Raptors NBA Draft Thread: Damian Lillard (POR)

[S.W.A.N]

He's also the oldest player in the draft.

Development between the ages of 18-22 is HUGE.

I think that is a load of crock. There is a reason that the NBA is pushing for increases age limit, so that young guys can develop in college where they are supposed to.

Look at Gereald Green, did coming out early help him ?

Hell look at Amir, did his game develop because he came to NBA early ?

Green didn't develop...he matured (read his draft profile; he always had a ton of talent but not the maturity to utilize it) and Amir works in favor of the point lol. He came into the league young and THEN developed.

Exactly. Green should of stayed in college, Amir should of been in college... the point of college is for these young guys to mature and work or their game while getting an education.

Other than the truly gifted players like a Lebron or a Kobe the majority would be better off in school. And NBA teams would get a better player by having them develop in school not on bench.

I totally understand the concept that drafting the younger player means they have more upside than an older player does.

But when you are talking about a 21 year old kid like he can't develop any more that is just stupid.

Lillard has skills that translate well into the NBA, how well he can develop the rest of his game is what will make the difference between him being an All-star pg or a fringe combo guard in three years.

[JamesNaismith]

I really do want to believe in Lillard...especially since I think he will be the best player we have available at the time we draft but I just have a hard time believing in him when he played in such a weak conference and awful competition. It was already bad enough that his numbers happened against one of the worst PG draft classes in awhile now add to that his level of competition.

Obviously if his game translates at level its at we have a huge steal but I just can't see it happening.

Someone please convince me of opposite....I need some optimism right now lol

[joseph235]

WHere the hell is Weber State?

[DG88]

WHere the hell is Weber State?

In California

[cram]

No.

[Mr.Raptorsingh]

WHere the hell is Weber State?

In California

Nah brah, it's up in Utah.

[lolwut]

WHere the hell is Weber State?

In California

Nah brah, it's up in Utah.

Are you serious? It's in Weber.

[dagger]

Bayless clone. DO NOT WANT

Nonsense!. I bet you haven't even seen him play more than in Youtube highlights. He is a scorer, but also - unlike Bayless - a good finisher and much more consistent, and his D is better.

[Waylon Mercy]

Its a bad sign for Lillard when this board makes him the consensus pick considering
people on here wanted Kemba Walker and Cole Aldrich the last 2 drafts I fear for this
kids career now

[dagger]

I really do want to believe in Lillard...especially since I think he will be the best player we have available at the time we draft but I just have a hard time believing in him when he played in such a weak conference and awful competition.

This is the same argument that was used against Kawhi Leonard and Danny Granger. Both fell, not only because of the conference in Granger's case, but it was a significant consideration. So was the fact both were juniors or seniors and were dismissed out of hand by the upside crowd.

At one point, Leonard had eye-popping draft workouts, and he was rising in the mock drafts but then the question of playing for San Diego State made some teams back off and he began to slide. He's a top 3 rookie who was a 15th overall pick.

Granger went to New Mexico State, and had a history of knee trouble, and as we know only too painfully, was picked right after Babcock selected Joey Graham.

I think people get trapped in concepts, that stars only come out of one-and-done players, not withstanding that a lot of one and doners bust or do not achieve the lofty expectations set for them. Players like Lillard, who have improved every single year of their college careers and get to the point of leading the nation in scoring, are sure talents. If Lillard is not a superstar in the making, he's nevertheless a potential major upgrade at his position, good size, solid D, penetrates and dishes but is also one of the best shooters in college basketball.

I'm not bigging him up as the second coming, but I also think he will exceed the low expectations of this board by a large margin. He's a smart, hard-working kid. Another California gym rat type with quite a bit of Jason Terry in him.

[fredericklove]

I really do want to believe in Lillard...especially since I think he will be the best player we have available at the time we draft but I just have a hard time believing in him when he played in such a weak conference and awful competition. It was already bad enough that his numbers happened against one of the worst PG draft classes in awhile now add to that his level of competition.

Obviously if his game translates at level its at we have a huge steal but I just can't see it happening.

Someone please convince me of opposite....I need some optimism right now lol

he plays better defense than Jose. Does that help?

[cdel00]

LoL its in Utah. Lillard is from Oakland.


Development is development lillard happened to develop nicely through hard work and study.

And his performance against lower level competition was remarkable but its not the numbers its how he played the game that impressed me. Combo the way he plays with his above NBA average physique and athletics and you get a good idea of who he will become.

He reaches the goals he sets and will give the Raps a threat on both ends from the PG spot.


Jose and Uzoh are decent at least but Lillard has the markings of a very good PG. With a small chance of a great PG. He will follow Casey's style because he knows how to adapt. He lost most of his starting lineup to injuries but thWeber state team put up some good offence playin in a drive and dish, off the ball movement and ball screen type offence. Heavy on 3s opened by the drive. From what I saw they would rely on lillard to create later in the games as D tightened up. The nice thing is for a guard with the green light to know when to pass and he seemed to draw contact when he kept the ball in control around the rim. He has long arms quick feet and body control. While the defenders weren't NBA caliber at all his style still translates well.

I can project that he will do well learning advanced technique and has the inner drive to maximize his chance. He spent their year off building his strenth and hit his goal of 300lbs bench. He watched videos of what he did wrong and what he did right. He was like the hard training Rocky chasing chickens He improved his range on the court, improved his handle and worked on devloping attck the rim moves.

He is still improving and in his head he wants to be the best. He has the body and the attitude.

I predict high PER and ROY level of play. Let Jose go to the bench and we have a serious combo at PG.

You say B ayless. I say Marcus Thornton with true PG skills.


Best part is can play at the 2 as well and is long enough to handle the smaller 2 sets.

Jose Lillard DD LK JV would be a NICE off the bench option.

[Dr Positivity]

I'm fine with a Lillard pick, but I actually think there's a big chance he's gone by our pick. I like him for both Portland via NJ and Utah vs GSW if they win the coin flip.

[dagger]

I'm fine with a Lillard pick, but I actually think there's a big chance he's gone by our pick. I like him for both Portland via NJ and Utah vs GSW if they win the coin flip.

I think he could be gone, too, because he's going to be a great workout player, but that would push someone else down to us. So it might work for us either way.

[S.W.A.N]

I'm fine with a Lillard pick, but I actually think there's a big chance he's gone by our pick. I like him for both Portland via NJ and Utah vs GSW if they win the coin flip.

I think Marshall is going to be a high riser with good workouts... Especially with Utah and portland in the mix, I wouldn't be suprised if both pg's go top 10

[DG88]

WHere the hell is Weber State?

In California

Nah brah, it's up in Utah.

Whoops Lillard is from Cali I got that confused my bad

[JamesNaismith]

I'm fine with a Lillard pick, but I actually think there's a big chance he's gone by our pick. I like him for both Portland via NJ and Utah vs GSW if they win the coin flip.

I think Marshall is going to be a high riser with good workouts... Especially with Utah and portland in the mix, I wouldn't be suprised if both pg's go top 10

I actually think that will have to do more with POR already having LaMarcus and Utah already having Milsap and Favors more than it has to do with Marshall performing well. The combine is more of an athletic and skills test. Marshall's strength is passing/decision making which is hard to showcase in an individually competitive environment.

[Mr.Raptorsingh]

Lillard really fits in well in the grand scheme of things when you think about it. We can ease him into the flow of things, playing behind Calderon. He can act as a scoring sparkplug for us off the bench in his rookie season, so there is a chance for him to have a defined role, much more than just being 'the backup PG'. And if he really comes on strong, and forces the hand of BC/Casey, he could end up supplanting Jose as the starting PG around the trade deadline, even if it's more likely in the following season.

I wouldn't rule out Moe Harkless though. He could be a riser up the draft boards, too.

[DG88]

Lillard is the type of PG that people here have been clamouring about for years. His game translates to the NBA and he'll be a lot better than most people think.

[Basketball_Jones]

I like him and think him and Lamb will be the high risers in the mocks once the work outs are done.