Thank Nation! Pre-Lottery: Denver 9th, NY pick 7th (PART 4)

[MEDIC]

Not really seeing the offensive game from D.Davis compared to M.Chriss or even Skal at his height.

I'll let Masai make the decision on Skal.

From the outside looking in her looks like a great prospect, but I'm not sure where he is at mentally. Is he driven? Is he mature? Does he work his azz off to get better?

These are things that can only be determined by background checks, interviews & workouts.

[OAKLEY_2]

Not really seeing the offensive game from D.Davis compared to M.Chriss or even Skal at his height.

I think if you make a decision based on skills and athleticism you can make the case for Jackson but not really Davis. Luwawu I think will be our pick and well let's see if I'm wrong. Really depends a lot if we have some people moving up and knocking others down.

"There’s tons to like about Luwawu on the defensive end. He’s 6-7 with a 6-11 wingspan, and he has the speed and upper body strength to defend most perimeter players. Luwawu’s biggest strengths are his hands, which help him wreak havoc in the Adriatic. He has a 3.1 steal rate this season, and he’s shown flashes as a potential shot-blocker and strong help-side defender. Luwawu still needs some work as an off-ball defender, which is a given with his limited experience in high-level basketball. He suffers occasional mental lapses and can be late on rotations, and that might hold him back early on. But being a pest when you’re young helps you stay on the floor, and Luwawu can definitely be that." (Upsidemotor.com)

And with the 9th pick in the NBA draft the Toronto Raptors select Timothe Luwawu from Mega Leks Serbia.

[DreamTeam09]

Not really seeing the offensive game from D.Davis compared to M.Chriss or even Skal at his height.

I think if you make a decision based on skills and athleticism you can make the case for Jackson but not really Davis. Luwawu I think will be our pick and well let's see if I'm wrong. Really depends a lot if we have some people moving up and knocking others down.

"There’s tons to like about Luwawu on the defensive end. He’s 6-7 with a 6-11 wingspan, and he has the speed and upper body strength to defend most perimeter players. Luwawu’s biggest strengths are his hands, which help him wreak havoc in the Adriatic. He has a 3.1 steal rate this season, and he’s shown flashes as a potential shot-blocker and strong help-side defender. Luwawu still needs some work as an off-ball defender, which is a given with his limited experience in high-level basketball. He suffers occasional mental lapses and can be late on rotations, and that might hold him back early on. But being a pest when you’re young helps you stay on the floor, and Luwawu can definitely be that." (Upsidemotor.com)

And with the 9th pick in the NBA draft the Toronto Raptors select Timothe Luwawu from Mega Leks Serbia.

Even with Timothe Luwawu. He's rated here higher than anywhere else on mocks.

nbadraft.net as of few days ago.

Timothe Luwawu (95’, 6-7, SG, France, Mega Lecs)

The French guard didn’t have many chances to show his skills this past month, since Mega Lecs only had two games in the Adriatic League. Having that in mind, Luwawu still managed to show what he is capable of. Playing in the Semifinals of the Adriatic League, the French guard scored 17 points with four 3-pointers, 6 rebounds and 4 assists in the decisive second game against Buducnost and he made some clutch plays on both ends of the floor. Luwawu is viewed by many as 3-and-D player and the fact that he was able to demonstrate his talent in a game with a lot at stake it’s almost certain that helped his stock. At this point he is viewed as a bubble first rounder by European scouts, with solid upside but a ways to go as a sure fire contributor.

That doesn't sound like a top 10 pick but neither does skal write up

[UneducatedFan86]

Ah... my favorite thread on this board. No matter how bad the Raptors play. No matter how much Demar pisses me off. No matter how much of a headache Casey gives me. I can always come here. Think of the bright future and smile.

Thank you Pre-Lottery Thread, thank you. *tear*

.....BUT I SWEAR TO GOD IF MASAI TRADES THIS DAMN PICK FOR A VET I'M GOING TO CRY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Duffman100]

[tweet]https://twitter.com/Con_Chron/status/724448956407644161[/tweet]




Fak

Wow I'm shocked...terrible decision to go back to a deeper draft class n risk having a year that doesn't go to plan or an injury when you're a top 10 pick.

Guess Skal it is.

Yeah, I don't get it. You basically just turned down winning the lottery. You can always go back to school...what happens if you blow your knee out in the next college season? Get your guaranteed money now.

[Mr.Raptorsingh]

Damn, Rabb is out. I legitimately thought he was in contention with the NY/DEN pick.

[OAKLEY_2]

Not really seeing the offensive game from D.Davis compared to M.Chriss or even Skal at his height.

I think if you make a decision based on skills and athleticism you can make the case for Jackson but not really Davis. Luwawu I think will be our pick and well let's see if I'm wrong. Really depends a lot if we have some people moving up and knocking others down.

"There’s tons to like about Luwawu on the defensive end. He’s 6-7 with a 6-11 wingspan, and he has the speed and upper body strength to defend most perimeter players. Luwawu’s biggest strengths are his hands, which help him wreak havoc in the Adriatic. He has a 3.1 steal rate this season, and he’s shown flashes as a potential shot-blocker and strong help-side defender. Luwawu still needs some work as an off-ball defender, which is a given with his limited experience in high-level basketball. He suffers occasional mental lapses and can be late on rotations, and that might hold him back early on. But being a pest when you’re young helps you stay on the floor, and Luwawu can definitely be that." (Upsidemotor.com)

And with the 9th pick in the NBA draft the Toronto Raptors select Timothe Luwawu from Mega Leks Serbia.

i




Even with Timothe Luwawu. He's rated here higher than anywhere else on mocks.

nbadraft.net as of few days ago.

Timothe Luwawu (95’, 6-7, SG, France, Mega Lecs)

The French guard didn’t have many chances to show his skills this past month, since Mega Lecs only had two games in the Adriatic League. Having that in mind, Luwawu still managed to show what he is capable of. Playing in the Semifinals of the Adriatic League, the French guard scored 17 points with four 3-pointers, 6 rebounds and 4 assists in the decisive second game against Buducnost and he made some clutch plays on both ends of the floor. Luwawu is viewed by many as 3-and-D player and the fact that he was able to demonstrate his talent in a game with a lot at stake it’s almost certain that helped his stock. At this point he is viewed as a bubble first rounder by European scouts, with solid upside but a ways to go as a sure fire contributor.

That doesn't sound like a top 10 pick but neither does skal write up

Nbadraft.net is as usual out to fn lunch. Especially on Luwawu.

[whatamoron]

[tweet]https://twitter.com/Con_Chron/status/724448956407644161[/tweet]




Fak

Ivan Rabb is making the right decision, education is the most important activity you can have in your life.
There is a large demand and low supply of graduates of African Study programs.
Rabb would help filling a need.
After all Vince Carter has a degree in African Studies.

[CoachJReturns]

I'm leaning toward Davis at the moment, with Rabb gone, but would still be okay with Luwawu. I'm not terribly high on Jackson, but I should probably watch some more video of him. If this team fails to improve it's playoff performance and Masai decides to do the unthinkable and trade Lowry, I could see the sense in drafting Jackson. Not that I see that happening.

[artsncrafts]

Rabb must have a horrible agent.

[dTox]

http://espn.go.com/nba/insider/story/_/id/15208529/chad-ford-nba-mock-draft-60-teams-ben-simmons-brandon-ingram-buddy-hield-more

9. Toronto Raptors*

Marquese Chriss
Washington
Freshman
Forward

The Raptors' biggest hole is at power forward, and general manager Masai Ujiri has never been shy about swinging for the fences. Chriss has as much upside as anyone in the draft not named Simmons or Ingram. He's an athletic big who can shoot and protect the rim. He would be a great fit in Toronto, as long as fans can be patient. Chriss is inconsistent, and there is some bust potential. But he's worth the risk here.

Odds of winning lottery, record (Denver): 1.9 percent, 33-49 (if this happens, the No. 1 pick goes to the Nuggets in a pick swap)

[TheGoodDoctor]

If we're going on upside I take Skal over Davis every day of the week.

Quite frankly I don't actually see the buzz about him at all. Don't get me wrong, he seems decent like he could turn out solid but at least imo I don't see anything that looks like he can become a star in the league. Skal's offensive game reminds me a lot of KAT in college with Towns being slightly better at backing down his man. But his shooting mechanics and the way he moves for PF are exceptional. I still have Luwawu slightly ahead on board because I actually think Bruno will end up being a PF himself and share the same length & ability and TL will be a helluva fit next to Powell & Wright but Skal isn't that far off for next in line, if at all.

I really think Cal's treatment has unfairly skewed his potential to people, just as I remember UConn not using Drummond enough. I remember numerous games hearing things like "Skal is making an impact in his limited time" or that he's really coming on yet Cal never bothered extending his minutes and seemed to have an extremely short leash. He wanted (as he did Towns & Davis) to back their men down in the post and it wasn't Davis' game hence why he was thought to be just defensive anchor, Towns did alright (he only averaged about 10ppg, not exactly earth shattering) but no one ever really got a chance to showcase what they can do because Cal wouldn't adapt to their stretch game. I 100% think he's done the same with Skal and while Skal gives shotblocking he wasn't on the rebounding so he got yanked. Also seemed he continued to be punished for seemingly nothing when he had entered multiple games and would put up some decent rebounding numbers and about 12+ppg in limited time. I think he does have a lot more than what we've seen and we should take him.

[Dalek]

Not really seeing the offensive game from D.Davis compared to M.Chriss or even Skal at his height.

I'll let Masai make the decision on Skal.

From the outside looking in her looks like a great prospect, but I'm not sure where he is at mentally. Is he driven? Is he mature? Does he work his azz off to get better?

These are things that can only be determined by background checks, interviews & workouts.

I think Masai and his team have a great handle on players who will work hard and take advantage of their D-League time. My feel on Skal is that he lacks toughness considering his size advantage. The fact that he gravitates towards more of a pick and pop game rather than scoring in the post makes me think he is a bit adverse to contact.

The other thing that sticks out is guys like Towns, Noel, and Davis dominated during their time in college, and Skal just couldn't put it together consistently at all. I see him as a future Channing Frye, but even that will take time to get there.

[Dalek]

http://espn.go.com/nba/insider/story/_/id/15208529/chad-ford-nba-mock-draft-60-teams-ben-simmons-brandon-ingram-buddy-hield-more

9. Toronto Raptors*

Marquese Chriss
Washington
Freshman
Forward

The Raptors' biggest hole is at power forward, and general manager Masai Ujiri has never been shy about swinging for the fences. Chriss has as much upside as anyone in the draft not named Simmons or Ingram. He's an athletic big who can shoot and protect the rim. He would be a great fit in Toronto, as long as fans can be patient. Chriss is inconsistent, and there is some bust potential. But he's worth the risk here.

Odds of winning lottery, record (Denver): 1.9 percent, 33-49 (if this happens, the No. 1 pick goes to the Nuggets in a pick swap)

That is an interesting pick and it fits a positional need. My worry is his weak rebounding numbers, especially on the defensive end. It is one thing to be a lightweigth frame and out jump guys for offensive rebounds in college, but how would he do against other PFs in the the league. In the modern NBA, people don't even care about offensive boards, so he would have to adjust his game.

I do like that he is a pretty physical player despite his skinny frame, and he likes to attack closeouts and can a shot off, but at 6-9 I am on the fence about his size to defend. Maybe he is a Ed Davis with a jumpshot, but that is only if his fills out.

[T-d0t]

Skal, Chriss, Luwawu
or
Brown,Murray,Hield, Dunn if they drop.

[Clutch0z24]

Yep Chriss, Skal, Lawawu is my final 3 who will be available at 9...I dont see any of the top 7 guys dropping to 9 this year.

Chriss Reminds me of an Amare Stoudamire type of pick at 9....Young big man with all the potential in the world.
Skal Reminds me of a young Chris Bosh type of player if he can put it together.
Lawawu is just a perfect guy to grab if DeRozan does walk...Reminds me of a poor mans Paul George.

[Clutch0z24]

[youtube]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xmqHutlsgOI[/youtube]

I might be leaning towards Lawawu just because i dont want to give DD the Max and will feel comfortable letting him walk if Lawawu can become a legit Allstar for us .

[kidr1211]

Skal is molded like ross. They show up for a game and flash potential but then disappear for 8 games straight

[Micrew18]

Rabb dropping out is interesting... I mean if he's projected late lottery to late teens now, imagine if he's in the early 20s of next years draft... Perhaps right around where the Clippers pick would be??

[Clutch0z24]

[youtube]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fYK69r7BRcc[/youtube]

Looks legit as well damn glad we got 9th.