Snapbacks and Handshakes: The 2017 Draft (Raps pick #23)

[MavCarter]

Just give me Diallo. This team needs guys with talent and given our draft position that means gambling a little bit.

I don't think diallo makes it to 23 tbh. I can see teams like milwaukee and brooklyn jumping all over him

[MavCarter]

Please no more draft and stash 2-years away players.

Its highly unlikely our pick comes in and gets consistent minutes anyway. I don't mind taking a chance on young guys with upside that still need development time. We can afford to take risks in the 20s

[HeadtopChunes]

Is Canadian Justin Jackson still working out for us?

[Mr_NC]

At the end of the day Masai will still draft a raw prospect from South America or Africa

[Tacoma]

Congrats to Beantown for their usual embarassment of sports riches.

I have to say I find it comical that Bastan will be picking yet another point guard.

Lonzo Ball, Isiah Thomas, Marcus Smart, Terry Rozier, Demetrius Jackson and A. Bradley. Can you say trades emphatically enough?

Never mind Lebron, this should really press Ujiri into action. Spending a fortune for 53 regular season wins and a playoff sputter is going to get exposed by more than just Cleveland. We not only have to compete in the playoffs but in the head office as well.

...Before Masai came to the Raptors we were a mess. Considering there is only 1 Championship team and we're in the middle of a dynasty with Lebron/GSW/SA, I think head office is doing extremely well becoming a perennial playoff team that Championship teams take seriously. I would take us being Stockton's Utah or JO's Portland or Miller's Indiana - always make the playoffs but falling short of winning a Championship while making a final's experience.

Not only does Championship teams NOT take us seriously, LeBron & Co. did the opposite and laughed and disrespected us. As for HO "doing extremely well," other than doing a decent job building around BC's core, I don't think so.

Before Masai came along we had raw C who can't defend, a hole at SF and a coach who doesn't change and does the same thing over and over again. After Masai and 4 long years later, our C is now a vet who can't defend, the same hole remains at SF, and the same coach who still doesn't change and still does the same thing over and over again.

As for building around BC's core... First he said we needed shooters, so he built around BC's core with shooters like GV & Lou. Then after the blowout by Washington, he says forget shooters, we need defense. Two more years later we get blown out by Cleveland and he said forget defense, we need shooters. After years of evaluation, Masai still can't make up his mind.

If Championship contention is the goal, we can no longer build around the same tired core. But based on Masai's season ending presser, he intends to keep Casey, DD and re-sign Lowry. It would seem the only way to get rid of BC's core is to get rid of Masai.

[HeadtopChunes]

I don't like Lyndon beacuse scouts say stuff like

"Lydon is not an NBA prospect. Scouts like him for his long body, athleticism, and shooting ability. But a strong NCAA tournament has been shown to fool teams in the past. Lydon is passive and makes no serious impact on the game. His defensive effort is poor. He is not a player I would want on my team at any level."

[MavCarter]

At the end of the day Masai will still draft a raw prospect from South America or Africa

lol why because he drafted one 3 years ago? Everyone since bruno has been a college senior with the exception of poetl

[Throwback24]

Please no more draft and stash 2-years away players.

Its highly unlikely our pick comes in and gets consistent minutes anyway. I don't mind taking a chance on young guys with upside that still need development time. We can afford to take risks in the 20s

Just nothing stupid like Bruno. He would have been there in the 2nd round... true goof pick by Masai

[LarSiN]

^ Yep, getting reeeeeeally tired of the old "Masai will just draft an unknown Overseas dude" jokes. Kind of seem to be the mark of casual fans who don't follow their drafts ...

[Throwback24]

Congrats to Beantown for their usual embarassment of sports riches.

I have to say I find it comical that Bastan will be picking yet another point guard.

Lonzo Ball, Isiah Thomas, Marcus Smart, Terry Rozier, Demetrius Jackson and A. Bradley. Can you say trades emphatically enough?

Never mind Lebron, this should really press Ujiri into action. Spending a fortune for 53 regular season wins and a playoff sputter is going to get exposed by more than just Cleveland. We not only have to compete in the playoffs but in the head office as well.

...Before Masai came to the Raptors we were a mess. Considering there is only 1 Championship team and we're in the middle of a dynasty with Lebron/GSW/SA, I think head office is doing extremely well becoming a perennial playoff team that Championship teams take seriously. I would take us being Stockton's Utah or JO's Portland or Miller's Indiana - always make the playoffs but falling short of winning a Championship while making a final's experience.

Not only does Championship teams NOT take us seriously, LeBron & Co. did the opposite and laughed and disrespected us. As for HO "doing extremely well," other than doing a decent job building around BC's core, I don't think so.

Before Masai came along we had raw C who can't defend, a hole at SF and a coach who doesn't change and does the same thing over and over again. After Masai and 4 long years later, our C is now a vet who can't defend, the same hole remains at SF, and the same coach who still doesn't change and still does the same thing over and over again.

As for building around BC's core... First he said we needed shooters, so he built around BC's core with shooters like GV & Lou. Then after the blowout by Washington, he says forget shooters, we need defense. Two more years later we get blown out by Cleveland and he said forget defense, we need shooters. After years of evaluation, Masai still can't make up his mind.

If Championship contention is the goal, we can no longer build around the same tired core. But based on Masai's season ending presser, he intends to keep Casey, DD and re-sign Lowry. It would seem the only way to get rid of BC's core is to get rid of Masai.

Fact. I hope Raptor fans pay close attention to the Boston series. They won't get their grill curb stomped American History X style or get ridiculed ad nauseam by everyone who watches the game.

[CoachJReturns]

Congrats to Beantown for their usual embarassment of sports riches.

I have to say I find it comical that Bastan will be picking yet another point guard.

Lonzo Ball, Isiah Thomas, Marcus Smart, Terry Rozier, Demetrius Jackson and A. Bradley. Can you say trades emphatically enough?

Never mind Lebron, this should really press Ujiri into action. Spending a fortune for 53 regular season wins and a playoff sputter is going to get exposed by more than just Cleveland. We not only have to compete in the playoffs but in the head office as well.

I expect them to keep the pick and play a two point guard starting lineup of Fultz and Thomas. But yeah, they need to make all those other guys you listed available.

I would be on the phone with Ainge draft night and be looking to convert 23 and cash into say Rozier and the 37. Then pounce on Kuzma. I would also dangle Demar looking for a draft night package. Ingram/Deng is what I would want. Hate to do that but if we were to walk from KL and Ibaka, and we should, and really change and adjust the culture, then got to be considered. Especially with Boston acquiring way way more upside.

As underwhelming as he started his rookie season(very similar to how he started his freshman year) Ingram played well toward the end of last season. Apparently, Magic wants to build around him, so as much as I'd love it, I don't think there's a deal to be made for him. The kid was the 2nd youngest player in the draft and like most of the top 10 this year he's only 19 years old. We don't have the assets to get him.
Sucks because before he even finished high school I was thinking he would be special. Super long, won 3 point contests, handles the ball. Then of course he tested his max reach at college and it was like 12 feet. He'd be nice.

[MavCarter]

Please no more draft and stash 2-years away players.

Its highly unlikely our pick comes in and gets consistent minutes anyway. I don't mind taking a chance on young guys with upside that still need development time. We can afford to take risks in the 20s

Just nothing stupid like Bruno. He would have been there in the 2nd round... true goof pick by Masai

Im pretty sure someone reported that okc and phx were considering him with 27 and 29. Both of them had multiple first rounders that year so they had nothing to lose tbh

[RaptorsLife]

Read on Twitter

[HolyMage110]

IS TJ Leaf the henry ellenson of this year?

[RaptorXD]

Just draft someone who can rebound. The raps need someone who can rebound and keep the ball alive.

Right now the raps have no one who can rebound.

Perhaps THE worst suggestion.

A team should never use a 1st rd pick to address a CURRENT need. These picks are FUTURE based not to mention the output from a rookie on a Casey coached team will be slim to none. So replacing that can be very easily addressed in FA or trades. Not to mention rebounding actually wasn't the issue lol it was shooting.

so your brilliant suggestion is to draft a SG?

a PF who can rebound is exactly what the raps need.

You ALWAYS select the best available.

For all u know u could've selected a Bismarck Biyombo because you needed rebounding and missed out on a Kawhi Leonard

[RaptorXD]

Diallo would be ideal imo

[Salted Meat]

I haven't been following this thread much as of late, but anyone have any opinion on this kid Jonathan Jeanne?

19 years old, 7"2" with a 7"6" wingspan, handles the ball well and has range out to the 3pt line. Raw as a sore throat, but he has the tools to become a defensive anchor for us like a Rudy Gobert, which is something we've pretty much never had.

The argumentative side would say "we don't need any more projects" but realistically, if we're going to be capped out financially for the next few years, and we have an NBDL team, and we have a great developmental staff, we should be looking to take advantage of it at every opportunity.

Anyway, here's a DX report on him from the Chicago Combine

JONATHAN JEANNE, INTERNATIONAL, CENTER, NANCY 14 points, 9 rebounds, 3 blocks, 2 steals, 7-9 2P, 26 minutes Arguably the biggest winner of any 2017 NBA Combine participant, Jonathan Jeanne finished off the event in style, with a strong 14 point, 9 rebound, 3 block performance. Caught between a rock and a hard place due to the politics of the sneaker company events, Jeanne took a major leap of faith flying all the way over from France despite his team being in the midst of their season, and was rewarded for his efforts with an impactful few days. Despite being one of the youngest players to compete at the five on five, Jeanne showed a level of craftiness and budding skill that is extremely intriguing considering his youth (19 years old) and physical tools. He measured 7'2 in shoes, with a 7'6 ½ wingspan and 9'5 ½ standing reach that put him in elite company relative to NBA players, and is also highly fluid and mobile on top of that. While still painfully thin at just 207 pounds, Jeanne has added 20 pounds to his frame in the past year, and will undoubtedly continue to fill out in time. Jeanne did a great job all Combine long of setting screens and rolling to the basket. Despite not having much bulk, he has great timing and knows how to use his body to create space and give his guards the right angle to penetrate and deliver the ball around the rim. His freakish length gives him the ability to finish around the basket without barely needing to jump, as evidenced by the 71% he shot from 2-point range in Chicago. He has reliable hands, strong footwork, and excellent body control maneuvering around the paint, to go along with soft touch and the ability to use both hands around the basket. He ran the floor hard both days, made some interesting passes, and even knocked down a handful of mid-range jumpers, including one impressive pull-up, demonstrating a much higher level of skill than you typically see from a 19-year old 7-footer. Defensively, Jeanne doesn't really know what he's doing, but was extremely effective nevertheless by virtue of his mobility and freakish reach, changing everything around the basket in rim-protection situations, and being impossible to shoot over in the post. He struggles to hold his ground at times versus older players, and posted a sky high ten fouls in 47 minutes of total action, something that will likely always be an issue until his frame continues to fill out. Jeanne is likely a few years away from being able to hold his own effectively at the NBA level, but showed quite a bit of talent that makes him a prospect worth investing in long-term. He was having an up and down season up until this point in France, and was bafflingly snubbed from an invite to the Nike Hoop Summit, but was able to make up plenty of ground in just two days in Chicago. NBA scouts were disappointed to learn that the adidas EuroCamp had elected not to invite him to their camp for political reasons, but Jeanne probably doesn't need to show himself against the late second round and undrafted types they will choose to bring in now. The fact that he was willing to put himself out there and show exactly where he stands against some of the best players college basketball has to offer was duly noted by NBA executives, and he will very likely be rewarded for it on draft night. Jeanne will be staying in the US now for the next six weeks or so, and will be a popular figure for teams to get a more extended look at on the private workout circuit. - Source: http://www.draftexpress.com/article/nba-combine-competitive-action-recap-day-two-5929/ ©DraftExpress

[Psubs]

IS TJ Leaf the henry ellenson of this year?

TJ is quicker and more suited for today's game. TJ is also avery good passer. I suppose defensively both are not the greatest, but if he falls to #23, I would take him over Rabb for sure.

[Psubs]

Diallo would be ideal imo

He would be idiallo! Though if Ferguson drops, flip a coin.

[Duffman100]

I don't like Lyndon beacuse scouts say stuff like

"Lydon is not an NBA prospect. Scouts like him for his long body, athleticism, and shooting ability. But a strong NCAA tournament has been shown to fool teams in the past. Lydon is passive and makes no serious impact on the game. His defensive effort is poor. He is not a player I would want on my team at any level."

Yikes, don't want to hear that. Where was that?

The only thing I like about him is he almost immediately becomes the best shooter on our team.