The season is inching closer every day. Decision making time draws near. We have 2 players scrimmaging with the team who have a very good chance of making the final roster. The question is; Who should we keep - Luke Jackson or Steven Hill?
Pros/cons for Luke Jackson:
Luke is a great outside threat. We don't have anyone on our team that can match his consistency from deep. His back injuries haven't allowed him to show off his shot in the NBA yet but he is healthier than ever and ready to prove himself. We could really a guy to replace James Jones as in the way he opened up the middle by drawing players deeper out on the perimeter. Luke could do that for us. He is Oregon-raised and it'd be great to have an Oregon Duck on the team. But Luke is not that great on defense and who knows when his back will flare up again?
Pros/cons for Steven Hill:
Steven is a blue-collar Center from Arkansas (and grew up in Branson, Missouri, about 1/2 hour from where my parents live). He was a nice surprise during the summer league and proved he can block shots with vigor and rebound well too. He isn't afraid to grind and muscle his way to get position against his opponent. Word is that he's been blocking Greg Oden's shots during recent practices. I see him as Joel Przybilla Jr. I like that because Joel is one of my favorite players due to his work ethic and toughness. But, much like Joel, Steven is limited on offense. He'll be able to get a few put-back rebounds but that's about it.
If we choose Luke we'll be able to get some instant offense off the bench, open the floor for the big men to do their work, and further infuse the Oregon fan base with Blazer-mania.
If we choose Steven we'll be adding a 7-footer who can stop opponents on the block and make lane drivers nervous. The fans that appreciate the hustle of Jerome Kersey will love Steven Hill.
They're both young players with great potential. What this really boils down to is roster need. As recent as last week I was leaning toward Luke, but with the up-coming shoulder surgery of Raef LaFrentz (not to mention Channing Frye's ankle surgery), I think we should keep Steven Hill. He'll give us a third big man behind Oden & Przybilla which will be handy when they both get in foul trouble. We have plenty scorers on this team - I think we'll be able to get offense without Luke. If we don't sign him then Nick Batum will get the scrub time at Small Forward and allow him to develop faster (although I still think it was a mistake to sign him... Luke Jackson would be so much better!!). We will need the size and fouls of Steven Hill more.
My vote: Steven Hill.
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2 comments:
Hey Rog,
I agree with keeping Hill, especially with Lafrentz out. He is a hustler and should help in practice if not in games.
Did you see they are looking at Shaun Livingston, the ex-Clippers point guard? I kind of hope they don't sign him so we can see how the current guards do.
Aaron
Royce,
You obviously know Basketball better than Football. Steven Hill is a definite. Why do we need to take a flier on Livingston and have him sit all year. Isn't Batum already going to sit. Why have two guys who aren't ready to play this year. Any injuries this year, the Blazers will be hurting.With alll this overload at positions are we turning into the Whitsett era? Blazers still lacking at the small forward position on defense
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