Official Raptors 2012 NBA Draft Thread, Part 12

[Ian4]

Perfect off season would be signing Nash, Draft Robinson, trade Bargs for SF and amnesty Jose. I can dream....

I like that idea right there,with this draft being to deep there's so many other combo's that sound great as well.

[Waylon Mercy]

"• One rumor flying around has the Cavs offering their Nos. 4 and 24 picks to Charlotte for the Bobcats’ No. 2. Another one is 4 and 24 for Portland’s 6 and 11."

http://morningjournal.com/articles/2012 ... =fullstory

[Undefeated]

Lamb (if it wasn't for his lack of intensity and focus we would be 1 or 2 on my list. But 90% of the game is mental, only 10% is physical)

Sorry, but 90% of the game isn't mental. You need a balance of talent, skills and confidence. Think of it as a triangle. If you have talent and mental toughness, then you're going to be cocky, and may not work as hard to improve your game. If you have the skills and talent, but lack the confidence, then you're likely not going to have an impact on the game as much when it comes down to the team needing a bucket. If you have the skills and mental toughness, then you will likely get by, but it'll only take you so far like DeMar DeRozan. I don't think Lamb lacks the mental toughness that he's a pussy out on the court. He's played in the grand stage before, so it's not like he shies away from the moment. If you're depending on Lamb to be a killer assassin on the court, then yeah, you'll be disappointed even though he has the skills to be one. But if you can get Lamb to play as a 2nd banana on a contending team like he did with Kemba Walker, that's one hell of a player you're getting out of the 8th overall pick.

[Rapsfan07]

Lamb (if it wasn't for his lack of intensity and focus we would be 1 or 2 on my list. But 90% of the game is mental, only 10% is physical)

Sorry, but 90% of the game isn't mental. You need a balance of talent, skills and confidence. Think of it as a triangle. If you have talent and mental toughness, then you're going to be cocky, and may not work as hard to improve your game. If you have the skills and talent, but lack the confidence, then you're likely not going to have an impact on the game as much when it comes down to the team needing a bucket. If you have the skills and mental toughness, then you will likely get by, but it'll only take you so far like DeMar DeRozan. I don't think Lamb lacks the mental toughness that he's a pussy out on the court. He's played in the grand stage before, so it's not like he shies away from the moment. If you're depending on Lamb to be a killer assassin on the court, then yeah, you'll be disappointed even though he has the skills to be one. But if you can get Lamb to play as a 2nd banana on a contending team like he did with Kemba Walker, that's one hell of a player you're getting out of the 8th overall pick.

+1

[neurotik]

Lamb (if it wasn't for his lack of intensity and focus we would be 1 or 2 on my list. But 90% of the game is mental, only 10% is physical)

Sorry, but 90% of the game isn't mental. You need a balance of talent, skills and confidence. Think of it as a triangle. If you have talent and mental toughness, then you're going to be cocky, and may not work as hard to improve your game. If you have the skills and talent, but lack the confidence, then you're likely not going to have an impact on the game as much when it comes down to the team needing a bucket. If you have the skills and mental toughness, then you will likely get by, but it'll only take you so far like DeMar DeRozan. I don't think Lamb lacks the mental toughness that he's a pussy out on the court. He's played in the grand stage before, so it's not like he shies away from the moment. If you're depending on Lamb to be a killer assassin on the court, then yeah, you'll be disappointed even though he has the skills to be one. But if you can get Lamb to play as a 2nd banana on a contending team like he did with Kemba Walker, that's one hell of a player you're getting out of the 8th overall pick.

Whats the difference between talent and skills? You're probably referring to physical talent right? So now you have Physical Talent, Skills, and Confidence. However, both Skill and Confidence are mental aspects IMO. Confidence is almost self explanitory (how mentality sure of your abilities you are), and Skill, although executed physically such as dribbling, shooting, passing etc. is still learned, perfected and done at the right time (i.e. knowing when to shoot, pass or dribble) using your decision making (also mental).

I think that lamb has the potential be a second banana on a contender, but I still question his consistency. I mean second banana is a very subjective term, Pau Gasol, is a second banana, Bosh is a second/third banana. But both of those player were primary scoring options on treadmill teams. To have a true contender I think we would need a more consistent player as our second scoring option.

I feel Lamb's ultimate role will be like Jason Terry's or Leandro Barbosa (in his prime). A valuable scoring punch and creator off the dribble coming off the bench.

[BillyGM]

"• One rumor flying around has the Cavs offering their Nos. 4 and 24 picks to Charlotte for the Bobcats’ No. 2. Another one is 4 and 24 for Portland’s 6 and 11."

http://morningjournal.com/articles/2012 ... =fullstory

Raptors could offer their 8th pick 37th pick 56th pick and add Ed Davis in order to move up.

[Al_Oliver]

I'm also trying to understand why Drummond dropped 20+pds...him being skinny doesn't work in his favor.

Probably so he can ace the combine and be super fluid in workouts.

When I read this I was worried he only wanted to play PF, but Chad is saying he's at 268 now, down from 290. He didn't play at 290, he must have eaten the Easter Bunny or something and then worked it off. He hasn't played since March 15.

actually, you could argue he hasn't played in even longer than that...

[Undefeated]

Whats the difference between talent and skills? You're probably referring to physical talent right? So now you have Physical Talent, Skills, and Confidence. However, both Skill and Confidence are mental aspects IMO. Confidence is almost self explanitory (how mentality sure of your abilities you are), and Skill, although executed physically such as dribbling, shooting, passing etc. is still learned, perfected and done at the right time (i.e. knowing when to shoot, pass or dribble) using your decision making (also mental).

I feel Lamb's ultimate role will be like Jason Terry's or Leandro Barbosa (in his prime). A valuable scoring punch and creator off the dribble coming off the bench.

My definition of talent is your feel for the game, something that naturally comes to you without working on it. How smooth or fluid a player is when he's pulling off moves, basically. My reference to DeMar was that, as much as he works on his game, he's not going to become that good because his feel for the game isn't there. He's more of an athlete than a basketball player. And skills is just what you can do with the ball in your hands by working on it. So, I don't really consider skills to be a mental aspect of the game because it is something you can improve on with more reps unlike your mental toughness or confidence. When I watch Lamb, I see a prospect who has an excellent feel for the game along with the skills. The game of basketball is almost second nature to him. He doesn't look like he struggles to do what he wants when he has the ball unlike DeMar.

JET and Barbosa aren't creative with the ball in their hands, and they're basically undersized at SG which is why they're bench scorers much like Austin Rivers will be. Lamb isn't undersized nor does he lack the creativity. That's the biggest reason why I don't see him as a 6th Man. I have Lamb as a Tier 2 SG similar to Kevin Martin. I mean, Kevin Martin doesn't do much besides putting the ball in the basket, and he does that very, very efficiently much like Lamb does. Can relieve some pressure by handling the ball as well from the lead guard. That's why I see Lamb as a 2nd Banana, he's a very consistent scorer. You don't have to worry about him scoring because he'll find ways to get the ball.

[neurotik]

Undefeated :

My definition of talent is your feel for the game, something that naturally comes to you without working on it. How smooth or fluid a player is when he's pulling off moves, basically. My reference to DeMar was that, as much as he works on his game, he's not going to become that good because his feel for the game isn't there. He's more of an athlete than a basketball player. And skills is just what you can do with the ball in your hands by working on it. So, I don't really consider skills to be a mental aspect of the game because it is something you can improve on with more reps unlike your mental toughness or confidence. When I watch Lamb, I see a prospect who has an excellent feel for the game along with the skills. The game of basketball is almost second nature to him. He doesn't look like he struggles to do what he wants when he has the ball unlike DeMar.

JET and Barbosa aren't creative with the ball in their hands, and they're basically undersized at SG which is why they're bench scorers much like Austin Rivers will be. Lamb isn't undersized nor does he lack the creativity. That's the biggest reason why I don't see him as a 6th Man. I have Lamb as a Tier 2 SG similar to Kevin Martin. I mean, Kevin Martin doesn't do much besides putting the ball in the basket, and he does that very, very efficiently much like Lamb does. Can relieve some pressure by handling the ball as well from the lead guard. That's why I see Lamb as a 2nd Banana, he's a very consistent scorer. You don't have to worry about him scoring because he'll find ways to get the ball.

Fair enough. I actually don't mind Martin as a comparison. I will say this though, Martin is very good at getting the rim. It's one of the reasons he is so efficient. If Lamb can improve that he will be a 2nd option. But this much easier said than done. Very rarely do players who are passive become assertive.

TBH I am more intriguied with Lamb's defensive potential than his offensive potential. If he can put on some weight I think Casey will have a better chance at improving this aspect of his game. And aside from his skinny frame Lamb has good length and athleticism to be a force and the defensive end.

[Rapsfan07]

I've been saying Lamb is a Kevin Martin type with much better defensive potential for a while. I think he can get to the rim but he'll need to add weight. And his movement off the ball is better than Martin's IMO as well.

No way I deal that for Deng or Gay. Especially when our other core piece is the same age.

[CrymeTime]

Anyone know when the workouts in Toronto are taking place?

[Rhettmatic]

Anyone know when the workouts in Toronto are taking place?

I don't think anything's been officially scheduled yet, but Doug Smith surmised that our draft workouts would start the week after the combine in Chicago.

[tdotrep2]

When is the combine

[JamesNaismith]

Anyone know when the workouts in Toronto are taking place?

I don't think anything's been officially scheduled yet, but Doug Smith surmised that our draft workouts would start the week after the combine in Chicago.

Actually the Doug wasn't that commital but he stated he is certain that we will workout someone before now and the draft.

[Rhettmatic]

When is the combine

June 6-10, but it's on ESPNU on June 7-8.

[FluLikeSymptoms]

I'm also trying to understand why Drummond dropped 20+pds...him being skinny doesn't work in his favor.

When I read this I was worried he only wanted to play PF, but Chad is saying he's at 268 now, down from 290. He didn't play at 290, he must have eaten the Easter Bunny or something and then worked it off. He hasn't played since March 15.

actually, you could argue he hasn't played in even longer than that...

Heyyyoooooo!!!

[Walid]

We will draft some random guy no one really heard much about and then continue to hype up the pick or act like we've struck pure gold with his talent.

[Dyehardrapsfan]

Can Demar be traded for a top six pick straight up? I think they is enough talent in the draft for the Raps to make a bold move and improve team.

Dont get me wrong Demar is the model athlete, nice , stay out of trouble but I dont think he is starter material,

[Rhettmatic]

Chad Ford has a big Insider article up on MKG:

http://insider.espn.go.com/nba/blog/_/n ... couts-wins

[BillyGM]

MKG/Beal can drop because Lillard/Lamb is going to rise and because Cavs will pick MKG or Beal. It's pretty realistic that we could draft one of MKG/Beal.

And I'm thinking that Barnes is going to be 2nd pick. Jordan is close with UNC. If no than they'r going for Thomas Robinson
Than obvious pick by Sacramento is Thomas Robinson. If no than they pick HB.
Washington might risk on Drummond.
Portland takes Lillard at 6th.
Golden State might pick Lamb/Beal/MKG/PJ3.