Official Raptors 2011 NBA Draft Thread, Part 6

[5DOM]

I don't think Knight is a superior athlete to Kemba tbh.

[Rude Boy 1]

His quickness is more of an advantage because in the NBA there's more man-to-man defenses that won't be constantly double-teaming him since there's other talent to worry about than just him (and sometimes Lamb). Also the paint won't be clogged up because there's a 3 second rule in the NBA.

Yeah we saw just how much more of an advantage he had against Liggins. Oh wait no he got shut down and repeatedly blocked by a taller defender. Now that is going to be guarded by long athletic freaks of the NBA who will have no need to defend him, since they will be so much better than the competition. 3 second rule in the NBA , so what? There is something called help defense in the NBA, and some Centers are quite adept at it regardless of the 3 second rule. Blocking shots from midgets is something they live on . If hes lucky he will be an ok offensive player, and on defense? Basketball is a two way game and there is absolutely nothing about Kemba Walker that says he is going to be able to contain or even properly defend your average NBA point guard. People who think he is worthy of a top 5 pick are jokes, that is why NBA GMs are where they are, and the rest of the average joes are here. I know BC wont even contemplate Walker as a top 5 pick , it is a ridiculous notion, and I am pretty confident Walker wont be coming here before Brandon Knight who is a far superior athlete.

Who are these all World defenders at the point you keep speaking about? you do realize the hand checking and lack of zone defenses make the college and pro games completely different don't you? Speed KILLS and he has a ton of it. L

[Rude Boy 1]

Kyrie.

period.

[Reef]

His quickness is more of an advantage because in the NBA there's more man-to-man defenses that won't be constantly double-teaming him since there's other talent to worry about than just him (and sometimes Lamb). Also the paint won't be clogged up because there's a 3 second rule in the NBA.

Yeah we saw just how much more of an advantage he had against Liggins. Oh wait no he got shut down and repeatedly blocked by a taller defender. Now that is going to be guarded by long athletic freaks of the NBA who will have no need to defend him, since they will be so much better than the competition. 3 second rule in the NBA , so what? There is something called help defense in the NBA, and some Centers are quite adept at it regardless of the 3 second rule. Blocking shots from midgets is something they live on . If hes lucky he will be an ok offensive player, and on defense? Basketball is a two way game and there is absolutely nothing about Kemba Walker that says he is going to be able to contain or even properly defend your average NBA point guard. People who think he is worthy of a top 5 pick are jokes, that is why NBA GMs are where they are, and the rest of the average joes are here. I know BC wont even contemplate Walker as a top 5 pick , it is a ridiculous notion, and I am pretty confident Walker wont be coming here before Brandon Knight who is a far superior athlete.

Reading comprehension FTL! Did you not read anything we all just wrote? He couldn't penetrate because Kentucky was always packing the paint. They can't do that in the pro's. Even if some centers are "adept" at help defense, it doesn't compare to being able to just stand there the entire possession, especially because they don't have to focus on other UCONN players on defense. In the pros, centers will have to stay with their man for longer on defense because the talent is much greater and of course, the 3 second rule. Sure he'll get blocked sometimes, but he'll be able to get into the paint much more easily in the NBA, than in college.

On defense, who can really stay with their man in the NBA? Who can contain Rose, Westbrook? Kemba will be just as good as anyone in terms of staying in front of his man. His problem will be with post ups.

[MEDIC]

I think Kemba's quickness is going to be at an elite level even in the NBA. With his explosiveness, better spacing in the pros and the fact that he won't see double/triple teams, I think he'll be fine at least on offense. He doesnt shoot a great percentage but he can still get to the line.

That's the way I see things. His shooting will get better with age as well.

I wouldn't use a top 5 pick on him, but I would still love to have him on this team. If we were able to acquire a 2nd pick, I'd be stoked if they drafted him.

In a draft were some teams might be looking to get out, it would be great if we could get a 2nd pick & draft either Kemba or Terrence Jones.

[FluLikeSymptoms]

With regard to Walker, I think what some need to consider is that creating space is only half the game. Maintaining space through the finish is the hard part of being a pro guard. Kemba can't dunk in traffic, has small hands, no length or bulk and as a result he likely will not be able to protect the ball and get a high-percentage shot at the rim.

Even all of those fingernail-scraping jumpers he's shooting off the dribble in the NCAA are dangerous. He may have to get like TJ and lean back, jump his highest and jack it 30 ft. in the air.

And I don't know how you'd think he could guard anybody. It's not like he could even stay with someone his size, let alone bother somebody bigger. Again, he doesn't even have the length to gamble.

[Reef]

With regard to Walker, I think what some need to consider is that creating space is only half the game. Maintaining space through the finish is the hard part of being a pro guard. Kemba can't dunk in traffic, has small hands, no length or bulk and as a result he likely will not be able to protect the ball and get a high-percentage shot at the rim.

Even all of those fingernail-scraping jumpers he's shooting off the dribble in the NCAA are dangerous. He may have to get like TJ and lean back, jump his highest and jack it 30 ft. in the air.

And I don't know how you'd think he could guard anybody. It's not like he could even stay with someone his size, let alone bother somebody bigger. Again, he doesn't even have the length to gamble.

No need to dunk in traffic. Jose doesn't. Bayless doesn't. Most point guards don't. He'll obviously pick and choose when it's right to penetrate. Lots of small point guards have, like Stoudamire, Iverson, Terell Brandon, etc.

Why couldn't he guard anyone? Size has nothing to do with "staying with someone", unless it comes down to getting posted up. That comes down to lateral quickness. He doesn't have the length but he has the quickness to gamble.

[TiKusDom]

Reading comprehension FTL! Did you not read anything we all just wrote? He couldn't penetrate because Kentucky was always packing the paint. They can't do that in the pro's. Even if some centers are "adept" at help defense, it doesn't compare to being able to just stand there the entire possession, especially because they don't have to focus on other UCONN players on defense. In the pros, centers will have to stay with their man for longer on defense because the talent is much greater and of course, the 3 second rule. Sure he'll get blocked sometimes, but he'll be able to get into the paint much more easily in the NBA, than in college.

On defense, who can really stay with their man in the NBA? Who can contain Rose, Westbrook? Kemba will be just as good as anyone in terms of staying in front of his man. His problem will be with post ups.

Basketball comprehension FTL, maybe you should have watched the UK UCONN game, Kemba was getting blocked on the perimeter repeatedly, maybe you dont know about the level of athleticism in the NBA, but athletic NBA bigmen in the NBA dont need to stand in the paint to make up the difference between the two styles of play. While almost every PG in the NBA will be able to post up Kemba.. Kemba will be able to post up ... nobody? He might be able to drive and get to the hole .... oh wait we already have someone who can drive and get to the hole his name is Jerryd Bayless, and hes taller , longer, and more athletic. Whats your point? Kemba Walker isnt arguably even better than Bayless, so now you think picking someone who is probably worse than a player we have on our roster with a lotto pick is a good idea? In fact I see nothing in Kemba Walker that tells me he is going to be any better than Bayless.

[Steve Urkel]

I think Kemba's quickness is going to be at an elite level even in the NBA. With his explosiveness, better spacing in the pros and the fact that he won't see double/triple teams, I think he'll be fine at least on offense. He doesnt shoot a great percentage but he can still get to the line.

This. I think he will stay in the league for a while but I don't really see him becoming a starter on a winning team. I think he will be a nice scoring off the bench guy and hopefully he can improve his shot, then I can see him becoming an effective player.

[5DOM]

I just feel like if Nate Robinson can play 20 minutes a game for an NBA team, Kemba can be pretty good (again, I'm not saying I want him with a top 5 pick). He's taller than Robinson, was a better college player than Robinson ever was, and has much better intangibles.

[Reef]

Reading comprehension FTL! Did you not read anything we all just wrote? He couldn't penetrate because Kentucky was always packing the paint. They can't do that in the pro's. Even if some centers are "adept" at help defense, it doesn't compare to being able to just stand there the entire possession, especially because they don't have to focus on other UCONN players on defense. In the pros, centers will have to stay with their man for longer on defense because the talent is much greater and of course, the 3 second rule. Sure he'll get blocked sometimes, but he'll be able to get into the paint much more easily in the NBA, than in college.

On defense, who can really stay with their man in the NBA? Who can contain Rose, Westbrook? Kemba will be just as good as anyone in terms of staying in front of his man. His problem will be with post ups.

Basketball comprehension FTL, maybe you should have watched the UK UCONN game, Kemba was getting blocked on the perimeter repeatedly, maybe you dont know about the level of athleticism in the NBA, but athletic NBA bigmen in the NBA dont need to stand in the paint to make up the difference between the two styles of play. While almost every PG in the NBA will be able to post up Kemba.. Kemba will be able to post up ... nobody? He might be able to drive and get to the hole .... oh wait we already have someone who can drive and get to the hole his name is Jerryd Bayless, and hes taller , longer, and more athletic. Whats your point? Kemba Walker isnt arguably even better than Bayless, so now you think picking someone who is probably worse than a player we have on our roster with a lotto pick is a good idea? In fact I see nothing in Kemba Walker that tells me he is going to be any better than Bayless.

Yes, Kemba was getting blocked by Harrellson on the perimeter, because he was getting doubled, and he won't have to worry about that in the NBA. He won't have centers coming out to the 3 point line to help to contain him.

Why would Kemba have to post up anyone? He can uses his explosiveness. Bayless has nothing to do with this. I'm not talking about Kemba on the Raps. I'm just talking about him in the NBA in general. I do think Kemba's a better ball handler and penetrator than Bayless. He's also had more experience at running a team than Bayless has.

[Dr Positivity]

The reason Kemba's size won't work defensively is screens will destroy him. IMO you're better off being strong and slow than small and quick defensively. Derek Fisher is a much better defender than Aaron Brooks or Steph Curry

That's the biggest reason Calderon is so bad defensively. Handles screens as bad as anyone, he doesn't have the strength for it. Add that to slow footspeed and you have the perfect recipe for the league's worst defensive PG. When a team sets a screen on us the PG is getting in the paint. And we blow defensively from that point on too.

[Reef]

The reason Kemba's size won't work defensively is screens will destroy him. IMO you're better off being strong and slow than small and quick defensively. Derek Fisher is a much better defender than Aaron Brooks.

That's the biggest reason Calderon is so bad defensively. Handles screens as bad as anyone, he doesn't have the strength for it. Add that to slow footspeed and you have the perfect recipe for the league's worst defensive PG

Look at Rondo, CP3, Tony Parker. These are not huge/strong point guards but are considered good defenders. Sure strength helps, but it's not essential to being a good point guard. It's more about effort, knowing when to go under/over screens and knowing your opponents tendencies.

I'd say the biggest reason Jose is bad defensively is because of the footspeed. Even without screens, he just can't stay in front of anyone, and he's a fairly big point guard.

[Rude Boy 1]

People are looking for the prototype when there aren't that many available that have talent. Kemba has his flaws and in most drafts I wouldn't even consider him in my top 10 but this isn't most drafts. His skillset can translate in the NBA much like others before him including TJ Ford who was at an allstar level before Horford.

[FluLikeSymptoms]

With regard to Walker, I think what some need to consider is that creating space is only half the game. Maintaining space through the finish is the hard part of being a pro guard. Kemba can't dunk in traffic, has small hands, no length or bulk and as a result he likely will not be able to protect the ball and get a high-percentage shot at the rim.

Even all of those fingernail-scraping jumpers he's shooting off the dribble in the NCAA are dangerous. He may have to get like TJ and lean back, jump his highest and jack it 30 ft. in the air.

And I don't know how you'd think he could guard anybody. It's not like he could even stay with someone his size, let alone bother somebody bigger. Again, he doesn't even have the length to gamble.

No need to dunk in traffic. Jose doesn't. Bayless doesn't. Most point guards don't. He'll obviously pick and choose when it's right to penetrate. Lots of small point guards have, like Stoudamire, Iverson, Terell Brandon, etc.

Why couldn't he stay with guard anyone? Size has nothing to do with "staying with someone", unless it comes down to getting posted up. That comes down to lateral quickness. He doesn't have the length but he has the quickness to gamble.

Attacking is his #1 function, the risks are magnified. Re: dunking in traffic, that's just one way he can't finish. I'm concerned with the tools and the likelihood of success. Some have made it happen, why would you count on it? And if people don't stop comparing Kemba Walker to Allen Iverson, my head is going to explode. BTW AI had the length that Kemba doesn't, and it helped him get his layups on the rim.

No small guards can stay with players their size/quickness up top without fouling. It's all gambling, even for Rondo, as it was for Iverson who was as quick as anybody, ever, and far quicker than Kemba. Toney Douglas was 10x the college defender Kemba has been at the same size, and he got benched for D many times last season by Mike D'Antoni.

[TiKusDom]

People are looking for the prototype when there aren't that many available that have talent. Kemba has his flaws and in most drafts I wouldn't even consider him in my top 10 but this isn't most drafts. His skillset can translate in the NBA much like others before him including TJ Ford who was at an allstar level before Horford.

Kemba Walker is no where close to TJ ford who averaged 8 apg as a freshman in college. Walker is nowhere as quick as for, and his vision is nowhere as close. That comparison , apart from both being midgets, is completely off base.

[Reignman]

The reason Kemba's size won't work defensively is screens will destroy him. IMO you're better off being strong and slow than small and quick defensively. Derek Fisher is a much better defender than Aaron Brooks.

That's the biggest reason Calderon is so bad defensively. Handles screens as bad as anyone, he doesn't have the strength for it. Add that to slow footspeed and you have the perfect recipe for the league's worst defensive PG

Look at Rondo, CP3, Tony Parker. These are not huge/strong point guards but are considered good defenders. Sure strength helps, but it's not essential to being a good point guard. It's more about effort, knowing when to go under/over screens and knowing your opponents tendencies.

I'd say the biggest reason Jose is bad defensively is because of the footspeed. Even without screens, he just can't stay in front of anyone, and he's a fairly big point guard.

Typo? Tony Parker has never been a good defender.

CP is much more built than Kemba and he has great defensive awareness, Kemba does not. Rondo also has that defensive awareness, except he uses his quicks and length to do most of his damage.

Really, Kemba is a poor defender in college, let's not make him out to be something he's not. He's only going to look worse in the L when he goes up against bigger, stronger and better PGs than he's ever faced in his life.

[Rude Boy 1]

People are looking for the prototype when there aren't that many available that have talent. Kemba has his flaws and in most drafts I wouldn't even consider him in my top 10 but this isn't most drafts. His skillset can translate in the NBA much like others before him including TJ Ford who was at an allstar level before Horford.

Kemba Walker is no where close to TJ ford who averaged 8 apg as a freshman in college. Walker is nowhere as quick as for, and his vision is nowhere as close. That comparison , apart from both being midgets, is completely off base.

No its not! Smallish PG's who look for their shot by utilizing their quickness to create space. That was TJ in a nutshell and is also Kemba. Stop looking to the stats because it proves nothing, Kemba had a terrible team for there to be a recorded assist you need people who can make shots around you. Lamb was about the only one and he came on late...

When I watch him play that is about the closest comparison I see to Kemba, Ford. Who do you see as his closest NBA clone? TJ was a better passer for sure but his main strength is mirrored in Kemba

[kush-]

1) KYRIE
2) DWILL (does he have the skills to play SF?)
3) Barnes

[fredericklove]

CP is much more built than Kemba and he has great defensive awareness, Kemba does not. Rondo also has that defensive awareness, except he uses his quicks and length to do most of his damage.

BTW this is unrelated to the kemba stuff but since u've mentioned CP, back then espn scouts worried about drafting CP although knowing he had insane point guard skillset, they worried about his personality issues when they had indicated how often CP used cheap shots against the defenders, that had them worried abit