Post-Draft Reaction

[mcHAPPY]

I hope we see some transactions before the lockout

a big plus 1.

I am uneasy because I feel things are definitely incomplete here. I do not want to wait through a lockout to be guessing what they do next.

[slaw]

Initially, I was surprised by the pick. It is an enormous risk both for BC and the organization. I did not think Colangelo would take a 7'0 project from Europe for a variety of reasons that I have posted before. The Toronto fan base is so poisoned against these kinds of picks I just think it's verging on a no-win scenario for both the kid and the team.

The day after, I am basically ambivalent about the pick. This guy is years away from contributing, so I don't see any need to get worked up about it. I do hope they leave him in Europe for a couple of years and bring him along slowly cause it's obvious that he isn't ready to play an 82-game NBA schedule. If they hurry him over and he looks shaky it's going to get really ugly, really fast. Bringing him over in 2 or 3 years when he is bigger/stronger/more skilled, his English is better, the team is better, and he is surrounded by another rookie or two to take some of the pressure off of him makes a lot of sense to me.

[grindhouse]

I hope we see some transactions before the lockout

[RaptorDan]

I really like this pick. I was surprised that there wasn't more player movement. There were also no fun fashion faux pas by the draftees. I would say that this was the most boring draft in recent memory. The only thing that stood out was when Vesely kissed his hot high end escort before he went on stage to shake sterns hand.

[white men can't jump]

Totally ok with this pick. Never really thought it would happen with the buyout and BC on a short contract, but I think the right pick, and not because of what BC is selling. Frankly, it seems other teams were also not sold on Knight and Kemba, which is about right as in any stronger draft they would probably never be considered top 5. We got possibly the best C in the draft. Is he going to play next year and help us win? Who knows? My question to all you haters though: what magic draft pick or trades could BC have done last night to instantly make this the Defensive, high scoring, 3-pt shooting team you want?

Building a team takes time and there's no rush. Knight or Kemba would have likely spent the year adapting and turning it over a lot. The best PG prospects usually take til their 2nd or 3rd year at least to figure things out. The other top tier picks were gone, and though I like Kawhi, not sad to see us pick a big instead.

[charlz]

I am on the other end of that spectrum - I want to be sick!

[meductic]

OK with pick
1 I enjoy seeing people upset with Euro picks also upset with James Johnson trade. I don't disagree with the latter, just an interesting juxtaposition
2 All the other picks are now NBA ready all stars. It should be interesting to see how they actually progress.
3 It is obvious that fans are fed up with how the Hedo/ Klieza/ Bargs situations have played out. Despite this the first thing they have Casey do is try to brag up Bargs and tie Jonas into him. I do not believe this is Casey's fault, but some PR dude has to reexamine this strategy right away. It does neither JV or Casey any favours.

[ThatPatty]

I posted this comment on another website... sums up my feelings:

I think the fanbase has a right to be skeptical about the professional judgment of current management, given the decisions it has made over the last few years. That’s not baseless, nor is it prejudice. It is a healthy doubt about whether Colangelo, Gherardini and the rest can fairly assess (a) which skillsets are best in today’s NBA and (b) which players are a good fit for our current mix.

I have watched the videos and read all I can about Valanciunas. I remain very skeptical that his skill set will translate into the NBA. At a minimum, he is years away from contributing, especially at C where young players are notorious for needing additional time to develop. People will point to Valanciunas playing against “men” in the Euroleague. I would remind everyone that he averaged less than 15 minutes per game. And in those 15 minutes, he averaged about 3 fouls. That’s not going to translate well to the faster, stronger NBA, when you are trying to play help defence (to cover Bargnani) against stronger competition (ex. Kendrick Perkins) while a speedy PG is flying down the lane (ex. Russell Westbrook).

Valanciunas is going to need years to acclimate himself, and that acclimation isn’t going to start next year. Meanwhile, we have an existing core comprised of a number of former high picks (DeRozan, Bayless, Davis, Johnson) whose development is in danger of being stunted while they are forced to wait 3-4 years while the future “franchise centre” works on a buyout and then works on his NBA game. Our core needs playoff reps, not draft picks that get “stashed away” overseas.

And what do we do about Bargnani? All this talk about Casey improving or hiding his defensive liabilities leads me to believe that management is serious about keeping Andrea and lining him up next to Valanciunas. So Ed Davis and Amir are going to split bench minutes?

I believe strongly that this team needes a floor leader with confidence and a will-not-let-us-die-tonight attitude to unlock the current potential of this roster. I did not see that in Bayless this past season. I saw that in Kemba and Knight and I am very disappointed that we passed both of them up in order to (hopefully) plug a current need with a down-the-road C prospect.

I’m asked to trust Colangelo and Co. that they know what they are doing. I’m sorry, but I just don’t. That does not make me ignorant or xenophobic and my lack of trust is not baseless. I hope I’m wrong. I really do.

[Maleko]

Yeah. Kinda depressed. Happy with the draft. Kid could be great.
Team still looks the same. Trying to be patient.
My son was chanting "Bye Bye Barney!" last night. And then there really were no trades.

Need patience. Depressed Barney is still on the team.
Until he's gone, he's still here.

Now that's hilarious. I can picture it now. Hell I will be too if/when he is traded.

[Scarsville]

very nice pick, and since there wont be a season next year who cares if he can play for the RAPS or not....plus NONE of the other guys would have made any impact on this team...We finally have a centre.

Walker and Knight are both very big question marks....and we now have a chance to pick up a stud PG or SF in the draft next year...Kabongo maybe????

[Maleko]

Balls - I'm not sure if you are happy or need medical attention.

Maybe both.

[Maleko]

How are you feeling post draft?

Me, I'm happy with the selection - very happy. A C who rebounds, has a soft touch, and doesn't quit - excellent. Might not be here for a year, will not provide immediate help - the price to pay to build a long term winner.

But I'm feeling a little empty. I was hoping one of or both Calderon or Bargnani to finally be traded and it did not happen.

Take the poll and share your thoughts.

*If your only argument is based on Euro-hate, don't bother, I'll delete the comment*

Very happy with the pick. Would have liked to see more trading league-wide, definitely would have liked to see more trades from BC, but he did say in his interview that it is time to get to the trades, and they have a FA plan (Casey also alluded to this). Patience is a virtue, and I think there is still movement to come, perhaps before the end of the month.

I was hugely disappointed with the attitude oozing from BKnight, and very happy we did not pick him. Shades of Steve Francis. Loved Kemba's attitude, and truly would have liked to see him come here, my thoughts on Bayless aside.

On another note, ya gotta laugh at the last two Lakers' picks, complete weren't gonna be drafted (could have brought into the camp without drafting), not on the radar players when both Hansbrough and Lighty were available. (hopefully we pull in one or both of them to training camp to take a look when that happens).

[mcHAPPY]

Balls - I'm not sure if you are happy or need medical attention.

[Balls of Steel]

[CalgaryRapsFan]

My random thoughts about the draft:

1) I really like the pick, JV joins ED/DD as the young core for this franchise long-term
2) I was surprised at the lack of trades overall
3) I don't mind Bargnani/Calderon still being on the team; if a good trade came along I wouldn't be against trading anyone on this roster other than ED, but I'm not among the 'haters' who simply want one/both of them gone period
4) I really really really hope the Raps can draft one of the stud SF in next year's draft, as that would be the very successful conclusion of BC's 2-3 year rebuilding plan, regardless of any other tinkering he does; the Raps would be set long-term at C/PF/SF/SG