Side note: I really like Kevin O Conner's work, but he's becoming one of these draft guys that overrates all the prospects impact in the league. He says Okafor is a ten time All Star but not the first pick? You get Portis and oh sure immediately just trade two promising young bigs we have (Olynyk and Sullinger) to make time for some unproven guy who didn't exactly light it up in college? A guy who has some potential but clearly could be a bust because he is not an athlete?
I like these guys but that's too much and a big time overreaction. We need multiple bigs in a rotation and until these guys play in the NBA lets slow down. I didn't know unproven rookies come in and play 48 mpg. Lets just say I'm glad he doesn't run the Celtics.
It's like Mel Kiper or Chad Ford, both who I'm sure are glad people don't go back and re evaluate their work very often down the line. The weathermen of the sports world.
Fair post, can only speak for my self and know that I'm definetly guilty of thinking that new players and better players are the same thing, alot like Kevin O'Connor does but I'd also admit that since the moment we drafted Olynyk I've been trying to drive Sullinger out of Boston. Not that I regret either pick at all but I've just always found them to be just too redundant for my taste.
I don't view it as giving up on 2 talented bigs but rather freeing up a spot for someone else too succeed. Portis doesn't need to come in and set the world on fire. Even if we trade Sully or Oylynk I'm not advocating that the spot inherently belongs to Portis. He'd be the 16th pick we wouldn't owe him anything in terms of playing time that spot could be needed for a trade of FA.
But I think Portis has potential to be a Millsap or David West a solid wing opperating big man who can defend his position. Unlike with Sullinger, I'm not going to cringe when he takes jumpers because that's his main weapon instead of his "I tried hard last possession, I'm shooting a 3 this time" shot.
