It is the NBA, so if Wiggins somehow became a Raptor, I wouldn’t be surprised. I just hope he’s good/great..He’s got to be on Durant level greatness in his one year of college for me to believe. If he isn’t otherworldly in his only year in college, I will be freaked out at the bust potential. Everytime I hear Wiggins’ name a little voice whispers “Jonathan Bender”. I don’t know why. Maybe, I’m crazy.
http://www.wearingfilm.com/picketfence/ Tim W.
I don’t care in the least whether the Raptors get Wiggins. More than that, I want the Raptors to end up with the the best player from the draft, whoever that may be.
And I have no idea why you think of Jonathan Bender. They are COMPLETELY different types of players. And Bender’s biggest problem was that his knees gave out. He had lots of talent.
Louvens Remy
I don’t know why I think of Bender either. Just probably because athleticism and all around skill and a guy that was super hyped. I really don’t know. I just have a weird feeling about Wiggins, that’s all. I literally think of Bender when I think Wiggins, maybe I see Wiggins’ fate and I think the worse if he’s drafted by the Raptors. It would not even surprise me to see a freak injury that derails an otherwise promising career. You never know. The Raps have the worst luck.
Since we are going to be in the lottery I hope we draft Jabari Parker or Marcus Smart, but the pressure will be there to draft Wiggins.
http://www.wearingfilm.com/picketfence/ Tim W.
I have no idea why you see Bender. I don’t see any similarities.
I see more of a similarity between Wiggins and Harrison Barnes, but I think Wiggins is a better athlete and is having a much better freshman season than Barnes did.
Louvens Remy
**DISCLAIMER: NOT AN ATTACK POST, JUST LEGIT QUESTIONS***
If the Raps are in the position to draft either Wiggins, Smart or Parker who do you think they should take? I believe that Parker will and shoud be the number one pick. Assuming that, the Raps would have to be within picks 1 to 5 to have a chance at any of these players.
What do you think the likelihood of that happening? I don’t believe they have a chance at the top 5, because there a worst teams in the league. What do you suggest they do if they don’t have a chance to be in the top five?
I want you to go back and look at the last 20 draft classes. There aren’t many “franchise” players taken in those drafts and very rarely even in the top 5. But then we would need to define “franchise player”. Is it a Tracy McGrady, Vince, Yao, Iverson, Harden, Carmelo, Bosh type…the list is long, or are we looking for the homerun in a LeBron, Nowitzki, Bryant or Duncan type? There are a smattering of all stars and above avg players in the top 5 from the last 20 years, so therefore I am sceptical of the 2014 class.
If the Raps don’t get in the top 5, which is a great bet, then why not go for the playoffs and retool through shrewd trades like they did back in the golden years, but this time by trading for young talent, instead of veterans? If the Raps decide to dump a DeRozen or a Lowry, assuming they don’t get a “surefire” star in the top 5, do you really think there will be a prospect better than them in 1 year? 3 years? 5 years? I am saying this assuming that they don’t get in the top 5 of the 2014 draft.
As for the last “great” draft class of 2003, there were 4 franchise players/potential HOFers in the first 5 picks. Do you really think there is going to be 4 franchise players/HOFers in the first 5 picks of the 2014 draft? I think before you dump all your proven players for draft picks you have to consider that.
I know this draft is suppose to be “loaded”, but history tells us that most NBA players become journey man, serviceable and at best good but not great. I think we agree about the Raptors getting better, so I am just starting a conversation on how we get there, realistically, without selling the farm.
http://www.wearingfilm.com/picketfence/ Tim W.
I think it’s way too early to start deciding who the best player is going to be. I’ve always felt that Parker might end up being the best player, simply because of his intangibles, but one never knows. Did anyone think Wade would become the second best player from the 2003 draft?
I also think it’s way to early to start judging the likelihood of getting a top five pick because it’s obvious Ujiri isn’t done dealing. Right now, without even trying, the Raptors have the 8th worst record in the draft, and they’re only 2 games out of the third last spot.
If Ujiri does what everyone expects and starts trading guys like Lowry, then they should start dropping.
And the fact is the the chance of finding an elite player outside of the top five is becoming more and more slim. There are no high school players any more and international scouting has gotten so much better, so there aren’t any more McGradys, Kobes or Dirk Nowitzkis.
As for selling the farm, you have to look at the farm itself. This isn’t exactly a good team that Ujiri will be breaking apart. They are 7-13 in a horrible Eastern Conference. This roster is simply not that good.
The Raptors have a great chance to get a high pick in one of the best drafts in decades. The alternative is to try and eek out a playoff spot with a mediocre roster with a low ceiling.
And yes, I do think that there is a very good chance that a player taken after the fifth spot will end up being better than DeRozan and Lowry because, quite frankly, neither of them are all that great. DeRozan is a good scorer who does everything else below average. Lowry is a decent PG who too often makes bad decisions. At the very least, maybe the Raptors can draft players who would be better to have as core players. High IQ players that play defense and understand their role.
“why not go for the playoffs and retool through shrewd trades like they did back in the golden years,”
When exactly were these so-called “golden years”? The years when they had one of the best players in the league, in Vince Carter? Isn’t that kind of an important part? And remember that those golden years involved just one second round appearance.
The highlights look good, but he’s only an average 3 point shooter, and not nearly as athletic as Harden. I think he’ll also get killed on defense in the NBA. Maybe worth a second round pick.
Raps Loyalist
The beautiful thing about this draft is that every top 8 recruit (save Emiid) is a perfect fit for the Raps. Trade Lowry and Amir ASAP!! tank baby tank!!! All hail the Masai-YAH!!
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