Official Raptors 2011 NBA Draft Thread, Part 5

[CunningLinguist]

I think there's a 60-70% chance that Perry Jones is out of the league in 4 years because his bust rate is so high. He maybe has a 5% chance to be an all-star or better.

He has a great body, but he didn't really look good this year especially rebounding and shotblocking. If you're a 6'11" PF who can't rebound well, doesn't defend and doesn't score then you're like a worse Andrea Bargnani.

I see the concerns but think you are erring way too far. I think his downside is Tim Thomas like, and those types tend to stick around for a long time even if they never live up to their potential.

I have no idea what %s I'd give those alternatives, but I think you're waaay over the top on the first, and at least a bit too low on the second...much closer their, though.

If Kwame Brown is still in the league after all these years, Perry Jones should be able to last at least 4 years.

[God Squad]

I pray to God we don't draft Perry Jones. He is going to be a bust I already know it. I rather we trade our pick for Evan Turner than draft P. Jones. And before you start, Turner isn't a bust, he just doesn't fit in with the 76ers because they already have 3 ball handlers in A.I, Holiday, and Lou Will, and he doesn't have a great shot. This team is missing a play maker (Jose IS NOT a play maker) and I think Turner could easily fill that void, plus he rebounds. I bet he could put up something like 10-15/8/6 daily.

If we don't draft Irving, Sullinger, or Williams I say we trade our pick for ET.

Did you make an account to promote we get ET? Anyways, I actually like ET. If Sixers we're interested i'd do it depending on where we draft.

[Harry Palmer]

I'm for drafting Perry Jones, but he's not a great defender nor rebounder.

Agreed.

What you're looking at with him is a lot of projection. Now most of the time I think adjusting positions in the NBA is tougher than people think. In Jones case, because his natural talents lean so heavily towards the 3 and his weaknesses are with regards to mindset re: contact, body-body-ball and all that, I actually think his playing a spot up in college might prove beneficial down the road. It hasn't made a warrior out of him, certainly, but it's probably gotten him to be more of a physical player than he would have been if he'd just been able to stay a perim guy all his life, and I've seen a lot of examples where he has learned to use defensive contact against the defender by getting him to lean and then playing off or into it.

[God Squad]

You should have watched some games instead of just Youtube highlights. Perry Jones is NOT a SF. He played PF and C in College this year

http://www.draftexpress.com/profile/Perry-Jones-5713/

The weakest part of Jones' game clearly lies on the defensive end. He's shockingly unproductive from a statistical standpoint, averaging an alarmingly low number of blocks and steals every game, and very few rebounds.

Of the 90 NCAA prospects currently classified as power forwards in our database, Jones ranks 78th in defensive rebounding on a per-minute basis, which is extremely disappointing considering his physical tools and the fact that none of his teammates are particularly prolific in this category. He shows fairly poor awareness here, often failing to box out opponents and doesn't look very instinctive or energetic in the way he pursues loose balls.

These attributes definitely translate to the rest of his defensive game, where Jones clearly lacks toughness and activity. He regularly gets lost off the ball, being a step slow to react to things happening on the floor and not putting enough work in early in possessions to stop opponents from getting the ball in a favorable position. Physical players move him around the paint fairly easily and Jones doesn't always respond the way you'd hope. He often allows himself to get outhustled and outworked.

Beyond his poor fundamentals, Jones doesn't seem to be the most contact-loving player in the world. He tends to shy away from putting a body on opponents and isn't one to dive on the floor for loose balls.

Hey I'm not saying we should draft him. I'm saying don't count him out. Thats based off one year. Hard time adjusting? Anyways I still like his talent regardless. And I wouldn't be upset if BC drafted him. Do I have other prospects I like more? Yea, But to say hes gonna be a bust and he has a 60-70 bust rate is crazy.

[TheRealDeal]

Do I fist-pump with Vinny from Jersey Shore tonight or watch the games? He's @ the bar that's attached to my apt. My property manager gave the tenants VIP tix. I think I'll pass. Too many good games on tonight.

[baulderdash77]

I guess Darko and Kwame are both in the league still and it only took Blatche 5 years to become above average, so there's hope for Jones III. Heck Michael Olowokandi made it 10 years in the league.

These sucess stories have given me warm and fuzzies. You guys have convinced me- I should get on the Perry Jones III bandwagon. What could go wrong.

[God Squad]

Do I fist-pump with Vinny from Jersey Shore tonight or watch the games? He's @ the bar that's attached to my apt. My property manager gave the tenants VIP tix. I think I'll pass. Too many good games on tonight.

I go to the bar lol. And take his girl.

[Harry Palmer]

I guess Darko and Kwame are both in the league still and it only took Blatche 5 years to become above average, so there's hope for Jones III. Heck Michael Olowokandi made it 10 years in the league.

These sucess stories have given me warm and fuzzies. You guys have convinced me- I should get on the Perry Jones III bandwagon. What could go wrong.

Ha, way to slay the strawman.

[baulderdash77]

I try.

[God Squad]

I guess Darko and Kwame are both in the league still and it only took Blatche 5 years to become above average, so there's hope for Jones III. Heck Michael Olowokandi made it 10 years in the league.

These sucess stories have given me warm and fuzzies. You guys have convinced me- I should get on the Perry Jones III bandwagon. What could go wrong.

What badwagon? He's not even my number one prospect. Maybe top 3.

[CunningLinguist]

I'm for drafting Perry Jones, but he's not a great defender nor rebounder.

Agreed.

What you're looking at with him is a lot of projection. Now most of the time I think adjusting positions in the NBA is tougher than people think. In Jones case, because his natural talents lean so heavily towards the 3 and his weaknesses are with regards to mindset re: contact, body-body-ball and all that, I actually think his playing a spot up in college might prove beneficial down the road. It hasn't made a warrior out of him, certainly, but it's probably gotten him to be more of a physical player than he would have been if he'd just been able to stay a perim guy all his life, and I've seen a lot of examples where he has learned to use defensive contact against the defender by getting him to lean and then playing off or into it.

The SF skills are hard to gauge because he didn't really get to use them much at the college level outside of bringing the ball upcourt with no defensive pressure. I still see him as a face up 4 in the Bosh mold with better ballhandling and passing. I question his ability to defend SFs due to his height negatively impacting his lateral quicks. He's definitely an enigma, as I see the athleticism and skills but the drive and competitiveness are somewhat left wanting.

I still think he ends up going top 3 because he'll impress in a workout setting and near 7-footers who can walk and chew gum at the same time tend to get drafted very high.

[dagger]

The issue with Jones that I cannot evaluate is his character/motor/heart/mindset/BBIQ. When players like Brown or Stromile Swift have flamed out, the cause is often found in the player's character, not his athleticism, which remains above reproach. You sometimes hear it suggested that the player is lazy or doesn't even like basketball much but treats it like a meal ticket. With guys like Williams or Sullinger, there may be questions about the position they play or their height or athleticism, but not about their heart. They are strong competitors. I suggest most of the top 10 in this draft are strong competitors. But Jones didn't give off that impression while he was playing this season. I see him compared to Lamar Odom, but Odom has a pretty competitive mindset, maybe not Kobe-like, but reasonably strong and focussed. So is Jones Odom-redux, or Swift-redux. I think that only comes out in interviews with him and people who have been close to him and whom pro scouts believe will give a reliable opinion.

[ATLTimekeeper]

I think Jones III athletic ability is overrated. He's not a monster, and more importantly, he doesn't use his athleticism all that often. The overall package is interesting, and I don't think he'll be a bust, but I have reservations about selecting him top 5. I don't think he's a top 5 talent, and he seems like he'll just always leave you wanting more a la Odom or Rudy Gay.

[andreavagnani]

I pray to God we don't draft Perry Jones. He is going to be a bust I already know it. I rather we trade our pick for Evan Turner than draft P. Jones. And before you start, Turner isn't a bust, he just doesn't fit in with the 76ers because they already have 3 ball handlers in A.I, Holiday, and Lou Will, and he doesn't have a great shot. This team is missing a play maker (Jose IS NOT a play maker) and I think Turner could easily fill that void, plus he rebounds. I bet he could put up something like 10-15/8/6 daily.

If we don't draft Irving, Sullinger, or Williams I say we trade our pick for ET.

Did you make an account to promote we get ET? Anyways, I actually like ET. If Sixers we're interested i'd do it depending on where we draft.

Haha sort of I wanted to partake in the draft discussion. I think they will be interested in moving him because him and A.I play the same position and are way too similar. I would pull the trigger if we get the 4th or 5th pick and have no shot at getting the guaranteed talent.

[Waylon Mercy]

Perry Jones was grossly misused at Baylor and played with selfish ball hogs.

His game is tailor made for the NBA as opposed to College.

This is such a shallow draft that if the Raps are drafting 5th or 6th and hes still
on the board they can't pass on him.

Im assuming Iriving, Barnes, and Williams are higher on the draft board right now.

[baulderdash77]

I'm just saying that I wouldn't touch Perry Jones with a top 10 pick. Maybe if I was late lotto I wouldn't be able to resist.

I'm not afraid to admit that I really liked Olowokandi in 1998 I really wanted Olowokandi and wanted Jamison or Pierce. I was really dissapointed when we didn't win the lotto. Then we drafted Jamison and I was elated and then confused. Vince who? But Paul Pierce is still on the board!!!

Now I hate Paul Pierce

Just saying the draft can work out funny sometimes.

[God Squad]

I'm just saying that I wouldn't touch Perry Jones with a top 10 pick. Maybe if I was late lotto I wouldn't be able to resist.

I'm not afraid to admit that I really liked Olowokandi in 1998 I really wanted Olowokandi and wanted Jamison or Pierce. I was really dissapointed when we didn't win the lotto. Then we drafted Jamison and I was elated and then confused. Vince who? But Paul Pierce is still on the board!!!

Just saying the draft can work out funny sometimes.

I agree

[Dr Positivity]

The issue with Jones that I cannot evaluate is his character/motor/heart/mindset/BBIQ. When players like Brown or Stromile Swift have flamed out, the cause is often found in the player's character, not his athleticism, which remains above reproach. You sometimes hear it suggested that the player is lazy or doesn't even like basketball much but treats it like a meal ticket. With guys like Williams or Sullinger, there may be questions about the position they play or their height or athleticism, but not about their heart. They are strong competitors. I suggest most of the top 10 in this draft are strong competitors. But Jones didn't give off that impression while he was playing this season. I see him compared to Lamar Odom, but Odom has a pretty competitive mindset, maybe not Kobe-like, but reasonably strong and focussed. So is Jones Odom-redux, or Swift-redux. I think that only comes out in interviews with him and people who have been close to him and whom pro scouts believe will give a reliable opinion.

He could be Rudy Gay though. Someone who did lack that heart and drive but was so talented that he became a steal at #8 anyways. And has matured fairly well mentally

[CunningLinguist]

The issue with Jones that I cannot evaluate is his character/motor/heart/mindset/BBIQ. When players like Brown or Stromile Swift have flamed out, the cause is often found in the player's character, not his athleticism, which remains above reproach. You sometimes hear it suggested that the player is lazy or doesn't even like basketball much but treats it like a meal ticket. With guys like Williams or Sullinger, there may be questions about the position they play or their height or athleticism, but not about their heart. They are strong competitors. I suggest most of the top 10 in this draft are strong competitors. But Jones didn't give off that impression while he was playing this season. I see him compared to Lamar Odom, but Odom has a pretty competitive mindset, maybe not Kobe-like, but reasonably strong and focussed. So is Jones Odom-redux, or Swift-redux. I think that only comes out in interviews with him and people who have been close to him and whom pro scouts believe will give a reliable opinion.

Swift and Brown were never all that skilled to begin with, but I understand what you're saying.

Willingness to work on their game after they get the $$$ is one of the toughest things to evaluate in a player. Just think how good VC and TMac could have been with the drive of Jordan or Kobe.

[TheRealDeal]

Come on Barnesnani, two misses so far.