The Raptors and the 2014 Draft

[Mediumcore]

Melvin Ejim and Khem Birch.

Thanks Stretch. Don't know much about these guys, but I'm guessing they might be their secont round prospects?

[white men can't jump]

Thanks Stretch. Don't know much about these guys, but I'm guessing they might be their secont round prospects?

And probably not for their higher pick at 37...probably for the 59th pick. Both are intriguing in some ways.

I think Ejim could be a good pick there if they don't pick up a SF at their other spots. He doesn't seem that impressive as a prospect on paper, but the times I saw him play he looked like he really understood the game and found a way to impact both ends of the floor. I wouldn't mind giving him a shot, even if we don't draft him. His game actually impressed me quite a bit on the court...really seems to get the game mentally. He's also physically strong so there's that.

Birch would be a project with defensive upside. Didn't get the chance to really see him play. Seems raw and like it could take a couple of years before you could expect much from him. Ejim's closer to being able to contribute right away.

[OptimalOptimist]

Ejim was a PF in college, more by team needs than natural position. The fact he's only 6''6' qualifies him as a tweener by most experts. That being said, he is a good 3 point shooter and posted the best 3pt numbers of ALL players at the combine. He is also very strong. He brings intangibles like passion, emotion, dedication, hard work, intensity at every occasions which made him a dominant standout player in the 2vs2 and 3vs3 drills at the combine. He is also very mature and intelligent and plays within himself. Could be drafter anywhere in the 45-60 range. I'm biased but I really think Ejim will be a fast learner and will become a solid rotation player in his first year. I see him as a potential 2nd round steal.

Birch is a defensive specialist who had the tougher assignments while playing beside Anthony Bennett. He is a tweener between the 4-5. Plays with a high motor and is an excellent shot blocker on and off the ball. should be in the 50-60 range.

[OptimalOptimist]

IT appears that the Hawks are very high on Kyle Anderson, they are bringing him back for a 2nd workout. They draft 15.

[mcHAPPY]

On Anderson: “He’s so smart with the way that he uses his body and the way he plays the game,” Raptors director of scouting Dan Tolzman said. “It’s pretty remarkable. He’s like a throw-back player to the fullest. He’s an old school-type guy.”

On McDaniels: “I think with the way the spacing in the NBA is, rotations and defensive principles are so important. A guy like him, he can fly in from the wing and get blocks off the [ball] like nothing. I think plays like that, that’s what gets guys time in the NBA.”

http://sports.nationalpost.com/2014/...014-nba-draft/

[OptimalOptimist]

Suns appears to be high on Capela, good chance he is drafted before our pick as well.

[magoon]

See, all of these reports of teams falling in love with players who were projected to go after #20 just makes me happier and happier.

[TSF]

IT appears that the Hawks are very high on Kyle Anderson, they are bringing him back for a 2nd workout. They draft 15.

NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO I want Kyle.

[OptimalOptimist]

Just thought of something that could be hilarious. Ennis slide to 20, we draft BPA at 37, then buy a pick from PHI or CHI (if they make a play for Melo, they could basically give that pick away) and draft Ejim with that pick and then Bachinsky or Birch at 59.

[The Great One]

If the draft was today, McDaniels is my pick assuming LaVine, Ennis and Payton are all of the board.

McDaniels would be a great fit here i think. He's the type of player we need. 6'6 SF, a little bit undersized but plays bigger and looks bigger because of his wingspan. Tremendous athlete, great defensive player, shot is still a work in progress but that's going to get better in time. They say he's a much better shooter when his feet is set.

[special1]

I haven't heard a lot about Deandre Daniels.....6'9 SF who hit 41.7 percent from 3's last year....won a NCAA Championship in 2014. I understand that he was a junior last year, but can't seem to find a reason why he's ranked so low. Obviously it must be his "upside." Does anyone know how he performed with the group that worked out for us today? I wouldn't mind picking Daniels if he's available at 37.

[special1]

I haven't heard a lot about Deandre Daniels.....6'9 SF who hit 41.7 percent from 3's last year....won a NCAA Championship in 2014. I understand that he was a junior last year, but can't seem to find a reason why he's ranked so low. Obviously it must be his "upside." Does anyone know how he performed with the group that worked out for us today? I wouldn't mind picking Daniels if he's available at 37.

^^ I think I would grab him at #37 especially if we picked a PG like Ennis or Payton at #20.

[blackjitsu]

I haven't heard a lot about Deandre Daniels.....6'9 SF who hit 41.7 percent from 3's last year....won a NCAA Championship in 2014. I understand that he was a junior last year, but can't seem to find a reason why he's ranked so low. Obviously it must be his "upside." Does anyone know how he performed with the group that worked out for us today? I wouldn't mind picking Daniels if he's available at 37.

I've been a fan, but he did play PF during the season, so there are some concerns if he was the pick at 20. At 37 I think he would be an excellent pick. For the most part we've been talking about the 20th pick, so I think it's less that people dislike his game and more that they like Anderson, McDaniels, ETAL at 20 more. Also, mystery players like Inglis have piqued peoples' interest -- even though footage on some of these guys is limited.

[yabadabayolo]

If the draft was today, McDaniels is my pick assuming LaVine, Ennis and Payton are all of the board.

McDaniels would be a great fit here i think. He's the type of player we need. 6'6 SF, a little bit undersized but plays bigger and looks bigger because of his wingspan. Tremendous athlete, great defensive player, shot is still a work in progress but that's going to get better in time. They say he's a much better shooter when his feet is set.

im not on the mcdaniels bandwagan. He is too undersized at 6'6 its basically a longer wingspaned ross without the shot. I would rather a taller guy at small forward, a guy like grant who also does not have a shot but has defensive stopper potential.

[planetmars]

im not on the mcdaniels bandwagan. He is too undersized at 6'6 its basically a longer wingspaned ross without the shot. I would rather a taller guy at small forward, a guy like grant who also does not have a shot but has defensive stopper potential.

McDaniels has a terrible shot but Grant's shot is completely broken. I think McDaniels' will have a longer career, so of the two I think I'd rather have him over Grant despite their size differences.