Masai Ujiri's Pre-Draft Presser

[Naysorn]

Drummond didn't play well in college.

This is a good example RE: Skal. Drummond's WS/48 was at .126 with a TS% of 51%. Horrible numbers.

Drummond is also a good example because he was projected to go #1 or #2 before the college season started, just like Skal (I think he was #2 on NBADraft.net at the beginning of the season), then fell because of poor play in college. He had similar questions being asked about him about his effort and IQ, despite all the physical tools and skills being there to be a great NBA player. Ended up falling way too far and basically every team from 2-8 regretted not picking him except Portland.

We need to take Skal.

Here's the thing: who at 9 has higher upside than Skal? The Raptors are a team that needs to try to acquire stars. We're a team that will make the ECF next year again, and for us to contend for an extended period of time, we need to add someone with star potential to the core.

We can get solid role players through free agency and trades.

I believe we should take Skal, but if we pick someone else with just as much UPSIDE (and not just ready-now capabilities), then I'm 100% fine with the pick.

[Mr.Raptorsingh]

Myles Turner

Myles Turner had a WS/48 of over .200 as a freshman. That at least gave you some hope on his potential to be impactful. Skal's WS/48 was at .142 for his freshman year.

Well yeah I didn't go "Full Hinkie" like you just did lol but it was just a quick reference of a PF/C that underperformed in college as he was also pinned to go top 5 prior to his college season hence his draft position but he certainly had the talent.

Like I mentioned in my previous post where you said "it's a wrap for the NBA", I'd just be thrilled if he was a poorman's Turner who cram may say is not a stud yet but I am most certainly saying he is. Turner is going to be an absolute beast given his fluidity and size, he's going to be just a notch under KAT and AD. I'd even be happy if Skal was just a notch under Turner.

[Risk101]

[tweet]https://twitter.com/Raptors/status/745303403077701632[/tweet]

[verysalt]

Skal/JV has NBA dynasty potential, and no, I'm not trolling.

Skal/JV/Biz - it's a wrap for the NBA.

Except that Biz goes away and Skal goes to D-league for a year or two.

[TheGoodDoctor]

If we do go with Skal we'll have a pretty damn good combination of length and quickness coming up...if we could get Thon @ 27 that would be hilarious. I actually think Thon would help tremendously in pushing each other in training, practice etc.

Wright/Powell/Cabaclo/Maker/Skal

#teamupside

[Naysorn]

If we do go with Skal we'll have a pretty damn good combination of length and quickness coming up...if we could get Thon @ 27 that would be hilarious. I actually think Thon would help tremendously in pushing each other in training, practice etc.

Wright/Powell/Cabaclo/Maker/Skal

#teamupside

If our young players could somehow develop into great players around the time JV enters his prime...

Scary.

[rapsrealm]

I think this is where the Raptors brass is at:

There are players within certain groups and they are trying to figure out which "group" makes the most sense at 9 and where we are as a team.

High Ceiling/Low Floor: Skal

Rationale: He is somebody that has the skill set to complement our lineup if he reaches his potential. He could be the steal of the draft and the Raptors being a team that is mature, there is no pressure on Skal to produce right away. Also, by being a competing team he would be surrounded by players who know what it takes to win.

Low Ceiling/High Floor: Sabonis/Poeltl

Rationale: Being a team that is building from making it to the ECF, we need players who have an opportunity to play on the big team rather than take up a roster spot and develop in the 905. Although they may never be all-star players they are players who will be able to contribute to the team and be 10+year NBA role players. They are the safe picks.

Balanced Growth: Luwawu/Richardson

Rationale: A balance between the two approaches. A player like Luwawu would be able to play on the Raptors as a backup 3, similarly in the role that Powell had at the end of this year. He is still young but his game is more developed compared to a player like Korkmaz. He also has potential to grow as a player and has quite a high ceiling.

[zippy]

Can't wait to trade one of the two picks and get a real player. This is such a horrible draft.

[Raptorfan2012]

This is a good example RE: Skal. Drummond's WS/48 was at .126 with a TS% of 51%. Horrible numbers.

Drummond is also a good example because he was projected to go #1 or #2 before the college season started, just like Skal (I think he was #2 on NBADraft.net at the beginning of the season), then fell because of poor play in college. He had similar questions being asked about him about his effort and IQ, despite all the physical tools and skills being there to be a great NBA player. Ended up falling way too far and basically every team from 2-8 regretted not picking him except Portland.

We need to take Skal.

Here's the thing: who at 9 has higher upside than Skal? The Raptors are a team that needs to try to acquire stars. We're a team that will make the ECF next year again, and for us to contend for an extended period of time, we need to add someone with star potential to the core.

We can get solid role players through free agency and trades.

I believe we should take Skal, but if we pick someone else with just as much UPSIDE (and not just ready-now capabilities), then I'm 100% fine with the pick.

There is absolutely no gurantee we will be back in the ECF next year. This offseason is going to be very dramatic with so many teams having tons of cap space. In fact, Raptors will most likely take a step back, especially if Bismack walks.

[Landomar]

I actually didn't like Drummond in his draft year, because of how terrible he did in college. Skal is a similar type of prospect. Drummond never really learned how to play basketball, but puts up numbers in the NBA because of his insane athleticism. I'm not sure if Skal is going to have enough athleticism to do the same. There's also always a chance that he improves A LOT over the next few years. I guess we'll have to wait and see what he does, but at 9, he's not a guy I'd gamble on.

[Badonkadonk]

Coach Cal talked about Skal today:

http://www.kentucky.com/sports/college/kentucky-sports/uk-basketball-men/article85025787.html?utm_source=dlvr.it&utm_medium=twitter

When you consider how much time he lost in HS it's no wonder he had a rough freshmen year. It also gives me hope that with more reps and some patience he could make some dramatic leaps. Smart kid. Hard worker. Just needs that light bulb to go off where he gets everything he can be and where he should be within the game plan.

A guy who missed two seasons of HS hoops because of eligibility and injury is missing a TON of basketball relative to his peers.

This doesn't necessarily mean his ceiling is higher, it just means we know even less about him. He's a 3-4 year project. People are excited purely based on his physical profile and his skills vs. a chair. He's another Bruno project - you don't know what you'll get on the other end.

e - the Drummond comparisons are super confusing; Drummond is a beast, Skal is going to get bodied (he was already bodied big time in college - that never happened to Drummond).

[LJKO]

I'd be piss if we didn't take Skal if none of top 8 drops to us; Also for all the Skal haters they tend to forget we have D-Leauge

[whysoserious]

There is absolutely no gurantee we will be back in the ECF next year. This offseason is going to be very dramatic with so many teams having tons of cap space. In fact, Raptors will most likely take a step back, especially if Bismack walks.

While it's not guaranteed we get to the ECF as you point out, often times too many people here get caught up with stating the other teams are going to improve and we aren't or going to take a step back. Two years ago everyone was ready to push Milwaukee so far up as their young guys developed and all they did this past year was take a major step back (for a variety of reasons) and miss the playoffs. Even if moves made seem positive in the off-season they may not turn out to produce on the court once the season starts.

As far as our team goes, we've only seen a team get better and better the past three seasons. We may not have a ton of flexibility to add pieces to it but they can certainly be the same or better than last year too just by continuing to develop as a team.

[CoachJReturns]

Skal/JV has NBA dynasty potential, and no, I'm not trolling.

Skal, JV and Powell...It's an interesting future scenario.

[0 - 100]

Ha - Masai talking as if Skal is a lock if no one drops.

Gotta love all the pre draft smoke. Can definitely see all this Sabonis hype thrown out there from us so SAC can take him instead of Skal or one of the top 8.

[verysalt]

I actually didn't like Drummond in his draft year, because of how terrible he did in college. Skal is a similar type of prospect. Drummond never really learned how to play basketball, but puts up numbers in the NBA because of his insane athleticism. I'm not sure if Skal is going to have enough athleticism to do the same. There's also always a chance that he improves A LOT over the next few years. I guess we'll have to wait and see what he does, but at 9, he's not a guy I'd gamble on.

I think he is very perspective but he is still a kid, not a man. He has a skill set but it might take years for him to mature as a person. I think it was a mistake for him to draft this year; he should have stayed in college for another year and learn some humility instead of getting insulted or feeling criticized when coaches tries to squeeze the best of him. Anyway, D-league will teach him what he missed in College.

[dalton749]

Can't wait to trade one of the two picks and get a real player. This is such a horrible draft.

I disagree. I don't think there's a lot of top end talent, but I think there will a good amount of solid role players scattered throughout the draft.

[Kevin Willis]

[nowayguy]

I'd be piss if we didn't take Skal if none of top 8 drops to us; Also for all the Skal haters they tend to forget we have D-Leauge

I look forward to him dominating the D-League for the next 10 years.

[theonlyeastcoastrapsfan]

Ha - Masai talking as if Skal is a lock if no one drops.

Gotta love all the pre draft smoke. Can definitely see all this Sabonis hype thrown out there from us so SAC can take him instead of Skal or one of the top 8.

But then why would Ujiri do that and then talk Scal as a lock?