Official Raptors 2012 NBA Draft Thread, Part 4

[Rapsfan07]

I was just at NBADraft.net and they have us taking Sullinger at #5.... are you f'ing kidding me. There is no way on god's green earth we would ever take him. 1) His bust potential is almost Thabeet level, an dI don't think BC takes that risk right now. We are aiming for a more sure, and NBA ready player 2) Why add another PF? Do some 'search boys, just don't plug us into your prospect rankings.

Right now if current standings hold up for the lottery, I see us grabbing MGK or trading down slightly for PJIII. However without B-Man I see a skid coming and hopefully we can end up around#3 and grab Lamb or Barnes.

This is why we must do all WE possibly can to affect our draft position for the positive

#tankon

[fredericklove]

I was just at NBADraft.net and they have us taking Sullinger at #5.... are you f'ing kidding me. There is no way on god's green earth we would ever take him. 1) His bust potential is almost Thabeet level, an dI don't think BC takes that risk right now. We are aiming for a more sure, and NBA ready player 2) Why add another PF? Do some 'search boys, just don't plug us into your prospect rankings.

Naw, I don't think he's on thabeet level cmon, Sully is nowhere near raw, he's got advanced post-skills and his passing is very, very underrating, he can literally spot open men when he's double-teamed I was in "holy cow how did he find the other guy?" expression when I saw him in the game. Despite being 6'9, he's slightly taller than Barnes, he's still got a big body and long arms to fight for position to get rebound. I don't think he's going to be a bust, but if you say he won't average 20 and 10 fine, but at last 11 and 8 for sure.

[nahom1319]

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3tnktoIjtiU[/youtube]

Better highlight clip, alot of shooting but on one play or two you get to see how smooth he is at driving. He typically floats it in, but the ability to get in the lane is there, in spades.

Skip to 1 minute mark there are 2 plays in a row where you see him use his handles, then a lob and another drive to the hoop.

[Undefeated]

Lamb reminds me of a SG version of Kevin Durant in how they utilize their length to shoot over their defenders. I don't mind Lamb because of his shot-creating and playmaking ability which the Raptors sorely need on the wing, and is the most skilled on-ball prospect in his draft class imo, but he doesn't have that explosive first step which kinda worries me. But I guess if Lamb can get by with his crafty footwork and ball handling a la Stephen Curry, then it's okay. When I watch Austin Rivers, I see that instant quickness to the rim. The only thing holding him back is his frame and height to play SG full-time.

[FluLikeSymptoms]

I was just at NBADraft.net and they have us taking Sullinger at #5.... are you f'ing kidding me. There is no way on god's green earth we would ever take him. 1) His bust potential is almost Thabeet level, an dI don't think BC takes that risk right now. We are aiming for a more sure, and NBA ready player 2) Why add another PF? Do some 'search boys, just don't plug us into your prospect rankings.

Naw, I don't think he's on thabeet level cmon, Sully is nowhere near raw, he's got advanced post-skills and his passing is very, very underrating, he can literally spot open men when he's double-teamed I was in "holy cow how did he find the other guy?" expression when I saw him in the game. Despite being 6'9, he's slightly taller than Barnes, he's still got a big body and long arms to fight for position to get rebound. I don't think he's going to be a bust, but if you say he won't average 20 and 10 fine, but at last 11 and 8 for sure.

Don't know how you worked HB into your reply but I would venture to say that Sullinger is the same height as Barnes, if not shorter. I don't think he'll be able to guard either big spot or get his game off, I doubt he ends up going top 10. He's lost weight but still isn't quick, he's undersized for an NBA PF and has C athleticism at best. Great college player, though.

[wegetitin08]

Lamb reminds me of a SG version of Kevin Durant in how they utilize their length to shoot over their defenders. I don't mind Lamb because of his shot-creating and playmaking ability which the Raptors sorely need on the wing, and is the most skilled on-ball prospect in his draft class imo, but he doesn't have that explosive first step which kinda worries me. But I guess if Lamb can get by with his crafty footwork and ball handling a la Stephen Curry, then it's okay. When I watch Austin Rivers, I see that instant quickness to the rim. The only thing holding him back is his frame and height to play SG full-time.

IMO Lamb has a more explosive first step than DeMar...but that's IMO

[SargentBargs101]

Hoping on the Jeremy Lamb bandwagon

[wegetitin08]

Hoping on the Jeremy Lamb bandwagon

Don't forget to place your vote and welcome

[JamesNaismith]

Don't know how you worked HB into your reply but I would venture to say that Sullinger is the same height as Barnes, if not shorter. I don't think he'll be able to guard either big spot or get his game off, I doubt he ends up going top 10. He's lost weight but still isn't quick, he's undersized for an NBA PF and has C athleticism at best. Great college player, though.

Personally I couldn't care less about breaking down Sullinger cuz I know we won't be taking him but I will say that I think he'll do just fine in the NBA. As you can see he should be about 6'9 (Zo is supposed to be 6'10) which isn't the tallest but guys like Boozer and Gibson do fine around that height...I'm sure Sully has the skill to atleast be effective.

The guy that I'm a bit concerned for is Thomas Robinson....is it just me or is he built EXACTLY like Lebron James; right down to his height?!? If only he had more distance on his jumper and handles huh ? lol

[fredericklove]

Naw, I don't think he's on thabeet level cmon, Sully is nowhere near raw, he's got advanced post-skills and his passing is very, very underrating, he can literally spot open men when he's double-teamed I was in "holy cow how did he find the other guy?" expression when I saw him in the game. Despite being 6'9, he's slightly taller than Barnes, he's still got a big body and long arms to fight for position to get rebound. I don't think he's going to be a bust, but if you say he won't average 20 and 10 fine, but at last 11 and 8 for sure.

Don't know how you worked HB into your reply but I would venture to say that Sullinger is the same height as Barnes, if not shorter. I don't think he'll be able to guard either big spot or get his game off, I doubt he ends up going top 10. He's lost weight but still isn't quick, he's undersized for an NBA PF and has C athleticism at best. Great college player, though.

Slightly taller

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IOB6Kg6vsFY[/youtube]

[JamesNaismith]

I gotta admit it's hard not to like Barnes' character.

Also it's great that he's so filled out but at the same time anyone else kind of worry about that?!? I mean you think how other players came into the league relatively skinny and progressively most players with time continue to add weight. While that may make Barnes a Mack truck in size....being that he isn't the quickest guy I would be slightly concerned that it makes him even slower just a few years into his career.

[Undefeated]

I wouldn't be too worried about Barnes being slower when he adds that strength. Barnes playing off of his shooting is enough for him to blow by his defender when they cover him too closely which the defense will. And when you factor in that deadly jab step of his to keep his defender off balance since he loves to go baseline/middle, he'll be able to either blow by once again or step into that sweet shooting stroke of his. I'm really starting to see some similarities to Carmelo Anthony with Harrison Barnes. Carmelo isn't the quickest guy on the floor, but his shooting and jab step is so dangerous that it creates a plethora of scoring options with the space he creates from a jab step. Sometimes the most simplest play can be the most effective and efficient.

[JamesNaismith]

I wouldn't be too worried about Barnes being slower when he adds that strength. Barnes playing off of his shooting is enough for him to blow by his defender when they cover him too closely which the defense will. And when you factor in that deadly jab step of his to keep his defender off balance since he loves to go baseline/middle, he'll be able to either blow by once again or step into that sweet shooting stroke of his. I'm really starting to see some similarities to Carmelo Anthony with Harrison Barnes. Carmelo isn't the quickest guy on the floor, but his shooting and jab step is so dangerous that it creates a plethora of scoring options with the space he creates from a jab step. Sometimes the most simplest play can be the most effective and efficient.

I think I made a similar comparison too (but I was also complaining and saying IF he had better handles he would be Melo lol).....but I can see it. I still believe he needs a ton of work on his handles to get to Melo's level but it's encouraging. I've moved away from the Deng comparisons cuz simply put I think he'll be better but he's still seeming like Granger level to me. The great thing is he has the work ethic where he may not quite get to Melo's level BUT if he really pushes himself at the absolute height of his potential he MAY be close.

[FluLikeSymptoms]

You guys are insane. I don't like Melo but he's one of the very best iso players in the league and he was more explosive than Barnes when he had two chins.

[JamesNaismith]

You guys are insane. I don't like Melo but he's one of the very best iso players in the league and he was more explosive than Barnes when he had two chins.

That's why if you actually read my post you would see I said that at Barnes' HIGHEST "potential" he may get close (which means NOT as good....AND I criticized HB's handles which is obviously a MAJOR part of being able to play ISO and stated he needed a TON of work). Not sure how you missed all of that.

[FluLikeSymptoms]

You guys are insane. I don't like Melo but he's one of the very best iso players in the league and he was more explosive than Barnes when he had two chins.

That's why if you actually read my post you would see I said that at Barnes' HIGHEST "potential" he may get close (which means NOT as good....AND I criticized HB's handles which is obviously a MAJOR part of being able to play ISO and stated he needed a TON of work). Not sure how you missed all of that.

I think that they are entirely different players so I don't see any kind of connection. To say HB resembles Carmelo is to say that he resembles a 3.

[Undefeated]

Chances is that Barnes might not be the best iso player, though judging how Roy Williams runs his offense with an emphasis on feeding post touches inside to the bigs it doesn't leave much opportunities for Barnes to go one-on-one against his defender. I’ll reserve judgement until I see Barnes get that opportunity. Besides, ‘Melo is an exceptional ball-handler for his size when he sizes up against slower defenders. More often than not, ‘Melo uses his jab step to shake off his defender to create space to get his shot off much like what Barnes is doing now than using his ball-handling to shake defenders off. If you've been following Barnes lately, you’ll notice he’s doing a phenomenal job shielding the basketball when squeezing through ball screens. ‘Melo isn’t the prettiest or flashiest ball-handler, but he just knows how to protect the ball and use enough dribble to get the shot off before the defender can recover.

At one point during the game against NC State last night, I remember ESPN had a small segment praising on Barnes' jab step... That's why I compared Barnes to 'Melo because of how they use the jab step as their main offensive weapon along with their silky smooth jumper.

[sunny]

At this point, I have close to zero faith in Casey developing young players and giving them a fair shot. As much as a I love a player like Jeremy Lamb, I don't think Casey would allow him to flourish or play very much.

[FluLikeSymptoms]

Chances is that Barnes might not be the best iso player, though judging how Roy Williams runs his offense with an emphasis on feeding post touches inside to the bigs it doesn't leave much opportunities for Barnes to go one-on-one against his defender. I’ll reserve judgement until I see Barnes get that opportunity. Besides, ‘Melo is an exceptional ball-handler for his size when he sizes up against slower defenders. More often than not, ‘Melo uses his jab step to shake off his defender to create space to get his shot off much like what Barnes is doing now than using his ball-handling to shake defenders off. If you've been following Barnes lately, you’ll notice he’s doing a phenomenal job shielding the basketball when squeezing through ball screens. ‘Melo isn’t the prettiest or flashiest ball-handler, but he just knows how to protect the ball and use enough dribble to get the shot off before the defender can recover.

At one point during the game against NC State last night, I remember ESPN had a small segment praising on Barnes' jab step... That's why I compared Barnes to 'Melo because of how they use the jab step as their main offensive weapon along with their silky smooth jumper.

I wish Melo posted like he used to do, he was maybe the best post-up 3 in the league IMO. His reliance on his face-up game is what turned me off, really. But the thing with Melo's jab-step is, it's effective because he can get by you. I'm thinking Barnes can't and will be played to shoot in the NBA but I could be wrong.

I think he could be a really good off-ball player, though, and that his brain and stroke could get him far. I loved the play they ran last night with the side-entry to Henson and the pass to a diving Barnes for the flush.

[Rapsfan07]

I think Barnes' ceiling is Rudy Gay. Nothing wrong with that...Gay's a hell of a player. That's IMO though.