Official Raptors 2012 NBA Draft Thread, Part 12

[TR50]

So I got bored, and when I get bored, I turn to the draft threads for entertainment

Now I know a lot of us are down on us being crappy at tank wars, losing the coin flip, and being stuck with some of the same crap for a while.

I also know I could point out that Casey is probably an outstanding coach, and all the good things and values he has brought to the organization to make it a exponentially better, in terms of managing games etc. But with regards to the draft, even I, after losing the coin toss, figured we got screwed and that we would have no chance at a player that would probably be a BPA, and a good fit.

My list, at that time, and overall draft wish list includes/d 7 players:

Davis
Beal
MKG
Drummond
T-Rob
Barnes
Lamb

Considering we are hypothetically picking 8th, I thought the chance of getting one of those guys would be next to impossible. This until I looked into the teams picking ahead of us and who they would likely draft. Now I'm assuming the top 5 will stay as my list suggests, maybe not in exactly that order, but I feel fairly certain that it would be those players off the board, until it gets to Portland. And just thinking about the Blazers, and looking at their team, it seems likely to me that they'd take one of Barnes/Lamb. Of course if by some reason one of the top 5 slip, I'm assuming it'd be Lamb/Barnes that are picked and Portland picks whoever slips. At the same time, I'm also assuming no one outside the list (Ie Sullinger) leapfrogs into the top 7, but if he does, that only ensures we get one of the above 7.

Regardless, assuming the top 5 is as it is above, and then assuming Portland takes, say Barnes, it would leave G-State. Just based off my gut and what seems to be the vibe from the Warriors board, before taking someone like Lamb/Barnes they would take a big, most likely guy like Sullinger. And with no real clear cut BPA, it seems likely to me, that they would have the chance to take Sully at their position, and that they would probably take him. This would let us have one of Barnes/Lamb, which I think would be ideal, given the circumstances.

Obviously nothing is set in stone and their are probably hundreds of other scenarios that play out, but what my point is, this season has not been lost, we still have a fairly decent chance at coming out with a good player, possibly the best player that also fits some type of need as well. Coming out of the draft, picking at 8, and getting one of Beal/MKG/Barnes/Lamb (in that order, obviously not expecting the first two) would be pretty decent if you asked me.

Everything may not suck....or perhaps I'm being too optimistic?

[Undefeated]

I just find it disappointing that he's a better ball handler than Derozan was and yet he doesn't really have a substantial advantage passing the ball or getting to the net over him. In fact, he appears almost passive by comparison as far as getting to the line goes in comparison to Demar.

Going by by the numbers, then yeah, Lamb's assists have been pretty disappointing considering it went down in his sophomore year per 40 minutes. But a lot of it has to do with playing and starting along side with two other ball-dominant players who are the biggest ball hogs. Coach Calhoun loved playing Lamb at SF with Napier and Boatright starting in the back court, so it inevitably takes away some of the ball-handling duties from Lamb. Take the 9 games where it was only Napier and Lamb sharing the ball-handling duties due to Boatright being suspended, and Lamb averaged nearly 3 apg through those 9 games. It's still not that impressive, but you can see what a difference it makes without another ball-dominant guard.

[SHFT]

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CuwMvesrw7w[/youtube]

[Undefeated]

Bazz did limit him alot, but he made no attempt to create against SU, Louisville, and Georgetown. The three games against Syracuse (which were all in the last quarter of the season) really hurt his rep, And yes I indeed watched those games very carefully. Playing a zone is an adverse situation. But to play a team three times over the span of three to four weeks and make no adjustments or changes to your game, is going to bother scouts. He simply was not moving out there. Against SU's 2-3, you can get 23-25 footers all game long off simple movement. Not a smart shot, but Lamb was content to take it. He made no effort to get to soft spots. Even Drummond was able to get soft spots against SU.

I think it might have been Doris Burke roasting Lamb against SU where he passed up on the final shot costing UConn it's chances of advancing in the Big East Tournament. Even as the best player on UConn, it was hardly Lamb's fault. UConn set up with three guys on the perimeter reversing the ball side-to-side with no one setting picks or moving forcing the zone defense to shift. It almost their ball reversal had no purpose either than for everyone to touch the ball. I don't disagree with what you've said because there are stretches where Lamb was a bystander watching his teammates trying to breakdown the 2-3 zone defense. However, Lamb does get freeze out of the offense when he peels off a screen and is looked off by Napier because he dribbles with his head down. There's only so much Lamb can do when he's running around the floor finding vulnerable gaps in the zone defense presenting himself as a target for a pass with his hands open ready for the catch, but his teammates are looking the other way. After some time, it's reasonable why Lamb is content with standing on the perimeter waiting for the catch-and-shoot. Why run around wasting energy when you're not getting the pass, right? His situation is almost comparable to Andrew Bynum who's by far the most efficient offensive player on the Lakers, but you've got Kobe Bryant taking ill-advised 23-foot jumpers with two defenders on him. Except it's with Napier taking shots with a hand in his face.

It was the same thing against Iowa. He had like a 4-5 minute stretch where he looked almost unstoppable shooting over the top of defenders after a couple of dribbles getting into rhythm or putting the ball on the floor getting past and around the defense for a feathery tear drop/floater down the middle or from the baseline. After that 5 minute stretch, none of his teammates bothered to pass him the ball. It all goes back to Shabazz and Boatright putting on their best impression of Kemba Walker.

[Double Helix]

Pretty nice pic of Lamb in flight. Elbow joint near the rim. I really think he's going to look good in individual workouts.

[Undefeated]

That's what I like about Lamb, he plays above the rim consistently. It's not just his dunks, but he gets his wrist/hand at rim level regularly when going up for a lay-up. Can't say the same for Beal, Barnes or MKG.

[neurotik]

Jared Sullinger is going to be a solid player. if Davis, Beal, MKG, T-Rob, Drummond, and Barnes are off the board, Sullinger is the BPA.

People shouldn't sleep on Sullinger, if he's there at 8, I'd take him unless one of the players above drops.

[deeps6x]

Jared Sullinger is going to be a solid player. if Davis, Beal, MKG, T-Rob, Drummond, and Barnes are off the board, Sullinger is the BPA.

People shouldn't sleep on Sullinger, if he's there at 8, I'd take him unless one of the players above drops.

Someone will want him at 8, but he isn't necessary on this team.

Perry Jones or Lamb for the win!

[kingz32]

That's what I like about Lamb, he plays above the rim consistently. It's not just his dunks, but he gets his wrist/hand at rim level regularly when going up for a lay-up. Can't say the same for Beal, Barnes or MKG.

By your logic, Pops Mensah-Bonsu should also be one of your favorite players

[Undefeated]

That's what I like about Lamb, he plays above the rim consistently. It's not just his dunks, but he gets his wrist/hand at rim level regularly when going up for a lay-up. Can't say the same for Beal, Barnes or MKG.

By your logic, Pops Mensah-Bonsu should also be one of your favorite players

I'm talking about wing players.

[kingz32]

That's what I like about Lamb, he plays above the rim consistently. It's not just his dunks, but he gets his wrist/hand at rim level regularly when going up for a lay-up. Can't say the same for Beal, Barnes or MKG.

By your logic, Pops Mensah-Bonsu should also be one of your favorite players

I'm talking about wing players.

it's all good i was just teasing you

[Rapture]

Does Terrence Ross have his own thread? Some of the guys on the draft board are really high on him:

viewtopic.php?f=3&t=1177035

I've seen him play a couple of times. He has very good size and athleticism and I think he can do everything on a average to good level but isn't really great at any one specific thing. He could be riser after the combine and workouts also.

[OAKLEY_2]

Jared Sullinger is going to be a solid player. if Davis, Beal, MKG, T-Rob, Drummond, and Barnes are off the board, Sullinger is the BPA.

People shouldn't sleep on Sullinger, if he's there at 8, I'd take him unless one of the players above drops.

Yes we suk way too much not to consider Sully but not over Lamb or Barnes. Over the point guards and PJIII most definitely. I think Sully is our ace in the hole if the wings (MKG/Beal/Barnes/Lamb) are all gone. If Sully goes ahead of us though that plays to our advantage in a big way. If we stay at 8th I think Lamb is a slam dunk pardon the expression but if need be Sully/Bargs/JV/Amir sounds really good to me. This season was not a waste at all. Lamb could start at SG or be 6th man whereas Sully would start his career as a bench player. We likely want a starter with our pick but there would not be a timetable for that to happen. I wonder if BC we'll try and trade up to get Barnes? I wouldn't do that because that asset could used to help address other areas and Lamb-Barnes seems to be a toss up.

[neurotik]

Jared Sullinger is going to be a solid player. if Davis, Beal, MKG, T-Rob, Drummond, and Barnes are off the board, Sullinger is the BPA.

People shouldn't sleep on Sullinger, if he's there at 8, I'd take him unless one of the players above drops.

Yes we suk way too much not to consider Sully but not over Lamb or Barnes. Over the point guards and PJIII most definitely. I think Sully is our ace in the hole if the wings (MKG/Beal/Barnes/Lamb) are all gone. If Sully goes ahead of us though that plays to our advantage in a big way. If we stay at 8th I think Lamb is a slam dunk pardon the expression but if need be Sully/Bargs/JV/Amir sounds really good to me. This season was not a waste at all. Lamb could start at SG or be 6th man whereas Sully would start his career as a bench player. We likely want a starter with our pick but there would not be a timetable for that to happen. I wonder if BC we'll try and trade up to get Barnes? I wouldn't do that because that asset could used to help address other areas and Lamb-Barnes seems to be a toss up.

I wouldn't take Sullinger over Barnes, but I would take him over Lamb. I love Lamb's potential, but he hasn't shown me anything to indicate that he will start playing more assertively as his career progresses. He lacks a killer instict and aggressive mindset that will be required for him to succeed like many hope he will on our team. I think he will be an excellent Jason Terry/Jamal Crawford type role for a team. I think Sullinger will be an above average starting PF in this league and will give us flexibility down the road to either trade Bargs or him for another piece.

[MEDIC]

What's the deal with Sacre?

I don't get why his stock is (seemingly) so low. He's not even listed as a 2nd rounder on DX.

A guy that is a legit 7 footer, 260+lbs with decent mobility should be a servicable NBA player.

Of course these mock drafts are completely out to lunch at times. I would be surprised if a team didn't use a 2nd round pick on him.

I think the Raptors should draft him & have Gheridini find him a team overseas for a couple of seasons so we retain his rights.

[gerrit4]

The one interesting thing to consider when we talk about 6th man type combo guards is that there are quite a few available right now. I believe OJ Mayo is a free agent, Jason Terry, and Leandro Barbosa as well. Ben Gordon can be had for free if we're willing to take on his contract. I'm not against getting Austin Rivers (or someone similar), but I wonder if we can get similar production without burning a draft pick.

[HSOB SIRHC]

Can we just trade the 8th pick + next years pick to move up and grab Barnes? Would any team above us consider that? (assuming we really are trying to make the playoffs next year)

[Dr Positivity]

Yeah, I'm not that interested in using a rare top 10 pick "Long term version of 2012 Leandro Barbosa - if he's lucky"

Marcus Denmon in Rd 2 could be a combo guard who's a steal. He had a perfect shooting season (41% from 3 on 7 attempts, 90% FT) and his release form is considered great, put up 5 rebs a game which is a good skill, has one of the class' best assist turnover ratios (1.8). I think he'll be an NBA player due to his 3s and high IQ decision making.

[Dr Positivity]

Can we just trade the 8th pick + next years pick to move up and grab Barnes? Would any team above us consider that? (assuming we really are trying to make the playoffs next year)

Way too high a price. Offering #37 or Ed Davis to move up is closer to what it'd take. Barnes will either fall to 8 or be considered in the same tier as players who do. I think it'll be hard to shake the Warriors off Barnes, but as I mentioned before it could be a situation where Portland doesn't want him and then can still get their man at 8th, so they take a price as small as like #37

[kingz32]

Can we just trade the 8th pick + next years pick to move up and grab Barnes? Would any team above us consider that? (assuming we really are trying to make the playoffs next year)

Way too high a price. Offering #37 or Ed Davis to move up is closer to what it'd take. Barnes will either fall to 8 or be considered in the same tier as players who do. I think it'll be hard to shake the Warriors off Barnes, but as I mentioned before it could be a situation where Portland doesn't want him and then can still get their man at 8th, so they take a price as small as like #37

way too much wishful thinking going on in this post ^. No way Barnes drops to 8th, what does he look like to you? Jeremy Lamb?