Current Record: 41-41 (1-4) Drafting Position: 17th Draft Express <span style="font-size:14pt;line-height:100%"><span style="color:#336699"><span style="font-family:Arial Black">ROY HIBBERT</span></span></span> <div class='quotetop'>QUOTE </div><div class='quotemain'>Physicals: H: 7' 2" W: 272 lbs Bday: 12/11/1986 (21 Years Old)</div> <div class='quotetop'>QUOTE </div><div class='quotemain'>Comparisons: Best Case: Zydrunas Ilgauskas Worst Case: Boniface NDong</div> <div class='quotetop'>QUOTE </div><div class='quotemain'>Strengths • Size • Strength • Frame • Excellent hands • Plays hard • Efficiency • Excellent passer • Mid-range jumper • Back to the basket scoring • Soft touch around basket • Basketball IQ • Work Ethic • Shot-blocking skills • Overall defensive ability • Very young for class • Intangibles • Experienced • Proven at highest level of college basketball Weaknesses • Athleticism • Mechanical post-game • Quickness in paint • Lateral quickness • Conditioning • Assertiveness • Lack of substantial improvement recently • NBA teams preferring to play small-ball • Lack of improvement from junior to senior year • College system makes him difficult to evaluate • Can his body handle 82 game season? • Backup/Fringe Starter?</div> Why it works Raptors have a lack of a 7 foot rebounder, and Roy Hibbert is a good answer to these problems. He has proven himself at the college level, with a final four appearance and a few Big East title games. At 7'2" he will easily block many shots at the pro level and he has a work ethic that will make coaches fall in love with him. Out of the post he is a good passer, something that could come into to play more if he develops a better offensive game. For the Raptors, they NEED a 7 footer, Rasho doesn't have all the athleticism in the world and Kris Humphries just isn't doing it anymore. Gangsta P could've been good but lacks a total defensive game. This might be the answer to there big man problems. Why it doesn't work How well can he handle a full season plus playoffs, while still being a factor. He is also not very quick in the paint.. Roy will probably never be a top tier big man in the NBA, but i don't think he'll be drafted for those reasons. You also wonder about his assertiveness, and if he can remain assertive throughout a full NBA game. He also played against guys much smaller then him, how will he do against much big men in the NBA, and ones who can spread him out to the 3 point line is up for debate. Overall This is probably THE big men they are targetting, whether not he will work, is up for debate. Rating System 1 BC HEAD - BAD MOVE 2 BC HEADS - THERE IS A BETTER PLAYER, IF NOT, COULD BE WORSE 3 BC HEADS - NOT MY TOP SELECTION BUT GOOD 4 BC HEADS - GOOD CHOICE 5 BC HEADS - COULDN'T BE BETTER
Current Record: 41-41 (1-4) Drafting Position: 17th Draft Express <span style="font-size:14pt;line-height:100%"><span style="color:#000000"><span style="font-family:Arial Black">SHAN FOSTER</span></span></span> <div class='quotetop'>QUOTE </div><div class='quotemain'>Physicals: H: 6' 6" W: 205 lbs Bday: 08/20/1986 (21 Years Old)</div> <div class='quotetop'>QUOTE </div><div class='quotemain'>Comparisons: Best Case: Jason Kapono Worst Case: Thomas Gardner</div> <div class='quotetop'>QUOTE </div><div class='quotemain'>Strengths • Size for shooting guard • Wingspan • Unbelievable perimeter shooter • High release point • Quick release • Ability to come off screens • Confidence • Efficiency • One dribble pull-up • Defensive intensity Weaknesses • Frame • Strength • First step • Explosiveness • Ball-handling skills • Left hand • Ability to get to free throw line • Lateral quickness • Fighting through screens • One-dimensional? • Streaky</div> Why it works Shan has a high defensive intensity, and that could be critical for the Raptors organization. He is an excellent shooter and proved that well in the college game hitting the most 3's in the SEC while attempting the 2nd most and shooting a 47%. He is also excellent at coming off screens and getting open. For the Raptors, with his defensive intensity, he would kick Joey Graham out the door. Why it doesn't work Shan Foster is a good player, but looking at his Best Comparison, do the Raptors really need another Jason Kapono. Granted, Shan is better defensively, but no one shoots it like J-Kap. Also, the log jam at SF/SG position is currently a problem and unless a move is made, this will only make the problems worse. If your gonna be a rookie on the Raptors at the 3 position, you should be able to penetrate the ball and he kinda has some trouble at those aspects and is weak with his left hand. This might be a bad pick, unless the Raptors clean house and can trade down. Overall Rating System 1 BC HEAD - BAD MOVE 2 BC HEADS - THERE IS A BETTER PLAYER, IF NOT, COULD BE WORSE 3 BC HEADS - NOT MY TOP SELECTION BUT GOOD 4 BC HEADS - GOOD CHOICE 5 BC HEADS - COULDN'T BE BETTER
Current Record: 41-41 (1-4) Drafting Position: 17th Draft Express <span style="font-size:14pt;line-height:100%"><span style="color:#3300CC"><span style="font-family:Arial Black">NICOLAS BATUM</span></span></span> <div class='quotetop'>QUOTE </div><div class='quotemain'>Physicals: H: 6' 8" W: 214 lbs Bday: 12/14/1988 (19 Years Old)</div> <div class='quotetop'>QUOTE </div><div class='quotemain'>Comparisons: Best Case: Rudy Gay Worst Case: Thabo Sefolosha</div> <div class='quotetop'>QUOTE </div><div class='quotemain'>Strengths • Size for wing player • Freakish athleticism • Outstanding wingspan • Mid-range game • Ability to create separation from defender • Transition play • Finishing ability • Cuts to the basket • Basketball IQ • Court vision • Unselfishness • Terrific experience playing at highest level of European basketball • Perimeter defense • Stat-stuffing role-player potential • Upside Weaknesses • Ball-handling skills improvable • Streaky perimeter shot • Lacks aggressiveness offensively • Avoids contact/Soft? • Confidence/intensity wavers • Willingness to dominate opponents • Gets extremely passive at times • Not a go-to scorer • Poor rebounder • Still a work in progress</div> Why it works Batum is a physically gifted athlete. He has a very large wingspan and stands 6'8", a large size for a wing player. He has a tremendous finish ability to go along with his high basketball IQ and court vision. He has the potential to become a NBA stat stuffer. His best attribute is his ability to create separation from his defender, something the Raptors desperately need. Again, like all the other SF selections, this pick will likely be the end of the Joey Graham era in Toronto. Why it doesn't work He needs to get a more consistent shot and improve his ball handling skills. He, at times, seems to become too passive, relying on his teammates a little to much and is not a true go to scorer at this point in his career. Needs to bring up his confidence, and continue to improve. It is unknown if drafting Batum is consider a major product, scoring wise, but if the Raptors want to become contenders now and satisfy Bosh, they should maybe settle for a proven college wing player. Overall Not as sold on him as others, but has proven skills to become a solid pro, but Toronto might need another direction. Rating System 1 BC HEAD - BAD MOVE 2 BC HEADS - THERE IS A BETTER PLAYER, IF NOT, COULD BE WORSE 3 BC HEADS - NOT MY TOP SELECTION BUT GOOD 4 BC HEADS - GOOD CHOICE 5 BC HEADS - COULDN'T BE BETTER
<span style="font-size:14pt;line-height:100%"><span style="color:#000080"><span style="font-family:Arial Black">JOE ALEXANDER</span></span></span> <div><object width="425" height="350"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/BQAmuyqVR0M&"></param><param name="wmode" value="transparent"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/BQAmuyqVR0M&" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" wmode="transparent" width="425" height="350" /></embed></object></div> <div><object width="425" height="350"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/DotSO6957qU&"></param><param name="wmode" value="transparent"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/DotSO6957qU&" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" wmode="transparent" width="425" height="350" /></embed></object></div> <div><object width="425" height="350"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/GdAYyqSOuPc&"></param><param name="wmode" value="transparent"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/GdAYyqSOuPc&" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" wmode="transparent" width="425" height="350" /></embed></object></div>
<span style="font-size:14pt;line-height:100%"><span style="color:#000080"><span style="font-family:Arial Black">CHRIS DOUGLAS-ROBERTS</span></span></span> <div><object width="425" height="350"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/QqB9jTYehe8&"></param><param name="wmode" value="transparent"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/QqB9jTYehe8&" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" wmode="transparent" width="425" height="350" /></embed></object></div> <div><object width="425" height="350"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/Eziogfe5XSI&"></param><param name="wmode" value="transparent"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/Eziogfe5XSI&" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" wmode="transparent" width="425" height="350" /></embed></object></div> <div><object width="425" height="350"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/ZC_2a_Fh1Ug&"></param><param name="wmode" value="transparent"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/ZC_2a_Fh1Ug&" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" wmode="transparent" width="425" height="350" /></embed></object></div>
<span style="font-size:14pt;line-height:100%"><span style="color:#000080"><span style="font-family:Arial Black">DARRELL ARTHUR</span></span></span> <div><object width="425" height="350"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/_ODKbu0fcys&"></param><param name="wmode" value="transparent"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/_ODKbu0fcys&" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" wmode="transparent" width="425" height="350" /></embed></object></div> <div><object width="425" height="350"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/rs6F_rw-bEo&"></param><param name="wmode" value="transparent"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/rs6F_rw-bEo&" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" wmode="transparent" width="425" height="350" /></embed></object></div> <div><object width="425" height="350"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/2xyocIqXuWM&"></param><param name="wmode" value="transparent"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/2xyocIqXuWM&" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" wmode="transparent" width="425" height="350" /></embed></object></div>
<span style="font-size:14pt;line-height:100%"><span style="color:#990033"><span style="font-family:Arial Black">COURTNEY LEE</span></span></span> <div><object width="425" height="350"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/Jj91V1w8KXw&"></param><param name="wmode" value="transparent"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/Jj91V1w8KXw&" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" wmode="transparent" width="425" height="350" /></embed></object></div> <div><object width="425" height="350"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/oRiuEoSFwLk&"></param><param name="wmode" value="transparent"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/oRiuEoSFwLk&" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" wmode="transparent" width="425" height="350" /></embed></object></div>
<span style="font-size:14pt;line-height:100%"><span style="color:#990033"><span style="font-family:Arial Black">ROBIN LOPEZ</span></span></span> <div><object width="425" height="350"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/9LTHT9uqWuM&"></param><param name="wmode" value="transparent"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/9LTHT9uqWuM&" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" wmode="transparent" width="425" height="350" /></embed></object></div> <div><object width="425" height="350"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/1A3tLEr18C8&"></param><param name="wmode" value="transparent"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/1A3tLEr18C8&" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" wmode="transparent" width="425" height="350" /></embed></object></div>
<span style="font-size:14pt;line-height:100%"><span style="color:#CC6633"><span style="font-family:Arial Black">DJ AUGUSTIN</span></span></span> <div><object width="425" height="350"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/J449JerimHg&"></param><param name="wmode" value="transparent"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/J449JerimHg&" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" wmode="transparent" width="425" height="350" /></embed></object></div> <div><object width="425" height="350"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/YApriTFvD00&"></param><param name="wmode" value="transparent"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/YApriTFvD00&" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" wmode="transparent" width="425" height="350" /></embed></object></div>
<span style="font-size:14pt;line-height:100%"><span style="color:#CC0033"><span style="font-family:Arial Black">CHASE BUDINGER</span></span></span> <div><object width="425" height="350"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/ZWkaZfCt4Jk&"></param><param name="wmode" value="transparent"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/ZWkaZfCt4Jk&" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" wmode="transparent" width="425" height="350" /></embed></object></div> <div><object width="425" height="350"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/ID8LSJu4GRQ&"></param><param name="wmode" value="transparent"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/ID8LSJu4GRQ&" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" wmode="transparent" width="425" height="350" /></embed></object></div> <div><object width="425" height="350"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/CWXXpW7D6jU&"></param><param name="wmode" value="transparent"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/CWXXpW7D6jU&" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" wmode="transparent" width="425" height="350" /></embed></object></div>
This seems to be one of the rare opportunities to take the best player available and not worry about it.
Hey Bas, if/when you get the time to write some more, how 'bout some info on the players the Raps are working out?
to be honest im getting real busy right now school and the 08 graduating class had got me and my friend in the help them out with stuff (im an 07 grad, came back) im off school friday cause of their prom so ill try to do some then give me a list of guys you want me to do
The draft is only 3 days and a couple of hours away so hopefully all of you have scouted all the players with anticipation for the draft. One rumour that keeps coming up is the Raptors drafting Robin Lopez with the 17th pick and really im on the fence with this pick. Yea maybe Lopez could be a solid NBA player in the future and will provide hustle and all the good stuff but if stud swingmen are available like Rush or Greene I would jump all over them instead.
i now have the feeling we will not have the 17th pick anymore, and it will be dealt, just a small feeling
It seems like a TJ deal will be coming up soon. If its a blockbuster deal, it'll probably be before the draft and will include the pick. If not, we'll probably take a chance on some other team's player and it'll happen right after the draft. Out of the players we've been linked to/worked out, how would you rank your preferences for this draft? I've started to become more impressed with Rush (following Bas' opinion, I guess), so I'd rank it as: 1. Brandon Rush 2. Chris Douglas-Roberts 3. Robin Lopez 4. Roy Hibbert 5. JJ Hickson I would've ranked Batum at number 2 uptil recently when one of our workouts revealed that there might be something wrong with his heart. I don't know how serious it is, but it sounds like its big enough to scare off the Raps. I'm not a big fan of Donte Green even though we've been linked to him in a couple mocks. He just seems to have the same blockheaded mentality of a Joey Graham. Darrell Arthur's been projected around our range and I like his potential, but he's turned down our workouts a couple times and there's rumours that he doesn't want to play up here. Don't want anything to do with that. And Kosta Koufos/Alexis Ajinca bring too much of the same skills that this roster already has.
