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Portland Trail Blazers Draft Profile: Montrezl Harrell

By Chris St. Jean

Mar 29, 2015; Syracuse, NY, USA; Louisville Cardinals forward Montrezl Harrell (24) dunks the ball during the first half against the Michigan State Spartans in the finals of the east regional of the 2015 NCAA Tournament at Carrier Dome. Mandatory Credit: Mark Konezny-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 29, 2015; Syracuse, NY, USA; Louisville Cardinals forward Montrezl Harrell (24) dunks the ball during the first half against the Michigan State Spartans in the finals of the east regional of the 2015 NCAA Tournament at Carrier Dome. Mandatory Credit: Mark Konezny-USA TODAY Sports /
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Jan 21, 2015; Phoenix, AZ, USA; Portland Trail Blazers forward Thomas Robinson (41) against the Phoenix Suns at US Airways Center. The Suns defeated the Blazers 118-113. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 21, 2015; Phoenix, AZ, USA; Portland Trail Blazers forward Thomas Robinson (41) against the Phoenix Suns at US Airways Center. The Suns defeated the Blazers 118-113. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports /

Ghosts of Blazers’ Past

Go back and read Draft Express’ profile of Thomas Robinson as he was entering the 2012 NBA Draft. The similarities between this and Harrell’s profile today are a bit eerie.

Undersized but with impressive strength, athleticism, and length? Check. Impressive junior season an institutional basketball program with a deep run in the NCAA tournament? Check. Limited but improved offensive skillset that may rely on some type of jumper developing eventually? Check. The assumption that elite rebounding ability will translate to the NBA? Check.

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    • Thomas Robinson was acquired by the Portland Trail Blazers in June 2013 heading into one of the most successful Blazers seasons in quite some time. Then he was used in the deal that allowed the Blazers to rent out Arron Afflalo and his bum shoulder for a few months this season.

    While with the Blazers, Robinson averaged 4.5 points and 4.3 rebounds in just more than 12 minutes per game for 102 games. He had moments here and there. But he never was able to produce consistently enough for the Blazers to give him more of an opportunity.

    Although Robinson was drafted into a potentially toxic environment for development in Sacramento, he’s now played for four different NBA teams in his short three year career.

    Because the similarities are there between Robinson and Harrell in their scouting report (if anything Robinson was viewed as having a much higher ceiling as evidenced by being drafted at number 5), does not mean that Harrell is destined to become a journeyman in the NBA.

    But the similarities may give the Blazers pause, with so many other options available to them at 23. Of course there is one more comparison that could make Blazers fans excited. A tweener that plays with tremendous energy? How about Gerald Wallace?

    Next: What the Blazers Can Expect with the 23rd Pick

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