Story <div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">The blond highlights in the hair scream Hawaii. The tan doesn't hurt, either. But every so often, the vowels lengthen and the accent peeks out and it's then you remember the island Carl English hails from is Newfoundland, not Oahu. English's journey from rural Patrick's Cove, Nfld., to Honolulu ? six and a half time zones ? has been well documented. After a workout with the Raptors yesterday, he's hoping to complete another journey, this one to the NBA. The lone Canadian to have declared for this year's draft, English is hoping for a fairly high first-round pick but counting on a top-30 selection. He entered the draft after his junior year at the University of Hawaii, got himself an agent ? Canadian Harold Cipin ? and has said publicly that he'd like to play for the Raptors. Since the Raptors have the fourth pick overall, and then don't get another selection until late in the second round, it seems unlikely ? to say the least ? that they'll take English as their first choice. And being a sensible lad from The Rock, English knows and accepts this. "I don't see it being likely right now. I think those first five, six picks are almost set in stone," he said yesterday after a morning workout at the Raptors' practice facility. "But they say anywhere from 15 to 30, and unfortunately (the Raptors) don't have a pick in there." His story is remarkable. As a child, he lost his mom and dad in a house fire. He went to live with Junior and Betty McGrath, his aunt and uncle, and learned to play basketball on the highway blacktop of Route 100. As a student at Hawaii, he came home to work summers fishing with his family; in 2001, his Uncle Junior had a heart attack and died. English has seen enough tragedy for several lifetimes. But the tattoo on his left shoulder, a basketball player flying through the clouds, reads: "The sky is the limit." Asked who it is, English grins. "That's me," he smiles. "I used to be bald." Still, English understands he probably won't end up in Raptor purple. "It would be a dream come true if I had a chance to play here in Canada, with my family," he said. "Going to college, it was so far away from home. But with the way things are going, it (doesn't) look too good to come here." The Raptors have worked out several players, including the 7-foot-4 Pavel Podkolzine ? who pulled out of the draft yesterday ? Texas standout T.J. Ford, 6-foot-10 freshman Chris Bosh from Georgia Tech, and Dwayne Wade, an all-American guard from Marquette. Yesterday, in addition to English, Toronto put Kirk Hinrich, a 6-foot-3 guard from Kansas, through his paces. "Carl is more of a combination guard. He can play some point. He played the two all last year and shot the ball well," said assistant general manager Bob Zuffelato. "Kirk is more of a point guard who played the off-guard last year because there was another point guard on Kansas' team." Since the Raptors' most pressing needs are for a large inside presence or a point guard ? to back up Alvin Williams, or allow him to move to the shooting guard position ? it appears English doesn't mesh immediately with the team's plans. "He can help bring the ball up and play some at the point, but whether you'd want him to be your point guard right away? I think it's going to take some time for him to develop into that situation," Zuffelato said. "But I think he's a hard worker, he listens, he's very coachable, and he'll do whatever it takes to get it done. "I think he'll start off as a combination guard in the NBA, if he's fortunate enough to make a team." </div>
i wish we could get english (second round), i saw a lot of highlights when he was playing in hawaii and he has a great jumpshot, and he can dunk pretty good too. If we do the knicks trade Hinrich would be a good pick for the 9th spot, but sweetney would be a little better as IMO alvin playing SG would be a nightmare, or even if hinrich were to play SG, vince would be bumped down the SF, and Spre wouldn't be starting... If sweetney were to come then AD can play C...
if we do trade for spree he will definitely start. The ninth pick is a tough call. Hinrich sounds awesome, i've never seen him though. We would probably take Kaman if he is there.
I wish that the Raps had taken English in the second round and that he'd played for team Canada this summer. the oportunity of being a National hero was right there for him to grab.
