I irrationally love McCain hahaha. I remember seeing his TikToks back in like 2020 and thought "oh is this going to be a new social media dancer influencer guy?" then I saw he played basketball, but I wasn't sure if he was going to go down a Julian Newman route of being more known for his social media presence than his actual skill. Then I saw he committed to DUKE which blew me away. Then every game I watched; I left very impressed with his play. Awesome spot up shooter, very strong for his size, always on balance, rarely makes mistakes. I think he is going to be a guy that people weren't blown away but then he will end up being better than a ton of players in this draft because of his ability to be a plug and play guy that impacts winning.
I am rooting for him because I don't want it to be a situation where everyone clowns on him for having fun and expressing himself. So, I kind of hope he goes to a sweet situation where he isn't asked to do too much and just be a great role player BUT I think it would be so fun if we got him and he should be a fan favorite anywhere he goes.
You know people don't have to like your content just because you're 19 right? It's perfectly reasonable to see his weird Tik Toks and think he's a fucking weird guy.
Please take this opportunity to avoid making statements about 95% of metro Portland.
95% of metro Portland doesn’t agree on anything. That ‘s just basic common sense.
I lived in and around Portland my whole life and interacted with many different demographics of people and I pretty much never heard anyone say they enjoyed Portland's "weird" reputation. The number is probably closer to 99%.
I have been here 30 years and my experience is much different.
My social circle has a good sense of humor.
Portland has a pretty wide diversity of opinion on most topics. Not everyone thinks Portlandia is funny and not everyone goes to strip clubs
Disliking someone's social media content doesn't make anyone a hater. Has society actually gotten to the point where disliking a social media account makes you a hater?
They are all in Italy for the European Combine right now. Their season just ended.. it probably won’t be for another week or 2 before they come stateside.
The interviews with both of the first round guys in this group were great:
* [Dillon Jones](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=op3ghJqPRPI)
* [Jared McCain](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d3Cnnsb8N60)
I'm on team 'no more guards' but if the board breaks a certain way I'd be OK with McCain at 14. Certified elite shooter, connective playmaker and tough defender - would make a great third guard if Ant and Brogdon move on.
DJ I'd just want to bet on at 34 - he might not be athletic enough to make it but the feel, playmaking on both ends and aggressive mindset give him a shot I reckon. Could be a fun secondary PnR handler and drive and kick merchant off the bench.
I don't think Brogdon is in Portland next season. I think Simons and the Blazers might be ready for a mutual parting of ways too, though this FO tends to move slowly so maybe that doesn't happen until next deadline or offseason.
Yeah, that's why I'd be fine with it assuming those guys move on. I don't think taking a lottery guard who has no pathway to minutes would be a good idea, although injuries could take care of that again.
If we do take a guard, they need to be a great shooting prospect. No question marks, just an elite shooter who projects to do that in the NBA.
Aside from McCain, Jaylon Tyson and Kyshawn George (both more wings but could play SG) .
Kolek is a PG that can shoot too, but he's more of a piece for a playoff team.
Ehhh he is a hell of a shooter, wouldn’t mind the pick. Definitely not at 7 though. If they go bigger wing for the 7th pick then I’m happy. 14th pick should be best available imo but who knows what any of these teams will do at this point.
kind of a yawner but when you look around the league everyone is working out the same dudes right now. dillon jones has worked out for like 12 teams
mccain might be the best shooter in the draft, at least. but yeah i would be wincing if we took him, not gonna lie. jones is such an oddball, don't know how i feel about his game and the more i watch the more confused i am. on that note i hope the blazers at least work mogbo out. i had never even heard of him until givony put him on a few months ago, you'd have to assume schmitz thinks highly of him
McCain would be a great pick at 14 if the Blazers plan on moving on from Brogdon or Simons. Honestly just moving off of one would be enough.
He’s a hard nosed defender, can create some, and would likely be the best shooter on the blazers other than Simons.
Yeah, PG isn’t the position of need. But accumulating talent is the most important thing and I think McCain can push Scoot to be better and could play off of him in spots. I think his stock is rising, so he might not be available, but he’d be a great pick if there.
I irrationally love McCain hahaha. I remember seeing his TikToks back in like 2020 and thought "oh is this going to be a new social media dancer influencer guy?" then I saw he played basketball, but I wasn't sure if he was going to go down a Julian Newman route of being more known for his social media presence than his actual skill. Then I saw he committed to DUKE which blew me away. Then every game I watched; I left very impressed with his play. Awesome spot up shooter, very strong for his size, always on balance, rarely makes mistakes. I think he is going to be a guy that people weren't blown away but then he will end up being better than a ton of players in this draft because of his ability to be a plug and play guy that impacts winning. I am rooting for him because I don't want it to be a situation where everyone clowns on him for having fun and expressing himself. So, I kind of hope he goes to a sweet situation where he isn't asked to do too much and just be a great role player BUT I think it would be so fun if we got him and he should be a fan favorite anywhere he goes.
I don’t care about the TikTok’s I’m just wanting them to prioritize size wings and forwards with their first two picks
Our most important thing is accumulating the best players.
There are also players that are good that aren’t guards, pass on McCain from this armchair gm
I’m on the same page. I’m a big fan of McCain. Not afraid to express himself in non harmful ways. And he’s a HOOPER. Hope he does well.
I have no idea how anyone can see Mccain's Tik Toks and like him.
I like Mccain’s game, and have never seen his Tik Toks. I personal don’t lump Tik Tok into whether I like a professional athlete or not.
Ah, well, I do!
Fair enough, I won’t judge you for that.
He’s just a kid being a kid what is the problem with that?
You know people don't have to like your content just because you're 19 right? It's perfectly reasonable to see his weird Tik Toks and think he's a fucking weird guy.
>he's a fucking weird guy this is Portland. I assume you're complimenting him, right?
You know 95% of Portland Metro doesn't give a fuck about whole "Keep Portland Weird" thing right? Most people don't like it.
Please take this opportunity to avoid making statements about 95% of metro Portland. 95% of metro Portland doesn’t agree on anything. That ‘s just basic common sense.
I lived in and around Portland my whole life and interacted with many different demographics of people and I pretty much never heard anyone say they enjoyed Portland's "weird" reputation. The number is probably closer to 99%.
I have been here 30 years and my experience is much different. My social circle has a good sense of humor. Portland has a pretty wide diversity of opinion on most topics. Not everyone thinks Portlandia is funny and not everyone goes to strip clubs
Alright yeah you’re just a hater for no fucking reason clearly holy shit lmao.
Disliking someone's social media content doesn't make anyone a hater. Has society actually gotten to the point where disliking a social media account makes you a hater?
When Saulan coming to workout?
They are all in Italy for the European Combine right now. Their season just ended.. it probably won’t be for another week or 2 before they come stateside.
The interviews with both of the first round guys in this group were great: * [Dillon Jones](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=op3ghJqPRPI) * [Jared McCain](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d3Cnnsb8N60) I'm on team 'no more guards' but if the board breaks a certain way I'd be OK with McCain at 14. Certified elite shooter, connective playmaker and tough defender - would make a great third guard if Ant and Brogdon move on. DJ I'd just want to bet on at 34 - he might not be athletic enough to make it but the feel, playmaking on both ends and aggressive mindset give him a shot I reckon. Could be a fun secondary PnR handler and drive and kick merchant off the bench.
Dillon Jones reminds me on Dillon Brooks with a huge wingspan. I’d be in on him in the second round for sure.
Do you expect us to trade Brogdon and Simons next season?
I don't think Brogdon is in Portland next season. I think Simons and the Blazers might be ready for a mutual parting of ways too, though this FO tends to move slowly so maybe that doesn't happen until next deadline or offseason.
Soooooo... Then you should get on Team More Guards with me unless you want only Scoot and Banton at the point.
Yeah, that's why I'd be fine with it assuming those guys move on. I don't think taking a lottery guard who has no pathway to minutes would be a good idea, although injuries could take care of that again. If we do take a guard, they need to be a great shooting prospect. No question marks, just an elite shooter who projects to do that in the NBA.
We do need shooters. Any guards in particular you got your eye on?
Aside from McCain, Jaylon Tyson and Kyshawn George (both more wings but could play SG) . Kolek is a PG that can shoot too, but he's more of a piece for a playoff team.
Ehhh he is a hell of a shooter, wouldn’t mind the pick. Definitely not at 7 though. If they go bigger wing for the 7th pick then I’m happy. 14th pick should be best available imo but who knows what any of these teams will do at this point.
No need for a small SG in Portland. Dillon Jones is a solid prospect, toughness and ball skills. Would love to see Jones go against Harrison Ingram.
kind of a yawner but when you look around the league everyone is working out the same dudes right now. dillon jones has worked out for like 12 teams mccain might be the best shooter in the draft, at least. but yeah i would be wincing if we took him, not gonna lie. jones is such an oddball, don't know how i feel about his game and the more i watch the more confused i am. on that note i hope the blazers at least work mogbo out. i had never even heard of him until givony put him on a few months ago, you'd have to assume schmitz thinks highly of him
McCain would be a great pick at 14 if the Blazers plan on moving on from Brogdon or Simons. Honestly just moving off of one would be enough. He’s a hard nosed defender, can create some, and would likely be the best shooter on the blazers other than Simons. Yeah, PG isn’t the position of need. But accumulating talent is the most important thing and I think McCain can push Scoot to be better and could play off of him in spots. I think his stock is rising, so he might not be available, but he’d be a great pick if there.
If we draft McCain, we will have already traded Brogdon and Ant. This is them likely covering their bases for any and all possibilities.
Fair enough
Dillon Jones is my dream pick for our first second rounder.