Raptors and Bill Walker?

maltonwala · Post #1 » by **maltonwala** » Thu Jan 24, 2008 10:06 am

Bill Walkers stock isn't that high right now and he will probably end up going in the teens somewhere in the upcoming draft. I think the Raptors should draft him and he would fit in well with them. A 6'6 SF slasher who has a decent mid range shot and can drive to the rim. His surgically repaired knee finally seems to be getting better and he's getting his explosiveness back. Even though the Raptors have a similar player in Moon, Jamario is 27 and soon to be 28 so he's not that young anymore. Walker could easily take over Moon's spot in 2 years and he would be a good back up to Moon until then.

Also, let's not forget he'll bring back some of the dunks that Raps fan were used to a few years ago. Before his knee surgery he was compared as having Vince Carter leaping ability. Pretty much a VC with heart.

TyGibson · Post #2 » by **TyGibson** » Thu Jan 24, 2008 2:01 pm

I'm a huge Walker fan, but feel he could slip to the twenties or even early second round due to the quality bigs in this draft-- my gut says he could be the steal of this year's draft.

Post #3 » by **Ruzious** » Thu Jan 24, 2008 2:32 pm

Last 5 games for Walker - 22.2 PPG, 56% FGs, 48% 3's. Plus, he'll do some rebounding, get some assists, steals, blocks. Stock rising.

Post #4 » by **moocow007** » Thu Jan 24, 2008 10:09 pm

If he declares, I seriously doubt he'll fall into the 2nd round. Doesn't matter if Beasley is on the team taking the shots, GM's know what Walker can do. He's been a household name for years now and one of the more hyped players coming to college in the last decade. If his knees are fine, and they seem to be, he very well could find himself in the tail end of the lottery especially if some of the other underclassmen decide to stay in school.

vincanity1 · Post #5 » by **vincanity1** » Thu Jan 24, 2008 10:50 pm

What's his potential like? I read a comparison to Bonzi Wells but from the scouting reports I have seen it seems like his upside is something like Gerald Wallace. Any opinions?

AI2TY5 · Post #6 » by **AI2TY5** » Thu Jan 24, 2008 11:05 pm

he's got ridiculous athleticism and hops that aren't even all the way back yet from his torn acl. the comparison to bonzi comes from the fact that he has a strong post-up game and has good rebounding skills. i don't think he has quite the same quickness as gwall but can dunk on people in traffic the way wallace can. with the improvement in his outside game he could become a similar player to gwall but will not be able to guard 2-guards like wallace can due to the fact that he doesn't have the same type of lateral quickness.

Post #7 » by **BigSlam** » Fri Jan 25, 2008 1:02 am

I think the Raps would do better to target a "grunt" centre like DeVon Hardin.

Calderon
Parker
Moon
Bosh
Hardin

That's pretty sexy.

Silk Wilkes · Post #8 » by **Silk Wilkes** » Fri Jan 25, 2008 1:40 am

BigSlam wrote:I think the Raps would do better to target a "grunt" centre like DeVon Hardin.

Calderon
Parker
Moon
Bosh
Hardin

That's pretty sexy.

Forderon
Walker
Moon
Bosh
Bargnani (:banghead: )

Sexier

Post #9 » by **BigSlam** » Fri Jan 25, 2008 2:13 am

I think they need Parker at the 2. His basketball smarts helps to make the Raps offense go.

$*DIPSET BOI*$ · Post #10 » by **$*DIPSET BOI*$** » Fri Jan 25, 2008 7:09 am

Walker should be a late 1st if he can stay healthy. The Raps should look for somebody like Hardin or White in the front court or a SG like Douglas-Roberts.

$*DIPSET BOI*$ · Post #11 » by **$*DIPSET BOI*$** » Fri Jan 25, 2008 7:11 am

Youngblood wrote:-= original quote snipped =-

Forderon
Walker
Moon
Bosh
Bargnani (:banghead: )

Sexier

Not enough shooting in that line-up.

Consequence · Post #12 » by **Consequence** » Fri Jan 25, 2008 2:35 pm

BigSlam wrote:I think they need Parker at the 2. His basketball smarts helps to make the Raps offense go.

Yeah, but getting walker is a move for down the road. He'll be ready to start in two years when Parker turns 34 and isn't able to guard as effectively.

Going to be tough for him to get minutes with Delfino, Kapono, and possibly Ukic around though. That's my only concern. In terms of fit, he'd be great, though I do like Devon Hardin quite a bit. Basically I want either one of those two and Brandon Rush.

Mr.Raptorsingh · Post #13 » by **Mr.Raptorsingh** » Fri Jan 25, 2008 11:14 pm

Does Bill Walker have any kind of character issues that would prevent him from rising in the draft or is it just his knee? From things that I have read, he appears to be a hardworker who is coachable.

Post #14 » by **BigSlam** » Sat Jan 26, 2008 1:13 am

Consequence wrote:-= original quote snipped =-
Yeah, but getting walker is a move for down the road. He'll be ready to start in two years when Parker turns 34 and isn't able to guard as effectively.
.

Raps are in a "win now" mode, not a "down the road" mode.

Consequence · Post #15 » by **Consequence** » Sun Jan 27, 2008 2:02 am

BigSlam wrote:-= original quote snipped =-

Raps are in a "win now" mode, not a "down the road" mode.

"Win now" doesn't mean you can't prepare to have your success carry through after some players that contribute to your success are gone. Gotta collect them assets. If a big energetic C is around for our pick, great, that's really the Raptors only main need. If not, Walker is a good choice so that we can continue to win games as Parker fades.

DanTown8587 · Post #16 » by **DanTown8587** » Sun Jan 27, 2008 6:33 am

Bill Walker will play the two spot in the league, 6-5 means spotty but not certain minutes at the three. With this being said, if team doctors feel the knee is o.k, i see Walker being an early lottery pick. It would not shock me one bit if the Lakers tried to get him.