Reep

http://www.nba.com/blazers

Sounds like they are looking at two players they think will be solid NBA types. Sounds like they are scouting for the pick, not talking about Rudy. If so, you'd have to think Gallinari and Batum. The Euro talent pool drops off pretty quick after that in this year's draft.

Curious to see if they could trade up for Gallinari (SF). Might be able to do a deal with the Clips who could use some PG help (Jack) and some more young talent to rebuild.

HOWIE

I think that Gallinari would be a steal for Portland, wasn't he compared to the Euro version of Mr. James? If it only cost Portland Jack to move up and get him, it would be worth the risk.

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SodaPopinski

Thanks for the head's up.

BTW, here's a better (direct) link.

-Pop

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Reep

Yeah, I was being lazy.

Not surprisingly, the Blazers have scouted him before (draftexpress December blog entry):

GOD

I don't think its Gallinari because because Armani Jeans Milano I think is considered a fairly major club, and in the interview they said the scouting they had done was not at major clubs. But, I could be wrong and AJM might be considered a lesser club.




I also thought this quote was interesting and think this has a lot to do with why KP and Company has been so successful in the draft. I have read that many GM's only go to major tournaments and only see top draft picks in person. KP has said in the past that they try and see all the draft pick possibilities that they are even remotely interested in live. And I do agree that you can get a much better feel in person than you can on tape of how a player matches up and how they present themselves.

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STOMP

I've never seen Gallinari outside of youtube, but I love the idea of adding a frontcourt player with a handle and playmaking skills. I especially like it if Rudy and Roy are to be the starting backcourt of the future. For the same reason I like the prospects of adding Budinger

STOMP

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http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oaQprMCe20A&NR=1

GOD

I love that he has great handles, but I do worry that his shooting is sub-par. FG% is 42% and 3pt is only 31.8%. Not every player needs to be a shooter, but since Roy is not a great shot, it would be nice if the SF can stick a 3pointer.

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wizmentor

ESPN has Gallinari falling to us at #13 in the current
lottery mock draft:

http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/lottery2008/mockdraft

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"Bayless is going to be that guy where, you know, Nate goes 'Oh you put in your second unit to give your starters a rest? Well, watch this.' And he's going to throw in Bayless and he's going to point to that second unit point guard and he's going to say 'Eat Him Alive', and Jarryd probably will."

---Dave Deckard of BlazersEdge

Shaq: Hey Thorpe, I'm getting sized for a thumb ring
SportsNation David Thorpe: I guess your wife is back in your life. Congrats.

ThatBlazerGuy

Danilo would be a huge steal at #13. He might be the most NBA ready player after Beasley.

His skill set is much like Kukoc, which could work very well. His only real weakness is a lack of a consistent NBA 3 and his physical limitations on D(He tries hard, but will never be a shut down guy). I think if you put 3 guys on the floor with above average ballhandling/passing skills in Roy/Rudy/Danilo, we would not need a true PG.

Hector

Can't wait to see these guys in Summer League, then have Pritchard decline to sign them. Maybe he can re-sign Taurean Green and Josh McRoberts instead.

MrJayremmie

Woah, Gil fallin down to #13 would be a steal.

Also, NBADraft.net has Westbrook falling down to #12 and Batum to #11.

I think we can definitely get a good player, maybe even a future starter in this draft around late lottery... even if we have to move up like 2 picks.

Gil is compared to Detlef Schrempf on NBADraft.net. (they have him goin' at #6)

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Jerryd Bayless

Reep

I was at UW when Schrempf was there. That team didn't have a solid PG, so Schrempf always brought the ball up the court, because the SF/PF defender that guarded him was less likely to steal the ball, as compared to the PG matchups.

I agree that we will see someone interesting at 13, but also will have access to picks 5-13 with the ability to trade Outlaw or Webster, if KP sees someone he really wants.

Of course all of this is assuming Roy's luck has worn off from last year. If Roy comes through with a top 2 pick, this is all moot. Stranger things have happened.

Reep

Yeah, but they also have Augustin going #7.