Official Raptors 2011 NBA Draft Thread, Part 7

[Indeed]

Ummm, I don't know about anyone else, but I'd happily draft a rebounder/defender who will have a 12 year career at #5.

If we build around Ed Davis, then no.
We probably need someone who can make jumpshot in the future to play along with Davis. Kanter would be a better fit.

[MEDIC]

http://twitter.com/#!/chadfordinsider

Looks like Texas's Tristan Thompson is declaring for the draft. A likely lottery pick

Good move for Tristan. Good chance he could make the lottery this year if he has a good pre-draft.

Next season.....he might be in the 20's.

Hopefully he gets drafted by a quality organization that actually needs a PF.

I think a lot of these guys who would be fringe lottry picks this draft will get a lot of pressure from agents/ financial advisors to declare this season. Financially, this is the best advice.

Who knows, maybe the mid to late first round might actually be OK.

[Mr.Raptorsingh]

Tristan Thompson won't slip past Detroit if Biyombo is off the board by the time they pick.

[MEDIC]

Tristan Thompson won't slip past Detroit if Biyombo is off the board by the time they pick.

I was looking at the mock & thinking Detroit would be a great place for him to end up. They would have their young bigs in place for a number of years.

Other possible destinations that might work out well are Milwaukee (can't believe I said that) & Indiana.

[Reignman]

Honest question about Kanter, do people feel he is being underrated, overrated or placed just about right (in the mix with Val/Walker) in this draft?

This is likely a "gut feeling" type of question because we have limited footage available, he hasn't played for the past year and a half and we mainly have scouting reports and thoughts from his teammates at UK to go by.

Personally, I think he'd be in the discussion for the top pick if he had played. The reason is that the kid really has dominated at every level he has played and considering he made Sullinger (best big man in the NCAA this past season) his bitch just a year ago i have this feeling he would've dominated as the starting C on that Kentucy team. Hell, with Kanter that team probably wins the whole thing. You add in the fact that his teammates talk about him like he would've been the best big in college and we've heard reports that he took it to Nazr Mohammed in practise and I get the vibe that he's kind of flying under the radar even though he's still ranked fairly high in the mocks.

The two negatives really are his knees (tendonitis which was dealt with 2 years ago) and the fact that he didn't play recently. The only other problem I have with him is that he didn't play in the Hoops Summit this year. But other than that I can't really find too many concerns with the kid. He's one of the younger guys in this draft, has the size, length and skill to be a very dominant C and seems to have embraced the North American culture.

Thoughts?

[Silk Wilkes]

Honest question about Kanter, do people feel he is being underrated, overrated or placed just about right (in the mix with Val/Walker) in this draft?

This is likely a "gut feeling" type of question because we have limited footage available, he hasn't played for the past year and a half and we mainly have scouting reports and thoughts from his teammates at UK to go by.

Personally, I think he'd be in the discussion for the top pick if he had played. The reason is that the kid really has dominated at every level he has played and considering he made Sullinger (best big man in the NCAA this past season) his bitch just a year ago i have this feeling he would've dominated as the starting C on that Kentucy team. Hell, with Kanter that team probably wins the whole thing. You add in the fact that his teammates talk about him like he would've been the best big in college and we've heard reports that he took it to Nazr Mohammed in practise and I get the vibe that he's kind of flying under the radar even though he's still ranked fairly high in the mocks.

The two negatives really are his knees (tendonitis which was dealt with 2 years ago) and the fact that he didn't play recently. The only other problem I have with him is that he didn't play in the Hoops Summit this year. But other than that I can't really find too many concerns with the kid. He's one of the younger guys in this draft, has the size, length and skill to be a very dominant C and seems to have embraced the North American culture.

Thoughts?

I think he's being placed about right citing the exact points you said. People are unsure about him, they've seen flashes when he plays but then he stays away from the game for a while so it's hard to judge improvement. I would personally pick him 3rd (after Irving & Williams), but I can't speak for everyone else. His personality reminds me of Dirk. He will completely accept himself into the North American culture and be an asset for 10+ years to whoever drafts him.

[Reignman]

Here's an interview with his coach at Stoneridge Prep, basically right before he went to Kentucky. Funny part is when he says Kanter's bad games are when he's "only" scoring 30 pts and grabbing 20 boards. Again, he's doing this against players his own age. If this was an American he'd certainly have way more hype.

(What type of a player is he?)

"Enes is just very dominant big man. We just played four games out in Vegas and he probably averaged 34-35 and about 19-20 rebounds. He's amazing. He shoots the three. He's got NBA range. He's strong. Will finish around the rim. Just knows how to play. He had 23-24 points the other day and I'm being honest with you, I couldn't tell he had that many points. He's so unselfish. If it's possible to have an unselfish 48-point game, then he had one.

(Is he a true post or can he also play the wing?) "He can do both. He's super comfortable at both. It's not like he's more uncomfortable with one other than the other. He probably averages 3-4 amazing dunks a game on people. So not that he doesn't want to play in the post, but on offense I got him out on the wing because he shoots it so well."

(Did he fly under most people's radar?) "I think everyone kind of knew about him, but he's from Istanbul so unless you really are super-keen into what's going on in Europe, you might not know about him. The beautiful thing about his relationship with Raphael, Raphael met him two years ago so he was very aware what kind of talent this kid was."

(I heard he might go in the draft, but lottery pick?) "His bad game here was yesterday and he had 30 (points) and 20 (rebounds). That was his bad game."

Edit: Sorry, forgot to add the link - http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/h ... _wi_2.html

[FluLikeSymptoms]

TT looks like an NBA rotation player, and I do think the Euros will be too scary for small-market teams considering the impending lockout. TT would be an easier sell than somebody like Motie or Vesely, he could end up top 10.

Give him to Silas in Charlotte, he did a great job with Mags and David West, and that was without Oakley. He even got something out of Moiso.

[fredericklove]

Honest question about Kanter, do people feel he is being underrated, overrated or placed just about right (in the mix with Val/Walker) in this draft?

This is likely a "gut feeling" type of question because we have limited footage available, he hasn't played for the past year and a half and we mainly have scouting reports and thoughts from his teammates at UK to go by.

Personally, I think he'd be in the discussion for the top pick if he had played. The reason is that the kid really has dominated at every level he has played and considering he made Sullinger (best big man in the NCAA this past season) his bitch just a year ago i have this feeling he would've dominated as the starting C on that Kentucy team. Hell, with Kanter that team probably wins the whole thing. You add in the fact that his teammates talk about him like he would've been the best big in college and we've heard reports that he took it to Nazr Mohammed in practise and I get the vibe that he's kind of flying under the radar even though he's still ranked fairly high in the mocks.

The two negatives really are his knees (tendonitis which was dealt with 2 years ago) and the fact that he didn't play recently. The only other problem I have with him is that he didn't play in the Hoops Summit this year. But other than that I can't really find too many concerns with the kid. He's one of the younger guys in this draft, has the size, length and skill to be a very dominant C and seems to have embraced the North American culture.

Thoughts?

In a sense I do feel he's a bit over-rated because his stock sky-rocked after the hoop summit but that doesn't take away what he's done in other elite level tournaments, he has skills beyond his age and that is the fact. Right now there's so many criticisms against him, can he play defense? Does he have the size to play C? I think Raptors posters are highly critical of those elements of his game thx to bargnani. What if other teams that draft him to play PF, they might have a different perception of him, for example wizards draft board have more positive than negative things to say about him.

[Reignman]

I also found out why he had to leave Findlay Prep to go to Stoneridge, guess why?

Opposing team wouldn't play Findlay as long as they had Kanter in their lineup. Hahaha, kid has skills.

[MEDIC]

Personally, I think he'd be in the discussion for the top pick if he had played. The reason is that the kid really has dominated at every level he has played and considering he made Sullinger (best big man in the NCAA this past season) his bitch just a year ago i have this feeling he would've dominated as the starting C on that Kentucy team. Hell, with Kanter that team probably wins the whole thing. You add in the fact that his teammates talk about him like he would've been the best big in college and we've heard reports that he took it to Nazr Mohammed in practise and I get the vibe that he's kind of flying under the radar even though he's still ranked fairly high in the mocks.

I feel the same way you do. I think he would have been one of the more dominant C's in D1 this year.

Problem is, when you haven't seem him play since highschool, how do you justify projecting him as a top 5 pick?

I still wouldn't completely rule out him going 1st or 2nd after the pre draft workouts are done. For all we know he could blow everyone away & become a consensus top pick.

Everyone LOVES Irving, but I also wouldn't be surprised if he dropped after the pre-draft workouts.

The guy is an enigma........kinda like someone else we know....

[Reignman]

Personally, I think he'd be in the discussion for the top pick if he had played. The reason is that the kid really has dominated at every level he has played and considering he made Sullinger (best big man in the NCAA this past season) his bitch just a year ago i have this feeling he would've dominated as the starting C on that Kentucy team. Hell, with Kanter that team probably wins the whole thing. You add in the fact that his teammates talk about him like he would've been the best big in college and we've heard reports that he took it to Nazr Mohammed in practise and I get the vibe that he's kind of flying under the radar even though he's still ranked fairly high in the mocks.

I feel the same way you do. I think he would have been one of the more dominant C's in D1 this year.

Problem is, when you haven't seem him play since highschool, how do you justify projecting him as a top 5 pick?

I still wouldn't completely rule out him going 1st or 2nd after the pre draft workouts are done. For all we know he could blow everyone away & become a consensus top pick.

Everyone LOVES Irving, but I also wouldn't be surprised if he dropped after the pre-draft workouts.

The guy is an enigma........kinda like someone else we know....

I'm getting more and more excited about the kid the more I read about him. I agree that there are definitely question marks and it's hard to speak in absolutes but I'm starting to look at him, Irving and Dwill as the guys I really want. And tbh, I'm still skeptical about DWill's ability to play the 3 and I might even view Kanter higher.

It's just tough to come out and say it because we've all grown to become so pessimistic on this board.

[sunny]

Reigman -

NOBODY wanted Kanter in highschool. That is not something thats a positive for him. Furthermore, when you cite the fact that other teams would refuse to play a team with him; it has nothing to do with his ability, but the fact that he was a professional already (taboo for highschool teams).

Although he "dominated" the limited action he played in, the same goes for literally 20+ kids every year. Kanter has a really small sample to draw from for highschool basketball. With that, he looked great, but not amazing or anything. It is also important to consider that he subsequently hid himself after the fact.

Considering how little he has played, and the fact that he is playing the mystery card; its a massive gamble. Even more so than Bismack IMO.

Would you take BJ Mullens with a top 5 pick?
How about Keith Gallon?...
Spencer Hawes (very similar in HS actually)?

I'm not saying Enes shouldn't be looked at or wont be great, but there are some serious concerns. Much more than I think your posts are reflecting.

[5DOM]

I'd be more confident if I watched a single full game of his. Literally, I don't think I watched him play defense once.

[MEDIC]

On every level that he has played, I have read coaches, teammates, scouts, etc. RAVE about the guy.

Not just that he is a "good kid", or "if he works hard......", or "he has the skills to make it".

They talk about the guy like he is head and tails above everyone else. Not just in size, skill level, but more specifically basketball IQ. He just sounds like he is years ahead of everyone else his age.

I don't think I have ever read comments about a prospect like the ones I have read about Kanter.

I'm not sure that I have really read much in the way of negative comments.

I can understand if you're simply hearing it from the highschool level (man vs boys) you might be pessimestic. When you're hearing it from scouts & people associated with one of the top 5 NCAA programs, it has merit.

[Silk Wilkes]

On every level that he has played, I have read coaches, teammates, scouts, etc. RAVE about the guy.

Not just that he is a "good kid", or "if he works hard......", or "he has the skills to make it".

They talk about the guy like he is head and tails above everyone else. Not just in size, skill level, but more specifically basketball IQ. He just sounds like he is years ahead of everyone else his age.

I don't think I have ever read comments about a prospect like the ones I have read about Kanter.

I'm not sure that I have really read much in the way of negative comments.

I can understand if you're simply hearing it from the highschool level (man vs boys) you might be pessimestic. When you're hearing it from scouts & people associated with one of the top 5 NCAA programs, it has merit.

It's time to start calling him "The Natural" imo.

[Reignman]

Reigman -

NOBODY wanted Kanter in highschool. That is not something thats a positive for him. Furthermore, when you cite the fact that other teams would refuse to play a team with him; it has nothing to do with his ability, but the fact that he was a professional already (taboo for highschool teams).

Although he "dominated" the limited action he played in, the same goes for literally 20+ kids every year. Kanter has a really small sample to draw from for highschool basketball. With that, he looked great, but not amazing or anything. It is also important to consider that he subsequently hid himself after the fact.

Considering how little he has played, and the fact that he is playing the mystery card; its a massive gamble. Even more so than Bismack IMO.

Would you take BJ Mullens with a top 5 pick?
How about Keith Gallon?...
Spencer Hawes (very similar in HS actually)?

I'm not saying Enes shouldn't be looked at or wont be great, but there are some serious concerns. Much more than I think your posts are reflecting.

I can't really argue with you because of the lack of evidence one way or another; however, I've seen Mullens and Hawes and I don't see the comparison.


Now with respect to "NOBODY" wanting him, that's not quite true. Even after comitting to UW he was heavily recruited by USC, UNLV, etc and the main reason teams shied away from him was his eligibility issues.

[MEDIC]

It's time to start calling him "The Natural" imo.

YEAH!

Enes "The Natural" Kanter

He did say that he wanted to become a WWE wrestler after his playing days are done.....

[sunny]

Reigman -

NOBODY wanted Kanter in highschool. That is not something thats a positive for him. Furthermore, when you cite the fact that other teams would refuse to play a team with him; it has nothing to do with his ability, but the fact that he was a professional already (taboo for highschool teams).

Although he "dominated" the limited action he played in, the same goes for literally 20+ kids every year. Kanter has a really small sample to draw from for highschool basketball. With that, he looked great, but not amazing or anything. It is also important to consider that he subsequently hid himself after the fact.

Considering how little he has played, and the fact that he is playing the mystery card; its a massive gamble. Even more so than Bismack IMO.

Would you take BJ Mullens with a top 5 pick?
How about Keith Gallon?...
Spencer Hawes (very similar in HS actually)?

I'm not saying Enes shouldn't be looked at or wont be great, but there are some serious concerns. Much more than I think your posts are reflecting.

I can't really argue with you because of the lack of evidence one way or another; however, I've seen Mullens and Hawes and I don't see the comparison.


Now with respect to "NOBODY" wanting him, that's not quite true. Even after comitting to UW he was heavily recruited by USC, UNLV, etc and the main reason teams shied away from him was his eligibility issues.

sorry - i apologize if my comment came off as snarky, it was not my intention.
My comparison to those players was for how they appeared in highschool/AAU (although Kanter did not play AAU). Had those players not played in college and been in this draft, they likely would have been held in an even higher regard to Kanter.

Tons of colleges wanted him, however I was referencing to how few prep schools wanted him.

[sunny]

On every level that he has played, I have read coaches, teammates, scouts, etc. RAVE about the guy.

Not just that he is a "good kid", or "if he works hard......", or "he has the skills to make it".

They talk about the guy like he is head and tails above everyone else. Not just in size, skill level, but more specifically basketball IQ. He just sounds like he is years ahead of everyone else his age.

I don't think I have ever read comments about a prospect like the ones I have read about Kanter.

I'm not sure that I have really read much in the way of negative comments.

I can understand if you're simply hearing it from the highschool level (man vs boys) you might be pessimestic. When you're hearing it from scouts & people associated with one of the top 5 NCAA programs, it has merit.

Kanter did not play AAU ball or for an elite prep school. The reviews from him then aren't that unusual for a top 25 guy, especially with the amount of politics that were involved.

In regards to the stuff at Kentucky; its Cal's job to be a seller. Seriously, thats why players go there, so they can get drafted high. Of course Cal is going to give feedback like that. It is also important to note that when a player is never in a game, there is no reason to ever get mad at them (SEE: T Jones). When a player has never been in a game and had their weaknesses exposed, they can be perceived in a completely different light.