Official Raptors 2011 NBA Draft Thread, Part 7

[Rhettmatic]

As the draft inches closer, we have our seventh NBA draft discussion thread.

Here are the other threads:

viewtopic.php?f=32&t=1056803
viewtopic.php?f=32&t=1087333
viewtopic.php?f=32&t=1093590
viewtopic.php?f=32&t=1100716
viewtopic.php?f=32&t=1102395
viewtopic.php?f=32&t=1103762

And the rules:

All thoughts on 2011 draft prospects and potential Raptors picks can go in this thread. After the draft lottery, it'll also be home to all mock-draft discussion and other fun.

Did Kyrie Irving have a sick crossover? Post it here. Did Jan Vesely drop 27 points on Crvena zvezda? Discuss it here. Are you having panic attacks because the Raptors just hired Donatas Motiejunas's father as their head scout? Seek medical help here.

We've got a few links here to NBA draft websites but please feel free to post more or PM a mod if you want more added.

Enjoy!

- The Mod Squad

Draft Express
NBADraft.net
ESPN Draft Base

[fredericklove]

And again, I'd prefer offensive-minded big man with rebounding ability over a guy with defensive ability yet with a raw offensive game.

[Silk Wilkes]

And again, I'd prefer offensive-minded big man with rebounding ability over a guy with defensive ability yet with a raw offensive game.

So, Kevin Love now over Dwight Howard in his 2nd or 3rd year?

[fredericklove]

And again, I'd prefer offensive-minded big man with rebounding ability over a guy with defensive ability yet with a raw offensive game.

So, Kevin Love now over Dwight Howard in his 2nd or 3rd year?

Yes.

Just kidding

More like Bogut over Ibaka

[Silk Wilkes]

And again, I'd prefer offensive-minded big man with rebounding ability over a guy with defensive ability yet with a raw offensive game.

So, Kevin Love now over Dwight Howard in his 2nd or 3rd year?

Yes.

Just kidding

More like Bogut over Ibaka

Bogut fits both though.

[JYD]

In regards to a couple of replies in the last thread about Biyombo, you realize replying with stuff like "Rob Babcock isn't our GM anymore" is akin to saying you really have no insight to offer, right? And I would actually say if Babcock were GM he would actually draft Kanter, who looks a lot like Hoffa to me...mediocre wingspan and plays below the basket.

I won't pretend I've seen him play outside of youtube clips, but looking at Biyombo, he does remind me of a longer Dorsey, with better hands. And if Joey Dorsey were longer, with better hands (meaning he could also be a shotblocking threat and a pick and roll target), he would be a pretty good NBA C.

Clearly there are questions, like how is his post D/will he have fouling issues/what is his real age? But to look at what he can do (stuff like miss a block with one hand as a guy goes for a reverse, then block him on the reverse with the other) and act like his abilities aren't up there with other players in this sub-par draft is being way off the mark, imo.

[Silk Wilkes]

In regards to a couple of replies in the last thread about Biyombo, you realize replying with stuff like "Rob Babcock isn't our GM anymore" is akin to saying you really have no insight to offer, right? And I would actually say if Babcock were GM he would actually draft Kanter, who looks a lot like Hoffa to me...mediocre wingspan and plays below the basket.

I won't pretend I've seen him play outside of youtube clips, but looking at Biyombo, he does remind me of a longer Dorsey, with better hands. And if Joey Dorsey were longer, with better hands (meaning he could also be a shotblocking threat and a pick and roll target), he would be a pretty good NBA C.

Clearly there are questions, like how is his post D/will he have fouling issues/what is his real age? But to look at what he can do (stuff like miss a block with one hand as a guy goes for a reverse, then block him on the reverse with the other) and act like his abilities aren't up there with other players in this sub-par draft is being way off the mark, imo.

Stop saying that name!!! S**ts blasphemy when talking about a Raptors draft. I don't see the comparison though. He who shall remain nameless didn't have the offensive post game of Kanter. The person in question just had a little baby hook, I remember that was his go to move.

[5DOM]

Doesn't look like a 23-26 y/o

[JYD]

Stop saying that name!!! S**ts blasphemy when talking about a Raptors draft. I don't see the comparison though. He who shall remain nameless didn't have the offensive post game of Kanter. The person in question just had a little baby hook, I remember that was his go to move.

lol I don't think he'll be as bad a Hoffa, because you're right he does have a more developed offensive game. but at the same time I think he's limited by a lot of physical traits which limited Hoffa. To me Kanter looks like a C, and he's going to have problems defending that position, because he's not especially long nor quick off his feet (or on them for that matter). On offense he could be ok, but again he lacks the ups or serious polish to be an offensive force.

I think with Kanter, his upside lies somewhere between a servicable starter/good backup C. A player who would typically be picked toward the end of the lotto, or in this draft closer to 10.

[Silk Wilkes]

Stop saying that name!!! S**ts blasphemy when talking about a Raptors draft. I don't see the comparison though. He who shall remain nameless didn't have the offensive post game of Kanter. The person in question just had a little baby hook, I remember that was his go to move.

lol I don't think he'll be as bad a Hoffa, because you're right he does have a more developed offensive game. but at the same time I think he's limited by a lot of physical traits which limited Hoffa. To me Kanter looks like a C, and he's going to have problems defending that position, because he's not especially long nor quick off his feet (or on them for that matter). On offense he could be ok, but again he lacks the ups or serious polish to be an offensive force.

I think with Kanter, his upside lies somewhere between a servicable starter/good backup C. A player who would typically be picked toward the end of the lotto, or in this draft closer to 10.

To make a comparison athletically I'd say Luis Scola. I'm not saying he's as good offensively as Scola, but I mean Luis is no athletic freak. I think if he works on footwork he'll be alright. As for defense, he just has to play fundamentally. I don't see him being a weak side shot blocker or anything, but he can take charges if he wants to. Maybe he could be like an Anderson Varejao defensively and a Luis Scola offensively if he works like DeMar has on his game.

[WARCRIMEZ]

I'm starting to get nervous about Kanter. He could be a decent player down the road but it's not a given that he'll be really good even in the post because of his physical limitations. Val scares me too because he's so raw offensively and is very weak. I think anything other than dwill or irving is reaching too far with the 3rd or 4th pick.

Edit:

I see kanter as a zaza pachulia level player. somewhat solid, but not a game changer. I don't think he'll be as good as a guy like Scola offensively, but possibly a bit better with man D. The thing is tho, isn't man D in the post the one thing that Bargs' doesn't completely lack in (other than scoring)? I can't justify anybody else with the 3rd pick more than I can justify picking Kanter, but that still doesn't say much.

[yayotube]

If you're divided about the Centers in the draft, just relax a bit and wait till the workouts to see who's the real deal out of Kanter, Valanciunas and Biyombo. If Kanter has physical limitatons and crappy knees, we'll find out. If Valaciunas has no offensive game and skill whatsoever, we'll see that as well. And if Biyombo is one of those every-year athletic freaks soon to be busts, we'll be clear on it. We're not drafting tomorrow, but it's good to know there's 3 options, and clearly with a top 3 (hopefully) pick, we'll be in a position to choose whoever proves to be the best.

[TheRealDeal]

This is kinda crazy. UNC & Mich. St. are playing aboard an aircraft carrier next season.

http://nbcsports.msnbc.com/id/42562821

[Snakeyes]

^ Sounds like something straight out of a Japanese comic.

[Comeatme_Bro]

This is kinda crazy. UNC & Mich. St. are playing aboard an aircraft carrier next season.

http://nbcsports.msnbc.com/id/42562821

Well at least now we know why harrison barnes wants to go back to unc next year.

[WARCRIMEZ]

If you're divided about the Centers in the draft, just relax a bit and wait till the workouts to see who's the real deal out of Kanter, Valanciunas and Biyombo. If Kanter has physical limitatons and crappy knees, we'll find out. If Valaciunas has no offensive game and skill whatsoever, we'll see that as well. And if Biyombo is one of those every-year athletic freaks soon to be busts, we'll be clear on it. We're not drafting tomorrow, but it's good to know there's 3 options, and clearly with a top 3 (hopefully) pick, we'll be in a position to choose whoever proves to be the best.

no doubt. i'll reserve my judgement until workouts are done but none of them seem to be the sure thing. it's like with kanter we're sacrificing a bit of barg's scoring for a bit of extra rebounding, and a tiny bit more D. That's not accomplishing alot for a top 3 pick. I'm starting to jump on the "Vet C for a few years" banwagon because they understand the NBA game better in general and can probably have more of an immediate impact on the team D. That needs to happen asap before these young players give up hope of ever being a good defensive team. Sign Daly to a 2-3 yr deal while we wait for our C of the future, and go for D will (if he can guard SF's, or a project like Bismack or do any of you still think Kemba/Knight would be an improvement down the road from Bayless? Again tho, even if Kemba is an upgrade over Bayless, is that enough of an upgrade that it's worth using a top 3 pick on? This might be the year to trade the pick depending on our position post lottery. I for one would love to tank for another season and have 2 high first round picks in next year's draft, but we'll have to do something to keep these young guys from loosing all hope of becoming a good team. If we completely suck again next year, these kids might get bitter and want to go elsewhere.

[TheRealDeal]

This is kinda crazy. UNC & Mich. St. are playing aboard an aircraft carrier next season.

http://nbcsports.msnbc.com/id/42562821

Well at least now we know why harrison barnes wants to go back to unc next year.

At least we'll have something to watch while the NBA figures their **** out

[Kashy_Tigray]

Part 7?! How did i miss the previous threads. Hmmmm...

Are you having panic attacks because the Raptors just hired Donatas Motiejunas's father as their head scout?

Are you serious? Link?

[TheRealDeal]

Part 7?! How did i miss the previous threads. Hmmmm...

Are you having panic attacks because the Raptors just hired Donatas Motiejunas's father as their head scout?

Are you serious? Link?

this happened months ago...

[Kashy_Tigray]

Anyway, Jonas Valanciunas FTW.