Official Raptors 2011 NBA Draft Thread Part 9

phailing101 · Post #341 » by **phailing101** » Fri May 27, 2011 1:09 pm

ATLTimekeeper wrote:Jimmer and Knight surprised me the most. What's the argument against Jimmer going top 10?

Would you spend a top 10 pick on JJ Redick?

Post #342 » by **5DOM** » Fri May 27, 2011 1:14 pm

phailing101 wrote:
ATLTimekeeper wrote:Jimmer and Knight surprised me the most. What's the argument against Jimmer going top 10?

Would you spend a top 10 pick on JJ Redick?

Other than the fact that they are both white, were great college players and can both shoot, JJ Redick is not a good comparison for Jimmer who's much more versatile.

phailing101 · Post #343 » by **phailing101** » Fri May 27, 2011 1:46 pm

5DOM wrote:
phailing101 wrote:
ATLTimekeeper wrote:Jimmer and Knight surprised me the most. What's the argument against Jimmer going top 10?

Would you spend a top 10 pick on JJ Redick?

Other than the fact that they are both white, were great college players and can both shoot, JJ Redick is not a good comparison for Jimmer who's much more versatile.

So they have quite a bit in common?

They were both similar 'chuckers' in College. Jimmer had more APG but he was a shoot first, ask questions later guard just like reddick.

Both players were also great leaders of their teams. Unfortunately, that doesn't translate to the NBA unless you are statistically also the leader of your team. You don't get to wear the 'C' as the 6th man....which is where Jimmer will be.

Post #344 » by **5DOM** » Fri May 27, 2011 1:50 pm

Jimmer's a much better shot creator and he can actually make plays for his teammates. Much closer to Stephen Curry than JJ Redick.

phailing101 · Post #345 » by **phailing101** » Fri May 27, 2011 5:17 pm

Look at these athletic/measurement comparables and tell me it's off base to call these guys similar:

JJ Redick 6'4.75 w/ shoes, 6'3.25 wingspan, 27.5" no-step vertical, 33" max vertical, 10'10.5" max vertical reach, 10.94 agility, 3.29 sprint

Jimmer 6'25 w/shoes, 6'425 wingspan, 28" no-step vertical, 33" max vertical, 10' 9.5 max vertical reach, 10.42 agility, 3.21 sprint

Not to mention they are both chuckers, both had similar NCAA statistics (Jimmer more apg admitedly) and both will likely be drafted in the same position in the draft.

Last but not least- both are 6th men career guys.

Truthrising · Post #346 » by **Truthrising** » Fri May 27, 2011 5:35 pm

I would not want anything to do with Jimmer, I heard the guy was slacking off during the workouts as well.

andyo · Post #347 » by **andyo** » Fri May 27, 2011 9:28 pm

I don't think Jimmer is closer to Curry than Reddick. He doesn't have the break-down ability that Curry has, nor the finishing ability (even though Curry is small, he finds a way to finish over contact). He reminds me more of the Adam Morrison/Reddick mold.

ballislife · Post #348 » by **ballislife** » Fri May 27, 2011 9:42 pm

I have a friend that went to the Canadian Basketball conference today and spoke to both Colangelo and Maurizio regarding the future of our team. He basically came out with the idea that we are more likely than not to keep the 5th pick... not sure who we'll draft yet, but we will draft one of the best available players. He specifically asked them to draft Brandon Knight at #5.. BC didn't clarify much - he basically said we'll draft someone at that position depending on what happens earlier on. Moreover, they were pretty upset with the fact that the Calderon-to-Charlotte trade didn't go through and there's a pretty good chance that Calderon is moved before next season comes around. With all this info it looks more and more likely that we are going to pick a PG at #5.

Post #349 » by **5DOM** » Fri May 27, 2011 10:04 pm

phailing101 wrote:Look at these athletic/measurement comparables and tell me it's off base to call these guys similar:

JJ Redick 6'4.75 w/ shoes, 6'3.25 wingspan, 27.5" no-step vertical, 33" max vertical, 10'10.5" max vertical reach, 10.94 agility, 3.29 sprint

Jimmer 6'25 w/shoes, 6'425 wingspan, 28" no-step vertical, 33" max vertical, 10' 9.5 max vertical reach, 10.42 agility, 3.21 sprint

Not to mention they are both chuckers, both had similar NCAA statistics (Jimmer more apg admitedly) and both will likely be drafted in the same position in the draft.

Last but not least- both are 6th men career guys.

They are not similar type of players AT ALL. Like I said, Fredette as a PG can actually handle the ball and create shots for himself. He's much more skilled and polished offensively than Redick ever was. Seriously, if Fredette wasn't white, no one would compare him to JJ Redick. TS% of 55%, 60%, 62%, 59% is hardly chucking either.

demarderozanftw · Post #350 » by **demarderozanftw** » Fri May 27, 2011 11:38 pm

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qb5feeoQfL0[/youtube]

raptor jesus · Post #351 » by **raptor jesus** » Sat May 28, 2011 12:29 am

^^^ Burks is so smooth. I know it's drill work, but he has the ability to make it look just as easy in game play. He deserves our attention at 5.

ty123 · Post #352 » by **ty123** » Sat May 28, 2011 12:37 am

raptor jesus wrote:^^^ Burks is so smooth. I know it's drill work, but he has the ability to make it look just as easy in game play. He deserves our attention at 5.

+1. He'll probably end up being better than both Kemba and Knight.

Silk Wilkes · Post #353 » by **Silk Wilkes** » Sat May 28, 2011 12:38 am

Burks is someone I'd really like at 5, but for some reason he gives me that Sonny Weems impression through his interviews.

ty123 · Post #354 » by **ty123** » Sat May 28, 2011 12:38 am

I don't really care about redundacy. I would of still picked Aldridge over Bargnani regardless. Play Derozan at the 3 and Burks at the 2 if we really need to.

yayotube · Post #355 » by **yayotube** » Sat May 28, 2011 12:44 am

I wish one of Burks or Demar were atleast an inch taller so one could slide over to the 3. Or if Burks could play PG. He looks like an enticing prospect

ATLTimekeeper · Post #356 » by **ATLTimekeeper** » Sat May 28, 2011 1:36 am

andyo wrote:I don't think Jimmer is closer to Curry than Reddick. He doesn't have the break-down ability that Curry has, nor the finishing ability (even though Curry is small, he finds a way to finish over contact). He reminds me more of the Adam Morrison/Reddick mold.

Morrison and Reddick were completely different players. Both white, though, if that's the mold you're talking about. I'd say Jimmer is much closer to Curry. He fought the same kind of attention (often triple teams), though Jimmer did it against tougher competition. And if you don't think he can finish with contact, I think you missed his whole season. That's one of his strengths. He can finish with either hand, too. I'd say Curry is much more of a jump shooter. Fredette has kind of a crafty game, not as quick as Curry, but he can definitely handle the ball and create space.

The big challenge for Jimmer will be what to do early in his career when he won't have the ball in his hands all the time. Or what will he do if he goes to a system that tries to limit what he's allowed to do on the floor.

Prestige · Post #357 » by **Prestige** » Sat May 28, 2011 3:34 am

I ruled out Burks a long time ago because of the whole SG thing..If it wasn't for that he would really interest me at #5. I have a feeling BC is going to bring him in for a workout just for due diligence, but unless he really wows them I can't see the Raps taking him.

wanker · Post #358 » by **wanker** » Sat May 28, 2011 4:26 pm

I would have no problem taking Burks at 5 (if Knight is off the board). Obviously it isn't ideal drafting a SG with Derozan playing 35 mpg, but the Raptors aren't in a position to be drafting based on need. I think you could easily give Derozan and/or Burks spot minutes at the the 3, and perhaps give Burks a few minutes as a combo guard (playing alongside Derozan). I don't see a problem getting Burks 20-5 minutes as a rookie, assuming we dump Barbosa, don't sign Weems, etc.

Colangelo has mentioned his name as being in the mix, and I think workouts are only going to raise his stock. His ceiling is much higher than either Kemba or Leonard.

Edit: Can we unlock the Burks bandwagon? A Burks thread is much more logical than one dedicated to Bismack **** Biyombo.

phailing101 · Post #359 » by **phailing101** » Sat May 28, 2011 5:08 pm

When are the Raps going to start bringing in some boys to work out?

ballislife · Post #360 » by **ballislife** » Sat May 28, 2011 7:23 pm

I'm really warming up to drafting Jonas Valanciunas if Kanter and Knight are both off the board. The main knock on him right now is the fact that he's skinny, but he's still a 19 year old - he hasn't dedicated himself to working out like they do in the NBA - I don't think he'll have any problems once he comes over. He has a strong frame that looks like it can easily add weight to it, so it's not too much of a concern.

He's proven to be effective against older guys in a competitive Euroleague, where he was very efficient. I love the fact that he has a high motor, a strong work ethic, and already some decent shooting ability (especially from the FT line) - he could potentially be better than Noah or Biedrins because of his ability to finish and shoot somewhat better, but I like the comparison. He has a massive 7-6 wingspan which allows him to block shots and grab rebounds pretty easily, and it's something that would be welcomed on this team - with or without Bargnani.

If there is actually a lock out next year, I wouldn't be opposed to letting him stay in Europe for another season to develop his game and add some strength to get ready for the NBA level the following season. It'll also allow us to tank for another shortened season and draft one of the many SF's in next years draft (if they come out). Could be a blessing in disguise.

I don't know if this has been posted on this thread before, but there's a piece that SLAM online wrote on him last year, back in August. I know there's a lot of people around here that haven't seen it, so it's worth a look at...

NBA Draft 2011: Who is Jonas Valanciunas?
Jonas Valanciunas — a long-lost Jonas brother or a Lithuanian basketball prospect?

by Jeff Fox (Twitter).

So who exactly is Jonas Valanciunas and where has he been our whole lives? While the 18-year-old might not be a household name here, he is well known in international basketball circles due to his performance for the Lithuanian U16 and U18 National Teams, which he led to gold medals at the European championships and was named MVP of each tournament. A professional in Lithuania since he was 16, Valanciunas played last year BC Lietuvos Rytas, where he led the team in blocks and played in the Lithuanian All-Star Game.

As for his vitals, his 6-11 and a very thin 210-lbs, which is one of his weaknesses — he needs to add strength. Scouts are wowed over his extremely long wingspan and large hands, which he uses to snag passes and block/alter shots. He’s also quite athletic for a big man, able to get up and down the floor and finish strong above the rim. His go-to move in the post is a nice righty jump hook, that he has no trouble getting off over the defender due to his freakish wingspan. He also has a nice looking shot that he can hit from mid-range, plus the ability to put the ball on the floor and blow by slow-footed defenders.

But don’t just take our word for it — check out this video of Valanciunas in action at the U18 Championships last summer versus France, where he had a so-so game of 37 points, 19 rebounds and four blocks. (Especially check out his move at about the 6:20 mark of the video).

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5jvPl5-wRsE&feature=player_embedded[/youtube]

Here's the link to the entire article: http://www.slamonline.com/online/nba/2010/08/nba-draft-2011-who-is-jonas-valanciunas/