Official Raptors 2011 NBA Draft Thread Part 9

Post #281 » by **darth_federer** » Thu May 26, 2011 5:41 am

Ill wrote:Who did Ford have us taking in his third mock draft?

Dr Positivity · Post #282 » by **Dr Positivity** » Thu May 26, 2011 5:44 am

Warming up to Vesely in a vacuum but I think he's a PF long term and an exceptionally bad fit long term with Davis and Amir

Actually he kind of reminds me of Amir

yayotube · Post #283 » by **yayotube** » Thu May 26, 2011 5:52 am

Ive warmed up a lot to Valanciunas he looks like a beast already without an offensive game. Good potential. Still take Kanter over him though. But him at 5 wouldn't be terrible

S.W.A.N · Post #284 » by **S.W.A.N** » Thu May 26, 2011 6:27 am

I really starting to get the feeling we are going to end up drafting Knight.

Kanter is really pushing his way into the top range and I think Utah will grab him. Cleveland gets Val and that drops Knight into our laps...

Still possible that Biyombo has great workout and sneaks in but with the way things going my money is on knight being our guy.

Which I okay with cause he reminds me a lot of Derozan in a very good way.

Mr.Raptorsingh · Post #285 » by **Mr.Raptorsingh** » Thu May 26, 2011 6:36 am

I'm pretty sure we're taking Knight too.

The fact that BC openly questioned whether Kemba could be a starter (which is something you'd hope for in a top-5 pick), leads me to believe he really isn't in consideration unless some of our other options are gone at the top of our board. I mean, obviously, we all have enough data on Kemba to make an assessment. Workouts won't really sway an opinion on him if you had one before imo.

OAKLEY_2 · Post #286 » by **OAKLEY_2** » Thu May 26, 2011 10:58 am

I'm pretty sure we're taking Knight too.

I agree. Here's why. In selecting Knight you are bringing in a 3 point shooter, a scorer and a player who plays defence. As a combo guard it gives you the option of Knight and/or Bayless playing a lot of 2 guard especially if Demar bulks up and spends more time at the 3. I'm not saying that is plan A but it certainly is a good plan B for making the Knight pick work. In this sense he can be eased in. With a big they are usually producing or waving towels. We know the development time for bigs is longer and that makes Val a great pick if you have 2 picks as does Cleveland. If Knight is gone at #3 (silly) and Cleveland takes Kanter at 4 then Val is an option but I prefer Biyombo's game.

bboyskinnylegs · Post #287 » by **bboyskinnylegs** » Thu May 26, 2011 12:52 pm

According to Givony though (from his chat yesterday), the Cavs are higher on Valanciunas than Kanter... which means that if Kanter's available at #4, he would then drop to us.

Reignman · Post #288 » by **Reignman** » Thu May 26, 2011 1:01 pm

Could be a smokescreen from the CAVs. If they know Minny or Utah is looking for a big it's in their best interest to hype Val if they truly want Kanter.

I just can't see Kanter slipping past 3 teams that have all shown quite a bit of interest. I wouldn't even be surprised to see him go ahead of D Will.

McFurious1 · Post #289 » by **McFurious1** » Thu May 26, 2011 1:08 pm

I'm warming up to Val too hope we get him to be honest, but looks like we'll either get one of Knight, Kanter, or Val.

In order of preference:

Val
Knight
Kanter

McFurious1 · Post #290 » by **McFurious1** » Thu May 26, 2011 1:46 pm

Looks like Minny may want to move down to get Kanter.

It should surprise no one that Minnesota is entertaining offers for this pick. Williams is considered by most teams (including Minnesota) to be the best player available after Irving, but it's hardly a fantastic fit. Michael Beasley has a similar skill set, and forward Kevin Love and swingman Wesley Johnson don't appear to be going anywhere. One source says the Wolves have considered moving down a spot or two to take Enes Kanter while getting additional assets in a trade.

Read more: http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2011/w ... z1NSwUpBKa

If the Cavs go with Val, Kanter will be there with the 5th pick. There would be a good chance we can work out a deal with Minny to get Williams who we were high on before the lottery.

Calderon/Amir/5th pick for Flynn/Darko/Webster/2nd pick?

bboyskinnylegs · Post #291 » by **bboyskinnylegs** » Thu May 26, 2011 1:48 pm

http://www.standard.net/topics/sports/2 ... ba-combine

But would-be Kentucky player Enes Kanter is diving into the deep end even though he's also widely projected as a high lottery pick.

"I'm doing everything here," Kanter said on Thursday. "I don't have anything to hide and I have a lot to show people ... . I'm not scared of anyone."

Kanter rocked the NBA Combine by saying he was not feeling well at the Hoop Summit.

"I didn't show myself," he said of the Hoop Summit performance. "Before the game, I took four painkillers because of my back. Before the game, I wasn't sure if I was going to play or not."

The coach of the World team asked Kanter if he could play. Kanter said he could.

"I felt good because I took, like, four painkillers," Kanter recalled before adding, "I didn't play, like, 100 percent. No one has seen me play yet."

bboyskinnylegs · Post #292 » by **bboyskinnylegs** » Thu May 26, 2011 1:49 pm

Also from the same link:

Former UK standout Brandon Knight distanced himself from the general consensus that Duke product Kyrie Irving is the best point guard in the 2011 NBA Draft.

"That's just the opinion everybody has," Knight said. "I don't have a big problem with that."

After noting that he had played against Irving when the two were on the high school level, Knight was asked how he fared.

A slight smile crossed his face as he said with a hint of defiance in his voice, "I did fine."

Knight all but declared that he's a point guard, first and foremost.

"A couple teams did ask," he said when asked if he was a shooting guard. "I told each and every one that I saw myself as a point guard. Not a two-guard. That's what I went to Kentucky to learn how to do ... and how I see myself."

Reignman · Post #293 » by **Reignman** » Thu May 26, 2011 2:55 pm

bboyskinnylegs wrote:Also from the same link:
Former UK standout Brandon Knight distanced himself from the general consensus that Duke product Kyrie Irving is the best point guard in the 2011 NBA Draft.

"That's just the opinion everybody has," Knight said. "I don't have a big problem with that."

After noting that he had played against Irving when the two were on the high school level, Knight was asked how he fared.

A slight smile crossed his face as he said with a hint of defiance in his voice, "I did fine."

Knight all but declared that he's a point guard, first and foremost.

"A couple teams did ask," he said when asked if he was a shooting guard. "I told each and every one that I saw myself as a point guard. Not a two-guard. That's what I went to Kentucky to learn how to do ... and how I see myself."

For a big chunk of the NCAA season I was hyping the kid but when it comes to PG skills there's really no comp between him and Irving. I've lost a bit of interest in him but from an upside perspective he's one of the best prospects in this draft. Young, good size, good athleticism, decent jumper, good leader and good work ethic. From all reports he's studious as well so that can only help.

I guess I'd be ok with him as our pick but I'm not certain he'll be better than Bayless down the road.

kdizzle · Post #294 » by **kdizzle** » Thu May 26, 2011 2:57 pm

After watching 7 to 10 Jonas Val highlights, I see the potential:

-He has soft hands,
-Plays in the paint
-Isn't afraid of contact (unlike other euro's)
-Very length w/ long arms (his body type reminds me a Pau Gasol)
- All of his scoring and dunk plays were against smaller euro bigs or in some cases smaller euro guards so not sure how he will do against an NBA big man for vet pushing/hassling him out of the box (ala Reggie Evans, Garnett etc...)

I think he will be a good pick and roll big, who will develop a mid range shot as he has great shooting mechanics and form (his Free Throw line shot looks great and smooth).

But, I kinda see a lot of similarities Jonas Val and Amir Johnson, as Amir does everything that Jonas does right now. Jonas is taller and could probably block a little better and score the easier baskets in the future.

I think the raps need a potential game changer and to take a risk on someone who can be a star (ala Kemba or Knight, if avail).

Just my thoughts.

phailing101 · Post #295 » by **phailing101** » Thu May 26, 2011 3:02 pm

DX's sortable athletic and measurements for 1st round prospects:

http://www.draftexpress.com/nba-pre-dra ... ource=2011 NBA Draft Combine&sort=13

While Kemba was extremely explosive (39"5 max vert), his t-rex arms really limited his max vertical reach to 10'11".......while Knight was able to get up to 11"4' and was by far the most athletic in that regard of all the guards.

I would be so happy if Knight or Kanter fell to 5.....otherwise, I like Val still as our pick.

Post #296 » by **Rhettmatic** » Thu May 26, 2011 3:04 pm

Reignman wrote:
bboyskinnylegs wrote:Also from the same link:
Former UK standout Brandon Knight distanced himself from the general consensus that Duke product Kyrie Irving is the best point guard in the 2011 NBA Draft.

"That's just the opinion everybody has," Knight said. "I don't have a big problem with that."

After noting that he had played against Irving when the two were on the high school level, Knight was asked how he fared.

A slight smile crossed his face as he said with a hint of defiance in his voice, "I did fine."

Knight all but declared that he's a point guard, first and foremost.

"A couple teams did ask," he said when asked if he was a shooting guard. "I told each and every one that I saw myself as a point guard. Not a two-guard. That's what I went to Kentucky to learn how to do ... and how I see myself."

For a big chunk of the NCAA season I was hyping the kid but when it comes to PG skills there's really no comp between him and Irving. I've lost a bit of interest in him but from an upside perspective he's one of the best prospects in this draft. Young, good size, good athleticism, decent jumper, good leader and good work ethic. From all reports he's studious as well so that can only help.

I guess I'd be ok with him as our pick but I'm not certain he'll be better than Bayless down the road.

Knight put up good numbers for a freshman and does seem to have a really good head on his shoulders. His freshman production compares pretty favourably with other recent tweener guard prospects -- guys like Holiday and Westbrook -- and I'd be fine with drafting him, especially at 5.

That said, every time I actually watched him play, I came away less and less convinced that he can be a good NBA point guard (though he did improve as the season went on).

phailing101 · Post #297 » by **phailing101** » Thu May 26, 2011 3:04 pm

Follow up- Kanter max vertical reach was a higher than expected 11'10" and he bounced the bar 14 times.

Haven't heard any haters questioning his athleticism for a few days I've noticed....

AfricanSensation · Post #298 » by **AfricanSensation** » Thu May 26, 2011 3:09 pm

I really think that the Cavs are picking Val. You know they are not picking a PG after Irving unless they plan to deal the pick and there are no wing worthy of a top 4 over than WIlliams who will be gone.

So unless they trade up for DWill or out for a SF, I see them picking one of Kanter and Val and not only reports have them higher on Val, his game complements Hickson better. Plus they had a good experience with his countrymen Ilgauskas for a decade.

I am pretty sure some of those teams picking 2 to 4 are going to make deals though.

Post #299 » by **5DOM** » Thu May 26, 2011 3:12 pm

I know Knight hit some clutch shots and his team did pretty well, but he didn't really have a great tourny IMO. More disappointing than convinced myself.

wanker · Post #300 » by **wanker** » Thu May 26, 2011 3:32 pm

Canadian heritage aside, I actually think Thompson is one of the best prospects after Irving, Williams, Kanter, and Knight. Yes, he is essentially a poor man's Ed Davis, but if Amir can be moved I would take Thompson and proceed with Davis/Thompson at the 4.

I have absolutely no faith in Valanciunas being able to develop into an NBA center. His entire game is premised on his energy/hustle around the rim. Putting on the requisite weight necessary for him to play the 5 is simply going to transform him into an absolute **** sloth (see Bargs post weight gain). And if he is not willing to come over immediately, there is no chance Colangelo will take him.

Vesely is a freak show, not an NBA player.

Kemba Walker is **** (a recipe for a horrendous team on both ends of the floor)

Leonard is incredibly overrated and is actually a poor man's James Johnson.

Biyombo belongs in the D-League.