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Just in time for March Madness, we have our fourth NBA draft discussion thread.

Here are the other three threads:

viewtopic.php?f=32&t=1056803
viewtopic.php?f=32&t=1087333
viewtopic.php?f=32&t=1093590

And the rules:

All thoughts on 2011 draft prospects and potential Raptors picks can go in this thread. After the draft lottery, it'll also be home to all mock-draft discussion and other fun.

Did Kyrie Irving have a sick crossover? Post it here. Did Jan Vesely drop 27 points on Crvena zvezda? Discuss it here. Are you having panic attacks because the Raptors just hired Donatas Motiejunas's father as their head scout? Seek medical help here.

We've got a few links here to NBA draft websites but please feel free to post more or PM a mod if you want more added.

Enjoy!

- The Mod Squad

Draft Express
NBADraft.net
ESPN Draft Base

I think Terence Jones is closer to the PF side of the tweener scale... of course part of that could be because of the way he's being utilized now

I happen to like the numerous North American-born players ranked near the top of the draft this year but if Valancianus is thought to be the kind of prospect that could be a top tier C someday (a lesser Gasol would be amazing) worthy of selection in the top 5 then I kind of hope we draft him strictly to weed out the racists on this board who think that a player with white skin can't or shouldn't play basketball for this team strictly because of the color of their skin or where they were born. You know who you are.

Nothing racist here. I just don't have confidence in our scouting teams ability to evaluate European talent. Simple.

Jimmer.

bboyskinnylegs wrote:I think Terence Jones is closer to the PF side of the tweener scale... of course part of that could be because of the way he's being utilized now

I feel he is more of a Marvin Williams type of guy. He tried to post up, but I don't see him as a "power" forward.

Rude Boy 1 wrote:

I happen to like the numerous North American-born players ranked near the top of the draft this year but if Valancianus is thought to be the kind of prospect that could be a top tier C someday (a lesser Gasol would be amazing) worthy of selection in the top 5 then I kind of hope we draft him strictly to weed out the racists on this board who think that a player with white skin can't or shouldn't play basketball for this team strictly because of the color of their skin or where they were born. You know who you are.

Nothing racist here. I just don't have confidence in our scouting teams ability to evaluate European talent. Simple.

I don't really understand that. It isn't like we'd be reaching for Val. According to all reports, he's been in solid top 5 discussion for months. Maybe not a #2 pick like DX has/had him, but still, it isn't like we'd be the only ones to like him.

Consequence wrote:

Rude Boy 1 wrote:

I happen to like the numerous North American-born players ranked near the top of the draft this year but if Valancianus is thought to be the kind of prospect that could be a top tier C someday (a lesser Gasol would be amazing) worthy of selection in the top 5 then I kind of hope we draft him strictly to weed out the racists on this board who think that a player with white skin can't or shouldn't play basketball for this team strictly because of the color of their skin or where they were born. You know who you are.

Nothing racist here. I just don't have confidence in our scouting teams ability to evaluate European talent. Simple.

I don't really understand that. It isn't like we'd be reaching for Val. According to all reports, he's been in solid top 5 discussion for months. Maybe not a #2 pick like DX has/had him, but still, it isn't like we'd be the only ones to like him.

Ya but the difference is we evaluate players based on caliper tests and not basketball ability. We can't afford to be wrong this time its clear our ability to select N.A talent is much, much better than our ability to accurately assess European talent.

And as much as I hate to admit it we're in Canada and drafting a European in the top 5 does nothing for our marketability.

the Louisville PG Siva is undersized but very athletic... two or three times now he's gotten into the paint at will, drawn in the defense, and dished it off for easy dunks. I wonder if he'll declare this year

bboyskinnylegs wrote:the Louisville PG Siva is undersized but very athletic... two or three times now he's gotten into the paint at will, drawn in the defense, and dished it off for easy dunks. I wonder if he'll declare this year

He also just got sized up and let the winning 3 get scored.

Rude Boy 1 wrote:

Consequence wrote:

I happen to like the numerous North American-born players ranked near the top of the draft this year but if Valancianus is thought to be the kind of prospect that could be a top tier C someday (a lesser Gasol would be amazing) worthy of selection in the top 5 then I kind of hope we draft him strictly to weed out the racists on this board who think that a player with white skin can't or shouldn't play basketball for this team strictly because of the color of their skin or where they were born. You know who you are.

I don't really understand that. It isn't like we'd be reaching for Val. According to all reports, he's been in solid top 5 discussion for months. Maybe not a #2 pick like DX has/had him, but still, it isn't like we'd be the only ones to like him.

Ya but the difference is we evaluate players based on caliper tests and not basketball ability. We can't afford to be wrong this time its clear our ability to select N.A talent is much, much better than our ability to accurately assess European talent.

And as much as I hate to admit it we're in Canada and drafting a European in the top 5 does nothing for our marketability.

What? Even if we like him for his caliper test results and haven't looked at anything else, my point is that OTHER teams like him as well, at the same range we'd be picking in. Unless you think every team sucks at scouting Europeans, I don't understand.

Rude Boy 1 wrote:
Ya but the difference is we evaluate players based on caliper tests and not basketball ability. We can't afford to be wrong this time its clear our ability to select N.A talent is much, much better than our ability to accurately assess European talent.

And as much as I hate to admit it we're in Canada and drafting a European in the top 5 does nothing for our marketability.

That stupid caliper test had one of those so called experts saying Bargnani would be a hall of fame center. I honestly can't remember if Bargs was brought in to work out or they went overseas to scout him. It felt a lot like when Denver grabbed Skita. Luckily, Bargs isn't even close to being as bad as Skita. But it was risky, imo to grab him.

Consequence wrote:

Rude Boy 1 wrote:

Consequence wrote:
I don't really understand that. It isn't like we'd be reaching for Val. According to all reports, he's been in solid top 5 discussion for months. Maybe not a #2 pick like DX has/had him, but still, it isn't like we'd be the only ones to like him.

Ya but the difference is we evaluate players based on caliper tests and not basketball ability. We can't afford to be wrong this time its clear our ability to select N.A talent is much, much better than our ability to accurately assess European talent.

And as much as I hate to admit it we're in Canada and drafting a European in the top 5 does nothing for our marketability.

What? Even if we like him for his caliper test results and haven't looked at anything else, my point is that OTHER teams like him as well, at the same range we'd be picking in. Unless you think every team sucks at scouting Europeans, I don't understand.

Can you show me some quotes? I haven't heard any teams declare they are salivating over Val.

mintsa wrote:

bboyskinnylegs wrote:the Louisville PG Siva is undersized but very athletic... two or three times now he's gotten into the paint at will, drawn in the defense, and dished it off for easy dunks. I wonder if he'll declare this year

He also just got sized up and let the winning 3 get scored.

What a ballsy no-call at the end of that game, and it was the correct one.

FluLikeSymptoms wrote:

mintsa wrote:

bboyskinnylegs wrote:the Louisville PG Siva is undersized but very athletic... two or three times now he's gotten into the paint at will, drawn in the defense, and dished it off for easy dunks. I wonder if he'll declare this year

He also just got sized up and let the winning 3 get scored.

What a ballsy no-call at the end of that game, and it was the correct one.

yep, Faried was a beast

Basketball_Jones wrote:

Rude Boy 1 wrote:
Ya but the difference is we evaluate players based on caliper tests and not basketball ability. We can't afford to be wrong this time its clear our ability to select N.A talent is much, much better than our ability to accurately assess European talent.

And as much as I hate to admit it we're in Canada and drafting a European in the top 5 does nothing for our marketability.

That stupid caliper test had one of those so called experts saying Bargnani would be a hall of fame center. I honestly can't remember if Bargs was brought in to work out or they went overseas to scout him. It felt a lot like when Denver grabbed Skita. Luckily, Bargs isn't even close to being as bad as Skita. But it was risky, imo to grab him.

I know! and to be clear I don't remember Bargnani working out for us or against other players in the draft either. terrible selection based on a caliper score. Val is a rail thin centre who is playing against some shoddy competition.

My board is pretty much set:

Kyrie Irving
Harrison Barnes
---------------------
Perry Jones
Derrick Williams
Jonas Valanciunas

I'v warmed up on Barnes, a bit worried about Irving. i think I would want to trade out of top pick if we win the lottery.

if we do not move bargnani, I think my draft board would be Barnes, then Sullinger, then Irving or Valanciunas. if we are picking outside the top 5 I think kanter might be the guy

I like Jimmer, and Henson but it seems to be a reach for them inthe high lottery.

I wonder if there is a trade to be made with Cleveland depending where the lottery balls fall.

I would love for there to be a way for us to end up with Varejao and Sullinger and move bargnani. However they would probably love that pairing as well. we might have to win the lottery to make that happen

Harrsion Barnes looks soft to me. Doesn't strike me as a guy you want to lead your team.

Rude Boy 1 wrote:Harrsion Barnes looks soft to me. Doesn't strike me as a guy you want to lead your team.

I'm not disagreeing with you, but after Irving how many players projected in the Top 10 look like guys you'd want to lead your team?

Rhettmatic wrote:

Rude Boy 1 wrote:Harrsion Barnes looks soft to me. Doesn't strike me as a guy you want to lead your team.

I'm not disagreeing with you, but after Irving how many guys projected in the Top 10 look like guys you'd want to lead your team?

Its true. Precisely why I am completely grossed out by this draft class. I would think Kemba could become that killer and possibly T. Jones in time but in general no one outside of Kyrie.