Official Raptors 2011 NBA Draft Thread, Part 6

[Dr Positivity]

Let me break things down for y'all: Kemba Walker will be absolute **** in the NBA. His ceiling is a few inches above the floor. All-star potential? Are you **** serious? Walker doesn't even have the potential to be a starter on a winning team.

I'm not saying he'll be an allstar, but I would be very surprised if he didn't reach Ty Lawson level (if not better). That's a pretty useful player. Lots of people on this board have been wanting a Ty Lawson level PG on this team for a few years now. My projection for Kemba is at least a healthy TJ ford with better interior passing ability. From a defensive standpoint, Kemba is a much more stocky player, so he won't have the issues that TJ had getting pushed around so easily.

I think outside of Kyrie, Kemba will be the best PG from this class over the next few seasons.

I think Knight has bust potential, whereas Kemba doesn't.

I can't wait for the game tonight to more closely compare these players.

Edit: Hopefully BC wins us a top 3 pick & we don't have to worry about the Knight/ Walker debate.

To me Lawson has Kemba's explosiveness, handle and strength with a more advanced shooting skillset. He shot 47% from 3 in his last college year, and

As we put this data together, we weren’t surprised that Ty Lawson excelled from a situational perspective, as he did play for the most potent offense in all of college basketball, but we didn’t expect him to look this good. He ranks first in a number of key categories, including overall FG% (52%), Points Per Possession [PPP](1.13), pull up jump shot FG% (47%), and %shots he was fouled on (16.1%). Though his teammates did a lot of scoring as well, Lawson functioned seamlessly as a complementary scorer. Looking past his efficiency as a shooter off the dribble, he was second in catch and shoot field goal percentage at 48%. From a purely statistical sense, no player on this list scored more efficiently than Lawson.

From DraftExpress.com http://www.draftexpress.com/profile/Ty- ... z1IOe0r8gM

I'm not seeing that type of unbelievable shooting and shot creating ability from Kemba.

Also, just from watching him nobody is more fluid on the court than Lawson. His feel for the PG position is fantastic

All together, I'm much more inclined to say Lawson is Kemba's best case scenario than what he'll at least be. I can think of much more things that Lawson has over Kemba than the other way around

[Prestige]

I checked it out and the age gap between Walker and Knight is exaggerated. Walker is 20, born in 1990 and will turn 21 next month. Knight is 19, born in 1991 and will turn 20 in December. That's nothing. It just seemed like a big deal because Walker is a junior while Knight is a freshman despite being born in consecutive years.

[sunny]

these two sites are giving away 200 dollars each (plus some other stuff) for guessing the correct score in the Uconn-Kentucky game tonight. I figured some of you might want a shot at free money, so I thought I would post it here.

Goodluck!

http://www.bluegrasshoops.com/content/g ... -score-29/
and
http://www.uconnball.com/f2/guess-exact ... 0/#post193

[CunningLinguist]

I checked it out and the age gap between Walker and Knight is exaggerated. Walker is 20, born in 1990 and will turn 21 next month. Knight is 19, born in 1991 and will turn 20 in December. That's nothing. It just seemed like a big deal because Walker is a junior while Knight is a freshman despite being born in consecutive years.

Several sites including Draft Express and nbadraft.net have Knight's birthday as Dec 2 1992, making him only 18.

[HSOB SIRHC]

I'm leaning towards wanting the Raps to draft Kemba (assuming Irving is not available). I don't know what it is, but I'd feel more comfortable with Kemba running the point, specially with his dribbling.

[MEDIC]

I'm leaning towards wanting the Raps to draft Kemba (assuming Irving is not available). I don't know what it is, but I'd feel more comfortable with Kemba running the point, specially with his dribbling.

I agree. He's got elite handles & can break down multiple defenders off the dribble (kinda like Barbosa). He has much better court vision & passing ability than Barbosa though, so he can actually play the point.

It's too bad Knight isn't 2 inches taller. He would probably be an excellent SG prospect.

[WhatsaTDot]

Let me break things down for y'all: Kemba Walker will be absolute **** in the NBA. His ceiling is a few inches above the floor. All-star potential? Are you **** serious? Walker doesn't even have the potential to be a starter on a winning team.

Sooooooo, you didnt break down anything for 'yall'. Back to the sandpit kid.

[bloojoo]

I think both will be All-star caliber players. I'd just have a hard time betting against Kemba Walker in the NBA

I'll bet neither end up all-star caliber.


It's hilarious reading Raptor fans get so excited about draft picks only to disappear as "fans" of these players when they don't amount to sh*t in the NBA. I don't think Kemba will struggle as much as Evan Turner has but I think he will disappoint all the same and Knight I suspect will be basically Lou Williams 2.0.


It's like Raptor fans just chose to ignore tons of analysts opinions on this being a WEAK draft, YET in this weak draft Kemba and Knight are STILL being projected in the 7-10 range...what does that say about them?? lol Some of you guys don't want to accept what most others see. In all likelyhood, neither will be anything special and it's ridiculous that most of you guys are fighting over which of the 2 you take with the #4 pick....the correct answer is NEITHER.

These are potential solid ROTATION players....top 4 picks shouldn't be based on role players but given RealGM posters' obsession with solid role players with the daily "Get 'er done BC!!!" the second one becomes avaiable I guess it's no surprise.

thats because the draft is the only thing that raptors fans can be excited about. plus every year they say its a weak draft with the exception of the 2003 and 2008 draft. There's nothing wrong with having a little fun trying to predict who will turn out better in the NBA. imo i like knight over walker. I guess im just weary of guys that come out of nowhere during their Junior year and tear it up *cough* wesley johnson *cough*. Plus i guess im biased towards athletic 6'3ish PG's with long wingspans.

[TheRealDeal]

thats because the draft is the only thing that raptors fans can be excited about. plus every year they say its a weak draft with the exception of the 2003 and 2008 draft. There's nothing wrong with having a little fun trying to predict who will turn out better in the NBA. imo i like knight over walker. I guess im just weary of guys that come out of nowhere during their Junior year and tear it up *cough* wesley johnson *cough*. Plus i guess im biased towards athletic 6'3ish PG's with long wingspans.

Wesley Johnson

Big 12 All-Rookie Team (07)
Honorable Mention Freshman All-American (07)
Big 12 Player of the Week (12-19-06; 1-21-08)
Honorable Mention All-Big 12 (08)
First Team AP All American (10)
Big East Player of the Year (10)

Wes Johnson averaged 12.3 points and 7.9 rebounds, starting 30 of 31 games his Freshman season at Iowa State. That was good enough for third in the Big 12 in rebounding (#1 in offensive reb). He transferred to Syracuse where he averaged 16 points and 8.4 rebounds and won Big East POY after sitting out a year. I wouldn't say that's coming out of nowhere.

[Prestige]

I checked it out and the age gap between Walker and Knight is exaggerated. Walker is 20, born in 1990 and will turn 21 next month. Knight is 19, born in 1991 and will turn 20 in December. That's nothing. It just seemed like a big deal because Walker is a junior while Knight is a freshman despite being born in consecutive years.

Several sites including Draft Express and nbadraft.net have Knight's birthday as Dec 2 1992, making him only 18.

If that is indeed the case then the age factor is a valid argument. Strange, how could a guy's age not be clear when he was born and raised in the US?

[HSOB SIRHC]

In my opinion, if Kemba was a few inches taller, he'd be in the top 3 consideration. Might not be saying much in this weak draft though.

[MEDIC]

Game time. I'm pumped!

[Reignman]

I hope Knight dominates Kemba (if they are matched up) tonight. I'd get some validation for saying I'd take him over walker.

Anyway, this game is going to be a flippin' blast. Love Knight's stoic (sp?) vibe when his name was called, kid looks completely focused.

Big UConn crowd it seems.

[MEDIC]

I hope Knight dominates Kemba (if they are matched up) tonight. I'd get some validation for saying I'd take him over walker.

Not gonna happen.

[Comeatme_Bro]

Knight looks huge compared to Walker

[Reignman]

LOL medic, stick to medicine.

I guess we're going to have a little friendly trash talk for the next couple of hours?

Bring it!

[bboyskinnylegs]

Knight looks huge compared to Walker

yep, I think he's going to measure out with elite length for a PG

[Reef]

Too bad Knight's not defending Kemba.

[MEDIC]

UConn off to a good start down low...

[Reignman]

Too bad Knight's not defending Kemba.

Yup, Kemba's playing the off-guard role but then again, Kemba has played like a SG for most of the season.