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

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  • Dion Waiters looks fat and slow.

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    • Check out this move by Henson (2:58)

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      • i have a friend who's absolutely retarded for the tarheels and thinks almost every north carolina player entering the draft is going to be a all-star and even he doesn't know why Henson is being touted as a lotto pick.
        @sweatpantsjer

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        • Scouts always over-value size.

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          • he's not even that big though
            @sweatpantsjer

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            • Nilanka wrote: View Post
              Scouts always over-value size.
              IMO, size, wingspan, quickness and athleticism often get overvalued this time of year. What ever happened to stuff like dribbling, shooting, bbiq and court vision (ie: passing, off-ball play)???

              So many fans are disappointed in DD, yet it's quite clear that he excels at the trendy sabermetric-type intangibles, while being below average in a lot of the more tangible, fundamental areas. It would be interesting to do an analysis of the top 15 or so draft picks to see who has strengths in the intangibles VS tangibles.

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              • Anyone have any information, tweets from scouts etc..on how the workout which the Warriors hosted yesterday went? Apparently a few mid to late 1st round and second round calibre players were in attendance including Tony Wroten Jr.

                http://basketball.realgm.com/wiretap...en_Nine_Others

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                • DraftNet ranks SF and SG

                  Draftnet (i know, i know) did a rundown on the top small forwards and shooting guards. 1 + 2 are interesting, though i must say the actual scouting reports on each player are actually really good. Minus Beal.

                  The small forward field is filled with valuable complimentary pieces that can add balance to an uneven unit. Nobody on this list necessarily has superstar potential, but many are capable of earning long-term starting roles or holding significant reserve responsibilities. Small forwards are generally the most versatile athletes in the sport, and that's certainly the case with a number of the following prospects. Here are our top ten small forwards who've declared for 2012.

                  1. Harrison Barnes 6-8 223 SF UNC


                  Harrison Barnes
                  Barnes' image took a hit after an NCAA tournament meltdown, but that shouldn't hinder his stock as a long-term prospect. Physically, Barnes fits the NBA small forward mold like a perfectly shaped Tetris piece. His ability to catch and shoot with range, fluidity and a high release point make him a constant threat as a floor-spacer off the ball. This is a skill that keeps his basement high while minimizing his risk- worst case scenario he's assigned to spotup duties as a shooter and slasher, a useful service to offer. But Barnes overall polish as an offensive player should prevent any limitation of his potential. He's a class act, smart kid, and presents a win-win option for teams in need of some shot-making.

                  2. Michael Kidd Gilchrist 6-7 232 SF UK Fr.

                  I'm sure many of you are questioning how we can rank Barnes over MKG. A fair debate. But it's also easy to let Kidd-Gilchrist's likeability factor cloud one's judgement in terms of projecting the extent of his potential. Offensively he's still somewhat raw, and isn't a likely option to create half court offense. However with room in front of him, there's no one better. While Barnes sees separation as an opportunity to pull up, MKG sees it as his chance to ferociously attack the rim. His athleticism, explosiveness and strength allow him to burst through the slightest of gaps, absorb contact and finish in traffic. While his perimeter game is certainly not a strength, he's proven capable of pulling up off one dribble or spotting up given he's balanced and set. But it's his off-ball activity, relentless motor and unteachable intangibles that make him such a treasured commodity. Though his offensive ceiling is lower than Barnes, he can certainly be picked in front of him. He's the ultimate glue-guy, an outright winner and a legitimate two-way player.


                  3. Moe Harkless 6-7 207 SF St. John's Fr.


                  Moe Harkless
                  If it takes four stages to summit a mountain, then Harkless just completed his first. It could be 3-4 years down the road before he really hits his stride, but when he does, the team that owns his rights will be thrilled with their investment. I'm high on Harkless, and have watched him as close as any prospect this year. He has the fluidity of a small forward with the interior instincts of a 4. Harkless has the ability to hit tough shots at awkward angles- it's creating the easy ones that will be his challenge moving forward. Harkless' jumper was inconsistent, but he showed accuracy when balanced. Physically he's long and athletic, which helps him tremendously making plays off the ball. Defensively he anticipates, closes out on shooters and regularly contests shots. Yes, he lacks the strength to defend the post, but his length and mobility will allow him to guard opposing 3s. Right now, he's an impact player off the ball. By 2015, he could be a threat with it.

                  4. Terrence Jones 6-9 240 SF Kentucky So.

                  Terrence Jones' stock has dipped from the start of his freshman year, which can be attributed to inconsistencies and a questionable motor. My take: Being surrounded by an unusual amount of talent has at times flushed out Jones' potential production, which has led to frustration that deflates confidence and motivation. But in terms of talent, Jones has it. A combo-forward who can play off one foot or two, in the post or on the perimeter. Facing up, Jones has a deceptively quick first step and the mobility to effectively use angles and attack the rim. Though he shot 32% from downtown, he's proven capable of knocking down shots out of the triple threat or spotting up. Plus with a deeper three-point line, there should be better spacing for Jones to get comfortable. His versatility at 6'9 should help generate interest starting in the late lottery. If a coach can carve out a specific role for Jones to fill while keeping him motivated, Jones could end up being a valuable long-term contributor to a front court unit.

                  5. Royce White 6-8 260 SF/PF Iowa St.

                  White's game requires evaluators to extend the boundaries of their thinking box. His style isn't out of the box when you consider the success of guys like Anthony Mason and Boris Diaw, who owned similar skill-sets. But White is clearly a unique prospect because of what he offers at his position, which can be classified quite possibly as a point-forward. His ability to facilitate from multiple spots on the floor, handle the ball and work the glass allow his counterparts to concentrate on fulfilling their respective roles. White lacks upside, and his anxiety disorder could be a concern to mid-first round buyers. But if his disorder doesn't derail things, he's a safe bet to fit in and help improve a unit's on-court chemistry and rhythm.

                  6. Jeffrey Taylor 6-7 220 SF Vanderbilt Sr.

                  One of the most encouraging qualities or patterns to show prospective employers is gradual improvement. Jeffery Taylor is in the midst of his ascent towards becoming a multidimensional contributor, which is what kept him from first round consideration in years past. He shot a lights out 42% from downtown on almost two makes per game, after hitting only one three-ball his whole sophomore year and shooting 34% as a junior. Taylor is a phenomenal athlete at 6'7 with defensive lockdown potential, but it's his offensive game that's given his stock such a boost. Possessing the ability to defend, finish at the rim and spot-up make Taylor an attractive prospect as a reliable role player.

                  7. Quincy Miller 6-9 210 SF Baylor Fr.

                  Miller probably killed it playing 1 on 1 in his driveway growing up. He's outstanding in isolation, with the ability to create and knock down shots that are difficult to contest. At 6'9 with his perimeter skills, Miller could end up presenting opposing forwards with a serious mismatch. Unfortunately his infamous ACL tear in high school has hampered his speed and explosiveness, which limits his overall ceiling. But after declaring for the draft following his freshman year, it's possible he's drawn interest at the back of round 1. One of those guys who needs a few years to develop, his offensive upside might be worth it.

                  8. Kostas Popanikolaou 6-8 230 SF Panathinaikos (Greece) 1990


                  Kostas Papanikolaou
                  Kostas Popanikolaou's strong performance in the Euroleague Final Four has put him back on the NBA radar just a month before the draft. Though a sub-par to average athlete, his motor and competitiveness help neutralize some of his physical limitations. He's a lefty sharpshooter with long arms, substantial height and numerous complimentary qualities. Papanikolaou won't generate much of his own offense, but his potential as a role player could trigger interest from teams looking to improve spacing and offensive efficiency.

                  9. Kris Joseph 6-7 220 SG/SF Syracuse Sr.

                  Few prospects are as frustrating to evaluate as Joseph, who looks the part but fails to play it all too often. However that's why them call them prospects, and not final products. Though he still struggles as a shot-creator, Joseph has improved his overall perimeter game, which includes spotting up and one-dribble pullups. His three-point shot and range, which I have consistently pegged as the difference between teams viewing Joseph as a raw athlete compared to a basketball player, looked much improved his senior year (especially his mechanics). Joseph's strengths play to up-tempo ball where he can get out and run, slash off the ball and finish in transition. Inconsistencies over a full college career will unfortunately temper any excitement he generates during predraft workouts. But if he can maximize his services by becoming a legitimate spot-up threat, teams will feel more inclined to take a chance on the athletic wing from Syracuse.

                  10a. Draymond Green 6-6 235 SF Michigan St. Sr.

                  Everybody loves Draymond. Hard not to, right? But as a prospect, he does have his flaws. Though named Big Ten Player of the Year, Green hasn't mastered any one skill that is coveted by NBA teams. He does however contribute in practically every category across the board, and presents a low-risk, low-reward option for prospective teams. The fear that Green won't be able to create his own offense can be padded by the fact that he can pass, rebound and spread the floor. His maturity, leadership qualities, work ethic and intangibles will help generate interest from teams looking for cushion as opposed to firepower.

                  10b. Darius Miller 6-6 210 SF Kentucky Sr.

                  Miller is likeable because he rarely puts himself in position to make a mistake. He's efficient- Miller gets to his spot on the floor, runs his assigned route and hits open shots at a high rate. His contribution will come mostly in the midrange coming off curls and back screens, but don't expect any magic from Miller off the dribble. There's nothing flashy about his game, but his efficient play could be used in an offensive set that struggles to convert once the top few options get shut down. He does have bust potential if he struggles to get open looks, but Miller's a risk worth taking in the second round.

                  Honorable Mention: Larry Anderson 6-6 215 SG/SF Long Beach St. Sr. , Olu Ashaolu 6-6 230 SF Louisiana Tech Sr., Bradford Burgess 6-7 220 SF VCU Sr., Jae Crowder 6-5 210 SF/PF Marquette Sr., Olek Czyz 6-7 200 SF Nevada Sr., Kenny Gabriel 6-8 209 SF Auburn Sr., Draymond Green 6-6 230 SF/PF Mich St. Sr., Eric Griffin 6-8 201 SF/PF Campbell Sr. , Terrance Henry 6-10 195 SF/PF Miss Sr.Robbie Hummel 6-7 225 SF Purdue Sr., Orlando Johnson 6-5 230 SF UCSB Sr., Tony Mitchell 6-6 210 SF Alabama Jr., Rakim Sanders 6-4 228 SF Fairfield Sr., John Sherna 6-7 220 SF Northeastern Sr., Tornike Shengalia 6-8 220 SF Rep of Georgia 1990, , Chace Stanback 6-7 185 SG/SF UNLV Sr., Wesley Witherspoon 6-7 215 SF Memphis Sr., Alex Young 6-6 190 SG/SF IUPUI Sr., Tomislav Zubcic 6-11 225 SF/PF Croatia 1990

                  The shooting guard field is a strong one, with all ten (eleven) of these guys capable of drawing first round interest. Last year the only 2-guards who went first round were Klay Thompson, Alec Burks, Iman Shumpert and Marshon Brooks. This year it wouldn't be a surprise to see the six 2s go top 20. Here are our ten best shooting guards who have declared in 2012.

                  1. Jeremy Lamb 6-6 180 SG UConn So.


                  Jeremy Lamb
                  Lamb is arguably the most dynamic perimeter scorer in the country when you consider his shot-creating/making abilities in the 15-25 foot range. He's a better shooter than his percentage suggests, and with arms long enough to row a paddle-less canoe, Lamb should get plenty of clean releases. Because of his offensive takeover capabilities, his upside surpasses Bradley Beal's, however a down-year showing a lack of leadership might have put a scare into NBA evaluators. Individual mentoring and daily practice reps with professionals can only help Lamb achieve his potential.

                  2. Bradley Beal 6-4 195 SG Florida Fr.

                  Though undersized for a natural two-guard, Beal has the NBA body (6'8 wingspan) to help mitigate his inch or two disadvantage. He'll become a fixture at the off-guard slot because of his pure shooting stroke and athleticism to defend, though his ceiling remains limited because his size. Still, Beal finished the season strong and has positioned himself as the safest choice of any off-guard in the draft pool.

                  3. Austin Rivers 6-4 203 SG Duke Fr.

                  Rivers has the talent required to score at the pro level, but lacks the size and strength to get easy buckets. Adjusting to his new role is a process, so any freshman blemishes shouldn't be magnified. He shot a respectable 36% from downtown while leading the Blue Devils in scoring. His offensive game is eerily similar to OJ Mayo's, although he doesn't have his build just yet. And while some question his attitude, I think it's just a side effect of a competitive drive and desire to be the best. Accepting the role and improving off the ball will give him the best shot as sustaining a 25-30 minute nightly assignment.

                  4. Terrence Ross 6-6 190 SG Washington So.

                  Though not as elusive off the dribble as the three mentioned above him, Ross' combination of athleticism, shot-making and defensive potential make him a multidimensional contributor. Ross showed an improved ability to create and finish in isolation operating on the perimeter, but has more promise as a complimentary piece at the next level. With so many likeable NBA qualities, Ross could be a steal from #15 on.


                  Doron Lamb
                  5. Doron Lamb 6-4 195 SG Kentucky So.

                  What strikes me about Lamb is his efficiency playing a position that's vulnerable to low-percentage basketball. Lamb shot 47% from the floor, 46% from three, 82% from the stripe and turned it over once every 31 minutes as a combo-guard. He's a safe bet to find a prominent role because of his natural shooting stroke and deceptive scoring ability. Rarely rattled by misses or pressure moments, Lamb has shined in situations where Kentucky needed a bucket. A solid athlete and willing defender, he's likely to strengthen and provide depth to an NBA backcourt.

                  6. Dion Waiters 6-4 210 SG Syracuse So.

                  Waiters' game is suited for next-level play considering his ability to shake defenders off the dribble and score in isolation. With a strong upper body to compliment his athleticism and shiftiness, Waiters can create and finish both at the rim and from the perimeter. Sixth man seems like a fitting role for electric combo-guard out of Cuse.

                  7. John Jenkins 6-4 185 SG Vanderbilt Jr.

                  He's the class of the draft in terms of three-point shooting, converting 44% on almost 9 three-point attempts per game. He's been over 40% through the course of his three-year collegiate career, displaying the reliability and consistency that helps assure his value as a potential first rounder. With strong instincts on the perimeter, Jenkins uses pump fakes and screens to effectively create separation needed for a clean look at the rim. His lack of athleticism or quickness makes the JJ Redick comparison an accurate one.

                  8. Evan Fournier 6-7 190 SG/SF France 1992

                  Fournier is an advanced scorer for his age thanks to impressive scoring instincts, crafty ball-handling and the strength required to absorb contact and finish. Attacking the rim, he's agile and displays body control when operating in traffic. Fournier has size to go along with valuable experience playing pro ball in Europe, and remains the lone international prospect worthy of first round consideration. He will have until June 18 to keep his name in or withdraw.

                  9. William Buford 6-5 185 SG Ohio St. Sr.

                  Buford is a shot-maker, and that's how he'll be used at the next level. He's a nice complimentary scoring option for a second unit that could use some firepower at the off-guard slot. He fits the physical profile for a shooting guard with the fluidity to man the wing. He could end up being a steal considering his maturity as a player and readiness as a prospect.

                  10a. Khris Middleton 6'7 215 SG Texas A&M Jr.


                  Khris Middleton
                  Middleton's refined midrange game and excellent size for a guard are his most coveted NBA qualities. While he currently lacks the quickness or one on one skills to threaten a defense off the dribble, Middleton provides his point guard with a safe option running off curls in the half court. He struggled in his junior season, but is an excellent shooter and could end up one of the draft's sleepers in the second round.

                  10b. Will Barton 6'6 180 SG Memphis So.

                  Barton has the athleticism and length that could make him a difficult guard to contain off the ball. He shot a respectable 34% from downtown, and showed a soft touch slashing towards the rim. He led the nation for guards in rebounding, the thing he does best, with 8 per game. However, Barton is seriously lacking in strength for a two-guard, which will make it more of a challenge for his game to be as effective at in the pros as it was in college.

                  Honorable Mention: Chris Allen 6-4 185 SG Iowa St. Sr., Kent Bazemore 6-6 190 SG Old Dominion Sr, Carlon Brown 6-4 216 SG Colorado Sr., Jason Clark 6-2 170 PG/SG Georgetown Sr., Jared Cunningham 6-4 190 SG Oregon St. Jr., Nihad Dedovic 6-6 190 SG Barcelona (Bosnia) 1990, Marcus Denmon 6-3 185 SG Missouri Sr., Dion Dixon 6-3 190 SG Cincinnati Sr., Kim English 6-6 200 SG Missouri Sr., Kyle Fogg 6-3 190 SG Arizona Sr., Chris Johnson 6-5 194 SG Dayton Sr., Darius Johnson Odom 6-2 215 SG Marquette Sr., DeQuan Jones 6-6 195 SG/SF Miami Jr., Devoe Joseph 6-3 180 SG Oregon Sr., Kyle Kuric 6-4 190 SG Louisville Sr., Ramone Moore 6-5 189 SG Temple Sr., Kevin Murphy 6-6 185 SG Tennessee Tech Sr., Hollis Thompson 6-7 181 SG Georgetown Jr., Charlie Westbrook 6-4 196 PG/SG South Dakota Sr.
                  @sweatpantsjer

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                  • Draft Express PJ3 video



                    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4fYlN...ature=youtu.be

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                    • IMO, size, wingspan, quickness and athleticism often get overvalued this time of year. What ever happened to stuff like dribbling, shooting, bbiq and court vision (ie: passing, off-ball play)???
                      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.

                      So many fans are disappointed in DD, yet it's quite clear that he excels at the trendy sabermetric-type intangibles, while being below average in a lot of the more tangible, fundamental areas. It would be interesting to do an analysis of the top 15 or so draft picks to see who has strengths in the intangibles VS tangibles.
                      Derozan, by most advanced metrics, is anywhere from a below average to bad SG. I don't know what "sabermetric" measurements you are referring to that value Derozan highly. I haven't seen any. He's a good illustration of the "we'll coach 'em up" mentality. It's chasing at windmills...

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                      • slaw wrote: View Post
                        Derozan, by most advanced metrics, is anywhere from a below average to bad SG. I don't know what "sabermetric" measurements you are referring to that value Derozan highly. I haven't seen any. He's a good illustration of the "we'll coach 'em up" mentality. It's chasing at windmills...
                        I was referring to DD's athleticism, mainly. He was sold to fans based on his athleticism, hops and size at the SG position, for the most part. Now it's three years later and he still can't dribble or shoot from long range, at least not up to par for a starting SG who's supposedly a team's #2 scoring option.

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                        • *soon to be 3rd, (4th?) option
                          @sweatpantsjer

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                          • ceez wrote: View Post
                            *soon to be 3rd, (4th?) option
                            haha perhaps. I wasn't hating on DD or anything, just agreeing that so many players seem to shoot up the draft board unexpectedly, fuelled more by measurements and athleticism, than their basketball skills and NCAA performance. I'm not upset by this, as it only adds intrigue and hope that one of my favourite targets might wind up slipping to the Raps at #8. Who knows, the offseason truly begins tomorrow night!

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                            • no i completely agree with you on DD. maybe not as vehemently, but i agree.
                              @sweatpantsjer

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                              • ceez wrote: View Post
                                no i completely agree with you on DD. maybe not as vehemently, but i agree.
                                lol I just really hoped he would take that 'next step' this season, after such a strong second half last year. I still think he has loads of potential, especially given his age, and I'd be quite happy to see him continue to develop in a Raptors uniform. However, having said that, I also wouldn't be opposed to him being traded for a more proven wing player.

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