Official Raptors 2012 NBA Draft Thread

[nahom1319]

I'm not as big a fan of Q miller as the rest of you are, just because I haven't seen this kid play defense yet. We already have Demar and Jerryd who play mediocre at best defense, I want a guy who can stop his man and the two guys who fit that fit that description so far are Barnes and Gilchrist. Ofcourse things can change in a college season, so I'm not gonna put some blinders on.

I'm curious to see how Adonis Thomas does, as well as Miller, and Davis too.

[Rapsfan07]

So far...I think I'm on the Quincy Miller bandwagon.

He's the only SF in the lottery that has no problem creating a shot for himself. Currently on our roster, Barbosa, Bayless and Bargs are the only ones who can do that and if everything goes the way I hope it goes, Bargs and Barbosa won't be here. Plus he can shoot it and has great defensive potential. Even if he's not as athletic as DeMar, that's okay. He has skills DeMar doesn't have.

If we have a shot at Drummond and he's looking good, I think we gotta take him. Bigs like him are rare and he's much less of a project then most players in this draft and I don't think BC will get away with drafting another project player as he's done that in the last three drafts. If we do take Drummond, we need to find a way to get another pick and take an SF. My preference would be Gilchrist but I'll settle for Nash if we have to.

[fredericklove]

So far...I think I'm on the Quincy Miller bandwagon.

He's the only SF in the lottery that has no problem creating a shot for himself. Currently on our roster, Barbosa, Bayless and Bargs are the only ones who can do that and if everything goes the way I hope it goes, Bargs and Barbosa won't be here. Plus he can shoot it and has great defensive potential. Even if he's not as athletic as DeMar, that's okay. He has skills DeMar doesn't have.

If we have a shot at Drummond and he's looking good, I think we gotta take him. Bigs like him are rare and he's much less of a project then most players in this draft and I don't think BC will get away with drafting another project player as he's done that in the last three drafts. If we do take Drummond, we need to find a way to get another pick and take an SF. My preference would be Gilchrist but I'll settle for Nash if we have to.

Nash is a head case, I like his skillset but I hope we don't get someone who's a cancer to the locker room. But even so, we don't really need to get another pick if drummond lands to t.o (if we could get another draft pick then of course its good), but we can also trade for a competent solid SF veteran., this young team needs a veteran presence...I know prince is prolly aiming for a championship contender once he becomes a free agent..., but he's still a good defender, shoots 3s., ...not sure when his contract's done but a lineup of Val/AD/Prince/DD/Jose (or Bay)..thats a pretty good lineup!

[Rapsfan07]

So far...I think I'm on the Quincy Miller bandwagon.

He's the only SF in the lottery that has no problem creating a shot for himself. Currently on our roster, Barbosa, Bayless and Bargs are the only ones who can do that and if everything goes the way I hope it goes, Bargs and Barbosa won't be here. Plus he can shoot it and has great defensive potential. Even if he's not as athletic as DeMar, that's okay. He has skills DeMar doesn't have.

If we have a shot at Drummond and he's looking good, I think we gotta take him. Bigs like him are rare and he's much less of a project then most players in this draft and I don't think BC will get away with drafting another project player as he's done that in the last three drafts. If we do take Drummond, we need to find a way to get another pick and take an SF. My preference would be Gilchrist but I'll settle for Nash if we have to.

Nash is a head case, I like his skillset but I hope we don't get someone who's a cancer to the locker room. But even so, we don't really need to get another pick if drummond lands to t.o (if we could get another draft pick then of course its good), but we can also trade for a competent solid SF veteran., this young team needs a veteran presence...I know prince is prolly aiming for a championship contender once he becomes a free agent..., but he's still a good defender, shoots 3s., ...not sure when his contract's done but a lineup of Val/AD/Prince/DD/Jose (or Bay)..thats a pretty good lineup!

If Drummond lands on the Raptors, I'd still be gunnin for another pick. I think this draft will be one of the strongest in years and if BC has tried to acquire additional picks in crappier drafts then I don't see why he shouldn't do it this time when the quality of the players appear to be much better. We'll still be short a good future prospect at SF so I'd definitely look to deal someone (probably Ed) for a SF. Especially if Q. Mill is still on the board. Of course it'll all depend on how they do in college as well.

Nash seems to be a headcase but I do hope that changes once he gets to Oklahoma State. He looks like a fringe all star to me if he can get his shot tweaked. Like a Granger or Artest or something (which is still a valuable piece). I do agree that this team need veterans as well though and hopefully we address that issue.

[DreamTeam09]

Didn't bother to do my HW on drummond b/c I didn't think he was going to be available, but now that hes going to Uconn we'll see how good he really is. But what big man rotation do ya'all envision with this guy added?

[JamesNaismith]

I love that QMiller is finally getting some love around here.



I've been saying it for so long but if healthy he is easily the best SF prospect in next year's draft.

[DreamTeam09]

If Harrison Barnes has improved his handles like he was working on his game will go to another level. Him and Miller are the ppl i'm really interested.

[JamesNaismith]

If Harrison Barnes has improved his handles like he was working on his game will go to another level. Him and Miller are the ppl i'm really interested.

Yeah Barnes is second for me....

His handles are definitely going to need a lot of work. If he were able to iso the way Miller does then they might be neck and neck for me. But I know a lot of people hated how brash Miller used to be but I actually kind of like that confidence and swagger....I could really see a team like ours that lacks a leader or image latching on to that and gaining more confidence.

I'm only concerned Colangelo makes the "good PR" move and picks Barnes over him for being a clean cut guy despite the fact he may not be the better player. I'm hoping with Quincy's new found maturity that BC can see clearly and make the right call. I also think the injury yes it's a little worrying but he seems to be recovered pretty close to 100% and it gave him time to think, appreciate the game of basketball and desire to be the best --- that's a great formula for a kid who looks similar to Durant in his style of play.

[RomaniaLuvTR]

i`ll wait for half season to pass in the ncaa before deciding on 3 players, but so far barnes and q miller are my fav, i badly want a superstar sf, and a pg also

[Rapsfan07]

If Harrison Barnes has improved his handles like he was working on his game will go to another level. Him and Miller are the ppl i'm really interested.

Yeah Barnes is second for me....

His handles are definitely going to need a lot of work. If he were able to iso the way Miller does then they might be neck and neck for me. But I know a lot of people hated how brash Miller used to be but I actually kind of like that confidence and swagger....I could really see a team like ours that lacks a leader or image latching on to that and gaining more confidence.

I'm only concerned Colangelo makes the "good PR" move and picks Barnes over him for being a clean cut guy despite the fact he may not be the better player. I'm hoping with Quincy's new found maturity that BC can see clearly and make the right call. I also think the injury yes it's a little worrying but he seems to be recovered pretty close to 100% and it gave him time to think, appreciate the game of basketball and desire to be the best --- that's a great formula for a kid who looks similar to Durant in his style of play.

I agree with every single word of this post.

I believe what sets him apart from the other SF in the draft is his handling and ISO ability. I believe he's changed and we'll see better come the start of the NCAA season but right now, he's the guy. He also passes pretty well too. If he can play D, he's head and shoulders above Barnes IMO. Not that I don't like Barnes...I do. But based on what I saw from him last season, he looks like a complimentary piece and we need a star. Q. Mill's ability to get to the basket, create space and shoot are better than any other SF prospect in this draft.

My dream scenario is to draft Drummond with our pick and deal then deal Ed + top 8 protected 2013 pick for Q. Mill (if his injury scares off GM's and he slides a little)

I'd also like to keep and eye on Wroten and Kabongo though out of all the PG's in the draft, Teague is the one whose stock I expect to explode.

[TheRealDeal]

Some tidbits from the ESPN draft insiders -- Fran Fraschilla, David Thorpe and Chad Ford on Harrison Barnes' case for #1.

David Thorpe:

Despite what was said or written last spring by college analysts who thought Harrison Barnes was better served by returning to UNC, without a doubt he would have been a top-5 pick. He might have gone No. 1. No offense meant to other draft picks or eventual No. 1 pick Kyrie Irving, but Barnes represented the surest thing combined with the biggest upside. Indeed, the Cleveland Cavaliers could have netted a possible replacement for LeBron James.

While Barnes does not have James' ceiling, Barnes does have All-Star and All-Defense potential wrapped up in a great body, along with a terrific attitude and work ethic. The 2012 draft might be deeper with elite talent, but it's still realistic a team will value a small forward such as Barnes enough to take him No. 1 overall.

As I wrote last season, he reminds me a lot of a slightly taller Paul Pierce, and he ended up being a better shooter as a freshman than Pierce was.

Barnes looks like he's going to be big and powerful as he grows into his 6-foot-8 frame, which could take a while as he'll play his entire sophomore season at just 19 years of age. Not only will Barnes get stronger, he'll also likely get faster and quicker, which can only help his ability to slash and burn defenders off the dribble. He's extremely skilled for a man his size, enabling him to do things in the pick-and-roll game that many small forwards cannot. Combined with his shooting talent and feel for the game, he has the potential to be a top scorer for his team.

On defense, his upside is equal -- if not superior -- to that of his offense. Long, strong and agile, with quick feet, Barnes is practically the perfect formula for a wing defender. And he takes that part of the game seriously, contesting shooters and harassing ball handlers tenaciously. In a league that features so many great wing scorers, having an elite wing defender is a must. One who also has great shooting range and overall offensive talent is a rare find.

Fran Fraschilla:

On a North Carolina front line with four future NBA players, Harrison Barnes is the alpha dog. That would not have surprised anyone a year ago at this time because Barnes was considered to be the consensus preseason freshman of the year. However, after battling inconsistency and the pressure that came with his many accolades early in the season, he finished with a flourish as Roy Williams' go-to scorer down the stretch and into the postseason.

While not blessed with scintillating athleticism, Barnes has prototype NBA small forward size and skills. And, while his numbers might not dramatically increase in his sophomore season because of the Tar Heels' great depth, Barnes has made enough big shots already in his career that he's a great security blanket for a team that believes it can win another national championship this season.

Chad Ford:

Barnes followed up an impressive end to his season with a terrific performance this summer at Chris Paul's Elite Guard Camp.
While NBA teams almost always favor size over guard play at the top of the draft, some GMs feel like they'll have a hard time passing on Barnes if he continues his strong play as a sophomore.

"Anthony Davis and Andre Drummond both have incredible upside," one GM said. "But Harrison Barnes is the real deal, and he'll be ready to come into the NBA and impact the game right away. Davis and Drummond, for different reasons, will both be projects. Barnes is a much safer choice. Every team needs aggressive scorers at the wing position. How many really great small forwards are there in the league? I can count them on one hand. The fact that Barnes actually shows up on the defensive end is also huge. He's not Kobe. But he's not Marvin Williams either. I see him as a more confident, more skilled version of a guy like Danny Granger. I think he could easily average 25 ppg in the NBA."

[JamesNaismith]

Those are some nice write ups on Barnes and I really do like him as a player but...


I have no idea why they are likening him to Paul Pierce, when Pierce is much, much better at ballhandling and if Harrison could create like PP he would be the best player in the draft almost hands down with Drummond as the only possible exception. Even Barnes knows he has bad handles...hence going to the Chris Paul camp to try and tighten them up.

I just find it sooo weird how the media sh*ts on the guy all season and doesn't have him #1 overall going into this terrible past draft but suddenly it finishes and annoints him as the guy to beat in a MUCH stronger draft class with better potential players.....just doesn't make any damn sense to me.

[fredericklove]

Hope HB refines his handles but saw his cp3 academy clip, he was quite frustrated at one point in that clip, and the coach yelled at him to man up. ..., but hope he worked hard on his handles fo sure.

[RaptorReloaded]

Drummond or Barnes for me.. Andre would be awesome beside Val in our starting line up at pf. He would dunk on everything and dish funky passes to Val who in turn would dunk on everything too. That would be the most dangerous front court in the league in a few years down the line.. IMO

[ATLTimekeeper]

I've heard this Barnes-hype before. I'll wait until he proves it on the court. I don't know about the lack of dominant SFs comment, LeBron, Durant, Melo. That's three top 10ish players right there, all under 30. Barnes has a shot to be better than Melo, but he's not touching the other two. Guys like Davis and Drummond just seem like rare talents.

[Laowai]

Would take Drummond 1st without doubt.
Barnes can be very good think we will find out as the NCAA year goes along,
Like McAdoo unfortunately he will likely be playing PF in College but see him also as a dynamic SF.Davis is great as well..

[DreamTeam09]

This Barnes going #1 talk scares me, b/c I want him as a raptor and no way we're coming away with the #1 pick. A Derozan Barnes combo on the wing is perfect. Especially in a lockout year.

[ATLTimekeeper]

This Barnes going #1 talk scares me, b/c I want him as a raptor and no way we're coming away with the #1 pick. A Derozan Barnes combo on the wing is perfect. Especially in a lockout year.

I wouldn't say it's perfect, they both struggle with ball-handling and playmaking.

[DreamTeam09]

In time it'll be perfect. Derozan handles last season was decent, hes improved already and with confidence alone he'll get better in that department. Jury is still out on Barnes b/c hes only a 19yr old soph, but he wants to improve his handles so in a yr or 2 he should be good at it. Both their mid range games are nasty. They'll both get to line, they'll both play defence, they'll both be above avg athleticly, and Barnes will hit the corner 3 @ high clip hopefully. I can't ask for too much more outta my wings.

[DG88]

This Barnes going #1 talk scares me, b/c I want him as a raptor and no way we're coming away with the #1 pick. A Derozan Barnes combo on the wing is perfect. Especially in a lockout year.

A Miller/DeRozan combo would be really deadly