Official Raptors 2012 NBA Draft Thread, Part 5

[vaff87]

I hope he doesn't declare this year if we get top 3. But I hope he declares if we get 4 - 7th pick.

+1.

I don't like the idea of being pressured to draft a player like Drummond because we won the #2 pick. Same thing happened with the Heat & Beasley. I'd much rather have Barnes.

I'll go out on a limb and predict either Leonard or Henson goes 2nd. I think Drummond drops, but an athletic C replaces him. In the case of Henson, I think the idea of a "guaranteed" 10/10/2 and a play that helps immediately is something that would appeal to GMs that don't want to get fired. NOH needs to impress Gordon so they probably go older prospect at 2 or lower. And he's like made to be the PF beside Monroe or Cousins. DET and SAC are also two teams who don't really want to wait 3 years for a prospect

I think Henson is the coyote for stealing 2nd or 3rd overall

Gotta give you credit, when you said you'll "go out on a limb", you really did. I doubt either goes in the top 10, unless some surprises don't declare.

[dagger]

If we have first overall, it's going to be Anthony Davis. If we pick second, it's going to be a shooter. I cannot see BC taking Drummond over Barnes or MKG even if Drummond projects reasonably well over the long term. There are only so many five-year big man projects this franchise will undertake. Valanciunas is enough, and his motor and work ethic are beyond question.

This is a business and it's time to move it forward. Waiting on multiple bigs to mature would destroy the fan base. Only a small fraction of fans would buy into another couple of years of willful losing.

[Homer Jay]

I hope he doesn't declare this year if we get top 3. But I hope he declares if we get 4 - 7th pick.

+1.

I don't like the idea of being pressured to draft a player like Drummond because we won the #2 pick. Same thing happened with the Heat & Beasley. I'd much rather have Barnes.

I'll go out on a limb and predict either Leonard or Henson goes 2nd. I think Drummond drops, but an athletic C replaces him. In the case of Henson, I think the idea of a "guaranteed" 10/10/2 and a play that helps immediately is something that would appeal to GMs that don't want to get fired. NOH needs to impress Gordon so they probably go older prospect at 2 or lower. And he's like made to be the PF beside Monroe or Cousins. DET and SAC are also two teams who don't really want to wait 3 years for a prospect

I think Henson is the coyote for stealing 2nd or 3rd overall

Wow you're really high on Henson. I don't know if he really has enough offensive potential to go that high, although he could be the best defensive big man in the lottery.

I could see Leonard potentially going that high because he's quietly a decent jump shooter, especially if given room. He's probably the most sure thing big man after Davis. He's got the height that Thomas Robinson is lacking.

[Marlo Stanfield]

It's not that far-fetched for Henson or Leonard to go that high. If they show well at the combine it's a lot easier for them to rise being big men. Not to mention the current wave of centers in the league are shot blocking, rim protecting, lob catchers. Don't put it past some GM's.

[sunny]

thanks dartfeder for creating my gif

[FluLikeSymptoms]

Drummond makes one or two plays per game which remind me that his ceiling is the highest in the draft, but Davis has been consistently better than his peers for a while now. One dominant tournament game from Drummond or an amazing workout could make things interesting, though, you could easily fall in love with the possibilities. Could be a last-second flip-flop like Howard over Okafor, though Davis is a much better pro prospect than Okafor was.

Also, I agree that Leonard will likely end up in the top half of the lotto. He moves too well at his size to slip.

[Rapsfan07]

Wow! Henson with the 2nd overall pick?! That would be crazier than the Tristan Thompson pick last year.

I still think Drummond's got crazy potential and assuming he does declare, I say NOLA takes him. As for us, if it's not Barnes, I'd like to see a trade down to grab Lamb, Beal or Miller.

[fredericklove]

If we have first overall, it's going to be Anthony Davis. If we pick second, it's going to be a shooter. I cannot see BC taking Drummond over Barnes or MKG even if Drummond projects reasonably well over the long term. There are only so many five-year big man projects this franchise will undertake. Valanciunas is enough, and his motor and work ethic are beyond question.

This is a business and it's time to move it forward. Waiting on multiple bigs to mature would destroy the fan base. Only a small fraction of fans would buy into another couple of years of willful losing.

I think BC might view him as stoudamire reborn and draft him thinking he can turn him into STAT...lol, its gonna be a nightmare if he thinks that way.

And for the doctor who predicts leonard to be 2nd pick, someone will break one of your legs, if its henson as 2nd pick, the whole basketball town will break all your limbs.

[fredericklove]

Wow! Henson with the 2nd overall pick?! That would be crazier than the Tristan Thompson pick last year.

I still think Drummond's got crazy potential and assuming he does declare, I say NOLA takes him. As for us, if it's not Barnes, I'd like to see a trade down to grab Lamb, Beal or Miller.

Trade down? Not sure about that cos if Drummond doesn't declare this year (bull i think he will) but if that happens, its either Barnes or Lamb take 2nd pick, and I see Lamb getting a shot at 2nd pick. It's like we trade our Lamb pick for a Beal pick at the bottom? Not sure if the bottom team wants to do that.

[Rapsfan07]

Wow! Henson with the 2nd overall pick?! That would be crazier than the Tristan Thompson pick last year.

I still think Drummond's got crazy potential and assuming he does declare, I say NOLA takes him. As for us, if it's not Barnes, I'd like to see a trade down to grab Lamb, Beal or Miller.

Trade down? Not sure about that cos if Drummond doesn't declare this year (bull i think he will) but if that happens, its either Barnes or Lamb take 2nd pick, and I see Lamb getting a shot at 2nd pick. It's like we trade our Lamb pick for a Beal pick at the bottom? Not sure if the bottom team wants to do that.

I think Drummond declares this year too....but if he doesn't, it'll be Barnes going second. Now I'm sure March Madness, workouts, ping pong luck and measurements will change a lot but currently, most mock drafts have the 2 SG's in the later lotto. Lamb's stock has been taking a hit here or there especially due to the way UConn is doing. But as it stands right now, I think the draft could be:

Davis
Drummond
Barnes
Sullinger/PJ3/Robinson
Sullinger/PJ3/Robinson
Gilchrist
Sullinger/PJ3/Robinson
Henson
Beal
Lamb

Something like this. I personally don't like Henson above those guys but I have a feeling a GM will take him and try to use him as a C like what they did with Camby. Either that or he's the one that falls really really low. That's what I think.

[fredericklove]

Drummond
Barnes
Sullinger/PJ3/Robinson
Sullinger/PJ3/Robinson
Gilchrist
Sullinger/PJ3/Robinson
Henson
Beal
Lamb

Something like this. I personally don't like Henson above those guys but I have a feeling a GM will take him and try to use him as a C like what they did with Camby. Either that or he's the one that falls really really low. That's what I think.

henson.....um........ew. I have a feeling Sully will be drafted higher than most think (3rd if Drummond doesn't declare) cos a wizards team or a NO team that keeps Gordon, they might want Sully and then draft a SG in later round depending on where their 2nd pick goes. And it seems like we are at a higher odds of getting MKG than most other guys imo.

[Rapsfan07]

Drummond
Barnes
Sullinger/PJ3/Robinson
Sullinger/PJ3/Robinson
Gilchrist
Sullinger/PJ3/Robinson
Henson
Beal
Lamb

Something like this. I personally don't like Henson above those guys but I have a feeling a GM will take him and try to use him as a C like what they did with Camby. Either that or he's the one that falls really really low. That's what I think.

henson.....um........ew. I have a feeling Sully will be drafted higher than most think, a wizards team or a NO team that keeps Gordon, they might want Sully and then draft a SG in later round depending on where their 2nd pick goes. And it seems like we are at a higher odds of getting MKG than most other guys imo.

Well my hope is Barnes or Miller personally. Henson's not my favorite guy in the draft but his scouting report is almost identical to Camby's. If he were to pan out into that type of player, it would be worth it to take him there IMO. Sully could definitely go higher. Wiz or Hornets would be a great fit. But again, there's a lot that needs to be filled in so it's hard to be sure. However where Henson is concerned, he could easily drop since interestingly enough, most teams in around his supposed draft range are already locked up at C (which is where he fits best in the NBA IMO).

I know I'm going to get flamed but I would be disappointed if we took MKG.

[WhatsaTDot]

There's no way you start 3 rookies and hope for any level of success. They simply arent ready to go from a 30 game schedule to an 82 game schedule travelling across the continent and playing against fully grown men. Look at how bad Charlotte is when they start two rookies.

See that's the thing...you cannot possibly be rebuilding and expect success at the same time. Just doesn't work that way. And if a proper rebuild is what we're shooting for, then starting 3 talented rookies is better than Jose and Barbosa catapulting us into the 8th seed.

BC's tenure expires though (team option)- for his own self interest, it's 100% guaranteed that he sells a playoff movement next year.

[Rapsfan07]

There's no way you start 3 rookies and hope for any level of success. They simply arent ready to go from a 30 game schedule to an 82 game schedule travelling across the continent and playing against fully grown men. Look at how bad Charlotte is when they start two rookies.

See that's the thing...you cannot possibly be rebuilding and expect success at the same time. Just doesn't work that way. And if a proper rebuild is what we're shooting for, then starting 3 talented rookies is better than Jose and Barbosa catapulting us into the 8th seed.

BC's tenure expires though (team option)- for his own self interest, it's 100% guaranteed that he sells a playoff movement next year.

Well that's cool. As a fan, I wouldn't mind a playoff run so long as it's done in a way that hurts long term. For example, BC does a Calderon and Barbosa deal that lands us picks, we deal for Jennings, take a SF in the draft, Lamb out of the second round and bring in vets like Pietrus, Delfino/Parker, Camby, Blake on cheap, short team deals, we can make the playoffs in a weak East while still developing our young talent by exposing them to high level post season play and exposure to good veterans.

A run like that I would love. Its good for them, good for BC, good for the fans and good exposure about what's happening here. Best of all, it doesn't hadicap us in the future.

[S.W.A.N]

There's no way you start 3 rookies and hope for any level of success. They simply arent ready to go from a 30 game schedule to an 82 game schedule travelling across the continent and playing against fully grown men. Look at how bad Charlotte is when they start two rookies.

See that's the thing...you cannot possibly be rebuilding and expect success at the same time. Just doesn't work that way. And if a proper rebuild is what we're shooting for, then starting 3 talented rookies is better than Jose and Barbosa catapulting us into the 8th seed.

BC's tenure expires though (team option)- for his own self interest, it's 100% guaranteed that he sells a playoff movement next year.

Why would he not be selling a playoff movement next year. Adding Val, draft pick, and a player (asset trade or free agent) should make this team a legit playoff hopeful.

Losing is for losers... Yes I am on the bandwagon for this year, but that is it. One year to restock and assess the young players we have on our roster is enough.

This year with a healthy Bargnani we are a near playoff team. And that is with a roster filled out with scrubs like Butler, Carter, and Gray getting rotation minutes.

Playoffs are a realist goal next year and should be the focus of BC's plans. Build around Bargnani, Val and the draft pick, but do it with young vets who can help us win next year.

Add in a proper training camp so Casey can really teach and this team is going to look solid.

[WhatsaTDot]

I am also looking forward to us being good enough again too.

Val + 2012 pick + healthy Bargs + significant FA signing should be enough to be competitive again.

[Reignman]

If we have first overall, it's going to be Anthony Davis. If we pick second, it's going to be a shooter. I cannot see BC taking Drummond over Barnes or MKG even if Drummond projects reasonably well over the long term. There are only so many five-year big man projects this franchise will undertake. Valanciunas is enough, and his motor and work ethic are beyond question.

This is a business and it's time to move it forward. Waiting on multiple bigs to mature would destroy the fan base. Only a small fraction of fans would buy into another couple of years of willful losing.

I agree with you; however, if we have the #2 in this draft and Drummond declares, BC needs to keep things very close to the vest and play the game.

I don't want to just take a Barnes or MKG at #2 because we don't want another project. There are going to be teams that salivate over Drummond's potential so I think we can squeeze some more out of it.

It'll be tricky because we'd likely have to deal with the teams picking right after us but I think that might be a good way to get some extra value out of our pick.

[Reignman]

BTW, Barnes has become a sure thing at this point. Glad I stayed on the bandwagon from his rookie year.

[Al_Oliver]

If you had the second overall pick, you have to take Andre Drummond, right? He's looked pretty good the last couple of times I've seen him. There's something there that has me intrigued.

Meanwhile, Barnes is having himself a good game.

Not at all. I still haven't seen Drummond dominate anyone good... He has such an inferior set of post moves and a lack of touch when he isn't dunking. Horrible free throw shooter too.
Still not sold on him being that much better than Deandre Jordan

[JN]

Henson #2? Henson NBA Ready? Henson a 10-10-2 guy? WTF,WTF, WTF.

John Moron could put up those numbers in 30 minutes a game. Only problem is that he such an idiot that no NBA coach would play the defensive liability more then 10 minutes a game (he is very close to a liability on D end at the NCAA level, in the NBA level he would be a disaster) He makes so many mistakes on D that no coach will have the patience to play him.

Then the offence....http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NBEs7Gix ... re=related