The Raptors and the 2014 Draft

[blackjitsu]

Yes he was forced into a scoring row but how did that team U19 do last summer? I agree I'm worried about his D on the next level too. I just can't shake Jose Calderon when I see him play and that's not a bad thing. That's a starting PG in the league.


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At the 20th pick I wouldn't be disappointed with a Canadian Jose Calderon.

Would you rather go after the potential of a player like Capela if both were available?
He's a huge gamble, but the upside is pretty tempting.

[Chr1s1anL]

At the 20th pick I wouldn't be disappointed with a Canadian Jose Calderon.

Would you rather go after the potential of a player like Capela if both were available?
He's a huge gamble, but the upside is pretty tempting.

I don't mind that at all either. It's not that I would t want Ennis. I just don't want ppl thinking this is the next Steve Nash.


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[Chr1s1anL]

Stokes, is that you? lol :P Everyone has a favourite guy in the draft

On That note here's some more Jarnell Stokes porn



Q+A: Jarnell Stokes
The Memphis native understands the true meaning of Grit and Grind.

June 19, 20140 CommentsBy Brendan Bowers



Jarnell Stokes averaged 15.1 points and 10.6 rebounds for the Tennessee Volunteers last season. On January 18, he grabbed 15 boards to go along with 20 points in a matchup with future lottery pick Julius Randle and the Kentucky Wildcats. He also went for 20 points and 11 rebounds against the Final Four-bound Florida Gators in February. Despite recording 19 double-doubles during the regular season, Stokes wouldn’t capture college basketball’s collective attention until the NCAA Tournament.

While beasting his way to a statistical line of 18 points and 12.8 rebounds during four Tournament games, Stokes led the 11-seeded Volunteers all the way to the Sweet 16. NBA executives and basketball fans alike couldn’t help but take notice. The physical toughness that Stokes brings to the floor—combined with relentless effort around the basket—has helped project the big man from Memphis into the late first round of this year’s Draft.

A mock draft at CBS Sports has Stokes coming off the board to the NBA Champion San Antonio Spurs with the 30th overall pick. There’s also been plenty of talk linking Stokes with his hometown Grizzlies at pick No. 22.

By June 26, the punishing 6-8 power forward will have worked out for many of the teams drafting in the mid-to-late first round. He’s already met with the Miami Heat, Phoenix Suns, Utah Jazz, Chicago Bulls, Houston Rockets, Memphis Grizzlies and Toronto Raptors. He will also be working out for the Oklahoma City Thunder, San Antonio Spurs and Los Angeles Clippers later this week.

SLAM caught up with Stokes recently to talk about the pre-Draft process, growing up in Memphis and making the transition to the NBA.

SLAM: Last week, one of your workouts was with the Memphis Grizzlies—a team you grew up watching that also has the 22nd overall pick. What was that experience like?

Jarnell Stokes: It means a lot to be able to work out with the Memphis Grizzlies. My junior and senior year in high school, I was a season-ticket holder in the nosebleed section. I was watching these games, and I was trying to watch every single thing that Zach Randolph and those guys would do. I was just watching the game trying to see what every player was doing on the floor and even during timeouts. I was somewhat envisioning myself being there one day. So working out there last week, it was crazy to realize the time has arrived.

SLAM: You play a physical, tough style of basketball. How much did growing up in the Whitehaven area of Memphis with a father who has a military background impact that approach to your game?

JS: I did grow up in the hood. But my parents were very strict on me and they somewhat sheltered me away from the bad environment that I grew up in. Like you said, I have a Dad who was in the military for a while, so he was very strict on me growing up. He had 5 a.m. wakeup calls. He was at my games as the loudest one there and he was always making sure that I was on top of everything I needed to be in order to be successful. So it doesn’t matter where you come from. Obviously, I come from a bad part of Memphis. But I came out OK. I was tough, and it somewhat gave me a tough exterior as far as my personality on the floor, the way I carry myself and the way I approach the game. I credit that to my Dad. When guys are comparing me to someone like a David West during this draft process, that’s a huge compliment to me in terms of toughness and I think it reflects how I was raised.

SLAM: Many analysts consider you the best overall rebounder in this year’s draft class. When it comes to rebounding the basketball, what is your mindset?

JS: I played defensive end all my life. So that definitely helps with rebounding. I almost have the same mentality as a defensive end has in getting to the quarterback. That’s how I try to attack the glass. I was in a meeting with a team recently and they asked me, “What do you enjoy most about the game?” And honestly, what excites me the most is demoralizing a team by allowing my team to have numerous possessions. I love to extend possessions for my team with offensive rebounds. Getting those rebounds when the shot clock is going down, you can see it on the other team’s face. That feels good. I really enjoy being able to extend possessions for my team.

SLAM: You graduated from Southwind High School with honors. You’ve earned the reputation of being a great teammate and a first-class citizen at Tennessee. Do you think your maturity and professionalism will help give you an edge next season in the NBA?

JS: Yes, I think it will. I think I’ve done a great job of keeping my head on straight. Growing up in Memphis, there’s not much to do but there’s a lot that will get you in trouble. I’ve been raised the right way, and I give all that credit to my parents. In college, and now, I don’t do much. I play chess, I play video games and I rest up for my next workout. I eat, sleep and drink basketball. That’s all I do.

SLAM: What have teams told you that they like about your game and the work you put in at Tennessee during your time there?

JS: Teams have told me that they like my toughness. They like my ability to defend guys on the interior. They also have said that they like my ability to use my strength on the defensive end and in terms of my rebounding. I did those things in college. I think I’m the best rebounder in the Draft. And that run to the Sweet 16 sort of stapled the season I had during my junior year. I feel like I had a great season and I’m proud of what we accomplished as a team.

SLAM: You mentioned watching Zach Randolph growing up. Who are some other guys in the NBA that you watch and pattern aspects of your own game after?

JS: I admire the hard workers. Guys like Paul Millsap, who came into the League as a rebounder and then people saw he could expand his game. Next thing you know he is able to become an All-Star. He worked hard and expanded his game over the years, which is something I plan on doing in the League. I also look at guys like Trevor Booker—guys who do the dirty work for his team and play hard. Every possession he gives everything he has and that’s something I plan to bring to a team.

SLAM: You primarily played with your back to the basket on the interior in college. What aspects of your game have you been able to show teams that they might not have necessarily seen over the last couple seasons?

JS: I’ve been able to show that I’m much more explosive than people thought I was in college. In high school, I was more of a perimeter, face-up forward type of player. In college, my coach told me the team needed me to be a beast. He needed me to operate around the basket and rebound, so those were things I focused on in order for our team to win basketball games. During my workouts, I’m able to showcase a lot more of my game. In college, I didn’t show as much explosiveness because I used more lateral leverage. I’m more concentrated on going into guys as opposed to over guys, but the explosiveness is still there.

SLAM: You’re one-on-one with a GM or team president. What is your message, what type of player would they be getting by drafting Jarnell Stokes on June 26?

JS: When teams have asked me that question, I keep my answer simple. They’ll be drafting a tough, rebounding machine that is not a liability on offense. Teams will get a tough guy who can rebound and a guy who has a lot more skills than people expect. They’ll also get a good defender—someone who will defend his butt off in the post.


http://www.slamonline.com/nba/jarnel...a-slam-online/


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[mcHAPPY]

Here are the high ends of a couple of revised mocks:

Draftexpress:
CLE Wiggins
MIL Parker
PHI Exum
ORL Embiid
UTH Vonleh
BOS Smart
LAL Randle

Nbadraft.net:
CLE Wiggins
MIL Parker
PHI Embiid
ORL Smart
UTH Vonleh
BOS Exum
LAL Randle

DX still has us taking Ennis, NBD has us taking Napier.

All this chaos is opportunity. I hope the silence out of our FO is the calm before the storm, but I suspect not.

Ujiri acts in a cloak of secrecy.

There were never any leaks on Toronto's end on Melo.
You didn't hear about Denver in the AI-Bynum-Howard deal until the last minute.

But I hope something happens on draft night.

[mcHAPPY]

I don't mind that at all either. It's not that I would t want Ennis. I just don't want ppl thinking this is the next Steve Nash.


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Pfffffft no way.

If anything he is the next Rondo... or maybe Paul.... or Stockton! Yeah! Stockton!

[white men can't jump]

Tyler is that you? Relax man were allowed to disagree. On that note I'll continue to disagree. To say that Ennis is more athletic than Jose Calderon at 19 is a bit of a stretch. Had a hard time beating player in the NCAA of the dibble. That's not going to get easier in the NBA. Btw I never said he wasn't a good player. Obviously if your going to be a 1st round pick your a good player. I just don't think he'll ever be an All-Star.


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You were talking about how other guys are moving ahead of him in workouts. I'm basically just arguing that it's fully likely he turns out to be the 3rd best PG in the draft, which is what he's been considered since, like, January. And that all the smoke being blown regarding workouts shouldn't really impact that. And given the skills he has as a PG (proper), he actually has a chance to be the best PG in this draft.

If you can get that at 20, that's a huge steal.

[Miekenstien]

Here are the high ends of a couple of revised mocks:

Draftexpress:
CLE Wiggins
MIL Parker
PHI Exum
ORL Embiid
UTH Vonleh
BOS Smart
LAL Randle

Nbadraft.net:
CLE Wiggins
MIL Parker
PHI Embiid
ORL Smart
UTH Vonleh
BOS Exum
LAL Randle

DX still has us taking Ennis, NBD has us taking Napier.

All this chaos is opportunity. I hope the silence out of our FO is the calm before the storm, but I suspect not.

i don't want napier at all. the only thing i like about him is that his name can kind of be used to ask people if they ever danced with the devil under the pale moon light.

[Demographic Shift]

Do anything and everything to help the Bulls!

I think the Bulls draft Euro's and stash them. Can't think they would conduct a charity auction for the 16th and 19th.

[TrossTheBOSS]

Maybe embiid should withdraw from the draft and play in college another year he will go #1 for sure in 2015

[JordanMariam14]

I want Elfrid Payton, he's really good man, he's gonna be a exceptional player, I'd pick him over hometown favourite Tyler Ennis.

Dude's got potential.

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[stooley]

Maybe embiid should withdraw from the draft and play in college another year he will go #1 for sure in 2015

I think at this point you gotta go into the draft in case you catch the injury bug bad, then at least you've made a few mill before you're done.

[Demographic Shift]

Here are the high ends of a couple of revised mocks:

Draftexpress:
CLE Wiggins
MIL Parker
PHI Exum
ORL Embiid
UTH Vonleh
BOS Smart
LAL Randle

Nbadraft.net:
CLE Wiggins
MIL Parker
PHI Embiid
ORL Smart
UTH Vonleh
BOS Exum
LAL Randle

DX still has us taking Ennis, NBD has us taking Napier.

All this chaos is opportunity. I hope the silence out of our FO is the calm before the storm, but I suspect not.

The memory of Greg Oden will really hurt Embiid. Thats two skeletal type injuries inside of a year. There is enough time and enough nothingness going on that the NY media boys will beat this to death on his durability etc. that he may fall to 6 or 7. He won't get past the Lakers at 7. Other than Embiid the big loser here is Philly.

The fun part will be that it opens the door for Cleveland to do something really stupid.

[saints91]

Embiid can't go back to college. Once a player hires an agent he can't go back.

[saints91]

If Cleveland is not high on wiggins, I would take the reported Philli trade offer of Thad young and the 3rd for #1. Draft Embiid or Parker at #3.

[grindhouse]

On That note here's some more Jarnell Stokes porn



Q+A: Jarnell Stokes
The Memphis native understands the true meaning of Grit and Grind.

June 19, 20140 CommentsBy Brendan Bowers



Jarnell Stokes averaged 15.1 points and 10.6 rebounds for the Tennessee Volunteers last season. On January 18, he grabbed 15 boards to go along with 20 points in a matchup with future lottery pick Julius Randle and the Kentucky Wildcats. He also went for 20 points and 11 rebounds against the Final Four-bound Florida Gators in February. Despite recording 19 double-doubles during the regular season, Stokes wouldn’t capture college basketball’s collective attention until the NCAA Tournament.

While beasting his way to a statistical line of 18 points and 12.8 rebounds during four Tournament games, Stokes led the 11-seeded Volunteers all the way to the Sweet 16. NBA executives and basketball fans alike couldn’t help but take notice. The physical toughness that Stokes brings to the floor—combined with relentless effort around the basket—has helped project the big man from Memphis into the late first round of this year’s Draft.

A mock draft at CBS Sports has Stokes coming off the board to the NBA Champion San Antonio Spurs with the 30th overall pick. There’s also been plenty of talk linking Stokes with his hometown Grizzlies at pick No. 22.

By June 26, the punishing 6-8 power forward will have worked out for many of the teams drafting in the mid-to-late first round. He’s already met with the Miami Heat, Phoenix Suns, Utah Jazz, Chicago Bulls, Houston Rockets, Memphis Grizzlies and Toronto Raptors. He will also be working out for the Oklahoma City Thunder, San Antonio Spurs and Los Angeles Clippers later this week.

SLAM caught up with Stokes recently to talk about the pre-Draft process, growing up in Memphis and making the transition to the NBA.

SLAM: Last week, one of your workouts was with the Memphis Grizzlies—a team you grew up watching that also has the 22nd overall pick. What was that experience like?

Jarnell Stokes: It means a lot to be able to work out with the Memphis Grizzlies. My junior and senior year in high school, I was a season-ticket holder in the nosebleed section. I was watching these games, and I was trying to watch every single thing that Zach Randolph and those guys would do. I was just watching the game trying to see what every player was doing on the floor and even during timeouts. I was somewhat envisioning myself being there one day. So working out there last week, it was crazy to realize the time has arrived.

SLAM: You play a physical, tough style of basketball. How much did growing up in the Whitehaven area of Memphis with a father who has a military background impact that approach to your game?

JS: I did grow up in the hood. But my parents were very strict on me and they somewhat sheltered me away from the bad environment that I grew up in. Like you said, I have a Dad who was in the military for a while, so he was very strict on me growing up. He had 5 a.m. wakeup calls. He was at my games as the loudest one there and he was always making sure that I was on top of everything I needed to be in order to be successful. So it doesn’t matter where you come from. Obviously, I come from a bad part of Memphis. But I came out OK. I was tough, and it somewhat gave me a tough exterior as far as my personality on the floor, the way I carry myself and the way I approach the game. I credit that to my Dad. When guys are comparing me to someone like a David West during this draft process, that’s a huge compliment to me in terms of toughness and I think it reflects how I was raised.

SLAM: Many analysts consider you the best overall rebounder in this year’s draft class. When it comes to rebounding the basketball, what is your mindset?

JS: I played defensive end all my life. So that definitely helps with rebounding. I almost have the same mentality as a defensive end has in getting to the quarterback. That’s how I try to attack the glass. I was in a meeting with a team recently and they asked me, “What do you enjoy most about the game?” And honestly, what excites me the most is demoralizing a team by allowing my team to have numerous possessions. I love to extend possessions for my team with offensive rebounds. Getting those rebounds when the shot clock is going down, you can see it on the other team’s face. That feels good. I really enjoy being able to extend possessions for my team.

SLAM: You graduated from Southwind High School with honors. You’ve earned the reputation of being a great teammate and a first-class citizen at Tennessee. Do you think your maturity and professionalism will help give you an edge next season in the NBA?

JS: Yes, I think it will. I think I’ve done a great job of keeping my head on straight. Growing up in Memphis, there’s not much to do but there’s a lot that will get you in trouble. I’ve been raised the right way, and I give all that credit to my parents. In college, and now, I don’t do much. I play chess, I play video games and I rest up for my next workout. I eat, sleep and drink basketball. That’s all I do.

SLAM: What have teams told you that they like about your game and the work you put in at Tennessee during your time there?

JS: Teams have told me that they like my toughness. They like my ability to defend guys on the interior. They also have said that they like my ability to use my strength on the defensive end and in terms of my rebounding. I did those things in college. I think I’m the best rebounder in the Draft. And that run to the Sweet 16 sort of stapled the season I had during my junior year. I feel like I had a great season and I’m proud of what we accomplished as a team.

SLAM: You mentioned watching Zach Randolph growing up. Who are some other guys in the NBA that you watch and pattern aspects of your own game after?

JS: I admire the hard workers. Guys like Paul Millsap, who came into the League as a rebounder and then people saw he could expand his game. Next thing you know he is able to become an All-Star. He worked hard and expanded his game over the years, which is something I plan on doing in the League. I also look at guys like Trevor Booker—guys who do the dirty work for his team and play hard. Every possession he gives everything he has and that’s something I plan to bring to a team.

SLAM: You primarily played with your back to the basket on the interior in college. What aspects of your game have you been able to show teams that they might not have necessarily seen over the last couple seasons?

JS: I’ve been able to show that I’m much more explosive than people thought I was in college. In high school, I was more of a perimeter, face-up forward type of player. In college, my coach told me the team needed me to be a beast. He needed me to operate around the basket and rebound, so those were things I focused on in order for our team to win basketball games. During my workouts, I’m able to showcase a lot more of my game. In college, I didn’t show as much explosiveness because I used more lateral leverage. I’m more concentrated on going into guys as opposed to over guys, but the explosiveness is still there.

SLAM: You’re one-on-one with a GM or team president. What is your message, what type of player would they be getting by drafting Jarnell Stokes on June 26?

JS: When teams have asked me that question, I keep my answer simple. They’ll be drafting a tough, rebounding machine that is not a liability on offense. Teams will get a tough guy who can rebound and a guy who has a lot more skills than people expect. They’ll also get a good defender—someone who will defend his butt off in the post.


http://www.slamonline.com/nba/jarnel...a-slam-online/


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dont get me wrong i think stokes is solid and will have a career like brand but is he the right pieces to bring us a championship ?cause at the end of the day that is the question. if we are thinking building a team like malone osatertag then maybe....?!?