Waiters has draft promise, cancels workouts| BC talks pg 15

[dagger]

Chris Littmann ‏@chrislittmann
Bryan Colangelo on with @ESPNAndyKatz - "I think it's safe to say there is a promise to Dion. Unfortunately it's not with us in Toronto."

I find it interesting that BC feels the need to go around talking to everyone and anyone this morning to debunk the idea Raps have made a promise. I mean he could have left it with Steve Kyler - who spoke to him first - but he's going around and doing radio and TV on this.

You know the old line from Hamlet, "The lady doth protest too much, methinks". It's almost like BC's hand was caught in the cookie jar.

[Basketball_Jones]

Gimme Lillard or Lamb. Right now I'm flip flopping between the two like crazy in terms of who I want.

[Anatomize]

I really don't like listening to Colangelo around draft time..he throws around a lot of BS prior to the pick.. I'm not insinuating that he's lying.. rather.. the old adage "keeps his cards close to his chest".

[Marlo Stanfield]

They just interviewed Bryan, and he said they're not shopping the pick and they have not made a promise. However, if the right deal does come along he would discuss it. Also, he wants to add some veterans to the team, but he's not afraid to have 2 rookies on the roster.

[Waylon Mercy]

Colangelo said were looking at the possibility of a SF slipping (Barnes) a PG (Lillard) a couple of
SGs (Waiters, Lamb) and a couple of PFs (Sullinger, Jones) and will take a BPA.

Chad Ford seems skeptical of Colangelo dismissing Waiters promise. Said he was in the
gym with Colangelo and Stefanski at Waiters workout last week seems to hint at knowing
something.

[roundhead0]

Not sure why people are speculating Phoenix making the promise. Yes they could use a SG, but they draft 13th. Why would anyone drop out of workouts and interviews based on a promise to be picked at #13? Is there any reason why he would really, really want to play for the Suns, especially with Nash not looking likely to come back?

[Rhettmatic]

Colangelo said were looking at the possibility of a SF slipping (Barnes) a PG (Lillard) a couple of
SGs (Ross, Lamb) and a couple of PFs (Sullinger, Jones) and will take a BPA.

Chad Ford seems skeptical of Colangelo dismissing Waiters promise. Said he was in the
gym with Colangelo and Stefanski at Waiters workout last week seems to hint at knowing
something.

Well, the Raptors could indeed be very high on Waiters without making him a promise.

[dagger]

Colangelo said were looking at the possibility of a SF slipping (Barnes) a PG (Lillard) a couple of
SGs (Ross, Lamb) and a couple of PFs (Sullinger, Jones) and will take a BPA.

Chad Ford seems skeptical of Colangelo dismissing Waiters promise. Said he was in the
gym with Colangelo and Stefanski at Waiters workout last week seems to hint at knowing
something.

As in my comment above about BC trying too hard to debunk this all, he's left himself open to anything.

1. We're not shopping the pick but not averse to a trade either.
2. We've made no promise to Waiters, but we could draft him anyway.

He has closed down absolutely nothing, and I think Ford is right to be a wee bit skeptical. The Raptors have met with Dion, seen him work out - as they have with others.

Still, if Lillard is on the board when we pick, I'd be disappointed if we didn't take him. His combination of grit, athleticism and talent is unlike anybody we have on our roster.

[RapsFanInVA]

I'm just happy the Raptors are being talked about

[StMikes31]

I believe Waiters is ahead of Lamb as of right now that's why he's pissed he cancelled the workouts.

Lillard - Waiters top 2 IMO

[Waylon Mercy]

Colangelo said were looking at the possibility of a SF slipping (Barnes) a PG (Lillard) a couple of
SGs (Ross, Lamb) and a couple of PFs (Sullinger, Jones) and will take a BPA.

Chad Ford seems skeptical of Colangelo dismissing Waiters promise. Said he was in the
gym with Colangelo and Stefanski at Waiters workout last week seems to hint at knowing
something.

Well, the Raptors could indeed be very high on Waiters without making him a promise.

I think BC wants to get an established SF without giving up the pick. If Charlotte is willing
to give up the 2nd pick for Gay hes gonna have to part with the pick to stay the course.

This could also be a ploy to make the 8th pick seem more valuable for trade scenarios

[FluLikeSymptoms]

Lillard has every reason to participate in every workout scenario. Lamb's agent might help him slip to us.

I see the other way around. Lillard has been super-impressive in mutli-team workouts. Teams love his skills, athleticism, attitude and work ethic. He's well-spoken with leadership potential. He's not going to fall below us now, and may well go as high as 6th, whereas Lamb is all over the board, and any time he opens his mouth he comes across as laid-back, even stoned, and dumber than a sack of hammers.

At first I didn't get your response, but now I'd edit my post to read:

Lillard has every reason to participate in every workout scenario.

Lamb's agent might help him(Lamb) to slip to us.

Two separate thoughts.

Lillard going to #6 is quite possible, I've thrown that out there myself a few times over the past few weeks (depending on the lotto results). Portland has to be looking at Drummond or Lillard/Marshall, Drummond if they move up to Charlotte's pick. Sure-shot Cs haven't worked out!

I just meant that Lillard could disprove some PG and competition-level doubts in team exercises, and he can shoot so he'll take any chance to show that. PG intelligence is a must, I think he has an extra reason to speak carefully and I'm happy that he has.

The Lamb interview is not a deal-breaker for me. I don't think he's actually a dummy, but either way I think his courtsense is very good and he plays a smart game on both ends. Love his awareness.

[CoachJReturns]

Not sure why people are speculating Phoenix making the promise. Yes they could use a SG, but they draft 13th. Why would anyone drop out of workouts and interviews based on a promise to be picked at #13? Is there any reason why he would really, really want to play for the Suns, especially with Nash not looking likely to come back?

I think somebody already wrote some reasons why a lot of players might like Phoenix. The climate is as good as it gets in the US. The team has great management. They have probably the best training staff in the league, they have a solid history of winning. A lot more than most lottery teams. If Waiters was promised starting minutes he'd be a fool not to want to play there. And he was supposed to be picked in the teens anyway wasn't he? It's not like he was a potential top 5 or 6.

[roundhead0]

Not sure why people are speculating Phoenix making the promise. Yes they could use a SG, but they draft 13th. Why would anyone drop out of workouts and interviews based on a promise to be picked at #13? Is there any reason why he would really, really want to play for the Suns, especially with Nash not looking likely to come back?

I think somebody already wrote some reasons why a lot of players might like Phoenix. The climate is as good as it gets in the US. The team has great management. They have probably the best training staff in the league, they have a solid history of winning. A lot more than most lottery teams. If Waiters was promised starting minutes he'd be a fool not to want to play there. And he was supposed to be picked in the teens anyway wasn't he? It's not like he was a potential top 5 or 6.

He's got teams in the top 10 looking at him.

Besides, Phoenix's history is mixed. They've sold 1st round picks and their history of winning is mostly tied to Nash who may be gone.

[CoachJReturns]

Lillard has every reason to participate in every workout scenario. Lamb's agent might help him slip to us.

I see the other way around. Lillard has been super-impressive in mutli-team workouts. Teams love his skills, athleticism, attitude and work ethic. He's well-spoken with leadership potential. He's not going to fall below us now, and may well go as high as 6th, whereas Lamb is all over the board, and any time he opens his mouth he comes across as laid-back, even stoned, and dumber than a sack of hammers.

I don't want Lillard, but I'm happy with the way he's handling things. He sounds like he'll participate in any way necessary before the draft. I could definitely see a team ahead of us falling in love with his attitude and great jump shot. I can't wait to see who falls to us. Someone will.

[Waylon Mercy]

Colangelo said were looking at the possibility of a SF slipping (Barnes) a PG (Lillard) a couple of
SGs (Ross, Lamb) and a couple of PFs (Sullinger, Jones) and will take a BPA.

Chad Ford seems skeptical of Colangelo dismissing Waiters promise. Said he was in the
gym with Colangelo and Stefanski at Waiters workout last week seems to hint at knowing
something.

As in my comment above about BC trying too hard to debunk this all, he's left himself open to anything.

1. We're not shopping the pick but not averse to a trade either.
2. We've made no promise to Waiters, but we could draft him anyway.

He has closed down absolutely nothing, and I think Ford is right to be a wee bit skeptical. The Raptors have met with Dion, seen him work out - as they have with others.

Still, if Lillard is on the board when we pick, I'd be disappointed if we didn't take him. His combination of grit, athleticism and talent is unlike anybody we have on our roster.

With Calderon still under contract, the hinting of Bayless coming back, talk of Nash
signing and Dragic, Lowry and Lins names being kicked around I can't see the Raps
going PG unless they were absolutely blown away that Lillard was the BPA and I don't
think Lillard has separated himself enough from the group at 8.

[ATLTimekeeper]

Ford's original Waiters draft buzz said as high as #6, which we all knew was probably going to Portland. It's possible that the Blazers have promised Waiters one of their two picks.

The Raptors promising Waiters never added up.

[StMikes31]

Since Bayless isn't the traditional PG - I could very well see BC taking Lillard. Since Nash is being targeted, BC admitted on the FAN that it would make sense to bring Nash here for 3 years and groom a young PG at the same time. I see Bayless as a Jason Terry, so they could all fit.

[JPHolling]

I really don't like listening to Colangelo around draft time..he throws around a lot of BS prior to the pick.. I'm not insinuating that he's lying.. rather.. the old adage "keeps his cards close to his chest".

could not disagree more. i almost feel BC would keep his cards closer to his chest. of all the teams in the draft, you almost always know whos on top of BCs draft board.

[Anatomize]

I really don't like listening to Colangelo around draft time..he throws around a lot of BS prior to the pick.. I'm not insinuating that he's lying.. rather.. the old adage "keeps his cards close to his chest".

could not disagree more. i almost feel BC would keep his cards closer to his chest. of all the teams in the draft, you almost always know whos on top of BCs draft board.

I'm not going to get into it, but I think nearly every 'behind the draft' proves different. Not many people speculated we want Valanciunas or DeRozan, let alone Ed Davis.

Another is the draft day massacre known as 'the Hibbert'

If you tell me the majority saw these picks/moves coming I'd be highly surprised..

He spewed bs around every single draft when asked specific questions.. that's his job.. other GMs are listening.

BC stating he doesn't care for smokescreens is like Jenna Jameson saying she's never made a porn movie.