2011 Raptors NBA Draft Prediction...

[MangoKid]

Kem
Ba
Wa
Ker

Put it all together and you have my pick for the #5. The reason? Lowest risk. Is that a smart move? Probably not, but as much as Coangelo has shown ample skill in getting out of jams, this one time I'd like him to just not create one. I don't see how you lose drafting Kemba. I just don't see it.

If the raptors pick bizcrack boy oh boy w/ the number #5 pick i will LOSE my MIND. Leonard, I'd be cool with, Valanciunis, hey no probs see you at training camp 2012. Vesely, er, okay? but bismack biyombo is not a good selection at the number 5 because he is NOT the best player available (obviously IMO). Biyombo? Just say EN OH!

Forgetting the "l" (L) in Walker?

[ceez]

We're not getting a second lottery pick guys, drop it.

[ezz_bee]

Take Biyombo with a second pick? Sure. No problem with that.

[ezz_bee]

Kem
Ba
Wa
Ker

Put it all together and you have my pick for the #5. The reason? Lowest risk. Is that a smart move? Probably not, but as much as Coangelo has shown ample skill in getting out of jams, this one time I'd like him to just not create one. I don't see how you lose drafting Kemba. I just don't see it.

If the raptors pick bizcrack boy oh boy w/ the number #5 pick i will LOSE my MIND. Leonard, I'd be cool with, Valanciunis, hey no probs see you at training camp 2012. Vesely, er, okay? but bismack biyombo is not a good selection at the number 5 because he is NOT the best player available (obviously IMO). Biyombo? Just say EN OH!

[Apollo]

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? "



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.

A Zo type player is exactly what the Raptors need. Too bad they would have to wait a year.

[Agrippa]

I like Kemba though, he is very intuitive on the court and from year to year he has shown noticable impovement in his game

[SCass]

I think it is a bit unlikely, but I'm really hoping for Jonas Valanciunas. I don't think we would have had a chance for him before his stock recently dropped (would have gone 3 or 4), but I think he will be significantly better than Kantar, and maybe already is. Kantar is said to have a low defensive IQ, and not playing for as long as he has couldn't have helped. Valanciunas, on the other hand, has experience playing at a high level, plays good defense, and I love his shooting percentages.

We will either be locked out next year or still won't be a good playoff team, so I see no disadvantage in waiting/tanking/developing again.

Valanciunas, or maybe Bismack, are the guys I'm rooting for.

[Agrippa]

Ed o'bannon!!!!!!

[raptors4ever]

kemba walker

since dwayne casey is a defensive specialist, i think they should go with kemba walker in this draft if hes available. he is the best defensive pg out there so why not get him?

[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.

[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.

[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.

[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.

[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?

[charlesnba23]

1:Kawhi Leonard
2:Kawhi Leonard


*If we can get Kanter, get him.