With the 39th pick, the Raptors select Alijah Martin!

[TGM]

IQ is going to get worked hard during practice. Shead and Martin will be ball hawking him hard.

Love this defensive identity.

[mtcan]

I dont understand we're in asset collecting mode but want to compete for a playoff spot next year? like what is roster construction? all defensive guys with high motor and we're expecting ingram to glue it all together offensively? This team is depending on a helluva lot of what ifs

We got plenty of offense. Barrett, Ingram, Quickley, Dick, Barnes

I wasn't worried about offense at all actually

All those guys are injury prone. IQ was literally irrelevant last year and when hes back hes getting the rust off. Who even knows if RJ will be back next year. We have no shooters on this team.. like our best shooters are battle and Dick.. I just dont feel confident at all with this roster..

IQ has been pretty durable up until this past season. Yes he played 30 games...and a lot of them were due to actual injury but how many did he miss just because...tanking?

[Orange Balls]

The Thunder won the title from a best in class defence that frequently was outshot by better shooting teams. Including in the Finals but their ability to turn teams over and get extra possessions became a huge problem for the league.

Chet wasn’t even that great on O this year as a third guy for them in the playoff run either. He was bigger on defence. They rode SGA and Jalen and then wrecked teams defensively. In their close out game in that third quarter their defence went supernova.

Don’t forget. As the whistle is used slightly less in the Finals for ticky tack stuff that might get called in the reg season more it helps to have physical defenders.

They have an offensive superstar. That changes everything about how they can build a team. They aren't that great really either. We both know how close they came to blowing it against the 4th seed in the weak east. Defense also matters a bit more in the playoffs I'll admit but offense rules the NBA now and a hot team can smoke any defense. We could have done much better this draft than 2 low ceiling guys that can't score.

So, do you think an offensive team comprised of the following should be considered title favorites:

PG: Jordan Clarkson
SG: Tyler Herro
SF: George Niang
PF: Domantas Sabonis
C: Nikola Vucevic

Those are all guys with elite TS% who are mostly there for offense. 4 out floor spacing. 3s galore. Even some rim presure. Multiple guys capable of scoring 20+.

Look at most title winners and you will see strong defences.

I'm not talking about history I am talking about the current, built for speed NBA. It is all about offensive domination. Your example is just silly, cherry picked and pointless. You are just buying the old-school rhetoric. I suppose you think we made 2 great picks tonight huh?

[Orange Balls]

Defense is overrated in today's NBA. This was a draft and tanking disaster.

Looks like we have another hockey convert here, everyone. Take it easy on him while he figures out how much more complicated basketball is than he imagines it is.

I looks like you are wrong. I imagine you are use to it. I can't even name 5 NHL players and I have watched basketball seriously, at an elite level for 55 years. I tought the Raptors coaching staff what analytics were back in the 2000's. So calm down junior!

[Kevin Willis]

Yo Shead and Martin in the backcourt and Scottie and CMB in the frontcourt. Yessh that defense!

Is Shead and Martin redundant?

Martin can play off ball

Hmm - very tiny but yes very annoying.

[manjusaka]

Is Shead and Martin redundant?

Martin can play off ball

Hmm - very tiny but yes very annoying.

they are not redundant, Martin is an off ball guard with pg size. Whereas Shead is a true pg.

[WuTang_OG]

Watch on YouTube

[Jim Todd Jr.]

I dont understand we're in asset collecting mode but want to compete for a playoff spot next year? like what is roster construction? all defensive guys with high motor and we're expecting ingram to glue it all together offensively? This team is depending on a helluva lot of what ifs

offseason has barely started bruh

[Tripod]

Defense is overrated in today's NBA. This was a draft and tanking disaster.

Looks like we have another hockey convert here, everyone. Take it easy on him while he figures out how much more complicated basketball is than he imagines it is.

I looks like you are wrong. I imagine you are use to it. I can't even name 5 NHL players and I have watched basketball seriously, at an elite level for 55 years. I tought the Raptors coaching staff what analytics were back in the 2000's. So calm down junior!

U a lip reader too?

[Psubs]

A/T = 1.5

Stl / T > 1

Maybe he's a more athletic Davion Mitchell?

[MEDIC]

I've had a theory for a while now that if you surrounded a few borderline allstar offensive talents with elite 3+D players, you could build a pretty solid playoff team. One that could potentially make it to the ECF.

This team is super interesting to me. I am curious to see how it all shakes out.

[XTC]

I've had a theory for a while now that if you surrounded a few borderline allstar offensive talents with elite 3+D players, you could build a pretty solid playoff team. One that could potentially make it to the ECF.

This team is super interesting to me. I am curious to see how it all shakes out.

It's pretty much the new formula. Because of the tax apron, the days of a big 3 are done. The new model is to load up with 3+D players, and find a star or two. Elite role players are at a premium at the moment. We just saw a Houston team without a single shot creator get the #4 record in the NBA. That is the new archetype for all teams, OKC and Houston have set the new blueprint.

I see the vision Masai is going for, and im here for it.

[HKBOY]

I like the pick. I’m a little surprised we didnt go younger here, but on the flip side, hes probably good enough right now that he can step in and play minutes at point if IQ or Shead miss time. He’s a combo guard so he’s not creating but he can hit an open shot and can play off the ball with Scottie or Ingram, so there’s a role for him.

This FO’s allergy to the center position is a tradition unlike any other. That’s not knocking this pick at all - he seems like a very hard worker who is going to fit right in. I don’t think Chomche is ultimately a center so I’m a bit disappointed that they didn’t target someone they could develop there. It was either going to be a smaller guard here or a center and I get this - it gives some IQ/Shead insurance. But centers take forever to develop and I thought they should have gotten one on the roster in this draft.

They should have just taken Missi last year.

[Mr.Raptorsingh]

Quickley/Shead/Hepburn
Martin/Walter/Dick
Ingram/Barrett/Agbaji
Barnes/Collin-Boyles/Battle
Poeltl/Mogbo/Chomche/Omoruyi

='Ship

[Mikistan]

Defense is overrated in today's NBA. This was a draft and tanking disaster.

Looks like we have another hockey convert here, everyone. Take it easy on him while he figures out how much more complicated basketball is than he imagines it is.

I looks like you are wrong. I imagine you are use to it. I can't even name 5 NHL players and I have watched basketball seriously, at an elite level for 55 years. I tought the Raptors coaching staff what analytics were back in the 2000's. So calm down junior!

That's tight.

[Kevin Willis]

Martin can play off ball

Hmm - very tiny but yes very annoying.

they are not redundant, Martin is an off ball guard with pg size. Whereas Shead is a true pg.

A true pg with an average man size. They would have trouble with big backcourts but eh - our starting backcourt is a good size.

[ontnut]

He'll be ok. G league will def be a good one this year imo. Unless there's a trade with 2-3 guys leaving I don't think he sees mins withe big club.

[Mascot]

This pick is all about practice. Having him chasing IQ around will make IQ better. If they need a full court press, this is the guy you throw out there for 5 mins.

[S.W.A.N]

I like the pick. I’m a little surprised we didnt go younger here, but on the flip side, hes probably good enough right now that he can step in and play minutes at point if IQ or Shead miss time. He’s a combo guard so he’s not creating but he can hit an open shot and can play off the ball with Scottie or Ingram, so there’s a role for him.

This FO’s allergy to the center position is a tradition unlike any other. That’s not knocking this pick at all - he seems like a very hard worker who is going to fit right in. I don’t think Chomche is ultimately a center so I’m a bit disappointed that they didn’t target someone they could develop there. It was either going to be a smaller guard here or a center and I get this - it gives some IQ/Shead insurance. But centers take forever to develop and I thought they should have gotten one on the roster in this draft.

They should have just taken Missi last year.

Walter is going to a far more impactful nba player than Missi

[MiamiSPX]

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This seems to be the prevailing narrative....that the 2nd round was all agent controlled. Martin seemed really happy, worked out for us, and brought his passport lol. So I am guessing this was all prearranged and he wants to be in Toronto. Be it for contract terms and/or opportunity. Always a good sign.