(A stoic looking Jon Diebler at the Blazer's introductory press conference)Diebler to play Overseas in 2011? - The Portland Trailblazers selected Jon Diebler in the 2nd round of the 2011 NBA draft (51). Blazer's General Manager Chad Buchanan discussed Diebler's situation in articles following the draft.
Thoughts - We see this type of situation with many 2nd round draft picks. An NBA team sends a player overseas, but maintains their rights for future services. But how often is it that said player actually ends up playing for the NBA team after going overseas? Without going through the numbers and records, it seems like more times than not, many of these guys inevitably don't see NBA floors for the squad that drafted them after a stint overseas.
Yet, Jon Diebler is a unique case in our view because we like to think of him as indeed a world class shooter. Ideally, his shooting ability should allow for a role in Portland or somewhere else in the league at some point. Honestly, if you examine what fellow Buckeye Daequan Cook does for Oklahoma City, there's no reason why Diebs couldn't do the same thing for another NBA team, but it's all about finding the right situation and opportunity..we hope that Portland is that right situation. But as of now, the NBA lockout is seemingly deciding the fate (overseas) for many players in Jon's situation. Diebler was apparently offered to mid-level Italian team Varese in early July, but the club turned down the proposal.
Prospects - NBA and/or mid to high level Europe (Diebler's role in the NBA or high level Europe would seem to be that of a spot shooter. It would be great to see him on a big, powerful type of team, but it would also be cool if he were able to get on a mid-level type of European squad that could showcase his game in a more expanded role.)
(David Lighty, sporting the block O, was reportedly impressive at the 2011 Atlanta Hawks Summer Mini Camp)
David's Dilemma - Okay, so we were all super hot about Buckeye great David Lighty not being selected on draft night. But we quickly learned thereafter that Lighty was actually contacted by several teams in the second round about being drafted. But because of roster concerns/issues, that pick what have been based on the condition that David play a year overseas (Link). Lighty declined those offers, opting instead to have more options as an undrafted free agent.
The former Buckeye (pictured left at Hawks mini-camp: Phil Skinner) participated in free agent draft camps for the Atlanta Hawks and Phoenix Suns. Lighty caught the eye of Atlanta Hawks head coach Larry Drew.
“Lighty is a gutsy defender,” Drew said. “That is what we are looking for as we move into next season. I want guys that can defend where it’s already instilled in him, it’s in their DNA. Lighty has been a tremendous defender throughout his career, and certainly he would be a plus to have on this team.”
AJC - Hawks Search for Blue Collar Players Could Include Lighty
Thoughts - David Lighty's situation is definitely going to come down to the lockout, and whether he thinks it will be worth it to wait it out or not. The notion of David getting signed by an NBA team in the fall seems highly probable, but the lockout brings a cloud of uncertainty as to when or if fall camps would begin. Lighty is already getting legit interest from European powerhouses like Olympiacos (Link) & Cantu..these offers won't be on the table in the fall or whenever the lockout ends..hence the dilemma.
Prospects - NBA or High-Level Europe - In our view, David Lighty is a special defender who is more than capable of providing offense. He has the ability to be an impact role player in the NBA and or a great rotation player in high level European play.
What about Dallas? - We just haven't heard or read much about Dallas Lauderdale in pre and post draft discussions. When we think about Dallas, former Buckeye Ken Johnson comes to mind, a super shot blocker who was able to enjoy a long career overseas by primarily protecting the rim..(Dallas can do that if he wants to).
We can only guess that teams didn't see enough offense from Lauderdale at OSU to warrant selecting him in the draft. By the time Ken Johnson left Columbus, he had a little jump hook and even a little jumper which allowed him to get drafted late in the 2nd round. Yet for whatever reason, Dallas did not show that type of growth throughout his college career.
This is where the lockout and absence of an NBA Summer league really hurts players like Lauderdale. Without a lockout, Dallas could be in Las Vegas right now killing shots around the rim & showing some offense with the possibly of earning a NBA fall camp invite. But now his destiny is almost certainly overseas play.
Prospects - Mid-level Europe (We could see Dallas starting on a low to mid level European team, and then working his way up. A mid-level European league would be Germany or Belgium for example, in our opinion Lauderdale could be a backup center there or a third center in a higher level type of league)
"Being a second round pick, you obviously have some flexibility," Buchanan said. "Whether you bring him over immediately or if you want to have him play overseas for a season. We'll sit down with his agent and talk about some options for Jon. But he's obviously got an NBA skill. Finding the right time to have him on our roster is something that we have to discuss."BlazersEdge - Blazers Introduce Rookies Nolan Smith & Jon Diebler
Thoughts - We see this type of situation with many 2nd round draft picks. An NBA team sends a player overseas, but maintains their rights for future services. But how often is it that said player actually ends up playing for the NBA team after going overseas? Without going through the numbers and records, it seems like more times than not, many of these guys inevitably don't see NBA floors for the squad that drafted them after a stint overseas.
Yet, Jon Diebler is a unique case in our view because we like to think of him as indeed a world class shooter. Ideally, his shooting ability should allow for a role in Portland or somewhere else in the league at some point. Honestly, if you examine what fellow Buckeye Daequan Cook does for Oklahoma City, there's no reason why Diebs couldn't do the same thing for another NBA team, but it's all about finding the right situation and opportunity..we hope that Portland is that right situation. But as of now, the NBA lockout is seemingly deciding the fate (overseas) for many players in Jon's situation. Diebler was apparently offered to mid-level Italian team Varese in early July, but the club turned down the proposal.
Prospects - NBA and/or mid to high level Europe (Diebler's role in the NBA or high level Europe would seem to be that of a spot shooter. It would be great to see him on a big, powerful type of team, but it would also be cool if he were able to get on a mid-level type of European squad that could showcase his game in a more expanded role.)
(David Lighty, sporting the block O, was reportedly impressive at the 2011 Atlanta Hawks Summer Mini Camp)
David's Dilemma - Okay, so we were all super hot about Buckeye great David Lighty not being selected on draft night. But we quickly learned thereafter that Lighty was actually contacted by several teams in the second round about being drafted. But because of roster concerns/issues, that pick what have been based on the condition that David play a year overseas (Link). Lighty declined those offers, opting instead to have more options as an undrafted free agent.The former Buckeye (pictured left at Hawks mini-camp: Phil Skinner) participated in free agent draft camps for the Atlanta Hawks and Phoenix Suns. Lighty caught the eye of Atlanta Hawks head coach Larry Drew.
“Lighty is a gutsy defender,” Drew said. “That is what we are looking for as we move into next season. I want guys that can defend where it’s already instilled in him, it’s in their DNA. Lighty has been a tremendous defender throughout his career, and certainly he would be a plus to have on this team.”
AJC - Hawks Search for Blue Collar Players Could Include Lighty
Thoughts - David Lighty's situation is definitely going to come down to the lockout, and whether he thinks it will be worth it to wait it out or not. The notion of David getting signed by an NBA team in the fall seems highly probable, but the lockout brings a cloud of uncertainty as to when or if fall camps would begin. Lighty is already getting legit interest from European powerhouses like Olympiacos (Link) & Cantu..these offers won't be on the table in the fall or whenever the lockout ends..hence the dilemma.
Prospects - NBA or High-Level Europe - In our view, David Lighty is a special defender who is more than capable of providing offense. He has the ability to be an impact role player in the NBA and or a great rotation player in high level European play.
What about Dallas? - We just haven't heard or read much about Dallas Lauderdale in pre and post draft discussions. When we think about Dallas, former Buckeye Ken Johnson comes to mind, a super shot blocker who was able to enjoy a long career overseas by primarily protecting the rim..(Dallas can do that if he wants to).We can only guess that teams didn't see enough offense from Lauderdale at OSU to warrant selecting him in the draft. By the time Ken Johnson left Columbus, he had a little jump hook and even a little jumper which allowed him to get drafted late in the 2nd round. Yet for whatever reason, Dallas did not show that type of growth throughout his college career.
This is where the lockout and absence of an NBA Summer league really hurts players like Lauderdale. Without a lockout, Dallas could be in Las Vegas right now killing shots around the rim & showing some offense with the possibly of earning a NBA fall camp invite. But now his destiny is almost certainly overseas play.
Prospects - Mid-level Europe (We could see Dallas starting on a low to mid level European team, and then working his way up. A mid-level European league would be Germany or Belgium for example, in our opinion Lauderdale could be a backup center there or a third center in a higher level type of league)
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