Courtesy of the Blazers official twitter page is the list of Portland’s first workout group.
"“Blazers first wave of draft workouts: Tory Jackson, Andy Rautins, Ryan Thompson, Marqus Blakely. Landry Fields, Tyren Johnson”"
Everyone coming into this workout is a perimeter player. As Ben Golliver of Blazer’s Edge pointed out, none of these names are on Draft Express’s 2010 Mock Draft. However, four of the six do appear on Chad Ford’s list of prospects. Tyren Johnson (#42), Andy Rautins (#62) and Marqus Blakely (#72). Landry Fields is #117 on Ford’s list, but had a stellar career at Stanford. Ryan Thompson, is the brother of current Sacramento King forward/center Jason Thompson and Tory Jackson started 87 games for Notre Dame.
It would be easy to look at this list and scoff saying ‘oh look a bunch of second rounders’. However, it’s important to take a look at exactly who the Blazers are working out. Last year, Portland got two bargain second-round steals in Dante Cunningham and Jeff Pendergraph. From everything they have said publicly it sounds as if Portland is trying to pull a Danny Ocean for another 2nd round steal. If you take a look at Chad Ford’s Top 100 you see a lot of ‘name talent’ from last year currently in the ‘2nd round to undrafted’ range. From what I’ve read over the past couple days it looks as if Portland may look to do some more damage in the second round. Also, factor in the rumors of possibly moving people and who could be involved (Rudy, Martell) and these get more interesting.
More on the participants, after the jump…
Two names that jump off this list to me are Rautins and Fields. Rautins should be the ‘big name’ coming from Syracuse. He also is the most ‘intruiguing’ player on the list. He was one major asset: the ability to shoot the ball. Last year, Rautins shot 40% from behind the arc, equally impressive when you consider he put up 241 three’s on the year which averaged out to about 6 attempts a game. If we have learned anything from Portland’s run in the post-season (or the post-season in general) is that shooters who can space the floor are invaluable. At 6’6 and with a desire to compete on defense, stealing Rautins in the second round does not sound like a half-bad idea. Fields, listed at 6-7, from Stanford, may be more known to those from the state of Oregon. I’m of the belief that down year or not, anyone who averages 22 points and 8 rebounds in the Pac-1o should get a look. Make no mistake about it, he was ‘the man’ on a weak Stanford team and still managed to produce. He’s got length and skills going for him, even if he’s not much of a shooter from the outside. Think a poor and down on his luck version of Batum.
Chad Ford on Tyren Johnson. Ford states that Johnson can play both the 3 and 4 and is a solid shooter with 3 point range. He sounds a bit like Dante Cunningham with a three-point shot.
Coup tweeted the following regarding Marqus Blakely:
"“I watched Blakely for most of his college career, and would endorse taking in the mid-to-late second round. If he was 6’9″, you’d know him.In fact, if Blakely was 3-4 inches taller, he’d probably go first round. Sort of a Jason Thompson-out-of-mid-major-school type.”"
Chad Ford calls him an ‘explosive leaper, excellent rebounder and freakish athlete’. Absolutely sounds like someone you have to look at, I mean…how many times do you hear those three things in one sentence.
Tory Jackson of Notre Dame is about 5-11 and known for his quickness, energy and defense. I only remember him because he dropped 22 of ND’s 58 points on UConn this year. He’s got speed and athleticism going for him, however researching about him he seems to duplicate Patty Mills. According to his Notre Dame profile he’s a “fierce defensive player who puts a lot of pressure on the ball … … his athletic skills make him a threat to drive to the basket“. Thompson, from his DX profile, sounds like a solid team player but someone not ready for this level. Now, remember everyone was doubting his brother so I’m taking it with a grain of salt. I just don’t see much use for him in Portland behind Dante/Jeff.