Official Raptors 2011 NBA Draft Thread Part 9

[Rhettmatic]

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.

I'm hoping Ford's just wrong. He's the only one beating that particular drum right now, though obviously we've heard from other sources that the Raptors are high on Vesely.

[Truthrising]

I wonder if Chad Ford is intentionally hyping up Jan Vesely just so that we'd be the sucker to draft him. Just seems kinda sketchy to me.

[Silk Wilkes]

If there's one thing I'm banking on, it's that Bryan keeps his cards close to his body. I doubt Ford is going off anything but a hunch.

[highness]

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.

He said of the four meaning out of Kanter, Val, Vesely and Bismack, Vesely is the highest on our board. Which means Kemba is still probably higher on our board than Vesely. At least I hope

[5DOM]

I wonder if Chad Ford is intentionally hyping up Jan Vesely just so that we'd be the sucker to draft him. Just seems kinda sketchy to me.

I doubt it. He quoted NBA GM's and scouts. If anything, Ford is being used.

[bboyskinnylegs]

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.

If you want Jeremy Tyler, just buy a pick in the 20s (maybe even a 2nd rounder) to get him. You don't need to trade down with our #5 pick to get him (unless you're getting a really good prospect along with the pick... like say, Nic Batum+#21).

[notic519]

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

Ignorance for the win! Glad you aren't our GM. Who cares where a player is from. If they can play and have talent and are the best player available you take them.

[Rhettmatic]

For those who aren't insiders, this is the order of Ford's new mock:

1. Irving
2. Williams
3. Knight
4. Valanciunas
5. Vesely
6. Kanter
7. Leonard
8. Walker

I don't want to be anywhere near Reignman if we pass on Kanter for Vesely.

[Reignman]

If that happens:



Man, I just hope we can get 1 of Irving/Kanter/DWill/Knight. J Val would be my 5th pick if those others go top 4.

[arbsn]

I hope Vesely is a smoke screen

The guy can't shoot and is vastly overrated...

Our board should be:
Knight
Kanter
Valaciunas
Walker
Leonard

[Indy2thaWindy]

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.

If you want Jeremy Tyler, just buy a pick in the 20s (maybe even a 2nd rounder) to get him. You don't need to trade down with our #5 pick to get him (unless you're getting a really good prospect along with the pick... like say, Nic Batum+#21).

If you could trade for Minnesota's #20. I see him going between 21-25. Blazers, Rockets, & Celtics could all use a center.

[Rhettmatic]

Based on the tweets of a Utah reporter, the Jazz seem really impressed by Jimmer's workouts today.

I wonder if they target him? They could either try to move up from 12 to get him or move down from 3 (less likely).

Either way, if they do want him, I wonder if that makes them less likely to take Knight at 3.

[bboyskinnylegs]

Based on the tweets of a Utah reporter, the Jazz seem really impressed by Jimmer's workouts today.

I wonder if they target him? They could either try to move up from 12 to get him or move down from 3 (less likely).

Either way, if they do want him, I wonder if that makes them less likely to take Knight at 3.

The Kings appear to be the biggest threat to take him at #7, as they had come off pretty impressed with him after his workout. Personally, I just don't see why the Jazz would take both Knight and Jimmer, which makes me think they go for Kanter/Val if they keep #3 (assuming Kyrie and DWill go 1-2)...making Knight fall into our laps at #5. Maybe they'll trade down with us or Washington with Kanter?

[Brinbe]

Based on the tweets of a Utah reporter, the Jazz seem really impressed by Jimmer's workouts today.

I wonder if they target him? They could either try to move up from 12 to get him or move down from 3 (less likely).

Either way, if they do want him, I wonder if that makes them less likely to take Knight at 3.

Was thinking the same thing, and perhaps they're even favoring Walker (who also worked out) over Knight as well?

Either way, if we really want Knight, and Knight feels we're the best fit for him, it shouldn't be difficult to make that happen.

Not getting my hopes too high just yet, but I'm excited that it's certainly a realistic possibility.

[ballocks]

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

Ignorance for the win! Glad you aren't our GM. Who cares where a player is from. If they can play and have talent and are the best player available you take them.

in principle i obviously agree with what you're saying. but i'm not an ostrich either. this team, this city, this culture in june 2011 is poison for anyone coming through with that pedigree. i've said it before and i'll say it again: you could draft arvydas sabonis this year and he probably wouldn't work in toronto. he'd be public enemy #1 from the day he stepped off the plane. the media would eat him for breakfast, the fans would slaughter him, all before he even stepped on the court. he would be asked to insulate himself against past players and failed experiments which had nothing to do with him- he could very well be running for his life from day one.

it serves the raptors no purpose, imo, to draft a european player this year. it has nothing to do with him, it has to do entirely with the foundation that's been laid around this team. whether we like it or not, i don't think there's a european star on earth who could survive the toxic treatment that toronto would barrage at him.

all this "BPA" talk is only true to a point. it's the successful GM's who understand how to include other intangible factors in their evaluation. none of these players will be playing in a vacuum. that's not my fault, it's not yours, it's not even theirs. it's just a fact.

peace

[pharring]

I'm hoping Ford's just wrong. He's the only one beating that particular drum right now, though obviously we've heard from other sources that the Raptors are high on Vesely.

Yea, but how many of those other sources are using Chad Ford as their source?

[Alfred]

i've said it before and i'll say it again: you could draft arvydas sabonis this year and he probably wouldn't work in toronto.

WHAT?

[tecumseh18]

he'd be public enemy #1 from the day he stepped off the plane. the media would eat him for breakfast, the fans would slaughter him, all before he even stepped on the court. he would be asked to insulate himself against past players and failed experiments which had nothing to do with him- he could very well be running for his life from day one.

I'm a big fan of hyperbole, but what the hell are you talking about? In such a weak draft year, if BC has a chance to grab some of that Dirk-Gasol Bros. kismet on the basis of sound scouting reports, few here or in the media (who?) are gonna knock him for doing it.

Everyone in the NBA is giving Bargs a rough ride. It's not a Toronto media thing.

(PS - I'm talking about the possibility of drafting Val here. But If BC drafts Veseley because he feels we don't have enough athletic, defensive-minded SF's who can't shoot, then I'm gone.)

[Brinbe]

he'd be public enemy #1 from the day he stepped off the plane. the media would eat him for breakfast, the fans would slaughter him, all before he even stepped on the court. he would be asked to insulate himself against past players and failed experiments which had nothing to do with him- he could very well be running for his life from day one.

I'm a big fan of hyperbole, but what the hell are you talking about? In such a weak draft year, if BC has a chance to grab some of that Dirk-Gasol Bros. kismet on the basis of sound scouting reports, few here or in the media (who?) are gonna knock him for doing it.

Everyone in the NBA is giving Bargs a rough ride. It's not a Toronto media thing.

(PS - I'm talking about the possibility of drafting Val here. But If BC drafts Veseley because he feels we don't have enough athletic, defensive-minded SF's who can't shoot, then I'm gone.)

Amen on that...

[andyo]

ballocks probably was exaggerating when he made the Sabonis reference but everything he said is correct. We use a pick on Vesley or Val, and a large majority of the fan base will revolt.