Official Raptors 2011 NBA Draft Thread, Part 7

[yayotube]

no doubt. i'll reserve my judgement until workouts are done but none of them seem to be the sure thing. it's like with kanter we're sacrificing a bit of barg's scoring for a bit of extra rebounding, and a tiny bit more D. That's not accomplishing alot for a top 3 pick. I'm starting to jump on the "Vet C for a few years" banwagon because they understand the NBA game better in general and can probably have more of an immediate impact on the team D. That needs to happen asap before these young players give up hope of ever being a good defensive team. Sign Daly to a 2-3 yr deal while we wait for our C of the future, and go for D will (if he can guard SF's, or a project like Bismack or do any of you still think Kemba/Knight would be an improvement down the road from Bayless? Again tho, even if Kemba is an upgrade over Bayless, is that enough of an upgrade that it's worth using a top 3 pick on? This might be the year to trade the pick depending on our position post lottery. I for one would love to tank for another season and have 2 high first round picks in next year's draft, but we'll have to do something to keep these young guys from loosing all hope of becoming a good team. If we completely suck again next year, these kids might get bitter and want to go elsewhere.

[/quote]

The best thing about Kanter, IMO is that he's a low post threat. Obviously this is based off scouting reports/limited clips but assuming scouting reports are accurate, theoretically atleast it's a lot better to replace Bargnani's perimeter scoring with interior post scoring, where every shot is higher percentage and within a team concept. Especially if we continue to shift the emphasis of our offence to our backcourt (Bayless/Derozan), we also now have a big, strong bull in the post we can dump it off to, along with Ed Davis' mobility and weak side presence. All in all, Valanciunas and Biyombo present different tools for the same position but that's just my $0.02 about why Kanter is the top of the Center board for some of us.

[bboyskinnylegs]

Imo, Kanter looks like he's somewhere between a Greg Monroe and a Marc Gasol in terms of size/athleticism. At 26 now, Gasol's got the same wingspan (7-1"), and same weight (265) as Kanter's Hoop Summit measurements from a year ago. At 20, Monroe's 9'0.5" standing reach is closer to Kanter's. They can all create and score in the post, and can step out to knock down jumpers. Gasol's the better shotblocker and is an excellent passer, but Kanter looks more mobile and active on the glass.

I don't think he's unathletic at all, he's more of a traditional bang in the post big rather than an athletic freak. He's still the youngest kind to ever play in the Euroleague, beat out Jonas the two times they faced each other in the U-18 Championship last year (and averaged 18.6/16.4/1.8 in that tournament), had rival teams refusing to play against him when he went to Stone Ridge Prep (where he apparently averaged 35/20 in his senior season), drops 21/17 in the Jordan Brand Classic in 2008, and 34/13 in 24 mins at the Hoop Summit last year. Didn't get to play for Kentucky this year, but practices with Calipari and draws praise from his coach/teammates as part of the reason they were able to do so well. In this draft, where we've seen three top prospects drop out now, I think he's definitely one of the top 4 players available.

[God Squad]

If you're divided about the Centers in the draft, just relax a bit and wait till the workouts to see who's the real deal out of Kanter, Valanciunas and Biyombo. If Kanter has physical limitatons and crappy knees, we'll find out. If Valaciunas has no offensive game and skill whatsoever, we'll see that as well. And if Biyombo is one of those every-year athletic freaks soon to be busts, we'll be clear on it. We're not drafting tomorrow, but it's good to know there's 3 options, and clearly with a top 3 (hopefully) pick, we'll be in a position to choose whoever proves to be the best.

This

[fredericklove]

If Kanter can do that against the Lakers front court like that, I will literally cry in joys for 2 days straight.

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aBEWnlpNwqw[/youtube]

[yayotube]

If Kanter can do that against the Lakers front court like that, I will literally cry in joys for 2 days straight.

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aBEWnlpNwqw[/youtube]

Now imagine if Scola was 6'10, 260. Foot work + size + not shying away from contact put Kanter ahead for me. Jonas is not afraid of contact I know, but realistically he's gonna get abused in the paint unless he really works on his body.

[Tofubeque]

Imo, Kanter looks like he's somewhere between a Greg Monroe and a Marc Gasol in terms of size/athleticism. At 26 now, Gasol's got the same wingspan (7-1"), and same weight (265) as Kanter's Hoop Summit measurements from a year ago. At 20, Monroe's 9'0.5" standing reach is closer to Kanter's. They can all create and score in the post, and can step out to knock down jumpers. Gasol's the better shotblocker and is an excellent passer, but Kanter looks more mobile and active on the glass.

I don't think he's unathletic at all, he's more of a traditional bang in the post big rather than an athletic freak. He's still the youngest kind to ever play in the Euroleague, beat out Jonas the two times they faced each other in the U-18 Championship last year (and averaged 18.6/16.4/1.8 in that tournament), had rival teams refusing to play against him when he went to Stone Ridge Prep (where he apparently averaged 35/20 in his senior season), drops 21/17 in the Jordan Brand Classic in 2008, and 34/13 in 24 mins at the Hoop Summit last year. Didn't get to play for Kentucky this year, but practices with Calipari and draws praise from his coach/teammates as part of the reason they were able to do so well. In this draft, where we've seen three top prospects drop out now, I think he's definitely one of the top 4 players available.

Thanks for this post. I was waiting for workouts and the draft combine to get a sense of how much Kanter's body might limit him. Those measurements don't sound too bad, not "T-Rex arms" territory anyway. The question remains, how's his speed and knees?

Kanter's strength is clearly his NBA-ready girth, you can see that just looking at him. As long as he measures out comparably to similar centres in the NBA (Gasol, Krstic, Perkins etc) and shows decent mobility, I could be optimistic about him. With Val it's a bit different; he doesn't have that girth so he ends up comparing unfavourably to similarly lean guys like DeAndre Jordan and JaVale McGee in athleticism. He'll have to at least be a match for the Noahs and Varejaos of the league, and have a heck of a motor to be worth the pick. I'm not so worried about the offense of any of these centres.

Funny how people get so hyped about Biyombo's triple double at the hoops summit, but gloss over Kanter's 34 and 13 in a winning effort when he was 17.

[fredericklove]

If Kanter can do that against the Lakers front court like that, I will literally cry in joys for 2 days straight.

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aBEWnlpNwqw[/youtube]

Now imagine if Scola was 6'10, 260. Foot work + size + not shying away from contact put Kanter ahead for me. Jonas is not afraid of contact I know, but realistically he's gonna get abused in the paint unless he really works on his body.

Can u imagine how much free room Ed has too? Put-backs garbage points and open jumper. Enes is said to be a good passer too. I personally think it's a wishful thinking if Kanter could be at Scola's level offensively but anything is possible.

I'm scared of the Jonas brother man but I would be sold on Jonas if he can turn out to be the next Biedrins (the healthy one) and have his "11.9 pts 11.2 reb, 1.5 blk" type season in 08/09. But even so, would u really use a 3rd pick on someone who avg 10 and 8 and 1 + blk every season in his career. I mean seriously, a 3rd pick?

[yayotube]

Funny how people get so hyped about Biyombo's triple double at the hoops summit, but gloss over Kanter's 34 and 13 in a winning effort when he was 17.

+1. "Out of sight out of mind"

[JYD]

Is that the game where Kanter is playing against other kids, the one on youtube? Just saying, it's not a major accomlishment for any big guy like him to destroy physically undeveloped players in the paint. The thing I noticed watching the highlights of that game is just about all of his buckets are scored below the rim..lots of muscling into post position and getting it up and in. That kind of game will be a lot harder to get off the NBA, with shotblockers and stronger C's everywhere.

Biyombo's hype is more about his shotblocking and defensive ability inside against some of the quickest young prospects in the game. He shows a level of quickness and intimidation for a big man that should translate to the next level.

[yayotube]

Can u imagine how much free room Ed has too? Put-backs garbage points and open jumper. Enes is said to be a good passer too. I personally think it's a wishful thinking if Kanter could be at Scola's level offensively but anything is possible.

I'm scared of the Jonas brother man but I would be sold on Jonas if he can turn out to be the next Biedrins (the healthy one) and have his "11.9 pts 11.2 reb, 1.5 blk" type season in 08/09. But even so, would u really use a 3rd pick on someone who avg 10 and 8 and 1 + blk every season in his career. I mean seriously, a 3rd pick?

That's exactly why I don't want Valanciunas, if that's the kind of player the workouts deem him to be. Having a rock in the middle with Ed is better than having a taller replica of him, to diversify our front court. Plus I think Enes' sheer size will be help him not only keep the bigger C's away from the basket, but it opens up the defensive end for Ed as well to get his weak side blocks/rebounds.

[JYD]

As for Jonas V, I prefer him over Kanter as well. He's quick off his feet and very long, and is producing at a high level in the Euroleague. Whereas what has Kanter done lately?

To me maybe red flags could be in the dicsussion with Biyombo and Jonas V, but at least they have skills and abilities that translate well to the NBA. I think Kanter is limited however and shouldn't even be in the discussion with our draft pick.

[fredericklove]

Imo, Kanter looks like he's somewhere between a Greg Monroe and a Marc Gasol in terms of size/athleticism. At 26 now, Gasol's got the same wingspan (7-1"), and same weight (265) as Kanter's Hoop Summit measurements from a year ago. At 20, Monroe's 9'0.5" standing reach is closer to Kanter's. They can all create and score in the post, and can step out to knock down jumpers. Gasol's the better shotblocker and is an excellent passer, but Kanter looks more mobile and active on the glass.

I don't think he's unathletic at all, he's more of a traditional bang in the post big rather than an athletic freak. He's still the youngest kind to ever play in the Euroleague, beat out Jonas the two times they faced each other in the U-18 Championship last year (and averaged 18.6/16.4/1.8 in that tournament), had rival teams refusing to play against him when he went to Stone Ridge Prep (where he apparently averaged 35/20 in his senior season), drops 21/17 in the Jordan Brand Classic in 2008, and 34/13 in 24 mins at the Hoop Summit last year. Didn't get to play for Kentucky this year, but practices with Calipari and draws praise from his coach/teammates as part of the reason they were able to do so well. In this draft, where we've seen three top prospects drop out now, I think he's definitely one of the top 4 players available.

That is a ridiculous impressive resume

Also, here's Sully's perspective on "The Underkanter" after going directly against Kanter in the fourth quarter of the Hoop Summit game

"I had never heard of him tearing up any camps"

"His skill ability is off the charts," "He's going to be a really great basketball player on the (college) level."

"He's one of the strongest players I've played against," "I think it was an even match."

"He's 6-10 and he can shoot. You don't really see that. Plus, he can read defenses really well."

Then again, there's some over-exaggerated "Kanter-Cousin comparison" comment made from some scouts

"Killer inside," Clark Francis of the Hoop Scoop said.

"Size-wise, he's not as big as Cousins," Dykes said Friday. "But he may end up being as productive. He dominated that game inside."

"If not for the one-year NBA rule, he'd be in the NBA," Oettinger said. "He may be every bit as dominating a player as Cousins was."

http://www.kentucky.com/2010/04/17/1227 ... yones.html

[TheRealDeal]

"Enes has the body and potential to be special. He will provide a valuable low-post presence on both the offensive and defensive ends for our team. He also has the versatility to play away from the basket with his shooting ability and face-up game."
- John Calipari

[fredericklove]

Funny how people get so hyped about Biyombo's triple double at the hoops summit, but gloss over Kanter's 34 and 13 in a winning effort when he was 17

Don't forget he broke Dirk's scoring record.

[S.W.A.N]

I don't think anyone is forgetting Kanters summit numbers.
Its more a fact that we have known about Kanter for a year now, his numbers are very impressive but were also kinda expected as we knew going in that he had game. Biyimbo on the other hand has kinda burst onto the scene and his summit numbers were a punctuation mark saying that in the biggest game of his career against the best young players in the world he can do what he was doing in europe.


Its a shame that Val was unable to play this year, if nothing else to get an up to date weight and measurements.

[HeyJoe]

irving
williams
barnes
kanter

idk after that
jan? biyimbo? so raw.
kemba? knight? lol barely an upgrade over bayless.

everything below barnes was not worth a whole year of tanking imo. might as well trade our pick for something and maybe draft a potential sleeper like jimmers or a morris.

[andyo]

My draftboard right now is

1) Irving
2) Derrick Williams
3) Kanter
4) Barnes

[CapeCrusader]

1) Irving
2) Barnes
3) D Will
4) Kanter

[crosswalkryan]

Looks like we are going to be 3rd, which gives us a shot at moving up to #1 but also a shot of dropping to #4 or #5, and a small small outside chance of dropping to #6

1) Irving
2) Barnes
3) Kanter
4) D-Will
5) Kemba
6) Jonas V

If Barnes doesn't declare then I'd move Biyombo or Knight up to #6 on the list. Looking at that list, its actually not too bad, I think any of those guys will be a solid prospect that I'd be excited about having on the raps.

[DG88]

The only thing about Kanter for is that he wants to be a PF, but both C and PF are interchangeable