2010/2011 Toronto Raptors thread

[killer_carlson]

that roster was so bad last year, I dont think any coach could have done much with it - especially as Bargniani's willingness to do anything except long 2 jump shots grew and grew.

[octothorp]

Seems to be lots of chatter on Casey emerging as the front-runner.

http://sports.espn.go.com/dallas/nba...ory?id=6671128

I liked him even before the finals this year, so I hope this is true (I'd much rather him than Frank).

[octothorp]

Casey hiring is semi-official. Not announced by the organization yet, but popping up in a few media outlets:
http://www.dallasnews.com/sports/dal...wane-casey.ece

[CaramonLS]

I wonder who the raps are going to take in the draft - nothing seems to be a sure thing at all.

It is looking like Knight or Walker at this point - or one of the big men on the board (Kanter or Valanciunas).

Williams, is very unlikely to slide to us.

Valanciunas might be the best option - since we all know that Bargs playing C isn't going to get us anywhere.

[octothorp]

Originally Posted by CaramonLS

I wonder who the raps are going to take in the draft - nothing seems to be a sure thing at all.

It is looking like Knight or Walker at this point - or one of the big men on the board (Kanter or Valanciunas).

Williams, is very unlikely to slide to us.

Valanciunas might be the best option - since we all know that Bargs playing C isn't going to get us anywhere.

Yeah, I've seen mocks where they take Valanciunas, Kanter, Walker, Leonard, Vesely, and Knight.

Valanciunas might have the highest upside, but probably takes the longest to develop. I think BC might be looking for a more immediate impact, especially since he's on such a short contract himself.
Can't see Knight being available, I think Utah takes him at 3 (although if they don't, he falls to us and is probably automatic).
Kanter would be a more immediate impact than Valanciunas. Probably goes to Cleveland at 4 though.
Walker is probably the safest pick, but doesn't have a really high upside, IMO. Wouldn't be shocked to see the Raptors take him, and I'd be okay with it.
Leonard is my first choice, and I was really happy to hear that he had a great workout in Toronto earlier this week. A great wing defender, excellent rebounder, and supposedly one of the hardest working kids out there.
Vesely looks to me to be an awful fit for the Raptors, and I'm really surprised at how much Colangelo has been scouting him. And Ford has had him going to the Raptors in his mock for weeks. This is making me really nervous.

[The Big Chill]

Originally Posted by octothorp

Yeah, I've seen mocks where they take Valanciunas, Kanter, Walker, Leonard, Vesely, and Knight.

Valanciunas might have the highest upside, but probably takes the longest to develop. I think BC might be looking for a more immediate impact, especially since he's on such a short contract himself.
Can't see Knight being available, I think Utah takes him at 3 (although if they don't, he falls to us and is probably automatic).
Kanter would be a more immediate impact than Valanciunas. Probably goes to Cleveland at 4 though.
Walker is probably the safest pick, but doesn't have a really high upside, IMO. Wouldn't be shocked to see the Raptors take him, and I'd be okay with it.
Leonard is my first choice, and I was really happy to hear that he had a great workout in Toronto earlier this week. A great wing defender, excellent rebounder, and supposedly one of the hardest working kids out there.
Vesely looks to me to be an awful fit for the Raptors, and I'm really surprised at how much Colangelo has been scouting him. And Ford has had him going to the Raptors in his mock for weeks. This is making me really nervous.

I agree with you, I think Knight will be gone and I hope we take Leonard with the 5th. My other hope is that we could trade Calderon or Bargnani in some sort of a package with our 5th to move up and get Derrick Williams.

[secol]

i still like kemba more than leonard......it's difficult to gauge ceilings of players, but the one thing i do know is that kemba probably has one of the highest "floors" in the draft. it sounds like kanter might actually drop by the cavs still since they seem pretty interested in val.

[The Big Chill]

Originally Posted by secol

i still like kemba more than leonard......it's difficult to gauge ceilings of players, but the one thing i do know is that kemba probably has one of the highest "floors" in the draft. it sounds like kanter might actually drop by the cavs still since they seem pretty interested in val.

I think Kemba is just going to be a scorer off of the bench. Kind of like a Ben Gordon. The Raps could sure use that, but I think we have too many bigger holes to fill first.

[Hustle]

Most of the chatter from the basketball insiders (who really knows if they have an idea of what BC is thinking.. but it's food for thought) has the Raptors looking heavily at Knight, Leonard, Vesely and Biyombo.

I think Knight is going to be gone by the 5 pick... and I'm not exactly enamored with the other 3 names. Hopefully these guys are getting faulty information.

Should be interesting to see what happens on Thursday

[drew24]

I want Kanter, expect Walker and fear Biyombo.

[killer_carlson]

I am really foul about this pick. I don't think it matters who we pick if we still build around bargniani.

I think the Raptors need to sign Bill Laimbeer to the coaching staff and have him go and rip Bargiani's arms off if he isn't working on defence and rebounding every day this offseason.

[secol]

Originally Posted by The Big Chill

I think Kemba is just going to be a scorer off of the bench. Kind of like a Ben Gordon. The Raps could sure use that, but I think we have too many bigger holes to fill first.

that was kemba this year, prior to that and going into the NCAA i believe his playmaking and passing was on display alot more

kemba scouting report from nbadraftnet

Walker's an unselfish distributor and a dynamic playmaker, but he'll never be mistaken for an orchestrator or true lead guard.

knight scouting report from nbadraftnet

Not a pure point guard ... Ball handling ability needs a lot of work. His dribble is too high and will be easy to pick unless he improves upon it ... Passing ability is respectable, but not intuitive ... Very turnover prone, especially when trying to create for others

[octothorp]

Chad Ford is reporting that Raptors are seriously considering Biyombo at #5. I seriously hope not; I can't imagine Colangelo taking a risk on a fringe lotto player with massive questionmarks. I'm hoping that it's a smoke-screen to try to convince teams drafting behind the Raptors that they don't need to try to trade up.

I still think the Raptors go for Kanter or Knight if they're available, and then fall back likely to Leonard.

[Cheese]

Raps pick
Jonas Valanciunas

• Full Name: Jonas Valanciunas
• Position: Center
• Height/Weight: 7-0 / 231
• Birthdate: May 6, 1992
• College: Lietuvos Rytas (Lithuania)

Strengths:
* Tremendous size and length (7-6 wingspan)
* Highly efficient shooter around the basket with jump hooks, & R/L layups, great touch
* Very good FT shooter
* Competes, has a good motor
* Pursues rebounds
* Good rim runner and very good pick/roll guy
* Works hard on his game
Weaknesses:
* Still needs to add strength and some bulk
* Needs some defensive improvement
* Continued work on developing a low post game

[emti]

I dont mind the pic, would have rather not taken a C but he has some sick potential

[CaramonLS]

Really surprised that Knight was still on the board at #5 and the Raps passed.

I think this was the right pick though - Raps needed that inside presence - it also pretty much guarantees that the raps will suck this year too - here is hoping for a high lottery pick and a PG next year.

[secol]

from what i've seen he isn't really an inside presence. his upside feels more like biedrins to me than pau gasol some scouts compare him to

[octothorp]

How his body fills in is going to be the big question, but I love his game and his effort. I didn't think BC would go for him because he's not coming over for a year at least. He and Davis have the potential to be a dominant front-court presence in a few years.

[octothorp]

Also worth noting that this was a fantastic draft for Canadian basketball. Tristan Thompson goes 4th overall to Cleveland, and Cory Joseph goes 29th to San Antonio (he was pegged as a late 2nd rounder). Both teams seem like really good matches for these two. Thompson will get a lot of playing time and opportunity with Cleveland, while Cory Joseph will probably be moved along slowly, but gets to learn the game under Popovich.

[The Big Chill]

We picked a scrawny kid instead of a potentially great pg. I'm more then willing to give Jonas a chance, but I really would of rather had Knight. Colangelo took one massive risk here, as he could be out of a job before Valancuinas ever plays an NBA game.