2012 Draft Thursday, June 28th: Raptors select Terence Ross

[Chr1s1anL]

rick (ny)

Is Lillard the real deal?

Chad Ford (2:08 PM)

I think so. Just saw him workout in Oakland on Saturday. Very few weaknesses in his game right now. Good body/athlete. Excellent shooter. Quick off the dribble. A willing passer. Hard worker. Very efficient. Rarely makes mistakes. He needs to become an even better passer, but he's really talented. And this is one of those times that the advanced stats all support his production on the court. Great guy too. If he were at a major program, he'd be a top 5 pick.

Neal (Chicago)

Chad, In an article last week you stated Dion Waiters could be a real steal of the draft. Where do you see him going ?

Chad Ford (2:13 PM)

Was very impressed with Waiters. A number of NBA scouts and execs that I trust have been telling me he's the sleeper of the draft for over a month. He's not going to be a wow guy in drills. But when they get to 3-on-3 as part of the workouts, he's a bulldog. Really knows how to get to the basket and score. Jump shot improving. I think he's ready right away for the NBA. I think his range is something like 6-13.

Bob (Lansing)

Is Perry Jones III a SF or PF?

Chad Ford (2:32 PM)

SF. I think if a team drafts him thinking he's a 4 or a 5, they will be disappointed.

Jeffrey (Sacramento)

Who does Perry Jones III compare to in the NBA? If he decided to work hard

Chad Ford (2:40 PM)

Paul George?

Matt (Toronto)

Marshall or Lillard? Both top 10 picks?

Chad Ford (2:46 PM)

Lillard. I think he's somewhere between 6-13. Marshall between 8-20.

Most interesting one!

Bradley (Regina SK CAN)

What is on Brian Colangelo's mind going into the draft?
Chad Ford (2:36 PM)

Needs a player who can go get to the basket when his team needs a bucket. That's why I moved Dion Waiters to No. 8 in my mock. I think he's a good fit for them.

Dion Waiters ()

You think I'm better prospect than Lamb is for the Raptors?

Chad Ford (2:38 PM)

Yes. Lamb is closer to DeRozan. I think Waiters can even play some point at the next level.

Brandon (Virginia)

Gut feeling who gets the Number 1 pick tomorrow?

Chad Ford (2:55 PM)

Forget gut feelings ... I'm going to our Lottery Mock Draft. Will play it once and then predict the lottery ... here we go ...

Chad Ford (2:57 PM)

1. Bobcats2. Cavs3. Raptors So I have Bobcats taking Anthony Davis. Cavs taking Michael Kidd-Gilchrist and Raptors taking Brad Beal. There you go. That's my prediction. Oh, and one other thing, that order screws the Warriors ... who now fall to 8th place with the pick going to the Jazz.

Well that does it were definitely in the top 3. Your heard it here.

[ceez]

great he just jinxed us

[Chr1s1anL]

http://www.slamonline.com/online/nba...-beal-workout/

That's a pretty smooth jumper. He may not have a superstar ceiling, but this kid can flat out shoot.

EDIT: He's also been working on his handles knowing that he'll have opportunities to play the point at times.

That is one beautiful stroke

[ceez]

i could watch Beal stroke it for hours

[Prime]

But he's long! Long! With upside! I think where NBA teams often fall down in the draft is disregarding a players' productivity at the college/euro level. You can snap up good value late in drafts by taking productive players with lower ceilings who have been passed over for projects with upside. The reality is that most of the "upside" guys never pan out but NBA GMs and coaches will "coach 'em up" cause they're smarter and better than everyone else.

THe key word here is late. Lottery picks that have had long, productive college careers generally turn out bad. See also: Adam Morrison, Kandi Man

[koncept]

great he just jinxed us

real

[koncept]

"What is on Brian Colangelo's mind going into the draft?
Chad Ford (2:36 PM)

Needs a player who can go get to the basket when his team needs a bucket. That's why I moved Dion Waiters to No. 8 in my mock. I think he's a good fit for them."

I can agree with that. It would be nice to have a player who can isolate and get to the basket late game.

[CalgaryRapsFan]

"What is on Brian Colangelo's mind going into the draft?
Chad Ford (2:36 PM)

Needs a player who can go get to the basket when his team needs a bucket. That's why I moved Dion Waiters to No. 8 in my mock. I think he's a good fit for them."

I can agree with that. It would be nice to have a player who can isolate and get to the basket late game.

Is that also a knock on Bayless? Or an indication that he doesn't factor into the Raptors future plans? I mean, that is supposed to be Bayless' greatest strength, right?? I certainly hope so!

[Nilanka]

Only in these forums is Bayless considered a real basketball player.

[slaw]

THe key word here is late. Lottery picks that have had long, productive college careers generally turn out bad. See also: Adam Morrison, Kandi Man

For every Adam Morrison there are 10 Stromile Swifts. There are tonnes of lottery busts who weren't college seniors....

[slaw]

Is that also a knock on Bayless? Or an indication that he doesn't factor into the Raptors future plans? I mean, that is supposed to be Bayless' greatest strength, right?? I certainly hope so!

Not sure if serious. Ford's point is that they need an elite perimeter player. Have the Raptors been so bad for so long that guys like Bayless are high watermarks? Ford is talking about a top of the food chain scorer who can take over a game. Not freakin Jerryd Bayless.... Think Wade, Durant, Lebron, Kobe, Pierce, Ginobli.

[Prime]

For every Adam Morrison there are 10 Stromile Swifts. There are tonnes of lottery busts who weren't college seniors....

Obviously.

There are less seniors drafted each year than underclassmen. Even less have played in the NBA.

[Matt52]

The more information comes out, the more unsure I get about things.

Love this time of year.

Hopefully some more clarity will come tomorrow night. Fingers crossed for top 3.

[theycallmeZZ]

Another infographic, with some facts:

http://espn.go.com/blog/playbook/vis...ry-infographic

[Sig]

i could watch Beal stroke it for hours

PAUSE... you need to reread what you just wrote...

[Mediumcore]

If Bryan is looking for a guy that can get him a bucket at the end of the game then why not Lillard? Better shooter than Dion.

[ceez]

PAUSE... you need to reread what you just wrote...

Finally someone caught it

[NoPropsneeded]

Not sure if serious. Ford's point is that they need an elite perimeter player. Have the Raptors been so bad for so long that guys like Bayless are high watermarks? Ford is talking about a top of the food chain scorer who can take over a game. Not freakin Jerryd Bayless.... Think Wade, Durant, Lebron, Kobe, Pierce, Ginobli.

Aka PJ3

[Sig]

Finally someone caught it

Oh thank god, i thought u were serious

[Miekenstien]

Oh thank god, i thought u were serious

he never said he wasn't.