Raptors NBA Draft Thread: Damian Lillard (POR)

[shortmikeshortt]

Also, I'm sure this has already been posted at some point, but the same video but from Lillard's freshman year.

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FkS-GDxZ3FE&feature=fvst[/youtube]

[SkywalkerAC]

I think it's his ballhandling that should make him a winner. He changes speeds and direction well, maintains his dribble, and can pull up on a dime. I don't think he's target number 1 but if Barnes and Lamb are gone and unobtainable, he's a great consolation prize that you can be confident will produce and has two-way potential at his position. Hell, maybe he is target number 1.

You've got to think BC and co will be impressed by his competitiveness and work ethic. He also seems to have terrific interview skills, just as Bosh did.

Even if you sign Nash to a 3 year deal, I think Lillard makes sense. Keep Jose for the season? That work work as well. Lillard and Bayless? Unorthodox but possibly extremely productive.

[Marvin!]

I think it's his ballhandling that should make him a winner. He changes speeds and direction well, maintains his dribble, and can pull up on a dime. I don't think he's target number 1 but if Barnes and Lamb are gone and unobtainable, he's a great consolation prize that you can be confident will produce and has two-way potential at his position. Hell, maybe he is target number 1.

You've got to think BC and co will be impressed by his competitiveness and work ethic. He also seems to have terrific interview skills, just as Bosh did.

Even if you sign Nash to a 3 year deal, I think Lillard makes sense. Keep Jose for the season? That work work as well. Lillard and Bayless? Unorthodox but possibly extremely productive.

if they take him it would either be Nash and Lillard or Jose and Lillard, not all 3

[SkywalkerAC]

If they dont amnesty Jose, all three (Jose, lillard, bayless)
to start the season would be a possibility.

[DG88]

A nice interview with Damian Lillard

Damian on his decision to enter the NBA Draft:

“The decision was pretty simple to me, not that I didn’t think a lot about it, but in the end I knew. I had been in Utah for 4 years, was comfortable there and had a great relationship with everyone at Weber State, and leaving meant pursuing a new life with no clue what was really in front of me. In the end though, it was the right time for me. I had worked hard for this, worked to get results and I don’t think my draft stock will ever get higher.”



Damian on his view of pre-Draft talk:

“I don’t pay much attention to things like mock drafts or other media talk. What matters to me is what the NBA organizations think about my game. They told me everything I needed to know about what I did well and what I needed to improve.”




Damian on his strengths as a player:

“My strengths definitely include my ability to score, being able to be consistent with my shot. I think what’s as important is my feel for the game. I have the mindset to be a great player. If I get tired or things aren’t going great, I push through and never quit.”



Damian on what parts of his game he still wants to improve:

“I want to keep being great with the strong parts of my game. To play in the NBA, I will need to work on things like a pull-up jumper and floater to go against bigger guys in the lane. I want to improve my reads, being able to see court well. Defensively, I want to work on staying low and in front of my guy.”



Damian on how last year’s injury affected his game:

“When I got hurt, I really had never been injured like that before. But not being able to play, it gave me time to find ways I could get better once I was back. The thing is, people who doubted me before, were doubting me even more once I got hurt, so I was determined to come back better than I was. I spent time with my coaches; I watched film, lifted weights, swimming, determined to come back strong. In the end, the injury ended up making me a better player.”



Damian on his role at the next level:

“I can come in and be a great teammate, and work my way into the team’s plans and system. I will be there to support the team, work hard and become a valuable member on and off the court. I’m going to compete in practice and when they need me I will be there. I can be a knockdown shooter, get other players involved, and be a high energy guy.”


Damian on the development of his mindset:

“I wasn’t recruited much out of high school and it definitely gave me a chip on my shoulder. There were guys who were considered better than me who didn’t improve in college, and I was going to make sure that wasn’t me. It made me who I am now. I am going to keep getting better and making strides wherever I go. ”



Damian on what he wants teams and fans to know about him:

“I am a team-first guy. If there is anything the team needs, I am going to do it and do it well. You can hang your hat on the fact that I will always be in the gym working hard and getting better. I know I can play at the top level and I will compete with the best players out there.”

http://www.nbadraftblog.com/2012-articl ... llard.html

[DG88]

More on Lillard

Damian Lillard wants to be on a Top 10 list and he isn't thinking about the Late Show with David Letterman.

"I think I can get drafted in the top 10," Lillard says. "That's my goal, that's where I want to get drafted at and it's possible, so I'm just going to do everything in my power to make it happen."

The two-time Big Sky Conference MVP has already defied the odds to become a consensus first-round NBA draft pick out of Weber State, a school that has never had a first round pick.

He also hired an agent, Aaron Goodwin of Goodwin Sports Management, and expects to work out for seven or eight teams before the draft. Lillard has also been invited to the NBA draft combine in Chicago, another chance to turn heads in NBA front offices.

"I just want to show them my athleticism," Lillard said. "I know they know that I'm athletic but I don't think they know how athletic. In the interviews, I want them to know what kind of person I am and what I value."

The off-court interviews with NBA execs don't stress Lillard.

"I don't have to prepare for that, I've just gotta be myself," he said. "I know that being myself is good enough for them."

NBA insiders are already impressed by what they saw during Lillard's junior season at Weber State, where he was the second-leading scorer in the nation.

An Eastern Conference scout who asked not to be identified said he believes Lillard will likely go in the top 10 or 12 -- and is good enough to be a starter in the NBA next season.

http://www.standard.net/stories/2012/05 ... -nba-draft

[DG88]

Lillard with be documenting his NBA draft journey as he goes through the workout process
[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BvtnLC6q4_g[/youtube]

[malachii]

Funny how I didn't know anything about him prior, but now want him with our pick. Maybe it's the interview skills and maturity - I don't know, but his ball-handling looks pretty darn good to me too. I'm liking him over a taller low-percentage jump-shooter that's also in this draft.

[Rhettmatic]

Chad Ford ‏@chadfordinsider
Lillard going through one of the hardest workouts I've ever seen. Grueling. Zero questions about what kind of shape he's in.

Chad Ford ‏@chadfordinsider
Lillard hitting just about every shot here despite being run into the ground by trainer.

Marc J. Spears ‏@SpearsNBAYahoo
Weber State PG Damon Lillard showing strong jumper during tough full court running drill at private workout at Oakland's Merritt College.

[DG88]

Chad Ford ‏@chadfordinsider
Lillard going through one of the hardest workouts I've ever seen. Grueling. Zero questions about what kind of shape he's in.

Chad Ford ‏@chadfordinsider
Lillard hitting just about every shot here despite being run into the ground by trainer.

Marc J. Spears ‏@SpearsNBAYahoo
Weber State PG Damon Lillard showing strong jumper during tough full court running drill at private workout at Oakland's Merritt College.

Physically Lillard is NBA ready, after his injury he had a goal of benching 300lbs and he accomplished that. He's a driven guy and work really hard on his game and is dedicated to the game of basketball. He'll do really well in workouts and in interviews.

[Mr.Raptorsingh]

Chad Ford ‏@chadfordinsider
Lillard going through one of the hardest workouts I've ever seen. Grueling. Zero questions about what kind of shape he's in.

Chad Ford ‏@chadfordinsider
Lillard hitting just about every shot here despite being run into the ground by trainer.

Marc J. Spears ‏@SpearsNBAYahoo
Weber State PG Damon Lillard showing strong jumper during tough full court running drill at private workout at Oakland's Merritt College.

I just think this is our guy if we end up picking at 8. It'll be interesting to see how much of an impression he makes on BC and the brass. Maybe, enough of an impression to refrain from pursuing Nash?

But, what I think is going to happen is, we're going to draft Lillard, sign Nash, trade Calderon to a team that can absorb his expiring salary, maybe getting a future pick in return, and sign Nicolas Batum with the additional savings, all in the span of 72 hrs imo.

[BillyGM]

If he continues to impress we might want to amnesty Jose

[JamesNaismith]

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h_Q8RaU6-VI[/youtube]

Newer mix too...

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

[DA_SCOUT]

I know anyone can just post videos of them working out and make it look like hes Rocky Balboa when it comes to becoming the best, but Lillard and MKG have that IT factor dont they? They just want to become the best, I love it. Now share some with PJ III haha

[mappiah19]

I know anyone can just post videos of them working out and make it look like hes Rocky Balboa when it comes to becoming the best, but Lillard and MKG have that IT factor dont they? They just want to become the best, I love it. Now share some with PJ III haha

Jonny Flynn had the 'work' ethic and desire to become great as well. Not trying to put you down, it is important that you carefully examine prospects (taking into account games etc). Every prospect has the desire to become great.

[shortmikeshortt]

I am going to cry when we pass on Lillard

[bloojoo]

I am going to cry when we pass on Lillard

Ditto. Watch us draft a stiff like Barnes or Perry jones instead

[Fenris-77]

[quote="mappiah19" ]
Jonny Flynn had the 'work' ethic and desire to become great as well. Not trying to put you down, it is important that you carefully examine prospects (taking into account games etc). Every prospect has the desire to become great.[/quote]
But Flynn didn't have the skills or athletic package to do so. Lillard had both.

[OAKLEY_2]

It certainly looks like he would be there at 8 and the better pick might be Lamb if available but Lillard really fills a need. Bayless, Lillard and a swing guard like Foye for veteran insurance would be a patience move. Bayless needs to be at least tried as the starter.

Trading for a veteran 3 that can shoot and defend (Prince?), landing Asik and say Foye would be a more sober off season than all manner of BC Hail Mary's. I think it will be coaching, improved development and adhering to a system that moves us forward not hoping to buy the ever elusive and likely downward sloping star player(s).

[DG88]

Here's Lillards chat with Chafd Ford after his workout
http://espn.go.com/video/clip?id=797637 ... id=2459788