The Raptors need a tough center...

[swirsk]

With pick 16-18, who best fits this description?

- Great rebounder on both ends
- Good shot blocker and overall defensive player
- Good finisher when set up, not a complete offensive liability
- Very physical

I know there are a lot of guys who fit the general description (Hibbert, Thabeet, McGee, R. Lopez, etc). Who fits it best?

[The Notic]

No we don't. We need a playmaker wing. He's lying guys, nothing to see here.

[bigballa3jj]

No we don't. We need a playmaker wing. He's lying guys, nothing to see here.

[some_rand]

No we don't. We need a playmaker wing. He's lying guys, nothing to see here.

i dont know a center would be benificial all we have is rasho at the 5 bargs has been a huge disappointment and theres already kapono, moon, and delfino at the wings and theres already not enough minutes for all of them.
I think Thabeet(if he falls) would be ideal for the raptors but Robin Lopez would be a nice fit too

[skones]

Robin Lopez

[riehldeal]

Robin Lopez

He is not tough.....gives ground far too easily and just like his brother gets caught up mentally when played physically

If all you want is an enforcer than Hardin at last few picks of 1st or early 2nd would be a good choice......absolute bruiser who loves to CREATE contact and has a real mean streak

[skones]

-= original quote snipped =-



He is not tough.....gives ground far too easily and just like his brother gets caught up mentally when played physically

If all you want is an enforcer than Hardin at last few picks of 1st or early 2nd would be a good choice......absolute bruiser who loves to CREATE contact and has a real mean streak

Hardin is a reach in the first round IMO. He's also got absolutely NO LEFT HAND. That's a big problem when you receive a pass and need to finish around the hoop.

Lopez is a very touch player but he does give ground easily at this point. With that being said, that problem starts to clear up when put into an NBA weight training regimen. He's a young kid, most kids DO get caught in the game mentally when put on a big stage. I still say Robin Lopez. He's much more physical than you give him credit for.

[riehldeal]

-= original quote snipped =-



Hardin is a reach in the first round IMO. He's also got absolutely NO LEFT HAND. That's a big problem when you receive a pass and need to finish around the hoop.

Lopez is a very touch player but he does give ground easily at this point. With that being said, that problem starts to clear up when put into an NBA weight training regimen. He's a young kid, most kids DO get caught in the game mentally when put on a big stage. I still say Robin Lopez. He's much more physical than you give him credit for.

I agree, he COULD be........and I agree with Hardin being a reach in the 1st rd

[Cammo101]

Of the guys who will be available, Hibbert is the best for all that. The problem is he would be a liability in your uptempo offense. There really is no perfect big man where you are picking, though I think Ogilvy would fit nicely in Toronto...if given the time to progress.

[hard49]

Toronto would be better served getting a power 3 like Bill Walker or a nasty 4 like Hendrix/DJ White.

[Cammo101]

I think Tyler Smith or Bill Walker would be solid fits in Toronto.

[swirsk]

Of the guys who will be available, Hibbert is the best for all that. The problem is he would be a liability in your uptempo offense. There really is no perfect big man where you are picking, though I think Ogilvy would fit nicely in Toronto...if given the time to progress.

Our "up tempo" offense is a myth. We actually play at one of the slowest paces in the NBA (actually, I think it is the slowest) with Calderon. With both PGs, we're still in the bottom half in pace. That's why Hibbert kind of intrigues me.

Isn't Bill Walker quite a stretch for 16-18? And as for drafting a PF; we already have Bosh/Bargs/Garbajosa/Humphries, all natural 4s.

[Spykes]

Hibbert or Thabeet makes the most sense imo.

[skones]

Hibbert is an awful rebounder.

[hard49]

Well hopefully Bargs and Bosh are your long term starters, so you need a SF or a bench type guy.

[skones]

I think it's pretty clear Bargnani IS NOT a center.

[revprodeji]

Rafael Araujo 6-11 280 C BYU Sr.

[ponder276]

Toughness is good, but not at the expense of upside - I want no part of Hardin. I don't really believe on drafting based on need, but if we're drafting a C, and Thabeet or McGee are available, I'd take either one. Both are projects, but at the same time, both can become serious players. To me, Robin Lopez is probably gonna become a Varejao type player (and no, not just because of the hair )

[skones]

Toughness is good, but not at the expense of upside - I want no part of Hardin. I don't really believe on drafting based on need, but if we're drafting a C, and Thabeet or McGee are available, I'd take either one. Both are projects, but at the same time, both can become serious players. To me, Robin Lopez is probably gonna become a Varejao type player (and no, not just because of the hair )

Yes, but if he does, Lopez will become a more athletic version with better shotblocking skills. That's a damn fine fit next to Bosh.

[BRIGGS]

I do not think that Thabeet would be around when the Raptors pick but putting Thabeet next to Bosh would make for one heckuva tough interior defense. Thabeet is fast enough to keep up with a high tempo team.