Thank Nation! Raps Pick 9th - Draft on June 23rd 8pm (Part 6)

[CoachJReturns]

[tweet]https://twitter.com/Raptors/status/742418752378163201[/tweet]

[tweet]https://twitter.com/franfraschilla/status/742417688706883584[/tweet]

Wow. His interview damn near made me cry. Sign me up. I've definitely not been hyping Maker and was only okay with him being taken 27th, largely to avoid drafting Skal at 9th who to me is a similar player. If he's available at 27, which I think won't happen after posting combine records but who knows, take him and run. I try not to compare guys to hall of famers because it sets the bar unfairly high, but he definitely talks like KG.
He actually said he wants to live a 5 minute to 10 minute walk from the gym. What kid has ever said that in these interviews?

[ATLTimekeeper]

How many times does it have to be repeated? Masai has explicitly said that he isn't going to load up on rookies. HE is not going to trade to get more picks. If you actually read the thread before posting, then you would know this. Maybe you should read before posting? Sorry for being so harsh, but it's annoying to see the same baseless trade proposals posted on every page.

The other side of this argument is why should we believe Masai when he says that? Why should we think he would openly reveal what his plans are to everyone in the world? Especially when this front office has been so close guarded with their plans in the past. Everything about the draft revolves around smokescreens, subterfuge, and misinformation. It just seems weird to me to take it at face-value that Masai would be so forthcoming about the teams plans to the media

I think because it makes sense. Last year he said they weren't going to draft any long-term projects, and then they went ahead and took two seniors. It doesn't really throw off any team to say we aren't going to trade for more picks or anything like that. Who's he trying to fool here?

[MavCarter]

From that tolzman interview it sounds like they already know who theyre going to take at 27 and unsure about #9 right now

[MavCarter]

Brogdon is going to be a steal for someone

[BoyzNTheHood]

He says that they're pretty comfortable with who they'll pick at 27. They haven't really worked out too many guys we like in that range outside of Johnson, Brogdon, Onuaku and maybe Perry Ellis. So unless they're going off the board at 27 it seems like one of those guys is the pick.

Masai drafted Faried and his name was connected to the Raptors in rumors in the past year or two. I wouldn't be surprised to see Masai take a better shooting version of Faried in Johnson.

Well, if that's the case, and Brice Johnson is the pick at #27, I'd think that perhaps we either trade #9 or draft Korkmaz and stash him since I don't see us bringing in two rookies. Brice Johnson is more of an immediate contributing rookie, anyway, a 4 year college guy, similar to Norm GOATwell.

He also said that they're going to ramp up their work to find out who they like at 9. I feel like they already know what they're doing at 9 and just want to fact check a couple more times. They haven't really brought in anyone worthy at 9 outside of Sabonis, Ellenson and by scouting Korkmaz and Skal.

Maybe they know something the rest of us don't. Perhaps they know who will drop, or maybe they're going off the board with a huge sleeper.

They really seem to just be going through the motions this year with the workouts.

[Mr.Raptorsingh]

Have they brought Poeltl in for a workout?

[BoyzNTheHood]

Have they brought Poeltl in for a workout?

Not yet.

[TheGoodDoctor]

[tweet]https://twitter.com/tmoore76ers/status/742405706028965888[/tweet]

[tweet]https://twitter.com/tmoore76ers/status/742405413744713728[/tweet]

Ingram worked out for Philly today. Is simmons not gonna work out for Philly? ....

BC should consider that a blessing in disguise, Ingram will be the better player.

I've been saying for weeks that Ingram is going to go #1 based on BC loving athletic, scoring wings...Simmons being a douche to Philly is just helping solidify that. I still think Simmons will be great and on LAL it's an amazing fit that will make him look much better since he has other guys around him that can score and will make people think he's better than Ingram but I'm telling you if by some chance he goes to Philly he's going to seem a little underwhelming without guys around him to nail shots.

Also even the Lakers recognize Ingram is the guy hence their fake reports of BI's workouts to try n make PHI go for Simmons.

[RaptorsLife]

Seems like we're comfetable at choosing 27th than we are 9th. From that Dan tolzarman interview. Interesting to see what happens

[TheGoodDoctor]

Masai drafted Faried and his name was connected to the Raptors in rumors in the past year or two. I wouldn't be surprised to see Masai take a better shooting version of Faried in Johnson.

Well, if that's the case, and Brice Johnson is the pick at #27, I'd think that perhaps we either trade #9 or draft Korkmaz and stash him since I don't see us bringing in two rookies. Brice Johnson is more of an immediate contributing rookie, anyway, a 4 year college guy, similar to Norm GOATwell.

He also said that they're going to ramp up their work to find out who they like at 9. I feel like they already know what they're doing at 9 and just want to fact check a couple more times. They haven't really brought in anyone worthy at 9 outside of Sabonis, Ellenson and by scouting Korkmaz and Skal.

Maybe they know something the rest of us don't. Perhaps they know who will drop, or maybe they're going off the board with a huge sleeper.

They really seem to just be going through the motions this year with the workouts.

Hmm I wouldn't say so.

There was never really any wind circulating who we would pick with any of our young guys since Masai has been our GM. He just seems to keep his cards close to his chest. I also would add Chriss to that list because he was one of the first few we looked at as well. Only a guess but I would assume keeping a low profile is just to help prevent creating a buzz around a particular player and risk someone else taking them. So far if we base anything on workouts the only 2 names that have shown supposedly greater interest are Kork and Prince since they have seen or arranged second workouts but they could also feel they need more convincing to make that "stretch" on them as well.

This draft just can't come quick enough.

[Jadoogar]

On the Furkan bandwagon! Yes we (fur)Kan!

I was listening to teh Ringer's podcast and they mentioned he's similar to Buddy Heild. Looking at Valentine's stats, he seems incredible. Is Heild's defense that much better?

[LJKO]

Celtics is shopping the 3rd pick; Do it Masai Ross+9th+27th for 3rd Pick!!!!!!!

[TheGoodDoctor]

Seems like we're comfetable at choosing 27th than we are 9th. From that Dan tolzarman interview. Interesting to see what happens

Which makes sense because most people expect next to nothing from a pick at the end of the 1st rd. Very, very few times do players in that range amount to anything worth mentioning but it's totally different with our lottery pick...

Been saying this for weeks n weeks now but that's why we don't make picks like Sabonis, Prince or Poeltl with the thought of "immediately contributing"...this is our LONE lottery pick for likely YEARS to come so it's VERY important that we capitalize on our chance to TRY and add a player with serious potential not be so damn short sighted like many on here suffer from n look to fill gaps in the roster with rookies that will NOT get us over the hump anyways, that's what FA n trades are for.

I'm not saying those guys can't become great but it's just they are very, very likely to be role players (at best high level ones). There's plenty of drafts to come to get "immediate contributing" seniors and role players. I'm almost 100% certain that we'll be able to get players near their caliber moving forward as soon as next year with the deep draft and LAC pick.

[Lukeem]

[tweet]https://twitter.com/Raptors/status/742418752378163201[/tweet]

[tweet]https://twitter.com/franfraschilla/status/742417688706883584[/tweet]

Wow. His interview damn near made me cry. Sign me up. I've definitely not been hyping Maker and was only okay with him being taken 27th, largely to avoid drafting Skal at 9th who to me is a similar player. If he's available at 27, which I think won't happen after posting combine records but who knows, take him and run. I try not to compare guys to hall of famers because it sets the bar unfairly high, but he definitely talks like KG.
He actually said he wants to live a 5 minute to 10 minute walk from the gym. What kid has ever said that in these interviews?

I have him somewhere in my top 9 for my big board, definitely think that is the exception.

I just see him and believe that him being similiar to a Biyombo type player (energy rim protecting big) within his rookie contract is very possible with WAY! more upside. IMO he has shown more than Skal already and is still a full year younger than Skal.
putting Skal and Thon head to head i give the edge to Thon in most projections but that is just my opinion.

Effort
Attitude
Skills
Size
Athleticism

who knows, there are lots of reasons why Skal had so much love early on and he could have just had an off year that has cooled projections that might still come true.

[DreamTeam09]

I thought for sure 27 was going to get traded. I'm guessing a foreign player

[RaptorsLife]

[tweet]https://twitter.com/Raptors/status/742418752378163201[/tweet]

[tweet]https://twitter.com/franfraschilla/status/742417688706883584[/tweet]

Wow. His interview damn near made me cry. Sign me up. I've definitely not been hyping Maker and was only okay with him being taken 27th, largely to avoid drafting Skal at 9th who to me is a similar player. If he's available at 27, which I think won't happen after posting combine records but who knows, take him and run. I try not to compare guys to hall of famers because it sets the bar unfairly high, but he definitely talks like KG.
He actually said he wants to live a 5 minute to 10 minute walk from the gym. What kid has ever said that in these interviews?

I have him somewhere in my top 9 for my big board, definitely think that is the exception.

I just see him and believe that him being similiar to a Biyombo type player (energy rim protecting big) within his rookie contract is very possible with WAY! more upside. IMO he has shown more than Skal already and is still a full year younger than Skal.
putting Skal and Thon head to head i give the edge to Thon in most projections but that is just my opinion.

Effort
Attitude
Skills
Size
Athleticism

who knows, there are lots of reasons why Skal had so much love early on and he could have just had an off year that has cooled projections that might still come true.

Bismack is built like a greek god. This guy is built like John Henson.

[BismackonLebron]

[tweet]https://twitter.com/Raptors/status/742418752378163201[/tweet]

[tweet]https://twitter.com/franfraschilla/status/742417688706883584[/tweet]

Wow. His interview damn near made me cry. Sign me up. I've definitely not been hyping Maker and was only okay with him being taken 27th, largely to avoid drafting Skal at 9th who to me is a similar player. If he's available at 27, which I think won't happen after posting combine records but who knows, take him and run. I try not to compare guys to hall of famers because it sets the bar unfairly high, but he definitely talks like KG.
He actually said he wants to live a 5 minute to 10 minute walk from the gym. What kid has ever said that in these interviews?

I have him somewhere in my top 9 for my big board, definitely think that is the exception.

I just see him and believe that him being similiar to a Biyombo type player (energy rim protecting big) within his rookie contract is very possible with WAY! more upside. IMO he has shown more than Skal already and is still a full year younger than Skal.
putting Skal and Thon head to head i give the edge to Thon in most projections but that is just my opinion.

Effort
Attitude
Skills
Size
Athleticism

who knows, there are lots of reasons why Skal had so much love early on and he could have just had an off year that has cooled projections that might still come true.

I think Maker has a strong chance to.be the steal of the draft. I'm really hoping we can double down with our draft picks and get two mid 1sts and get Maker around 19 and another guy like Lawuwu or Korkmaz at 15.

[Risk101]

Once Dragan Bender worksout you will see alot of players switching around.

[tweet]https://twitter.com/GoodmanESPN/status/742443298376327168[/tweet]

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[tweet]https://twitter.com/IAmDPick/status/742431318995275776[/tweet]

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[tweet]https://twitter.com/tmoore76ers/status/742405706028965888[/tweet]

[tweet]https://twitter.com/tmoore76ers/status/742405413744713728[/tweet]

Ingram worked out for Philly today. Is simmons not gonna work out for Philly? ....

BC should consider that a blessing in disguise, Ingram will be the better player.

I've been saying for weeks that Ingram is going to go #1 based on BC loving athletic, scoring wings...Simmons being a douche to Philly is just helping solidify that. I still think Simmons will be great and on LAL it's an amazing fit that will make him look much better since he has other guys around him that can score and will make people think he's better than Ingram but I'm telling you if by some chance he goes to Philly he's going to seem a little underwhelming without guys around him to nail shots.

Also even the Lakers recognize Ingram is the guy hence their fake reports of BI's workouts to try n make PHI go for Simmons.

It might go down to the wire which makes things interesting.

If Philly comes away with Ingram or Simmons and Murray (by trading Okafor to Boston for #3), that will be one of the best draft hauls in a long time imo.

Young core of:

Murray
Saric
Simmons or Ingram
Embiid
Noel