2011 Raptors NBA Draft Prediction...

[Father rev]

Less than 48 hrs to go...

(1) Which Player would you like to be drafted to the Toronto Raptors ?
(2) Which player do you feel the Raptors will take depending on their draft position ?

(1) I would love to see Brandon Knight or Kemba Walker be drafted
(2) However I believe Jan Vesely will be their choice

[jd4]

In an ideal world, would love to see them move up to the #2 pick and take Williams or Irving. That's not likely to happen so I'd like to see them go after Kemba Walker at the #5 pick. I'm not sold on Knight as a PG nor any other player. I think Kemba has a chance to be real good. What I do think will happen is that BC will take the most NBA ready player. He has 2 years to turn this club around. I doubt he goes after a project that make take 2-3 years to start making an impact. He's been pretty good with his draft choices so I hope he picks a player that does well with the Raptors.

[bballnut27]

Sorry to be rude, but there are already lots of draft threads that have lots of pages.
Generally threads like this just keep going back and forth with the same arguements
If you want peoples opinions look in the other threads first

[dballa21]

1- Kemba Walker period.
2- I believe the raptors might take Knight over him if he is available, but will draft one of the two.

[CalgaryRapsFan]

Assuming the Raps pick #5...

1) I'd like them to take Kanter if he's available. Otherwise, I would be happy with any of Walker/Knight/Leonard

2) I think they'll take Kanter/Walker.


However, if they are unable to move up to #2, I think they might move down a few spots to try and still get Walker/Leonard, while picking up an asset in the process.

[ceez]

1. Trade pick for Tony Parker apparently

2. Not trade pick for Tony Parker

[Raps4Ever]

I dont Raps will pick at 5 and trade down to get Val.

[Father rev]

• The Raptors' hiring of Dwane Casey might affect their draft plans. Casey is a defensive specialist, and when he looks at the Raptors' roster, there isn't much to like on that front. GM Bryan Colangelo has built an offensive juggernaut, but defensively, the Raptors are pretty terrible. That might explain why the team is zeroing in on three excellent defenders -- Brandon Knight, Biyombo and Kawhi Leonard -- at No. 5. I've had Jan Vesely going here for weeks, and others have been pushing for Kemba Walker here, but it sounds like neither player is atop the Raptors' board right now.

[Macc]

(1) Brandon Knight - followed him since he was in high school, this kid is an all-star. He's clutch on both offense and defense. Nice size, strong, capable defender, great shooter, can lead a team.

(2) Kawhi Leonard - With Casey in, the question mark of Calderon, and Knight presumably off the board, I don't see them taking Walker. Not as good a defender as Knight and since I see them trying to form a defensive philosophy this seems like the pick to make IF Knight is off the board. And yes, I take Leonard and Knight over Kanter.

[charlesnba23]

1:Kawhi Leonard
2:Kawhi Leonard


*If we can get Kanter, get him.

[enlightenment]

• The Raptors' hiring of Dwane Casey might affect their draft plans. Casey is a defensive specialist, and when he looks at the Raptors' roster, there isn't much to like on that front. GM Bryan Colangelo has built an offensive juggernaut, but defensively, the Raptors are pretty terrible. That might explain why the team is zeroing in on three excellent defenders -- Brandon Knight, Biyombo and Kawhi Leonard -- at No. 5. I've had Jan Vesely going here for weeks, and others have been pushing for Kemba Walker here, but it sounds like neither player is atop the Raptors' board right now.

sorry... was i watching a different toronto raptors?

[jlongs]

sorry... was i watching a different toronto raptors?

Exactly. So many people are under the illusion that the Raptors are a great offensive team. That was a few years ago guys, when Bosh was still here. I wouldn't even call them good anymore, just okay. The efficient offensive players (ie. Amir) do not score enough points to really matter in a team perspective. The guys who shoot/score the most, Bargs, DD, and LB, are hardly efficient scorers. They are hit or miss and go through scoring droughts too often in games. Jose's jumper is all but lost, and he hardly ever takes it to the hole anymore so his only worth now is his passing. Just because you score 100 doesn't mean you are good offensively, just like you wouldn't necessarily call 20ppg players good offensive players.

That is why I am quite worried when Coach Casey says that he wants a free-flowing offense that doesn't rely on set plays. I'm not sure that's a good idea given the personnel but we'll see I guess.

As for the draft I have a feeling they'll go with Kemba, and I'm fine with that. I believe BC, given his contract situation, can't afford to take huge risks anymore. So I'm going with Kemba unless someone falls (Knight/Kanter) then anything can happen.

[WJF]

I would like to see Brandon Knight fall to us at 5, if not then I am for Kanter if he slips to 5, if not Leonard. I DO NOT WANT BIYOMBO AT 5, I WILL BE PISSED IF THAT HAPPENNS!!!!!!!!!!! The only way I can accept Biyombo is if we get another pick, if he is our only draft pick I will be in a bad mood till 2012.

[mcHAPPY]

I would like to see Brandon Knight fall to us at 5, if not then I am for Kanter if he slips to 5, if not Leonard. I DO NOT WANT BIYOMBO AT 5, I WILL BE PISSED IF THAT HAPPENNS!!!!!!!!!!! The only way I can accept Biyombo is if we get another pick, if he is our only draft pick I will be in a bad mood till 2012.

I agree with you. However, I think I'd be more pissed with Vesely at 5 than Biyombo.

[MangoKid]

Who would I like for the Raptors to select realistically (because I'm pretty sure Kanter and Knight will be gone by 5. If one of those two are still around at 5, I'd chose one of them..however) at 5? Jonas Valancuinas. The Cavs would have taken this guy at 4 if it weren't for the fact that he's not coming over for the upcoming season. Thing is - is there really going to be a upcoming season? Why not just select him and let him play the year overseas? He's one of the best prospects in the draft, JUST turned 19, and was thought of next to Knight as having one of the highest ceilings in the draft.

The kid's a true centre, isn't afraid to get his hands dirty - in fact, he loves to mix it up, plays solid D, has a high motor, has a huge wingspan which means he alters a lot of shots, he's very good rebounder, and has a nice soft touch around the basket. Also, he isn't a liability on the offensive end. He plays some pick and pop and is developing a nice hook shot. In addition, if you foul him, the kid will make his free throws.

I picked this up from an ESPN article - that you can find here

The question posed was:

"Which prospect favorably reminds you of a former NBA player? "

Jonas Valanciunas reminds me of Alonzo Mourning. Mourning could do a lot more, but Valanciunas' quick hops, tenacious interior play and strong finishes at the rim resemble Mourning. Valanciunas, 19, must fill out before he can play that way in the NBA, but he's already shown the mentality and prowess to do so.

Now granted, it's only one blogger's opinion, and I know Mourning isn't a popular name around here, but hey, if Valanciunas can be 75% of what Mourning was, I'd be very pleased.


Who do I think the Raptors will pick? Bismack Biyombo. I think the Raptors brass has really fallen in love with the kid.