Official Raptors 2012 NBA Draft Thread, Part 3

God Squad · Post #781 » by **God Squad** » Tue Jan 3, 2012 6:00 pm

Some questions with David Thorpe.

Nick (Toronto)

Hey David. We Raptors fans have grown pretty impatient with Andrea Bargnani, but this season he's shown honest-to-goodness improvement: a 21+ PER, better defence, timely shots. Is it a mirage or do you think Andrea has turned a corner?

Tristian C (Toronto)

What are your thoughts on the Raptors this year with New Coach Dwayne Casey? Do you see any improvements in DeMar DeRozan's game? Who should the Raptors draft this year? BPA, Wing or PG?

David Thorpe (12:20 PM)

Same answer for both questions. Ladies and gentleman, it's a coach's league. The Raps guy is proving that, once again.

God Squad · Post #782 » by **God Squad** » Tue Jan 3, 2012 6:04 pm

Dr Mufasa wrote:I would seriously consider taking Leonard and going twin towers. I would say playing PF is in reach for him as he has mobility and reasonable skill. I think there'd be more KG comparisons for him if he was black

I think Leonard is going to emerge as the "OMG you can't take him less than 3" scouting consensus 3rd wheel.

WHAT?! Meyers Leonard? Epic fail of a GM. I'd NEVER take him over AD's, Lamb, MKG, Perry, Harrison. Shii*t I'll take Sullinger before him lol

God Squad · Post #783 » by **God Squad** » Tue Jan 3, 2012 6:26 pm

Thorpe didn't answer my draft question though. I'm guessing its because it's very early and things have to play out a little bit more. I'm guessing he'll have an idea by February/March.

Post #784 » by **Rhettmatic** » Tue Jan 3, 2012 6:40 pm

Ford has a new blog post up discussing who should be ranked second after Anthony Davis:

http://insider.espn.go.com/nba/blog/_/n ... mmond-no-2

Young_Buc · Post #785 » by **Young_Buc** » Tue Jan 3, 2012 6:50 pm

Rhettmatic wrote:Ford has a new blog post up discussing who should be ranked second after Anthony Davis:

http://insider.espn.go.com/nba/blog/_/n ... mmond-no-2

Hey Rhett what are some of highlights he notes about the usual suspects? (If you have access)

Post #786 » by **Rhettmatic** » Tue Jan 3, 2012 7:04 pm

Young_Buc wrote:
Rhettmatic wrote:Ford has a new blog post up discussing who should be ranked second after Anthony Davis:

http://insider.espn.go.com/nba/blog/_/n ... mmond-no-2

Hey Rhett what are some of highlights he notes about the usual suspects? (If you have access)

Sure, here's a recap (He interviews anonymous GMs and goes over the pros/cons of each contender):

Jones: GM argues that in the right system (i.e. not Baylor's), he could be a monster. With the right coach, point guard and team at the NBA level, he thinks he could be a superstar.
Barnes: All he's doing is scoring right now, but one GM says it's because that's all he's being asked to do. Thinks his floor is Danny Granger, which means he could be a safe pick.
Drummond: Only now getting his feet underneath him. Could still challenge for the 1st overall pick.
Gilchrist: Proving scouts wrong who thought he didn't have the ability to be a consistent scorer. Has all the makings of being one of the "intangible greats" at the next level.

Young_Buc · Post #787 » by **Young_Buc** » Tue Jan 3, 2012 7:09 pm

Rhettmatic wrote:
Young_Buc wrote:
Rhettmatic wrote:Ford has a new blog post up discussing who should be ranked second after Anthony Davis:

http://insider.espn.go.com/nba/blog/_/n ... mmond-no-2

Hey Rhett what are some of highlights he notes about the usual suspects? (If you have access)

Sure, here's a recap (He interviews anonymous GMs and goes over the pros/cons of each contender):

Jones: GM argues that in the right system (i.e. not Baylor's), he could be a monster. With the right coach, point guard and team at the NBA level, he thinks he could be a superstar.
Barnes: All he's doing is scoring right now, but one GM says it's because that's all he's being asked to do. Thinks his floor is Danny Granger, which means he could be a safe pick.
Drummond: Only now getting his feet underneath him. Could still challenge for the 1st overall pick.
Gilchrist: Proving scouts wrong who thought he didn't have the ability to be a consistent scorer. Has all the makings of being one of the "intangible greats" at the next level.

Thanks! VERY interesting comments on Barnes and Jones. I can't shake the feeling that Barnes is going to be a star... then I watch him play. Such a great draft. I think it will mirror the 09 one.

Question to those who follow college ball closely: Is caliparri's offensive sets usually guard orientated? Anthony Davis has been playing the garbage man all year but is a former PG with a beautiful shooting stroke... yet he hardly touches the ball on O.

TJ Quik · Post #788 » by **TJ Quik** » Tue Jan 3, 2012 7:13 pm

I'm really having a tough time ranking Lamb, Barnes, and MKG. If the Raps are picking and those 3 are on the board, who do you choose? Lamb probably has the highest ceiling as a 2-way star, but he's a pretty finesse guy, and our team needs a little more toughness. MKG would bring that and would fit great between DD and AB, especially if DD's 3ball so far is legit, but his jumper makes me puke. Barnes I have a feeling is going to have a monster second half and has that 2 way star potential himself.

dTox · Post #789 » by **dTox** » Tue Jan 3, 2012 8:56 pm

I was all about QMiller, but MKG now surpassed my expectations and is at the top of my SF wish list for this draft. The fact that he's only 18 and already has become a 2 way player says alot about his potential, with a reliable shot I can certainly see him as a player we can build around.

Dr Positivity · Post #790 » by **Dr Positivity** » Tue Jan 3, 2012 10:15 pm

SMH at the GM saying Barnes' floor is Granger. That's his CEILING lol. Hopefully that guy is picking a spot or two ahead of us

Marlo Stanfield · Post #791 » by **Marlo Stanfield** » Tue Jan 3, 2012 10:43 pm

I have to admit that MKG has moved to the top of my realistic draft board. I always liked him as a player, but I never thought he was top-5 good until now. I see him as a Gerald Wallace/Boris Diaw type in the NBA. He'll never be a Kobe or LeBron but he'll make winning plays, which is the type of player every team needs.

MKG is followed by Jeremy Lamb, Quincy Miller, Brad Beal, Harrison Barnes and Austin Rivers in that order. Davis and Drummond are at the absolute top, but I won't fantasize about them until I see the draft lottery.

CunningLinguist · Post #792 » by **CunningLinguist** » Tue Jan 3, 2012 11:18 pm

Rhettmatic wrote:Ford has a new blog post up discussing who should be ranked second after Anthony Davis:

http://insider.espn.go.com/nba/blog/_/n ... mmond-no-2

I think it should be "who should be ranked 2nd after Drummond"

CunningLinguist · Post #793 » by **CunningLinguist** » Tue Jan 3, 2012 11:23 pm

Question to those who follow college ball closely: Is caliparri's offensive sets usually guard orientated? Anthony Davis has been playing the garbage man all year but is a former PG with a beautiful shooting stroke... yet he hardly touches the ball on O.

Yes, Calipari tends to employ a dribble weave offense that relies on good guard play. Davis' offensive game is still an unanswered question for me. Right now I would compare him to Marcus Camby. I've seen more offensive potential from Drummond so far.

Marlo Stanfield · Post #794 » by **Marlo Stanfield** » Tue Jan 3, 2012 11:24 pm

CunningLinguist wrote:
Rhettmatic wrote:Ford has a new blog post up discussing who should be ranked second after Anthony Davis:

http://insider.espn.go.com/nba/blog/_/n ... mmond-no-2

I think it should be "who should be ranked 2nd after Drummond"

Anthony Davis says; wtf is an Andre Drummond?

CunningLinguist · Post #795 » by **CunningLinguist** » Tue Jan 3, 2012 11:29 pm

BlackFalcon wrote:
CunningLinguist wrote:
Rhettmatic wrote:Ford has a new blog post up discussing who should be ranked second after Anthony Davis:

http://insider.espn.go.com/nba/blog/_/n ... mmond-no-2

I think it should be "who should be ranked 2nd after Drummond"

Anthony Davis says; wtf is an Andre Drummond?

I think Drummond has greater potential. Better body, better passer and I've seen flashes of offensive tools such as a turnaround jumper and a face-up shot. He's also has huge defensive potential, just like Davis and I think he can play PF or C. He just doesn't know how to establish post position yet.

Young_Buc · Post #796 » by **Young_Buc** » Tue Jan 3, 2012 11:29 pm

Davis has put up the most impressive freshman season since Durant (Beasely played for K-State, screw him) 10 boards and over 4 blocks in 26 minutes? AND he's a former PG? I'd only imagine what his numbers would be if he were on a team where he was the feature guy. Best prospect in years IMO

dagger · Post #797 » by **dagger** » Tue Jan 3, 2012 11:32 pm

The brass checking out Lamb and Drummond

@AdamZagoria: 19 NBA scouts here at UConn-Seton Hall including Bryan Colangelo...Ed Stefanski...Billy King...Rod Thorn...Joe Dumars

CunningLinguist · Post #798 » by **CunningLinguist** » Tue Jan 3, 2012 11:33 pm

Young_Buc wrote:Davis has put up the most impressive freshman season since Durant (Beasely played for K-State, screw him) 10 boards and over 4 blocks in 26 minutes? AND he's a former PG? I'd only imagine what his numbers would be if he were on a team where he was the feature guy. Best prospect in years IMO

Very impressive in terms of defence and rebounding yes, but most of his scoring has been off lobs and rolls to the basket. Durant showed the most advanced offensive game I've every seen for a guy that size at that age as a freshman. I compared Davis to Camby earlier and many may not realize that he was also a 6-2 guard before he had a major growth spurt. That doesn't mean he has NBA quality guard skills.

dagger · Post #799 » by **dagger** » Tue Jan 3, 2012 11:34 pm

CunningLinguist wrote:
Young_Buc wrote:Davis has put up the most impressive freshman season since Durant (Beasely played for K-State, screw him) 10 boards and over 4 blocks in 26 minutes? AND he's a former PG? I'd only imagine what his numbers would be if he were on a team where he was the feature guy. Best prospect in years IMO

Very impressive in terms of defence and rebounding yes, but most of his scoring has been off lobs and rolls to the basket. Durant showed the most advanced offensive game I've every seen for a guy that size at that age as a freshman.

Agreed, and Carmelo in 2003 showed similar diversity in his dominance of D-1.

HEKTOR · Post #800 » by **HEKTOR** » Tue Jan 3, 2012 11:48 pm

A friend of mine just came back from UKC for the holidays, and told me that Anthony Davis was hitting on her in the summer. She commented on how he stopped her and wanted her number and that all she was thinking was "he's really tall and really ugly" :lol:

Apparently Kanter hit on her in the cafeteria the year before. She said the bball players are just absolute pigs. Thought I'd share that.

Who do you want the Raptors to draft in the 2012 NBA Draft?