Official Raptors 2011 NBA Draft Thread, Part 7

[JamesNaismith]

Via Rotoworld

According to David Aldridge, prospect Bismack Biyombo could actually be anywhere between 23 and 26 years of age.This is notable considering that he's supposed to be only 18. If true, Biyombo's stock might drop considerably in the upcoming draft, but his freakish 7'7" wingspan shouldn't allow for too far of a slide.

Rumours continue to swirl!

Ughhh...if he's anywhere between there idk how the hell his stock wouldn't take at least a substantial dip. Particularily if he's closer to 26 lmao.

[5DOM]

Via Rotoworld

According to David Aldridge, prospect Bismack Biyombo could actually be anywhere between 23 and 26 years of age.This is notable considering that he's supposed to be only 18. If true, Biyombo's stock might drop considerably in the upcoming draft, but his freakish 7'7" wingspan shouldn't allow for too far of a slide.

Rumours continue to swirl!

That's actually old.

The one thing that continues to dog Biyombo are the question marks NBA teams have about his age. Recently converted NBA draft analyst David Aldridge wrote that an NBA GM he spoke with said he had heard rumors that Biyombo was “anywhere from 23 to 26.”

Our research has revealed some slightly different information. Coaches who have worked with Biyombo earlier in his career while he was still in Congo think he's “no older than 20 at most,” while Biyombo's agent, Igor Crespo, has evidence that proves Biyombo is even younger.

Crespo says he took Biyombo to a specialist to conduct a bone age study immediately upon his arrival in Spain (Biyombo was reportedly 16). The study, as explained here involves taking x-rays of an adolescent's wrist and hand to see if his growth plates are still open. Because the cartilage in Biyombo's hand hadn't fused at that point, the specialist came to the conclusion that he could be 16 or 17 at most, but not 18, when growth plates are expected to be closed.

This obviously rules out the possibility of Biyombo being five to eight years older than he's listed, as the wild speculation we've seen recently on the Internet indicates. Crespo says he will willingly share these x-rays with any NBA team that requests them. One team we spoke with has already begun to evaluate the x-rays.

From DraftExpress.com http://www.draftexpress.com/profile/Bis ... z1KJDwMteI
http://www.draftexpress.com

[ItsDanger]

Via Rotoworld

According to David Aldridge, prospect Bismack Biyombo could actually be anywhere between 23 and 26 years of age.This is notable considering that he's supposed to be only 18. If true, Biyombo's stock might drop considerably in the upcoming draft, but his freakish 7'7" wingspan shouldn't allow for too far of a slide.

Rumours continue to swirl!

Like I stated earlier, dont trust an agent named Igor. LOL. This happened a lot with some Latino baseball players a while back.

[Silk Wilkes]

I don't think people deny Bismack Biyombo can be a good shotblocker because that's an innate ability. The real question is what's his nose for the ball level? Can he go get rebounds like Kanter or be in the right position? Positioning is half the battle when Dwight Howard or Andrew Bynum are posting you up. If you're under the basket it doesn't matter if you're Dikembe Mutombo.

What do you mean "Can he go get rebounds like Kanter"?
I wouldn't be surprised at all if he's a better rebounder than Kanter considering he leads the ACB in rebounds per minute. Actually I'd be surprised and disappointed if he isn't

Biyombo is also one of the best rebounders in the ACB for many of the same reasons already mentioned. His length, aggressiveness, toughness, timing and athleticism are all great rebounding qualities. He has no problem going out of his area for loose balls, especially on the offensive glass.

It seems like they both have an excellent nose for the ball. I wouldn't be opposed to drafting both if we can get a second first round pick. There are too many questions surrounding Biyombo like age, rawness, height, etc. I do like the thought of what he can be though, but not top-5.

[JamesNaismith]

It seems like they both have an excellent nose for the ball. I wouldn't be opposed to drafting both if we can get a second first round pick. There are too many questions surrounding Biyombo like age, rawness, height, etc. I do like the thought of what he can be though, but not top-5.

+1 to that!


If we had Davis and Biyombo while "potentially" great on D (they would be undersized especially BB) they would really make life even harder on our wings and PGs as they wouldn't be able to score that well. If Kanter can rebound well enough (which all his previous stats show) than I would be more then happy taking him with our pick cuz I haven't heard him being a bad defender....

[Silk Wilkes]

It seems like they both have an excellent nose for the ball. I wouldn't be opposed to drafting both if we can get a second first round pick. There are too many questions surrounding Biyombo like age, rawness, height, etc. I do like the thought of what he can be though, but not top-5.

+1 to that!


If we had Davis and Biyombo while "potentially" great on D (they would be undersized especially BB) they would really make life even harder on our wings and PGs as they wouldn't be able to score that well. If Kanter can rebound well enough (which all his previous stats show) than I would be more then happy taking him with our pick cuz I haven't heard him being a bad defender....

Exactly, people are talking about Kanter's lack of length when he still has over a 7 foot wingspan while standing about 6'11". He also has the girth to deal with guys like Dwight or Bynum who would just bully Bismack to be honest. Biyombo looks best suited to play the Serge Ibaka role, except for the fact that we already have Ed. I'm not opposed to him with another first rounder like I said though, simply for the fact that I'm not opposed to collecting young assets, even if they're 25

[MinnyMo]

It seems like they both have an excellent nose for the ball. I wouldn't be opposed to drafting both if we can get a second first round pick. There are too many questions surrounding Biyombo like age, rawness, height, etc. I do like the thought of what he can be though, but not top-5.

+1 to that!


If we had Davis and Biyombo while "potentially" great on D (they would be undersized especially BB) they would really make life even harder on our wings and PGs as they wouldn't be able to score that well. If Kanter can rebound well enough (which all his previous stats show) than I would be more then happy taking him with our pick cuz I haven't heard him being a bad defender....

Who cares how tall Biyombo is, he has elite wingspan and standing reach, in fact, his wingspan is 3 INCHES longer than Dwights. so yea he may be 6' 8" but you don't block shots with your head.

[S.W.A.N]

If we end up with the 3rd pick or the more likely 4th pick I would absolutely take Biyimbo.

Of course this can change a lot between now and the draft depending on how workouts go.
Kanter or Val could establish themselves or even a brandon knight could make a run at being the pick.

Regards of what happens it amazes me how people want to discount him.

Excellent physical speciment, great numbers in europe in his first year with big team. In a draft full of question marks his upside is as high as anyones. If he had a more advanced offensive game he would be hands down the number one pick.

[fredericklove]

I hope you guys are only high on Biyombo with a second pick....



Cuz I would lose my mind if we picked him up with ours.





There's always a few players that get ridiculously hyped on these boards....btw what happened to Kemba Walker for Prime Minister???

Jim Kelly would definitely use our 1st overall pick on Biyombo

[JYD]

If we end up with the 3rd pick or the more likely 4th pick I would absolutely take Biyimbo.

Of course this can change a lot between now and the draft depending on how workouts go.
Kanter or Val could establish themselves or even a brandon knight could make a run at being the pick.

Regards of what happens it amazes me how people want to discount him.

Excellent physical speciment, great numbers in europe in his first year with big team. In a draft full of question marks his upside is as high as anyones. If he had a more advanced offensive game he would be hands down the number one pick.

Absolutely agree, 100%. Well I'm not sure about the first overall thing, but I agree he'd be right up there.

[5DOM]

It'd be cool if we can get Biyombo and Kabongo together.

Myck Kabongo
DeMar DeRozan
Bismack Biyombo

Then we have boring names like James Johnson and Ed Davis beside them

[JamesNaismith]

Who cares how tall Biyombo is, he has elite wingspan and standing reach, in fact, his wingspan is 3 INCHES longer than Dwights. so yea he may be 6' 8" but you don't block shots with your head.

In the same sarcastic breath I'm glad it's ONLY arms that are required to guard larger post players...lol


Guys like Ben Wallace are an exception to the norm.


It doesn't matter if his arms are dragging on the court, it's still difficult giving up height and size to an opposing C. He's not the first kid born with this wing span. If you read up on him they also say he will require a very "creative" PG just to get him scoring and needs another skilled big man next to him...his season stats are 6.4ppg, 5.1rpg and yes an impressive 2.3 bpgs....but still not top 5 draft like stats. I can't remember Kanter's stats but it was something like 18ppg and 15rpg and he still has a 7'1 wingspan, weighs more and is taller....not sure why I wouldn't take instead.

You guys are going completely ape over one game at the Hoops Summit, who knows if he can do this on a nightly basis. I'm not saying Biyombo isn't good cuz I also like what I see...I just don't believe he is worthy of a top 5 pick.

[JYD]

It's not only arms, but Biyombo is built as well, with room to add weight and strength.

Again, it bears repeating that his average numbers projected in the Spanish league to 35 mpg (twice what he played, but it's not like we're multiplying by 5 either), are better than a double double, with FIVE blocks. This is without fouling issues. So he has indeed been doing this regularly, and at a pro level, playing against some big C's.

[5DOM]

It doesn't matter if his arms are dragging on the court, it's still difficult giving up height and size to an opposing C. He's not the first kid born with this wing span. If you read up on him they also say he will require a very "creative" PG just to get him scoring and needs another skilled big man next to him...his season stats are 6.4ppg, 5.1rpg and yes an impressive 2.3 bpgs....but still not top 5 draft like stats. I can't remember Kanter's stats but it was something like 18ppg and 15rpg and he still has a 7'1 wingspan, weighs more and is taller....not sure why I wouldn't take instead.

Pretty sure that was against U18 Euros. Biyombo averaged those numbers in 17 minutes in the second best league in the world.

[arbsn]

rofl at biyombo being 8 years older and smashing the U18 usa team

[fredericklove]

I just don't believe he is worthy of a top 5 pick.

In any other draft he would be guaranteed out of the lottery but too bad in this useless draft his hype makes *people* believe he has top 5 potential.

[JamesNaismith]

It's not only arms, but Biyombo is built as well, with room to add weight and strength.

Again, it bears repeating that his average numbers projected in the Spanish league to 35 mpg (twice what he played, but it's not like we're multiplying by 5 either), are better than a double double, with FIVE blocks. This is without fouling issues. So he has indeed been doing this regularly, and at a pro level, playing against some big C's.

Again I like Biyombo.


I know Davis and BB sound great on D....IF Bismack can keep this up in the NBA but what about offensively? Would he not just flatline an already talent lacking starting line up?

If we had some incredible scorers like Durant and Kobe on our wings and a PG that can utilize them like CP3 then sure I don't care that our post can't produce much but we don't so we need someone who can compliment Ed (who is already a good defender) but can score and rebound....I think Kanter is the better fit for the team.

A guy like Ben Wallace works because players like Rip, Billups and Sheed (skilled post that draftexpress even mentions would be needed) can spread the floor. We have no such dynamic so, I think yes we'd all love the grittiness of his play but the OVERALL effect may not produce what the team needs to get over the hump.

[JYD]

I just don't believe he is worthy of a top 5 pick.

In any other draft he would be guaranteed out of the lottery but too bad in this useless draft his hype makes *people* believe he has top 5 potential.

What is it specifically you think he can't do? Guard NBA C's in the post? Be competent on offense? I'm curious as to what people who don't like him have to offer in terms of analytical criticism/concerns, based on the footage available and not heresay. Because saying stuff like the draft is weak and Biyombo is overhyped and you don't just play C with wingspan alone is not really offering much in the way of a convincing argument against.

Having doubts about a player is one thing, I have those about every player..I'd like to hear specifically what you think he won't be able to do at the NBA level.

[Silk Wilkes]

I just don't believe he is worthy of a top 5 pick.

In any other draft he would be guaranteed out of the lottery but too bad in this useless draft his hype makes *people* believe he has top 5 potential.

What is it specifically you think he can't do? Guard NBA C's in the post? Be competent on offense? I'm curious as to what people who don't like him have to offer in terms of analytical criticism/concerns, based on the footage available and not heresay. Because saying stuff like the draft is weak and Biyombo is overhyped and you don't just play C with wingspan alone is not really offering much in the way of a convincing argument against.

Having doubts about a player is one thing, I have those about every player..I'd like to hear specifically what you think he won't be able to do at the NBA level.

How about, not fitting in with this team as well as other potential players available at our pick.

[5DOM]

I just don't believe he is worthy of a top 5 pick.

In any other draft he would be guaranteed out of the lottery but too bad in this useless draft his hype makes *people* believe he has top 5 potential.

Think he definitely would have gone before Udoh last year.