With the 19th Pick, the Raptors select Ja'Kobe Walter!

[Thaddy]

If the knee injury was real and he is good to go now. Then tomorrow might be really exciting. It'll be interesting to see who emerges as our offensive creator. I would hope this is Dick.

[WuTang_CMB]

Watch on YouTube

[CazOnReal]

Rough showing but it's Summer League and overall there were things to like

That hustle play for the offensive rebound was great

[ArthurVandelay]

I wonder if posters learn anything from the Dick show last summer/season when posting about Ja’Kobe.

Relax and enjoy the journey.

[WuTang_CMB]

I wonder if posters learn anything from the Dick show last summer/season when posting about Ja’Kobe.

Relax and enjoy the journey.

Nah they wont.

[Dalek]

That was bad but at least we have an idea of his size on court and his willingness to guard on ball. He looked like he has the ability to move well, just everything needs to be taught to him.

I just don't get these young players coming out early when their skill level is like this. He is a kid who could have used another year in college to get better. He could have got NIL money and put up even better numbers.

I just don't see a way he slips into the guard rotation given his development needs.

[Reeko]

That was bad but at least we have an idea of his size on court and his willingness to guard on ball. He looked like he has the ability to move well, just everything needs to be taught to him.

I just don't get these young players coming out early when their skill level is like this. He is a kid who could have used another year in college to get better. He could have got NIL money and put up even better numbers.

I just don't see a way he slips into the guard rotation given his development needs.

Look at the next two drafts and you'll see why he didn't stay in college. If he was the 19th pick this year, even if he were to improve next year he likely goes in the 20s or maybe even 2nd round next year.

[Yallbecrazy]

That was bad but at least we have an idea of his size on court and his willingness to guard on ball. He looked like he has the ability to move well, just everything needs to be taught to him.

I just don't get these young players coming out early when their skill level is like this. He is a kid who could have used another year in college to get better. He could have got NIL money and put up even better numbers.

I just don't see a way he slips into the guard rotation given his development needs.

Maybe he doesn't develop in that second year and becomes a late 2nd round pick in a strong draft. Development in a NBA practice setting with NBA coaches is probably much better than college, also learning the NBA game earlier is more advantageous to his career.
Main drawback is not getting playing time the NBA/ only getting it in the G league.

[bluerap23]

That was bad but at least we have an idea of his size on court and his willingness to guard on ball. He looked like he has the ability to move well, just everything needs to be taught to him.

I just don't get these young players coming out early when their skill level is like this. He is a kid who could have used another year in college to get better. He could have got NIL money and put up even better numbers.

I just don't see a way he slips into the guard rotation given his development needs.

Maybe he doesn't develop in that second year and becomes a late 2nd round pick in a strong draft. Development in a NBA practice setting with NBA coaches is probably much better than college, also learning the NBA game earlier is more advantageous to his career.
Main drawback is not getting playing time the NBA/ only getting it in the G league.

So much for these kids is strength and conditioning. WAY more advanced program in the NBA than college.

[Boogie!]

I wonder if posters learn anything from the Dick show last summer/season when posting about Ja’Kobe.

Relax and enjoy the journey.

It’s also entirely likely that a 19th pick just sucks and doesn’t end up becoming anything. Yes it’s too early to tell if he will end up having a place in the league but it’s also fair to evaluate his skill set based on what he’s shown so far… let’s not act like he also has some track record of being elite… he was inefficient in his first year of college… dick at least was a 40% 3 point shooter in college.

[Thaddy]

He was pretty bad but there was a lack of opportunity. We have a lot of talent at the guard positions from Dick, Agbaji, Shead, Carton, and other guys that need the ball in their hands like Mogbo.

He will need to capitalize on his time in the Gleague to get up a lion share of shots. He should focus on defense and helping the offense generate efficient shots for now.

[Scase]

That was bad but at least we have an idea of his size on court and his willingness to guard on ball. He looked like he has the ability to move well, just everything needs to be taught to him.

I just don't get these young players coming out early when their skill level is like this. He is a kid who could have used another year in college to get better. He could have got NIL money and put up even better numbers.

I just don't see a way he slips into the guard rotation given his development needs.

Look at the next two drafts and you'll see why he didn't stay in college. If he was the 19th pick this year, even if he were to improve next year he likely goes in the 20s or maybe even 2nd round next year.

Just par for the course for our team, get the 1st OA in a weak draft, finally tank but it's in one of the worst classes in the last 30 years, and without our pick. Just to be mid enough with the next draft looking to be the best since 2003, to be outside the top 5.

Man, I really hope we eat **** this year otherwise we are gonna be treadmilling for a hot minute. Players like Walter are great to take fliers on, but they aren't going to change the trajectory of a franchise. I'm not writing the kid off by any means after a single SL game, but there isn't much to be hyped for outside of guys turning into some solid role players.

[positivetension]

That was bad but at least we have an idea of his size on court and his willingness to guard on ball. He looked like he has the ability to move well, just everything needs to be taught to him.

I just don't get these young players coming out early when their skill level is like this. He is a kid who could have used another year in college to get better. He could have got NIL money and put up even better numbers.

I just don't see a way he slips into the guard rotation given his development needs.

Look at the next two drafts and you'll see why he didn't stay in college. If he was the 19th pick this year, even if he were to improve next year he likely goes in the 20s or maybe even 2nd round next year.

Just par for the course for our team, get the 1st OA in a weak draft, finally tank but it's in one of the worst classes in the last 30 years, and without our pick. Just to be mid enough with the next draft looking to be the best since 2003, to be outside the top 5.

Man, I really hope we eat **** this year otherwise we are gonna be treadmilling for a hot minute. Players like Walter are great to take fliers on, but they aren't going to change the trajectory of a franchise. I'm not writing the kid off by any means after a single SL game, but there isn't much to be hyped for outside of guys turning into some solid role players.

The strength of this draft will be determined in a few years. It's so premature to call anything now, especially the ceilings on players.

[Reeko]

That was bad but at least we have an idea of his size on court and his willingness to guard on ball. He looked like he has the ability to move well, just everything needs to be taught to him.

I just don't get these young players coming out early when their skill level is like this. He is a kid who could have used another year in college to get better. He could have got NIL money and put up even better numbers.

I just don't see a way he slips into the guard rotation given his development needs.

Look at the next two drafts and you'll see why he didn't stay in college. If he was the 19th pick this year, even if he were to improve next year he likely goes in the 20s or maybe even 2nd round next year.

Just par for the course for our team, get the 1st OA in a weak draft, finally tank but it's in one of the worst classes in the last 30 years, and without our pick. Just to be mid enough with the next draft looking to be the best since 2003, to be outside the top 5.

Man, I really hope we eat **** this year otherwise we are gonna be treadmilling for a hot minute. Players like Walter are great to take fliers on, but they aren't going to change the trajectory of a franchise. I'm not writing the kid off by any means after a single SL game, but there isn't much to be hyped for outside of guys turning into some solid role players.

As a fan of the team I inherently want them to do well. I can’t bring myself to actively root for losses especially at the beginning of the season. But I’d be lying if I said that there isn’t a part of me that also wants to see them suck this season so that we can land a top 5 pick. I guess I want my cake and to eat it too. I want to see growth and improvement from our players individually and collectively but I also want to land a top prospect in this upcoming draft.

[Scase]

Look at the next two drafts and you'll see why he didn't stay in college. If he was the 19th pick this year, even if he were to improve next year he likely goes in the 20s or maybe even 2nd round next year.

Just par for the course for our team, get the 1st OA in a weak draft, finally tank but it's in one of the worst classes in the last 30 years, and without our pick. Just to be mid enough with the next draft looking to be the best since 2003, to be outside the top 5.

Man, I really hope we eat **** this year otherwise we are gonna be treadmilling for a hot minute. Players like Walter are great to take fliers on, but they aren't going to change the trajectory of a franchise. I'm not writing the kid off by any means after a single SL game, but there isn't much to be hyped for outside of guys turning into some solid role players.

The strength of this draft will be determined in a few years. It's so premature to call anything now, especially the ceilings on players.

No, the most accurate strength of the draft will be determined in years, the overall strength is pretty easy for most scouts to predict. There isn't a single player outside the top 5-7 in the 25 draft that wouldn't have been a consensus #1 pick in 2024.

2024 may very well be an alright draft in terms of players who stayed in the NBA, but it has no obvious top tier players. Our own FO identified it as a weak draft, or that was cope for when they traded for Jak, take your pick.

But either way, seeing the level of talent from the top end players in 25 and compare it to 24, it's night and day.

Look at the next two drafts and you'll see why he didn't stay in college. If he was the 19th pick this year, even if he were to improve next year he likely goes in the 20s or maybe even 2nd round next year.

Just par for the course for our team, get the 1st OA in a weak draft, finally tank but it's in one of the worst classes in the last 30 years, and without our pick. Just to be mid enough with the next draft looking to be the best since 2003, to be outside the top 5.

Man, I really hope we eat **** this year otherwise we are gonna be treadmilling for a hot minute. Players like Walter are great to take fliers on, but they aren't going to change the trajectory of a franchise. I'm not writing the kid off by any means after a single SL game, but there isn't much to be hyped for outside of guys turning into some solid role players.

As a fan of the team I inherently want them to do well. I can’t bring myself to actively root for losses especially at the beginning of the season. But I’d be lying if I said that there isn’t a part of me that also wants to see them suck this season so that we can land a top 5 pick. I guess I want my cake and to eat it too. I want to see growth and improvement from our players individually and collectively but I also want to land a top prospect in this upcoming draft.

I think you can have your cake and eat it too, but it requires certain sacrifices. We can play heavy rookie minutes/trade Jak, give the players a bunch of burn against NBA competition, have them run in an NBA program and learn the ropes etc, while also stinking it up in the L column.

No one wants to outright watch losses and be crappy, but no one wants to eat their veggies either, take their medicine etc. Sometimes you gotta rip the bandaid off and deal with the short term pain for the long term gain. We are in a prime position where we don't need to fire sale the team and start with NO talent to speak of, we just need to make some choice decisions to ensure we bottom out for a little bit.

If Scottie was 20, I'd say this might be a longer road, but Scottie/RJ/IQ are going to be 23/24/25, they are going to start hitting some real strides, and by that point they will be too good for us to bottom out, but not good enough for us to be any real threat.

IMO this is the perfect chance, one or two years of really bad, and hope the lotto balls bounce our way, and then natural performance should lift us into mediocrity. But, if we get some high end talent in those drafts, then they likely raise us from mediocrity into good territory, and then we begin the ascent.

Scottie needs a running mate at or above his level of talent, this team does not have that, not even close. Without that player, we aren't going anywhere.

[TheFutureMM]

Look at the next two drafts and you'll see why he didn't stay in college. If he was the 19th pick this year, even if he were to improve next year he likely goes in the 20s or maybe even 2nd round next year.

Just par for the course for our team, get the 1st OA in a weak draft, finally tank but it's in one of the worst classes in the last 30 years, and without our pick. Just to be mid enough with the next draft looking to be the best since 2003, to be outside the top 5.

Man, I really hope we eat **** this year otherwise we are gonna be treadmilling for a hot minute. Players like Walter are great to take fliers on, but they aren't going to change the trajectory of a franchise. I'm not writing the kid off by any means after a single SL game, but there isn't much to be hyped for outside of guys turning into some solid role players.

As a fan of the team I inherently want them to do well. I can’t bring myself to actively root for losses especially at the beginning of the season. But I’d be lying if I said that there isn’t a part of me that also wants to see them suck this season so that we can land a top 5 pick. I guess I want my cake and to eat it too. I want to see growth and improvement from our players individually and collectively but I also want to land a top prospect in this upcoming draft.

That's where I'm at as well. As Raptors fans we had a great little run from 2014 - 2020. I'm OK to meaningfully have a brutal season next year as long as we give all of our young players an opportunity to grow.

[Basketball_Jones]

I didn’t see many highlights but sounds like it was a bad game. It’s also summer league and he’s 19. We are looking 2-3 years down the line.

[HiJiNX]

I don’t think he was that bad to be honest. He played hard defence but got blown by once or twice and was late rotating after being screened a few times—that’s just recognition and comfort with athleticism stuff. That’ll get better. What I would have liked to have seen more of was an ability to get downhill or move off ball to get open. The shot will eventually fall. I just worry he will be easy to guard… he needs to be more threatening offensively whether or not he has the ball. I think he did well at the effort, energy, and positioning aspects of the game.

[Scase]

I don’t think he was that bad to be honest. He played hard defence but got blown by once or twice and was late rotating after being screened a few times—that’s just recognition and comfort with athleticism stuff. That’ll get better. What I would have liked to have seen more of was an ability to get downhill or move off ball to get open. The shot will eventually fall. I just worry he will be easy to guard… he needs to be more threatening offensively whether or not he has the ball. I think he did well at the effort, energy, and positioning aspects of the game.

Yeah this is pretty on point. Nothing that screamed "oh this is bad" but also nothing that screamed "oh we definitely got a steal here". Naturally we need to see more, but I would say "whelmed" is an appropriate standpoint.

[manjusaka]

I don’t think he was that bad to be honest. He played hard defence but got blown by once or twice and was late rotating after being screened a few times—that’s just recognition and comfort with athleticism stuff. That’ll get better. What I would have liked to have seen more of was an ability to get downhill or move off ball to get open. The shot will eventually fall. I just worry he will be easy to guard… he needs to be more threatening offensively whether or not he has the ball. I think he did well at the effort, energy, and positioning aspects of the game.

Yeah this is pretty on point. Nothing that screamed "oh this is bad" but also nothing that screamed "oh we definitely got a steal here". Naturally we need to see more, but I would say "whelmed" is an appropriate standpoint.

There is nothing wrong with that as a 19th pick. I see Ja’kobe has a chance to be a borderline starter or high end bench 2 way sg and small sf. It doesn’t sound sexy. However, this is Norman Powell profile. Ja’kobe’s shooting was way ahead of Norm at the same age. When we drafted Pascal, I don’t think anyone would see him getting voted in all nba team back then.