Raptors NBA Draft Thread: Damian Lillard (POR)

[Ari_Emanuel]

His upside is more humble Russel Westbrook. This could really work for us.

[DG88]

He combines those physical gifts with a confident, attacking mentality and a well-rounded skill set, playing as a scoring point guard, capable of carrying a large load offensively at the college level. While he was already an intriguing prospect going into this season, he's made some clear improvements in his game that he's been able to display thus far as a junior.

Much of Lillard's improved efficiency can be traced to his hot shooting, connecting on an outstanding 45% from 3-point range despite increasing his attempts (he shot under 40% in previous seasons).

As we noted before, he does have a bit of a low release point, but he has no trouble getting his shot off, whether it's off the catch or off the dribble, where he's able to fluidly pull-up from well behind the 3-point line, or utilize a very effective step-back dribble to create space to get his shot off. About two thirds of his shot attempts this season have been jumpers, and his percentages off the catch and off the dribble are almost the same, illustrating his versatility as a shooter.

Lillard has also done a better job of taking care of the basketball thus far, cutting his turnover rate almost in half from previous seasons. This is quite an impressive feat, considering his heavy usage and how much his team depends on him to create offensively. To illustrate that, he actually ranks #1 amongst all NCAA point guard prospects in terms of turnovers per possession, coughing the ball up on just 10% of his possessions.

The large emphasis of the pick-and-roll game in today's NBA bodes well for Lillard, as he's shown to be very effective as the ball-handler in pick-and-roll situations. His ability to smoothly pull up off the dribble from deep range makes it difficult for his defenders to go underneath the screen, while his burst off the dribble allows him to turn the corner quickly and get into the paint.

Lillard does a good job of playing at different speeds and is capable of driving in either direction, which keeps defenders on their heels and helps him get to the free throw line at a very strong rate. Once there, he knocks down an excellent 90% of his attempts.

As a finisher in the lane and in transition, Lillard has very good body control, strength, and vertical explosiveness, which all help him to finish at the rim in traffic, even occasionally with a high-flying dunk if he's able to build up a head of steam. He looks comfortable using either hand to finish and shows flashes of an effective floater, which he'll need to continue to work on, as it's a valuable tool for NBA guards to utilize in the paint. Nevertheless, Lillard shows a very complete scoring arsenal for a player his age, which certainly bodes well for his transition to the NBA level.

Lillard still hasn't shown a great deal in terms of pure playmaking ability, but he looks to have nice passing instincts on dribble penetration, and his role at Weber State calls for him to be their primary scorer, so it's tough to get a gauge of just how much of a distributor he might be in a different situation. This might be the biggest question he faces as enters the draft process, as he's clearly not big enough to play any other position besides point guard.

From his page on DX how is this not what we've been looking for in a PG prospect.

[Waylon Mercy]

Its funny that the people that hate Bayless are advocating drafting Lillard...

Tell me this doesn't sound like Bayless via nbadraft.net
http://www.nbadraft.net/players/damian-lillard

Weaknesses: Not a true point guard ... Looks for his own shot first, which is expected for a player with his talent in the Big Sky, but will leave scouts questioning whether he'll be able to make his teammates better at the next level ... Has improved his decision-making over the last few years, but can get carried away and take questionable shots when he gets hot ... Has been dominating all season, but hasn't faced very strong competition ...Missed an entire season before his junior year, so some thought has to be made about injury concerns .

That is almost word for word peoples complaints about Bayless

Also for what its worth they compare Lillard to Mo Williams and Lindsey Hunter

[S.W.A.N]

Its funny that the people that hate Bayless are advocating drafting Lillard...

Tell me this doesn't sound like Bayless via nbadraft.net
http://www.nbadraft.net/players/damian-lillard

Weaknesses: Not a true point guard ... Looks for his own shot first, which is expected for a player with his talent in the Big Sky, but will leave scouts questioning whether he'll be able to make his teammates better at the next level ... Has improved his decision-making over the last few years, but can get carried away and take questionable shots when he gets hot ... Has been dominating all season, but hasn't faced very strong competition ...Missed an entire season before his junior year, so some thought has to be made about injury concerns .

That is almost word for word peoples complaints about Bayless

Also for what its worth they compare Lillard to Mo Williams and Lindsey Hunter

Well if Bayless shot a higher percent, and were a better pick and roll pg we wouldn't be talking about drafting Lillard because we would have our starting pg.

[Waylon Mercy]

Its funny that the people that hate Bayless are advocating drafting Lillard...

Tell me this doesn't sound like Bayless via nbadraft.net
http://www.nbadraft.net/players/damian-lillard

Weaknesses: Not a true point guard ... Looks for his own shot first, which is expected for a player with his talent in the Big Sky, but will leave scouts questioning whether he'll be able to make his teammates better at the next level ... Has improved his decision-making over the last few years, but can get carried away and take questionable shots when he gets hot ... Has been dominating all season, but hasn't faced very strong competition ...Missed an entire season before his junior year, so some thought has to be made about injury concerns .

That is almost word for word peoples complaints about Bayless

Also for what its worth they compare Lillard to Mo Williams and Lindsey Hunter

Well if Bayless shot a higher percent, and were a better pick and roll pg we wouldn't be talking about drafting Lillard because we would have our starting pg.

I think were talking about drafting Lillard because hes BPA in our draft range. Also Bayless
is a very solid 3 point shooter and only 2 years older then Lillard. He also said
"he had a good idea" if he will be back and said he will be in Toronto for most of the
summer at yesterdays presser read into that what you would like.

[Brinbe]

Would much rather have Marshall, and now that we're stuck @ 7/8th, that's quickly becoming my favorite option with the pick. We miss out on the wings I want with Barnes, but we solidify the PG spot for years.

Just not convinced Lillard offers great value for a top ten pick. There's guys with his size/ball skills that could be found all over the draft. Hell, Isaiah Thomas went in the last pick of the 2nd round for the Kings. Undersized scorers of his ilk, aren't a rare commodity.

[Snowcrash]

Would much rather have Marshall, and now that we're stuck @ 7/8th, that's quickly becoming my favorite option with the pick. We miss out on the wings I want with Barnes, but we solidify the PG spot for years.

Just not convinced Lillard offers great value for a top ten pick. There's guys with his size/ball skills that could be found all over the draft. Hell, Isaiah Thomas went in the last pick of the 2nd round for the Kings. Undersized scorers of his ilk, aren't a rare commodity.

If you have a 6'2" version of Isaiah Thomas at the 7th or 8th pick, you take it and run and don't look back.

[DG88]

Would much rather have Marshall, and now that we're stuck @ 7/8th, that's quickly becoming my favorite option with the pick. We miss out on the wings I want with Barnes, but we solidify the PG spot for years.

Just not convinced Lillard offers great value for a top ten pick. There's guys with his size/ball skills that could be found all over the draft. Hell, Isaiah Thomas went in the last pick of the 2nd round for the Kings. Undersized scorers of his ilk, aren't a rare commodity.

How is he undersized for the PG position. If he's like Isaiah Thomas with his size and length wouldn't you be excited.

[TCHOKE]

He reminds me of stephon marbury

[Brinbe]

Would much rather have Marshall, and now that we're stuck @ 7/8th, that's quickly becoming my favorite option with the pick. We miss out on the wings I want with Barnes, but we solidify the PG spot for years.

Just not convinced Lillard offers great value for a top ten pick. There's guys with his size/ball skills that could be found all over the draft. Hell, Isaiah Thomas went in the last pick of the 2nd round for the Kings. Undersized scorers of his ilk, aren't a rare commodity.

How is he undersized for the PG position. If he's like Isaiah Thomas with his size and length wouldn't you be excited.

He's not undersized for the position, he's undersized as a primary scorer, which is what he is to me... and people need to learn to read. The Thomas comparison wasn't direct, it was only to say that players of his ilk could be had anywhere, even in the 2nd round.

He's probably going to be a good scorer in this league, but we already have scorers in Bargs/DD/Val/Bayless (if he's back) so sorry if I'm not too excited about an efficient chucker from the Big Sky.

[DG88]

Would much rather have Marshall, and now that we're stuck @ 7/8th, that's quickly becoming my favorite option with the pick. We miss out on the wings I want with Barnes, but we solidify the PG spot for years.

Just not convinced Lillard offers great value for a top ten pick. There's guys with his size/ball skills that could be found all over the draft. Hell, Isaiah Thomas went in the last pick of the 2nd round for the Kings. Undersized scorers of his ilk, aren't a rare commodity.

How is he undersized for the PG position. If he's like Isaiah Thomas with his size and length wouldn't you be excited.

He's not undersized for the position, he's undersized as a primary scorer, which is what he is to me... and the Thomas comparison was to say that players of his ilk could be had anywhere, even in the 2nd round.

Who would that be outside of Scott Machado I really don't see another Isaiah Thomas.

[DarrylFlicking]

He reminds me of stephon marbury

I can't believe I didn't make that association. He really does have a Starbury quality to his game.

[fredericklove]

Here are the swishscout videos showing his strengths and weaknesses. I'm okay with him at 8th, not at 7th though. He does show nice p&r game, ability to drive and hit shots, though turnovers have been down this year, but he often takes questionable shots attempt maybe a need to score everything due to lack of scoring from others, so not sure if this becomes a habit or just situation forcing him to do that. He does have attributes that make him a potential total package, but not sure if they are translatable to the NBA-level. Only time can tell.

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7swry3rP20k[/youtube]

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7-_ZhHzEd3c[/youtube]

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

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AZ1spZplJEQ[/youtube]

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gu95W4Oytks[/youtube]

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G2nggMcAjaY[/youtube]

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0EyJOF0HoUM[/youtube]

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mF0UyBLeKao[/youtube]

[cdel00]

He will save us from the treadmill! Or die trying!!!!

Lillard gonna be a Raptor superstar

[DG88]

He will save us from the treadmill! Or die trying!!!!

Lillard gonna be a Raptor superstar

I won't say he'll be a superstar but he'll be a nice addition to the team, where we lack someone who can break down their man and get into the paint at will. Lillard does fit into what we're trying to here, since BC is looking for shooters this offseason.

[WhatsaTDot]

All this.

For this.

Depressing.

[Strategist1]

I'd rather start Bayless.

[C_Money]

Is he a legit 6'2? He looks shorter.

[dagger]

I'd rather start Bayless.

That's an unlikely to succeed scenario

[dagger]

Is he a legit 6'2? He looks shorter.

You can pretty much deduct an inch or two from every prospect, and I don't mean for the shoes.