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

[stretch]

Davis had 7 blocks last night versus Kansas. I would think the 3 will be his spot in the NBA like those other lanky guys like Durant and Daye. He looks a bit like Batum, even.

[Matt52]

I wonder about the possibility of playing Anthony Davis at the 3. He seems to have the athleticism for it and has shown to have the perimeter skills (maybe like a Lamar Odom). Can you imagine a starting front line of Anthony Davis, Ed Davis and Valanciunas? I know some will mention the spacing or the fact that there's no goto scorer, but quite frankly, I wouldn't care. That's a lot of defense, a lot of rebounding, a lot of shot blocking and a lot of guys who you can't leave open for a second or else they'll get to the basket for an ally-oop.

I was thinking about Anthony Davis at the 3. It will be interesting to see if he has the ability to play SF at the NBA level.

Tim, I don't want to give you an aneurism or send this in to a Bargnani thread but Bargnani sandwiched between Anthony Davis and JV with Dwayne Casey implementing a suitable defensive system and a boot in Andrea's ass could be very, very interesting and exciting. I apologize for the bulging vein and high blood pressure you are surely experiencing now.

At the risk of pushing Tim further over the edge in to a massive coronary, ED could possibly be flipped to get another first round draft pick that could become the PG of the future - Kabongo?

*EDIT*

But to be perfectly honest, I would rather see a front court of SF-Anthony Davis-JV than AD-AB-JV for the very reasons I know Tim is thinking.

If I had to chose between Anthony Davis and Ed Davis at the 4, at this point in time, it would be Anthony all the way.

[Tim W.]

I was thinking about Anthony Davis at the 3. It will be interesting to see if he has the ability to play SF at the NBA level.

Tim, I don't want to give you an aneurism or send this in to a Bargnani thread but Bargnani sandwiched between Anthony Davis and JV with Dwayne Casey implementing a suitable defensive system and a boot in Andrea's ass could be very, very interesting and exciting. I apologize for the bulging vein and high blood pressure you are surely experiencing now.

At the risk of pushing Tim further over the edge in to a massive coronary, ED could possibly be flipped to get another first round draft pick that could become the PG of the future - Kabongo?

*EDIT*

But to be perfectly honest, I would rather see a front court of SF-Anthony Davis-JV than AD-AB-JV for the very reasons I know Tim is thinking.

If I had to chose between Anthony Davis and Ed Davis at the 4, at this point in time, it would be Anthony all the way.

In all seriousness, I'd pick Anthony over Ed, as well, but I'd much rather keep both. I just hope that there is a chance to trade Bargnani before they would be able to draft Anthony for the very reason you state.

Maybe him and a future pick for another 2012 lottery pick to select Kabongo.

[Matt52]

In all seriousness, I'd pick Anthony over Ed, as well, but I'd much rather keep both. I just hope that there is a chance to trade Bargnani before they would be able to draft Anthony for the very reason you state.

Maybe him and a future pick for another 2012 lottery pick to select Kabongo.

Ha, nice pic.

Forget Bargnani for a moment and pretend Toronto drafted Anthony Davis, unless Anthony can play the 3 (which I am not convinced he can) I don't think it would be in the Raptors best interests to keep ED, sadly. His trade value would be too high to address other areas of need. JV, Amir, Anthony, ED, and Alabi are too many young bigs who all can play (well, Alabi yet to be proven) - and we have forgotten Bargnani too.

I can't wait to see how it all plays out. Exciting times to be a Raptors fan.

[Tim W.]

Ha, nice pic.

Forget Bargnani for a moment and pretend Toronto drafted Anthony Davis, unless Anthony can play the 3 (which I am not convinced he can) I don't think it would be in the Raptors best interests to keep ED, sadly. His trade value would be too high to address other areas of need. JV, Amir, Anthony, ED, and Alabi are too many young bigs who all can play (well, Alabi yet to be proven) - and we have forgotten Bargnani too.

I can't wait to see how it all plays out. Exciting times to be a Raptors fan.

Yes, I agree that if Anthony can't play the 3 then Davis needs to be traded. I'd just love it if it was possible to keep both. Of course, the Raptors haven't drafted anyone from that class, yet, so it's all moot at this point.

[Apollo]

Thorpe believes Harrison Barnes of North Carolina would be an ideal fit for the Raptors.

"Imagine the impact Barnes could have in Toronto, probably the worst defensive team last season," writes Thorpe. "Not only would he immediately upgrade the Raps on that side of the ball, but his perimeter shooting partners well with their shooting guard, DeMar DeRozan, who can slash but does not shoot well from the perimeter."

Source: RealGM.com

[Apollo]

Simeon junior Jabari Parker is generally regarded as the top player in the country regardless of class. But even that isn’t enough.

“Jabari wants to be the best basketball player ever,” Smith said. “Not just one of the best out of Illinois. He wants to be one of the best professional basketball players ever.”

Source: Yourseason.com

[joey_hesketh]

Source: RealGM.com

This is what I've been saying all along!

BARNES OR BUST!!

[Matt52]

Source: RealGM.com

Imagine a front line of JV, Anthony Davis and then trade ED and a future #1 for a pick high enough to get Barnes. OKC has 15 guaranteed contracts for next year without Cook, sign him. Send out Bargnani to get cap space and another pick to grab Kabongo. Then sign Nash to a 2 or 3 year. Resign Barbosa. Sign a veteran C for 2 years.... that would be awesome.

PG: Nash, Kabongo
SG: DD, Barbosa, Cook
SF: Barnes, JJ, Kleiza
PF: Anthony Davis, Amir
C: Vet, JV, Alabi

*alarm clock goes off*

[Apollo]

Indeed. Time will tell but this draft is very important and to land Barnes would be huge.

[joey_hesketh]

I'm for keeping Ed and just drafting Barnes. Kabongo if we can get him.
But I think Harrison Barnes is all we really need to start working towards a solid future.
But I don't think Anthony Davis is such a stud that we should be sending out Ed AND a future pick.
When we could have Ed and Barnes and our Future Pick.

[Matt52]

I'm for keeping Ed and just drafting Barnes. Kabongo if we can get him.
But I think Harrison Barnes is all we really need to start working towards a solid future.
But I don't think Anthony Davis is such a stud that we should be sending out Ed AND a future pick.
When we could have Ed and Barnes and our Future Pick.

I think he is going to be amazing, but I was really high on Terrence Jones at this time last year. Time will tell.

College ball will be amazing this year.

[joey_hesketh]

I think he is going to be amazing, but I was really high on Terrence Jones at this time last year. Time will tell.

College ball will be amazing this year.

Ya exactly. I was thinking Perry Jones would be blowing everyone away by now in the NBA ...

Actually, a nice page comparing Perry Jones and Anthony Davis (I went looking for something like this, because I see them as being VERY similar players ie Very Tall quasi-guards-forwards. Haha Did I just make up a position?)


And ya, March will be extra MAD this year I imagine.

ADD Forgot link: http://declaredblog.blogspot.com/201...-jones-vs.html

[Matt52]

Ya exactly. I was thinking Perry Jones would be blowing everyone away by now in the NBA ...

Actually, a nice page comparing Perry Jones and Anthony Davis (I went looking for something like this, because I see them as being VERY similar players ie Very Tall quasi-guards-forwards. Haha Did I just make up a position?)


And ya, March will be extra MAD this year I imagine.

ADD Forgot link: http://declaredblog.blogspot.com/201...-jones-vs.html

Nice read. Thanks Joey.

Did you notice the date on the write up? April 25, 2011.

My worry with Jones would be his worth ethic and motor. This is the first thing I've read on him that said it was not an issue or dismissed it. Also he did not improve as last year went on it seems. Barnes did not meet expectations initially but he certainly rose to the occasion as the season progressed. One can't say the same about Jones in my opinion.

Two more games until Jones can start putting the naysayers in their place. I hope he does.

[joey_hesketh]

Did you notice the date on the write up? April 25, 2011.

I did, and they still had Davis with the Edge over Jones! haha

[Tim W.]

It's no surprise that Barnes is the best fit on paper, but far more than the best fit, the Raptors need the best player. If the Raptors get the first pick in the draft, then I think selecting Barnes is a mistake because I don't think he's going to be the best player in the draft. I don't think it's going to be a case of Sam Bowie over Michael Jordan, but I see Barnes as more of a complimentary player, at this point. A guy like Anthony Davis has the potential to be one of the best players in the league. I simply don't see that potential with Barnes. That's not to say I'd be disappointed if the Raptors get him (I do like him), but if the Raptors bypass better players simply because Barnes is the best "fit" then that's a huge mistake.

[Tim W.]

Ya exactly. I was thinking Perry Jones would be blowing everyone away by now in the NBA ...

Actually, a nice page comparing Perry Jones and Anthony Davis (I went looking for something like this, because I see them as being VERY similar players ie Very Tall quasi-guards-forwards. Haha Did I just make up a position?)


And ya, March will be extra MAD this year I imagine.

ADD Forgot link: http://declaredblog.blogspot.com/201...-jones-vs.html

I don't see many similarities between the two beyond the superficial. If Perry had Davis' work ethic and motor then he'd have gone number one last year. And Perry is a much better fit at SF while Davis is more of a PF.

[Nilanka]

I admit I didn't watch a lot of UNC games last year, but from the few games I did catch, I didn't see enough from Barnes to justify the hype. But again, my sample size was small...

[joey_hesketh]

It's no surprise that Barnes is the best fit on paper, but far more than the best fit, the Raptors need the best player. If the Raptors get the first pick in the draft, then I think selecting Barnes is a mistake because I don't think he's going to be the best player in the draft. I don't think it's going to be a case of Sam Bowie over Michael Jordan, but I see Barnes as more of a complimentary player, at this point. A guy like Anthony Davis has the potential to be one of the best players in the league. I simply don't see that potential with Barnes. That's not to say I'd be disappointed if the Raptors get him (I do like him), but if the Raptors bypass better players simply because Barnes is the best "fit" then that's a huge mistake.

Disagree. I see Harrison Barnes as having one of the highest ceilings out of ANYONE in this draft.

[Matt52]

NCAA Freshman Struggles

Drummond
Rivers
Nash
Turner
McAdoo

http://www.hoopsworld.com/ncaa-freshmen-struggles/

A good read..... on a VERY small sample size.

HoopsWorld and NBADraft.net have been drooling over Turner for months. Not only has he lost the starting position, he has been benched for going on 2 games.