Official Raptors 2011 NBA Draft Thread, Part 7

[Indeed]

From little I've seen, Kanter actually looked very agile for someone his size.

Not quick enough against some perimeter big, Bargnani or Jeff Green (smaller PF) or Bosh can blow by him based on those clips. Val would be different, he seems to be quicker, so I would pair him with Davis, besides he can blockshot as well. Just he is too raw, so we need to be patient, I guess.

[Truthrising]

So far I like what i've seen some from Kanter given his limited videos. For the Valenciunas supporters are there any videos out there that displays his skillsets?

[bboyskinnylegs]

From little I've seen, Kanter actually looked very agile for someone his size.

Not quick enough against some perimeter big, Bargnani or Jeff Green (smaller PF) or Bosh can blow by him based on those clips. Val would be different, he seems to be quicker, so I would pair him with Davis, besides he can blockshot as well. Just he is too raw, so we need to be patient, I guess.

Kanter would be playing C for us, so I don't see how his quickness would be an issue out there. In fact, it would be a real advantage for him the way it is for mobile guys like Bargs/Horford at C. The issue with a Val/Davis frontcourt is that both are pretty wiry guys, and Val would likely get backed down in the paint (he struggles a bit with that now). So without Val bulking up (not saying he can't in the future, but he doesn't have that now), we would still struggle against bigger frontcourt players.

[WhatsaTDot]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l5kAZL0Q3ic

He has got patience below the rim. He has nice range for a big man. He likes to play below the rim.
He plays defense. He is NOT slow.

On one possession he first gets blocked, catches the ball again and finishes after some nice footwork.
Thats what could become a problem in his first months as a nba player. He needs to get used to play against men. After he adjusts to that, he will be a beast, because he can do everything!

While there is still limited footage on Kanter, if you compare what is available to the tape on Val the skill-level of the two players really isn't even comparable. Kanter makes Val look like a **** chimpanzee.

The fact that DX has (and has had all year) Val at #3 really boggles my mind (and always has). Jonathan Givony is obviously trying desperately to impress by being the first to truly advocate and hype Val as such a high pick, but he is simply going to embarrass himself in the end. I would not be surprised at all if Givony is being paid by Val's agent (and likely by other international players/agents). Either that or he is simply **** clueless (which would also appear to be the case).

And the tinfoil hat award of the thread goes to.....

[just23]

If Kanter's shot is so smooth looking and he has range out to the 3 point line, then I might finally be willing to lose some of my interest in Jonas. Jonas' free throw shooting (over 90 percent) was the one edge he had on everyone else, but if Kanter can shoot better than 80 percent at the line, which he should be able to if he has 3 point range, then Kanter has the edge. He has better footwork and seems more likely to get to the line a lot. He'd just be more of a scoring threat and unless Jonas tries to dunk everything he won't get to the line that often. Only way I'd take him is if he shows something new in the workouts, or Kanter is 6'8 without shoes. Jonas better be a hell of a shot blocker, otherwise Kanter is a lock for best big man this year. And I'd pass on Bismack, unless someone can prove his age beyond any doubt.

I've also finally started to warm to the idea of drafting Walker. He looks like someone that can just play and to me seems like TJ Ford 2.0 without any health concerns. That's not bad at all really. We could draft him and trade Jose for another small forward to make the rotation more balanced. I'm okay with a Bayless and Walker backcourt. Neither are pure point guards, but both can create at least.

[5DOM]

The only things limiting Valanciunas on both ends of the floor seem to be his lack of strength and developed body. So much of him realizing his potential is based on improvements in those areas and thankfully they are something 18 year old kids can overcome. He's also said to be a great finisher at the rim even right now, so I'm not going to worry about that. He'll probably never be as polished offensively as Kanter, but I think he has a good chance of becoming the lower volume higher efficiency player with very good potential defensively

[God Squad]

If Kanter's shot is so smooth looking and he has range out to the 3 point line, then I might finally be willing to lose some of my interest in Jonas. Jonas' free throw shooting (over 90 percent) was the one edge he had on everyone else, but if Kanter can shoot better than 80 percent at the line, which he should be able to if he has 3 point range, then Kanter has the edge. He has better footwork and seems more likely to get to the line a lot. He'd just be more of a scoring threat and unless Jonas tries to dunk everything he won't get to the line that often. Only way I'd take him is if he shows something new in the workouts, or Kanter is 6'8 without shoes. Jonas better be a hell of a shot blocker, otherwise Kanter is a lock for best big man this year. And I'd pass on Bismack, unless someone can prove his age beyond any doubt.

I've also finally started to warm to the idea of drafting Walker. He looks like someone that can just play and to me seems like TJ Ford 2.0 without any health concerns. That's not bad at all really. We could draft him and trade Jose for another small forward to make the rotation more balanced. I'm okay with a Bayless and Walker backcourt. Neither are pure point guards, but both can create at least.

In my opinion a Bayless/Walker back-court would be horrible.

[miruss2001]

Kanter's jumper is buttery smooth. Draft that man and put him next to a veteran defensive 5.

A 3 point shooting 7 footer, just what we need.

[TDotRep]

From little I've seen, Kanter actually looked very agile for someone his size.

Not quick enough against some perimeter big, Bargnani or Jeff Green (smaller PF) or Bosh can blow by him based on those clips. Val would be different, he seems to be quicker, so I would pair him with Davis, besides he can blockshot as well. Just he is too raw, so we need to be patient, I guess.

DX says he often gets blown by and confused when guarding players away from the basket.

And those videos of kanter are a year and 4 months old, if he has been working on his game steadily, he would be much better.

[Indeed]

From little I've seen, Kanter actually looked very agile for someone his size.

Not quick enough against some perimeter big, Bargnani or Jeff Green (smaller PF) or Bosh can blow by him based on those clips. Val would be different, he seems to be quicker, so I would pair him with Davis, besides he can blockshot as well. Just he is too raw, so we need to be patient, I guess.

DX says he often gets blown by and confused when guarding players away from the basket.

And those videos of kanter are a year and 4 months old, if he has been working on his game steadily, he would be much better.

Val gets blown by because he is too aggressive, and play for the steal. He doesn't have strength, and doesn't know how to use his size and length to stand in front of his man, however, he is quicker than Kanter, and perhaps Davis. He takes one step is like 1.2 steps of others, as long as he is willing to move, he should be quick at getting to the position for block or take charge.

[Hassassin]

Despite his length and wingspan, Valanciunas will likely not be a shot blocker at the NBA level and you will have to wait for him to be ready for the NBA. He averages 1.7 blocks per 40 minutes and 8.3 fouls per 40 minutes. He is Biedrins with free throw shooting. Not wise to invest a top 3 pick in that.

The only time he averaged over 2 blocks was in the U18 tournament and you essentially play against kids in those events. If you want shot blocking, you go with Biyombo.

For comparison, Vesely splits time at both the forward spots for his team because his team needs him to play SF. He still manages to get 1.2 blocks per 40 minutes playing away from the basket. And he is essentially the same size as Valanciunas.

[TDotRep]

Kanter is the obvious choice at 3

[Indeed]

From little I've seen, Kanter actually looked very agile for someone his size.

Not quick enough against some perimeter big, Bargnani or Jeff Green (smaller PF) or Bosh can blow by him based on those clips. Val would be different, he seems to be quicker, so I would pair him with Davis, besides he can blockshot as well. Just he is too raw, so we need to be patient, I guess.

Kanter would be playing C for us, so I don't see how his quickness would be an issue out there. In fact, it would be a real advantage for him the way it is for mobile guys like Bargs/Horford at C. The issue with a Val/Davis frontcourt is that both are pretty wiry guys, and Val would likely get backed down in the paint (he struggles a bit with that now). So without Val bulking up (not saying he can't in the future, but he doesn't have that now), we would still struggle against bigger frontcourt players.

If Kanter is playing C, then he should be fine, and Amir would be a better fit for Kanter with the quickness of covering more of the floor. I would like to see the measurement for kanter, since I don't envision him as a shot blocker; he played the zone, that's why he can block shot, but in the NBA with the 3 second defensive rule, this would be tough.

As for Val, he is just raw at this moment, but when you look at his wingspan, he can block shots much better than Kanter. His potential is definitely higher (mid risk high reward) as compare to Kanter (low risk mid-high reward). Unless you envision Bargnani would be traded before the season, so I don't think drafting Val would be a problem, he can have 2 years to develop before he starts.

[God Squad]

I agree that as of now, Kanter seems far ahead of Val in terms of being ready and contributing. I believe Kanter can come in a school other bigs. Question being who is a better fit? Kanter/Val? I think Kanter is better now, But Val looks to be a legit "C" and shot blocker. Kanter could very well be a PF.

[WhatsaTDot]

Despite his length and wingspan, Valanciunas will likely not be a shot blocker at the NBA level and you will have to wait for him to be ready for the NBA. He averages 1.7 blocks per 40 minutes and 8.3 fouls per 40 minutes. He is Biedrins with free throw shooting. Not wise to invest a top 3 pick in that.

The only time he averaged over 2 blocks was in the U18 tournament and you essentially play against kids in those events. If you want shot blocking, you go with Biyombo.

Well I would be happy with a prime Biedrins with free throw shooting. In fact, that would put him in the same league of guys we're talking about throwing 55 to 60 millions dollars at.

[Indeed]

Despite his length and wingspan, Valanciunas will likely not be a shot blocker at the NBA level and you will have to wait for him to be ready for the NBA. He averages 1.7 blocks per 40 minutes and 8.3 fouls per 40 minutes. He is Biedrins with free throw shooting. Not wise to invest a top 3 pick in that.

The only time he averaged over 2 blocks was in the U18 tournament and you essentially play against kids in those events. If you want shot blocking, you go with Biyombo.

For comparison, Vesely splits time at both the forward spots for his team because his team needs him to play SF. He still manages to get 1.2 blocks per 40 minutes playing away from the basket. And he is essentially the same size as Valanciunas.

I think he can be a better shot blocker, he just doesn't know how to position himself at the moment.
But I agree that he is kind of risky to be a top 3 pick. I would prefer Kanter, but need to wait for his measurement. And worried how to build around Kanter and Davis (most likely one of them need to improve their quickness).

[TDotRep]

For all u know kanter could have a perkins or marc gasol impact on d with a very good offensive game, and val could be nothing offensive which he is atm with decent defence. They are both high pick high reward types. And val is very likely to be no more than beidrins on defence and amir Johnson on offence. Kanter definitely has more potential to be something special in the NBA. And he will be fine with the 3 second rule he's very mobile.

[Alfred]

If Toronto drafts Kanter, Turkish fans are going to be so confused.

[WhatsaTDot]

But Kanter also has knee concerns. So pretty much everyone with the exception of Irving has question marks.

With that being sai,d I'll be happy to walk away with either Valanciunas or Kanter and into a lock out.

[MEDIC]

For me it's (in no particular order):

Irving
D Williams
Kanter
Jonas V.

Outside looking in:

Kemba Walker

If we select one of the above 5 players, I'll be fine with that (I don't anticipate us dropping further).

If we dropped to 5th, I could easily see Walker being selected by Toronto. He's an easy sell to the fans:

- Winning player (Won the championship)
- All heart
- Hard worker
- Very exciting player to watch
- Excellent leadership skills
- NBA ready
- From NYC (used to Toronto type weather)
- We drafted a similar player in 1995 that the fans loved
- Little guy that can dunk & do flashy things
- Fans love those "all heart" little guys that beat the odds & made it

He's just a can't miss sell to the fans. The fans will buy into the hype & they'll love watching him on the floor. He'd easily become a fan fave here (regardless of how the "experts" on RealGM feel about him).

This season was so ****, the team can't afford to miss with this pick. They need to provide something that will sell the fans hope. Kemba has a great story line attached to him. He's an easy sell.