Official Raptors 2011 NBA Draft Thread, Part 5

[wanker]

I'd trade DeMar for Alec Burks if everything DraftExpress said about him is true. Anyone watched him a lot?

You would trade a player based upon reading a DraftExpress scouting report?

[bboyskinnylegs]

^^ I don't think Perry is a big man at all... I think he's a tall 3 with tremendous upside because of his ballhandling/passing ability, and what looks to be elite level speed/athleticism. But yes, your point about him having more trade value if he doesn't pan out still stands... although I don't think the reason you draft someone is because of their downside risk--you draft them wanting them to be a part of your rebuilding core because of their upside. But definitely we need to swing for the fences with this pick (personally I think I'd want Perry ahead of Knight right now, but Knight could potentially fit into that category as well... we've seen him flat out dominate in high school, and we're seeing a bit of that same kind of play from him now in the tournament... who knows how things will shape up after the combine/draft workouts)

[5DOM]

I'd trade DeMar for Alec Burks if everything DraftExpress said about him is true. Anyone watched him a lot?

You would trade a player based upon reading a DraftExpress scouting report?

Sure if what they said are right.

2 years younger than DeMar
Same size as him
Explosive slasher and very athletic
Can create
Excellent lateral quickness
Unselfish
Great rebounder
Solid vision and basketball IQ

Everything I want in my young SG

[Comeatme_Bro]

I'd trade DeMar for Alec Burks if everything DraftExpress said about him is true. Anyone watched him a lot?

You would trade a player based upon reading a DraftExpress scouting report?

Sure if what they said are right.

2 years younger than DeMar
Same size as him
Explosive slasher and very athletic
Can create
Excellent lateral quickness
Unselfish
Great rebounder
Solid vision and basketball IQ

Everything I want in my young SG

If he actually had all those he would be projected to go top 5 in weak draft.

[sunny]

it has nothing to do with if hs players will succeed in the nba or not, its if they have the right to do it or not.

If the nfl does it, the nba should be allowed to do it as well.

It has everything to do with how they will succeed at the next level. NBA teams just want to see these guys play two full seasons before they invest millions in them. The NCAA wants to make money from having longer as well. The people getting the raw end of the deal in this scenario are the players. If a team is willing to draft a guy and he's capable of playing in the league then it's not fair to the player to actually stunt his development by forcing him to play against weaker competition for 2 years. Most one-and-done players go to a year of prep school before their Freshman season, so they're pretty much already Sophomores on draft night. These guys are adults with pro skills so they deserve to get paid like one. NBA teams just need to step up their scouting department or not draft 1st year kids. It wouldn't even be fair for a guy like LeBron to destroy everyone in the NCAA for two seasons.

The nba does not want scouts/agents anywhere near highschools or AAU teams. As an avid fan of collegehoops who follows recruiting a lot, I can testify to how immature many of these players. College recruiting is pretty shady, and a lot of these players not only come off as idiots, they end up making terrible choices.
The one n done rule doesn't really solve the problem though, which is why I'd support a two year minimum.

[5DOM]

You would trade a player based upon reading a DraftExpress scouting report?

Sure if what they said are right.

2 years younger than DeMar
Same size as him
Explosive slasher and very athletic
Can create
Excellent lateral quickness
Unselfish
Great rebounder
Solid vision and basketball IQ

Everything I want in my young SG

If he actually had all those he would be projected to go top 5 in weak draft.

Not that their opinions matter more than others', but people who have watched him a lot seem to have no problem with him being a top 5 pick.

[TheRealDeal]

Still the most compelling piece of evidence presented during this college season. 9 games. That's all I have to say. We need to win in the lottery, get lucky in the draft or trade up still IMO.

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TFVj_aQ4h98&NR=1[/youtube]

[CunningLinguist]

Knight has quickly become the most overrated prospect in this draft. If we do take him (which I cringe at the thought of) you've got to trade DeMar immediately while his perceived potential is still high.

That backcourt is not going to work moving forward. Brandon is much more suited playing alongside a 2 that can handle some of the playmaking responsibilities (e.g. Tyreke) in the half-court set where he's going to excel off the ball.

So having a guy who can actually shoot 3s playing beside a guy who can't won't work? Knight can create for himself or others off the dribble. He can also hit open shots if the ball goes inside and it gets kicked back out. Not to mention that he can receive passes from the small forward, either James Johnson (who's a good passer) or his eventual replacement.

[OakleyDokely]

I think Knight's a good fit alongside DeRozen. Knight can defend his position, hit the 3 ball, and he handles the ball pretty well -- all things DeRozen struggles with.

Having a midget like Kemba back there would be a horror show defensively in the backcourt.

[bboyskinnylegs]

Knight has quickly become the most overrated prospect in this draft. If we do take him (which I cringe at the thought of) you've got to trade DeMar immediately while his perceived potential is still high.

That backcourt is not going to work moving forward. Brandon is much more suited playing alongside a 2 that can handle some of the playmaking responsibilities (e.g. Tyreke) in the half-court set where he's going to excel off the ball.

So having a guy who can actually shoot 3s playing beside a guy who can't won't work? Knight can create for himself or others off the dribble. He can also hit open shots if the ball goes inside and it gets kicked back out. Not to mention that he can receive passes from the small forward, either James Johnson (who's a good passer) or his eventual replacement.

yeah, Knight is not going to struggle creating shots for himself, or getting into the lane. A backcourt with him and DeMar is going to be pretty athletic, and would have a size advantage against a fair number of teams with both being big for their positions. Plus Knight's outside shooting would be very welcome on our team.

I think Knight will look good in transition, and playing the drive and dish game. The biggest question with him being more of a scoring PG is if he'll be effective setting up and running halfcourt offenses, although I think he's a smart kid and with his work ethic it will just take practice and experience for him to get that down. I was pretty high on him going into the year, I'm glad that he's starting to look more like the player he was in high school. I'm glad that with him, we have another viable option for us on draft night.

[RaptorReloaded]

Knight would be horrible next to a Tyreke. Both need the ball in their hands to be effective. Next to Demar who scores mainly in the flow of the game he would be great. And hell no to trading DD.

[fredericklove]

Still the most compelling piece of evidence presented during this college season. 9 games. That's all I have to say. We need to win in the lottery, get lucky in the draft or trade up still IMO.

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TFVj_aQ4h98&NR=1[/youtube]

I was hoping there would be new mix of all the highlights of the 3 games he played in the tourney, but damn youtube is slow... somebody needs to make it.

[TheRealDeal]

the new ESPN mock has Kemba shooting up to #5. As you can see they have us selecting Perry Jones.

[5DOM]

I like Perry Jones pick. Irving and Jones are the only players who I think have very high ceiling.

[fredericklove]

That backcourt is not going to work moving forward. Brandon is much more suited playing alongside a 2 that can handle some of the playmaking responsibilities (e.g. Tyreke) in the half-court set where he's going to excel off the ball.

So having a guy who can actually shoot 3s playing beside a guy who can't won't work? Knight can create for himself or others off the dribble. He can also hit open shots if the ball goes inside and it gets kicked back out. Not to mention that he can receive passes from the small forward, either James Johnson (who's a good passer) or his eventual replacement.

yeah, Knight is not going to struggle creating shots for himself, or getting into the lane. A backcourt with him and DeMar is going to be pretty athletic, and would have a size advantage against a fair number of teams with both being big for their positions. Plus Knight's outside shooting would be very welcome on our team.

I think Knight will look good in transition, and playing the drive and dish game. The biggest question with him being more of a scoring PG is if he'll be effective setting up and running halfcourt offenses, although I think he's a smart kid and with his work ethic it will just take practice and experience for him to get that down. I was pretty high on him going into the year, I'm glad that he's starting to look more like the player he was in high school. I'm glad that with him, we have another viable option for us on draft night.

If Knight develops into a Billups type of player, one who defends, one who hits the big shot, one who dishes, one who leads the team into a playoff spot...then I'm satisfied with him being picked at 5 if all Irving/Barnes/DWill/Jones are gone. It's between him and kemba at the 5th spot, Kemba got the heart and talent so it wouldn't be so bad if we ended up with him. And I dunno how drafting Kanter would work for us unless we kick andrea out of town. The one person that we shouldn't touch is TJ...he fails to impress me over the tourney.

[bboyskinnylegs]

I like Perry Jones pick. Irving and Jones are the only players who I think have very high ceiling.

I would tend to agree, although I do like the upside of the two C's as well. I can't wait until the draft lottery, combine, and workouts.

[fredericklove]

the new ESPN mock has Kemba shooting up to #5. As you can see they have us selecting Perry Jones.

I was clicking that thing yesterday, it had us dropped down to 7th spot drafting Kanter lol, and of course Irving after the 3rd attempt

[Kevin Willis]

Knight would be horrible next to a Tyreke. Both need the ball in their hands to be effective. Next to Demar who scores mainly in the flow of the game he would be great. And hell no to trading DD.

Agreed. DD is not nearly the ball handler Tyreke is. If anything Knight can give him some open Js. Not that I'm adovcating Knight with our pick though.

[OakleyDokely]

My March 29th top 5 (no order): P. Jones, K. Irving, B. Knight, H Barnes, E Kanter

[phailing101]

My March 29th top 5 (no order): P. Jones, K. Irving, B. Knight, H Barnes, E Kanter

Largely agree but I think Williams might be in there too.

Definitely expect Kanter to climb.......Jones could go either way.