Official Raptors 2011 NBA Draft Thread, Part 4

[MEDIC]

I'd go Irving at 1 as well. Dude just lost his 1st college game. Coach K absolutely raved about him, so he's got the accolades. I'd still take him, I think.

At 5 or 6 or whatever, I think we'll have a shot at Valanciunas, Perry Jones, Kanter, Knight, and Walker. Who would you choose out of that group?

Personally, probably Walker. I just think he's a player that would absolutely make our team better.

I'd have to see Kanters true measurements first though.

[Brinbe]

I'd go Irving at 1 as well. Dude just lost his 1st college game. Coach K absolutely raved about him, so he's got the accolades. I'd still take him, I think.

At 5 or 6 or whatever, I think we'll have a shot at Valanciunas, Perry Jones, Kanter, Knight, and Walker. Who would you choose out of that group?

Knight, easily, by far... Can't ignore that upside and it's not as if he's not already as good as Walker despite being two years younger.

[prototype]

If we end up with either Irving, Williams or Barnes, I'd be ecstatic.

[Rapsfan07]

D-Will is a LOTTTTTTTT more talented than I originally thought. I have my doubt of whether or not he can be an NBA calibur SF but DAMN! That talent cannot be ignored. I think I still go Irving with the 1st pick though just because we REALLY need a creative PG although I must say, Duke's offence looked VERY stagnant tonight and I didn't see that "star" aspect in Irving tonight? Perhaps he's still shaking off the rust? I don't know but most of the point in the second half came from basically uncontested attempts. I didn't see him demanding the ball or running anything for himself. I saw more of that from the less talented Nolan Smith. He chucked quite a bit tonight.

[fredericklove]

To me it breaks down both ways. What we absolutely need more than anything is star talent. IMO there's just not much of that in this draft, with P. Jones probably having the most but having one of the lesser odds of maxing out.

So then you drop down a peg and ask: if none of these guys are real difference makers, who fits our needs most in the next tier?

In which case I think you can make an argument either way. I just hope we suck again/more next year and some actual star talent comes our way.

In that case, i hope we get irving as a sure fire positional need for the raptors because there are more options on SF in next year's draft. I know they haven't played a single game in college yet but I want Michael Gilchrist badddd in next yr's draft. He's my favorite player out of the draft, his versatility and defense are what intriguing me the most

[Yeezus_]

I'd go Irving at 1 as well. Dude just lost his 1st college game. Coach K absolutely raved about him, so he's got the accolades. I'd still take him, I think.

At 5 or 6 or whatever, I think we'll have a shot at Valanciunas, Perry Jones, Kanter, Knight, and Walker. Who would you choose out of that group?

Personally, probably Walker. I'd have to see Kanters true measurements first though.

If we get #5, out of all those players I would have to say Knight. Although i'm not going to lie, I dont know too much about Jonas Valanciunas

[tecumseh18]

He's a heck of a basketball player though. He may be an undersized PF, but he seems to have the wingspan & hops to make up for it. Everyone would love to have Blake Griffin on their team.

Yup, I put my position too strongly. You couldn't help but think Griffin (plus 3-ball, minus court vision) in watching him tonight, and that would be tremendous to have on the Raps.

I'll stop mourning every win, and be happy with a top five pick. We're gonna end up with something.

[dagger]

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.

Rationally raptors need a better point guard who can create who can score who can be active defensively. I like barnes, but we need someone who can control the game, have the ball in his hand the whole game. But judging from BC's perspective, he doesn't want to end his love affair with Jose so I wouldn't be surprised if he doesn't take irving as number one pick.

To me it breaks down both ways. What we absolutely need more than anything is star talent. IMO there's just not much of that in this draft, with P. Jones probably having the most but having one of the lesser odds of maxing out.

So then you drop down a peg and ask: if none of these guys are real difference makers, who fits our needs most in the next tier?

In which case I think you can make an argument either way. I just hope we suck again/more next year and some actual star talent comes our way.

That's essentially my hope/strategy with the lockout coming. A short season in which we suck again. Not nearly as painful as the 82-game version which gets really stale after the all-star break. That's why I advocate NOT signing long-term contracts or making trades (unless they net us picks for taking on a bit of short-term salary). The next CBA will make it harder for teams to pay multiple stars, so whomever we draft now - if not real star talent - could nevertheless be a high quality starter to compliment our 2012 (hopefully) star pick. If we were headed for a full 2011-12 season, it would be hard for BC to restrain his impulse to accelerate the rebuild, but the lockout will make it harder to do so because the summer signing and trading season will be abbreviated to a week or two (assuming there is a season at all).

[Yeezus_]

To me it breaks down both ways. What we absolutely need more than anything is star talent. IMO there's just not much of that in this draft, with P. Jones probably having the most but having one of the lesser odds of maxing out.

So then you drop down a peg and ask: if none of these guys are real difference makers, who fits our needs most in the next tier?

In which case I think you can make an argument either way. I just hope we suck again/more next year and some actual star talent comes our way.

In that case, i hope we get irving as a sure fire positional need for the raptors because there are more options on SF in next year's draft. I know they haven't played a single game in college yet but I want Michael Gilchrist badddd in next yr's draft. He's my favorite player out of the draft, his versatility and defense are what intriguing me the most

Next years draft as a whole should be better. Gilcrist, Drummond, Rivers, Kybongo just to name a few

[A_wildstabatanything]

I'd go Irving at 1 as well. Dude just lost his 1st college game. Coach K absolutely raved about him, so he's got the accolades. I'd still take him, I think.

At 5 or 6 or whatever, I think we'll have a shot at Valanciunas, Perry Jones, Kanter, Knight, and Walker. Who would you choose out of that group?

Knight, easily, by far... Can't ignore that upside and it's not as if he's not already as good as Walker despite being two years younger.

Walker or Perry Jones. I have no interest in seeing us draft Knight that high.

[5DOM]

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FIqjtKJhgic[/youtube]
[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v5pZUjIhJS8[/youtube]

[Harry Palmer]

To me it breaks down both ways. What we absolutely need more than anything is star talent. IMO there's just not much of that in this draft, with P. Jones probably having the most but having one of the lesser odds of maxing out.

So then you drop down a peg and ask: if none of these guys are real difference makers, who fits our needs most in the next tier?

In which case I think you can make an argument either way. I just hope we suck again/more next year and some actual star talent comes our way.

In that case, i hope we get irving as a sure fire positional need for the raptors because there are more options on SF in next year's draft. I know they haven't played a single game in college yet but I want Michael Gilchrist badddd in next yr's draft. He's my favorite player out of the draft, his versatility and defense are what intriguing me the most

Here's another consideration: IF BC is actually committed to rebuilding long-term and IF the top end talent all maxes out around the same, this might actually be a good year to look at a project.

Less chance he helps us so much as a rookie that it takes us out of star talent range in the next draft AND potentially has a higher chance to be a star or almost star longer term.

IOW, this would imo be a horrible year to play it safe in the draft and prioritize 'pro-ready'.

[C_Money]

We're set if we get a top 3 pick. Irving, Williams and Sullinger all look legit. I would even say Kemba Walker too.

[fredericklove]

Next years draft as a whole should be better. Gilcrist, Drummond, Rivers, Kybongo just to name a few

drummond is gonna be in 2013 draft, kabongo looks promising too, i'd be happy if we get the toronto native if we ended up drafting a SF this year.

[tecumseh18]

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FIqjtKJhgic[/youtube]
[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v5pZUjIhJS8[/youtube]

Yeah, it takes long arms to do what Williams does. And he's clearly an athlete. That matters more than height alone.

I don't know how anyone can want below-the-rim Kanter after seeing a real athlete in action.

[TheRealDeal]

If we're already talking about not drafting Kyrie then I wonder what the teams who already have PG's are thinking.

[prototype]

To me it breaks down both ways. What we absolutely need more than anything is star talent. IMO there's just not much of that in this draft, with P. Jones probably having the most but having one of the lesser odds of maxing out.

So then you drop down a peg and ask: if none of these guys are real difference makers, who fits our needs most in the next tier?

In which case I think you can make an argument either way. I just hope we suck again/more next year and some actual star talent comes our way.

In that case, i hope we get irving as a sure fire positional need for the raptors because there are more options on SF in next year's draft. I know they haven't played a single game in college yet but I want Michael Gilchrist badddd in next yr's draft. He's my favorite player out of the draft, his versatility and defense are what intriguing me the most

Next years draft as a whole should be better. Gilcrist, Drummond, Rivers, Kybongo just to name a few

People say that about every draft. I remember last season people were raving about this draft with the likes of Irving, Jones, Barnes, Knight, Kanter and Sullinger.

[Harry Palmer]

That's essentially my hope/strategy with the lockout coming. A short season in which we suck again. Not nearly as painful as the 82-game version which gets really stale after the all-star break. That's why I advocate NOT signing long-term contracts or making trades (unless they net us picks for taking on a bit of short-term salary). The next CBA will make it harder for teams to pay multiple stars, so whomever we draft now - if not real star talent - could nevertheless be a high quality starter to compliment our 2012 (hopefully) star pick. If we were headed for a full 2011-12 season, it would be hard for BC to restrain his impulse to accelerate the rebuild, but the lockout will make it harder to do so because the summer signing and trading season will be abbreviated to a week or two (assuming there is a season at all).

I'm far from convinced that BC will resist that urge whatever the situation, but I do agree that the lock-out definitely improves the odds. As you say, it's a chance to gain ground in the cost/benefit balance, and I can see him thinking that way more than just deciding to build from the ground up because it's a better plan.

[Rapsfan07]

I'd go Irving at 1 as well. Dude just lost his 1st college game. Coach K absolutely raved about him, so he's got the accolades. I'd still take him, I think.

At 5 or 6 or whatever, I think we'll have a shot at Valanciunas, Perry Jones, Kanter, Knight, and Walker. Who would you choose out of that group?

Perry Jones. For sure. He has the most potential and if he falls that low, you definitely draft him. Walker COULD be a star. Very small chance though due to his size and I haven't seen much stellar passing or assists from him. Workouts will dictate a lot if I'm looking at Walker. Jonas and Knight will likely translate into complimentary pieces, if that. Kanter is undersized and has knee issues,

I'd heavily advise not picking him unless T. Jones, Valanciunas, P. Jones AND the Top 5 are off the board.

[dagger]

Here's another consideration: IF BC is actually committed to rebuilding long-term and IF the top end talent all maxes out around the same, this might actually be a good year to look at a project.

Less chance he helps us so much as a rookie that it takes us out of star talent range in the next draft AND potentially has a higher chance to be a star or almost star longer term.

IOW, this would imo be a horrible year to play it safe in the draft and prioritize 'pro-ready'.[/quote]

I'd say some teams will look at Valanciunas that way since he'd likely stay overseas if there is a lockout. That way he wouldn't even be available if play resumes in January but would arrive with our 2012 first rounder.