Official Raptors 2012 NBA Draft Thread, Part 9

[Live Free]

Rivers officially declares:

Austin Rivers is leaving Duke after one season to enter the NBA draft, the school announced Monday.

"I would like to thank the coaches, my teammates and the fans for helping make this past year at Duke so special," Rivers said in a release provided by Duke. "Coach K and the rest of the staff really helped me develop and improve in all areas of the game.
"It was a difficult decision to leave Duke, but I am excited about chasing my dream of playing in the NBA."

Rivers averaged a team-high 15.5 points and was a unanimous pick for ACC freshman of the year.

"Austin (Rivers) had a terrific year as a freshman and has put himself in a position to pursue his dream of being a great player in the NBA," Duke coach Mike Krzyzewski said in the release. "He is an outstanding young man with an even more impressive family. We are in total support of Austin, his family and the decision.

"We look forward to watching him continue to develop and excel at the next level."

Come at me with pitchforks and torches all you want but with holes at the 1 and 3 spot, If Barnes/MKG are off the board I got Rivers right there. When draft hype comes around I expect him to rise the same way Tyreke did a few years back

[TheDunc]

Im getting off the Barnes bandwagon i was previously on. I like Barnes but i think he'll only be an above average SF. I think MKG and Anthony Davis will be gone by the time we pick for sure unless we get lucky in the lottery. Im hoping on the Thomas Robinson bandwagon.I think hes destined to be a great PF. I think he'll put up Chris Bosh type numbers but with good defense. I think Pairing him with Jonas V we get a great frontcourt for the future. Trade Bargnani for a wing or PG or 1st round pick and start the true rebuild. I'd love to watch that team next year.

I wouldnt even mind a team consisting of this next year. Try to pick up Marshall in the first round too
Bayless/Marshall
Derozan/Forbes
J.Johnson/Kleiza
Robinson/Davis
Jonas V/Amir

[ballislife]

Rivers officially declares:

Austin Rivers is leaving Duke after one season to enter the NBA draft, the school announced Monday.

"I would like to thank the coaches, my teammates and the fans for helping make this past year at Duke so special," Rivers said in a release provided by Duke. "Coach K and the rest of the staff really helped me develop and improve in all areas of the game.
"It was a difficult decision to leave Duke, but I am excited about chasing my dream of playing in the NBA."

Rivers averaged a team-high 15.5 points and was a unanimous pick for ACC freshman of the year.

"Austin (Rivers) had a terrific year as a freshman and has put himself in a position to pursue his dream of being a great player in the NBA," Duke coach Mike Krzyzewski said in the release. "He is an outstanding young man with an even more impressive family. We are in total support of Austin, his family and the decision.

"We look forward to watching him continue to develop and excel at the next level."

Come at me with pitchforks and torches all you want but with holes at the 1 and 3 spot, If Barnes/MKG are off the board I got Rivers right there. When draft hype comes around I expect him to rise the same way Tyreke did a few years back

I agree... I think he's going to make a fine NBA SG... if we ended up coming out of this draft with just Rivers somehow, I'd be happy. Plus his dad might be compelled to become our coach ... he'd definitely retire and come to a lot of Raptors games... thats for sure.

[TheDunc]

For people who want to draft Andre drummond, why not just draft Thomas Robinson. He's 6'10 with a 7'1 wingspan and great athletism. Drummond only has a chance to be a better shotblocker then Robinson. I say Robinson is who we should draft if Davis,MKG are off the table. Im also down for him because that would quickly mean the end of Andrea Bargnani in Toronto.

[Marlo Stanfield]

For people who want to draft Andre drummond, why not just draft Thomas Robinson. He's 6'10 with a 7'1 wingspan and great athletism. Drummond only has a chance to be a better shotblocker then Robinson. I say Robinson is who we should draft if Davis,MKG are off the table. Im also down for him because that would quickly mean the end of Andrea Bargnani in Toronto.

Who says Robinson is there when we pick?

[TheDunc]

Draft Robinson with our lottery pick then try snagging Doron Lamb or Tyshawn taylor late first round. That would make much more sense then drafting Harrison Barnes.

[JamesNaismith]

Rivers officially declares:

Austin Rivers is leaving Duke after one season to enter the NBA draft, the school announced Monday.

"I would like to thank the coaches, my teammates and the fans for helping make this past year at Duke so special," Rivers said in a release provided by Duke. "Coach K and the rest of the staff really helped me develop and improve in all areas of the game.
"It was a difficult decision to leave Duke, but I am excited about chasing my dream of playing in the NBA."

Rivers averaged a team-high 15.5 points and was a unanimous pick for ACC freshman of the year.

"Austin (Rivers) had a terrific year as a freshman and has put himself in a position to pursue his dream of being a great player in the NBA," Duke coach Mike Krzyzewski said in the release. "He is an outstanding young man with an even more impressive family. We are in total support of Austin, his family and the decision.

"We look forward to watching him continue to develop and excel at the next level."

Come at me with pitchforks and torches all you want but with holes at the 1 and 3 spot, If Barnes/MKG are off the board I got Rivers right there. When draft hype comes around I expect him to rise the same way Tyreke did a few years back

I agree... I think he's going to make a fine NBA SG... if we ended up coming out of this draft with just Rivers somehow, I'd be happy. Plus his dad might be compelled to become our coach ... he'd definitely retire and come to a lot of Raptors games... thats for sure.

I'll easily take both Beal and Lamb over OJ Mayo *ahem* Austin Rivers


As for his stock rising...maybe slightly but not more then the last 2 names I mentioned. For one Beal outplayed him in their showdowns in highschool and took his team further in the NCAA tournament; not to mention there is already talk of him going 2nd and he's clearly a much better rebounder. Then you have Lamb who has freakish length, was the TOP scoring wing, can shoot the ball and create off the dribble.

I think Rivers can fight into the top 10 but if we remain 5th-6th overall and draft Rivers...nvm you I'll take a pitchfork to Colangelo's throat and then my own (I do not want a year of tanking for the next Jamal Crawford at best).

[Mr.Raptorsingh]

Just a heads up:

McDonald's All American game featuring Shabazz Muhammed tomorrow (Wednesday) at 9:30; Nike Hoops Summit game, featuring Muhammed, Noel, Adams, Saric, Fournier, and Kulagin next Saturday (10 ET I believe)

[Undefeated]

I'd be pretty much indifferent if Drummond was picked by the Raptors or not. There's a chance he could learn the fundamentals at this stage to help further his skill set, but it's kind of alarming that he's got absolutely 0 fundamentals skills. It's a concern because what if he's another JaVale McGee minus the headcase who fills the stats sheet with a whole lots of blocks, but half those blocks are for show boating? It's a concern because prospects with limited IQ tend to not develop those fundamentals especially this late when they're about to play in the pros. I do like his interior passing however. If anything, I'd go with Thomas Robinson. T-Rob's got some nice explosive face-up almost guard like skills.

[fredericklove]

Why is that poster kept talking wangsta on last page lol.

[Marlo Stanfield]

Two things:

1) Archie Goodwin got robbed.
2) Shaquille Johnson would win this with his eyes closed.

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dP__Hgp9iI8&feature=g-all-u&context=G2e0919fFAAAAAAAAAAA[/youtube]

[fredericklove]

Before college even began, we were salivating for a Drummond/Val duo, dubbed it as the next "Twin Tower". And today, many teams are scared of taking Drummond. Look at how things changed so quickly. If Casey coaches this kid and turns him into a superstar, I swear I'll give up my Buddhism, go into Christianity and start worshiping Black Jesus a.k.a Coach Casey.

[JamesNaismith]

For people who want to draft Andre drummond, why not just draft Thomas Robinson. He's 6'10 with a 7'1 wingspan and great athletism. Drummond only has a chance to be a better shotblocker then Robinson. I say Robinson is who we should draft if Davis,MKG are off the table. Im also down for him because that would quickly mean the end of Andrea Bargnani in Toronto.

I like TRob BUT the difference is Drummond can played at C which is a huge plus.

I will say though I like Robinson where I would like if we drafted him BUT (another one) there absolutely would need to be a major draft day deal made where Bargnani is shipped out for a young talented wing at the level of Rudy Gay or I think we're treading water....

Because then we are beyond log-jammed at PF and other teams know it which means we have to fire sale 2 of them and that generally yields a low return. That's my biggest problem with drafting him is we put ourselves in a tight situation and for what???? He's not the next Blake Griffin or on the level of Davis and there are prospects at our positions of need (or at least greater need) that have just as much upside.

Again if we have a great trade lined up to get a really good SF that ships out Bargnani and Davis can maybe net us another decent pick to help fill the PG or SG position count me in but that's a big IF.

[Salted Meat]

For people who want to draft Andre drummond, why not just draft Thomas Robinson. He's 6'10 with a 7'1 wingspan and great athletism. Drummond only has a chance to be a better shotblocker then Robinson. I say Robinson is who we should draft if Davis,MKG are off the table. Im also down for him because that would quickly mean the end of Andrea Bargnani in Toronto.

I like T-Rob as well. He'd contribute more immediately, and he's been a fierce competitor in the tournament so far. I don't know if we'll be in a position to choose between the two though. I think he's solidifying himself as the 3rd pick, and a good showing in the final four will cement it.

I don't usually do boards, but if I had to wager a guess (which is all any of us are doing) I'd go with this

1. Anthony Davis
2. Michael Kidd-Gilchrest
3. Thomas Robinson
4. Brad Beal
5. Andre Drummond
6. Harrison Barnes
7. Jared Sullinger
8. Jeremy Lamb
9. Cody Zeller
10. Perry Jones

Of course, it's all dependent on who picks and when. I've got us at 5.

[Mr.Raptorsingh]

For people who want to draft Andre drummond, why not just draft Thomas Robinson. He's 6'10 with a 7'1 wingspan and great athletism. Drummond only has a chance to be a better shotblocker then Robinson. I say Robinson is who we should draft if Davis,MKG are off the table. Im also down for him because that would quickly mean the end of Andrea Bargnani in Toronto.

I like TRob BUT the difference is Drummond can played at C which is a huge plus.

I will say though I like Robinson where I would like if we drafted him BUT (another one) there absolutely would need to be a major draft day deal made where Bargnani is shipped out for a young talented wing at the level of Rudy Gay or I think we're treading water....

Because then we are beyond log-jammed at PF and other teams know it which means we have to fire sale 2 of them and that generally yields a low return. That's my biggest problem with drafting him is we put ourselves in a tight situation and for what???? He's not the next Blake Griffin or on the level of Davis and there are prospects at our positions of need (or at least greater need) that have just as much upside.

Again if we have a great trade lined up to get a really good SF that ships out Bargnani and Davis can maybe net us another decent pick to help fill the PG or SG position count me in but that's a big IF.

Agreed. But, I'm assuming that 2 of Amir, Ed, and Bargnani would be dealt anyway if we draft an Anthony Davis or Thomas Robinson.

I'm warming up to the idea of taking a Robinson or Drummond with our pick. It's early though. Tomorrow, I'll be all in favor of taking a guard or forward like Beal or Barnes It changes day-to-day for me.

[fredericklove]

For people who want to draft Andre drummond, why not just draft Thomas Robinson. He's 6'10 with a 7'1 wingspan and great athletism. Drummond only has a chance to be a better shotblocker then Robinson. I say Robinson is who we should draft if Davis,MKG are off the table. Im also down for him because that would quickly mean the end of Andrea Bargnani in Toronto.

Who says Robinson is there when we pick?

When people say he's going to be 2nd, I won't believe it, but if he put up another performance like that against OSU, then um yeah, he'll definitely go top 3. Well I think he is top 3 now, I just wanna see if he can do that against an elite big, Sully vs. T-Rob! What a beastly matchup!

[fredericklove]

Two things:

1) Archie Goodwin got robbed.
2) Shaquille Johnson would win this with his eyes closed.

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dP__Hgp9iI8&feature=g-all-u&context=G2e0919fFAAAAAAAAAAA[/youtube]

Looks like Bazz is gonna get Barnes type of hype next season lol. The next Kobe! I'm not even gonna bother watching any college ball next season, except whichever team Bazz is going to, hopefully Kentucky cos I wanna see him and Harrow killing it. I'll be following him all year but perhaps this is my final year on this draft thread, thx y'all for the good times.

[highness]

If T Rob is there at our pick and is bpa would you guys be fine with taking him? Our pf spot is far from being locked down...

[JamesNaismith]

Agreed. But, I'm assuming that 2 of Amir, Ed, and Bargnani would be dealt anyway if we draft an Anthony Davis or Thomas Robinson.

I'm warming up to the idea of taking a Robinson or Drummond with our pick. It's early though. Tomorrow, I'll be all in favor of taking a guard or forward like Beal or Barnes It changes day-to-day for me.

If we landed Anthony Davis then I'm certain one of Amir or Davis are shipped; I'm not sure if Bargnani is sent out; at least not immediately without experimenting with the rotation. It wouldn't surprise me if they at times played Davis out of position (at C) because his shot-blocking is just that good....and call it crazy but AD has not shown all of his offensive skill so I think we would also dabble in having all 3 on the court where Davis or Bargnani is used like SF depending on matchups.

With Robsinon, we have a PF; plain and simple. IMO he doesn't really add a dynamic that this team doesn't have but enhances it. We already have hardworking PFs in the post with ED & AJ but TRob would just be a much stronger and bigger version of them which is excellent but not really new. Amir or Ed being shipped is a given and keeping Bargnani is pretty pointless when you tanked to get ANOTHER top PF so burying him (especially in the final year of BC's contract) would be pointless...but then enter a fire sale.....

I think TRob and Valanciunas would be an absolutely SOLID frontcourt combo BUT that would leave so much work to be done in the backcourt when 1. we can get a wing in the draft with arguebly as much potential 2. it's Colangelo's last year...can he really risk trying to navigate through that situation -- I doubt it.

[JamesNaismith]

Two things:

1) Archie Goodwin got robbed.
2) Shaquille Johnson would win this with his eyes closed.

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dP__Hgp9iI8&feature=g-all-u&context=G2e0919fFAAAAAAAAAAA[/youtube]

Looks like Bazz is gonna get Barnes type of hype next season lol. The next Kobe! I'm not even gonna bother watching any college ball next season, except whichever team Bazz is going to, hopefully Kentucky cos I wanna see him and Harrow killing it. I'll be following him all year but perhaps this is my final year on this draft thread, thx y'all for the good times.

Ya lol

After Barnes I'll definitely try to tone down my predictions but Shabazz looks absolutely drool worthy as a prospect. The thing that at this moment bode a lil more in his favor for panning out is 1) he is an incredible athlete; very fast, better ballhandler who seems to get to the rim at will and has some of the best hops out there. 2) he is ridiculously dominant...Barnes did very well BUT Bazz just steamrolls. Barnes appeared to be a great scorer with a great shooting tough but Shabazz seems like he's obsessed with winning, plays with a fire that I really can't even remember seeing in a prospect in a looong time.