<div class="quote_poster">Quoting P.A.P:</div><div class="quote_post">To Raps fan on this forum, most Raptors fans wanted to kill Babcock after we picked Villanueva (me being one of them), so lets not be hypocrites and act like we actually thought it was a good choice at the time. Stephen A. had a reaction that was common for many fans.</div> What Smith said has been taken way out of context. Analysts give their opinion and insight, and that's exactly what Smith did. No one blasted Smith for saying what he did before Villanueva played for the Raptors, only in hindsight do we say that his criticism of Charlie at the time (all of which were reasonable and which many others agreed to). I wasn't a fan of this pick at the time but I've changed my views on it. Why doesn't Smith get a chance even?
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting Chutney:</div><div class="quote_post">LoL, its hilarious reading everybody's reactions to that pick. I definitely succumbed to some of that early shock, but at least I was willing to reserve my judgment until I saw him play. The main problem I had with Smith's opinion was that it was at a much bigger stage than JBB. Other commentators tended to look at the possible position conflicts and issues over his work ethic, but Smith just put too much emotion into it. I remember thinking that it sounded like he had a bigtime grudge against Babcock and Charlie, because he sounded so angry. I thought it was especially classless, because the rookies can hear the broadcast too. On side note, I'd say the Granger vs. Graham debate has to go to Voodoo Child.</div> That is very true. I was reading that as well and Mr.Wade had no points whatsoever. He had toughness and that was it. Here's the ironic part, that toughness he was going on about for the entire thing is the thing Graham got critisized for so far in NBA. Talk about getting shut down!
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting P.A.P.:</div><div class="quote_post">From his conversations with Babcock, we drafted him and planned to play him with Bosh, interchanganble at the PF/C spots. Mitchell and Embry were the ones that wanted to draft CV and plan to have him with Bosh, interchangable at the Forward spots. Babcock wanted to draft Antoine Wright, so it was basically Mitchell and Embry overulling Babcock. </div> I saw something alone that lines too. You know, at this point, I agree with a lot of what SAS said on the Score. He didn't say anything that was out an out wrong and was justified in critisizing the pick. From the position that Babcock outlined it as, it was a bad pick. I'm happy he at least address it and I hope CV3 continues to play well.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting MrJ:</div><div class="quote_post">I don't think anyone questioned Villanueva's ability to play. Everyone knew he was a talented player, but they did, question his desire to play. Villanueva played very lazy at UConn and with a couple of million dollars in his pocket, no one knew how he would play. Knowing this, I still think Danny Granger would have been the better pick, especially since Villanueva would have most likely been available by the time the Raptors picked 16th. I'll give Charlie his props though. The real test will be if he keeps it up for the rest of his career. We'll see.</div> No way CV would of been there at 16...look at all the PF's taken in the 6-13 range! New Jersey was very interested but by the time their pick came around all the solid 4's were gone so they drafted for some gaurd depth. Granger was a solid option but he didnt want to play in Toronto, DID have some injury problems, and he was known for settling for the jump shot to much....not something a rather soft Toronto team was all that in need of. Babcock made the best decision possible in that draft..he got 3 1st round talents with only 2 first round picks.
I have nothing to say, I criticized the pick too, people just want to hate on him because Charlie is doing good, while they were saying the same things themselves. To make it even worse, if Babcock didn't want to use Charlie in the big man positions, but as a SF, why would he have then drafted Joey Graham another SF. I'm not a fan of SAS, but I have no reason to hate on him here. <div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">Granger was a solid option but he didnt want to play in Toronto</div> I think it was more like he preffered to play in Indiana as opposed to Toronto, not that he didn't want to play in Toronto.
Actually I don't hate on Stephen A Smith that much because hey he hated babock and i did and am glad his ugly ass is outta town. I personally thought he was right at the time and still think he was right. because at the time Channing Frye was on the board and the team soarly needed a center. But man i think the Raps have their PF SF SG set on Chris Bosh Charlie Villanuaeva and Joey Graham now they could get a fast hybrid center and a run oriented point guard.
^ i disagree on who you think their SG SF and PF of the future are...at least on the SG part of it. Joey Graham is solid in my mind..but i view him as more of a 25-30mins a game backup at the 3 positions. I think the SG of the Raps future is Mo Pete. He's very affordable, our best defensive player and our best shooter. He's still young too.....he's our man.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting hohoyoyoyo:</div><div class="quote_post">best defender in toronto doesn't mean anything you know?</div> True, but Mo is a solid defender nonetheless.
I don't know... I think Mo Pete can guard, the only thing i see him do is take charges and just stick with his man. Now a real good defender are ones who take their opponents out of their comfort zone. They make their opponent do what they usually don't do. When i see Peterson defend, most of the players get their way on the court.
Mo pete can show us that he can hold down superstars. For e.g. i remember the houston game when he just scored below 10 points, because Mo Pete was always getting in his face.
You know what, Mo Pete is a good defender, but when he's your teams best defender, that's saying something. We got the offense, we just need the defense. Too many nights have I seen the Raptors just lit up becuase of our atrocious defense, especially off the bench. My only question is, will Colangelo address that, and try to bring in veteran defenders or young athletic guys to strength the bench, or will he just look to add more Pow to our offense?
Actually I think Mike James is out best shooter.The guy is hitting 44% on his three's, and he doesn't really take easy shots all game. He's also shooting 47% from the field with a lot of his shots being jumpers, and has been a slightly better FT shooter. I do agree that Mo being our best defender is not the most impressive thing, but there's teams with worse [Seattle]. Not that he's bad, but Mo is above average, not a stopper by any means, but very good at moving his feet and beating you to spots. Mo does not irratate guys and get them annoyed like Artest, Bowen, and even Raja Bell does.
