would any of u guys trade up in the lottery? remember the raptors don't have much to offer with only 7 guys under contract next year. looks like ben gordan went from a late lottery pick to an early lottery pick thats why i pose the question. watching billups torch the lakers last night i realized gordan has the capability to be much better than billups. billups looks like gordan's comparison but i think gordan is much more athletic, more of a slasher.
you know...i actually hope that Ben Gordon is drafted in 1-7, because the less selection we have, the better call me crazy, but in past years, we've had a lot of selection, and we seem to bomb it every time, at least if we choose someone with a more limited range of people, there will never be the question of "what if" we drafted him
For those of you who are interested in some mock draft sites, I'll post the ones that were advertised on Raptors.com. Hoopshype.com - http://www.hoopshype.com/draft.htm CBS Sportsline - http://www.sportsline.com/nba/story/7369096 SI.com - http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2004/bask...view/index.html nbadraft.net - www.nbadraft.net
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting thefranchise3:</div><div class="quote_post">For those of you who are interested in some mock draft sites, I'll post the ones that were advertised on Raptors.com. Hoopshype.com - http://www.hoopshype.com/draft.htm CBS Sportsline - http://www.sportsline.com/nba/story/7369096 SI.com - http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2004/bask...view/index.html nbadraft.net - www.nbadraft.net</div> dont forget the best out there http://www.draftcity.com
To me it looks like it comes down to Biendrins and Harris at our pick. Childress is kind of a stretch at 8 according to sportsline. We have too many perimetre players, even Chris Bosh and Donyell Marshall play the perimetre. I don't see them choosing anyone that does not fill their needs. I seriously don't think Gordon will drop down to 8 and I am even leery about choosing him over Harris. IMO Harris is the better point guard, Gordon is more of a scoring point guard than Harris. Don't let his assists stats in college fool you, he averaged 4 assists to 1 turnover last season at Winsconsin. Biedrins would be able to play the 5 in the East and he be the perfect pair with Bosh giving him an guy who will bang with him. Bosh has a great perimetre game and does have the range for an NBA three. Either one of these picks would be great for the Raptors. :thumbsup:
I seriously hope that both Harris and Gordon are NOT chosen in the top 7 as predicted by nbadraft.net. That would really hurt us.
^Even if they are not available Biedrins would be perfect for the Raptors as well. They need a big man who plays inside.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting CourtVision:</div><div class="quote_post">To me it looks like it comes down to Biendrins and Harris at our pick. Childress is kind of a stretch at 8 according to sportsline. We have too many perimetre players, even Chris Bosh and Donyell Marshall play the perimetre. I don't see them choosing anyone that does not fill their needs. I seriously don't think Gordon will drop down to 8 and I am even leery about choosing him over Harris. IMO Harris is the better point guard, Gordon is more of a scoring point guard than Harris. Don't let his assists stats in college fool you, he averaged 4 assists to 1 turnover last season at Winsconsin. Biedrins would be able to play the 5 in the East and he be the perfect pair with Bosh giving him an guy who will bang with him. Bosh has a great perimetre game and does have the range for an NBA three. Either one of these picks would be great for the Raptors. :thumbsup:</div> Unless Biedrins can make an immediate impact, I highly doubt we will draft him. This team is in a state where all they need is a few positions to be filled to succeed, and I believe Rob Babcock said it himself. The Raptors haven't had great success drafting international players (Alex Radojevic, for example), so I find it to be too much of a risk.
Heres some more scouting reports for Raptors.com if any of you are interested, click the name for the link. Ben Gordon Position: Guard Height: 6-2 Weight: 195 College: Connecticut Declared after: Junior Year Birthdate: April 4, 1983 Birthplace: London, England <div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">Pros: Ben Gordon can be called a combo guard as he is an excellent scorer, but is also able to find his open teammates. He is a very good ball-handler who excels in transition. Despite his small stature, Gordon isn?t afraid to take the ball to the basket and bang with the big boys. Cons: Ben played both point guard and shooting guard in college but will be asked to stick to the point in the NBA. Will have to improve his assist to turnover ratio and improve his passing skills. Since he?s a natural scorer it will be important for him to adapt to the new position. </div> Jameer Nelson Position: Guard Height: 6-0 Weight: 190 College: Saint Joseph's Declared after: Senior Year Birthdate: February 9, 1982 Birthplace: Chester, Pennsylvania <div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">Pros: Nelson was the player of the year last season. Some of his attributes are his strength, quickness and intensity. He can hit the open jumper, but he is also a very good passer. Excels at driving to the basket and finding the open man. Is also a very good rebounder and defender. Cons: His lack of size might hurt him in the NBA. Was known to turn the ball over quite a bit in college. He will have to improve his passing skills because it will be harder for him to get his shot off over the bigger guards in the pros.</div> Rafael Araujo Position: Centre Height: 6-11 Weight: 280 College: Bringham Young Declared after: Senior Year Birthdate: August 8, 1980 Birthplace: San Paulo, Brazil <div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">Pros: Araujo has great strength. His upper body strength allows him to work on his opponents and he uses this to his advantage. He has some solid post moves including a baby hook shot. Is very strong on the boards. He is a very good rebounder and a very good passer. . Consespite his size he?s not the greatest of defenders. He isn?t known for his shotblocking so he will have to play better positional defence which may be hard because like most big men he isn't very quick. </div> Luke Jackson Position: Guard Height: 6-7 Weight: 215 College: Oregon Declared after: Senior Year Birthdate: November 6, 1981 Birthplace: Eugene, Oregon <div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">Pros: Luke is an excellent shooter who has a good mid-range game. He is an adequate passer which makes him a tough player to guard. Is able to get his shot off because he has a quck release. Isn't afraid to rebound on the defensive end. Cons: Luke isn't the greatest defender and will struggle to guard perimeter players because he doesn't have the quickness. Will be tough for him to guard small forwards with his height and strength levels. </div> Shaun Livingston Position: Guard Height: 6-7 Weight: 175 High School: Peoria Central Declared after: Senior Year (High School) Birthdate: September 11, 1985 Birthplace: Peoria, Illinois <div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">Pros: One of his biggest strengths is his size as he towers over most point guards. His height allows him to not only shoot over the smaller point guards, but also allows him to see the passing lanes. He is an excellent ball handler with good hoops knowledge. Livingston is working out at the famous "Hoops" gym in Chicago leading up to the draft and word is he's added 20 pounds since finishing his senior year of high school and dramatically improved his shot. Cons: Will need to bulk up to play more physical and experienced guards in the NBA. Isn't the best defender either. Sometimes looks to set up others instead of being a little more selfish and taking the shots himself. </div> Click the links for more info. Also, for even more raptors draft coverage, Click Here for Raptors Draft Central
Heres more workout news: <div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">The Raptors were pleased with the workout yesterday at the Air Canada Centre of Sebastian Telfair of Brooklyn, N.Y., trying to become the first point guard to make the jump from high school to the NBA. The talented cousin of the New York Knicks' Stephon Marbury showed good quickness and technique yesterday in two-on-two games. "For a high school player, he's got great quickness and passing ability," said Jim Kelly, the Raptors' director of player personnel. "I think he's moved up in the draft."</div> Source Also, it looks like the Raptors have already worked out Devin Harris Devin Harris Position: Guard Height: 6-3 Weight: 185 College: Wisconsin Declared after: Junior Year Birthdate: February 27, 1983 Birthplace: Milwaukee, Wisconsin <div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">Pros: Devin has size, speed, quickness, explosiveness and a good shooting stroke. He can be a force on the boards because of his long arms and leaping ability. Has good court vision. Devin is a good ball handler and shows good leadership skills which are key for a point guard. Is more than just a passing guard as he is an explosive scorer who can take over a game. Cons: Devin needs to get stronger. Is relatively raw when it comes to running the point so he must continue to develop his point guard skills. Defensively he needs to improve on his intensity and understand when to pressure the ball handler.</div> For more draft news click on the Raptors draft central link in my previous posts.
If Livingston dropped down to us, we'd HAVE to take him. But I also like Ben Gordon and Devin Harris, I think Gordon will be off the board by our pick tho. Aroujo and Childress are also both very interesting. Igoudala would be interesting also, another energenic body with Carter. Id love to see him, Carter, and Rose work together, with Bosh. But with Aroujo, I love the idea of having a big Center to let Bosh play PF, and its not like it'll take Marshall out of the lineup, just slide him down to SF. With Vince at SG, and Rose at PG. We could go any number of ways with this draft, thats what I like about having a versatile squad like the Raptors have.
The Raptors worked out Josh Childress today. Rob Babcock in an interview said he is still unsure about drafting the best player available or for position. I guess it all depends on whos available. For those of you who are unfamiliar of Josh Childress heres a scouting report: Josh Childress Position: Forward Height: 6-8 Weight: 210 College: Stanford Declared after: Junior Year Birthdate: June 20, 1983 Birthplace: Harbor City, California <div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">Pros: Josh Childress is quietly moving up the draft boards with his style of play, body type and maturity level. Scouts are praising his centre-like wingspan coupled with his guard athleticism. Childress was easily the Cardinal's best player last season and led them to the second round of the NCAA tournament. Is drawing comparison's to Tayshaun Prince. Scouts are saying they love him as a person and could be as NBA ready as anyone on the board. Cons: Shooting and strength have been the two main knocks against Childress' game. </div>
Probably wont get ben gordan i think we'll draft devin harris or some euro guy. i hope to god we dont get a foreigner because they take so long to develope. Jameer nelson isnt even doing good so we wont pick him. peter ramos wont be picked around the 8th which sucks because hes the best latin player right now
Word out of toronto say we are interested in Luke jackson, i think that is a terrible pick. Chris Ford has him coming to us in his Mock draft but he says we could be also dropping his name just as trade bait.
interesting development, the bulls have acquired the seventh pick to presumably pick luke jackson. which means we are getting livingston, harris or gordon; my preference is harris but i love gordan's athleticism.
What if Luol Deng dropped to 8th, or what about Igggy? I don't think I could pass on Deng if he fell to 8th, it would just be crazy, the likeliness of it happening, very very slim, but if he did I don't care about PG or C needs, you can't pass on a guy like this at 8th.
To me the choice is between Devin Harris and Josh Childress, Nelson if Harris is scooped up early. I wouldn't mind at all if the Raps could swing some kind of trade to pick up Humphries from Minnesota as well :fingersx We'll see tonite I guess................... :
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting og15:</div><div class="quote_post">What if Luol Deng dropped to 8th, or what about Igggy? I don't think I could pass on Deng if he fell to 8th, it would just be crazy, the likeliness of it happening, very very slim, but if he did I don't care about PG or C needs, you can't pass on a guy like this at 8th.</div> Deng in a minute, but I have a bad feeling about the Igster, more sizzle than steak
If Chicago doesn't go for a trade with the Celtics for Pierce, then they won't draft Ben Gordon. If they don't do that at the #3 spot, looking at the teams after between 3 and 8 it looks like Gordon has a chance of slipping to the #8 spot. However if Chicago does draft him at the 3, we've got Devin Harris or Jameer Nelson to deal with, which is still pretty good considering 2 of those 3 could have been drafted before #8. I hope tonight that we won't be in a situation to draft anything but a point guard, to me, drafting someone like Deng seems like an automatic choice, but he wouldn't get much playing time, leaving us in a bit of a hole because there would still be a vacancy at the PG spot, because it is unlikely Jalen is going anywhere with his contract. Iguodala, to me would be an awful choice, simply for the same reason, we would not benefit from his talent because of roster spots, and with no PG we'd see ourself in the lottery next year.
