2006 NBA Draft - Calgarypuck Forums - The Unofficial Calgary Flames Fan Community

bluejays · 05-23-2006, 11:48 AM

I've checked out a few sites regarding the NBA Draft and who the Raptors will be taking (depending on where they land in tonights lottary), but it looks like they're leaning towards Bargnani? Is this guy any good to be better than Bosh down the road? I'm not a huge basketball fan, but taking a European in the NBA, let alone an Italian, seems like a big gamble to take picking top 5. What are people's thoughts on the Mock Top 10?

Cheese · 05-23-2006, 11:52 AM

More than just that one mock...heres another..

http://www.collegehoopsnet.com/Draft/mockdraft.htm

Info on Bargnani

and another draft..

http://www.draftexpress.com/mock.php?y=2006

bluejays · 05-23-2006, 11:59 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cheese

oops...

...was about to say. I read an article earlier today stating that the Raps parted ways with the famous college coach in favor of some Italian Exec in order to sway Bargnani to claim he may not come to North America this year (just as a scare tactic), so he can drop down to the Raptors. Seemed fairly credible to me. Although I'm sure if they drafted Gay, it would make for some good merchandise sales (tongue and cheek)

.

octothorp · 05-23-2006, 01:40 PM

Probably should be in the 'other sports' forum. Anyway...

I really question what the Raptors would do with Bargnani. He's a power forward, which is the only position where the Raptors are really set right now. Same with Thomas, although his skills might be too good to pass up. If Aldridge falls into the Raptors laps, I think they'll take him, since he has the ability to play as a center as well. But they'll only have a shot at him if they get top-three in the lottery. Failing that, I think they'll go with a SF, either Morrison or Gay (probably in that order). I like Gay's athleticism and defense, but Morrison's offensive game is just too good to pass up.

moon · 05-23-2006, 01:47 PM

I don't see the strategy of drafting Bargnani if you are the Raptors as they already have two Power Forwards in Bosh and Villenueva. Also the fact that this guy has bust written all over him and the one thing they can't take is another wasted draft pick.

Unless they want to trade Villenueva, which I sure hope they do, and think they can play Bosh at center and Bargnani at power forward, I don't see the point of choosing him.

I would go with Aldridge, who I doubt will be great but would be effective, or Gay who could be great and gives this team some athleticism that they really need.

But after a number of poor drafts in their history and a really poor team the Raptors really need to make a pick that will fit into their team and be able to contribute to them next season.

Radically Red · 05-23-2006, 03:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by moon

Unless they want to trade Villenueva, which I sure hope they do, and think they can play Bosh at center and Bargnani at power forward, I don't see the point of choosing him.

Why do you want them to trade Villenueva. I thought he had a pretty decent year last year.

CaramonLS · 05-23-2006, 05:31 PM

CV is going to be playing SF this next year, with Joey Graham backing him up, who really was impressive in the last half of the season IMO. The guy has some really nice moves.

They are set at both PF/SF positions.

They need a center (goes without saying), PG and maybe an SG if they decide not to keep MoPete after this season - he will be a free agent.

However, if say they decided to address the SG need and pick up Morrison, that is one soft PF/SG/SF... Those guys couldn't defend a highschool team. But I guess you don't need to defend if you can shoot the lights out, and that would be one awsome tandem when it comes to outscoring someone else. (Bosh, CV both have the size to be good defenders, but they can't defend very well. The advantage of having Bosh/CV/Morrison at those positions would be height, and you'd hope they'd be able to take advantage of that).

The thing is, the draft looks very devoid of C and PGs, our biggest needs, so I'm not sure what we'll be doing.

moon · 05-23-2006, 05:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Radically Red

Why do you want them to trade Villenueva. I thought he had a pretty decent year last year.

I am not as high on CV as many others are. I think that he is out of place at SF but that the Raptors will continue to play him there and pretend that it works because they already have Bosh at the 4, I think that a lot of his numbers came because the Raptors were such a poor team that someone had to score and he was the type of guy to take plenty of shots, he has a history of laziness and a poor attitude.

I think that CV's trade value is about as high as it ever will be right now and that he really is a four so if they can trade him to fill a spot they need like PG or C, of which there are no guys that can realistically fill those spots where the Raptors will draft, that it would be better than to keep him playing the 3 this year.

moon · 05-23-2006, 05:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CaramonLS

However, if say they decided to address the SG need and pick up Morrison, that is one soft PF/SG/SF... Those guys couldn't defend a highschool team. But I guess you don't need to defend if you can shoot the lights out, and that would be one awsome tandem when it comes to outscoring someone else. (Bosh, CV both have the size to be good defenders, but they can't defend very well. The advantage of having Bosh/CV/Morrison at those positions would be height, and you'd hope they'd be able to take advantage of that).

Those guys would put up some awesome numbers at times for sure and if al three were on they would put on a shooting clinic, but you are right they would need to be hot all the time to counteract the fact that most of the opponents would have no trouble scoring at the other end against these guys.

If they could package the pick and CV for a solid established Pg that would be the best option in my view. Just doesn't seem like their is a guy that really fits their needs near the top of this draft. Other than that I would think that Aldridge mgiht work as a five although I think he is a better fit at 4 and maybe Gay is a guy that fits a bit better than Morrison because of his athleticism and ability to play help defense which could help these guys out. Not sure if he has the shooting/handling necessary to play the 2 though.

CaramonLS · 05-23-2006, 05:51 PM

He has the height/athletism of Prince on Detroit, I think it is conceivable that if CV improves his defensive game he could become that type of player.

But Charlie's touch around the net is very real, and it is not just taking a lot of shots on a bad team. A lot of players on this team can score, which makes his numbers not so inflated.

octothorp · 05-23-2006, 05:52 PM

Raps are in the top 3! More to follow...

CaramonLS · 05-23-2006, 05:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by octothorp

Raps are in the top 3! More to follow...

What!?! Explain!!

octothorp · 05-23-2006, 05:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CaramonLS

What!?! Explain!!

They're doing the lottery right now. Results so far:
14-Utah
13-philly
12-new orleans
11-orlando
10-seattle
9-warriors
8-houston
7-boston
6-minnestoa
5-atlanta
4-portland

octothorp · 05-23-2006, 05:57 PM

We're #1!!!

edit: It's official, on ESPN's front page now. Raptors win lottery!

CaramonLS · 05-23-2006, 06:02 PM

Wow, crazy, I wonder who we are picking.

moon · 05-23-2006, 06:06 PM

Interesting that the Raptors get the first pick when this is the draft where there is no real top guy and when picking in the top 3-5 may be as good as picking 1.

Next year Oden is most likely there and last year you had Paul, Bogut or Williams.

Good to have the choice of ensuring that you get the guy that you want but a bit unlucky that this is the lottery that you end up winning.

octothorp · 05-23-2006, 06:07 PM

My choice would be Aldridge. Put him at center, and then you've got a pretty good lineup. Or trade down to around #5 and pick up whichever SF is left.

browna · 05-23-2006, 06:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CaramonLS

Wow, crazy, I wonder who we are picking.

Reggie Bush?

Kidding, not a huge follower on the NBA, or certainly the draft picks, but when I read earlier today that there wasn't really that one standout player, and the new rules against HS players being drafted, I figured that this was the year the Raps would get that #1 pick.

Instead of a Lebron James or Garnett, they have likely a tough choice to make to pick amongst probably 4 of 5 guys.

Trade away the pick, and get a player, and still have a top 5 or top 10 pick?

moon · 05-23-2006, 06:51 PM

Looks like the pick most likely will be Bargnani as the Raptors are going to hire his Gm from Italy as their Asst. GM and it is reported that Coangelo is in love with the kid. There were some reports (espn) that Bargnani would not come over to play unless it was Toronto that picked because of the ties to his Gm in Italy.

If that is the pick it means that the Raptors will have their three best players all who play the same position. I will trust Coangelo because he was very successful in building the Suns team but I have to think that one of CV or Bosh will be moved if Bargnani is the pick.

Iginla & Sundin · 05-23-2006, 06:54 PM

Too bad it didn't happen 3 years ago.