Official Raptors 2011 NBA Draft Thread

[Reignman]

Here's a little primer for the new NCAA season, mainly about the freshmen:

http://sports.espn.go.com/ncaa/recruiting/basketball/mens/news/story?id=5686453

Enjoy!

[number15]

I'm really interested to see how fab melo progresses at syracuse over the season. Getting a 7 footer on a big frame like his is exactly what you hope for when you've got a top 5 pick. Now hopefully he becomes something more than a thabeet clone

For the Center spot I think Kanter is going to be up there as well.

Expect Kanter to fall on Draft day, because he has knee issues (health)...... great gamble for a low first rounder (considering he is lotto talent.

RAPS might need to move up a few spots though (with the Miami pick)

[Reignman]

I'm really interested to see how fab melo progresses at syracuse over the season. Getting a 7 footer on a big frame like his is exactly what you hope for when you've got a top 5 pick. Now hopefully he becomes something more than a thabeet clone

For the Center spot I think Kanter is going to be up there as well.

Expect Kanter to fall on Draft day, because he has knee issues (health)...... great gamble for a low first rounder (considering he is lotto talent.

RAPS might need to move up a few spots though (with the Miami pick)

What knee issues? I've been following the prospects fairly closely and didn't come across this. Do you have a link?

BTW, when looking at big men we should also follow Fab Melo, he should have a good year.

[ATLTimekeeper]

This is from nbadraft.net

One of the big concerns scouts have with Kanter is his physical health. He has had a history of knee problems and there are concerns about his knees not checking out 100% when he has NBA physicals

I read somewhere else that he had tendonitis a few years ago and missed 5 months. I've also heard the age-thing, but I think that follows all Turkish players.

[Raptors_Dynasty]

hey we need to draft this guy, fo real.

1:11 -
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NnaPaKKq ... re=channel

Chris Smoove, now that would be a noob move.

[darth_federer]

This cant come fast enough.

We suck.

[5DOM]

So Harrison Barnes plays next Friday?
Can't wait to see him

[mercy]

Enes Kanter looks like a beast and could be as good a C as Brooks Lopez is. If anything, I think I find comfort in the fact that he might drop because of knee issues. If the Raptors play better he could still fall to them. He's got a great feel for the game and could look very nice next to Il Mago.

This draft is looking great, IMO. In 2006 we got the 1st overall in a much weaker draft. I hope the NBA gods make it up to us in 2011. I'd love the 1st overall, but I'd be ecstatic with a top 4 pick.

Perry Jones, Harrison Barnes, Kyrie Irving, or Enes Kanter; it doesn't matter. Jonas Valanciunas of Lithuania is also worth keeping an eye on. I hope BC can somehow acquire another top 15 pick. The draft is deep.

[EH15]

Damn, I missed seeing Kanter play when they did exhibitions at UoW. He was apparently injured.

[SkywalkerAC]

kanter looks like he'll be a solid 5-man in the nba. he doesn't play above the rim but neither does Kevin Love. decent consolation prize that fills a need. adds to the gritty toughness that the team is trying to foster.

worst comes to worst, we take the explosive combo guard that we know will produce in Josh Selby. he might not be a point guard but he's the type of player that can come in and score in today's nba so should be the value pick.

is it looking like a deep draft? do i just not know it well enough? looks like a very short supply of true point guards and centers.

top 3 or die trying.

[ATLTimekeeper]

This is my sleeper pick if we slip into the 7-14 range.

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nYLbHRJPjyQ&feature=related[/youtube]

I'm looking forward to seeing more of these prospects, but so far I like: Barnes, Irving, Kanter, Vesely.

I'm leery about Knight, Selby, Motiejunas, Sullinger.

Would like to see more of Jones, Henson, Melo, Valanciunas.

[Mr.Raptorsingh]

I also would like to see more of Valanciunas and Perry Jones, but I've heard that Jones doesn't always play hard, particularly when things go bad (his high school team wasn't any good, for i.e.).

So far, without having seen any of these prospects perform, I think the Raps need a top-5 pick, at least. The draft seems very top-heavy to me.

Who are some of the prospects that are under-the-radar, and could make their way into the top-10?

[cookieman]

Who are some of the prospects that are under-the-radar, and could make their way into the top-10?

He was not a McDonald's All-American, but JT Terrell can flat-out score. He is going to light it up at Wake. His issue is that he doesn't pass, but man he is fun to watch. Super quick, freak athlete, tight handle, can shoot from deep. Won North Carolina/South Carolina dunk contest and 3point shootout (not that that matters). He's definitely under the radar, but could explode onto the national scene, as he's the type of guy who could guy for 40 in an NCAA game.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6xIQ1BT8phk

[DG88]

I still think an elite PG is what we need right now to make this team flow better. We have 2 picks this upcoming draft a lottery pick and a late first rounder. Hopefully we can draft Kyrie Irving then get a center possibly with the lower pick or use the lower and move up in the draft.

[Mr.Raptorsingh]

Who are some of the prospects that are under-the-radar, and could make their way into the top-10?

He was not a McDonald's All-American, but JT Terrell can flat-out score. He is going to light it up at Wake. His issue is that he doesn't pass, but man he is fun to watch. Super quick, freak athlete, tight handle, can shoot from deep. Won North Carolina/South Carolina dunk contest and 3point shootout (not that that matters). He's definitely under the radar, but could explode onto the national scene, as he's the type of guy who could guy for 40 in an NCAA game.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6xIQ1BT8phk

Good to know. I'll be sure to look out for him throughout the NCAA season.

[ClarenceDerozan]

If we do luck out and get a top 2 pick we should draft Irving unless Barnes is going to almost assuredly be a superstar.

[darth_federer]

Donatas Motiejunas. Hows he doing guys?

[SkywalkerAC]

don't think the euro season has started yet but Donatas will be one to watch. he doesn't fit all that well (next to bargs) but we need another 7 footer at some point. can he make a turnaround as a rebounder?

[Truthrising]

So far reading the Draftxpress, the only players the intrigue me and would possible be beneficial to the team would be Kyrie Irving and Enes Kanter.

Kyrie would be the ideal pointguard that we would need and seems like he can compete against the new generation of point guards that are out there these days as is it looks like he has complete control of the basketball in terms of handle and running a team.

The only thing I would like Irving to fix is and I'm sure it would be easily fixable during his year at duke would be as stated on Draftexpress:

tends to freeze out his fellow teammates, something that is not rare in the least bit from a talented scorer at the high school level.

As for Kanter, he looks like a player that has some strength like Amir Johnson under the Basket but with twice the skill that Amir would ever have, very skillfull around the net just by watching the World Select Team highlights.

A good thing about kanter is he's dominated his age group for a number of years in European competitions.

[SkywalkerAC]

kanter is also young enough where he actually could still be growing. sounds like a fundamental big that knows how to use his size, akin to big baby davis but with more length.