gone back to St Mary's for another season, but bygones...)

Ditto...

They've overlooked him, he was an obvious omission...

Now a guy who should have gone in the 20s is looking likely to drop to the 40s...

[Wallitron]

Looks like a few teams went for professional players overseas so they can save some salary money next season. Stupid GFC!!

[gangsta boo]

Wow I can't believe he still hasn't been picked!

[Nerf Herder]

You'd think that if Patty is going to drop this far down, it's not looking good for Ingles or the other Aussies who are up for selection... although I still say Nevill would be a great pick up for a team... get him in the weight room, (maybe have some dinners with Big Nate? ;) ) and he would be a quality player...

At least Baynes already has that Lithuanian contract lined up...

CURSE the glut of PGs this year!

[Da Houndawg #55]

You'd think that if Patty is going to drop this far down, it's not looking good for Ingles or the other Aussies who are up for selection... although I still say Nevill would be a great pick up for a team... get him in the weight room, (maybe have some dinners with Big Nate? ;) ) and he would be a quality player...

At least Baynes already has that Lithuanian contract lined up...

CURSE the glut of PGs this year!

Actually, with the trends I'd say Ingles' chances are looking better for the reasons Wallitron just gave.

But I wasn't really too thrilled with the chances of Neville and such anyway...

[Da Houndawg #55]

Patty Mills to the Suns here?

[Da Houndawg #55]

Are you kidding me? Taylor fucking Griffin??? Insanity.

[garvs]

Are you kidding me? Taylor fucking Griffin??? Insanity.

i know wtf are these guys on who are making the decisions lol

[stylin]

WTF is going on!!!!!!!!!!

[gangsta boo]

I hope he shows them up big time. Bullshit!@!!

[Nerf Herder]

FFS... this is mental!

[Da Houndawg #55]

Mills has electrifying speed and the potential to be a star... sure, that MAY never eventuate, but they're now in the 50s and picking guys like Suton and fucking Taylor Griffin...

Its ridiculous.

[garvs]

patty goes to trailblazers

[Da Houndawg #55]

Thank fuck for that.

About 30 picks late... 40 if he declared next year...

[gangsta boo]

So what happens now - any others a chance to get drafted in the Aussie contingent?

[Da Houndawg #55]

Portland's got to be happy with that... they wouldn't really have been reaching with the way the draft was going if they used their 22nd pick on him...

Even if others do get drafted gb I think we'd see them getting shelved. I think it'd be Ingles and they'd keep him on ice here or in Europe as the Rockets have with Noodles.

[gangsta boo]

Not as up to date on NBA stuff these days - thanks for the info

[Nerf Herder]

FINALLY!

Of course, no idea what his situation will be at Portland... I should start paying more attention to NBA stuff...

Didn't Newley go at a similar position?

[Wallitron]

25 (55) Portland (from Denver) Patrick Mills 6-1 175 PG St. Mary's (CA)
The Blazers saved Patty Mills from slipping out of the draft. If he could have jumped right after the Olympics, he would have gone much higher. He's super-quick and a great kid, but he's small and a lot of teams don't believe he's a point guard. The Blazers don't really have a roster spot for him, but he may be able to continue to improve overseas.

[Da Houndawg #55]

I'm still stunned though... I'm a Zona guy and love Chase Budinger... but dude's like Adam Ballinger. He's not going to stick in the NBA. Definitely shouldn't have gone before Mills...

I mean Mills would have been going into the next season as, if not the premier point guard in college, defintiely one of the top ones. A lot of these Euro guys, mark my words, will never play a minute in the NBA... honestly I wonder why some of these teams bother with guys they're never going to give a chance. Yes they're saving money, but they're essentially burning these picks.

[Da Houndawg #55]

25 (55) Portland (from Denver) Patrick Mills 6-1 175 PG St. Mary's (CA)
The Blazers saved Patty Mills from slipping out of the draft. If he could have jumped right after the Olympics, he would have gone much higher. He's super-quick and a great kid, but he's small and a lot of teams don't believe he's a point guard. The Blazers don't really have a roster spot for him, but he may be able to continue to improve overseas.

In my eyes, the ceiling for him is Tony Parker, and the floor is TJ Ford... That's still a pretty high floor...

[Da Houndawg #55]

Robert Dozier, we can claim him... right?

[gangsta boo]

Who is he?

[Da Houndawg #55]

Portland actually had probably the best rounded draft for where their picks fell...

Sacramento did pretty well to, but there just isn't the talent in this draft to bail them out of the depths of failure that they reside in...

Houston had no picks yet managed to get Budinger and Taylor's rights out of this and only gave up cash considerations and a future second rounder to the Pistons.

Nuggets got Ty Lawson, who's a pretty sure bet PG option, which they need and gave up a future first round pick... which will likely be much lower in the future and likely wouldn't have given them much.

[Da Houndawg #55]

Who is he?

Related to Terry Dozier isn't he?

[FRED JONES]

so whats the chances that patty actually makes the blazers roster and then gets a chance to play at all. i dunno but id rather see him play here in oz than watch him sit on a chair in the nba

i know he can play in europe but who cares we hardly get to see him play then at all

nbl needs an exception rule for each team to be able to pay 1 player as much as they want then we could get patty here : )

[angry ant]

Can't believe Patty went 55th! The Blazers only have two point guards though; Steve Blake and Jerryd Bayless (Who I belive plays alot of the 2, am I right), so Mills might be able to get a spot...

[Voice(s)]

Unfortunately for Mills he got some pretty bad advice. Should've stayed in college for another year. Most thought he would go late first round-early second and for him to almost go undrafted means he must've had some poor workouts. I never thought Ingles was much chance to get drafted, couldn't believe the guff in the paper the other day with his agent saying late first round to early second round.

It would be unlikely the Blazers would be interested in Mills next season so he's probably off to europe now. One would think with another year in college he would've been an almost certain first rounder next year but now with today's developments there's a very real possibility he will never play in the NBA now.

[Cram]

He'll play in the NBA. I think this season too. Blake and Bayless are Portlands only PG options so far. Blake is the current starter, but the thought is Bayless is the future. Most teams like to carry 3 PG's so i'd say Patty gets a roster spot. With Bayless being a bigger combo guy too, they could potentially play some time together.

[Da Houndawg #55]

Can't believe Patty went 55th! The Blazers only have two point guards though; Steve Blake and Jerryd Bayless (Who I belive plays alot of the 2, am I right), so Mills might be able to get a spot...

Yeah, I've seen a fair bit of Bayless over the years as well... I'd back Patty to beat him out in a straight race for a back-up point-guard slot. I don't know how much Portland wants to change that though... or how interested they are in him.

If I were putting together an up-tempo team and without a back-up pg, though I'd be very interested in making a deal with the Blazers since he's a first-round quality pick but without having to be tied into guaranteeing him a contract. Likewise teams with slower PGs who want a change of pace bench option in a Tyronn Lue mode to stay in front of some of the quicker guys like the Chris Paul's, Iverson's, etc...

Then there's the fact that he still could well stick with Portland, they are a young team and Patty does have more upside than Blake even if he has more concerns next to his name...

I wouldn't say his career's over just yet... but yes, he definitely should have stayed another year.

[Da Houndawg #55]

And I do like the thought of Patty leading the break with Rudy Fernandez on the wing as well...

[angry ant]

Hey, can anyone find a photo(s) of Mills getting drafted?

[niggle]

Pity PATTY dumb ass decision to go this year. Who lead him down the garden path that he would be an early pick? So many guards went ahead of him. Supposedly Kirk Hinrich is on Portland's radar which would put Patty lower in the pecking order.

[DoubleA]

I think we need to be realistic here and take off our Aussie hats for a second...

Right now, the Blazers have ONE roster spot open, one. They traded away a PG and drafted 3/4 players so why does Patty have any more chance than the guys drafted above him?

I think the only way he makes the opening day roster (inlcluding Inactive List) is if there is a trade for someone like Hedo, otherwise I think he'll be in the NBDL.

[DoubleA]

Pritchard intimates Mills may go to Europe

http://www.iamatrailblazersfan.com/Home/Photos/OfficialGalleryAlbum/tabid/165/OfficialGalleryID/473/GalleryView/MediaViewOfficial/AlbumID/4627/MediaID/2551/Default.aspx

[angry ant]

When do the summer leagues start?

[jbamore]

Geez we can be a bunch of homers. Patty slid a little, but was never going to be a first rounder with all the PG's available (once it got to the last couple of weeks before the draft). His college stats are poor for a PG, and the camp in Treviso showed further that he is a scoring PG right now, which is what he was at SMC.

Did he make the right decision to leave school? Seeing it is his decision, yes. We don't know the reasons why......calling him or his 'advisors' dumbass is the pot calling the kettle black!

Maybe he doesn't like school (he doesn't), maybe the Gaels team for next year looks worse (it does) so he will have to shoulder the scoring load again and look even more like a scoring PG to the scouts (who pick your game apart the longer you are in college), maybe the wrist injury made him think twice about going back and getting a long-term/career threatening injury, maybe he wanted to use what little momentum is left from Beijing.

Coming back to Oz to play would be an ABSOLUTE WASTE OF TIME! What players has the NBL developed and put onto the World stage (and been successful)? Yeah, it's a long list (not).

Hopefully the Blazers help him find a good team in Spain for 2 years where he can play for a really good coach, practice twice a day, and learn to be a PG. He has some aspects of the position down, but has had to be a scorer too often for his team's to do well (go all the way back to ACT teams at junior nationals).

Is he good enough for the NBA? Time will tell. It has a lot to do with situation, opportunity, luck, smart decisions and hard work. No problem with the last point, we know he works hard. Now he needs the right situation to get better (and probably not the NBDL). Go make 100-200,000 euros in Europe.

Also, Pritchard saying he has an international passport is mis-leading. Unless there is something unusual in his paretns heritage (both indigenous) he can only get an Australian passport which is of no more use in Europe than being American. So instead of getting 300-400k he will get half.

An interesting 6 months ahead to see what happens over the summer and then into next season. Maybe the Blazers end up needing him to be the third PG. My bet is they send him to Europe (or the NBDL if they have some crazy idea that it is a better place to develop) and not go to camp so they do not have to offer a contract and keep his rights.


Good luck to him!


(Should make clear about the opening comment......a homer is someone rooting for the home team/player, not the same gender!)

[Wallitron]

Photos at Gettys:

http://cache1.asset-cache.net/xt/88691474.jpg?v=1&g=editorial21&s=1
http://cache3.asset-cache.net/xt/88691416.jpg?v=1&g=editorial21&s=1
http://cache1.asset-cache.net/xt/88691334.jpg?v=1&g=editorial21&s=1

[Wallitron]

Pity PATTY dumb ass decision to go this year. Who lead him down the garden path that he would be an early pick? So many guards went ahead of him. Supposedly Kirk Hinrich is on Portland's radar which would put Patty lower in the pecking order.

Or on the trading block to the Bulls.

[Wallitron]

Maybe he doesn't like school (he doesn't), maybe the Gaels team for next year looks worse (it does) so he will have to shoulder the scoring load again and look even more like a scoring PG to the scouts (who pick your game apart the longer you are in college), maybe the wrist injury made him think twice about going back and getting a long-term/career threatening injury, maybe he wanted to use what little momentum is left from Beijing.


I think you make some very good points here. To add to that, how many of those "crappy" guys that got drafted above Patty went to a fringe school like St Marys? He might have been the best PG in the country next year on paper, but all these massive programs will all have decent point guards and they will be winning games, going to tourney and going deep. St Marys would be lucky to make it.

All is not lost. After all, Anstey got drafted by Portland, and he's turned out to be one of the most loved, respected and successful basketballers in Australia's history.

[Clips]

I'm pretty devastated Pat fell as low as he did. From memory, Portland already have a 2nd round pg working out overseas.

[angry ant]

Boston might have drafted Mills if available...
"Ainge said the Celtics were interested in St. Mary's guard Patrick "Patty'' Mills, but the Trailblazers scooped him up with the 55th overall pick.

Mills starred against the US in the 2008 Olympics.

A trade up, Ainge said, never materialized."




I still can't believe that someone like Christian Eyenga, who plays in the Div. 3 Spanish league, can get drafted 30th, while Mills gets 55th...

[DoubleA]

I still can't believe that someone like Christian Eyenga, who plays in the Div. 3 Spanish league, can get drafted 30th, while Mills gets 55th...

I think that trade in particular, was more about the Cavs saying look we'll draft you but dont expect a roster spot, you're staying where you are. Mills or any other repuitable college kid would have expected it

[stellation]

Whilst I do think Patty is a legit talent for the league, the reality was that he nominated early for a draft that was always going to have a ridiculous number of guys who play his position. He should have gone back to school for an extra year.

I wonder how hedging his bets and not having an agent early on hurt him.

[angry ant]

Mills Interview- http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eug81m6qkQA
College Highlights- http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6DGbqjK3uYI
Getting Drafted- http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BGvOeONaisA

[alleyoop]

Supposedly Kirk Hinrich is on Portland's radar which would put Patty lower in the pecking order.

That's the problem. I recall reading various rumours linking Portland to a number of veteran PGs, seems this is what they're targeting. If they don't find a suitable deal though and Blake remains their starting 1, then Mills could snatch the 3rd PG spot? After all the Blazers did just trade Rodriguez.

[Da Houndawg #55]

Mills could pick-up the backup spot if they take a decent look at him. Bayless doesn't exactly have the mentality that would best suit the Blazers at this point... but he would make a valuable alternate option to what Blake and Mills put forward at the point guard position...

Getting traded into irrelevance (or trades moving him into a position of irrelevance) is the main fear for Patty from where I sit...

If he can stick until the Worlds the hype of that tournament could give his team the urge to have another look at him... or at least make the team with his rights give him some consideration.

[Julian]

All is not lost. After all, Anstey got drafted by Portland, and he's turned out to be one of the most loved, respected and successful basketballers in Australia's history.
Don't forget Australia's most loved basketballer won a two-bit cup competition in Europe, but for the sake of simplicity let's not worry about detail and call it the Euroleague.

[Nerf Herder]

Maybe he doesn't like school (he doesn't), maybe the Gaels team for next year looks worse (it does) so he will have to shoulder the scoring load again and look even more like a scoring PG to the scouts (who pick your game apart the longer you are in college), maybe the wrist injury made him think twice about going back and getting a long-term/career threatening injury, maybe he wanted to use what little momentum is left from Beijing.

Whilst I'm very disappointed that Patty dropped this far and believe that he can make an impact in the NBA, these are all the points (I especially agree with the reasons why he had to be a scoring PG in college and how his situation wouldn't be improving with the team they have this season) that I was thinking too and I guess the bad points outweighed the good... it's just disappointing that he got drafted by a team that has much less chance of using him... I'm sure that once he gets to show his stuff on a real team they'll realise what they have... either for themselves, or to trade away for a team that will make better use of him...

[stellation]

Has anyone spotted whether any of the Australian guys have been added to Summer League rosters?