Official Raptors 2012 NBA Draft Thread, Part 4

[Reignman]

Davis is 5th in the poll, behind Drummond

That's insane to me. I assume it's because Davis doesn't seem like a "fit" here, or because people (understandably) aren't expecting the Raptors to get the first overall pick in the draft.

But he's an amazing prospect. Maybe a bit underrated on this board.

Yeah, I think it's cuz we're not expecting to get the #1 pick. I'm guessing if the poll read "who will be the #1 pick" the vast majority of people would pick AD right now. Well, I hope that's what would happen.

[FluLikeSymptoms]

Davis is 5th in the poll, behind Drummond

That's insane to me. I assume it's because Davis doesn't seem like a "fit" here, or because people (understandably) aren't expecting the Raptors to get the first overall pick in the draft.

But he's an amazing prospect. Maybe a bit underrated on this board.

Yeah, I think it's cuz we're not expecting to get the #1 pick. I'm guessing if the poll read "who will be the #1 pick" the vast majority of people would pick AD right now. Well, I hope that's what would happen.

Agreed, I think the vagueness of the poll is represented in its results. Does it mean the number 1 ranked player, and we're theoretically picking first? Are some voters attempting to be realistic and planning on a #3-4 pick? Are we considering the current roster and talking fit?

Maybe in the next thread we could choose 3 names who will go top 3, in no order. And maybe tweak the names.

[Rhettmatic]

The Ford chat has started:

http://espn.go.com/sportsnation/chat/_/id/42141

[Rhettmatic]

Agreed, I think the vagueness of the poll is represented in its results. Does it mean the number 1 ranked player, and we're theoretically picking first? Are some voters attempting to be realistic and planning on a #3-4 pick? Are we considering the current roster and talking fit?

Maybe in the next thread we could choose 3 names who will go top 3, in no order. And maybe tweak the names.

Next time, it might be interesting to make a poll asking: Which prospect will be the best NBA player?

Just a way to mix it up, I guess. We'll have many more of these draft threads by June, I imagine.

[JamesNaismith]

Flame away I still think Drummond is the best prospect BUT Davis is the most surefire superstar out of this draft and it's not even up for conversation.

[Dr Positivity]

Disagree. If Davis is an average offensive talent it'll be hard for him to be a superstar unless he's an all time defender

Andrew Bogut is an average offensive player with elite defense. A Davis putting up 13, 10 and 2.3 blks in his prime makes him not a superstar, it makes him as valuable as Bogut

[Marlo Stanfield]

Disagree. If Davis is an average offensive talent it'll be hard for him to be a superstar unless he's an all time defender

Andrew Bogut is an average offensive player with elite defense. A Davis putting up 13, 10 and 2.3 blks in his prime makes him not a superstar, it makes him as valuable as Bogut

Except Bogut gets hurt every other day, which lowers his value. If Bogut were healthy more often than not his trade value would be through the roof.

[bboyskinnylegs]

I don't think Davis will end up a superstar but I see him as being the safest pick with the highest floor in this draft.

[Dr Positivity]

Bogut has actually been sub 65 games only once. Except for the one year he's been level with Bosh in durability. That's not why he isn't considered a superstar.

[DG88]

I think it's very critical that we get another pick in this draft.

[Marlo Stanfield]

Bogut has actually been sub 65 games only once. Except for the one year he's been level with Bosh in durability. That's not why he isn't considered a superstar.

I didn't say that's the reason for him not being a superstar, I'm saying that's the reason his value isn't at a superstar level (without actually being a superstar).

[Rhettmatic]

Todd (Tn)

Last night Anthony Davis most complete performance by any of the top prospects?

Chad Ford (1:39 PM)

27 points, 15 rebounds, 7 blocks, 10-for-12 from the field is about as close as you get. I know some fans are concerned about his lack of strength and raw offensive abilities. But on the defensive end, he'll be a monster at the next level. And ... I think this is very important ... he's a good kid, a hard worker and plays with a great motor all the time. Very few big men have all of that. I think Marcus Camby is is floor. He could be much better than Camby because I think he can be a 4 at the next level.

Nick (Wisconsin)

Chad, there was a ton of hype going into this season about how good this upcoming draft class was going to be, is it safe to say that NBA scouts agree with this assessment? I'm not sure if there's a franchise game changer like Rose, Durant or Griffin, but the quality in depth that exists for like 12-15 picks is pretty crazy. What is your opinion on this years' potential draft class so far?

Chad Ford (1:41 PM)

I think that hype has actually cooled down a bit. Don't get me wrong, scouts think it's a good draft. Anthony Davis has lived up to expectations, though scouts don't quite see him in the same group as a Dwight Howard or Derrick Rose franchise changer. The next tier with Andre Drummond, Harrison Barnes, Thomas Robinson and Perry Jones III are all super talented, but all have weaknesses that could keep them from being All-Stars some day. After that, there's talent, but I actually think the 2011 Draft may have gone a little deeper.

Mark (cleveland)

Barnes, Jeramy Lamb or Kidd-gilcrest? Who's the best pro?

Chad Ford (1:48 PM)

I have scouts arguing all three. Barnes is the smoothest scorer of the group. He's going to be a lock to be a 20+ point a night scorer at the next level. The question is whether he'll do anything else. Lamb has the potential to be a big scorer as well, though he doesn't quite has the same confidence that Barnes brings to the table. Kidd-Gilchrist is the toughest of the group. He'll be the best defender, the best leader, the intangibles guy who does all the little things it takes to win. He's also the rawest offensively. I think it will come down to what a team really needs. All three should be successful at the next level.

[Crazy-Canuck]

MKG to the bank.

[Alfred]

God damn, imagine a front line of Anthony Davis and Valanciunas.

[Marlo Stanfield]

God damn, imagine a front line of Anthony Davis and Valanciunas.

I dare people to try and drive on that.

[Dr Positivity]

The only problem with the Davis and Valanciunas frontcourt is they'll be as good offensively as Amir and Valanciunas *shrug*

I continue to be mystified by the confidence in Barnes' scoring floor at the next level. I tend to look at a perimeter players' hands and feet before anything else when judging their ability to create offense at a dynamic level. Barnes will have both average hands and average footspeed for compared to NBA SFs IMO. That worries the hell out of me. I think anyone who says there's no risk of this going down a Marvin Williams path is fooling themselves

[TJ Quik]

If we got the #1 overall pick, I'd look to move it (and AD) rather than Bargs. Call me crazy, but I think Bargs is a better fit beside Val due to his scoring and his girth.

Davis and the #1 pick would have more value as well, and could be the building block of a deal for Westbrook or DWill (extension would have to be included).

[Alfred]

Dr. Mufasa, you think that Davis' ceiling offensively is Amir? I think that's underselling him quite a bit.

[TJ Quik]

Dr. Mufasa, you think that Davis' ceiling offensively is Amir? I think that's underselling him quite a bit.

He definitely looks more like a defensive game changer while being a #3 option on offence at best, similar to JV. If you are rolling with Davis and JV in your frontcourt, you better have 2 elite scorers at the guard/wing positions (and we currently don't have any)....

[Alfred]

Right now he's a defensive game changer, but if you've ever watched any of his high school tape, he definitely has moves that he isn't allowed to use in the Kentucky offense.

It's also not like he isn't scoring on that team -- he's averaging 14 points per game on absolutely ridiculous efficiency and has a mind-bending PER of 36.