Official Raptors 2011 NBA Draft Thread, Part 5

[Silk Wilkes]

Freshman Year
Billups (6'3): 35.5 Mins, 17.9 Pts, 5.5 Asts (4.6 T/O), 6.3 Rebs, 41.3 FG%, 35.4 3PT%
Knight (6'3): 35.8 Mins, 17.3 Pts, 4.2 Asts (3.2 T/O), 3.9 Rebs, 43.1 FG%, 38.2 3PT%


Knights shares a lot of similarities with a young Billups. Both were similar in size, although Knight has to fill out like Billups has. Both are natural, on the floor leaders, who are hard workers. Like Billups, Knight already has a NBA jump shot. Knight also has underdeveloped PG skills like Billips, but given his age, I like the chances of these skills improving.

If we can land a PG with an overall impact of a Billups type from this draft, it would be great situation.

To me this is interesting but the stats still favor Billups. However I will say that they play different games for the most part. Chauncey uses his big frame for success a lot more in the NBA and he kinda just has that quiet dignified leadership quality about him that demands his teammates respect. I don't know if Brandon has that, or If it can be developed but I assume it's inate.

[phailing101]

I think everyone is really overlooking Kanter.

If there's one thing I know, its that any C that works out well pre-draft is going to climb.

This guy is projected top 5-6 while having to sit out the entire NCAA season. Once he works out I guarantee he's in the top 3-4......and possibly making a case for 1st overall if the right team wins the lottery.

Big men don't come around every day..........PGs do.

[phailing101]

I totally agree on the Knight and Chauncey comparison.

Chauncey's first couple of seasons were exactly how Knight plays now- a shoot first combo guard.

Eventually Billups really matured as a player and that's the guy we've been watching in Denver in recent years.

If Knight matures the way Billups did he'll be a great player IMO.

[Next Coming]

I think everyone is really overlooking Kanter.

If there's one thing I know, its that any C that works out well pre-draft is going to climb.

This guy is projected top 5-6 while having to sit out the entire NCAA season. Once he works out I guarantee he's in the top 3-4......and possibly making a case for 1st overall if the right team wins the lottery.

Big men don't come around every day..........PGs do.

I like Kanter from what I've seen which isn't a lot. But he isn't shy about contact and he has pretty nice offensive skills for a young big man.

[MEDIC]

I don't think anyone would descibe Knight as a 'pure' PG.

I think what attracts a lot of people to him is his size, his potential to defend at the NBA level, his ability to hit the outside shot and his overall on floor leadership / work ethic.

We have to remember that he's still very young and raw. But it's pretty impressive that at such a young age, he's been able to lead his team to a final 4 and be one of the best players on the court.

His PG skills are still very raw, but he's got lots of time to improve that area of his game.

I guess I like Steve Nash, Chris Paul, John Stockton type PG's rather than Devin Harris/ Jrue Holiday.

Comes down to preference I guess. I think Kemba can be a much more dynamic PG (penetrate & dish). The type that will make his teammates better.

[God Squad]

I think everyone is really overlooking Kanter.

If there's one thing I know, its that any C that works out well pre-draft is going to climb.

This guy is projected top 5-6 while having to sit out the entire NCAA season. Once he works out I guarantee he's in the top 3-4......and possibly making a case for 1st overall if the right team wins the lottery.

Big men don't come around every day..........PGs do.

Word is Kanter thinks he's a PF. I can't remember where I read that. Anyways I sill like Kanter over Val. Just my opinion.

[MEDIC]

I think everyone is really overlooking Kanter.

If there's one thing I know, its that any C that works out well pre-draft is going to climb.

This guy is projected top 5-6 while having to sit out the entire NCAA season. Once he works out I guarantee he's in the top 3-4......and possibly making a case for 1st overall if the right team wins the lottery.

Big men don't come around every day..........PGs do.

I like Kanter from what I've seen which isn't a lot. But he isn't shy about contact and he has pretty nice offensive skills for a young big man.

I like the idea of drafting Kanter if his measurements allow him to play the C position. So far, what I've read is that he's not quite 6"10" & his wingspan isn't all that big for guy his size (about the same as James Johnson - slightly over 7 feet).

Can't wait for the pre-draft measurements.

[phailing101]

He looks to have the body of a C but, most importantly, he loves contact and has great touch in the post.

You don't need a pure 7 footer at C anymore. You just need a guy who has the mentality of a big-man......which I think Kanter does.

I think he'll measure out in the 6'10 range without shoes and good weight. He's pretty built and he's had all season to work out.

[bboyskinnylegs]

Kanter is a C, and has almost exclusively played C up until this point. He's mentioned that he'd like to play PF, but that doesn't change the type of player that he is.

[God Squad]

IMO with upside involved. I could be wrong though.

Kanter is the best Center prospect. Barnes is the better SF prospect. Knight is the better PG. Not including Kyrie.

Anyone of those three I'm really hoping for.

[Zarko]

Why is everyone looking to draft a PG? Our problem for years has been interior defense and defense in general. In the draft we have a legit defensive center to go after but no, we would rather draft a PG.

Draft the center, trade for a PG. PGs are a dime a dozen and NO ONE in this draft screams out even all star potential.

[5DOM]

Why is everyone looking to draft a PG? Our problem for years has been interior defense and defense in general. In the draft we have a legit defensive center to go after but no, we would rather draft a PG.

Draft the center, trade for a PG. PGs are a dime a dozen and NO ONE in this draft screams out even all star potential.

Who is this? Valanciunas or Kanter or Henson?

[Reignman]

Why is everyone looking to draft a PG? Our problem for years has been interior defense and defense in general. In the draft we have a legit defensive center to go after but no, we would rather draft a PG.

Draft the center, trade for a PG. PGs are a dime a dozen and NO ONE in this draft screams out even all star potential.

We have a lot of problems, can't really pick one over the other. Take the best player you can get regardless of position. I just hope that player isn't a 4 because out of all our positions we're set there with Ed/Amir.

[crosswalkryan]

Why is everyone looking to draft a PG? Our problem for years has been interior defense and defense in general. In the draft we have a legit defensive center to go after but no, we would rather draft a PG.

Draft the center, trade for a PG. PGs are a dime a dozen and NO ONE in this draft screams out even all star potential.

There are no legit defensive C's available in this draft. None that would be above scrub/2nd rate time in the NBA. The only one looks like a 5 year euro project (val)

Kanter is an enigma...people are saying that he is 6'10 in shoes, but he might measure 6'8 or shorter at the combine which would be very short for an NBA C. Plus he has knee problems, arthroscopic surgery 2 yrs ago and tendinitis. AND he hasn't played in a yr.

Huge risk if u pick a C this year. I would love one but its not worth the risk. If u want to do that, trade down to the 10 spot and take one because they will be available then.

[ItsDanger]

Not interested in Kanter considering his knee problems and being from Turkey, Id be concerned over how well the procedures went.

[God Squad]

Why is everyone looking to draft a PG? Our problem for years has been interior defense and defense in general. In the draft we have a legit defensive center to go after but no, we would rather draft a PG.

Draft the center, trade for a PG. PGs are a dime a dozen and NO ONE in this draft screams out even all star potential.

We have a lot of problems, can't really pick one over the other. Take the best player you can get regardless of position. I just hope that player isn't a 4 because out of all our positions we're set there with Ed/Amir.

Agree as a team we have so many glaring holes. We too players at all positions. Except PF. We need a PG, we need a C, We need a SF.

[Reignman]

Not interested in Kanter considering his knee problems and being from Turkey, Id be concerned over how well the procedures went.

He had tendonitis in his knees, I doubt he went through any kind of complicated procedure.

[God Squad]

Why is everyone looking to draft a PG? Our problem for years has been interior defense and defense in general. In the draft we have a legit defensive center to go after but no, we would rather draft a PG.

Draft the center, trade for a PG. PGs are a dime a dozen and NO ONE in this draft screams out even all star potential.

Who is this? Valanciunas or Kanter or Henson?

My guess is he's talking about Kanter.

[Overuser]

Why is everyone looking to draft a PG? Our problem for years has been interior defense and defense in general. In the draft we have a legit defensive center to go after but no, we would rather draft a PG.

Draft the center, trade for a PG. PGs are a dime a dozen and NO ONE in this draft screams out even all star potential.

There are no legit defensive C's available in this draft. None that would be above scrub/2nd rate time in the NBA. The only one looks like a 5 year euro project (val)

Kanter is an enigma...people are saying that he is 6'10 in shoes, but he might measure 6'8 or shorter at the combine which would be very short for an NBA C. Plus he has knee problems, arthroscopic surgery 2 yrs ago and tendinitis. AND he hasn't played in a yr.

Huge risk if u pick a C this year. I would love one but its not worth the risk. If u want to do that, trade down to the 10 spot and take one because they will be available then.

Actually Kanter measured 6'10.5" w/shoes at the Nike Hoop Summit. So unless they used a faulty yard stick there is no way he's shorter than that. More than likely he'll measure taller as that was a year ago. If his knees are good I think he deserves a serious look. Especially now that there is talk of finally getting rid of Bargnani.

Here's the link http://www.draftexpress.com/article/Nik ... -One-3429/

[God Squad]

If drafting Kanter meant B.C was going to trade Bargs do it and run. Then we all meet up at real sports bar for some beers.