Grange Blog 12:44pm- DD gone by 9, Johnson is Raps pick

[pspot]

I think HIll could drop but how reliable is Grange usually?

[Test of Wills]

I think if we cant get one of the 3 mentioned before or Flynn, I honestly don't think I'd mind if BC traded down or even out of the draft if he can get an adequate return that can help us.

[Double Helix]

IF DD is gone, does anybody here really believe Holiday will somehow develop into a better player than any of the following:

Kobe Bryant
Chris Paul
Baron Davis
Vince Carter
Dwayne Wade
Deron Williams
Ray Allen
Joe Johnson
Richard Hamilton
Kevin Durant
Steve Nash
Tony Parker
Manu Ginobli
Kevin Martin
Mo Williams
Brandon Roy
Jamal Crawford
Michael Redd
Jason Kidd
Gilbert Arenas
Leandro Barbosa
T.J. Ford
OJ Mayo
Derick Rose
Stephen Jackson
Jameer Nelson
Eric Gordon
Ben Gordon
Devin Harris
Andre Miller
Chauncey Billups
Mike Bibby
Jose Calderon
Jason Terry
Kirk Hinrich
Raymond Felton
DJ Augistine
Mo Williams

That's close to 40 players there who primarily play a lot of minutes at a guard position in the NBA and who would be going up against Holiday and all of them are pretty good. That SG/PG/Combo position is competitive because you can play either a true PG out there, a SG or a guy like Holiday who's projected to be a bit of both.

Where would Holiday rank on that list?

In comparison... here are some NBA small forwards.

Lebron James
Shawn Marion
Andrei Kirelenko
Rashard Lewis
Gerald Wallace
Ron Artest
Lamar Odom
Josh Smith
Marvin Williams
Carmello Anthony
Paul Pierce
Richard Jefferson
Caron Butler
Andre Iguodala
Corey Maggette
Mike Miller
Al Harington
Josh Howard
Tayshaun Prince
Hedo Turkglo
Andres Nocioni
Kyle Korver
Bobby Simmons
Luol Deng
Mike Dunleavy Jr.
Danny Granger
Jeff Green

I've got 28 SFs on this list and I can see James Johnson beating out some of the lesser ones from this list.

I just think that Johnson has the greater potential of making a name for himself as a SF in this league than Holiday does as a combo guard. Neither will likely become top 20 players in either list but I think Johnson has the potential to be in that 20-30 range of starting SFs in the league someday.

[MEDIC]

It true that MIN has good reason to take a big risk. Derozan may not be a top 6 pick, but since they have two picks, they could swing for the fences and take him at 6.

The drama is killing me

That would be the worst case scenario. It means they use one pick on DD and the other on a PG like Flynn or Curry. Unfortunately, then NY and GS get Evans and Harden, and we get a bust (unless we decide to take Hill, he could turn out to be decent).

Or.......#5 Evans (Can play point or SG)

#6 DeRozan

That would be an amazing compliment of swings. Evans could play some point for them & DeRozan could play some SF.

That compliment of players almost sounds too enticing to pass up...

[J-Roc]

I always prefer "upside". But if this is all true, then it's all about CB wanting to "win now". Remember when VC was disappointed we chose that skinny kid Bosh? VC should have been patient and he could have been playing with Bosh all these years.

[99 Problems]

I'm going to be laughing like crazy if we pick James Johnson.. Another year, another pick out of left field..

I don't like Jordan Hill, but I would take him over Johnson 10 times out of 10.. Same goes with Holiday and Flynn..

Hopefully DeRozan is available and none of this drama will start..

[The Duke]

Blake
Rubio
Thabeet
Harden
Evans
Curry
Hill
DeRozan

In some shape or form for the top 8 selections

[wtcantfw]

In comparison... here are some NBA small forwards.

Lebron James
Shawn Marion
Andrei Kirelenko
Rashard Lewis
Gerald Wallace
Ron Artest
Lamar Odom
Josh Smith
Marvin Williams
Carmello Anthony
Paul Pierce
Richard Jefferson
Caron Butler
Andre Iguodala
Corey Maggette
Mike Miller
Al Harington
Josh Howard
Tayshaun Prince
Hedo Turkglo
Andres Nocioni
Kyle Korver
Bobby Simmons
Luol Deng
Mike Dunleavy Jr.
Danny Granger
Jeff Green

I've got 28 SFs on this list and I can see James Johnson beating out some of the lesser ones from this list.

I just think that Johnson has the greater potential of making a name for himself as a SF in this league than Holiday does as a combo guard. Neither will likely become top 20 players in either list but I think Johnson has the potential to be in that 20-30 range of starting SFs in the league someday.

To be fair, your guard list is for 2 positions, so the longer list is expected.

[pspot]

I always prefer "upside". But if this is all true, then it's all about CB wanting to "win now". Remember when VC was disappointed we chose that skinny kid Bosh? VC should have been patient and he could have been playing with Bosh all these years.

great point this team needs an upgrade to the core not another complimentory player to it

[Raps in 4]

It true that MIN has good reason to take a big risk. Derozan may not be a top 6 pick, but since they have two picks, they could swing for the fences and take him at 6.

The drama is killing me

That would be the worst case scenario. It means they use one pick on DD and the other on a PG like Flynn or Curry. Unfortunately, then NY and GS get Evans and Harden, and we get a bust (unless we decide to take Hill, he could turn out to be decent).

Or.......#5 Evans (Can play point or SG)

#6 DeRozan

That would be an amazing compliment of swings. Evans could play some point for them & DeRozan could play some SF.

That compliment of players almost sounds too enticing to pass up...

It could happen, but I think they're better off with a true PG.

[Reignman]

I'd be happy with any of the guys in my sig.

J. Johnson would be a drafting for need pick and I'd be pissed. Now keep in mind this is coming from a pretty big Wake fan and I watched him pretty closely. He is what he is, low bust potential with a very low ceiling, not what I want @9.

I'll go as far as saying that out of all the guys that have been discussed (Realgm / media / Raps) this would be my worst case scenario.

I think this is more about posturing than really being our best option.

Also, why take the 2nd best player from Wake when their best player will still be on the board? Teague comes equipped with a dominant skill and has just as much potential as anyone else.

[bakafool]

If Derozan is available at 9, I'd still be incredibly nervous that we don't pick him. This club has made too many wild picks. And if they do make the unexpected pick, I'll be trying to comfort myself by justifying that pick. Happened when we picked Hoffa and Joey.

[oncl0ud9]

if DD, Harden, or Evans are not there at 9... I think we should trade the pick, and try to get SG/SF in return. James Johnson has bust written all over him, and BC should be fired for selecting him.

[Double Helix]

In comparison... here are some NBA small forwards.

Lebron James
Shawn Marion
Andrei Kirelenko
Rashard Lewis
Gerald Wallace
Ron Artest
Lamar Odom
Josh Smith
Marvin Williams
Carmello Anthony
Paul Pierce
Richard Jefferson
Caron Butler
Andre Iguodala
Corey Maggette
Mike Miller
Al Harington
Josh Howard
Tayshaun Prince
Hedo Turkglo
Andres Nocioni
Kyle Korver
Bobby Simmons
Luol Deng
Mike Dunleavy Jr.
Danny Granger
Jeff Green

I've got 28 SFs on this list and I can see James Johnson beating out some of the lesser ones from this list.

I just think that Johnson has the greater potential of making a name for himself as a SF in this league than Holiday does as a combo guard. Neither will likely become top 20 players in either list but I think Johnson has the potential to be in that 20-30 range of starting SFs in the league someday.

To be fair, your guard list is for 2 positions, so the longer list is expected.

I accounted for that but it is the reality of the sport. As a combo guard... searching for a position of some kind... he will have to face more competition on starting rosters and looking at the list above, you can see there's a lot of talent.

[A_wildstabatanything]

I just think that Johnson has the greater potential of making a name for himself as a SF in this league than Holiday does as a combo guard. Neither will likely become top 20 players in either list but I think Johnson has the potential to be in that 20-30 range of starting SFs in the league someday.

You list 1s & 2s for Holiday so it's only fair to add PFs for Johnson because that's the position he's going to be playing 5 years from now.


So add: Amare, Love, Griffin, Jason Thompson, David West, Lee, Charlie V, Diaw, Jamison, Dirk, Scola, Aldridge, Millsap, Anthony Randolph, etc.

[Anatomize]

james johnson is very talented, but is he the BPA at #9 if somehow DeRozan is not available?

[oncl0ud9]

hmmm... maybe James Johnson is Bosh's replacement once he bolts Toronto.... wait isn't Bargs Bosh's replacement... every video of JJ I have been... he is a 4.... god please BC dont do it!

[andrew2good4u]

If Derozan is gone by 9th, I would take Flynn.

If Flynn and Derozan are gone by 9th, then I'd take James Johnson.

The only part that's disturbing is Johnson played PF in college. If we draft Johnson, that's drafting a big man for 7 straight picks.

I'm sick and tired of tweeners

[Double Helix]

I don't know guys. There seems to be a clearer line between the idea of a PF and SF these days than there is between a combo guard and a SG. I think Johnson will be a clear 3 in the league. I'm not so sure about Holiday right now.

[andrew2good4u]

If Holiday could somehow go 4th at SAC i think the Raps will be due for a good draft.

No way Holiday would go 4th to SAC. If the raps pass on Holiday; I see him as a player potentially falling near the end of the lottery. If anything; SAC will go for Flynn.

A good draft for the raptors IMO is only:
1) Harden
2) Evans
3) DD

I agree wholeheartedly. BC better make it happen tonight. One of those 3 needs to be a raptor