Raptors NBA Draft Thread: Damian Lillard (POR)

[Double Helix]

One of the draft sites recently presented a new comparison for Lillard that I think's very compelling. Watch this clip and tell me you don't see some similarities in speed, athleticism, height, shooting stroke and playing style. Jay Williams was better younger and had the makings of becoming a star PG. I do find myself wondering how good Lillard might be if he lands in the right spot. Anyway, here's the vid.

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=avuG5Bjqk58&feature=youtube_gdata_player[/youtube]

[DA_SCOUT]

[BillyGM]

He could easily be the future PG we need.

[Snowcrash]

If I remember Williams correctly, he is a better athlete than Lillard, faster straigh line speed and better first step. While Lillard is a level below Williams athleically, it's more than good enough so that it won't be an issue at the next level, unlike, say, a player such as Kendall Marshall. Lillard, by comparison, has better range, a better off-hand and much bigger wingspan (6'9" vs. 6'3.5") which could give him an edge defensively.

[tdotrep2]

Watch Lillard go to Portland at 6 and no later than 10. Might be the safest pick available if still on the board at 8. If BC is doing his job he would be trying extremely hard to flip 8 for 6. If Barnes doesn't go 4th to the Cavs he is likely available at 6. If Barnes gets picked by the Cavs then Beal/Drummond/Robinson are in play at 6 which gives us either the long SF we covet, the top ranked shooting guard or a big with upside we can possibly trade. If we take Barnes at 6 one of Lillard/Sullinger/Lamb are guaranteed to be there at 8 and they grab another body or pick like Ed. Portland is not in the driver seat. BC could say we are throwing 10+ at Batum but we'll back off if you flip picks with us. Would Portland pay that when they are in an even bigger rebuild than the Raps? Hard to say. If Batum is our guy we could throw almost all our space at him also meaning Lillard would be a better fit at 8 than Lamb.

This sounds very interesting and I definitely think it is a possible scenario come draft day.

[DG88]

One of the draft sites recently presented a new comparison for Lillard that I think's very compelling. Watch this clip and tell me you don't see some similarities in speed, athleticism, height, shooting stroke and playing style. Jay Williams was better younger and had the makings of becoming a star PG. I do find myself wondering how good Lillard might be if he lands in the right spot. Anyway, here's the vid.

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=avuG5Bjqk58&feature=youtube_gdata_player[/youtube]

There definitely similarities, they even almost look alike.

[Ari_Emanuel]

Watch Lillard go to Portland at 6 and no later than 10. Might be the safest pick available if still on the board at 8. If BC is doing his job he would be trying extremely hard to flip 8 for 6. If Barnes doesn't go 4th to the Cavs he is likely available at 6. If Barnes gets picked by the Cavs then Beal/Drummond/Robinson are in play at 6 which gives us either the long SF we covet, the top ranked shooting guard or a big with upside we can possibly trade. If we take Barnes at 6 one of Lillard/Sullinger/Lamb are guaranteed to be there at 8 and they grab another body or pick like Ed. Portland is not in the driver seat. BC could say we are throwing 10+ at Batum but we'll back off if you flip picks with us. Would Portland pay that when they are in an even bigger rebuild than the Raps? Hard to say. If Batum is our guy we could throw almost all our space at him also meaning Lillard would be a better fit at 8 than Lamb.

This sounds very interesting and I definitely think it is a possible scenario come draft day.

More than a scenario. This should definitely be our game plan.

[Darknemo2000]

Well if we pick him, I hope you're right cdel. It's just that judging by the amount of combo guards in the NBA, we should know that it's not as easy as it sounds to teach a score first guy how to run an offense

yeah thats my gripe. Many teams and many fans first off when they took a shoot first Pg talked that they will teach him play a team-basketball once he will have better talents around him but so very rare cases when it actually turned true.

In mot of the cases a trigger-happy PG will stay a trigger-happy PG and since he is the one running the offense that means you need to build a team around such guy cause such PG have troubles adjusting other system due to their mentality and type of play and I don't think Lilliard is the guy around whom you should build the team. He could be a nice adding piece, but only if he would be willing to adjust his game-style but the sad history of shooting first PG doing that doesn't make me very confident.

There's nothing wrong with shoot first PG's. Its the way the league is going these days.

It s when those PG do not make others around them better.

If you want a good teamplay rather than couple isos all the time you need someone who does care about passing the ball and getting others involved, creating shots for them.

You need either point forward or a good sg who has the vision and doesnt mind sharing.

Otherwise you would be stuck with ISO and if you do not have a couple of superstars then the iso play wont lead you very far away.

[lander]

^^
Ball movement???
There's nothing to suggest that Lillard has trouble passing the ball or that he lacks adequate court vision. Also an offence with good ball movement (like the Spurs), is much more pleasant to watch than a team with a ball dominant point guard.

Those teams are usually more successful too.

[BillyGM]

Do you think that Lillard's ability to draw fouls is going to translate in the NBA?

[neurotik]

To me Lillard is the toughest prospect to evaluate. And its all due to the fact that he played for Weber State.

I find it incredibly hard to get a good read on whether his talents will translate to the NBA, and if the do, just how well will they translate.

To me he is a prospect that I would want to see playing in competitive scrimmages against other Draft prospects. Even then there aren't many PG prospect this year so it will be tough to judge.

[JamesNaismith]

One of the draft sites recently presented a new comparison for Lillard that I think's very compelling. Watch this clip and tell me you don't see some similarities in speed, athleticism, height, shooting stroke and playing style. Jay Williams was better younger and had the makings of becoming a star PG. I do find myself wondering how good Lillard might be if he lands in the right spot. Anyway, here's the vid.

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=avuG5Bjqk58&feature=youtube_gdata_player[/youtube]

They seriously look almost identical in body movement and frame.


If only he didn't go to Weber so we could get a legit read on what he is.

[Mister Ze]

Lillard and Demar would go well together, both run the break well. If Lillard is drafted the Raptors can set sights on some proven wings during the FA instead of Nash or Lin.

Mayo, Batum, Lou Williams, or Eric Gordon.

[MastaMindz]

I'd be interested to see if we still pursue Nash if we draft Lillard. I think it'd be a good idea, having Nash in the fold for 2 to 3 years, helping to bring along Lillard and develop the playmaking skills that he's apparently lacking now. I'm of the opinion that Lillard really has the right attitude and would still be moldable in that regard. After Nash is done, we can hand over the starting position to Lillard. This is all contingent on us being able to amnesty/find a suitable trade for Calderon and Bayless to help solidify ourselves on the wing. I really think the point guard spot is crucial for team success and I think we have a chance to set ourselves up for years to come with this draft and free agency.

[SwiftyV]

It pains me to watch that Jason Williams video...he's my favorite all time player (Duke fan). I even got to interview him 2 summers ago at the Elite 24 in Venice Beach when I went. Seriously...what coulda been?

[Al_Oliver]

It pains me to watch that Jason Williams video...he's my favorite all time player (Duke fan). I even got to interview him 2 summers ago at the Elite 24 in Venice Beach when I went. Seriously...what coulda been?

not as bad as being a Celtics fan and then having Len Bias die

[willis_reborn]

Lillard = Robert Pack 2012

[BillyGM]

Michael Jordan once said that the best defender that he has ever played against was Robert Pack. Not to mention that Robert Pack had insane hops.

[cdel00]

Long 6'9", built like a brick **** house benches 300lbs, crazy hops 40" verticle.

Shoots well over 40% from 3. Doesn't get tired. Shoots more FTs than 3s.

Is great both on the break and in the half court.

Has JKidds nose for the rebound.

Watch BC and Casey fall in love with him very soon and be happy when we draft him.

Is from Oakland, home of the great PGs of yore
This kid plays old school ball.

[BillyGM]

Long 6'9", built like a brick **** house benches 300lbs, crazy hops 40" verticle.

Shoots well over 40% from 3. Doesn't get tired. Shoots more FTs than 3s.

Is great both on the break and in the half court.

Has JKidds nose for the rebound.

Watch BC and Casey fall in love with him very soon and be happy when we draft him.

Is from Oakland, home of the great PGs of yore
This kid plays old school ball.

JV playes the same bball. Lillard is the guy we need the most from this draft.