Official Raptors 2012 NBA Draft Thread, Part 3

[fredericklove]

I think BC will be really focused on this draft, and really do his homework to draft the right player for this team. Is it bad that I am more excited for the draft lottery than the season?

It's fun for us to watch but difficult for BC if he doesn't get top 2 pick it'll be really tough to have to narrow down which player best for us since there's too many, one bad move might cost the future because we know how critical this draft pick prospect is to our future. Like wtf? 4-5 potential candidate at SF, 3 candidate at SG, even if we got 1st pick we'll be choosing real hard on which AD to get. If BC is drafting on "fits", we'll be in trouble, but if BPA I personally think Lamb is BPA even when I hate it if we draft him cos he won't solve our SF position. I'm just fortunate that Val is the BPA and the best fit the same time for us but I'm ashamed too cos I didn't want us to draft Val cos he was such an unknown prospect but he blew my f*cking mind at the U-19.

But yea I'll be enjoying these draft documentaries and looking forward to their scouting draft interviews. Last year we were so engaged into Walker and Knight topic that none of us had it coming when Val was chosen. It was shocking! And who knows, we might expect the unthinkable happen in this upcoming draft.

[God Squad]

Although, knowing BC's draft history and his bias for raw projects with large upside, if he is still available, I suspect Perry Jones to be our pick.

I'd be fine with that pick. I have some faith in PJ3. He just needs the right system and coach.

[God Squad]

I think BC will be really focused on this draft, and really do his homework to draft the right player for this team. Is it bad that I am more excited for the draft lottery than the season?

It's fun for us to watch but difficult for BC if he doesn't get top 2 pick it'll be really tough to have to narrow down which player best for us since there's too many, one bad move might cost the future because we know how critical this draft pick prospect is to our future. Like wtf? 4-5 potential candidate at SF, 3 candidate at SG, even if we got 1st pick we'll be choosing real hard on which AD to get. If BC is drafting on "fits", we'll be in trouble, but if BPA I personally think Lamb is BPA even when I hate it if we draft him cos he won't solve our SF position. I'm just fortunate that Val is the BPA and the best fit the same time for us but I'm ashamed too cos I didn't want us to draft Val cos he was such an unknown prospect but he blew my f*cking mind at the U-19.

But yea I'll be enjoying these draft documentaries and looking forward to their scouting draft interviews. Last year we were so engaged into Walker and Knight topic that none of us had it coming when Val was chosen. It was shocking! And who knows, we might expect the unthinkable happen in this upcoming draft.

I still think Knight is gonna be great in a couple of years. The better pg betweem of him and Kemba.

[gojoorange]

I think BC will be really focused on this draft, and really do his homework to draft the right player for this team. Is it bad that I am more excited for the draft lottery than the season?

It's fun for us to watch but difficult for BC if he doesn't get top 2 pick it'll be really tough to have to narrow down which player best for us since there's too many, one bad move might cost the future because we know how critical this draft pick prospect is to our future. Like wtf? 4-5 potential candidate at SF, 3 candidate at SG, even if we got 1st pick we'll be choosing real hard on which AD to get. If BC is drafting on "fits", we'll be in trouble, but if BPA I personally think Lamb is BPA even when I hate it if we draft him cos he won't solve our SF position. I'm just fortunate that Val is the BPA and the best fit the same time for us but I'm ashamed too cos I didn't want us to draft Val cos he was such an unknown prospect but he blew my f*cking mind at the U-19.

But yea I'll be enjoying these draft documentaries and looking forward to their scouting draft interviews. Last year we were so engaged into Walker and Knight topic that none of us had it coming when Val was chosen. It was shocking! And who knows, we might expect the unthinkable happen in this upcoming draft.

You are definitely right, this draft pick has to be huge going forward. If we bust our team would likely be headed straight for the treadmill.

Stern: "With the first pick in the 2012 NBA draft; the Toronto Raptors select Meyers Leonard..."

BC: "...a bouncy five."

[Dr Positivity]

Leonard would not be as bad a fit as it seems, I think he can play PF in the NBA and he's one of the few guys in the draft with perenniel all-star upside/talent. I consider taking Leonard as high as 2nd in the draft (w/ Anthony Davis as the #1 selection)

[McFurious1]

Bradley Beal is an interesting prospect and is flying under the radar. Can play D shoot the lights out, and drive/create for himself.

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U2lxdNSPDlc[/youtube]

[Dr Positivity]

I made this post in the draft forum

What I think the GM consensus big board will be by draft day:

1. PF/C Andre Drummond
2. PF/C Anthony Davis
3. PF/C Meyers Leonard

4. PF Thomas Robinson
5. SF Michael Kidd-Gilchrist
6. SF Harrison Barnes
7. C John Henson
8. SG Jeremy Lamb
9. SF/PF Perry Jones III
10. PF Jared Sullinger

11. SG Bradley Beal
12. PG Kendall Marshall
13. PF/C Tyler Zeller
14. SG Terrence Ross

Team personalized big boards. I believe Ford when he says most teams use the split into tiers, then draft for need within those tiers strategy. Therefore:

Washington:
1. PF/C Andre Drummond
2. PF/C Anthony Davis
3. PF/C Meyers Leonard
4. PF Thomas Robinson
5. PF Jared Sullinger
6. PF Perry Jones III
7. SG Jeremy Lamb
8. PF/C John Henson
9. SF Michael Kidd-Gilchrist
10. SF Harrison Barnes

Assumes Washington is looking for a post Blatche PF first and SG not far behind. Henson is weak fit with McGee. Future SF is Vesely still so not a ton of interest in MKG or Barnes unless considered clear BPA

Toronto:
1. PF/C Andre Drummond
2. PF/C Anthony Davis
3. PF/C Meyers Leonard
4. SF Michael Kidd-Gilchrist
5. SF Harrison Barnes
6. SG/SF Jeremy Lamb
7. PF Perry Jones III
8. PF Jared Sullinger
9. PF Thomas Robinson
10. PF/C John Henson

SF is biggest need, PF/C is smallest.

Sacramento:
1. PF/C Andre Drummond
2. PF/C Anthony Davis
3. PF/C Meyers Leonard
4. PF Thomas Robinson
5. PF/C John Henson
6. SF Harrison Barnes
7. SF Michael Kidd-Gilchrist
8. SG Jeremy Lamb
9. PF/C Perry Jones III
10. PF Jared Sullinger

Sac could use a defense and rebounding dirty work PF, followed by SF, SG and a defenseless big last.

New Jersey Nets
1. PF/C Andre Drummond
2. PF/C Anthony Davis
3. PF/C Meyers Leonard
4. SF Michael Kidd-Gilchrist
5. SF Harrison Barnes
6. PF Thomas Robinson
7. PF/C John Henson
8. SF/PF Perry Jones III
9. SG Jeremy Lamb
10. PF Jared Sullinger

The Nets would love to pick up one of those SFs. A young defensively significant big man is the next best option.

New Orleans Hornets

1. PF/C Andre Drummond
2. PF/C Anthony Davis
3. PF/C Meyers Leonard
4. SF Michael Kidd-Gilchrist
5. SF Harrison Barnes
6. PF/C Thomas Robinson
7. PF/C John Henson
8. SF/PF Perry Jones III
9. PF Jared Sullinger
10. SG Jeremy Lamb

The two SFs are high on my Hornets list because of the liklihood of a handful of good and roughly equal PF/C prospects being available with their second pick. Thus a smart move is drafting one of the SFs with the higher pick. If one of their picks is top 3 then again, they take SF ahead of the other tier 2 bigs

Detroit Pistons
1. PF/C Andre Drummond
2. PF/C Anthony Davis
3. PF/C Meyers Leonard
4. PF Thomas Robinson
5. PF/C John Henson
6. SF Michael Kidd-Gilchrist
7. SF Harrison Barnes
8. PF Jared Sullinger
9. SG Jeremy Lamb
9. PF Jared Sullinger
10. SF/PF Perry Jones III

The Pistons would love a Robinson or Henson to be the defensive big beside Monroe. The SFs, Lamb, Sullinger are also solid fits. The Pistons will likely not have to worry about fit being a problem with this draft pick.

Charlotte Bobcats

1. PF/C Andre Drummond
2. PF/C Anthony Davis
3. PF/C Meyers Leonard
4. SF Harrison Barnes
5. SF Michael Kidd-Gilchrist
6. PF Thomas Robinson
7. PF Jared Sullinger
8. SF/PF Perry Jones III
9. SG Jeremy Lamb
10. PF/C John Henson

The Bobcats are another team where fit is likely to not be a problem with lots of SFs and PFs to choose from. They likely look for the perimeter go to guy and big name college players they love in Barnes or MKG first before the PFs and Henson is the weak fit of the 10 with Biyombo there.

I would say MKG or Barnes between 4 and 6 is the most likely scenario.

[Reignman]

I made this post in the draft forum

What I think the GM consensus big board will be by draft day:

1. PF/C Andre Drummond
2. PF/C Anthony Davis
3. PF/C Meyers Leonard

4. PF Thomas Robinson
5. SF Michael Kidd-Gilchrist
6. SF Harrison Barnes
7. C John Henson
8. SG Jeremy Lamb
9. SF/PF Perry Jones III
10. PF Jared Sullinger

11. SG Bradley Beal
12. PG Kendall Marshall
13. PF/C Tyler Zeller
14. SG Terrence Ross

Team personalized big boards. I believe Ford when he says most teams use the split into tiers, then draft for need within those tiers strategy. Therefore:

Washington:
1. PF/C Andre Drummond
2. PF/C Anthony Davis
3. PF/C Meyers Leonard
4. PF Thomas Robinson
5. PF Jared Sullinger
6. PF Perry Jones III
7. SG Jeremy Lamb
8. PF/C John Henson
9. SF Michael Kidd-Gilchrist
10. SF Harrison Barnes

Assumes Washington is looking for a post Blatche PF first and SG not far behind. Henson is weak fit with McGee. Future SF is Vesely still so not a ton of interest in MKG or Barnes unless considered clear BPA

Toronto:
1. PF/C Andre Drummond
2. PF/C Anthony Davis
3. PF/C Meyers Leonard
4. SF Michael Kidd-Gilchrist
5. SF Harrison Barnes
6. SG/SF Jeremy Lamb
7. PF Perry Jones III
8. PF Jared Sullinger
9. PF Thomas Robinson
10. PF/C John Henson

SF is biggest need, PF/C is smallest.

Sacramento:
1. PF/C Andre Drummond
2. PF/C Anthony Davis
3. PF/C Meyers Leonard
4. PF Thomas Robinson
5. PF/C John Henson
6. SF Harrison Barnes
7. SF Michael Kidd-Gilchrist
8. SG Jeremy Lamb
9. PF/C Perry Jones III
10. PF Jared Sullinger

Sac could use a defense and rebounding dirty work PF, followed by SF, SG and a defenseless big last.

New Jersey Nets
1. PF/C Andre Drummond
2. PF/C Anthony Davis
3. PF/C Meyers Leonard
4. SF Michael Kidd-Gilchrist
5. SF Harrison Barnes
6. PF Thomas Robinson
7. PF/C John Henson
8. SF/PF Perry Jones III
9. SG Jeremy Lamb
10. PF Jared Sullinger

The Nets would love to pick up one of those SFs. A young defensively significant big man is the next best option.

New Orleans Hornets

1. PF/C Andre Drummond
2. PF/C Anthony Davis
3. PF/C Meyers Leonard
4. SF Michael Kidd-Gilchrist
5. SF Harrison Barnes
6. PF/C Thomas Robinson
7. PF/C John Henson
8. SF/PF Perry Jones III
9. PF Jared Sullinger
10. SG Jeremy Lamb

The two SFs are high on my Hornets list because of the liklihood of a handful of good and roughly equal PF/C prospects being available with their second pick. Thus a smart move is drafting one of the SFs with the higher pick. If one of their picks is top 3 then again, they take SF ahead of the other tier 2 bigs

Detroit Pistons
1. PF/C Andre Drummond
2. PF/C Anthony Davis
3. PF/C Meyers Leonard
4. PF Thomas Robinson
5. PF/C John Henson
6. SF Michael Kidd-Gilchrist
7. SF Harrison Barnes
8. PF Jared Sullinger
9. SG Jeremy Lamb
9. PF Jared Sullinger
10. SF/PF Perry Jones III

The Pistons would love a Robinson or Henson to be the defensive big beside Monroe. The SFs, Lamb, Sullinger are also solid fits. The Pistons will likely not have to worry about fit being a problem with this draft pick.

Charlotte Bobcats

1. PF/C Andre Drummond
2. PF/C Anthony Davis
3. PF/C Meyers Leonard
4. SF Harrison Barnes
5. SF Michael Kidd-Gilchrist
6. PF Thomas Robinson
7. PF Jared Sullinger
8. SF/PF Perry Jones III
9. SG Jeremy Lamb
10. PF/C John Henson

The Bobcats are another team where fit is likely to not be a problem with lots of SFs and PFs to choose from. They likely look for the perimeter go to guy and big name college players they love in Barnes or MKG first before the PFs and Henson is the weak fit of the 10 with Biyombo there.

I would say MKG or Barnes between 4 and 6 is the most likely scenario.

Outside of your top 2 (and that's going to be debateable by the time the draft rolls around) your entire GM big board is FUBAR.

Come on dude, you can do better than that.

[gojoorange]

Outside of your top 2 (and that's going to be debateable by the time the draft rolls around) your entire GM big board is FUBAR.

Come on dude, you can do better than that.

Tron funkin blows.

[FluLikeSymptoms]

I knew some contributor would quote that whole thing.

[Dr Positivity]

Well I have everyone in that 4-10 range pretty close, thus in the same 'tier' and moving around a lot on the different teams' big boards according to team need. I personally have seen athleticism and physical tools (Robinson, MKG, Henson) beat skill and non dynamic athleticism (Lamb, Sullinger) and not having a position/a weak motor (Perry) enough in drafts by the time workouts happen to give the edge to them. Last year is a good example. I would say the consensus GM board was Irving and Williams in tier 1 and tier 2 as Kanter, Valanciunas, Vesely, Knight, Kemba, Jimmer, Biyombo. The order of Kanter, Valanciunas, Vesely, Biyombo, Knight, Kemba, Jimmer was overwhelmingly weighted towards bigs and athleticism first, skill and positional concerns last. (and Biyombo being in that group over say Klay or the Morris twins is a testament to the athleticism/bigs > skill/weak position solidarity drafting)

Meyers Leonard as tier 1 is still controversial. I don't expect people to believe it until Ford or DX post it. I have him as white Lamarcus Aldridge and a clear all-star talent with his 7 foot size and long wingspan, athleticism, developing skill level and solid but not dominant numbers in his sophmore season (13ppg, 8rpg, 60%, 71% FT, 2blks+). I think Leonard, Drummond and Davis are all all-star physical talents (thus offensive upside) who can put up 2 blks+ and anchor a team defensively in the NBA. I see little reason why what will separate Davis and Drummond from the pack will not also separate Leonard (who is a year older, but I think that only hurts him by pushing him to 3rd). All-star physical talent and the impossibility of filling the center position is what makes the gap (in Anthony Davis' case he will either be a "PF" who plays like a center, or just a center period)

More and more I'm thinking Leonard should be our pick if we are sitting at 3 or 4 and he's on the board. I think his all-star potential outstrips Barnes and MKG's pretty easily. And that should be the most important thing, not trying to fit this pick with our mediocore talent roster.

[fredericklove]

Outside of your top 2 (and that's going to be debateable by the time the draft rolls around) your entire GM big board is FUBAR.

Come on dude, you can do better than that.

the guy had me speechless when he said he'd take Leonard as high as 2nd pick. I understand ADs as the potential franchise type but Leonard? Really? Not only have we got a logjam at the 4 spot but you're going to add another 4 whos potential isn't exactly at ADs' level. And then he came back at us again with his GM "consensus" board ...fubar it is, idk how henson came into place, really? Wizard really needs help in every position except PG...their board apparently is high on Sully, also nick young signed one year deal only, he's a freaking cancer to this team, their BPA should be Lamb or best option is Sully outside of the top 2 but even so I don't think Henson is a fit at all. The guy is talented but he's not exactly a mature guy for this team. And basically I see Leonard at 3rd in every team's list is just FUBAR BEYOND FUBAR

[fredericklove]

Outside of top 2, I say BPA is Jeremy Lamb. And I don't even like the guy as our pick but I can't deny the talent/skillset/potential/wingspan/shot creating ability/pesty defenese he has. He just needs to bulk the f*ck up. If we're not going on the Barnes/MKG route, I wish and pray for us drafting Lamb, trade Demar away for other asset and look to sign or trade for a SF (e.g. Wilson Chandler).

Val
Bargnani
Chandler
Lamb
Free agent

This is a strong lineup for the raptors.

[MainEvent]

The top players will separate themselves and provide some clarity in March

[Dr Positivity]

Good scouting video:

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QK7K2aYpoKI[/youtube]

I think this guy can play the 4 in the NBA, he has some touch on his hook shots and back down ability, which with his height could help him get shots off. He's hit his FTs at 71%+ this year which like JVal is a good sign for his touch and developing a future jumper. He looks decently mobile, won't be the fastest PF but with his height wouldn't need to be. Him and JVal would both be like the tallest combination in the league. Good teams win in the trees. They'd be a shotblocking pain in the *ss for opposing teams on the defensive end with their height and wingspan and mobility. That alone should interest us, I mean we'd be SET on that end for once, if these guys develop right. On the offensive end both have good hands and could go up for a hookshoot released at a height higher than anyone else on the floor but each other can reach. If neither are standout offensive players maybe we keep Bargnani as the perfect complement

I would say I trust Leonard's offensive ability more than Davis and Drummond's. He's a year older but has used it to develop. A Davis and Drummond look like Noah and bigger Favors respectively to me on the offensive end. Both have game changing defensive potential, higher than Leonard's - But if neither went beyond 11-15ppg clean up basket guys offensively it wouldn't surprise me in the slightest. I personally have it 1. Davis 2. Drummond but considering Leonard is clearly a level ahead of them in offensive polish at the moment and like them is a really talented physical talent at 7 foot with athleticism and a good frame, I don't see why it's unreasonable to put him in the same group. It's not like Leonard's defensive potential is far behind Drummond's (Davis clearly has the most) and not only are the ADs both just ok offensively and thus not separating themselves that way, but it's very arguably Leonard who has the clear advantage there. Forget whether Chad Ford has caught up yet and ask yourself whether the guy has all-star talent. Because looking at his size, athleticism and skill level. I stand by the young Lamarcus Aldridge comparison.

[wanker]

I'm going to assume Mufasa is either a) a friend of Meyers Leonard, b) a relative of Meyers Leonard, c) Meyers Leonard himself, or d) someone who doesn't know who Meyers Leonard is.

Your guess is as good as mine.

[Dr Positivity]

Just for the record, I know people are getting hung up on Leonard not having the hype from ESPN and DX yet. But just because a jump in hype hasn't happened yet, doesn't mean it won't. Surprising link: http://www.draftexpress.com/profile/Der ... t-history/ 15th a year ago, jumped to top 6 at the end of January and didn't become the lock #2 until the end of March. Brandon Knight was also 17th and then in the 20s all of January and February. Jonny Flynn was ranked 25th on DX at this time in his year. Tyreke was at 17th in February and we thought he'd be available at our pick most of those months.

There's been plenty of cases where talent level was more accurately judged as we got closer to the draft. I'm supremely confident that Leonard's stock is blowing up based on the rarity of 7 foot C prospects with high end athleticism and skill - that's a star package and one that usually does very, very well in drafts. Leonard is CLEARLY a better prospect than Enes Kanter and Jonas Valanciunas were a year ago in my opinion, he's a level up in both athleticism and skill and at a younger age than either were. I have no problem stepping out on a limb by predicting he becomes the consensus #3 behind Davis and Drummond, other than PJIII (who has his own issues) I see him as the next most talented prospect/having the next highest upside. I'm not saying he definitely will get that boost but it's a prediction for a reason

I wouldn't mind discussion on what makes Leonard not worthy of top 6 pick consideration by us, but it's certainly not as simple as "Well he's only going late lotto in the big mocks, so we shouldn't consider him". As for fit, the more I think about a Leonard JVal combination the more I like it. That length and ability to cover airspace in the frontcourt could provide devastating help defense and I think Leonard has solid offensive potential on the block at PF, not a superstar offensive player but a pretty good one

[Salted Meat]

Hey, I've heard Meyers Leonard is pretty good... anyone know anything about him... ?

[fredericklove]

Hey, I've heard Meyers Leonard is pretty good... anyone know anything about him... ?

lol you have to ask this question when a guy above wrote a long essay about him? Just another athletic big man with decent offense. What I know is he could be at the bottom end of the lottery but has absolutely no chance of cracking the top end. Whoever has him outside of the lottery could end up having a steal but I wont take him top 10 for sure though.

[Salted Meat]

Hey, I've heard Meyers Leonard is pretty good... anyone know anything about him... ?

lol you have to ask this question when a guy above wrote a long essay about him? Just another athletic big man with decent offense. What I know is he could be at the bottom end of the lottery but has absolutely no chance of cracking the top end. Whoever has him outside of the lottery could end up having a steal but I wont take him top 10 for sure though.

I appreciate your analysis, but I'm looking for a little bit more... i don't wanna say "deeper" just.. maybe wordier? More long-winded, perhaps? Basically, I'm looking for something about Meyers Leonard that is just obscenely long but doesn't offer any real observable insight or has any credibility.

Where could I possibly find... just... a lot of borderline-excessive praise about Meyers Leonard?

Maybe he has a website...