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Blazers in NBA Rookie Survey, Part IV (2016): In Layman’s terms

By Matt George Moore

PORTLAND, OR - OCTOBER 16: Jake Layman #10 of the Portland Trail Blazers looks on during the game against the Denver Nuggets on October 16, 2016 at the Moda Center Arena in Portland, Oregon. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2016 NBAE (Photo by Cameron Browne/NBAE via Getty Images)
PORTLAND, OR - OCTOBER 16: Jake Layman #10 of the Portland Trail Blazers looks on during the game against the Denver Nuggets on October 16, 2016 at the Moda Center Arena in Portland, Oregon. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2016 NBAE (Photo by Cameron Browne/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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Seems like a good time to look back at the 2016 NBA Rookie Survey. Let’s see what those rookies said about some of our Portland Trail Blazers.

Last Wednesday, we took a look at the 2018 NBA Rookie Survey. We discovered that rookies thought pretty nice things about a couple of Portland Trail Blazers — Gary Trent Jr. and Jusuf Nurkic.

We followed that bad boy up the next day (Thursday, duh) with a peek at the 2012 NBA Rookie Survey. Damian Lillard, Meyers Leonard and former Blazer Will Barton were all over that one.

Then, we went over the 2013 NBA Rookie Survey, which featured youngsters named CJ McCollum and Allen Crabbe.

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We hopped, jumped and skipped right over the 2014 Rookie Survey because there weren’t any Blazers drafted that year. (We do, however, plan to revisit that one, since there were several players mentioned who eventually played in Portland. Of course, plans can change, and we’ve been feeling a little change-y lately.)

All in all, it’s been a swell recap, don’t ya think?

2016 NBA Rookie Survey

As usual, let’s begin with a description of the process. This comes from John Schuhmann, who is apparently tasked by NBA.com with writing a survey recap each and every August.

"For the 10th time in the last 12 years, NBA.com sat down with the rookie class at the annual Rookie Photo Shoot at the New York Knicks’ practice facility. This year’s (2018) group (of 36) answered seven questions about their class, as well as a few about the current player they most admire and what they’re expecting as they make the jump to the NBA."

That’s pretty much it. Easy peasy, yeah?

Blazers

A disclaimer: Just like in 2014, the Blazers didn’t actually have any picks in the 2016 NBA Draft. But for some reason, we felt like writing about this one now instead of putting it for later like we did the 2016 one.

Why? <>

Anyway, the Blazers were wheeling and dealing in 2016, even though they had no draft picks. That’s how they got Jake Layman, who was chosen by the Magic with the 47th overall pick in the second round. The Magic then immediately traded him to the Blazers for cash and a 2019 second-round draft pick.

It should probably be noted that Wade Baldwin IV was also in this draft (chosen by Memphis with the 17th overall pick); he joined Portland in 2017.

So that brings us up to speed!

Next. 3 goals for Jusuf Nurkic to achieve next season. dark

Here’s the Portland portion of the 2016 NBA Rookie Survey:

Question: Which rookie was the biggest steal at where he was selected in the Draft?

Layman was in the “others receiving votes” category here.

Question: Which rookie is the most athletic?

Again, Layman made the “others receiving votes” category — this time alongside Baldwin.

Well, that’s it. Stay tuned for more!