Raptors NBA Draft Thread: Damian Lillard (POR)

BillyGM · Post #321 » by **BillyGM** » Mon Jun 4, 2012 1:42 pm

Russell Westbrook has a 36-inch vertical leap, accompanied by a 6-7 ¾ wingspan.
Damian Lillard has a 40-inch vertical leap, accompanied by a 6-9 wingspan.

TheDunc · Post #322 » by **TheDunc** » Mon Jun 4, 2012 2:08 pm

Lillard has a 40 inch vert? I knew he had a big wingspan but i didnt know he was a great athlete. Raptors are in a good position to either pick Lamb if he drops or draft Lillard.

I also think Lillard has 0 bust potential, he might not be a future superstar pg but he has a chance to be a star or at least an average to good pg. His jumpshot looks good, handles look good, court vision looks good, he can get to the ft line and his athletism and size are great. Whats not to like? only downside is he came from a smaller school.

ATLTimekeeper · Post #323 » by **ATLTimekeeper** » Mon Jun 4, 2012 2:18 pm

TheDunc wrote:Lillard has a 40 inch vert? I knew he had a big wingspan but i didnt know he was a great athlete. Raptors are in a good position to either pick Lamb if he drops or draft Lillard.

I also think Lillard has 0 bust potential, he might not be a future superstar pg but he has a chance to be a star or at least an average to good pg. His jumpshot looks good, handles look good, court vision looks good, he can get to the ft line and his athletism and size are great. Whats not to like? only downside is he came from a smaller school.

Every player has bust potential, but I guess you're saying he's low risk. I'm always wary of score-first pgs and combo guards in the lottery, mostly because their transition to the NBA is often more about how well they mentally adjust.

So Portland is the only team that might be looking point guard, right?

Post #324 » by **Double Helix** » Mon Jun 4, 2012 2:24 pm

Another reason to be excited about Lillard's chances is the success that another gym rat by the name of Isaiah Thomas (Not Zeke -- Mr. Insignificant) has had in the league. Like Lillard, Thomas is/was a gym rat with tremendous scoring ability that would not be outworked by anybody. He came into the league with a chip on his shoulder and posted a PER of 17.68 as a rookie which had to have blown away even his biggest fans coming out of Washington.

Lillard has that same mentality, that same drive, that same work ethic and superior shooting ability from range, better height for the position, and better length, too. Thomas' success this past season is certainly a reason to be very optimistic about Lillard because Lillard seems similar but better in *almost* every way. I say almost because Thomas showed a bit more passing acumen his final year at Washington but it sounds like Lillard has more to offer in that department than what he was able to show at Weber.

God Squad · Post #325 » by **God Squad** » Mon Jun 4, 2012 2:36 pm

I've been warming up on Lilliard. His measurements are very good.I'm guessing he goes higher than 8. But could also fall no lower than 12 imo. Interesting prospect. If he went to a high profile school he'd be ranked higher.

raptor21_85 · Post #326 » by **raptor21_85** » Mon Jun 4, 2012 2:38 pm

ivw watched vids of Lillard and Lamb.. both are good and fit well with our team...

TheDunc · Post #327 » by **TheDunc** » Mon Jun 4, 2012 2:57 pm

I see Lillard as a low risk high reward type player. He looks to have an nba ready skill set. I think the raptors select him at 8 unless someone like Lamb/Beal or Barnes drops. Lillard could probably step in next year as our starting PG. He probably wont blow away the competition but i can see him averaging 14/6 type numbers.

I was always impressed with his ability to get to the ft line, score and find teammates. But if its true that he has a 40 inch vertical along with a 6'9 wingspan, his potential could be through the roof.

Kenyon009 · Post #328 » by **Kenyon009** » Mon Jun 4, 2012 3:07 pm

It's still possible I'd try and trade the eighth for the 14th and 16th picks. Especially if Lillard and Lamb are still on board. Those two guys cement your backcourt for years to come. The only bad thing would be the fact that you have three rookies in one season, but being a bottom feeder you need to roll with the punches.

Basketball_Jones · Post #329 » by **Basketball_Jones** » Mon Jun 4, 2012 3:20 pm

Kenyon009 wrote:It's still possible I'd try and trade the eighth for the 14th and 16th picks. Especially if Lillard and Lamb are still on board. Those two guys cement your backcourt for years to come. The only bad thing would be the fact that you have three rookies in one season, but being a bottom feeder you need to roll with the punches.

I'd be surprised if any of them were available at 14.

JamesNaismith · Post #330 » by **JamesNaismith** » Mon Jun 4, 2012 3:23 pm

Basketball_Jones wrote:
Kenyon009 wrote:It's still possible I'd try and trade the eighth for the 14th and 16th picks. Especially if Lillard and Lamb are still on board. Those two guys cement your backcourt for years to come. The only bad thing would be the fact that you have three rookies in one season, but being a bottom feeder you need to roll with the punches.

I'd be surprised if any of them were available at 14.

I give 0% chance either are there....Lamb would be taken by us or taken by NOH at worst and Lillard gets scooped up by POR (who has long been rumored to like him and picking him here is far easier to justify than their #6).

ATLTimekeeper · Post #331 » by **ATLTimekeeper** » Mon Jun 4, 2012 3:39 pm

I'm liking this kid the more I watch. That probably means he's going higher than where we're picking.

JamesNaismith · Post #332 » by **JamesNaismith** » Mon Jun 4, 2012 3:46 pm

Another thing that bugs me about Lillard is his age....keep in mind he's already 2 years older than a kid like Kyrie Irving.

lander · Post #333 » by **lander** » Mon Jun 4, 2012 3:47 pm

ATLTimekeeper wrote:I'm liking this kid the more I watch. That probably means he's going higher than where we're picking.

Or he could be available when we pick Waiters :lol:

I want him on our team but I have a feeling he's not our pick.

tdotrep2 · Post #334 » by **tdotrep2** » Mon Jun 4, 2012 3:47 pm

I like Damian but I can't see him having a 40 inch vert. Maybe he does but he can't use it in game.

BillyGM · Post #335 » by **BillyGM** » Mon Jun 4, 2012 3:48 pm

JamesNaismith wrote:Another thing that bugs me about Lillard is his age....keep in mind he's already 2 years older than a kid like Kyrie Irving.

You can say the same thing about Thomas Robinson. I would still take Lillard or Thomas Robinson higher that Tony Wroten/ Marquis Teaque/ Austin Rivers/ Moe Harkless.

lander · Post #336 » by **lander** » Mon Jun 4, 2012 3:49 pm

JamesNaismith wrote:Another thing that bugs me about Lillard is his age....keep in mind he's already 2 years older than a kid like Kyrie Irving.

Wade was older than his draft class too. Age is important but it shouldn't a reason to decide against him.

JamesNaismith · Post #337 » by **JamesNaismith** » Mon Jun 4, 2012 3:50 pm

BillyGM wrote:
JamesNaismith wrote:Another thing that bugs me about Lillard is his age....keep in mind he's already 2 years older than a kid like Kyrie Irving.

You can say the same thing about Thomas Robinson. I would still take Lillard or Thomas Robinson higher that Tony Wroten/ Marquis Teaque/ Austin Rivers/ Moe Harkless.

Actually no....TRob was born in 91; Lillard was born in 90' like John Wall.

BillyGM · Post #338 » by **BillyGM** » Mon Jun 4, 2012 3:54 pm

He's still older than those ones who I named out

Great point with Wade.

God Squad · Post #339 » by **God Squad** » Mon Jun 4, 2012 4:24 pm

TheDunc wrote:I see Lillard as a low risk high reward type player. He looks to have an nba ready skill set. I think the raptors select him at 8 unless someone like Lamb/Beal or Barnes drops. Lillard could probably step in next year as our starting PG. He probably wont blow away the competition but i can see him averaging 14/6 type numbers.

I was always impressed with his ability to get to the ft line, score and find teammates. But if its true that he has a 40 inch vertical along with a 6'9 wingspan, his potential could be through the roof.

Totally agree. Not sure what his floor would be.
Best Case : Westbrook with a jumper?

GreenRiddler · Post #340 » by **GreenRiddler** » Mon Jun 4, 2012 4:42 pm

spade57 wrote:
TheDunc wrote:I see Lillard as a low risk high reward type player. He looks to have an nba ready skill set. I think the raptors select him at 8 unless someone like Lamb/Beal or Barnes drops. Lillard could probably step in next year as our starting PG. He probably wont blow away the competition but i can see him averaging 14/6 type numbers.

I was always impressed with his ability to get to the ft line, score and find teammates. But if its true that he has a 40 inch vertical along with a 6'9 wingspan, his potential could be through the roof.

Totally agree. Not sure what his floor would be.
Best Case : Westbrook with a jumper?

comes in sees *Lillard is westbrook with jumper* leaves...

If still on the Board by our pick what are the chanches we draft him?