Portland Trail Blazers land Damian Lillard and Meyers Leonard with 6th and 11th overall picks – NBA Update
The Portland Trail Blazers bolstered their ranks with the addition of two promising youngsters in the 2012 NBA Draft. Equipped with two high picks, new General Manager Neil Olshey swooped for Damian Lillard and Meyers Leonard with the 6th and
11th picks respectively.
Damian Lillard is an all action point guard coming out of Oakland was the first playmaker to be picked in the draft and comes with a healthy reputation. Lillard is known as an all action star with a 6-foot-3 frame and weighs 189 pounds. His scoring ability
made him standout last season as he shown in a lacklustre team and showcased his tenacity as well.
He scored 24.5 points per game last season and believed his style will suit the Portland Trail Blazers perfectly.
"I think I'll fit in well because of the players they have on the roster already," Lillard said in a conference call. "I think my abilities, my game, complements what they have."
On the other hand, Meyers is a 7-foot-1 centre who averaged 13.6 points and 8.2 rebounds per game as well as 1.9 blocks. He was selected probably to fill the void left by the departure of Marcus Camby at the trade deadline last season.
The soft spoken Leonard said he was delighted to be getting a chance of playing in the NBA.
“Just to be selected this high and be considered one of these guys in this room is unbelievable,” Leonard said.
He also spoke of his excitement at linking up with the Portland Trail Blazers and forming a tandem with All-Star power forward LaMarcus Aldridge.
“LaMarcus is obviously a great player — an all-star last year,” he said. “I’m just going to come in and be the best I can be, learn every day and work as hard as possible.”
The Trail Blazers went through a clear out last season, parting company with the likes of Marcus Camby, Brandon Roy and Gerald Wallace. The acquisition of two coveted youngsters on draft night marks the beginning of the rebuilding process for Portland as
they look to enter a new era in the franchise’s history.
Tags: