Official Raptors 2011 NBA Draft Thread

[Lionel Messi]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ze3NXkUmLKA

wow! definitely some good things about this guy! From this mix, what I can tell is that this guy is very athletic for his size, has a good motor, is very quick all together.. with his first step as well very explosive. What I love the most about him is how quickly he can get up! There are a few plays in the mix where he either gets blocked or misses the shot, but he gets right back up in no time. Which is another good thing, he doesnt seem to give up on the play. But again, this was only a mix. And based on the mix, he really doesnt have too many post moves. Which can be an issue, as his nba position will most likely be the four. As mentioned havnt seem him in a game, how is his defence? and what nba player would you compare him to?

I don't know if I'd be comfortable drafting a 6'8 power forward.

I think if we draft him we draft him as a Small Forward.

[Rhettmatic]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ze3NXkUmLKA

wow! definitely some good things about this guy! From this mix, what I can tell is that this guy is very athletic for his size, has a good motor, is very quick all together.. with his first step as well very explosive. What I love the most about him is how quickly he can get up! There are a few plays in the mix where he either gets blocked or misses the shot, but he gets right back up in no time. Which is another good thing, he doesnt seem to give up on the play. But again, this was only a mix. And based on the mix, he really doesnt have too many post moves. Which can be an issue, as his nba position will most likely be the four. As mentioned havnt seem him in a game, how is his defence? and what nba player would you compare him to?

I don't know if I'd be comfortable drafting a 6'8 power forward.

I think if we draft him we draft him as a Small Forward.

Well, drafting someone to play out of position would fit with our MO.

He's a power forward. Trying to cast him as an SF because of his height would be a mistake IMO.

[Lionel Messi]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ze3NXkUmLKA

wow! definitely some good things about this guy! From this mix, what I can tell is that this guy is very athletic for his size, has a good motor, is very quick all together.. with his first step as well very explosive. What I love the most about him is how quickly he can get up! There are a few plays in the mix where he either gets blocked or misses the shot, but he gets right back up in no time. Which is another good thing, he doesnt seem to give up on the play. But again, this was only a mix. And based on the mix, he really doesnt have too many post moves. Which can be an issue, as his nba position will most likely be the four. As mentioned havnt seem him in a game, how is his defence? and what nba player would you compare him to?

I don't know if I'd be comfortable drafting a 6'8 power forward.

I think if we draft him we draft him as a Small Forward.

Well, drafting someone to play out of position would fit with our MO.

There are a lot of guys who play 4 in college and then transition into 3s in the NBA. He has the shooting range and finishing ability already, so he'd just have to develop the in-between skills.

If not, then we just shouldn't draft him at all. How many 6'8 PF's become stars in the NBA?

[5DOM]

Sullinger lost weights since high school. I don't really want another PF though. I feel like Davis could be just as good as anyone available (maybe not Sullinger)

[Rhettmatic]

There are a lot of guys who play 4 in college and then transition into 3s in the NBA. He has the shooting range and finishing ability already, so he'd just have to develop the in-between skills.

If not, then we just shouldn't draft him at all. How many 6'8 PF's become stars in the NBA?

I'll wait till the combine to decide exactly how tall he is, but I'd put him in the same height range as Kevin Love, Paul Millsap and Luis Scola, all of whom have been successful in the NBA.

He's not my ideal guy but drafting him and hoping to make him into an SF is folly in my opinion. Either you think that you can't be successful as a big if you're 6'8" and you don't draft him, or you realize that he has some real strengths as a big man in the league despite his height and you draft him for that.

From what I've seen of him thus far, he's absolutely not a 3. Not at all. He's got a great back to the basket game and he's a great rebounder. He has trouble even guarding PFs on the perimeter, having him try to guard 3s would be a nightmare.

[Lionel Messi]

There are a lot of guys who play 4 in college and then transition into 3s in the NBA. He has the shooting range and finishing ability already, so he'd just have to develop the in-between skills.

If not, then we just shouldn't draft him at all. How many 6'8 PF's become stars in the NBA?

I'll wait till the combine to decide exactly how tall he is, but I'd put him in the same height range as Kevin Love, Paul Millsap and Luis Scola, all of whom have been successful in the NBA.

He's not my ideal guy but drafting him and hoping to make him into an SF is folly in my opinion. Either you think that you can't be successful as a big if you're 6'8" and you don't draft him, or you realize that he has some real strengths as a big man in the league despite his height and you draft him for that.

From what I've seen of him thus far, he's absolutely not a 3. Not at all. He's got a great back to the basket game and he's a great rebounder. He has trouble even guarding PFs on the perimeter, having him try to guard 3s would be a nightmare.

Reminds me a bit too much of Joey Graham, but he has more skills. Better left hand, much better jump-shot, but otherwise they're pretty similar. They're both great athletes who had good post-games in college and could finish inside.

[Rhettmatic]

Reminds me a bit too much of Joey Graham, but he has more skills. Better left hand, much better jump-shot, but otherwise they're pretty similar. They're both great athletes who had good post-games in college and could finish inside.

C'mon, really? Sullinger is averaging 17.6/10 as an 18-year-old freshman. Graham averaged 17/6 as a 23-year-old senior.

And I've never thought of as Sullinger as even being a great athlete really. And Graham is 6-7, 225 pounds, while Sullinger is taller and at least 25 pounds heavier. I just think that's a horrible comparison.

[5DOM]

I've only seen the highlights, but Williams' game looks much smoother than Joey's.

edit: I thought we were talkin about Williams, no?

[Lionel Messi]

Reminds me a bit too much of Joey Graham, but he has more skills. Better left hand, much better jump-shot, but otherwise they're pretty similar. They're both great athletes who had good post-games in college and could finish inside.

C'mon, really? Sullinger is averaging 17.6/10 as an 18-year-old freshman. Graham averaged 17/6 as a 23-year-old senior.

And I've never thought of as Sullinger as even being a great athlete really. And Graham is 6-7, 225 pounds, while Sullinger is taller and at least 25 pounds heavier. I just think that's a horrible comparison.

I thought we were talking about Derrick Williams....

[anj]

There are a lot of guys who play 4 in college and then transition into 3s in the NBA. He has the shooting range and finishing ability already, so he'd just have to develop the in-between skills.

If not, then we just shouldn't draft him at all. How many 6'8 PF's become stars in the NBA?

I'll wait till the combine to decide exactly how tall he is, but I'd put him in the same height range as Kevin Love, Paul Millsap and Luis Scola, all of whom have been successful in the NBA.

He's not my ideal guy but drafting him and hoping to make him into an SF is folly in my opinion. Either you think that you can't be successful as a big if you're 6'8" and you don't draft him, or you realize that he has some real strengths as a big man in the league despite his height and you draft him for that.

From what I've seen of him thus far, he's absolutely not a 3. Not at all. He's got a great back to the basket game and he's a great rebounder. He has trouble even guarding PFs on the perimeter, having him try to guard 3s would be a nightmare.

Reminds me a bit too much of Joey Graham, but he has more skills. Better left hand, much better jump-shot, but otherwise they're pretty similar. They're both great athletes who had good post-games in college and could finish inside.

Sullinger definitely isn't a "great" athlete, he's more of an "average" athlete.

He excels because of his advanced post moves, intelligence and strength.

EDIT: Looks like we're all confused.

[sunny]

There are a lot of guys who play 4 in college and then transition into 3s in the NBA. He has the shooting range and finishing ability already, so he'd just have to develop the in-between skills.

If not, then we just shouldn't draft him at all. How many 6'8 PF's become stars in the NBA?

I'll wait till the combine to decide exactly how tall he is, but I'd put him in the same height range as Kevin Love, Paul Millsap and Luis Scola, all of whom have been successful in the NBA.

He's not my ideal guy but drafting him and hoping to make him into an SF is folly in my opinion. Either you think that you can't be successful as a big if you're 6'8" and you don't draft him, or you realize that he has some real strengths as a big man in the league despite his height and you draft him for that.

From what I've seen of him thus far, he's absolutely not a 3. Not at all. He's got a great back to the basket game and he's a great rebounder. He has trouble even guarding PFs on the perimeter, having him try to guard 3s would be a nightmare.

he is 6'9 as he was officially measured this summer. he played SF in highschool and still has the skills for it. he is the type of player who could be successful as a pf who is undersized as he will have 0 problem scoring in the nba.

I really dont know what youve seen since you havent been watching AZ games. He is being forced to play the 5 this year. Despite that, he has shown lots of ability to be successful at other positions.

im really curious to hear actually how you've seen him; what pf did you find that he had problems defending, especially one who played at the perimeter. As someone who has watched everyone of his games for the past 1.5 years, I'd love to know.

[Lionel Messi]

Great Rhett...Now I look like the idiot. That original highlight clip was of Derrick Williams not Sullinger guys.
I'm talking about Derrick Williams.

[Rhettmatic]

Reminds me a bit too much of Joey Graham, but he has more skills. Better left hand, much better jump-shot, but otherwise they're pretty similar. They're both great athletes who had good post-games in college and could finish inside.

C'mon, really? Sullinger is averaging 17.6/10 as an 18-year-old freshman. Graham averaged 17/6 as a 23-year-old senior.

And I've never thought of as Sullinger as even being a great athlete really. And Graham is 6-7, 225 pounds, while Sullinger is taller and at least 25 pounds heavier. I just think that's a horrible comparison.

I thought we were talking about Derrick Williams....

How in hindsight did I even think we were talking about Jared Sullinger? I must've confused your post responding to my post about Sullinger with your next post about Williams.

Carry on.

[Reignman]

Ok, I need the down low on Enes Kanter from people that have watched him play. I've already read the draft sites and I've seen the highlights so please don't regurgitate that crap if you haven't watched him first hand.

Also, any insight on his past knee injury would help. From what I've read and seen he seems like a decent prospect for the 5 spot and I wouldn't mind grabbing him if Irving/Jones x 2/Barnes are off the board.

[sunny]

Ok, I need the down low on Enes Kanter from people that have watched him play. I've already read the draft sites and I've seen the highlights so please don't regurgitate that crap if you haven't watched him first hand.

Also, any insight on his past knee injury would help. From what I've read and seen he seems like a decent prospect for the 5 spot and I wouldn't mind grabbing him if Irving/Jones x 2/Barnes are off the board.

if you want honest feedback, I'd probably go to a washington board. If you want someone bias feedback, but atleast from people who have seen lots of him, go to a kentucky board.

[Waylon Mercy]

This might be the ultimate Tweener draft...

I like what I see from Williams but don't know how he would fit on our team.

[just23]

I'll take Irving, T Jones, or one of the two centers. Enes or Jonas. Any of those guys and I'll be happy enough. Not too excited about P Jones yet. Terrence just seems like more of a sure thing at this point.

[chyau.00]

derrick williams looks good. as long as he can guard 3s, hed be perfect complement to bargs/davis/demar

he can work in the paint with davis. and shoot the 3 if we need it. that would give our starting lineup 2 guys who work the paint , and 2 guys + future pg who can shoot the 3 (bargs/williams).

[princeofpalace]

Williams measured out as 6'9'' in Lebron Skills Academy

[bboyskinnylegs]

Enes and Jonas are definitely intriguing. Having a frontcourt with Bargs/Ed/Amir and one of those two would be pretty solid imo. Enes is a skilled low-post scorer and excellent rebounder who is very big and strong (although not very tall--he measured out at 6-10, 260lbs, with a 7-1 wingspan in April). Jonas is a very long, lanky player who is very active on the glass and can block shots. From what little I've seen of him, he looked like a C-version of Amir. At just 18 years old, he's got the 12th-best PER in the Euroleague right now (although I don't know if that holds a lot of weight with two former Raps being higher on that list )

If we're not in a position to draft Kyrie or the two Joneses, perhaps drafting one of these two could pay dividends down the line (unless we're targeting Gasol/DeAndre in free agency this summer).