NCAA Prospect/March Madness Thread

[B2B]

One of the main reasons for selecting Jonas was to allow the team to tank again..

[gwrighter]

Does Anybody have an ESPN insider? There's a report out that Beal Fits best with the Raps.

The Toronto Raptors, believe it or not, had about as perfect a season as they could have hoped for, outside of becoming a serious contender, that is.

First and foremost, first-year coach Dwayne Casey proved to be a keeper, convincing his players to defend with better purpose and passion. Perhaps only the New York Knicks improved as much on defense from last season, and this improvement in Toronto will be a strong foundation moving forward.

Then they watched as their top pick from last June's draft, Jonas Valanciunas, proved to be the exciting prospect they had hoped for, as he played well last summer and through his current season in Europe. And all this happened while the Raptors kept losing games, assuring them of a very high draft pick in the 2012 draft. Indeed, this team obviously still has a lot of needs. But it looks like the Raptors should be able to fill an important spot no matter where they pick in the lottery come May 30. This is a team that is rapidly acquiring and developing talent.

http://insider.espn.go.com/nba/blog?...rds-team-needs

[Jamiecballer]

One of the main reasons for selecting Jonas was to allow the team to tank again..

i am pretty sure that's just an assumption. i think the guys deserve credit for recognizing a great player on the board at #5.

[gwrighter]

Follow up. here's the rest of the blurb about the Raps

Needs: Athleticism on the front line, perimeter shooters on the wings, guard depth

The obvious pick: Anthony Davis

Kind of fits: Andre Drummond

Bad fit: Michael Kidd-Gilchrist

Kidd-Gilchrist would give them much-needed athleticism and energy but his poor perimeter shooting will not likely allow him to stretch defenses for some time, if ever. However, let's be clear, Kidd-Gilchrist would not be a disaterous pick. It's just that picking so high, the Raptors will have better choices available.

Perfect fit: Bradley Beal, Thomas Robinson

DeMar DeRozan is a good NBA scorer, but his lack of perimeter shooting and suspect defense warrants looking into a replacement, if it makes sense. It does with Beal, as he projects as an outstanding shooter and a very good scorer. He should become a better player than DeRozan in almost every other facet of the game. In fact, adding Beal would allow them to bring DeRozan off the bench, where he could end up being an excellent sixth man while still being a primary scorer. Both guys could even finish games together as Beal will be able to defend many small forwards thanks to his length and strength. Toronto can't go wrong with Robinson either, as he fills a huge need for athleticism on the front line with the perfect game for Casey -- tough and energetic and willing to fight and defend. He'd play major minutes as a rookie and improve the Raptors in his first season.

I agree that MKG would be a bad fit for this current Raptors team but how long is this team going to stay the way it is? probably not long.

Thoughts?

[Saddler The Gr8]

Derozan would suck balls at coming off the bench.

[gwrighter]

Agreed, his trade value would suffer. I'd rather deal him than let him come off the bench.

[Jamiecballer]

Follow up. here's the rest of the blurb about the Raps



I agree that MKG would be a bad fit for this current Raptors team but how long is this team going to stay the way it is? probably not long.

Thoughts?

a team as bad as ours shouldn't be worrying about how he fits with the current personnel. before i get jumped on - the obvious exception IMO is when you end up taking a guy with the intention of playing him completely out of position.

[B2B]

i am pretty sure that's just an assumption. i think the guys deserve credit for recognizing a great player on the board at #5.

Not taking away credit for talent recognition, I'm one of the few that support BC as GM.

This is not assumption on my part. BC mentioned this factor in interview when talking about him.

No matter the recognition of Jonas talent, there are/were many factors that could have led BC to pass on another raw, Euro, project while his job security is/was on the line with a 2y contract..

BC had every intention of tanking this season when he drafted Jonas.

[B2B]

Follow up. here's the rest of the blurb about the Raps

Bad fit: Michael Kidd-Gilchrist

Kidd-Gilchrist would give them much-needed athleticism and energy but his poor perimeter shooting will not likely allow him to stretch defenses for some time, if ever. However, let's be clear, Kidd-Gilchrist would not be a disaterous pick. It's just that picking so high, the Raptors will have better choices available.

I agree that MKG would be a bad fit for this current Raptors team but how long is this team going to stay the way it is? probably not long.

Thoughts?

If he's considered BPA when Raptors draft, he's not a bad fit.

This team needs talent not to select a player that will compliment incomplete flawed players like Bargnani & Derozan.

I agree with the 2nd half of your sentence. Draft then trade to suit.

Big man rotation
Jonas/Amir
Bargnani/Ed?

Wing rotation
JJ/(MKG)/Kleiza
DeRozan/(MKG)/(scoring guard, preferably one that can play either SG or SF).

PG rotation
Amnesty Calderon for 22mil in capspace
(FA PG)/Bayless?/+ 2nd round picks for a potential PG.


Raptors have enough assets to consolidate talent into a position of need.

[B2B]

a team as bad as ours shouldn't be worrying about how he fits with the current personnel. before i get jumped on - the obvious exception IMO is when you end up taking a guy with the intention of playing him completely out of position.

Agree with everything said, trade if necessary. Take the best talent available.

[Byronicle]

Follow up. here's the rest of the blurb about the Raps



I agree that MKG would be a bad fit for this current Raptors team but how long is this team going to stay the way it is? probably not long.

Thoughts?

i have my money on Derozan improving his jump shot even more next season. JJ has improved big time as well and I assume he will continue to do so

the one thing i respect about DD is the fact that he will make improvements, and perimeter shooting is the least of my worries on this team, especially since we have plenty of perimeter shooters in Calderon, Bayless, Bargnani, Forbes on an occassion and soon Derozan and JJ. Anderson if we resign him, he has great perimeter shooting in his short season with the Raptors

what the Raptors need is leadership, intensity and an impact player.

who is to say MKG cannot improve? DD had what kind of shot before he was drafted?

[Byronicle]

i am pretty sure that's just an assumption. i think the guys deserve credit for recognizing a great player on the board at #5.

we could have easily taken Knight for an impact right now, like many people here were hoping

[pebloemer]

we could have easily taken Knight for an impact right now, like many people here were hoping

And I think even now a lot of people would have been happy with that pick. He's had a nice rookie season (not sensational, but nice). But I definitely give BC credit for making that pick. Not the popular choice, but the choice that could have the greatest long-term impact on the team.

[Jamiecballer]

Not taking away credit for talent recognition, I'm one of the few that support BC as GM.

This is not assumption on my part. BC mentioned this factor in interview when talking about him.

No matter the recognition of Jonas talent, there are/were many factors that could have led BC to pass on another raw, Euro, project while his job security is/was on the line with a 2y contract..

BC had every intention of tanking this season when he drafted Jonas.

we could have easily taken Knight for an impact right now, like many people here were hoping

i get that. but delaying gratification because you believe the player is worth the wait is not the same as "tanking".

[B2B]

i get that. but delaying gratification because you believe the player is worth the wait is not the same as "tanking".

True, except all his actions/moves indicated the same intention behind the pick.

-Drafting a player that can't contribute to the season
-Siging 3 vets to one year deals to fill out the roster
-Signing 3 d-leaguers down the stretch with the team showing improvement/winning more
-Injured players sitting & getting extended rest

Being able to stash/tank with Valanciunas overseas was one of many reasons he was a good pick, not the only reason.