Nathan Jawai

[tsherkin]

Is anyone else at least moderately relieved that we're looking at this guy?

He maybe total crap, and that is in fact the most likely scenario, but I think it's a positive sign that management is interested in a big, physical frontcourt player like him. Jawai really isn't that skilled but he's huge, reasonably athletic and can hit free throws. If the Raptors do end up continuing this line of inquiry, we may well end up with a prospect who might actually fill our glaring frontcourt gap (or at least one who attempts to do so, anyway).

As developments go, I think this is a fairly positive sign. Like I said, Jawai himself is irrelevant because he's probably the anthropomorphic incarnation of futility on a basketball court given how little he's played but the idea that the scouting staff is interested in a player of his type is reassuring.

Thoughts, comments?

[Joker]

Is anyone else at least moderately relieved that we're looking at this guy?

He maybe total crap, and that is in fact the most likely scenario, but I think it's a positive sign that management is interested in a big, physical frontcourt player like him. Jawai really isn't that skilled but he's huge, reasonably athletic and can hit free throws. If the Raptors do end up continuing this line of inquiry, we may well end up with a prospect who might actually fill our glaring frontcourt gap (or at least one who attempts to do so, anyway).

As developments go, I think this is a fairly positive sign. Like I said, Jawai himself is irrelevant because he's probably the anthropomorphic incarnation of futility on a basketball court given how little he's played but the idea that the scouting staff is interested in a player of his type is reassuring.

Thoughts, comments?

I am relieved.

At least it shows that management isn't delusional enough to believe that the small ball run 'n gun style is the future of the nba and traditional big men are no longer required, because at one point, that's the vibe I was getting.

[clipped]

Yes I felt pretty happy when I read it on Wiretap, because this is one of the biggest problems with this team.

[ebrian]

I think generally BC has to manage expectations from management and fans for the current roster. For example, going after a player with seemingly opposite characteristics of Bargnani might make it appear like he's given up.

Secondly, although it wouldn't seem like it, I think he is constantly searching for a big man, but being constraint by the main criteria "can the man shoot?", he's yet to find that guy. There's a lot of big guys (ok, maybe not a LOT), who can rebound, but how many have the full skillset that BC requires? Not too many at all.

[blastttOFF]

i always liked Schortsanitis, he's a pretty good player and he dominated Bosh and the US in the worlds.

but sounds like Jawai might be the same type of player. Glen Davis is also a kind of player.

A big guy with who catches anything thrown his way and is an immovable force downlow on defense is what we need.

I like this sign alot as well.

[MartyConlonJr]

Just to let you know, as an aussie, that the Australian league is dirt. Acie Earl averaged 20/10 here one season, when he was well past his NBA 'prime'. Anyone scouted from the Australian league (NBL) and you need to throw out the statistics. You really need to see game tape. At the same time I haven't watched an NBL game in maybe 4 years, as it has gotten even worse talent wise. The salary cap for an entire team was $700,000 a few years back. He could still be a good player (Anstey came from the NBL and got drafted)

Check www.nbl.com.au for more info

[Rhettmatic]

Is anyone else at least moderately relieved that we're looking at this guy?

He maybe total crap, and that is in fact the most likely scenario, but I think it's a positive sign that management is interested in a big, physical frontcourt player like him. Jawai really isn't that skilled but he's huge, reasonably athletic and can hit free throws. If the Raptors do end up continuing this line of inquiry, we may well end up with a prospect who might actually fill our glaring frontcourt gap (or at least one who attempts to do so, anyway).

As developments go, I think this is a fairly positive sign. Like I said, Jawai himself is irrelevant because he's probably the anthropomorphic incarnation of futility on a basketball court given how little he's played but the idea that the scouting staff is interested in a player of his type is reassuring.

Thoughts, comments?

I too am relieved. Though based on Jim Kelly's comments in today's Toronto Sun, it doesn't look as though Raptors brass are too impressed with Jawai upon further inspection, I'm just pleased that management is open to a player like him. I hope this extends to the draft, where there are a couple decent big-man prospects who probably can't shoot threes.

[Joker]

This scouting trip also reeks of desperation, which is good. Maybe they'll be desperate enough to shake things up a bit and make some roster changes.

[blastttOFF]

based on the highlights he looks active, and moves well for a guy his size

http://youtube.com/watch?v=LX42AEpO-EY

[Bballer2306]

Hey guys, I live in Australia so I have seen Jawai play in person many many times.

He is a really great big man who can do a lot of things. Hes got a huge body and frame which allows him to block shots and throw down huge dunks really well. But the thing that seperates him from Shaq and other big men, is that he can knock down 20ft jump shots on a regular basis. He is also pretty fast for somebody as big as him. He is always running hard and playing hussle defence.

I really hope we draft Nathan Jawai, not just because he is Australian but because he is a really great player.

[yeehamasai]

hes the raptors version of glen davis "big baby". If this guy can rebound as alot of people are saying and I have seen (via youtube) then its a good choice but at the same time im not a fan of getting players to sit on our bench .. remember slokar and pape sow .. come trade deadline time we have to try and package martin graham dixon just to get a pick ..

[Shell Shock]

But the thing that seperates him from Shaq and other big men, is that he can knock down 20ft jump shots on a regular basis.

Thanks for the scouting report, sounds like an intriguing prospect. But is there really nothing else that seperates him from Shaq? Nothing?

[saham]

based on the highlights he looks active, and moves well for a guy his size

I do not see anyone playing D in these AllStar highlights and almost all his shots were uncontested dunks.

[Kurtz]

This scouting trip also reeks of desperation, which is good. Maybe they'll be desperate enough to shake things up a bit and make some roster changes.

A team projected to draft late in the first watches a player projected to be drafted late in the first.

How did you misinterpret this as desperation?

And how can a scouting trip reek of desperation in general?

[zong]

does he foul a lot? that seems to be the norm for all rookie big men that are relatively new to the sport

[vi3t]

I would think Andrew Ogilvy is the better aussie prospect

[1982]

how does scouting a low level prospect turn into the ideas that some of you people have.

anyhow, it only makes sense that the raps scout a center, because, well, what team doesn't. also to get a backup out of the drat, considering rasho's situation next year is, i'm sure, one of their plans.

[J Dilla]

Theres nothing wrong with scouting, but BC should really look into NCAA talent. All the excuses come through when the player is not performing, oh its a new country for him, new league, new this, new that when he's from a different continent. Get someone from the NCAA. Im not talking about nationality here, Im talking about leagues. Get someone from a solid basketball program.

And how long will we keep this streak of drafting big men? The Raptors have been drafting big men for the last 4 drafts. Only one worked well. Get a swignman or a shooting guard!!!!

[tsherkin]

If we get him late in the first round or in the second round, I'd be happy.

If Kevin Love is on the board when we draft though, we'd better damned well take him.

[sh00n]

If we get him late in the first round or in the second round, I'd be happy.

If Kevin Love is on the board when we draft though, we'd better damned well take him.

THANK YOU.

I was starting to think I was the only one who wanted Love in the draft.