Official Raptors 2011 NBA Draft Thread Part 9

[Southward1]

@chadfordinsider
Chad Ford
So ... both Kemba & Brandon Knight in Toronto tomorrow ... however Knight's camp asking for separate workouts.

Me thinks Knight is scared.

Derozan's camp did the same thing because they where afraid Terrence Williams would dominate him.

It's all about potential for Knight...

[Rhettmatic]

@chadfordinsider
Chad Ford
So ... both Kemba & Brandon Knight in Toronto tomorrow ... however Knight's camp asking for separate workouts.

Me thinks Knight is scared.

Well, Kemba doesn't want to work out against Jimmer. I guess he's scared too?

ChrisMannixSI Chris Mannix
Don't read too much into Kemba Walker pulling out of Jimmer workout in Sacto. Not much for Walker to gain going up against Jimmer.

It's just the way the draft game is played.

[Prestige]

Knight is scared? Kemba just pulled out of a workout with Jimmer. Kanter refuses to go 1-on-1 vs anybody.

Its all politics and agent-directed maneuverings. They don't want to do anything to jeopardize their clients' stock so they selectively choose workouts to make them look better. I'm sure the players wouldn't mind as most of them are competitors, but the agents get it into their heads that they have nothing to gain and everything to lose, so they allow them to cancel those workouts.

[S.W.A.N]

Knight is scared? Kemba just pulled out of a workout with Jimmer. Kanter refuses to go 1-on-1 vs anybody.

Its all politics and agent-directed maneuverings. They don't want to do anything to jeopardize their clients' stock so they selectively choose workouts to make them look better. I'm sure the players wouldn't mind as most of them are competitors, but the agents get it into their heads that they have nothing to gain and everything to lose, so they allow them to cancel those workouts.

Exactly

Utah is projected ceiling for both players so they the only team that has a chance of seeing them square off

[Strategist1]

Any news/updates with how the Kanter workout turned out? Any tweets? Just curious.

[Silk Wilkes]

The only thing a guy can really gain by dominating a prospect around the similar range to himself is moving up 1 or 2 spots. I mean, if Kemba and/or Knight pulled out of a workout against Kyrie I'd be skeptical. But the likely situation would be Kyrie pulling out anyways.

[Waylon Mercy]

It doesn't matter at all that Walker and Knight are not gonna play against each other...

Its very unlikely that both will be on the board by the time we pick...

Odds are were getting the one who is left over...

[OAKLEY_2]

It doesn't matter at all that Walker and Knight are not gonna play against each other...

Its very unlikely that both will be on the board by the time we pick...

Odds are were getting the one who is left over...

Yes I think Kemba is squarely in the bag if we want him. Knight is likely gone and Kanter has a remote chance of falling to us. We're coming out of this with one of the two point guards. The fact that Kemba is believed to be already able to contribute says to me he is our guy although I like Knight as the better prospect. I don't think we have time to develop a big rather we'll try and make a splash acquiring one. Bayless will play the one and the two like Barbosa. I'd like to move up to 2 but what are we getting? Abdur Rahim II? And then how much do we give up. Moving up to 3 makes more sense. We would get Kanter and could pretty much deliver Knight at number 5. I don't know why Kelly frets Kanter as a 5 because BC ran 3 power forwards up front last year except when Ajinca was on the floor...

[illyasova]

Knight is scared? Kemba just pulled out of a workout with Jimmer. Kanter refuses to go 1-on-1 vs anybody.

Its all politics and agent-directed maneuverings. They don't want to do anything to jeopardize their clients' stock so they selectively choose workouts to make them look better. I'm sure the players wouldn't mind as most of them are competitors, but the agents get it into their heads that they have nothing to gain and everything to lose, so they allow them to cancel those workouts.

Seems it's changed, at least Chad Ford says so,

Also as i see, Draft express is for sure so biased against Kanter. I have never heard anything positive from them. He already tweeted Kanter just hides his defense deficiensies by workin out against zero but Chad Ford tweets ir now:

Enes Kanter will workout against Tristan Thompson & Marcus Morris in Cleveland tomorrow. Kanter's 1st workouts against competition

So i guess tomorrow will be huge for decision and his stock

[Silk Wilkes]

I hope Kanter can just shut that fool Givony up. He's not professional at all with his clear biases.

[bboyskinnylegs]

found this interesting...

Two teams actively trying to trade down are the Utah Jazz and Cleveland Cavaliers, according to sources. The Cavs have been telling agents they are actively trying to acquire a draft pick in the 10-19 range, which is why certain player with no chance of being picked in the top four are coming to Cleveland for workouts. The No. 1 and No. 4 picks are the Cavs' only first round picks. This would certainly be an option if they believe Derrick Williams and Enes Kanter will both be gone in the top three picks. The Jazz are exploring every option, especially trading down from the No. 3 pick.

http://www.thehoopsreport.com/article.aspx?id=741

[Truthrising]

That's pretty interesting I also found this interesting as well. could they possibly targeting Marcus Morris??

John Lull - Sports Talk Personality of Cleveland Cavs & Indians tweeted this:

LullonSports Joe Lull @
@BrendanLeister @kirklob I believe they have serious reservations whether or not Kanter is a true center & his ability to play immediately
16 hours ago

LullonSports Joe Lull @
@BrendanLeister @kirklob I think a small trade down from 4 w/ Marcus as Cavs ultimate target is distinct possibility.
16 hours ago

LullonSports Joe Lull @
@KirkLOB @brendanleister prior to draft Cavs will know which players coveted by teams behind them. A likely coveted player will be there @ 4
16 hours ago

LullonSports Joe Lull @
@KirkLOB @brendanleister IF Cavs were to target Marcus, which I believe is possible, they could do so via a prearranged trade...
16 hours ago

LullonSports Joe Lull @
@KirkLOB @brendanleister odd that Marcus would be working out against Kanter & Thompson. Marcus viewed as a 3. Could actually be Markieff
16 hours ago

[Dr Positivity]

Marcus Morris in Cleveland has been interesting to me for a while. He has David West's pick and pop game which is what you want beside Irving... however West has like a 7'2 wingspan and Morris has like 6'10. Could hurt his potential in that role

[Mr Swagtastic]

I am liking what I am reading out of Kemba Walker looks like he will be a really good NBA PG the guy is quick as hell and has a wicked crossover the only thing I am worried about is his size and defense I don't think he's a good defender....yet but could be if he works on it. if we are looking for a more defensive PG then Knight I think is the better choice but I don't think he's anything more then a 4-5 apg right now. Maybe with a good TC he could be a 5+ apg pg but he looks a little raw right now.

If it came down to Walker/Knight or Biyombo at #5 I would be happy with either all are good long term fits here.

[bboyskinnylegs]

Give me one of the three C's or Knight and I'll be a happy camper

[DG88]

found this interesting...

Two teams actively trying to trade down are the Utah Jazz and Cleveland Cavaliers, according to sources. The Cavs have been telling agents they are actively trying to acquire a draft pick in the 10-19 range, which is why certain player with no chance of being picked in the top four are coming to Cleveland for workouts. The No. 1 and No. 4 picks are the Cavs' only first round picks. This would certainly be an option if they believe Derrick Williams and Enes Kanter will both be gone in the top three picks. The Jazz are exploring every option, especially trading down from the No. 3 pick.

http://www.thehoopsreport.com/article.aspx?id=741

Interesting the Jazz are our main obstacle in determining who we draft.

[Truthrising]

My guess on how the management would rate the players would be:
1. Knight
2. Valenciunas
3. Kanter
4. Biyombo

I'll be fine with whoever they pick.

[bboyskinnylegs]

My guess on how the management would rate the players would be:
1. Knight
2. Valenciunas
3. Kanter

I'll be fine with whoever they pick.

I think we might like Biyombo too, considering all of BC's talk about the lack of a defensive, rebounding presence that can protect the basket, and how our most glaring weakness is at C. But yeah I think barring a trade, we're definitely going to walk away with one of those 4 guys on draft night.

[5DOM]

That's pretty interesting I also found this interesting as well. could they possibly targeting Marcus Morris??

John Lull - Sports Talk Personality of Cleveland Cavs & Indians tweeted this:

LullonSports Joe Lull @
@BrendanLeister @kirklob I believe they have serious reservations whether or not Kanter is a true center & his ability to play immediately
16 hours ago

LullonSports Joe Lull @
@BrendanLeister @kirklob I think a small trade down from 4 w/ Marcus as Cavs ultimate target is distinct possibility.
16 hours ago

LullonSports Joe Lull @
@KirkLOB @brendanleister prior to draft Cavs will know which players coveted by teams behind them. A likely coveted player will be there @ 4
16 hours ago

LullonSports Joe Lull @
@KirkLOB @brendanleister IF Cavs were to target Marcus, which I believe is possible, they could do so via a prearranged trade...
16 hours ago

LullonSports Joe Lull @
@KirkLOB @brendanleister odd that Marcus would be working out against Kanter & Thompson. Marcus viewed as a 3. Could actually be Markieff
16 hours ago

I bet they brought in Markieff today to do a background check on Marcus

[bboyskinnylegs]

http://sports.nationalpost.com/2011/06/ ... prospects/