Official Raptors 2011 NBA Draft Thread, Part 3

[Reignman]

Barnes' is going to be a better rebounder than Carmelo at worst?Do you realize how many rebounds Carmelo grabs? His RPG in college was at least twice Barnes' IIRC

Who said that? I just said I hope he can be a Melo-like player with less offense and more defense/rebounding. Basically, he probably won't have Melo's offensive arsenal but he'll be more focused on the other end of the floor.

Oops. I read the part where you said he's going to be a defender/rebounder at worst and the part where you compared his game to Melo right after, and went crazy.

But really, I don't think comparisons to (or targets of) Melo and Pierce are very good at all for Barnes. His strengths don't really resemble theirs.

And I'm not sure if he has a refined post game either. He certainly hasn't shown it in college

No he hasn't. I think with Henson playing out of the post he doesn't get his chances but this kid was essentially a post player all through HS until his senior year where he really developed his perimeter game.

[5DOM]

But I think at this point it's hard to say he's got a refined post game considering he's shown his abilities only against HS players.

[Reignman]

But I think at this point it's hard to say he's got a refined post game considering he's shown his abilities only against HS players.

Ok, maybe refined wasn't the right word. I'd say he has a great understanding of the fundamentals of post play.

[5DOM]

I've only seen highlights of his HS career, but I'll trust you cause he does seem like a smart player overall

[Reignman]

I've only seen highlights of his HS career, but I'll trust you cause he does seem like a smart player overall

That's the thing, I'm as much in the dark about what he'll become as anyone but I don't see any other player (outside of Irving) that has really separated himself from the pack.

Sullinger - undersized guy / low ceiling
D Will / P Jones - Tweeners
Jonas V - Major project / import
Kanter - low ceiling / knees
T Jones - low ceiling / tweener

Everyone outside of Irving has MAJOR concerns and nobody has separated themselves so I'm going with the guy that has good size, can defend and rebound for his position, has great form on his jumper, has a closer's mentality and has the IQ/work ethic to reach his ceiling (whatever that may be).

[Kaizen]

Why doesn't Irving have major concerns? He has not played since early December.

[FluLikeSymptoms]

T Jones - low ceiling / tweener

Go on...

[DreamTeam09]

I havent taken into the consideration of really drafting a euro with our pick. I thought everyone would be scared off from after drafting bargs. I did just take a quick look at Vasley tho, i'm intrigued to say the least. Says he can play the SF and hes active with a nice stroke. I wouldnt take him top 5, but if irving, jones 3 or even HB are gone b4 we select, trading down for Vasley wouldn't be a problem for me. Maybe we can swing a deal with clv and pick up Vasley with the LAC pick. Theres no1 on clv who we would even want tho...

[Comeatme_Bro]

Man this draft is garbage. I don't really care or want anyone outside of Irving.

[MikeM]

I feel like picking Valancunias more and more.

[Dr Positivity]

Ok the Pierce stuff I can handle as a hail mary longshot for Barnes. But he's got nothing in common with Melo

[Rhettmatic]

Barnes reminds me more of a Jeff Green or Thad Young type (though both guys were better 3-point shooters than Barnes as freshmen).

[Dr Positivity]

I've only seen highlights of his HS career, but I'll trust you cause he does seem like a smart player overall

That's the thing, I'm as much in the dark about what he'll become as anyone but I don't see any other player (outside of Irving) that has really separated himself from the pack.

Sullinger - undersized guy / low ceiling
D Will / P Jones - Tweeners
Jonas V - Major project / import
Kanter - low ceiling / knees
T Jones - low ceiling / tweener

Everyone outside of Irving has MAJOR concerns and nobody has separated themselves so I'm going with the guy that has good size, can defend and rebound for his position, has great form on his jumper, has a closer's mentality and has the IQ/work ethic to reach his ceiling (whatever that may be).

I'm not sure how you can criticize Sullinger, Kanter and Jones for low ceilings as an argument in favor of Barnes. Barnes is the one who seems like a low ceiling guy. His game is shooting 3s and being a good glue guy. His worst case isn't a Deng Battier hybrid, that's like his best case

[ATLTimekeeper]

I don't think the debates will be all that lively this year because after Irving everyone smells a little bit.

[Dr Positivity]

I don't think the debates will be all that lively this year because after Irving everyone smells a little bit.

That'll make it more lively! This board is run by fear. The more fear BC is going to **** us, the better the conversation

Fear our pick could be a Euro 7 foot stiff (Jonas Valanciunas)
Fear our pick could be a Stromile Swift/Tyrus Thomas (Perry Jones III)
Fear our pick could be a Jonny Flynn (Kemba Walker)
Fear we're getting another PF and the Ed Davis, Amir Johnson show will have to split up (almost every prospect after Irving)

[Kaizen]

http://sports.espn.go.com/ncb/news/story?id=6207669

Injured Duke freshman point guard Kyrie Irving created quite a stir an hour before the Blue Devils were to play Maryland in the ACC quarterfinals when he was in game shorts and a game undershirt going through shooting and running drills on the Greensboro Coliseum court for the first public viewing of him practicing since he tore a ligament in his right toe on Dec. 4 against Butler.

Irving did slide drills, jogged up and back, and took shots off passes from his trainer while his teammates were also warming up around him.

But Duke associate head coaches Chris Collins and Steve Wojciechowski both said Irving wouldn't play later Friday night. A Duke spokesperson said Irving had practiced Thursday in five-on-zero situations.

Irving moved without any issues and made shots. But it's still too early to judge whether he would be cleared to play in the NCAA tournament.

The Duke training and coaching staff is going to tread lightly with Irving. Irving is projected to be a top-two pick in the June NBA draft, and, according to multiple sources, Irving would likely go pro since he is projected to go so high in the draft.

Irving scored 31 points against Michigan State on Dec. 1 and was on his way to a stellar freshman season when he suffered the freak toe injury while driving to the basket against Butler. Irving frayed the ligament that stretches underneath the big toe. Surgery was avoided while Irving's foot remained in a boot. Irving got the boot off recently and was finally allowed to wear sneakers. He has been in intensive rehab with pool work, stretching and most recently on-court drills.

[Mr.Raptorsingh]

^Sounds like Irving could play a game or two in the NCAA tourney.

Kemba Walker vs. Syracuse right now.

[Gold Dragon]

Perry Jones just seems like another guy that will make us say, "if only he had the work ethic of Kobe".

I don't think the problem with Perry Jones is his work ethic. He sounds like he has a pretty good work ethic, although few NBA players have Kobe's level. The problem with Perry Jones is his attitude with the ball on the court and his BBall IQ. He doesn't seem to want the ball or know how to use his abilities to take advantage on the court. He lacks that killer instinct to be able to compete at the highest levels.

I agree with what others have quoted that his skills are more suited for SF than PF and I don't really care that he has the skills to make that transition. The excuse that Baylor misuses him is also true but when he does get the ball in situations that suit his strengths, he does not take advantage. This excuse was also used in his Sr year of HS and you can only keep using it for so long.

His stats are quite hollow in my mind, purely dunks and put-backs because of his superior athleticism and size and not because of any refinement in his game. That won't cut it in the NBA. With Bargs, his soft label at least came with an elite shot. Jones doesn't even have that.

I see a big ball handler who can't really defend on the inside, might be able to defend in the perimeter, will not be able to bang inside and can't really score from the outside. And to top it off, I don't think he has the BBIQ and drive to be able to improve significantly. That screams bust to me.

Maybe he is still learning to use his big body that bloomed late and lacks confidence and good coaching. That is possible but I wouldn't hold out on that. There is a long line of big and athletic guys who just couldn't cut it in the NBA and I think Perry Jones is the next on the list.

[Kaizen]

http://sports.espn.go.com/los-angeles/n ... id=6206993

USC has suspended coach Kevin O'Neill on Friday for the remainder of the Pac-10 tournament in light of his involvement in a verbal altercation with Arizona booster Paul Weitman in a Los Angeles hotel lobby Thursday night.

"We have met with various parties who have knowledge of the incident," USC athletic director Pat Haden said Friday in a statement. "Based on the information we have gathered, I am immediately suspending Coach O'Neill for the balance of the Pac-10 Conference Tournament. We also have set forth additional discipline that will remain private."

[Mr.Raptorsingh]

Kevin O'Neil at it again, I see.