Raps 2020 Picks (Prospect Watch, Update: Vecenie Mock Released)

[casual_raps_fan]

Tyrell Terry is not that good. Take it from someone who watched a lot of Pac 12 basketball. CJ Elleby is a much better prospect than Tyrell Terry. PG Payton Pritchard (Oregon) is better than Tyrell Terry.

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I'd definitely be much happier with CJ Elleby over Tyrell Terry. Elleby's size gives him a path to a two way player.

Like fellow lefty SG/SF CJ Miles?

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Is that your comparison/projection for Elleby? Cj miles isn’t bad at all but that’s not really the type of player the raptors need. He doesn’t really move the needle for the raptors in anyway.

I would prefer to get a versatile defender to add to our defensive identity or a player who can be creative with the ball. Even a center prospect would probably be better.

[HeadtopChunes]

I don't see it with Elleby, his appeal at the next level would be primarily as a shooter and he did not shoot particularly well

He's taller than Terry but don't see any reason to buy his defense as above average. Terry shot better from everywhere on the field and had a higher creation load (USG%+AST%) on a superior offense w/ a superior handle and AST/TO ratio.

[Sir-Swish-A-Lot]

I don't see it with Elleby, his appeal at the next level would be primarily as a shooter and he did not shoot particularly well

He's taller than Terry but don't see any reason to buy his defense as above average. Terry shot better from everywhere on the field and had a higher creation load (USG%+AST%) on a superior offense w/ a superior handle and AST/TO ratio.

He was a volume shooter on a team that depended on his offense. He shot 82% on his fts throws as that indicates that he can improve on his shooting % with hard work. He scores well from all three levels. Catch and shoot and off of the dribble. Is able to create for others as well as create for himself. He is a clutch player. Has a high basketball IQ.

CJ (Cleveland HS) played in the same HS basketball league that Masai Ujiri (Nathan Hale HS Seattle) played in- Seattle's Metro League. One of the best HS basketball leagues on the west coast that has produced NBA players: Doug Christie, Nate Robinson, Brandon Roy, Jamal Crawford, Steve Hawes, Martell Webster, Jason Terry, Peyton Siva, Kevin Porter Jr, Michael Porter Jr, Dejounte Murray & Jaylen Nowell. Seattle hoopers are well know for their grit and grind.

His appeal at the next level would be an all round offense player who plays both ends of the court with tremendous upside. CJ is a gym rat whose dad Bill Elleby and uncle Carl Ervin are Seattle HS basketball legends.

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[Sir-Swish-A-Lot]

I'd definitely be much happier with CJ Elleby over Tyrell Terry. Elleby's size gives him a path to a two way player.

Like fellow lefty SG/SF CJ Miles?

Watch on YouTube

Is that your comparison/projection for Elleby? Cj miles isn’t bad at all but that’s not really the type of player the raptors need. He doesn’t really move the needle for the raptors in anyway.

I would prefer to get a versatile defender to add to our defensive identity or a player who can be creative with the ball. Even a center prospect would probably be better.

CJ Elleby is a very solid defender who is adapt at guarding smaller and bigger players. CJ led the Pac-12 in total steals and steals per game. Also, he is a decent shot blocker for his size and tough nosed defensive rebounder.

As mentioned above CJ is a very versatile all around offensive player able to create for others as well as himself on offense. He has a clutch gene, not afraid of taking the big shot. And crashes the offensive boards well. He has an underdog mentality as he has worked for everything, nothing has been given to him. CJ has a chip on his shoulder ever since Washington Husky basketball didn't sign him as a recruit out of HS. He's out to prove that he belongs- first in college, next in the NBA.

A good comparison for CJ Elleby is Klay Thompson. They both have a lot of similarities in their game on both ends of the court. Klay Thompson has been a sounding board for CJ during this draft process given that they both know each other from Washington State University. He is a perfect fit for this Raptors roster.

[HeadtopChunes]

I don't see it with Elleby, his appeal at the next level would be primarily as a shooter and he did not shoot particularly well

He's taller than Terry but don't see any reason to buy his defense as above average. Terry shot better from everywhere on the field and had a higher creation load (USG%+AST%) on a superior offense w/ a superior handle and AST/TO ratio.

He was a volume shooter on a team that depended on his offense. He shot 82% on his fts throws as that indicates that he can improve on his shooting % with hard work. He scores well from all three levels. Catch and shoot and off of the dribble. Is able to create for others as well as create for himself. He is a clutch player. Has a high basketball IQ.

His appeal at the next level would be an all round offense player who plays both ends of the court with tremendous upside. CJ is a gym rat whose dad Bill Elleby and uncle Carl Ervin are Seattle HS basketball legends.

Yeah sorry, I don't see any of that. He's not a good 3 level scorer in college. He shot below average at the rim both seasons, mediocre on 2pt jumpers and while yes he is a volume 3pt shooter which is his main selling point there are others who do that on the same or better volume. Fairly good decision-maker for a wing i guess but he's not a primary or secondary playmaker. He's a good defender in college and should be fine in the NBA but again don't see anything elite here.

I just don't see his other skills translating and if he's a 3pt shooter who needs to improve his shooting what's the point? I'm just not buying his stock.

Maybe, someone, you pick up undrafted if you really love the intangibles but I wouldn't draft this guy.

[Sir-Swish-A-Lot]

I don't see it with Elleby, his appeal at the next level would be primarily as a shooter and he did not shoot particularly well

He's taller than Terry but don't see any reason to buy his defense as above average. Terry shot better from everywhere on the field and had a higher creation load (USG%+AST%) on a superior offense w/ a superior handle and AST/TO ratio.

He was a volume shooter on a team that depended on his offense. He shot 82% on his fts throws as that indicates that he can improve on his shooting % with hard work. He scores well from all three levels. Catch and shoot and off of the dribble. Is able to create for others as well as create for himself. He is a clutch player. Has a high basketball IQ.

His appeal at the next level would be an all round offense player who plays both ends of the court with tremendous upside. CJ is a gym rat whose dad Bill Elleby and uncle Carl Ervin are Seattle HS basketball legends.

Yeah sorry, I don't see any of that. He's not a good 3 level scorer in college. He shot below average at the rim both seasons, mediocre on 2pt jumpers and while yes he is a volume 3pt shooter which is his main selling point there are others who do that on the same or better volume. Fairly good decision-maker for a wing i guess but he's not a primary or secondary playmaker. He's a good defender in college and should be fine in the NBA but again don't see anything elite here.

I just don't see his other skills translating and if he's a 3pt shooter who needs to improve his shooting what's the point? I'm just not buying his stock.

Maybe, someone, you pick up undrafted if you really love the intangibles but I wouldn't draft this guy.

How much have you watched CJ play in college? I saw all of his games for the past 2 seasons plus followed him in HS.

CJ can stroke it from deep. Has an excellent mid-range game. Can get to the basket off of the dribble and play above the rim.

CJ doesn't need to improve his shooting as he won't be taking that many shots in the NBA. His shooting form is perfect.

Earl Watson (UCLA/NBA/ex NBA coach) has called CJ potentially the steal of the draft...he won't go undrafted.

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[Psubs]

Like fellow lefty SG/SF CJ Miles?

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Is that your comparison/projection for Elleby? Cj miles isn’t bad at all but that’s not really the type of player the raptors need. He doesn’t really move the needle for the raptors in anyway.

I would prefer to get a versatile defender to add to our defensive identity or a player who can be creative with the ball. Even a center prospect would probably be better.

CJ Elleby is a very solid defender who is adapt at guarding smaller and bigger players. CJ led the Pac-12 in total steals and steals per game. Also, he is a decent shot blocker for his size and tough nosed defensive rebounder.

As mentioned above CJ is a very versatile all around offensive player able to create for others as well as himself on offense. He has a clutch gene, not afraid of taking the big shot. And crashes the offensive boards well. He has an underdog mentality as he has worked for everything, nothing has been given to him. CJ has a chip on his shoulder ever since Washington Husky basketball didn't sign him as a recruit out of HS. He's out to prove that he belongs- first in college, next in the NBA.

A good comparison for CJ Elleby is Klay Thompson. They both have a lot of similarities in their game on both ends of the court. Klay Thompson has been a sounding board for CJ during this draft process given that they both know each other from Washington State University. He is a perfect fit for this Raptors roster.

Is he more like Josh Childress, besides the hair.

https://www.sports-reference.com/cbb/players/josh-childress-1.html

[HeadtopChunes]

He was a volume shooter on a team that depended on his offense. He shot 82% on his fts throws as that indicates that he can improve on his shooting % with hard work. He scores well from all three levels. Catch and shoot and off of the dribble. Is able to create for others as well as create for himself. He is a clutch player. Has a high basketball IQ.

His appeal at the next level would be an all round offense player who plays both ends of the court with tremendous upside. CJ is a gym rat whose dad Bill Elleby and uncle Carl Ervin are Seattle HS basketball legends.

Yeah sorry, I don't see any of that. He's not a good 3 level scorer in college. He shot below average at the rim both seasons, mediocre on 2pt jumpers and while yes he is a volume 3pt shooter which is his main selling point there are others who do that on the same or better volume. Fairly good decision-maker for a wing i guess but he's not a primary or secondary playmaker. He's a good defender in college and should be fine in the NBA but again don't see anything elite here.

I just don't see his other skills translating and if he's a 3pt shooter who needs to improve his shooting what's the point? I'm just not buying his stock.

Maybe, someone, you pick up undrafted if you really love the intangibles but I wouldn't draft this guy.

How much have you watched CJ play in college? I saw all of his games for the past 2 seasons plus followed him in HS.



Earl Watson (UCLA/NBA/ex NBA coach) has called CJ potentially the steal of the draft...he won't go undrafted.

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Sounds to me like you are personally attached, not that there's anything wrong with that but it usually doesn't lead to objective analysis. I have not watched CJ as much as you but unless you have spent an equal amount of time watching a bunch of other prospects i don't think it really matters.

CJ can stroke it from deep. Has an excellent mid-range game. Can get to the basket off of the dribble and play above the rim.

CJ doesn't need to improve his shooting as he won't be taking that many shots in the NBA. His shooting form is perfect.

I am not saying he can't do these things, but what I am saying is that I don't think he can do them at an NBA level. Especially since he did not do any of those things at a high level in the SEC. Namely finishing at the rim or shooting midrange jumpers.

Players that do everything but don't have an elite skill usually end up in the G League. Elleby is probably better than a 33% 3pt shooter, but I don't see an elite NBA shooter and i don't have the same confidence in the rest of his game that you do. Hence, I wouldn't draft him.

[Psubs]

I am not saying he can't do these things, but what I am saying is that I don't think he can do them at an NBA level. Especially since he did not do any of those things at a high level in the SEC. Namely finishing at the rim or shooting midrange jumpers.

Players that do everything but don't have an elite skill usually end up in the G League. Elleby is probably better than a 33% 3pt shooter, but I don't see an elite NBA shooter and i don't have the same confidence in the rest of his game that you do. Hence, I wouldn't draft him.

Agreed. Elleby could be a solid rotation player but he probably tops out at Mo Pete. I'd prefer a big if not gambling. Luka Garza is a big that has NBA range. Not a great shotblocker but we have Ibaka and Boucher.

[Indeed]

Riller does look solid, but one thing that would give me pause on him is his assist/turnover ratio. It’s pretty close to 1:1 over his career which is not great for a lead guard.
If we go with a forward I like Tyler Bey and Pat Williams. Bey seems like Oshae Brisset with a longer wingspan and more offensive game at this stage. That type of player is in our rotation right away imo. Pat Williams is obviously raw but there’s a ton of upside there, and I’m sure our staff would love to be able to shape his game.

From our draft history under Ujiri/Webster, it seems we are often drafting for bigs. The only exception was Delon Wright. May argue about Ross, but I feel it was drafted for Casey.

[Yeezus_]

Riller does look solid, but one thing that would give me pause on him is his assist/turnover ratio. It’s pretty close to 1:1 over his career which is not great for a lead guard.
If we go with a forward I like Tyler Bey and Pat Williams. Bey seems like Oshae Brisset with a longer wingspan and more offensive game at this stage. That type of player is in our rotation right away imo. Pat Williams is obviously raw but there’s a ton of upside there, and I’m sure our staff would love to be able to shape his game.

From our draft history under Ujiri/Webster, it seems we are often drafting for bigs. The only exception was Delon Wright. May argue about Ross, but I feel it was drafted for Casey.

Ross was a BC pick I believe.

[Syd-TK3]

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He's Canadian so I know we gonna talk about him at some point. But he don't look that bad.
Tall point guards who can actually shoot aren't very common, usually their appeal is because of their defence and passing due to their height

[HeadtopChunes]

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He's Canadian so I know we gonna talk about him at some point. But he don't look that bad.
Tall point guards who can actually shoot aren't very common, usually their appeal is because of their defence and passing due to their height

I Don’t know much about High School guys but Karim looks like an interesting athlete. Interested to look into him

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[Mark_83]

I don't see it with Elleby, his appeal at the next level would be primarily as a shooter and he did not shoot particularly well

He's taller than Terry but don't see any reason to buy his defense as above average. Terry shot better from everywhere on the field and had a higher creation load (USG%+AST%) on a superior offense w/ a superior handle and AST/TO ratio.

He was a volume shooter on a team that depended on his offense. He shot 82% on his fts throws as that indicates that he can improve on his shooting % with hard work. He scores well from all three levels. Catch and shoot and off of the dribble. Is able to create for others as well as create for himself. He is a clutch player. Has a high basketball IQ.

Demar Derozan is a career 82% ft shooter in the NBA, and one of the hardest workers in the league. His highest ever 3pt% was 33.8%. It's not that simple.

[Syd-TK3]

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He's Canadian so I know we gonna talk about him at some point. But he don't look that bad.
Tall point guards who can actually shoot aren't very common, usually their appeal is because of their defence and passing due to their height

I Don’t know much about High School guys but Karim looks like an interesting athlete. Interested to look into him

Read on Twitter

Watch on YouTube

Considering the interest masai had in delon and shai it's not hard to believe he could grab his attention too. He doesn't have much competition to base his skill off of only playing in highschool and the under19 but the talent is definitely there.

Our 2nd rounder might be to late to be an option though

[rapsdotcom]

Mane is looking for a guarantee to keep his name in, I’d be fine giving him that at 28.

[HeadtopChunes]

hmmm interesting

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[Karanpal]

I wouldn't take mane with the 28th pick. Hasn't proven anything and u19 competition is not a good gage. But I would consider him at 58 he has athletic tools that I believe we can develop in the gleague. I hope the raptors actually start using the gleague to develop talent like mane whos young and needs about 2-3 years on the gleague. I know we use the gleague very well to develop older talent but I'm talking about young talent like this. I also like biram Faye I watched him in the u19 and he looked good way better then Amar sylla. Another guy I would try to develop on the gleague of he come out

[HeadtopChunes]

I wouldn't take mane with the 28th pick. Hasn't proven anything and u19 competition is not a good gage. But I would consider him at 58 he has athletic tools that I believe we can develop in the gleague. I hope the raptors actually start using the gleague to develop talent like mane whos young and needs about 2-3 years on the gleague. I know we use the gleague very well to develop older talent but I'm talking about young talent like this. I also like biram Faye I watched him in the u19 and he looked good way better then Amar sylla. Another guy I would try to develop on the gleague of he come out

yeah after some light research he doesn't seem the type to get a first-round promise, I don't think he will stay in the draft.

Blake Murphy reported he was invited to the new NBA Gleague select team, so that could also be an option for him if he doesn't wanna go to college.

[Indeed]

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He's Canadian so I know we gonna talk about him at some point. But he don't look that bad.
Tall point guards who can actually shoot aren't very common, usually their appeal is because of their defence and passing due to their height

I Don’t know much about High School guys but Karim looks like an interesting athlete. Interested to look into him

Read on Twitter

Watch on YouTube

Considering the interest masai had in delon and shai it's not hard to believe he could grab his attention too. He doesn't have much competition to base his skill off of only playing in highschool and the under19 but the talent is definitely there.

Our 2nd rounder might be to late to be an option though

Oladiplo comparison, I think taking him at the late 1st wouldn't be a bad thing, particularly it seems he can play PG.