Official Raptors 2011 NBA Draft Thread, Part 4

Steely Reserve · Post #1301 » by **Steely Reserve** » Fri Mar 25, 2011 3:50 am

fredericklove wrote:
Steely Reserve wrote:At least with Kemba, you know his quickness will translate. With Irving, he doesn't have a great first step and that will be obvious at the next level. In addition, Irving doesn't explode off the floor on his drives and overall plays well below the rim. He has neither strength or height to account for these deficiencies.

Again, he has some tools. He's an above average ball handler, but he uses that more to attack the paint or create space for his jumper. He doesnt play with great point guard IQ from a facilitating perspective.

omg you are clearly clueless, his change of pace and hesitation moves are in elite level and that can get him to attack the basket at will, and for u to say he doest have great point guard iQ...u are a joke, did u see how many times he facilitate to singler? and nolan smith is hogging the ball the whole game too

You're clearly emotionally invested to Irving to the point you're unable to have a conversation about his weaknesses, which I think are clearly obvious.

But you're not alone. The guy hasn't played for four months and people convinced themselves he was some sort of all-world talent. So its natural it will take time for people to take off the Irving hype-glasses. You'll just be one of the last one's to do so.

Silk Wilkes · Post #1302 » by **Silk Wilkes** » Fri Mar 25, 2011 3:50 am

MikeM wrote:Can't see why D-Will can't play SF. I mean, he's quicker than our current SF.

Yea today opened my eyes to his abilities. Duke is no slouch on defense and he tore that a** up! He can be a Jamison/Deng small forward with a decent handle who gets the job done.

dagger · Post #1303 » by **dagger** » Fri Mar 25, 2011 3:50 am

Williams or Barnes may end up going ahead of Irving. Barnes was projected originally to go ahead of Irving, and I think Kyrie would have had to show more to lock up #1 overall. He's shown he has the scoring part down, but then that's not unique, even with the guards in this draft. A good game or two from here on in could vault Williams, Barnes or Sullinger into the #1 slot. One media tweet compared his tournament to an OJ Mayo clone, which isn't very flattering, although I suspect Irving has a much higher IQ and competitive will than Mayo. NBA scouts have been watching him since high school, so they have seen his guard play under better circumstances.

Interestingly, one reporter suggested Coach K killed his team by bringing Irving back. Not that Irving is bad, far from it, but the chemistry of the team changed too much.

MEDIC · Post #1304 » by **MEDIC** » Fri Mar 25, 2011 3:52 am

MikeM wrote:Can't see why D-Will can't play SF. I mean, he's quicker than our current SF.

He's starting to win me over. That dribble drive from end to end was impressive.

My only concern is quickness defensively. Hopefully he wins me over in that regard as well.

I think he's a surefire top 3 pick though. He's going to impress the hell outta people at the pre-draft workouts.

At first I though he had Bosh level handles, but they are better than Bosh by quite a bit.

There is no doubt he's gonna be a good NBA player though. Possibly an allstar.

Yeezus_ · Post #1305 » by **Yeezus_** » Fri Mar 25, 2011 3:52 am

dagger wrote:Williams or Barnes may end up going ahead of Irving. Barnes was projected originally to go ahead of Irving, and I think Kyrie would have had to show more to lock up #1 overall. He's shown he has the scoring part down, but then that's not unique, even with the guards in this draft. A good game or two from here on in could vault Williams, Barnes or Sullinger into the #1 slot.

Thats a good thing from the Raptors perspective.

prototype · Post #1306 » by **prototype** » Fri Mar 25, 2011 3:52 am

Like I said DWill can play SF but he would not be as effective and the team defense would take a hit. As a PF, you use him in pick and rolls, throw it to him in the post, and hit the occasional outside shot. I have yet to see him create on the perimeter like an SF.

Post #1307 » by **Harry Palmer** » Fri Mar 25, 2011 3:53 am

MikeM wrote:Can't see why D-Will can't play SF. I mean, he's quicker than our current SF.

I think the concern is more reactive quickness than active quickness.

tcee · Post #1308 » by **tcee** » Fri Mar 25, 2011 3:54 am

correct me if i'm wrong, but i was almost sure d will was listed at 6'8"?

dagger · Post #1309 » by **dagger** » Fri Mar 25, 2011 3:54 am

raptorsnation_5 wrote:
dagger wrote:Williams or Barnes may end up going ahead of Irving. Barnes was projected originally to go ahead of Irving, and I think Kyrie would have had to show more to lock up #1 overall. He's shown he has the scoring part down, but then that's not unique, even with the guards in this draft. A good game or two from here on in could vault Williams, Barnes or Sullinger into the #1 slot.

Thats a good thing from the Raptors perspective.

It could well be, unless Irving starts to fall as far as 5 in mocks in which case he might go back to Duke.

Then again, I see that as unlikely. And with Austin Rivers coming it, it's not like Duke has urgent need of him back although a Rivers/Irving backcourt would be awesome.

Rapsobsessed7 · Post #1310 » by **Rapsobsessed7** » Fri Mar 25, 2011 3:55 am

Was that derrick williams with the handles.............

TheRealDeal · Post #1311 » by **TheRealDeal** » Fri Mar 25, 2011 3:56 am

dagger wrote:Williams or Barnes may end up going ahead of Irving. Barnes was projected originally to go ahead of Irving, and I think Kyrie would have had to show more to lock up #1 overall. He's shown he has the scoring part down, but then that's not unique, even with the guards in this draft. A good game or two from here on in could vault Williams, Barnes or Sullinger into the #1 slot.

It's definitely possible and what I've been hoping for all year. BUT once the hype dies down from the tournament, if a team that needs a PG has the #1 pick, then I think Kyrie still goes #1.

Yeezus_ · Post #1312 » by **Yeezus_** » Fri Mar 25, 2011 3:58 am

My PG prospect board
Irving
knight
Walker

fredericklove · Post #1313 » by **fredericklove** » Fri Mar 25, 2011 3:58 am

Steely Reserve wrote:You're clearly emotionally invested to Irving to the point you're unable to have a conversation about his weaknesses, which I think are clearly obvious.

But you're not alone. The guy hasn't played for four months and people convinced themselves he was some sort of all-world talent. So its natural it will take time for people to take off the Irving hype-glasses. You'll just be one of the last one's to do so.

you're clearly irrationally invested to Irving to the point where you have to bash him to make yourself feel right when every single person acknowledges his point guard skills. Stop talking nonsense about him not being a traditional point guard when his point guard skills are obviously seen from day 1.

fredericklove · Post #1314 » by **fredericklove** » Fri Mar 25, 2011 3:58 am

nolan smith looks like he's crying lolll, he sure knows he stinks this game.

Rapsobsessed7 · Post #1315 » by **Rapsobsessed7** » Fri Mar 25, 2011 4:00 am

Sunny is gonna flip lol

MEDIC · Post #1316 » by **MEDIC** » Fri Mar 25, 2011 4:00 am

Harry Palmer wrote:
MikeM wrote:Can't see why D-Will can't play SF. I mean, he's quicker than our current SF.

I think the concern is more reactive quickness than active quickness.

That's a good way of putting it. Lots of big guys can pick up speed end to end, but can they react quickly when a lighter, speedier player tries to go by them?

TheRealDeal · Post #1317 » by **TheRealDeal** » Fri Mar 25, 2011 4:00 am

fredericklove wrote:nolan smith looks like he's crying lolll, he sure knows he stinks this game.

A lot of Seniors cry after their last game. Kyrie just lost his first (and last) game of his college career. I bet he's a little pissed that he came back.

fredericklove · Post #1318 » by **fredericklove** » Fri Mar 25, 2011 4:01 am

UNC all the way!! What an upset by the wildcats, it's gonna be a headline news for sure.

Post #1319 » by **5DOM** » Fri Mar 25, 2011 4:01 am

I feel for Smith. Terrible way to end a great career

dagger · Post #1320 » by **dagger** » Fri Mar 25, 2011 4:01 am

TheRealDeal wrote:
dagger wrote:Williams or Barnes may end up going ahead of Irving. Barnes was projected originally to go ahead of Irving, and I think Kyrie would have had to show more to lock up #1 overall. He's shown he has the scoring part down, but then that's not unique, even with the guards in this draft. A good game or two from here on in could vault Williams, Barnes or Sullinger into the #1 slot.

It's definitely possible and what I've been hoping for all year. BUT once the hype dies down from the tournament, if a team that needs a PG has the #1 pick, then I think Kyrie still goes #1.

Well, if we got #1, it would be really challenging. Do we go for Irving, or if Barnes has a big windup, why not him. I've suggested the 2012 draft has more point guard depth anyway and a small forward with good shooting range would be more impactful. Heck, if Williams or Sullinger go all the way with the same kind of games, we could end up with the second or third pick and still face a PG/SF dilemma with Irving/Barnes.