Official Raptors 2011 NBA Draft Thread

[Rhettmatic]

It concerns me simply because I think for a big man of his build to excel defensively, he needs to be nearly perfect when it comes to rotating/reacting -- especially since he'll need to be excellent defensively to stay on the floor early in his career, given that he doesn't have much going offensively yet.

But as I say, my concerns are mainly based on a small sampling of game footage and what I've read about Valanciunas online. Maybe a more seasoned Euro fan could set me straight on this?

An 18 year old playing against pros. You aren't born knowing how to play D, or with innate basketball IQ.

Sure, and as I said, I'm intrigued by him.

But a team will draft Valancunias, possibly with a top 5 pick, expecting that he could blossom into an elite defensive player. Considering that he's already going to need to put serious work into his offensive repertoire, it's a bit discouraging that his defensive awareness is also not where it needs to be.

[Rhettmatic]

New Chad Ford column is up on the draft.

http://insider.espn.go.com/nba/blog?nam ... id=5987270

He says Perry Jones has the inside track on the No. 1 overall pick right now.

It's Insider, so I'll just sum up some of the main points.

- Scouts seem divided over whether Jones or Irving looks like the No. 1 pick
- But with Irving's injury and factoring in Jones' size, Ford believes Jones is the more likely pick right now, followed by Irving and Barnes
- Enes Kanter is a wildcard. He says scouts have him between No. 1 and 10 on their boards. If the NCAA lets him play, he could challenge for the top spot.
- He says the highly touted Euro contingent this year is for real, and he doesn't think they'll bust the way some recent European prospects have. He tosses out this line -- "There are no soft, 3-point-shooting big men here" -- but I think he's referring more to Skita than our dear Bargs (whom he calls "solid")
- According to scouts, who's the most overrated player on ESPN's board? Brandon Knight, whom many scouts don't even think is a first-rounder.
- Most underrated players include: Kawhi Leonard, Thomas Robinson, Markieff Morris and Lucas Nogueira

[Alfred]

I guess its good to have another draft option, in case we went below 6th place.
However, having Valanciunas would that means we have to trade Ed Davis or Amir Johnson?

His skillset, height and length seem to say "center". But yes, that would be a lot of players in the frontcourt.

[Alfred]

Question to those that know better: Is Jan Vesely a small forward or a power forward?

[Truthrising]

New Chad Ford column is up on the draft.

- He says the highly touted Euro contingent this year is for real, and he doesn't think they'll bust the way some recent European prospects have. He tosses out this line -- "There are no soft, 3-point-shooting big men here" -- but I think he's referring more to Skita than our dear Bargs (whom he calls "solid")

Is he referring to Jonas Valanciunas or Donatas Montejunus?

[Rhettmatic]

New Chad Ford column is up on the draft.

- He says the highly touted Euro contingent this year is for real, and he doesn't think they'll bust the way some recent European prospects have. He tosses out this line -- "There are no soft, 3-point-shooting big men here" -- but I think he's referring more to Skita than our dear Bargs (whom he calls "solid")

Is he referring to Jonas Valanciunas or Donatas Montejunus?

I'll go into greater detail on what he wrote.

-- Scouts are very high on Valanciunas, Vesely and Motiejunas, all of whom he says break the mould of former international busts (he calls all three power forwards, btw)
-- Says Vesely is athletic, Motiejunas is an aggressive scorer in the paint and Valanciunas uses his length and quickness
-- Scouts don't think any of them are worthy of a top pick but that all three are likely to crack the top 10

[bboyskinnylegs]

Question to those that know better: Is Jan Vesely a small forward or a power forward?

He's a legit small forward, but the problem is he seems like more of a slashing, finishing type rather than a creator (kind of like DeMar, but he can shoot the ball pretty well too)... he hasn't looked like the type that's going to handle the ball a lot... so once again having an excellent PG that will create for everyone would be key.

[Mr.Raptorsingh]

I like that all three (Vesely, Valanciunas, and Motiejunas) play with aggression and intensity.

I know Vesely had a lot of hype last season. This season it seems to be Valanciunas who's generating some buzz.

[Alfred]

Question to those that know better: Is Jan Vesely a small forward or a power forward?

He's a legit small forward, but the problem is he seems like more of a slashing, finishing type rather than a creator (kind of like DeMar, but he can shoot the ball pretty well too)... he hasn't looked like the type that's going to handle the ball a lot... so once again having an excellent PG that will create for everyone would be key.

So, a Marion-esque player?

[Indeed]

Question to those that know better: Is Jan Vesely a small forward or a power forward?

He's a legit small forward, but the problem is he seems like more of a slashing, finishing type rather than a creator (kind of like DeMar, but he can shoot the ball pretty well too)... he hasn't looked like the type that's going to handle the ball a lot... so once again having an excellent PG that will create for everyone would be key.

So, a Marion-esque player?

Maybe more of poor man AK. I think he can block shot, shoot from perimeter and stay in front of his man. But I don't think he is physical and big enough to be a PF. Some article rank him as a starter - role player, and not a star who can create his own shot at will.

[bboyskinnylegs]

Question to those that know better: Is Jan Vesely a small forward or a power forward?

He's a legit small forward, but the problem is he seems like more of a slashing, finishing type rather than a creator (kind of like DeMar, but he can shoot the ball pretty well too)... he hasn't looked like the type that's going to handle the ball a lot... so once again having an excellent PG that will create for everyone would be key.

So, a Marion-esque player?

pretty much, but without the excellent rebounding

[fredericklove]

Kyrie Irving's replacement at Duke is LIGHTING IT UP! Nolan Smith is projected to go mid 2nd round.

This guy is playing like a stud - 18pts/5.6 assists/4.7 rebs shooting 54% and leading an undefeated program.

Great size at 6'3'. He's slowly honing his PG skills and has the skillset to do so. Ass/TO ratio is comparable to some of the top projected PG's in College.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-3wXN0jIpnM

Jon Scheyer says hi.

Scheyer is more of a shooter, Nolan is a slasher guard with decent speed and high IQ I think he'll have a better career in the nba than Scheyer whom never got drafted and wherever he is now (D-league?)

[fredericklove]

New Chad Ford column is up on the draft.

http://insider.espn.go.com/nba/blog?nam ... id=5987270

He says Perry Jones has the inside track on the No. 1 overall pick right now.

It's Insider, so I'll just sum up some of the main points.

- Scouts seem divided over whether Jones or Irving looks like the No. 1 pick
- But with Irving's injury and factoring in Jones' size, Ford believes Jones is the more likely pick right now, followed by Irving and Barnes
- Enes Kanter is a wildcard. He says scouts have him between No. 1 and 10 on their boards. If the NCAA lets him play, he could challenge for the top spot.
- He says the highly touted Euro contingent this year is for real, and he doesn't think they'll bust the way some recent European prospects have. He tosses out this line -- "There are no soft, 3-point-shooting big men here" -- but I think he's referring more to Skita than our dear Bargs (whom he calls "solid")
- According to scouts, who's the most overrated player on ESPN's board? Brandon Knight, whom many scouts don't even think is a first-rounder.
- Most underrated players include: Kawhi Leonard, Thomas Robinson, Markieff Morris and Lucas Nogueira

Irving will still be the first pick, don't know what these espn analysts are smoking! And cmon, wussup with the bash on Knight, even if he's not top 5 top 10 he's gotta be 11-15.

[JN]

Kyrie Irving's replacement at Duke is LIGHTING IT UP! Nolan Smith is projected to go mid 2nd round.

This guy is playing like a stud - 18pts/5.6 assists/4.7 rebs shooting 54% and leading an undefeated program.

Great size at 6'3'. He's slowly honing his PG skills and has the skillset to do so. Ass/TO ratio is comparable to some of the top projected PG's in College.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-3wXN0jIpnM

Jon Scheyer says hi.

Scheyer is more of a shooter, Nolan is a slasher guard with decent speed and high IQ I think he'll have a better career in the nba than Scheyer whom never got drafted and wherever he is now (D-league?)

My point was more that Scheyer stepped into the PG role in his senior season and put up good numbers as a point as well. I don't necessarily think either is a PG at the next level, but they were able to do it as seniors in a system with a good supporting cast.

They are different type of players with Smith being more efficient and the better prospect. But I don't buy that he is a projectable PG because he has put up nice numbers this year.

[bboyskinnylegs]

I don't understand them saying Knight is not a 1st rounder, as I pointed out earlier his numbers aren't far off from what Tyreke put up in Memphis. He may not go in the top 5, but I think any team that drafts him in the 7-15 range will be very happy with the pick.

[Rapsobsessed7]

I don't understand them saying Knight is not a 1st rounder, as I pointed out earlier his numbers aren't far off from what Tyreke put up in Memphis. He may not go in the top 5, but I think any team that drafts him in the 7-15 range will be very happy with the pick.

i agree, id be very happy with Knight as our pick

In no order i want one of these 5 and then id be a happy camper.

1. Kyrie Irving
2. Harrison Barnes
3. Perry Jones
4. Terrence Jones
5. Brandon Knight

[Rhettmatic]

DX's Jonathan Givony has written an article for SI on five underachieving draft prospects. Any guess who's No. 1?

http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2011/b ... index.html

[fredericklove]

DX's Jonathan Givony has written an article for SI on five underachieving draft prospects. Any guess who's No. 1?

http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2011/b ... index.html

Feel sorry for that dude, the media praises him first now ripping him apart and into pieces, poor guy

[Rapsobsessed7]

DX's Jonathan Givony has written an article for SI on five underachieving draft prospects. Any guess who's No. 1?

http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2011/b ... index.html

Feel sorry for that dude, the media praises him first now ripping him apart and into pieces, poor guy

i hope Barnes keeps struggling. If he does he slips and in no way are we in a position to pass up on him because we are in dire need of a SF and he will be someones steal of the draft. He isnt being used right. He will be fine in the NBA

[fredericklove]

DX's Jonathan Givony has written an article for SI on five underachieving draft prospects. Any guess who's No. 1?

http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2011/b ... index.html

Feel sorry for that dude, the media praises him first now ripping him apart and into pieces, poor guy

i hope Barnes keeps struggling. If he does he slips and in no way are we in a position to pass up on him because we are in dire need of a SF and he will be someones steal of the draft. He isnt being used right. He will be fine in the NBA

Yeah, I believe whoever team ends up getting him will have trainers pinpoint what he needs to do to become better, he does have a hard work ethic thus I still believe he'll be something special in the NBA..still believe he's capable of doing these triple-threat moves in the NBA!!