Official Raptors 2011 NBA Draft Thread, Part 5

[bboyskinnylegs]

Not sure if this has been posted, but here's an article from yesterday on Williams:
http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/sports_blog/2011/03/college-basketball-.html

It's interesting to note that he first got noticed by Floyd when he was checking out DeMar in high school.

[TiKusDom]

If you have a choice between Knight and Kemba Walker, you take Knight and run. In terms of physical attributes , Knight by far has the better NBA body and build, his physical tools will allow him to have far better success at the PG than Walker. Kemba walker is no Chris Paul , who people were knocking for his size back in the day. Chris Paul was a special player and you could tell from highschool, even with his grandfather's story, you know Paul was going to be special. Kemba Walker will not have that kind of impact in the NBA. He is far too undersized, does not have outstanding court vision, he will be abused by bigger guards like Westbrook, Rose, Deron... I think Kemba is a great college player, but I do not think he will be a good NBA player. Now in terms of Knight, he is far further along in his development than Kemba ever was as a first or second year player. Brandon Knight has been a special player and dominating force since highschool. His combination of size, athleticism , build make him a shoe in to excel in the NBA. He is a notch below Derrick Rose athletically, but in terms of everything else he is just as good if not better. In terms of picking between Knight and Kemba its not even close. Take Knight and run.

[RaptorReloaded]

Completely agree TiKusDom. Knight over Walker by a mile. Kid is 18 and leading his squad to the final 4 and that game winner against Ohio State was huuge!!! During last summer he was a top 5 pick in most mock drafts. His stock dropped when the college season started but IMOP he has reedemed himself.

[God Squad]

If Barnes/Irving are off the board. I'd take Knight and laugh all the way to training camp

[sunny]

Two things

1) Although the draft lottery is a long ways away, I think that one could figure out the lottery's teams first three picks. For example, If Cleveland gets the first pick and Washington gets the second, is Kyrie available at three?

To me it looks like the top 3 has separated itself from the rest as Williams-Irving-Barnes.
This is good and bad because if we get a top three pick we are golden, but if we are 4-5-6, then we are in pf zone and a bit less fortunate.

2) I'm also not sure what our second round pick situation is like or if we would buy a late first rounder.
Tyler Honeycutt and Josh Selby need to be looked at.
Honeycutt comes from a great college coach. His defense will be great in the nba and he still has a good chance of having his offense develop.
Josh Selby was the best highschool player last year. Yes, better than Barnes, knight Jones and others.
Selby is a combo guard who has had a very unfortunate year at Kansas. Despite this, he still oozes potential and talent.

[RaptorReloaded]

Knight would be amazing on this team. DD isn't the greatest at creating his own offense and usualy gets his in the flow of the game. Example fast breaks, coming off screens for mid range jump shots and so on. Same with Ed plus he's only had less then a year in the league and hasn't really developed his offensive game yet. Our team isnt really set up for a pass first pg. A scoring PG like Knight on the other hand I could see opening up the floor up for our young guys. He's got great range to and has no problem creating his own shot.

[God Squad]

Two things

1) Although the draft lottery is a long ways away, I think that one could figure out the lottery's teams first three picks. For example, If Cleveland gets the first pick and Washington gets the second, is Kyrie available at three?

To me it looks like the top 3 has separated itself from the rest as Williams-Irving-Barnes.
This is good and bad because if we get a top three pick we are golden, but if we are 4-5-6, then we are in pf zone and a bit less fortunate.

2) I'm also not sure what our second round pick situation is like or if we would buy a late first rounder.
Tyler Honeycutt and Josh Selby need to be looked at.
Honeycutt comes from a great college coach. His defense will be great in the nba and he still has a good chance of having his offense develop.
Josh Selby was the best highschool player last year. Yes, better than Barnes, knight Jones and others.
Selby is a combo guard who has had a very unfortunate year at Kansas. Despite this, he still oozes potential and talent.

We don't have a second rounder. Traded it to Bulls for JJ. But I think we should buy a late first or a lotto.

[God Squad]

Two things

1) Although the draft lottery is a long ways away, I think that one could figure out the lottery's teams first three picks. For example, If Cleveland gets the first pick and Washington gets the second, is Kyrie available at three?

To me it looks like the top 3 has separated itself from the rest as Williams-Irving-Barnes.
This is good and bad because if we get a top three pick we are golden, but if we are 4-5-6, then we are in pf zone and a bit less fortunate.

2) I'm also not sure what our second round pick situation is like or if we would buy a late first rounder.
Tyler Honeycutt and Josh Selby need to be looked at.
Honeycutt comes from a great college coach. His defense will be great in the nba and he still has a good chance of having his offense develop.
Josh Selby was the best highschool player last year. Yes, better than Barnes, knight Jones and others.
Selby is a combo guard who has had a very unfortunate year at Kansas. Despite this, he still oozes potential and talent.

Where do you see Selby at the next level? Cause I tried watching his games because he was good in HS. He looked pretty bad. Matter of fact his team player better without him in the lineup. I'm not sure he can play the point. Anyways I think he should return another year. He could be good. Just not yet.

[sonn]

Two things

1) Although the draft lottery is a long ways away, I think that one could figure out the lottery's teams first three picks. For example, If Cleveland gets the first pick and Washington gets the second, is Kyrie available at three?

To me it looks like the top 3 has separated itself from the rest as Williams-Irving-Barnes.
This is good and bad because if we get a top three pick we are golden, but if we are 4-5-6, then we are in pf zone and a bit less fortunate.

2) I'm also not sure what our second round pick situation is like or if we would buy a late first rounder.
Tyler Honeycutt and Josh Selby need to be looked at.
Honeycutt comes from a great college coach. His defense will be great in the nba and he still has a good chance of having his offense develop.
Josh Selby was the best highschool player last year. Yes, better than Barnes, knight Jones and others.
Selby is a combo guard who has had a very unfortunate year at Kansas. Despite this, he still oozes potential and talent.

We don't have a second rounder. Traded it to Bulls for JJ. But I think we should buy a late first or a lotto.

Raptors traded the Miami pick for JJ, the 2nd rounder this year belongs to Detroit for the Carlos Delfino trade.

[Kaizen]

Selby was NOT the best player in high school. The only scouting service that said that was rivals. Rivals also said Gerald Green and Josh McRoberts were the best players in their high school class.

[sunny]

I watched a lot of Selby in highschool and thought he displayed the most amount of talent in my opinion. Granted, I watched him more than some of the other top 5 prospects because AZ was recruiting him, but he was an absolute stud. I viewed him to be better than KI and BK from what I saw though.

Given how he was suspended to start the year and his injury, he never fit in with his team.
I don't think thats a judgement on Selby as a player, but just the circumstances he was in. Fortunately, the reason why he is projected so low now is because of this season. Had he gone to Arizona, Kentucky, or Tennessee, I think he would be projected in the exact same position as Brandon Knight is now.

[CunningLinguist]

Two things

1) Although the draft lottery is a long ways away, I think that one could figure out the lottery's teams first three picks. For example, If Cleveland gets the first pick and Washington gets the second, is Kyrie available at three?

To me it looks like the top 3 has separated itself from the rest as Williams-Irving-Barnes.
This is good and bad because if we get a top three pick we are golden, but if we are 4-5-6, then we are in pf zone and a bit less fortunate.

2) I'm also not sure what our second round pick situation is like or if we would buy a late first rounder.
Tyler Honeycutt and Josh Selby need to be looked at.
Honeycutt comes from a great college coach. His defense will be great in the nba and he still has a good chance of having his offense develop.
Josh Selby was the best highschool player last year. Yes, better than Barnes, knight Jones and others.
Selby is a combo guard who has had a very unfortunate year at Kansas. Despite this, he still oozes potential and talent.

I still don't see Williams as a top 3 pick. I'd wager that Perry Jones gets taken before him (along with Irving and Barnes). I'd take Knight over him too.

[God Squad]

See, When I saw HS highlights and a few college games he comes across as a high flyer only. He didn't create much for his team. I just question his ability to play point and hit big shots. I dunno. He just seems like he should stay another year. He had a very disappointing year.

But I agree. I was high on Shelby before his college season. I'm just not sure anymore.

[God Squad]

Two things

1) Although the draft lottery is a long ways away, I think that one could figure out the lottery's teams first three picks. For example, If Cleveland gets the first pick and Washington gets the second, is Kyrie available at three?

To me it looks like the top 3 has separated itself from the rest as Williams-Irving-Barnes.
This is good and bad because if we get a top three pick we are golden, but if we are 4-5-6, then we are in pf zone and a bit less fortunate.

2) I'm also not sure what our second round pick situation is like or if we would buy a late first rounder.
Tyler Honeycutt and Josh Selby need to be looked at.
Honeycutt comes from a great college coach. His defense will be great in the nba and he still has a good chance of having his offense develop.
Josh Selby was the best highschool player last year. Yes, better than Barnes, knight Jones and others.
Selby is a combo guard who has had a very unfortunate year at Kansas. Despite this, he still oozes potential and talent.

I still don't see Williams as a top 3 pick. I'd wager that Perry Jones gets taken before him (along with Irving and Barnes). I'd take Knight over him too.

I'd take Knight over Williams as well. But Williams Should be top 3. But he fits zero need for our team. Not even sure if he's BPA if your looking at overall talent/potential.

[sunny]

good thing for the raptors in general though. Derrick Williams is the only prospect competing with Kyrie for the number 1 spot. It doesn't matter that the raptors don't want him, its that it potentially helps drop Kyrie and Barnes farther down.

IE: lets say the raptors get the third pick in the draft and 1,2 goes to Washington and Goldenstate.
Washington could take Dwill and Gstate could take Barnes leaving us Irving at 3.

[Rude Boy 1]

If you have a choice between Knight and Kemba Walker, you take Knight and run. In terms of physical attributes , Knight by far has the better NBA body and build, his physical tools will allow him to have far better success at the PG than Walker. Kemba walker is no Chris Paul , who people were knocking for his size back in the day. Chris Paul was a special player and you could tell from highschool, even with his grandfather's story, you know Paul was going to be special. Kemba Walker will not have that kind of impact in the NBA. He is far too undersized, does not have outstanding court vision, he will be abused by bigger guards like Westbrook, Rose, Deron... I think Kemba is a great college player, but I do not think he will be a good NBA player. Now in terms of Knight, he is far further along in his development than Kemba ever was as a first or second year player. Brandon Knight has been a special player and dominating force since highschool. His combination of size, athleticism , build make him a shoe in to excel in the NBA. He is a notch below Derrick Rose athletically, but in terms of everything else he is just as good if not better. In terms of picking between Knight and Kemba its not even close. Take Knight and run.

Those are the best in the game anyone we draft INCLUDING Knight will be abused by them. ANd physical attributes aside, I like Kemba because he is a winner and is 100% gamer. I don't know why you guys focus so much on physical attributes when its clear that the main advantage Kemba has over the competition is highly transferable in the NBA. Speed and shot making ability. With the way the game is called today Kemba could be a steal! One of those guys everyone passed on (like Rondo) who is the catalyst for his teams resurgence. I still have Kyrie as my one and only but Kemba's performances the past month and a half definitely have him on my radar should we miss out on Irving.

[TheRealDeal]

good thing for the raptors in general though. Derrick Williams is the only prospect competing with Kyrie for the number 1 spot. It doesn't matter that the raptors don't want him, its that it potentially helps drop Kyrie and Barnes farther down.

IE: lets say the raptors get the third pick in the draft and 1,2 goes to Washington and Goldenstate.
Washington could take Dwill and Gstate could take Barnes leaving us Irving at 3.

this

[Steely Reserve]

Here is my top-10 Big Board as of 03/27/11:

1. Perry Jones
2. Jonas Valanciunas
3. Derrick Williams
4. Brandon Knight
5. Tristan Thompson
6. Kyrie Irving
7. Enes Kanter
8. Harrison Barnes
9. Alex Burks
10. Kemba Walker


Obvioulsy I form my own opinions and don't rely on what the media tells me. I think Perry Jones will clearly become the best player in the draft. Not of fan of 6'1 scoring point guards who I question can attack the paint at the next level, so that's the reason Irving falls on my board.

Tristan is a new-age Charles Oakley with more length and better ball skills. I'm really high on this kid.

Jonas Valanciunas will surprise many people who don't follow Euro basketball. Guy has supreme length, plays tough, runs the floor, and hits free throws. When you have that skillset @ 6'11, that should warrant automatic top-3 consideration.

Not a fan of Harrison Barnes.... at all. Guy is playing on an uber-talented North Carolina squad and routinely doesn't look like the best player on the team. The hype-campaign is strong for Kyrie Irving but at times the one for Barnes exceeds him. Wings who can't create for themselves or others don't go to-5... period. That's even moreso when that player hasn't proven he's great at the one thing that's supposed his strength -- shooting. Unless Barnes improves tremendously, he will get eaten up at the next level. I see players like Kentucky's DeAndre Liggins having comparable two-way effect in the NBA as Barnes. Barnes offensive skills are overrated and Liggins are underrated. While both project to be plus defenders at the next level, Liggins defensive abilities are more versatile at the moment and he can guard point guards as well. Liggins screams a more athletic Bruce Bowen to me. At the end of the day, I thinks its a real argument if Barnes is even the highest rated true/prototypical small forward in this draft. I think Terrence Jones gives him a run for his money.

Brandon Knight, I'm big on. That's just a fact. Guy has that fire inside. Born leader. He isn't afraid of the moment and I think his game translates to the NBA better than almost anyone sans Jones III. He has change of directions, explosion with the dribble, and finishing skills/measurables Irving lacks.

[ItsDanger]

Obvious fact: When everyone likes too many players in a draft, you know there are going to be some major disappointments. You guys seem to overrate too many of these players and their impact on a team that needs to be serious about contending not just getting to 40 wins. Virtually all of these players have a major flaw in their games. Looks like 2006 all over again.

[Comeatme_Bro]

Can't wait for the Kentucky-UNC game later today!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

BRANDON KNIGHT VS HARRISON BARNES

WHO WILL PREVAIL?