2015-16 Raptors and General NBA Thread

[Senator Clay Davis]

Every star player is bad at complaining about calls. When you're a star you expect the star system to help you. Certainly not helping Cleveland though as this is looking like a sweep at this point.

[octothorp]

So who do you guys like in the draft?

It really seems to make a lot of sense for the Raptors to draft a PF, since there are so many good ones likely available: Chriss, Dayonta Davis, Ellenson, Labissiere, Sabonis. Luwawu looks like a complete Ujiri-type player, and of course it would be hard for the Raptors to pass on Murray if he's still on the board at #9. Or Brown if he drops. Poetl is less a position of need as a C, but he'd be a good backup option. I'd be surprised if the Raptors don't draft one of those guys listed above, if they decide to keep the #9 pick.

[Senator Clay Davis]

Somehow Chriss is becoming a borderline top 5 guy in some mocks so he might be gone before they pick. I like him as a player, but not as a top 5 player. I know they don't need Poeltl per se, but he brings such high energy and is a really well rounded offensive player that he could replace Biyombo, albeit getting better offense and worse defense. Still think they stay and take the player rather than trade the pick, unless they've targeted the next Caboclo and are trading back instead.

[octothorp]

Yeah, I'm with you on both of those. Something I like about Poeltl that you don't hear a lot is that he was with Wright two seasons ago, and the two had great chemistry particularly on the pick-and-roll. It's hard to say what the Raptors' plans are with Wright since he was drafted before they acquired Joseph, but putting the two together could be some instant chemistry off the bench.

Chriss, yeah I like him, but I'm shocked how high he is in the mocks these days. I have no problem if he goes high though, just increases the likelihood of someone else good falling to us.

[Imported_Aussie]

At #9 I like Ellenson - a stretch 4 who can make plays. With the Raptors building around Lowry, JV and either DeRozan or a new player coming in, getting a guy who can work in that system will help. You aren't getting a star at that position, save going for a boom/bust pick like Labissiere.
Guys like Murray, Brown, Dunn and Bender would be gone, and moving up will be tough as the teams up there either hold a lot of picks or a lot of picks in recent years, making it hard to find deals that make sense

[St. Pats]

I don't like who is likely to be sitting there at 9. If Chriss or Bender, Murray, or Hield or Brown were there then great but they won't be. Trade down and take T Prince.

[octothorp]

Originally Posted by Imported_Aussie

At #9 I like Ellenson - a stretch 4 who can make plays. With the Raptors building around Lowry, JV and either DeRozan or a new player coming in, getting a guy who can work in that system will help. You aren't getting a star at that position, save going for a boom/bust pick like Labissiere.
Guys like Murray, Brown, Dunn and Bender would be gone, and moving up will be tough as the teams up there either hold a lot of picks or a lot of picks in recent years, making it hard to find deals that make sense

I like Ellenson a lot. But he's not a defense-first athletic kinda guy that the Raptors seem to value most, so I wouldn't be surprised to see them pass on him if he's on the board. Between his shot and his rebounding, I think he's a guy who can come in and have a role in the NBA right now, moreso than just about anyone else likely to be available, and his defense could come around in time, not to an elite level, but certainly to a Patterson / Amir Johnson sort of level. He can't be that much worse than last season's Scola defensively, while bringing a lot more offense and rebounding. They did bring him in for a workout and apparently he shot the lights out, so I'm hoping they give him a serious look.

Skal's workout videos look great, but I see him being the sort of guy you stash in the d-league for a couple years, like Bruno. The current window to contend might be over by the time he's ready to really contribute.

[Imported_Aussie]

Originally Posted by octothorp

I like Ellenson a lot. But he's not a defense-first athletic kinda guy that the Raptors seem to value most, so I wouldn't be surprised to see them pass on him if he's on the board. Between his shot and his rebounding, I think he's a guy who can come in and have a role in the NBA right now, moreso than just about anyone else likely to be available, and his defense could come around in time, not to an elite level, but certainly to a Patterson / Amir Johnson sort of level. He can't be that much worse than last season's Scola defensively, while bringing a lot more offense and rebounding. They did bring him in for a workout and apparently he shot the lights out, so I'm hoping they give him a serious look.

Skal's workout videos look great, but I see him being the sort of guy you stash in the d-league for a couple years, like Bruno. The current window to contend might be over by the time he's ready to really contribute.

If they want a defence first 4, they could move down a couple of spots and look at a wide range of guys at that position - Brice Johnson jumps out the most as an NBA ready 4, good numbers at North Carolina and a great athlete. If they want a project, maybe Deyonta Davis or Cheick Diallo, but I feel a guy like Johnson would be better as he can contribute now. But that is a guy who could go anywhere from late lottery to early 20s, depending on team needs

[Senator Clay Davis]

Originally Posted by octothorp

Yeah, I'm with you on both of those. Something I like about Poeltl that you don't hear a lot is that he was with Wright two seasons ago, and the two had great chemistry particularly on the pick-and-roll. It's hard to say what the Raptors' plans are with Wright since he was drafted before they acquired Joseph, but putting the two together could be some instant chemistry off the bench.

Chriss, yeah I like him, but I'm shocked how high he is in the mocks these days. I have no problem if he goes high though, just increases the likelihood of someone else good falling to us.

Poeltl and Wright together on the second unit actually sounds ideal. I do think we see a lot more of Wright next year though probably more as an off ball guard and not running the second unit as Cory has that pretty much locked up. Obviously though a lot will depend on how the DeRozan situation shakes down. One of Wright or Powell would likely be a starter next year if DeRozan bolts. Chriss is rising because he fits a profile more than his talent level. But he's still pretty raw and a guy who will need some time. To me Poeltl and Sabonis or a guy like Brice Johnson are ready on day 1 and that's what is needed for a team two games away from the Finals.

Ultimately you mentioned a draft and stash and that's probably not the worst idea given the makeup of the roster. Still the Raps ideally won't be drafting top 10 for a while, and while this isn't the strongest draft ever it's still got some good talent and the Raps might want to take the player if there's someone there they like.

[calgaryblood]

Why does Kurry sometimes seem like he's scared to shoot or carry the ball? Always goes through stretches where he will just pass the ball up way too much and try to disappear into coverage.

[Senator Clay Davis]

Thompson and Curry both have been awful in this series so far. Warriors bench saved them in the first two games, otherwise the story of this series would be the disappearance of the Splash brothers.

[TheAlpineOracle]

Anyone else catch the interview after the game where the reported asked Klay Thompson why he essentially has just terrible games that hurt the team more frequently than most in the NBA? I couldn't believe he actually answered the question.

[CofR]

Finally we may have a close game

[Sylvanfan]

This is pretty entertaining so far. Currie and Clay have found their stroke.

[puffnstuff]

Cavs are going to set a new record for whining about calls and about non calls. Is that a stat they track?

[CofR]

Draymond Green is the kind of guy you absolutely hate unless he's on your team.

[puffnstuff]

Thats the kind of player the Flames need. Think he can skate?

[Jason14h]

The warriors are the most unselfish team I have ever witnessed

[Senator Clay Davis]

The Spurs in 2014 were amazing to watch in the Finals, as they could get pretty much any shot they wanted at any time. Which is why the Warriors being amazing makes sense since they got a guy in Kerr who had been in the Spurs organization and understood how you build it. Also blessed they didn't trade Klay for Kevin Love, which at the time seemed a no brainer for the Warriors. Instead the trade for Love that actually happened might lead to two straight titles for them.

[puffnstuff]

Green is suspended for game 5