Raptors NBA Draft Thread: Jeremy Lamb (HOU)

[Undefeated]

This guy is getting all riled up because I said Lamb is almost flawless offensively. The key word is almost. Of course there are some minor flaws in his offensive game, but it's not something that he won't be able to improve. I'll take what Fran Fraschilla and Andy Katz say at face value any day, and that Lamb is a very capable and willing passer when he has the ball in his hands. UConn went away from all high pick-and-rolls and side/angle pick-and-rolls into a team that was iso dominated. Isos after isos which is why UConn struggled to put up points later in their season because their offense became way too predictable. It was even ugly watching them put the ball on the floor. Even DX has acknowledge Ryan Boatright and Shabazz Napier as a cause for Lamb disappearing for stretches, so this all but confirms that it isn't some sort of excuse. It's a legitimate fact that you have to accept. A prospect that plays with his head up all the time, and has a tight handle, you're telling me he won't be able to spot open teammates with a quick hitter? Y'all trippin'. It's like some of you don't even play ball.

If you don't think he's nearly flawless, then how about a very polished offensive player/scorer compare to his peers in this draft class? People love to bring up his skinny frame, but which 19/20 year old prospect doesn't put on more muscle? Just from his interview with Chad Ford, it looked he already added some mass on his frame. And he attempted almost 4 FTAs per game, so it's not like he completely shies away from contact in the paint. A huge over exaggeration. If these are his two big weaknesses, and you're having a big fuss over it, then you need to really re-evaluate because last I heard it's one of the easier things to work on. If you can't accept that, then you shouldn't even be contributing.

[Garmfay]

This guy is getting all riled up because I said Lamb is almost flawless offensively. The key word is almost. Of course there are some minor flaws in his offensive game, but it's not something that he won't be able to improve. I'll take what Fran Fraschilla and Andy Katz say at face value any day, and that Lamb is a very capable and willing passer when he has the ball in his hands. UConn went away from all high pick-and-rolls and side/angle pick-and-rolls into a team that was iso dominated. Isos after isos which is why UConn struggled to put up points later in their season because their offense became way too predictable. It was even ugly watching them put the ball on the floor. Even DX has acknowledge Ryan Boatright and Shabazz Napier as a cause for Lamb disappearing for stretches, so this all but confirms that it isn't some sort of excuse. It's a legitimate fact that you have to accept. A prospect that plays with his head up all the time, and has a tight handle, you're telling me he won't be able to spot open teammates with a quick hitter? Y'all trippin'. It's like some of you don't even play ball.

If you don't think he's nearly flawless, then how about a very polished offensive player/scorer compare to his peers in this draft class? People love to bring up his skinny frame, but which 19/20 year old prospect doesn't put on more muscle? Just from his interview with Chad Ford, it looked he already added some mass on his frame. And he attempted almost 4 FTAs per game, so it's not like he completely shies away from contact in the paint. A huge over exaggeration. If these are his two big weaknesses, and you're having a big fuss over it, then you need to really re-evaluate because last I heard it's one of the easier things to work on. If you can't accept that, then you shouldn't even be contributing.

I'm tripping out? I'm just trying to say ease back on the hyping of Lamb (people now starting to say Lamb > Beal) and yet you guys are outraged and calling me an idiot. Did I ever say those weaknesses would make him a bust? No. I said there are limitations including those that won't make him a go to guy scorer more of a second fiddle guy like a poor man's Rip Hamilton.

I've already said it in the other thread, Lamb's lack of assertiveness is NOT on UCONN basketball.

[Undefeated]

Dude you're making a bunch of straw man arguments now. Maybe one guy said Lamb > Beal, but it doesn't make your point true that everyone is hyping Lamb up.

[Garmfay]

More than one guy, you were part of that Beal > Lamb group. The fact that anyone in this thread who has questioned Lamb has been called an idiot. I mean all I said was tone down the hype but here we are..

Anyways I'm done here, I wouldn't mind Lamb at all at #8 but its aliens

[Undefeated]

LOL where did I say Beal > Lamb. See, you're trippin' and making stuff up. What I said was it wouldn't surprise me to see Lamb beat Beal in a game of one-on-one because he had better iso skills based on their individual skillset in college. Does that make Lamb a better ball player in a 5-on-5 game environment? No, just a better a one-on-one player.

[fredericklove]

LOL where did I say Beal > Lamb. See, you're trippin' and making stuff up. What I said was it wouldn't surprise me to see Lamb beat Beal in a game of one-on-one because he had better iso skills based on their individual skillset in college. Does that make Lamb a better ball player in a 5-on-5 game environment? No, just a better a one-on-one player.

He is making stuff up for the.3rd time already
Lamb can probably destroy beal 1 v 1 but beal impacts the game better.

[Marlo Stanfield]

Some people want to take a 1 on 1 comparison and take it as someone saying the guy is better than the player he beat. Just because you beat me one on one doesn't mean you're a better basketball player, that's child logic. Jamal Crawford could probably beat 90% of the NBA one on one with his iso skills, but is he better than 90%? Not even close.

[3Si]

Lamb > Beal

There, I said it.

[Dr Positivity]

Throw me into the Lamb > Beal group.

PS for the record, Lamb has spent more time this year being ranked above Beal on boards, than Beal has spent being above Lamb. The way Beal "surpassed" him was pretty flimsy, he came on the last month of the season and tournament while Lamb got blamed for UConn's suck, that's about it - Basically what he had going for him most is being a freshman who get the edge over sophs if the rest appears equal. There should be nothing wrong with preferring Lamb to Beal. IMO he's a more talented on ball player and it's a toss up as shooters, while Beal is more powerful and a better rebounder. Could go either way, I'm more sold on Lamb due to his feel for the game

[bboyskinnylegs]

I'm also higher on Lamb than Beal personally. I'd be happy with either, and Beal's rebounding ability is certainly impressive, but I definitely see Lamb as being a better potential go-to scorer on the wing. Given the choice between the two, I'd take Lamb.

[fredericklove]

Sigh, guys like Jamal Crawford, Rip Hamilton are scorers or (were). They never got to 25 ppg because there are parts of their game that can't allow them to get there IE Rip Hamilton was never an attack the rim guy (ie Lamb) and Crawford settled for too many jumpers (Lamb)

Rich Ham excels at getting his mid-range off screens, but he doesn't have a 3 point threat if you look at Rich Ham's lifetime career, he avg. 0.6 3PM. He avg 20 points twice in his career, if he can knock down multiple 3 point shots per game, that'll bump him up to at least 22+ ppg which you claim of 22-25 ppg.

There's Crawford, he's very limited in his repertoire, he's more of the iso 1-2 steps pull up type w/ catch and shoot style but he's not the type where coach designs screens/p&r/cuts for him to score or make him a 1st or 2nd option on offense.

So for a guy like Lamb, there's a possibility that he may have a shot at 22-25 if 1) his midrange game pans out and 2) coach uses him on offense heavily, 3) he continues to shoot 3 pointers the way he has and 4) at least get to the line 5 times per game. Then combination of all four will precisely allow him to have a shot at the 22-25 ppg range.

[deeps6x]

We are not going to land a franchise player at 8 in this draft.
We could land the perfect sidekick to that type of player though.
Jeremy Lamb could be that type of player.
The level of efficient SGs in the NBA is very low at the moment. If Lamb is capable of being a PER 18.0 guy in his prime, and he very well could be, that would have been good enough to be the 6th best player ranked by PER at the SG spot this year. That would have put him near Joe Johnson status.

We all want a Derick Rose type at this point, I'm sure, but we can't get everything we need in one go. Landing a guy who might be a potential top 12 C someday in last year's draft and a SG prospect who might have top 8 SG potential in the next is a solid foundation. The hardest piece to get is that franchise piece but those two would certainly be excellent starts. It would be a bit like how the Bulls had Noah and Deng before landing Rose.

I don't know if that really says much. Who else do we know who is a PER 18.0 guy in his prime? Um, Bargs.

I like Lamb. I won't be disappointed if BC makes him his pick. But I can say the same about 3 other players as well.

It isn't like last year when I was screaming at the TV that BC had damn well better pick JV and noF'Nbody else.

[Dalek]

Lamb has a great crossover move which should make it easy for him to get open looks. I think the crossover and stepback could be his trademark. I see a bit of Ginobli in his game. Lanky, but fluid in getting to the basket. I wouldn't mind him at 8, he seems like a solid lottery pick.

[Mister Ze]

It's going to be a huge blow if Lamb gets taken before 8th. I think if Sullinger is on the board the Raptors might pass on him and go for another wing player like Ross.

[shortmikeshortt]

Look at Lamb's flaws and who he shares them with:

Motor: Rudy Gay, Tracy McGrady
Weight: Kevin Durant, Tayshaun Prince
Passing: Kobe Bryant

Obviously, those are the best of the best, but let's stay positive. 8th is not a death sentence with guys like Lamb likely to be there.

Shortmike challenged us about all kinds of flaws from lamb but he goes on lillards thread to agree with someones post about how lillard has ZERO flaws. Now really? That is really an irrational bias clouded by personal preference.

Haha no your absolutely correct - when it comes to Lillard I have an absurdly bias opinion of him...I'll be the first to admit that, its beyond a man crush...

When it comes to Lamb, I've said his inattentiveness, occasionally his shot selection (yes yes point to Uconns offense I know I know), his fear of contact, and his poor FTA numbers are concerns...I don't think I've said anything stupid or outlandish about lamb...like the other guy said I'm not saying he'll bust, just pointing out flaws that have been well documented...but the Lamb police (always the same 3 or 4 guys) always come to the rescue...I hope he's as good as you say he is, and I like things about his game too, but one thing I will say, surely people don't actually believe Lamb is a better prospect than Beal?

[JamesNaismith]

I hope he's as good as you say he is, and I like things about his game too, but one thing I will say, surely people don't actually believe Lamb is a better prospect than Beal?

Based on potential...yes I think Lamb has a higher ceiling than Beal.

Based on who I think reaches it.....Beal as he has a very confident demeanor and seems a bit more assertive.

[Man of Steel]

who's better at creating their own shot, Lamb or Beal?

[Marlo Stanfield]

who's better at creating their own shot, Lamb or Beal?

Easily Lamb. But I don't agree with those who'd take Lamb over Beal, if we did that I'd go apes**t swearing.

[Lauzy Lau]

I can see a lot of people who would like Lamb. The main problem I have picking Lamb is that he's kinda scrawny and I don't think he'd be that great in the physical NBA setting. Also, if you pick Lamb, he would likely have a higher ceiling than DeRozan, but it'll probably be at least 2 years before he gets up to speed. I'm not sure our fanbase has the patience for that.

[Man of Steel]

who's better at creating their own shot, Lamb or Beal?

Easily Lamb. But I don't agree with those who'd take Lamb over Beal, if we did that I'd go apes**t swearing.

thanks. I know Lamb scares people off with his label of soft but I think he'll surprise a lot of people next year. That being said, no one is taking Lamb over Beal in this draft. I just hope Lamb doesn't impress too much in workouts to the point that he moves out of our range.

I can see a lot of people who would like Lamb. The main problem I have picking Lamb is that he's kinda scrawny and I don't think he'd be that great in the physical NBA setting. Also, if you pick Lamb, he would likely have a higher ceiling than DeRozan, but it'll probably be at least 2 years before he gets up to speed. I'm not sure our fanbase has the patience for that.

Couple things, first watch the ESPN video posted earlier in this thread, he looks 10-15 pounds heavier from the last time we saw him, and his arms look a lot more solid. He's no Marcus Banks but his shoulders look a lot larger. For reference, look up pictures of Reggie Miller in his first season (not bulky arms, but still strong). But to your second point, he will provide the jump shooting this roster needs early on, and hopefully develop into a more complete player on the wing within 2 years. This also gives us time to experiment with DeRozan at the 3 or exploring trade scenarios for either player. Assuming Valanciunas takes some adjusting to the NBA game it's not the worst, but if BC really wants to push for the playoffs in 2012-13 then with Val coming in BC may not want a 2012 rookie at all (trade the pick).