2012 Draft Thursday, June 28th: Raptors select Terence Ross

[Mediumcore]

I was watching a bit of the combine this weekend and one of the panel members referred to Waiters as Monta Ellis with a better shot. That blew me away that Dion is thought of that highly as a scorer. I'm not sold that this kid can score at that sort of clip like Ellis, but if he can...wow.

[ceez]

i don't know what he's going to be able to do at the next level outside of scoring, but i don't question that he'll be a productive scorer.

[CalgaryRapsFan]

I was watching a bit of the combine this weekend and one of the panel members referred to Waiters as Monta Ellis with a better shot. That blew me away that Dion is thought of that highly as a scorer. I'm not sold that this kid can score at that sort of clip like Ellis, but if he can...wow.

The thing that gets me about this time of year, is hearing the announcers/experts refer to at least 15-25 1st round prospects as having the potential to become "player x", who is an all-star or near all-star calibur player. It just isn't sexy to refer to a prospect as some team's current solid 2nd unit contributor, despite reality and past years showing us that that is exactly what most picks are going to become. If we listed all the expert comparisons, there's likely to be at least 10-15 all stars in this year's draft class when, in reality, it would be quite lucky if a few of them ever achieve that level of greatness in the NBA.

I wish, for the kids' sake, these stupid comparisons stopped, as it overinflates the perception and expectations heaped on them. They didn't ask for it and don't deserve the negative blowback that will undoubtedly come their way, when they fail to live up to the overblown pre-draft hype!

[Jon_Wade]

If Waiters is Monta Ellis with a better shot sign me up, Ellis does pretty well in this league and he's 6'3 in shoes with a 6'2.5 wingspan and 6'4 in shoes with a 6'7 wingspan for Waiters

[ceez]

watched a bit of the combine last night and as far as quickness and whatnot goes Lillard, Waiters and Rivers really impressed me. Beal and Lamb really strugged. I have a feeling Beal might fall, especially since he said he isn't working out for anyone past the top 4.

[ceez]

Waiters isn't a particularly good shooter guys, get that idea out of your head.

[Jon_Wade]

Alright, I haven't really seen much of him so my thoughts on him thus far have been based on other peoples posts

[ceez]

Apparently toronto's got some workouts planned, Hollis Thompson (who?) on the 12th and Kendall Marshall (boooo!) sometime this week.

[Bendit]

I think officiating has a lot to do with it. The NBA is much more cognizant of hand-checking, and lane-clogging. Speedy, perimeter players can seemingly play to their strengths in the NBA.

Thats a good point. I suppose some players fare better in half court sets as well.

[Mediumcore]

Apparently toronto's got some workouts planned, Hollis Thompson (who?) on the 12th and Kendall Marshall (boooo!) sometime this week.

That's all the players that are coming to work out for Toronto?! I thought we were bringing Moe in this week..

[octothorp]

Hollis Thompson (who?)

Outstanding 3pt shooter (48% this season) SF from Georgetown. Definitely fits the idea of grabbing a 3-point specialist with a second-rounder.

[ceez]

That's all the players that are coming to work out for Toronto?! I thought we were bringing Moe in this week..

Could be! I'm just reporting what i heard.

edit: apparently lillard is here today

edit2: which makes the tweet make more sense

[ceez]

Outstanding 3pt shooter (48% this season) SF from Georgetown. Definitely fits the idea of grabbing a 3-point specialist with a second-rounder.

NBA Comparison: James Jones/Dorell Wright
Strengths: A wing with solid physical tools at 6’8 205, and a long build … Standout trait is definitely his jump shot, and never shot below 40% from long range during his time at Georgetown … Projects to be a long-range specialist, and has the mechanics, quick release and size to be able to get his shot off, even against NBA sized wings … Already has NBA range, and an “easy”, natural shot that allows him to hit shots spotting up, off screening action, and off simple 2 dribble pull-ups against hard closeouts … Doesn’t miss very often when he has time and space … Also a pretty good athlete, who covers a lot of ground when running, and who shows nice leaping skills when he has a head of steam … Pretty smooth and fluid … Can finish above the rim, and has the length and leaping skills to convert in traffic, sometimes in impressive fashion …Will occasionally get free on a down screen and get high percentage finish around the rim … Runs the floor pretty well … Plays high percentage basketball, rarely goes out of his comfort zone and role on either end of the floor … Has no problems passing the ball in the flow of the offense … Uses his length to bother jump shooters, and isn’t a bad shot-blocker for a wing … Doesn’t make plays that leave teammates vulnerable on the defensive end, rarely gambles … Has adequate tools to defend the SF spot in the NBA … A solid rebounding wing, who has some instincts after playing PF his first 2 seasons in the Big East ...

Weaknesses: Although he has a niche to hang his hat on with his jumper, he doesn’t offer very much outside of that, making him a pretty one-dimensional prospect … Isnt particularly quick or more than mediocre as a ball-handler, being nothing more than a very sporadic creator for himself … Rarely gets to the rim, usually only does when he catches his man being a step slow on getting through a down-screen … Not very strong, and is pretty thin … Doesn’t seem to be the toughest or most contact-loving player, and can be outmuscled by physical matchups … Not likely to be a high motor player … Not going to get to the foul often, and isn’t the foul line shooter that you’d expect from a player with his shooting reputation to be (67% from the stripe last season) … Doesn’t have more than average impact defensively, preferring a more conservative approach … Disappears from games at times, is a bit passive … Doesn’t make as much of a use of his athleticism and physical tools as he should … Might have declared for the draft too early, and has quite a bit of chinks in his armor that could’ve shored up a bit more if he'd stayed in school for his senior season.

Interesting.

[Bouncepass]

Could be! I'm just reporting what i heard.

edit: apparently lillard is here today

edit2: which makes the tweet make more sense

I thought that Rivers mentioned that he would be in TO this week in one of his interviews.

[Mediumcore]

Media allowed into the workouts? Any word on how Lillards workout went/is going?