Ed O

Assume Portland takes Oden at #1. Durant goes at number 2.

Portland acquires the #3 pick and can choose any other player. I know that it might depend on how the pick was acquired (Randolph? Aldridge? etc.) but I don't want to get into those particulars.

I want to know the board's favorite prospect for the Blazers at the #3. I'll leave it open for a day, we'll go onto #4 with that guy removed, and hopefully before June 28 have some sort of pecking order for the prospects as a board consensus...

Ed O.

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"In the end, it all comes down to talent. You can talk all you want about intangibles, I just don't know what that means. Talent makes winners, not intangibles. Can nice guys win? Sure, nice guys can win -- if they're nice guys with a lot of talent. Nice guys with a little talent finish fourth, and nice guys with no talent finish last."

-- Sandy Koufax

BengalDuck

Even assuming that we trade Zach Randolph to acquire any of these lottery picks, the player that to me is most desirable at that spot - Al Horford - doesn't really fit in to our team.

I'm not sold on Brandan Wright, and again, he's not at a position where we need anyone right now.

I guess I'd role the dice at #3 with Yi Jianlian, but I'd covet Atlanta's G's and F's (Josh Smith, Joe Johnson, even Marvin Williams) more than I would Yi.

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BuckW4GM

i'm sold on horford after he measured in at 6'10". easy choice for me.

meru

I actually want Corey Brewer, but I figure if we have #3 we might as well use it on a better player (and possibly trade down if necessary). So I say Al Horford. Why? Because I think he's the best best bet. That is, Brandan Wright is higher risk, higher reward, but I've seen too many Marcus Haislips and Stromile Swifts to take that risk. Horford is a Karl Malone type - solid, strong, great rebounder, good defender. And, assuming we trade Zach and start both Oden and Aldridge, we still have very little depth at the big positions. (SFs are easier to get, I think, and besides, I think Webster and Ime could benefit from playing with Oden).

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mediocre man

If we landed at #3, and traded Zach and Jack to get there I would trade that pick as soon as I could. Aldridge, by the way Ed, will not be traded.

I'd try to get a lower lotto pick and maybe another in the first round or a player. Then I'd draft either the best SF I could.

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graybeard

KP is a BPA guy, he'd take B. Wright.

Samuel

Come on Ed, vote in your own poll.

I'd go with Horford on a hunch. His athleticism tested out of this world for a guy his size, and my doubts about his size have been quelled. Most importantly, he should be ready to step in right away while retaining a high upside. ATL has had horrible drafts of late and need a guy who will help the team get to their first playoffs in forever.

When you pencil a guy in at 4, however, what do you do with Josh Smith? Does he move to the 3? Marvin Williams can't play SG, so Childress continues to start. They might need to move him before the summer is out. None of those guys are good enough to play well in limited minutes yet. Time to cash in while MWill still has the P and U words used about him.

ProudBFan

GREAT idea, Ed O!

PBF

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Ed O

I was thinking. And trying to do some work. haha

I, too, went with Horford. He seems to be the third-best player available. Less upside than several other guys, of course, but he's ready to contribute right away and he still has a lot of potential to improve.

Ed O.

__________________
"In the end, it all comes down to talent. You can talk all you want about intangibles, I just don't know what that means. Talent makes winners, not intangibles. Can nice guys win? Sure, nice guys can win -- if they're nice guys with a lot of talent. Nice guys with a little talent finish fourth, and nice guys with no talent finish last."

-- Sandy Koufax

dudleysghost

BPAs at #3 are Horford and B Wright. Since we don't need a PF, we should look to trade the pick to a team that does. If nothing favorable could be found though, they would be fine as backup PFs in the short term.

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Samuel

I'm not convinced that they're convinced that Josh Smith (tweener; more of a 3, no post up moves), or Shelden Williams (safe pick in a weak draft) are the answers at PF. I think you have to go BPA here and keep the pick unless someone is offering a version of Wright or Horford who has already reached his potential (Portland).

They're fine at SF. Conley is only marginally better than the other PGs in this draft who will all be available at #11 and there are a ton of good ones in the lottery next year (don't think that ATL won't be back there with their management situation). SG can be had at #11. You gotta go with a big here or trade for a big.

Ed O

You can, of course, vote however you'd like, Sam. Just to clarify my original intent: for the Blazers, which player would make the most sense at #3?

Ed O.

__________________
"In the end, it all comes down to talent. You can talk all you want about intangibles, I just don't know what that means. Talent makes winners, not intangibles. Can nice guys win? Sure, nice guys can win -- if they're nice guys with a lot of talent. Nice guys with a little talent finish fourth, and nice guys with no talent finish last."

-- Sandy Koufax

Reep

This is a very difficult decision as nobody really stands out at the third pick. By elimination:

Corey Brewer (like his D, not sure about the O)
Mike Conley (reminds me of Telfair, and he was a reach at 13)
Jeff Green (I liked his NCAAs, but I don't like 3/4s)
Spencer Hawes (way too high)
Al Horford (Solid size and effort, possible)
Joakim Noah (could be a bust in this league and may drive his team nuts)
Al Thornton (Decent SF--possible, but likely too high)
Brandan Wright (200 lbs, he is not a PF, and can't shoot and has no handle)
Julian Wright (another solid SF, maybe too high)
Yi Jianlin (complete unknown to me other than what I read. possible)

Horford wins. I guess the only way we get #3 is to trade Zach, so we could use a solid backup 4.

ROYisR.O.Y.