I guess Babcock really did know what he was doing, because the more I think about it, I guess it was a good decision to pass on Green. Not playing against other players showed he was scared, plus he didn't even want to be a Raptor. <div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">Their wait was finally over. Green's relatives had spent the previous two hours shaking their heads much of the time. His uncle, Willie Green, paced in a small corner of the living room and said, "A lot of people are going to have to pay for their mistake." A few small celebrations did break out at various times before Green was selected though. The family applauded twice when the Toronto Raptors didn't select Green. They also applauded when ESPN analyst Dick Vitale expressed his disbelief that Green ? along with a few college players ? was still on the board after international players were selected with the 11th and 12th picks.</div> Gerald Green Ok, fine you'll say, forget about Green, how could we pass up on Granger? Granger had a problem in college staying healthy, and all us Raptor fans know how we've been screwed in the past with injuries (Carter, Alvin Williams, etc.), and Babcock and co. couldn't risk taking another injury prone player. Now I found this little piece right here and I'm not sure what to make of it, he sounds like he doesn't want to be picked by Toronto. <div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">?When I came here for my workout I loved it,? Granger said. ?Once you get past 10 into the lower range there?s not that big of a difference going 12 or 15. When we got to the 16th pick, and that was Toronto, we were praying that they didn?t take me with that pick because I wanted to go to the Pacers.?</div> Now we were left with Frye, and Villanueva. And we all saw Frye's reaction when we didn't pick him, he clearly didn't want to be in TO, and didn't even workout with us. I hope this shed's some light on the Villanueva pick. EDIT: BTW, the Raptors did try to trade down, but no one was interested. Raps trying to trade down
Hmm... I think Granger liked Toronto, but would like them only if he went in the lottery... It seemed to me Granger didn't want to go to Toronto if the next pick was a team that could contend for the championship like Indiana and has a great core of players... I think that's the reason... Plus Toronto is like a basketball wasteland ATM.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting Bobcats:</div><div class="quote_post">I guess Babcock really did know what he was doing, because the more I think about it, I guess it was a good decision to pass on Green. Not playing against other players showed he was scared, plus he didn't even want to be a Raptor.</div> Do not know about him not wanting to be a Raptor, but I thought he said a reason he did not want to play against other guys was, because he wanted to avoid injury. He had told some people the dee brown injury was what caused him to make that choice.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting Pure Skillz:</div><div class="quote_post">Do not know about him not wanting to be a Raptor, but I thought he said a reason he did not want to play against other guys was, because he wanted to avoid injury. He had told some people the dee brown injury was what caused him to make that choice.</div> I believe that happened after Green decided not to workout against other players anyway. And numerous reports have been leaked out that him and his family clearly didn't want to go to Toronto (like the one I posted).
I'm not going to say I blame them, really, we haven't really been the best basketball place, especially the last year. The team isn't winning, their were a lot of internal problems, and it's out of the country for them...ah well...
Screw them. If they don't want to be here that's their choice. We got three talented players who want to be in Toronto. That's the bottom line.
It would have been nice if we could have traded down though, and I think that Granger probably would have been a better pick for the Raptors.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting SkiptoMyLue11:</div><div class="quote_post">It would have been nice if we could have traded down though, and I think that Granger probably would have been a better pick for the Raptors.</div> Granger didn't want to go to Toronto.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting Bobcats:</div><div class="quote_post">Granger didn't want to go to Toronto.</div> I believe that he would have been fine with Toronto. The reason why his family cheered when Toronto didn't pick him with the 16th was because they knew Indiana wouldn't let him slip. He probably prefered Indiana because they are a contending team when all their players are present, as well he would get large minutes as Reggie has retired and no clear replacement has been found. They get more media coverage, and make playoffs anually. So I'm sure its a more preferred destination over Toronto by most players. He may of prefered Indiana, however that doesn't mean that he didn't like Toronto.
True, but it shouldn't matter what city you go to, if you are lucky enough to have talent and get drafted in the first round, it shouldn't matter what city you like better, or which one you prefer.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting SkiptoMyLue11:</div><div class="quote_post">I believe that he would have been fine with Toronto. The reason why his family cheered when Toronto didn't pick him with the 16th was because they knew Indiana wouldn't let him slip. He probably prefered Indiana because they are a contending team when all their players are present, as well he would get large minutes as Reggie has retired and no clear replacement has been found. They get more media coverage, and make playoffs anually. So I'm sure its a more preferred destination over Toronto by most players. He may of prefered Indiana, however that doesn't mean that he didn't like Toronto.</div> "...we were praying that Toronto wouldn't pick me" is too strong an expression to be taken as 'I will be fine with Toronto taking me'. I don't know if Ron Artest would be a good mentor for Granger..
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting VinKanaddy:</div><div class="quote_post">"...we were praying that Toronto wouldn't pick me" is too strong an expression to be taken as 'I will be fine with Toronto taking me'. I don't know if Ron Artest would be a good mentor for Granger.. </div> But if you see the only reason why he stated he didn't want to go to Toronto was merely, "because I wanted to go to the Pacers". He didn't say, because I dislike Toronto, or anything similar to that. If you could go to a great anual playoff team with a great coach and great management, or a team that has questionable management a young coach, and has struggled for its entire existance. I think I could guess which organization he would prefer, as I would as well. However I think he would have done fine and accepted Toronto had we selected him. If I were in his shoes and my career could change drastically between being picked 16th or 17th I would hope I would go to the place that would seem to provide the best future for myself. Nonetheless, I think that we should have drafted Granger at 7th.
I guess everyone's entitled to their opinions. We'll see how Granger does with the Pacers, but the bottom line is we were able to get three solid players + one reserve who wants to be here. I still can't believe no one took Ukic!
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting SkiptoMyLue11:</div><div class="quote_post">But if you see the only reason why he stated he didn't want to go to Toronto was merely, "because I wanted to go to the Pacers". He didn't say, because I dislike Toronto, or anything similar to that. If you could go to a great anual playoff team with a great coach and great management, or a team that has questionable management a young coach, and has struggled for its entire existance. I think I could guess which organization he would prefer, as I would as well. However I think he would have done fine and accepted Toronto had we selected him. If I were in his shoes and my career could change drastically between being picked 16th or 17th I would hope I would go to the place that would seem to provide the best future for myself. Nonetheless, I think that we should have drafted Granger at 7th.</div> ------------------------------------- Totally agree in there...if i were granger and i slide all the way to 16th...i wouldn't want to be picked because i know pacers would want to pick me Pacers vs Toronto 99% of the players would want to go to the first choice That being said, i don't think he would mind if he is drafted 7th...since that's what his stock should be...i am pretty sure that he is quite shocked+feel lucky to go to Indiana. I just seen flashes of Charlie's plays on tv...and all i can say is while he has a very good potential, i still would choose granger over him. Why? one thing i noticed is that most of his shots are scored from either perimeter (which isn't so much to thrill about unless you are a shooter coming out from college since NBA range is farther than NCAA range) and fast break lay ups or dunks. Which means...i don't see him making much mid range jumpers or hook shots or turn around jumpers...which isn't so great if you want a versatile player He isn't much a defender either although he has great jumping ability...but...ok..he's only 20..still room to grow and improve Also, charlie isn't a good ball handler...even on fastbreaks, i see him hobble around the ball and doesn't run so smoothly with the ball Granger is more NBA ready than charlie and i think toronto needs to compete as soon as possible before they become New Orleans 2004-2005. Joey graham+ukic are decent picks although i still think they should have picked mendez for 58th...i meant...it's so low in the draft already, why not give the canadian kid a chance? Words have said that when peterson is ready to be traded (july 31st)...toronto will package up charlie+peterson for magloire... Not sure if that's the best move but if toronto wants to do it that way, make sure they don't overpay magloire 2 years from now
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting hohoyoyoyo:</div><div class="quote_post">------------------------------------- Totally agree in there...if i were granger and i slide all the way to 16th...i wouldn't want to be picked because i know pacers would want to pick me Pacers vs Toronto 99% of the players would want to go to the first choice That being said, i don't think he would mind if he is drafted 7th...since that's what his stock should be...i am pretty sure that he is quite shocked+feel lucky to go to Indiana. I just seen flashes of Charlie's plays on tv...and all i can say is while he has a very good potential, i still would choose granger over him. Why? one thing i noticed is that most of his shots are scored from either perimeter (which isn't so much to thrill about unless you are a shooter coming out from college since NBA range is farther than NCAA range) and fast break lay ups or dunks. Which means...i don't see him making much mid range jumpers or hook shots or turn around jumpers...which isn't so great if you want a versatile player He isn't much a defender either although he has great jumping ability...but...ok..he's only 20..still room to grow and improve Also, charlie isn't a good ball handler...even on fastbreaks, i see him hobble around the ball and doesn't run so smoothly with the ball Granger is more NBA ready than charlie and i think toronto needs to compete as soon as possible before they become New Orleans 2004-2005. Joey graham+ukic are decent picks although i still think they should have picked mendez for 58th...i meant...it's so low in the draft already, why not give the canadian kid a chance? Words have said that when peterson is ready to be traded (july 31st)...toronto will package up charlie+peterson for magloire... Not sure if that's the best move but if toronto wants to do it that way, make sure they don't overpay magloire 2 years from now</div> Okay,, you've seen 'flashes' of Villanueva on TV, assuming that those were highlights during an NCAA game, aren't fastbreak dunks/layups and three pointers the only things they show on highlight reels? And if you've only seen flashes of his game, how can you judge his defensive side and whether or not he is able to hit hookshots? I just don't get it.
I've been looking at profiles and is Villeneuva 6'9 and 230 or 6'11 and 240???? I hate how there are 5 sites that all have different stats. Even NBA.com doesn't always list the proper stats. I've heard a lot that KG is 7'1 but doesn't want to be considered 7 feet, so his height is listed at 6'11.
KG is actually closer to 7'2 believe it or not. I think it's safe to say CV3 is between 6'10 1/2 or 6'11 in shoes. He's 240, and has a 7 foot wingspan. I see a lot of posts with CV3 playing Center next year, to me it doesn't make sense. If Bosh was thicker, then it could possibly work, but having two lean players in the post isn't a good idea. They just won't be able to withstand the physical demands in the paint and it could lead to injuries and fatigue.
I can't see anyone else making sense at the center position. I don't want to see Loren Woods start, I also don't want to see Rafael Araujo start - unless he makes a monster progress this off-season (which is unlikely). You could say start Pape Sow, but he's still raw and is better suited to come off the bench at least for this season. I think the trio of Graham / Bosh / Villanueva can handle most of the frontcourt in the eastern conference.
While I'm not high on Bosh and Villa in the middle, especially if Bosh is the one playing center, it's our most talented frontcourt lineup. I'm just afraid of them getting beat on through the season and possibly sustaining injuries, because that is always a big possiblity. For the most part they'll be able to handle it, but when teams know you're small, they go at you inside and try to beat you up, let's not act like you can hide the fact that you're small inside from other teams. I wonder who they will be putting at C. I know Villa seems like the more likely choice, but it could also be Bosh sliding in there, and he's taller, and he's an above average weakside blocker. I'm not yet sure how CV's shot blocking will translate into the NBA. I also don't know if it's good for Araujo to start CV at center. I mean we had all these people defending him all last year saying he can still be good, and then now we just basically replace him? <div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">I don't want to see Loren Woods start</div> Do you think he's even gonna be on the team? I hope not, just a waste of a roster spot, I didn't think he'd be good when we got him, but people always get hyped over these crappy guys we get in the market. PG - Alston SG - Rose SF - Graham PF - Bosh C - Araujo 6 - MoPete 7 - Charlie 8 - Bonner 9. Pape 10 - E.Williams 11 - A.Williams 12 - Lammond 13 - Woods 14 - Ukic [maybe] 15 - A.Williams I say waive Loren Woods, whether Ukic is coming or not. We get Omar Cook back either way because even if Ukic comes we still need a 3rd PG. Next we look into getting Steven Graham, Joey's brother. Get him in Summer League, and see if he can help as a backup. They're both hardworkers, and one hard worker might get some people more active [really the younger players, older guys won't care much], but if you have 2 guys on the team who are always putting in the work, their mentality might rub off on others.
