Official Raptors 2011 NBA Draft Thread, Part 7

[Tofubeque]

Nice blog post digging into the Biyombo x-ray age proof.

http://www.pistonpowered.com/2011/04/how-old-is-bismack-biyombo-a-doctor-explains-how-accurately-the-wrist-test-could-determine-biyombos-age/

Interesting read. So the x-ray does appear to be a valid means of verifying his age, but they would need to have an appropriate paper trail for the x-ray to conclusively prove that it is not a fake. So it would come down to the record-keeping of the Spanish healthcare system. Someone brought this up in the comments, but wouldn't the unique length of his arm in the x-ray itself be an identifying characteristic?

I'm assuming the xray is just of his wrist, not the full arm. Even then, the guy is a basketball agent, he could get a large arm to fake an xray.

Pretty sure you could take an xray of his arm now and determine whether it's the same arm as in the previous xray.

We're seriously rubbing against Occam's razor here. His agent arranged for fake xrays when he arrived in Spain? I know it's possible, but do we really need an immaculate paper trail from Spanish doctors to take everyone involved at their word?

[ATLTimekeeper]

Pretty sure you could take an xray of his arm now and determine whether it's the same arm as in the previous xray.

We're seriously rubbing against Occam's razor here. His agent arranged for fake xrays when he arrived in Spain? I know it's possible, but do we really need an immaculate paper trail from Spanish doctors to take everyone involved at their word?

Read the article. The expert says that unless there's an identifiable trait in the bone (like a previous break) it would be very difficult to tell if it's the same person's arm. And yes, I think you do need to scrutinize the evidence when millions of dollars are at stake.

[SkywalkerAC]

How many players with great size and motor and athleticism flounder in the NBA when paired with any semblance of drive and intellect? I would argue that there aren't that many. Thankfully these 3 young bigs score pretty well in these metrics.

kanter is eminently rather than supremely long; I'm starting to think that his fitness level is going to surprise some people as he seems like a guy who likes to train. And I have no doubt that he will be a dynamo on offense and rebounding the ball.

I would love to know that biyombo is 18 or 19 as of now as his potential is incredible. He seems a bit out of control at times in his vids like he was just adjusting to his superhuman body. There's no reason to think he won't improve his offense whilst making a defensive impact. Who doesn't want a defensive anchor?

Interesting that draftexpress still has Val at #3. I guess he's the guy you can still watch play. his potential is dependent of his ability to get stronger. He's apparently 240 already? Seems a bit high but I hacen't seen that much recent footage.

[Consequence]

Nice blog post digging into the Biyombo x-ray age proof.

http://www.pistonpowered.com/2011/04/how-old-is-bismack-biyombo-a-doctor-explains-how-accurately-the-wrist-test-could-determine-biyombos-age/

Interesting read. So the x-ray does appear to be a valid means of verifying his age, but they would need to have an appropriate paper trail for the x-ray to conclusively prove that it is not a fake. So it would come down to the record-keeping of the Spanish healthcare system. Someone brought this up in the comments, but wouldn't the unique length of his arm in the x-ray itself be an identifying characteristic?

I'm assuming the xray is just of his wrist, not the full arm. Even then, the guy is a basketball agent, he could get a large arm to fake an xray.

I can get you a toe by three o'clock, guaranteed.

[KayAllTheWaay]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l5kAZL0Q3ic

He has got patience below the rim. He has nice range for a big man. He likes to play below the rim.
He plays defense. He is NOT slow.

On one possession he first gets blocked, catches the ball again and finishes after some nice footwork.
Thats what could become a problem in his first months as a nba player. He needs to get used to play against men. After he adjusts to that, he will be a beast, because he can do everything!

[bboyskinnylegs]

^^ thanks for posting that, looks like it was just released yesterday. His footwork does look great, and he looks like he really has a dependable jumper with range all the way out to the 3pt line.

[SkywalkerAC]

Kanter's jumper is buttery smooth. Draft that man and put him next to a veteran defensive 5.

[monopoly]

Interesting read. So the x-ray does appear to be a valid means of verifying his age, but they would need to have an appropriate paper trail for the x-ray to conclusively prove that it is not a fake. So it would come down to the record-keeping of the Spanish healthcare system. Someone brought this up in the comments, but wouldn't the unique length of his arm in the x-ray itself be an identifying characteristic?

I'm assuming the xray is just of his wrist, not the full arm. Even then, the guy is a basketball agent, he could get a large arm to fake an xray.

I can get you a toe by three o'clock, guaranteed.

I've seen a lot of spinals, Dude, and this guy's a fake, a ****ing gold bricker

[bboyskinnylegs]

here's the vid KayAllTheWaay posted, as well as two other recent vids that were put up of Kanter. I find the last one rather amusing
[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l5kAZL0Q3ic[/youtube]
[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6_YnG_dUpzk[/youtube]
[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lPTrpj7VfPs[/youtube]

[McFurious1]

I think we really should be looking closely at Kemba Walker the kid has the "it" factor written all over him. I hope we don't look passed him just b/c of his height. What he did this yr in basketball is the most out of all players in the draft.

[McFurious1]

Kanter's jumper is buttery smooth. Draft that man and put him next to a veteran defensive 5.

This again? If we draft Kanter it's because we think he can be that 5.

[Mediocrity]

I don't think that this draft is going to be as bad as some are making it out to be. If we don't land a top 2 pick, there are still lots of intriguing options, each with tantalizing potential. If we landed at the 3rd pick, I think we should try to draft Knight. He is a big guard, and seems to be a fierce competitor with a willingness to take that last shot. Anyone else think that he is going to be a stud? I think a Knight/Derozan back-court would be extremely exciting, and would give other teams fits.

[Consequence]

Kanter's footwork looks pretty good in that longer video. Not a ton of lift though. Cool that he has a nice jumper, I guess. I still hope he can play the 5.

[bboyskinnylegs]

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7_BOx1ZYHqM[/youtube]

[RaptorReloaded]

No to Walker, Val and BB. Yes to Kanter and Knight.

[northernlight]

This thread is a fun read and a great filler between season's end and the lottery. So many questions remain about the possible picks particularly 3-5. The pre-draft measurements, particularly bare-foot height measurements, will help to some extent but I guarantee that it will only take two seconds for someone to try and legitimize their undersized favourite by adding shoes as if this actually increases a players height relative to the rest.

[wanker]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l5kAZL0Q3ic

He has got patience below the rim. He has nice range for a big man. He likes to play below the rim.
He plays defense. He is NOT slow.

On one possession he first gets blocked, catches the ball again and finishes after some nice footwork.
Thats what could become a problem in his first months as a nba player. He needs to get used to play against men. After he adjusts to that, he will be a beast, because he can do everything!

While there is still limited footage on Kanter, if you compare what is available to the tape on Val the skill-level of the two players really isn't even comparable. Kanter makes Val look like a **** chimpanzee.

The fact that DX has (and has had all year) Val at #3 really boggles my mind (and always has). Jonathan Givony is obviously trying desperately to impress by being the first to truly advocate and hype Val as such a high pick, but he is simply going to embarrass himself in the end. I would not be surprised at all if Givony is being paid by Val's agent (and likely by other international players/agents). Either that or he is simply **** clueless (which would also appear to be the case).

[Indeed]

Most likely its between Val and Kanter.

Kanter can be Rasheed Wallace type of guy (after seeing his shooting), but I don't see him as a shotblocker. He can contribute now, and has good potential. However his knee is a concern, and lack of agility will hurt pairing with Davis (neither of them want to guard stretch big outside of the paint).

Val can play the C and block shot, but cannot contribute right away. I am expecting him to drop due to his current contract and risk (still raw). he might have a higher ceiling, where he can play the C and still maintain his quickness.

Both of them are tough, love contact, good mentality. So I am good with either one.
Or if we are trading our logjam PF (Bargnani or Davis) to draft both of them, that might be another option.

[5DOM]

From little I've seen, Kanter actually looked very agile for someone his size.

[bboyskinnylegs]

From little I've seen, Kanter actually looked very agile for someone his size.

Yeah his fluidity on the court has never been an issue imo.