Official Raptors 2011 NBA Draft Thread Part 9

[highness]

I'd be happy with Knight, Walker or Kanter. Neutral with Val and pissed if we end up with fricken Vesely.

[Los Manos]

I don't understand the hate for Valanciunas. What has he done other than be a top-flight NBA draft prospect? Don't group him with Vesely, he's a totally different prospect.

Well, I don't have hate, he has size, so that's a plus, but honestly, all I see is a off-the-bench hustle-type guy, with a good motor, that'll need to add a ton of strength to play that way in this league. Is he okay? Yeah, certainly, but I see red flags in him, just like I do with Vesely and Biyombo, and I wouldn't take any of them over Walker, tbh (assuming the top-four are gone).

If he's so good, sell me on him.

What are the red flags?

I mean, he's per-minute one of the best rebounders (offensive and otherwise) in the Euroleague, he shoots 70%(!!!) from the field, 91%(!!!) from the free throw line, he's 7 feet tall, 7'4'' wingspan and has a big frame. And this is against the best competition outside of the NBA. If you're worried about him needing to add size, he's got wide shoulders, so he's only going to be limited by how hard he works in the gym, which shouldn't be a problem, because scouts rave about his motor.

I really don't see why people are so apprehensive about picking him, other than the fact that he's European, and possibly has a buyout issue.

I agree, I don't see the question marks with Val as there have been for most european prospects this year and in recent years.

- Legit Size
- Tough
- High Motor
- Elite rebounder
- Excellent free throw shooter
- Years of good coaching
- Has always played his position

What is not to like? I think Cleveland take him at 4 though.

[The Duke]

I'm okay with doing what we did in the 2 drafts.
Picking whomever falls (BPA)

Irving
Williams
Knight/Kanter/Valanciunas

1 of the 3 will be available at #5
Thats all that matters to me.

[TheAlchemist]

If Minnesota takes Kanter, which I see them realistically doing, we're going to be in luck!

Cleveland selects Irving,
Minnesota selects Kanter,

Utah most definitely takes the BPA available and best player for their needs, which would be Williams.

Leaving Knight and Kemba to be chosen by us!

Minny would really screw over Cleveland though.

Also, if Utah wants to pick Knight even if Williams is available (which seems unlikely), we can trade up for him.

This draft definitely can get interesting like that.

To me Kanter seems like the better option for Minnesota only because they already have Kevin Love at the C/PF and adding Kanter would give them one of the best front courts (if developed right) in the league.

You're looking at a front court that rebounds really well, stretches the D, and has post moves. Whereas Super cool Beas is adequate enough at the small forward position. Williams will likely turn out to be another Beasly anyways.

All they'd need is a defensive sg and development.

[T_Biggums]

If we draft Valanciunas I'm done as a Raptor fan. I can't remember the last time a European player was drafted that high and made any real impact. The Euro game has taken a hit over the last, oh I don't know 8 years or so they don't produce the Dirks, Manu's, Parkers anymore. And I'm not a huge fan of the Euro role player

[SuperSant]

workouts confirmed for tomorrow!!

@MattDevlinRaps
Matt Devlin
Raps workout Wednesday Cory Joseph, Demontez Stitt, Kawhi Leonard,Tristan Thompson,Tobias Harris &
Marcus Morris.

dude your sig is absolutely **** priceless.

hahaha, thanks man! I think turbozone made it so props to him! it still gets me everytime

[yayotube]

If we draft Valanciunas I'm done as a Raptor fan. I can't remember the last time a European player was drafted that high and made any real impact. The Euro game has taken a hit over the last, oh I don't know 8 years or so they don't produce the Dirks, Manu's, Parkers anymore. And I'm not a huge fan of the Euro role player

The euros on this board are gonna roast you for saying that lol. Hopefully BC is not stupid enough to pass on Walker for Valanciunas. Im hoping MLSE playing hardball scared him **** into focusing on North America

[Alfred]

If we draft Valanciunas I'm done as a Raptor fan. I can't remember the last time a European player was drafted that high and made any real impact. The Euro game has taken a hit over the last, oh I don't know 8 years or so they don't produce the Dirks, Manu's, Parkers anymore. And I'm not a huge fan of the Euro role player

This doesn't really make sense. Of course there have been busts from Europe, but to say that Valanciunas is going to be a bust because he comes from that continent is silly.

Have you watched any games that he's played? Have you looked at any of his stats? It's not like he's some unknown, unscouted nobody with lots of question marks. There is a ton of gametape, the statistics come from unarguably the best league outside of the NBA, and he appears to be the type of player that is always in demand in the NBA.

He looks like a Joakim Noah/Tyson Chandler/Pau Gasol type of player. Big, long, good motor, good rebounder, high efficiency around the rim type of guy. And having a 91% free throw shooter from your center with those kinds of characteristics is basically impossible to find.

[flatjacket1]

If we draft Valanciunas I'm done as a Raptor fan. I can't remember the last time a European player was drafted that high and made any real impact. The Euro game has taken a hit over the last, oh I don't know 8 years or so they don't produce the Dirks, Manu's, Parkers anymore. And I'm not a huge fan of the Euro role player

You can clearly remember the last time a European player was drafted high and made a real impact because you referenced 3 active players who all won championships, 1 as captain of his team. Just because they are from Europe doesn't mean they are bust. That's the equivalent of saying "I'm not drafting Americans because they are all obese"...

As a side note its worth mentioning the guys in this years draft out of Europe look a lot more scrappy and aggressive than the last couple years.

[phailing101]

If we draft Valanciunas I'm done as a Raptor fan. I can't remember the last time a European player was drafted that high and made any real impact. The Euro game has taken a hit over the last, oh I don't know 8 years or so they don't produce the Dirks, Manu's, Parkers anymore. And I'm not a huge fan of the Euro role player

You can clearly remember the last time a European player was drafted high and made a real impact because you referenced 3 active players who all won championships, 1 as captain of his team. Just because they are from Europe doesn't mean they are bust. That's the equivalent of saying "I'm not drafting Americans because they are all obese"...

As a side note its worth mentioning the guys in this years draft out of Europe look a lot more scrappy and aggressive than the last couple years.

I agree and would point to Scola as a good example of the change in European basketball. I think they are getting tougher and adapting a more North American style of play.

I'm fine with Valanciunas but don't use the #5. Get back in later and take him.

[KG1585]

Anyone know if Chad Ford still has the Raps taking Veasly on his new Mock 5.0?

[phailing101]

Yup- Chad Ford 5.0 sticking by his guns with Vesely:

Analysis: Bryan Colangelo could go a number of directions here. He has strong interest in both Brandon Knight and Kemba Walker. If Knight is on the board, I think he doesn't get past here. If just Walker is here, the question for Colangelo is what to do with Leandro Barbosa and Jerryd Bayless. Both players are similar to Walker.

The Raptors could go with an international player such as Kanter, Valanciunas, Vesely or Bismack Biyombo. Of the four, sources say, Vesely is the highest on their board.

[phailing101]

Also, he has Cleveland taking Val and us PASSING ON KANTER.

[yayotube]

Knight and Bayless are more similar if anything. And lol @ Barbosa and Jerryd comboguard Bayless preventing us from taking bpa in Walker, what a joke.

[pharring]

Chad is being lazy sticking us with the BEA (Best Euro Available).

[pharring]

Also, he has Cleveland taking Val and us PASSING ON KANTER.

I'd pass on Kanter. I'd take Biyombo over Kanter.

[Alfred]

Yup- Chad Ford 5.0 sticking by his guns with Vesely:

Analysis: Bryan Colangelo could go a number of directions here. He has strong interest in both Brandon Knight and Kemba Walker. If Knight is on the board, I think he doesn't get past here. If just Walker is here, the question for Colangelo is what to do with Leandro Barbosa and Jerryd Bayless. Both players are similar to Walker.

The Raptors could go with an international player such as Kanter, Valanciunas, Vesely or Bismack Biyombo. Of the four, sources say, Vesely is the highest on their board.

God damn it.

[RapsFanInOhio]

This was posted on the trade board. Looks like Charlotte turned down top-5 pick for their 9th and 19th

Charlotte Observer - Scott Fowler

They have already turned down at least one proposed trade in which they would package their No.9 and No.19 picks together for a top-5 pick because they don't want to put all their eggs into one basketball player.

Wonder which team it was?

I bet that was us. Don't think they would have turned down 4 for 9 and 19, because they need a C.

Anyway, I think our board looks like this.
Irving
Williams
Knight
Val
Vesley
Kemba
Biyombo
Kanter

I think Cleveland and us both pass on Kanter and he goes #6 to Washington. I'm just not sure yet who we're taking at 5. Irving and Williams will be gone. If Minny miraculously takes Kanter, Knight will be the pick, but I think they're trading down. So much more confusion than in previous years. I would be ecstatic if we traded down or out altogether. I would be happy with Irving, Williams, Knight, Val, Biyombo or Kemba. This draft is just full of meh.

[darth_federer]

Yup- Chad Ford 5.0 sticking by his guns with Vesely:

Analysis: Bryan Colangelo could go a number of directions here. He has strong interest in both Brandon Knight and Kemba Walker. If Knight is on the board, I think he doesn't get past here. If just Walker is here, the question for Colangelo is what to do with Leandro Barbosa and Jerryd Bayless. Both players are similar to Walker.

The Raptors could go with an international player such as Kanter, Valanciunas, Vesely or Bismack Biyombo. Of the four, sources say, Vesely is the highest on their board.

God damn it.

Why the hate? Kid is a good prospect.

[raps_aviator]

I think we should entertain the idea of trading down and considering Jeremy Tyler. I feel like he could be the steal of the draft. Kinda like Ed Davis.