Snapbacks and Handshakes: The 2017 Draft (Raps pick #23)

[CoachJReturns]

Yeah I dunno - i understand the whole picking role players and NBA ready skill

but i think i would ALWAYS pick players who can impact the game on every single possession- whether it be on offense or defense - if the aren't two way players, or playmakers/gamers all over the court, you can always sign some veteran who alread pidgeon holed himself a spot in the league.

the more i look at other prospects the more i like Bolden's physical profile along with stats hes putting up
"At 6’10” and 215 pounds with at least a 7’3” wingspan, Bolden has the physical and athletic attributes to play either forward spot at the next level, and defend multiple positions. Whil shooting over 4 3's per game on 40+ percent."

I'm actually going to talk about Bolden less now so no other teams pick him, keep the hype low

I'd rather take a very good supporting player rather than a mediocre go-to guy. There are a lot of guys that were prep or college stars, but are not good enough to be a go-to guy in the NBA, and also struggle to be a role player. For example, I'd rather have a Danny Green or Nic Batum than an OJ Mayo or Rudy Gay.

There's an argument to be made for either scenario. There may be little difference in the likelihood of either becoming a star though. If that's the case(I'm not sure it is obviously) then you take the guy who will be able to fill a role as a pro and hope he puts in the work to become more than expected. But you always have to take picks on a case by case basis and not generalize. I'm not entirely sure what role a guy like Rabb could play with us, given his current skill set, but I think he has higher potential than most give him credit for. Meanwhile, a guy like Lydon has a very clear role as a guy to provide spacing, but I'm less interested in picking him.

[CoachJReturns]

The DX updated mock has moved Giles up to 20 and Rabb down to 28.

http://www.draftexpress.com/nba-mock-draft/2017/

Personally, I'd prefer someone else take the gamble on Giles. Both his knees have had major surgery and I think the odds are in favor of something happening again.
I'd actually love Rabb here, but I'm kind of expecting Lydon or Leaf to be the pick given this team's lack of shooters. With Rabb you have the hope that he continues to make progress as a shooter, but Lydon is already pretty close to a lock to be a decent 3 point threat and Leaf is more of a perimeter skilled guy as well. I think the line about a culture reset from Masai was a gross exaggeration but I think getting embarrassed by Cleveland will make him want to go for shooters first and foremost.

[ATLTimekeeper]

Last year they picked both guys from one workout that came kind of late in the process, iirc. I think it'd be hard to tell which way they're leaning. They tend not to tip their hand.

[CoachJReturns]

Last year they picked both guys from one workout that came kind of late in the process, iirc. I think it'd be hard to tell which way they're leaning. They tend not to tip their hand.

True, but then guessing who a team wants in this late a slot is always tough. I picked Delon myself a couple years ago 6-8 months before the draft, but never thought we`d actually get him. lol.
Poeltl was basically the consensus guy at his spot, but there often is no such thing as consensus outside the top 5-10. I guess I could see either of Leaf or Lydon being the pick, but there are likely a few other guys who could easily be considered in the running.

[CoachJReturns]

If he can just keep improving that damn shot. He makes some nice passes at times.

Watch on YouTube

[BadderUp]

I was wondering what people's thoughts were on Deonte Burton. I know he's a bit undersized for the SF spot but he has a 7' wingspan. In the games I saw Iowa State play he looked amazing - freakish athlete and plays well on both sides of the ball.

https://youtu.be/RsN_5KO2juo

Curious to hear people's thoughts!

[JShuttlesworth]

The DX updated mock has moved Giles up to 20 and Rabb down to 28.

http://www.draftexpress.com/nba-mock-draft/2017/

Personally, I'd prefer someone else take the gamble on Giles. Both his knees have had major surgery and I think the odds are in favor of something happening again.
I'd actually love Rabb here, but I'm kind of expecting Lydon or Leaf to be the pick given this team's lack of shooters. With Rabb you have the hope that he continues to make progress as a shooter, but Lydon is already pretty close to a lock to be a decent 3 point threat and Leaf is more of a perimeter skilled guy as well. I think the line about a culture reset from Masai was a gross exaggeration but I think getting embarrassed by Cleveland will make him want to go for shooters first and foremost.

Same, especially with Patterson potentially leaving.

[OAKLEY_2]

If he can just keep improving that damn shot. He makes some nice passes at times.

Watch on YouTube

At 23 I'd high five the Rabb pick.

[Dalek]

If he can just keep improving that damn shot. He makes some nice passes at times.

Watch on YouTube

At 23 I'd high five the Rabb pick.

I have to say if we get any guy that is a strictly a PF, they better be obviously better than Pascal Siakam. I don't see anyone in our draft range that is a better athlete and prospect.

Maybe one could argue for a stretchier big like Bolden, Leaf, or Lydon because they offer some possible SF duty, but guys who are energy bigs are a waste when Toronto has Siakam who should be a big producer next season.

[OAKLEY_2]

If he can just keep improving that damn shot. He makes some nice passes at times.

Watch on YouTube

At 23 I'd high five the Rabb pick.

I have to say if we get any guy that is a strictly a PF, they better be obviously better than Pascal Siakam. I don't see anyone in our draft range that is a better athlete and prospect.

Maybe one could argue for a stretchier big like Bolden, Leaf, or Lydon because they offer some possible SF duty, but guys who are energy bigs are a waste when Toronto has Siakam who should be a big producer next season.

Someone was saying that Paskal is not a stretch 4 but a smallish centre. Pretty much think we will be wanting a stretch four but Rabb has a nice showcase of moves and he has a stroke if he can do that consistently. Rabb would be 905 at this point so who cares about Paskal as he won't be stealing Rabbs minutes.

[S ID]

No thanks to Rabb. Not much defensive upside coupled with the fact he's a 5 offensively. Also his jumper has a hitch (he takes the ball behind his head which makes his shot flat).

Rabb's calling card in the NBA will be rebounding, which isn't a priority for us. I would rather have Leaf or Lydon, both can stretch the floor (Lydon more so) and can pass.

[CoachJReturns]

If he can just keep improving that damn shot. He makes some nice passes at times.

Watch on YouTube

At 23 I'd high five the Rabb pick.

I have to say if we get any guy that is a strictly a PF, they better be obviously better than Pascal Siakam. I don't see anyone in our draft range that is a better athlete and prospect.

Maybe one could argue for a stretchier big like Bolden, Leaf, or Lydon because they offer some possible SF duty, but guys who are energy bigs are a waste when Toronto has Siakam who should be a big producer next season.

I'd say Rabb is a better prospect than Siakam and I like Pascal. Rabb is 3 years younger (I think) is a far better rebounder, better passer, better shooter than Siakam was in college and obviously a better post scorer. Siakam is potentially an extremely versatile defender. I have no issue with having both, especially given Rabb would be strictly with the 905 as a rookie. And many may disagree with me, but I think Rabb has a far better shot at being a regular starter in his career while Siakam seems more like a bench big to me. Of course that's just my own opinion.

[Slo]

**** Rabb, i hope he drops to the 2nd round. Im still mad at him for going back to college last year in a top8 heavy draft screwing us having the #9 pick.

[OAKLEY_2]

At 23 I'd high five the Rabb pick.

I have to say if we get any guy that is a strictly a PF, they better be obviously better than Pascal Siakam. I don't see anyone in our draft range that is a better athlete and prospect.

Maybe one could argue for a stretchier big like Bolden, Leaf, or Lydon because they offer some possible SF duty, but guys who are energy bigs are a waste when Toronto has Siakam who should be a big producer next season.

I'd say Rabb is a better prospect than Siakam and I like Pascal. Rabb is 3 years younger (I think) is a far better rebounder, better passer, better shooter than Siakam was in college and obviously a better post scorer. Siakam is potentially an extremely versatile defender. I have no issue with having both, especially given Rabb would be strictly with the 905 as a rookie. And many may disagree with me, but I think Rabb has a far better shot at being a regular starter in his career while Siakam seems more like a bench big to me. Of course that's just my own opinion.

Who knows but Rabb has a bigger bag of tricks than Paskal. Kind of reminds me of Amir down low but with better shooting.

[OAKLEY_2]

No thanks to Rabb. Not much defensive upside coupled with the fact he's a 5 offensively. Also his jumper has a hitch (he takes the ball behind his head which makes his shot flat).

Rabb's calling card in the NBA will be rebounding, which isn't a priority for us. I would rather have Leaf or Lydon, both can stretch the floor (Lydon more so) and can pass.

I like Leaf's offensive game a lot more than Lydon.

[Volcano]

Also I'm not sure I'm as hot on the idea of trading down to dump Carroll, personally I'd prefer trading Corey or JV for a couple of 2nd rdrs but if we were really set on trying to unload Carroll I would target PHI...

Because if I'm PHI I'm doing that deal all day...I would draft Jackson with my #3 and Evans with #23 and have the best draft of any team out there. That would be a huge haul imo.

Evans
Korkmaz/Luwwau
Jackson
Simmons
Embiid

Daaaamn I would seriously consider becoming a Sixers' fan haha

We got Bargnani for #9 and two 2nd's, GV for the Clipper's 1st and Powell. Masai sure as hell isn't trading down or trading draft picks to get rid of Carroll.

Plus, I get the sick feeling that Masai really believes Carroll's injury has held him back and that he has potential for a lot more.

[raptor jesus]

**** Rabb, i hope he drops to the 2nd round. Im still mad at him for going back to college last year in a top8 heavy draft screwing us having the #9 pick.

I'd rather have Poeltl.

[ruckus]

In this day and age, how do kids get to the NCAA level with a wonky jumpshot? You would think somewhere along the line, someone would have helped you correct it somehow.

[ill-Will03]

I wouldn't be mad if Lydon was the pick. I actually like him over Leaf, I think hes a much better shooter since Leaf shot 40% but that was only on 2 attempts a game. Lydon already has range out to the three and is quicker laterally then Leaf. Lonzo also helped inflate Tjs number heavily and we all know we have no one that can distribute the ball the way Ball does lol. I think Lydon fits better with our system the way it is now.

[raptor jesus]

In this day and age, how do kids get to the NCAA level with a wonky jumpshot? You would think somewhere along the line, someone would have helped you correct it somehow.

Guys that have supreme athletic and physical gifts - and little else - can still dominate the college game. But yeah, I get what you're saying. My theory, or the one I subscribe to, is that youth level coaches in North America are by and large more concerned with winning games than developing players. When I catch teams practicing here locally it's almost always comprised entirely of learning plays and running lines when they screw up; and very little skill development.