Official Raptors 2011 NBA Draft Thread, Part 2

[Double Helix]

I'm calling it right now. When Draft Express eventually gets around to throwing out their low end player projection for Harrison Barnes it will be "Martell Webster (more athleticism)."

Watching him the other day, that's all I could think of. The high school videos that they showed of him hinted at a player more willing to create for himself but right now... playing against college-level defenders... he's playing like a more athletic Martell Webster.

And let's not forget that Webster was a highly recruited high school prospect as well that was known for having a more polished, mature game. Thankfully, I see more tools to like with Barnes. I think he's working on his handle more and I think he's a little more athletic and he'll need both if he's to become the impact player we all hope he'll become. The problem with players who dominated their high school peers through being smarter (basketball IQ) or just bigger than them is that those bball IQ/size advantages shrink once they reach the pros. In order to stand out and become a top 15 player at any position in the NBA you have to have or do at least one thing at an extremely high, elite level, and usually more than just the one.

I'll keep watching and waiting for more signs of confidence, versatility, and well dominance. Hopefully, we'll see it as the year rolls on but he doesn't look terribly different than how Martell Webster looked his first few years in the NBA (and still does?) and that does worry me a little.

[fredericklove]

Didnt really get a chance to see a lot of Irving, but really loved Gilchrists game.

He was such a good defender; a complete player.

Umm, if you have not seen alot of Irving this duke season you would probably change your view on him, besides, what you've seen of Gilchrist is his game at the high school and team USA level. How he's going to perform in college level is still relatively unknown. I think most Raptors fans would prefer Irving over Gilchrist for sure. Otherwise, I know Gilchrist has a pretty good ceiling, I don't mind getting him in the 2012 draft too but preferring him over Irving...ummmm...no.

[sunny]

its really hard to judge high school players because there is such a discrepancy in talent.

[fredericklove]

How do you guys feel about Enes Kanter. Hes my third choice behind Perry Jones and Kyrie Irving.

I like Kanter only if we get to trade Bargnani away. Sucks that we can't see him play at a college level so that we can see how good he can be against the college defenders.

[Dr Positivity]

I agree Double Helix, Harrison Barnes will have a place in the league but it's looking more and more to me like a Wes Johnson type. Big SF, pretty athletic but not freakish, specializes in hitting 3s offnensively and hopefully is a solid defender. I'm not seeing the on ball skill needed for a star wing, more like an off ball shooter. I suppose JRich is a possibility for him

I'd be fine taking Barnes if we had an 8 or 9 pick, but if we're top 4 I believe there's better options in Irving, Perry Jones, Kanter, Sullinger. I don't know much about Valanciunas, I'll admit being a tall skinny Euro scares me, but I suppose he could be as good a prospect as Kanter too

[fredericklove]

good fox sports article on Harrison Barnes today

http://jeffgoodman.yardbarker.com/blog/jeffgoodman/the_black_falcon_has_finally_landed/4084400

Thanks. I think the article mentions the most important thing, the fact that he's playing with Marshall now. That should've been done a long time ago by Roy Williams because the guard play prior to these games was abysmal.

I have no idea whats been going on with Roy Williams the past 2 years.

So much talent; very poor play.

This tells you Drew is a black hole on the team, if he didn't get 9 assists last night he would have been ripped by UNC fans again and again. Black Falcon is such a good nickname, espn gave HB such a good name but they gave Irving the worst nickname ever. They call Irving "Time", wtf?

Btw, Sunny even I disagreed w/ picking Gilchrist over Irving but at least it doesn't give me the right to tell him not to post anymore. So be nice, dude.

[Double Helix]

I agree Double Helix, Harrison Barnes will have a place in the league but it's looking more and more to me like a Wes Johnson type. Big SF, pretty athletic but not freakish, specializes in hitting 3s offnensively and hopefully is a solid defender. I'm not seeing the on ball skill needed for a star wing, more like an off ball shooter. I suppose JRich is a possibility for him

I'd be fine taking Barnes if we had an 8 or 9 pick, but if we're top 4 I believe there's better options in Irving, Perry Jones, Kanter, Sullinger. I don't know much about Valanciunas, I'll admit being a tall skinny Euro scares me, but I suppose he could be as good a prospect as Kanter too

Valanciunas, IMO, does look to be the better C prospect. He's been described as a late bloomer but watching video on him you can see an Andris Biedrins type of engagement/activity level/2nd bounce as well as impressive coordination and balance. He appears to be the type of kid who'll earn minutes by doing the dirty work and scoring on putbacks and whatever he can get and then add to his game from there.

He's an 80 percent free throw shooter so I'm sure he can knock down an open shot as well.

Workouts will tell the story with him but I think he's a top 10 lock. Kanter plays too below the rim for my tastes. Between he and Kanter I prefer Valanciunas.

[dagger]

Valanciunas, IMO, does look to be the better C prospect. He's been described as a late bloomer but

Late bloomer? He's 18 years old. A couple of years back he had a huge growth spurt, which is what happens to a lot of guys who end up as seven footers.

[Double Helix]

Valanciunas, IMO, does look to be the better C prospect. He's been described as a late bloomer but

Late bloomer? He's 18 years old. A couple of years back he had a huge growth spurt, which is what happens to a lot of guys who end up as seven footers.

Didn't you know? Basketball experts are now scouting these players as babies, Dagger! The sad thing is... it's not far off!

[sunny]

uccon vs cuse tonight

excited to see if syracuse can bounce back.

Does anyone have data on how many minutes a game the top guys are getting. I dont really wanna look through all of the box scores.

[Kaizen]

http://espn.go.com/mens-college-basketb ... g-per-game

Kemba Walker 36.6 minutes per game.
Kris Joseph 30.7 minutes per game.

http://espn.go.com/mens-college-basketb ... use-orange
http://espn.go.com/mens-college-basketb ... ut-huskies

[DreamTeam09]

I have the game on, but not really paying attn. Kemba is looking good tho.

[TheRealDeal]

Did the Heat give us their 1st round pick in this years draft or next ?

[Kaizen]

This year.

[JN]

Kemba has been really quiet tonight. Although its hard to judge the potential of a player against a 2-3.

[sunny]

ahhh the syracuse zoneeeeee

[JN]

Scoop Jardine and Kemba Walker in a battlie to see who can shoot worse tonight.

Kemba 3-14 and Jardine 2-11.

Kris Joseph who had been playing well in Big East games has looked mostly invisible tonight, not really slashing or being able to slash tonight. He is shooting 2-9 with only 6 points with about 3 minutes to go.

[JN]

Huge **** and one for Joseph!!!

[JN]

More college related then NBA draft but how is Michigan St so bad this year? Losing 30-8 at Iowa.

[Kaizen]

No team chemistry at all. Players have been kicked off the team and accused of rape this year. There is also the fact that they are overrated based of how they did in the tourney last year. People forget they were a #5 seed and almost lost to Maryland in the 2nd round.