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

[Psubs]

If JO'Neal does not work out with Bosh, Aldridge will not be better, as they all play around the same spot.

Jermaine Oneal was past his prime with us. Guy could hardly stay on the court. If you look at the numbers of Bosh and Aldridge it's eerily similar.

https://www.landofbasketball.com/player_comparison/lamarcus_aldridge_vs_chris_bosh.htm

They would have needed the right coach but 2 all star bigs in their prime? I'm sure they would have found a way to make it work.

Another if I remember correctly moment is that I seem to recall Bosh asking them to draft Aldridge, but collars thought he knew better than anyone else. This was before the small ball era had taken hold of the league too, so we would've had the only front court worthy of challenging the Gasol/Bynum Lakers.

With that said, we likely miss out on DeMar, we never trade for Kyle, our pick isn't low enough for Giannis, we never trade for Kawhi, etc etc etc...

PF Bosh - Aldridge - Tucker
C Aldridge - Rasho - Humprhies - Sow

Ya, that would be enough beef.

Draft Danny Green late in the 1st round instead of Demar.

[Indeed]

Jermaine Oneal was past his prime with us. Guy could hardly stay on the court. If you look at the numbers of Bosh and Aldridge it's eerily similar.

https://www.landofbasketball.com/player_comparison/lamarcus_aldridge_vs_chris_bosh.htm

They would have needed the right coach but 2 all star bigs in their prime? I'm sure they would have found a way to make it work.

Another if I remember correctly moment is that I seem to recall Bosh asking them to draft Aldridge, but collars thought he knew better than anyone else. This was before the small ball era had taken hold of the league too, so we would've had the only front court worthy of challenging the Gasol/Bynum Lakers.

With that said, we likely miss out on DeMar, we never trade for Kyle, our pick isn't low enough for Giannis, we never trade for Kawhi, etc etc etc...

PF Bosh - Aldridge - Tucker
C Aldridge - Rasho - Humprhies - Sow

Ya, that would be enough beef.

Draft Danny Green late in the 1st round instead of Demar.

I believe it was Bosh said that O'Neal did not work out with him (bottom of the quote):
https://www.nytimes.com/2009/02/14/sports/basketball/14dribble.html

Marion joins a Toronto team that has struggled to a 21-34 record and fired Coach Sam Mitchell earlier in the season. The pairing of the franchise cornerstone Chris Bosh and Jermaine O’Neal in the post never evolved into a potent tandem and the team is on periphery of the Eastern Conference playoff hunt. The Raptors landed O’Neal in a multiplayer trade with the Indiana Pacers last off-season.

“I would have liked to see it flourish a little more,” Bosh said Friday while meeting with news media in Phoenix. “I was hoping it was going to be a lot better. And I’m sure he was hoping the same thing. But it was very short, man. Not even a year.”

It might work out better with Aldridge, who knows, but it may still not enough, and Aldridge + DeRozan does not seem to be a playoffs team (particularly without prime Gay, see Spurs). I think it makes more sense to draft Gay to fill the SF with Bosh, but again, it is what it is.

[HeadtopChunes]

Read on Twitter

Cool little tidbit. Nnaji is one of the few big men targets i like.

Super mobile + good rebounder + good bet to shoot.

[youngWizzy]

Hey guys, I just added a new feature to my site that let's you compare two prospects side by side here: https://nbadraftcomp.herokuapp.com/compare

Probably one of the cooler tools I've added.

If you don't mind checking it out that'd be amazing!!!!

[Indeed]

Read on Twitter

Cool little tidbit. Nnaji is one of the few big men targets i like.

Super mobile + good rebounder + good bet to shoot.

I wouldn't mind, and I think he can be a good passer. The only thing that worries me is his short wingspan, which will limit him in shot blocking and defending longer C. But at our range, he is one of the best available, and may improve to Horford lite.

[LoveMyRaps]

Whatever happened to Nembhard? Sorry, havent been following NCAA but wasnt he Team Canada’s pg under Nurse, and he showed a lot of promise?

Declared for the draft, mostly testing waters. He should return for another season with the Gators without a doubt.
He had some strong games this season, but for the most part looked pretty bad. He played muuuuchhh better for Team Canada last summer which is why I had high hopes for him going into his soph year.

Whenever I watch him play, he reminds of McCaw in some ways and now I understand why Nurse is such a huge fan of him.
Pure speculation but ever since he declared for the draft, I've always thought there is a slight chance Raptors give him a promise & take a flier on him in the second round, whether it's with #58 or another second round pick that we acquire using McCaw?
Maybe he knows this and decided to declare for the draft? Again, pure speculation but don't be surprised if it happens. In such a weak draft anything goes.

Read on Twitter

“He’s obviously shown us a lot of talent, right?” said coach Nick Nurse. “He’s got a big athletic body. He’s kind of got this herky-jerky offensive game which is hard to guard. He can shake his guy and get into the paint. He’s a creator, which in this game is really important, because he can get in there and fire it out to people for shots, and it fits kind of the way we want to play.

“It’s good to get him some experience, it really was, because I think he’s certainly a guy who could be a future (star) for this team.”

Nembhard has enjoyed his six weeks playing for Nurse.

“Obviously, he knows a lot and is creative at what he is doing,” he said of the Toronto Raptors head coach. “It’s just great for me to experience something that I want to do later in my future (play in the NBA).”

[Psubs]

Read on Twitter

Cool little tidbit. Nnaji is one of the few big men targets i like.

Super mobile + good rebounder + good bet to shoot.

I wouldn't mind, and I think he can be a good passer. The only thing that worries me is his short wingspan, which will limit him in shot blocking and defending longer C. But at our range, he is one of the best available, and may improve to Horford lite.

Regular wingspan Bebe meets Boucher?

Watch on YouTube

Should be able to learn plays easily.

Still would prefer Jalen Smith over Zeke. Only 1 year older. Scores against contact better. Shoots the 3 better. Blocks more shots (2.4 blks and only 2.5 fouls per game). Also plays like a C able to dunk off 1 step more often.

[Psubs]

Whatever happened to Nembhard? Sorry, havent been following NCAA but wasnt he Team Canada’s pg under Nurse, and he showed a lot of promise?

Declared for the draft, mostly testing waters. He should return for another season with the Gators without a doubt.
He had some strong games this season, but for the most part looked pretty bad. He played muuuuchhh better for Team Canada last summer which is why I had high hopes for him going into his soph year.

Whenever I watch him play, he reminds of McCaw in some ways and now I understand why Nurse is such a huge fan of him.
Pure speculation but ever since he declared for the draft, I've always thought there is a slight chance Raptors give him a promise & take a flier on him in the second round, whether it's with #58 or another second round pick that we acquire using McCaw?
Maybe he knows this and decided to declare for the draft? Again, pure speculation but don't be surprised if it happens. In such a weak draft anything goes.

Read on Twitter

“He’s obviously shown us a lot of talent, right?” said coach Nick Nurse. “He’s got a big athletic body. He’s kind of got this herky-jerky offensive game which is hard to guard. He can shake his guy and get into the paint. He’s a creator, which in this game is really important, because he can get in there and fire it out to people for shots, and it fits kind of the way we want to play.

“It’s good to get him some experience, it really was, because I think he’s certainly a guy who could be a future (star) for this team.”

Nembhard has enjoyed his six weeks playing for Nurse.

“Obviously, he knows a lot and is creative at what he is doing,” he said of the Toronto Raptors head coach. “It’s just great for me to experience something that I want to do later in my future (play in the NBA).”

Interesting. Maybe promise to give him guaranteed 2 year minimum deal with team option 3rd to draft him at #58.

[LoveMyRaps]

Whatever happened to Nembhard? Sorry, havent been following NCAA but wasnt he Team Canada’s pg under Nurse, and he showed a lot of promise?

Declared for the draft, mostly testing waters. He should return for another season with the Gators without a doubt.
He had some strong games this season, but for the most part looked pretty bad. He played muuuuchhh better for Team Canada last summer which is why I had high hopes for him going into his soph year.

Whenever I watch him play, he reminds of McCaw in some ways and now I understand why Nurse is such a huge fan of him.
Pure speculation but ever since he declared for the draft, I've always thought there is a slight chance Raptors give him a promise & take a flier on him in the second round, whether it's with #58 or another second round pick that we acquire using McCaw?
Maybe he knows this and decided to declare for the draft? Again, pure speculation but don't be surprised if it happens. In such a weak draft anything goes.

Read on Twitter

“He’s obviously shown us a lot of talent, right?” said coach Nick Nurse. “He’s got a big athletic body. He’s kind of got this herky-jerky offensive game which is hard to guard. He can shake his guy and get into the paint. He’s a creator, which in this game is really important, because he can get in there and fire it out to people for shots, and it fits kind of the way we want to play.

“It’s good to get him some experience, it really was, because I think he’s certainly a guy who could be a future (star) for this team.”

Nembhard has enjoyed his six weeks playing for Nurse.

“Obviously, he knows a lot and is creative at what he is doing,” he said of the Toronto Raptors head coach. “It’s just great for me to experience something that I want to do later in my future (play in the NBA).”

Interesting. Maybe promise to give him guaranteed 2 year minimum deal with team option 3rd to draft him at #58.

Yeah that's what I had in mind.

Watch on YouTube

It's easy to understand why Nurse is a fan of his. He's a high IQ player with great size for the PG position. But he lacks explosiveness like some of the more highly touted point guard prospects. His game is more old school which involves slowing the game down and making the right reads. Similar to another prospect in our system, Tyler Ennis.
Nembhard's shooting needs work and same goes for his defensive consistency. The Raptors development team have been able to help Ennis improve his shooting significantly from his Syracuse days & so I'm sure the same can be done with Nembhard. (Their college shooting splits are actually pretty near identical).

Though again I'd prefer if he returned to the Gators for another season but if the Raptors take a gamble on him I have all the faith in the world that they'll do wonders with the kid. He just turned 20 a couple months back.

[Sir-Swish-A-Lot]

I wouldn't mind, and I think he can be a good passer. The only thing that worries me is his short wingspan, which will limit him in shot blocking and defending longer C. But at our range, he is one of the best available, and may improve to Horford lite.

Isaiah Stewart dominated him in their 3 match-ups this season. Especially in the Pac-12 conference tourney game. That being said he is a nice prospect and I wouldn't be mad if the Raptors selected him at #28...

Watch on YouTube

Watch on YouTube

[Raptorfan2012]

Declared for the draft, mostly testing waters. He should return for another season with the Gators without a doubt.
He had some strong games this season, but for the most part looked pretty bad. He played muuuuchhh better for Team Canada last summer which is why I had high hopes for him going into his soph year.

Whenever I watch him play, he reminds of McCaw in some ways and now I understand why Nurse is such a huge fan of him.
Pure speculation but ever since he declared for the draft, I've always thought there is a slight chance Raptors give him a promise & take a flier on him in the second round, whether it's with #58 or another second round pick that we acquire using McCaw?
Maybe he knows this and decided to declare for the draft? Again, pure speculation but don't be surprised if it happens. In such a weak draft anything goes.

Read on Twitter

Interesting. Maybe promise to give him guaranteed 2 year minimum deal with team option 3rd to draft him at #58.

Yeah that's what I had in mind.

Watch on YouTube

It's easy to understand why Nurse is a fan of his. He's a high IQ player with great size for the PG position. But he lacks explosiveness like some of the more highly touted point guard prospects. His game is more old school which involves slowing the game down and making the right reads. Similar to another prospect in our system, Tyler Ennis.
Nembhard's shooting needs work and same goes for his defensive consistency. The Raptors development team have been able to help Ennis improve his shooting significantly from his Syracuse days & so I'm sure the same can be done with Nembhard. (Their college shooting splits are actually pretty near identical).

Though again I'd prefer if he returned to the Gators for another season but if the Raptors take a gamble on him I have all the faith in the world that they'll do wonders with the kid. He just turned 20 a couple months back.

I can see this, or at least one of those Exhibit 10 or Two-Way contracts. Nothing like first hand experience that Nurse had with working with him. We definitely have a need to develop some back up pgs.

[Indeed]

I wouldn't mind, and I think he can be a good passer. The only thing that worries me is his short wingspan, which will limit him in shot blocking and defending longer C. But at our range, he is one of the best available, and may improve to Horford lite.

Isaiah Stewart dominated him in their 3 match-ups this season. Especially in the Pac-12 conference tourney game. That being said he is a nice prospect and I wouldn't be mad if the Raptors selected him at #28...

Not surprised Stewart being a NBA size ready would dominate, but Nnaji has a higher ceiling.
The biggest concern with Stewart is some of his advantage/strength being transferable to the NBA level, particularly using his size to get into his spot where it works out in college. Meanwhile, Nnaji would be a slightly higher ceiling with a bit more risk. At the end, both maybe a backup big, similar to Patterson and Poeltl, being a borderline starter / role player, I don't envision them being better than Ibaka.

[Psubs]

I wouldn't mind, and I think he can be a good passer. The only thing that worries me is his short wingspan, which will limit him in shot blocking and defending longer C. But at our range, he is one of the best available, and may improve to Horford lite.

Isaiah Stewart dominated him in their 3 match-ups this season. Especially in the Pac-12 conference tourney game. That being said he is a nice prospect and I wouldn't be mad if the Raptors selected him at #28...

Not surprised Stewart being a NBA size ready would dominate, but Nnaji has a higher ceiling.
The biggest concern with Stewart is some of his advantage/strength being transferable to the NBA level, particularly using his size to get into his spot where it works out in college. Meanwhile, Nnaji would be a slightly higher ceiling with a bit more risk. At the end, both maybe a backup big, similar to Patterson and Poeltl, being a borderline starter / role player, I don't envision them being better than Ibaka.

Okongwu would be closer to Ibaka, thus a top 10 pick. Stewart is like Biyombo with potential for a jumper.

[Indeed]

Isaiah Stewart dominated him in their 3 match-ups this season. Especially in the Pac-12 conference tourney game. That being said he is a nice prospect and I wouldn't be mad if the Raptors selected him at #28...

Not surprised Stewart being a NBA size ready would dominate, but Nnaji has a higher ceiling.
The biggest concern with Stewart is some of his advantage/strength being transferable to the NBA level, particularly using his size to get into his spot where it works out in college. Meanwhile, Nnaji would be a slightly higher ceiling with a bit more risk. At the end, both maybe a backup big, similar to Patterson and Poeltl, being a borderline starter / role player, I don't envision them being better than Ibaka.

Okongwu would be closer to Ibaka, thus a top 10 pick. Stewart is like Biyombo with potential for a jumper.

Sadly Biyombo was a top 10 pick as well. Stewart is not like Biyombo, Stewart does not have the vertical to be the shot block, perhaps closer to Patterson or Amir Johnson with a jump shot instead.

[GM89]

Hi everyone,

Long time lurker since 2010 and like most here got pretty obsessed reading about drafts after Bosh left us.

Anyway what does everyone think of Killian Tillie, some draft sites describe him as a lottery talent whose stock was derailed due to injuries. The Raptors medical staff did an amazing job helping OG and Fun Guy recover. Wonder if it's possible to do the same with Killian?

[Psubs]

Not surprised Stewart being a NBA size ready would dominate, but Nnaji has a higher ceiling.
The biggest concern with Stewart is some of his advantage/strength being transferable to the NBA level, particularly using his size to get into his spot where it works out in college. Meanwhile, Nnaji would be a slightly higher ceiling with a bit more risk. At the end, both maybe a backup big, similar to Patterson and Poeltl, being a borderline starter / role player, I don't envision them being better than Ibaka.

Okongwu would be closer to Ibaka, thus a top 10 pick. Stewart is like Biyombo with potential for a jumper.

Sadly Biyombo was a top 10 pick as well. Stewart is not like Biyombo, Stewart does not have the vertical to be the shot block, perhaps closer to Patterson or Amir Johnson with a jump shot instead.

Oh maybe Antonio Davis.

[Psubs]

Hi everyone,

Long time lurker since 2010 and like most here got pretty obsessed reading about drafts after Bosh left us.

Anyway what does everyone think of Killian Tillie, some draft sites describe him as a lottery talent whose stock was derailed due to injuries. The Raptors medical staff did an amazing job helping OG and Fun Guy recover. Wonder if it's possible to do the same with Killian?

He reminds me of Ryan Anderson. Can help a bad team become decent but not good enough defensively for a contender.

[Dalek]

I wouldn't mind, and I think he can be a good passer. The only thing that worries me is his short wingspan, which will limit him in shot blocking and defending longer C. But at our range, he is one of the best available, and may improve to Horford lite.

Isaiah Stewart dominated him in their 3 match-ups this season. Especially in the Pac-12 conference tourney game. That being said he is a nice prospect and I wouldn't be mad if the Raptors selected him at #28...

Not surprised Stewart being a NBA size ready would dominate, but Nnaji has a higher ceiling.
The biggest concern with Stewart is some of his advantage/strength being transferable to the NBA level, particularly using his size to get into his spot where it works out in college. Meanwhile, Nnaji would be a slightly higher ceiling with a bit more risk. At the end, both maybe a backup big, similar to Patterson and Poeltl, being a borderline starter / role player, I don't envision them being better than Ibaka.

This higher ceiling thing is where evaluators have to be careful because it ignores the intangibles at times. Nnaji has a lot of good skills, but he doesn't always run hard down the floor, and gets beaten to rebounds due to effort. I think he feels like more of a finesse big - just judging by how he finishes in traffic. Of all guys he reminds me Chris Bosh with his artistic temperament and niceness. Not sure that he translates well to the NBA.

Look at the video of Nnaji against Okongvu where there are quite a few issues with getting into better spots and being late to recover:

Watch on YouTube

[Dalek]

Stewart outplayed Okongwu in their previous match-up.

Watch on YouTube

[Indeed]

Isaiah Stewart dominated him in their 3 match-ups this season. Especially in the Pac-12 conference tourney game. That being said he is a nice prospect and I wouldn't be mad if the Raptors selected him at #28...

Not surprised Stewart being a NBA size ready would dominate, but Nnaji has a higher ceiling.
The biggest concern with Stewart is some of his advantage/strength being transferable to the NBA level, particularly using his size to get into his spot where it works out in college. Meanwhile, Nnaji would be a slightly higher ceiling with a bit more risk. At the end, both maybe a backup big, similar to Patterson and Poeltl, being a borderline starter / role player, I don't envision them being better than Ibaka.

This higher ceiling thing is where evaluators have to be careful because it ignores the intangibles at times. Nnaji has a lot of good skills, but he doesn't always run hard down the floor, and gets beaten to rebounds due to effort. I think he feels like more of a finesse big - just judging by how he finishes in traffic. Of all guys he reminds me Chris Bosh with his artistic temperament and niceness. Not sure that he translates well to the NBA.

Look at the video of Nnaji against Okongvu where there are quite a few issues with getting into better spots and being late to recover:

I agreed, and I mentioned a bit more risk because of that. Stewart is definitely the better player right now, it is up to the team who drafts them based on immediate need plus risk tolerance.

Meanwhile, I don't see how Steward outplayed Okongwu, they looked pretty even.