Official Raptors 2011 NBA Draft Thread, Part 3

[Silk Wilkes]

I think Nolan Smith is too much of a "safe pick". He'd be a Chris Duhon type in my opinion. Simply a back-up who does the right things, but doesn't put you over the top. He seems like a late-first to early second rounder at best. I could see a team like San Antonio taking him though, but he's not a top-10 pick.

I think he's more of a Aaron Afflalo type - plus defender, and a natural shot with range. Of course, that his his upside. I do like your Duhon comparison, but he seems like much more of a 2-guard to me than Duhon, who is a natural 1 as a facilitator and a worse scorer.

question is, would you draft Afflalo if he was 5th pick overall? If he could be a 15ppg scorer and a plus defender? that's solid value at that position. And i dont care if he plays the same position as DeMar - you always draft the best talent available.

If he was guaranteed to be as good as Afflalo I'd strongly consider it, but I'm not sure he'll be that type of guy in the NBA. I don't think he's big enough to play the 2-guard as well as Aaron.

[FluLikeSymptoms]

I'd like to see how Henson measures out in Chicago, his wingspan looks huge and 6'10 seems modest. I've said it before, but I think that he'll look at least as good on draft night as Ed does in retrospect. If you want to go safe, go big.

[Silk Wilkes]

I'd like to see how Henson measures out in Chicago, his wingspan looks huge and 6'10 seems modest. I've said it before, but I think that he'll look at least as good on draft night as Ed does in retrospect. If you want to go safe, go big.

Well, if he measures out similar to Joakim Noah I think it clouds our pick even more. You then have another legit option to think about. It's making me giddy, lol.

[drew_28]

I think Nolan Smith is too much of a "safe pick". He'd be a Chris Duhon type in my opinion. Simply a back-up who does the right things, but doesn't put you over the top. He seems like a late-first to early second rounder at best. I could see a team like San Antonio taking him though, but he's not a top-10 pick.

I think he's more of a Aaron Afflalo type - plus defender, and a natural shot with range. Of course, that his his upside. I do like your Duhon comparison, but he seems like much more of a 2-guard to me than Duhon, who is a natural 1 as a facilitator and a worse scorer.

question is, would you draft Afflalo if he was 5th pick overall? If he could be a 15ppg scorer and a plus defender? that's solid value at that position. And i dont care if he plays the same position as DeMar - you always draft the best talent available.

If he was guaranteed to be as good as Afflalo I'd strongly consider it, but I'm not sure he'll be that type of guy in the NBA. I don't think he's big enough to play the 2-guard as well as Aaron.

I'm not even suggesting we draft him...all i'm saying is he deserves consideration with the type of player he is. I don't really see the Chris Duhon there...I think Nolan Smith is more explosive then Chris Duhon... Affalo is a better one for me. He is not a top-ten right now...but I think a strong tournament with perhaps a Duke championship would really improve his stock and perhaps put him into the top ten/top twelve.

If we were to pick up Barnes and perhaps throw a few trade chips maybe Barbosa at someone like Utah or Indiana for a mid 1st...I would grab Smith. And if something crazy happens and Dwill, Barnes, PJones, Irving, and the Euros, all go I would strongly consider taking Smith following a good tournament. Definitely over someone like Walker

[Silk Wilkes]

Well, it's never a bad thing when your role players are smart enough to be called coaches on the court. That scenario you just played out wouldn't anger me at all, I'd actually be happy with it.

[baulderdash77]

They say that Henson was 6'10" with a 7'4" wingspan as a high school senior. He was still growing at that point so it wouldn't surprise anyone if he came in at 6"11" with 7'5" wingspan and a 9'+ standing reach.

The big question will be what his weight is at.

Noah wasn't that long but he was heavier.

[Silk Wilkes]

They say that Henson was 6'10" with a 7'4" wingspan as a high school senior. He was still growing at that point so it wouldn't surprise anyone if he came in at 6"11" with 7'5" wingspan and a 9'+ standing reach.

The big question will be what his weight is at.

Noah wasn't that long but he was heavier.

If his measurements are that impressive I would not worry about his weight at all. DX has him listed as 210 and Noah was listed at 225. I think someone was talking about how Henson was up to about 220 at this point from a heavy calorie meal plan. I wouldn't be surprised if he has the potential to get to 240 similar to Bosh or KG size. Combine that with those measurements and all I can say is; YES PLEASE!

[baulderdash77]

I read that his goal was to start this season at 215 and get to 220 with a crazy 7,000 calorie diet.

Here it is.

"As for the weight lifting, well, Henson admits he's enjoying seeing the results more than the work itself. The player teammates have nicknamed "Sticks" and "Slim" believes he can get up to around 215 pounds or maybe even 220 by the start of preseason."

http://www.usatoday.com/sports/college/ ... nson_N.htm

[FluLikeSymptoms]

They say that Henson was 6'10" with a 7'4" wingspan as a high school senior. He was still growing at that point so it wouldn't surprise anyone if he came in at 6"11" with 7'5" wingspan and a 9'+ standing reach.

The big question will be what his weight is at.

Noah wasn't that long but he was heavier.

If his measurements are that impressive I would not worry about his weight at all. DX has him listed as 210 and Noah was listed at 225. I think someone was talking about how Henson was up to about 220 at this point from a heavy calorie meal plan. I wouldn't be surprised if he has the potential to get to 240 similar to Bosh or KG size. Combine that with those measurements and all I can say is; YES PLEASE!

Averaging 3.2 blocks and only 1.7 fouls in 26.2 minutes.

[Silk Wilkes]

I smell a defensive anchor on a championship team if he can add that weight, which an NBA meal plan can do with his frame. Can you imagine the lane intimidation with Ed Davis and John Henson standing there? I think my heart stopped!!!




Ahhh....there it goes....

[dagger]

It's hard to say if a given player can add and retain weight. If you are building muscle, at least it will last a while and if you keep working in the weight room, you can keep it on. But if you're putting on weight with a meal plan, I'd be highly suspicious a guy could keep on the weight, especially in an 82-game season plus preseason and playoffs.

[Silk Wilkes]

It's hard to say if a given player can add and retain weight. If you are building muscle, at least it will last a while and if you keep working in the weight room, you can keep it on. But if you're putting on weight with a meal plan, I'd be highly suspicious a guy could keep on the weight, especially in an 82-game season plus preseason and playoffs.

Agreed, but once he gets to the NBA I think the focus of his team will be to make sure he adds that muscle while also improving his offense of course.

[baulderdash77]

I smell a defensive anchor on a championship team if he can add that weight, which an NBA meal plan can do with his frame. Can you imagine the lane intimidation with Ed Davis and John Henson standing there? I think my heart stopped!!!

Ahhh....there it goes....

During the UNC resurgence since January Henson has averaged 12.7/12.7 with 3.4 blocks/1.8 fouls in 31 minutes.

Not bad.

[dagger]

It's hard to say if a given player can add and retain weight. If you are building muscle, at least it will last a while and if you keep working in the weight room, you can keep it on. But if you're putting on weight with a meal plan, I'd be highly suspicious a guy could keep on the weight, especially in an 82-game season plus preseason and playoffs.

Agreed, but once he gets to the NBA I think the focus of his team will be to make sure he adds that muscle while also improving his offense of course.

Again, I think body type is an issue. So is the commitment to the weight room. It's easy to eat your way to a heavier weight. If that was the only criteria in bulking up, I could probably have been a pro athlete because I was a terror at a buffet. Think about Bosh. For years, we hoped he would really bulk up, and he did a bit, but not tremendously. Then, lo and behold, in his contract year, he hits the gym hard in the summer and really comes in looking bigger and stronger. And he has a hell of a first half. But by the all-star break, some of that muscle definition is gone, and look at him this year. He spent the summer on the banquet circuit with the "Future Mrs Bosh" and in the words of one wag, drinking a lot of white wine with white people at South Beach. The muscle is gone with his dreds.

Just as you wonder about players who tend towards being overweight being able to keep the weight off, so you wonder about players who tend to be really slim to keep the weight on. It's not good enough to apply that for one year, to get drafted high or get a contract. Will he put it on and keep it on, year after year, especially after he gets a six year extension some year. It's not an unreasonable question to put high on your list. If we're going to worry about Kemba Walker being too short, we have to worry about Henson being too light.

[dagger]

Your weekend Jonas Valanciunas report:

Not much to say because the Lithuanian League all-star game was yesterday - Lithuanians vs foreigners. The Lithuanians won, and Valanciunas was MVP with 18 points and 10 rebounds, but it was an all-star game so I take nothing more of it than the fact he stood out among his peers.

[FluLikeSymptoms]

If we're going to worry about Kemba Walker being too short, we have to worry about Henson being too light.

See, this tips the scales completely in favour of Henson, IMO. Worst-case for Kemba is that he can't get his shot off or defend anybody, best-case is that he gets his shot off and can't defend anybody. Worst-case for Henson is that he's 6'10+ and likes to rebound and block shots.

But, sure, you really hope that he gets stronger, above all, though he's out-muscled now but still finding ways to be effective.

[Silk Wilkes]

It's hard to say if a given player can add and retain weight. If you are building muscle, at least it will last a while and if you keep working in the weight room, you can keep it on. But if you're putting on weight with a meal plan, I'd be highly suspicious a guy could keep on the weight, especially in an 82-game season plus preseason and playoffs.

Agreed, but once he gets to the NBA I think the focus of his team will be to make sure he adds that muscle while also improving his offense of course.

Again, I think body type is an issue. So is the commitment to the weight room. It's easy to eat your way to a heavier weight. If that was the only criteria in bulking up, I could probably have been a pro athlete because I was a terror at a buffet. Think about Bosh. For years, we hoped he would really bulk up, and he did a bit, but not tremendously. Then, lo and behold, in his contract year, he hits the gym hard in the summer and really comes in looking bigger and stronger. And he has a hell of a first half. But by the all-star break, some of that muscle definition is gone, and look at him this year. He spent the summer on the banquet circuit with the "Future Mrs Bosh" and in the words of one wag, drinking a lot of white wine with white people at South Beach. The muscle is gone with his dreds.

Just as you wonder about players who tend towards being overweight being able to keep the weight off, so you wonder about players who tend to be really slim to keep the weight on. It's not good enough to apply that for one year, to get drafted high or get a contract. Will he put it on and keep it on, year after year, especially after he gets a six year extension some year. It's not an unreasonable question to put high on your list. If we're going to worry about Kemba Walker being too short, we have to worry about Henson being too light.

I agree 100% like I said. It's all about his commitment and heart. You look at a guy like Reggie Evans who's in great shape after missing a ton of games, but then again it's his contract year as well. You can also look at a guy like Noah who plays Centre, or Tyson Chandler. They're not the beefiest guys in the league but they're game changers for their teams. I think Henson is next in line to be like those guys. another example is LaMarcus Aldridge who's at a great playing weight now even though he came into the league fairly light.

[dagger]

If we're going to worry about Kemba Walker being too short, we have to worry about Henson being too light.

See, this tips the scales completely in favour of Henson, IMO. Worst-case for Kemba is that he can't get his shot off or defend anybody, best-case is that he gets his shot off and can't defend anybody. Worst-case for Henson is that he's 6'10+ and likes to rebound and block shots.

But, sure, you really hope that he gets stronger, above all, though he's out-muscled now but still finding ways to be effective.

It doesn't tip it for me because a physical lightweight playing inside can get physically massacred on a nightly basis. It's a lot hard defending heavier power forwards let alone being caught in a switch and having to defend seven footers. I'd say the questions about Walker and Henson have no answers until they reach the pros. And if D.J. Augustin, who is shorter than Walker by least an inch if not more, can be a passably good starter, I can't see Walker's ceiling being any less and it's probably more.

[Dr Positivity]

If we're going to worry about Kemba Walker being too short, we have to worry about Henson being too light.

See, this tips the scales completely in favour of Henson, IMO. Worst-case for Kemba is that he can't get his shot off or defend anybody, best-case is that he gets his shot off and can't defend anybody. Worst-case for Henson is that he's 6'10+ and likes to rebound and block shots.

But, sure, you really hope that he gets stronger, above all, though he's out-muscled now but still finding ways to be effective.

The rebounding is not a guarantee. It's hard to rebound when opposing bigs are pushing you out of position.

People are talking about Jones III as the next A Randolph, Stro Swift, Tyrus Thomas athletic and not much else PF - But I think that's Henson.

[5DOM]

I would take Valanciunas over Henson without hesitation.