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

[MEDIC]

Yeah, these 2 guys sound like they could turn out to be quality players in the league but I too would love to see some serious size added to this team. Not that I have any claim to expertise in the draft but personally I'd have rolled the dice on Maluach. Kid's only 18. Oh well. Toronto Bulldogs it is. Increasingly it all comes down to Scottie imo. if he can be the all-NBA player and true leader we thought he could be then this team will become a contender. if not i don't think this version of us will.

I am wondering if they have a decent backup C in mind. I hope so.

Either way.......they can make due for a bit until they find the right guy. They will have to play some small ball lineups & they certainly have the forwards to do that. Mogbo, Scottie, CMB.....

Maybe Chomche is ready to move up as the backup 1/2 way through the season (optimistic, I know.....).

But yeah.....it would have been nice to have bought/ traded for another 2nd rounder & nabbed one of those 5's. Maybe they think Mogbo & Chomche are better options.....who knows.

[MEDIC]

I heard this comp by R. Barlow.

Anyone who watched Florida in the NCAA tournament would love this guy. Often was the interview and team spokesperson.

Incredibly strong. Built like a football player. Good 3 point shooter 35% on 6 attempts last year, and pretty consistent in that range throughout college (but streaky). A dawg on defense.

I think he's a better leaper than Dort (he can really throw down), but a little smaller. Not sure how their handle compares, but neither are ball handling guards.

Bully defense, outside shooting, bouncy athlete, high-motor, and good leadership. Older, so more mature and can probably contibute in the short term.

I like the pick

He is a lot like Dort. He may be more skilled than Dort was at the same age though. I watched Dort play at the Biosteel Highschool game. He was mostly just a powerful run and jump athlete at that time (18-ish). He had a pretty shaky handle & couldn't shoot

Martin looks to be more athletic, more aggressive & a better shooter than Dort.

Hopefully it all translates to the NBA court fairly quickly.

Martin was on my second round wish list (albiet down list). And Dort light is exactly how i feel about him. Low key excited about this pick.

It's funny......when I watched him at Florida this year, I was hoping the Raps could acquire him somehow (I was kind of thinking undrafted FA).

I waa so focused on getting a big in the 2nd round over the last 2 months, I had totally forgotten about him. It was a nice surprise when his name was called.

[Smalltown]

He is a lot like Dort. He may be more skilled than Dort was at the same age though. I watched Dort play at the Biosteel Highschool game. He was mostly just a powerful run and jump athlete at that time (18-ish). He had a pretty shaky handle & couldn't shoot

Martin looks to be more athletic, more aggressive & a better shooter than Dort.

Hopefully it all translates to the NBA court fairly quickly.

Martin was on my second round wish list (albiet down list). And Dort light is exactly how i feel about him. Low key excited about this pick.

It's funny......when I watched him at Florida this year, I was hoping the Raps could acquire him somehow (I was kind of thinking undrafted FA).

I waa so focused on getting a big in the 2nd round over the last 2 months, I had totally forgotten about him. It was a nice surprise when his name was called.

Pretty much the same here. I was like "ok, alright. like this".

[MEDIC]

The guy shot .365 from three over the last 4 years of college (839 attempts). His shooting is no fluke. It's been very consistent.

He also averaged almost 14 points a game.over the last 4 seasons.

Pretty good sample size.

[OhCanada]

I watched quite a few Florida games this year but after reveiwing the film on Alijah Martin my best comparisons for him are Avery Bradley and George Hill and their measurements and athletic testing are eerily similar.

Avery Bradley
Height no shoes: 6-2
Weight: 180
Wingspan: 6-7.1/4”
Lane Agility: 11.47s
¾ Sprint: 3.14
Vertical: 37½”

George Hill
Height no shoes: 6-2
Weight: 181
Wingspan: 6-9
Lane Agility: 12.20s
¾ Sprint: 3.07
Vertical: 37.5

Alijah Martin
Height no shoes: 6-1.1/2″
Weight: 208
Wingspan: 6-7.1/2″
Lane Agility: 11.06
¾ Sprint: 3.11
Vertical: 38

Watch on YouTube

[Clutch0z24]

He reminds me of Eric Bledsoe

[OhCanada]

Yeah, these 2 guys sound like they could turn out to be quality players in the league but I too would love to see some serious size added to this team. Not that I have any claim to expertise in the draft but personally I'd have rolled the dice on Maluach. Kid's only 18. Oh well. Toronto Bulldogs it is. Increasingly it all comes down to Scottie imo. if he can be the all-NBA player and true leader we thought he could be then this team will become a contender. if not i don't think this version of us will.

I am wondering if they have a decent backup C in mind. I hope so.

Either way.......they can make due for a bit until they find the right guy. They will have to play some small ball lineups & they certainly have the forwards to do that. Mogbo, Scottie, CMB.....

Maybe Chomche is ready to move up as the backup 1/2 way through the season (optimistic, I know.....).

But yeah.....it would have been nice to have bought/ traded for another 2nd rounder & nabbed one of those 5's. Maybe they think Mogbo & Chomche are better options.....who knows.

Yeah I think we will be playing asome centerless lineups for stretches like the old GSW teams which should be fine and Chomche will continue to be our development Center which kind of gives me hope they are happy with his progress. Between CMB, Barnes and Mogbo theres alot of size and defensive skill there for smallball Center by commitee to fill 18 minutes a game. It would be nice to get a deep bench big like a Tony Bradley for if (and probably when) Poeltl gets injured for the nights we get matched up against a Embiid or Jokic. But I really have no problem with CMB, Barnes or Mogbo going up against Mobley or Allen types or Okongwu tbh.

[OhCanada]

He reminds me of Eric Bledsoe

Thats another good comparison. But Bledsoe was more of a heavy on ball rim attacker that put pressure on defenses with his dribble. Martin kinda plays off the ball more.

[YelloC]

Obligatory Fred Jones comparison.

[MEDIC]

Dee Brown on steroids!

[Gold Dragon]

I see Shead, Martin and Hepburn as learning from the mistake of Malachi Flynn. Undersized bench defensive guards might be a new market inefficiency to capitalize on in the draft. Firstly you don’t take these guys in the 1st round anymore so you can let them go easier if they don’t pan out. They need to have that fight and confidence, or “dawg” that Malachi was missing. They need to be stout enough and have a strong enough base so that they can’t just be pushed around. You need multiple continuous stream so you are not so dependent on any one player staying healthy or not panning out or getting too expensive.

[bballsparkin]

Oh right, there was a draft yesterday. I totally forgot because the team I follow fired the POBO the very next day.

[MEDIC]

https://youtu.be/T86q1yd_Cg0?si=VEH_DsNaYDM0peAm

He already has NBA range. A lot of theae shots are 4-5 feet beyond the college 3. Nice arc too.

Looks lke a legit 3+D player who also has the ability to handle.a bit & get to the rim.

Same age as Scottie, so he fits the core age wise.

[Yallbecrazy]

He is a lot like Dort. He may be more skilled than Dort was at the same age though. I watched Dort play at the Biosteel Highschool game. He was mostly just a powerful run and jump athlete at that time (18-ish). He had a pretty shaky handle & couldn't shoot

Martin looks to be more athletic, more aggressive & a better shooter than Dort.

Hopefully it all translates to the NBA court fairly quickly.

Martin was on my second round wish list (albiet down list). And Dort light is exactly how i feel about him. Low key excited about this pick.

It's funny......when I watched him at Florida this year, I was hoping the Raps could acquire him somehow (I was kind of thinking undrafted FA).

I waa so focused on getting a big in the 2nd round over the last 2 months, I had totally forgotten about him. It was a nice surprise when his name was called.

I watched several of Florida's games, but was so focused on the bigs I only noticed Clayton of guys under 6'7

[Psubs]

I think they are trying to find another Lu Dort.

[Smalltown]

Undersized bench defensive guards might be a new market inefficiency to capitalize on in the draft.

I think they've been on undersized guards as a "Market inefficiency" for years. Going back to VanVleet. I think you're right though - they're narrowing that focus to defensive toughness.

[Duffman100]

Undersized bench defensive guards might be a new market inefficiency to capitalize on in the draft.

I think they've been on undersized guards as a "Market inefficiency" for years. Going back to VanVleet. I think you're right though - they're narrowing that focus to defensive toughness.

At 6'2, 210 with a 6'7 wingspan, is he really undersized?

[Smalltown]

Undersized bench defensive guards might be a new market inefficiency to capitalize on in the draft.

I think they've been on undersized guards as a "Market inefficiency" for years. Going back to VanVleet. I think you're right though - they're narrowing that focus to defensive toughness.

At 6'2, 210 with a 6'7 wingspan, is he really undersized?

Ya. 6'2 is really still undersized for a two guard which is what he is.

[Duffman100]

I think they've been on undersized guards as a "Market inefficiency" for years. Going back to VanVleet. I think you're right though - they're narrowing that focus to defensive toughness.

At 6'2, 210 with a 6'7 wingspan, is he really undersized?

Ya. 6'2 is really still undersized for a two guard which is what he is.

Except that your stuck on archaic positions.

[WuTang_OG]

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