Raptors draft 2009: Preact and react!
Chris Bosh and I are excited. Are you? (AP via Daylife)
Anybody else as excited as I am for the 2009 NBA draft, a.k.a. Bryan Colangelo Redemption Night?
If you are just as pumped, stoked or whatever-other-adjective to see what the Raptors will do this Thursday night, comment below, and I’ll respond ASAP — like a makeshift live blog, from now till 4PM today!
And keep commenting on through Sunday and tell me your reactions to the wheelings and dealings related to our beloved Raptors.
Here are some ideas to get you going. What do you think of:
- B.C.’s fave five: DeMar DeRozan, Gerald Henderson, James Johnson, Jrue Holiday and Jonny Flynn?
- Shawn Marion signing-and-staying or signing-and-trading?
- Drafting a point guard?
- Getting a second-round pick?
- Free agents?
- Potential trade partners, like the Minnesota Timberwolves?
Looking forward to chatting with you!
June 24th, 2009 at 9:18 am
We’ve been going back and forth about it, but I’m a much bigger fan of Gerald Henderson right now than I thought I would be. The Raptors need a steady Mo-Pete ish replacement, and they haven’t had that in a while. However, I’d also say that if Colangelo has an inkling about what will happen with Shawn Marion, I think it will determine what he does in this draft. If Marion is staying, he can afford to take a little bit of a chance with DeRozan, but if he’s heading out, he should aim for a steadier presence.
Anyways, what do you think of Minnesota stockpiling so many draft picks? To me, in such a weak draft, it’s kind of unfathomable, but here we are.
June 24th, 2009 at 9:23 am
Welcome, Vicious D! It’s been awhile.
I like Henderson, too, but he’s got that “safe pick” stigma stuck to him. Maybe because he’s so polished already (based on the clips I’ve seen). But he’s got an attractive skillset: bouncy, can shoot, can go to the rack, steals, defends, etc. And I’m afraid of DeRozan’s bust potential (Gerald Green, part deux). Maybe it’s best to go with a safe, mature pick, get immediate help when you’re trying to retain Bosh, no? Or is that shortsighted?
Minny’s got to be dealing those picks. Those lower ones are for sale, for sure. Maybe package them with their newly excess bodies?
June 24th, 2009 at 11:30 am
I’m still hoping Tyreke falls to us. Failing that, as much as I’d be a huge jocker of his, Flynn would be sweet.
Not sold on DeRozan at all. Last thing we need is someone who needs years to develop, a la Bargnani. If we are serious about trying to retain Bosh, we need to show him that we are active and we are loading up to make a solid run in 2 years, not 5. Again.
June 24th, 2009 at 11:35 am
Welcome, AltRaps! Been nice chatting with you on Twitter.
Tyreke Evans would be nice — he’s got the talent and mindset, for sure. But can he be a 2-guard? Would he back up both guard spots? I see him as more of a lead guard, personally.
Flynn, too. Isn’t he starting PG material? What does that mean for Jose and … gulp … Roko Ukic?!
But agreed with you on getting solid talent to support Bosh NOW, not for development. But again, is this shortsighted? Is Bosh worth it?
June 24th, 2009 at 12:12 pm
Well im high on Derozan, dont know why but i just really believe in his mid-range game and i think in time he can be a decent ball-handeler and 3-point shooter.(Again in time but as AltRaps said do we have time)
As for Marion i think we should check what we could get for him in a sign-and-trade before we sign him. Has anyone heard that someone might be interested (I know portland is looking for a SF, but they may want Turkoglu)
I really hope they do get a second round pick but not in the 50s more like the mid-to-late 30s, so they can get a guy like Danny Green from UNC…
Anyone Agree/Disagree?
June 24th, 2009 at 12:18 pm
Hi INFO!
I think AltRaps is saying that we DON’T have time to develop someone; the Raps need to assure Bosh that they’re ready to win soon.
You bring up a good point — there’s no real rumblings of who’s interested in Shawn Marion, apart from the Raptors. Anyone hear rumours about other teams?
Agree with you on a second rounder. Maybe stash a European player (Khandor’s favourite, Nando De Colo)? Maybe grab a ready-right-now roleplayer?
June 24th, 2009 at 2:48 pm
Raptors need 6 WINGS to FLY, not rookie PG’s.
1. Sign Marion, he wants to come back
2. Sign Delfino he wants to return.
3. Sign a FA with the MLE or part of.
4. Sign Parker if he wants to return.
5. Pick up option for Douby.
6. Draft DeRozan @ #9, his upside and his
athleticisim, is off the charts, with
comparisions to VC, Kobe, & DWade, by the
experts for different aspects of his game.
He is young and will take some time, but can
still contribute and learn the NBA.
The only way for the Raptors to find potential Star quality @ the SG is via the draft, as its too expensive via FA or trade.
With the MLE or Biannual exceptions they can add an experienced PG to help Roko if they feel the need.
June 24th, 2009 at 2:55 pm
Hey Johnn19, long time no talk.
Completely agree with you there — we need ready wings, not rookie backup PGs. Why, then, are Jrue Holiday and Jonny Flynn in B.C.’s fave five? Are they THAT good?
Hopefully Marion will be back, i.e. agree on a reasonable contract. But what if he won’t? What good SFs are attainable via trade or MLE?
And what veteran PGs do you envision backing up Jose while Ukic develops?
June 24th, 2009 at 3:00 pm
Although my preferance had been DeRozan up until today, I find myself warming up to Henderson, Henderson, and Holiday.
AltRaps is absolutely right. We can’t wait on a guy to develop unless we want to hand him the keys to the franchise next season. That is to say, if this team doesn’t improve greatly NEXT YEAR, Bosh walks, and DeRozan (or whoever) is the next big hope in Toronto. That particular scenario doesn’t excite me at all, and given the uncertainty surrounding Bosh, I’d like to see us pick a guy that can contribute right away. So if we’re taking BC at his word regarding Bosh (and what other option do we have?), then a safe pick (Henderson would be my preference) seems like the best move to me.
June 24th, 2009 at 3:01 pm
And by Henderson, Henderson, and Holiday, I of course mean Henderson, Johnson, and Holiday.
June 24th, 2009 at 3:04 pm
Hi, TM Williamson.
For what it’s worth, Jon Givony of DraftExpress said Gerald Henderson is underrated.
To me, he definitely has the looks of a good rotation player at least.
I subscribe to Johnn19’s vanilla plan, but hope that B.C.’s got something more spectacular up his sleeve.
June 24th, 2009 at 3:38 pm
Getting excited.
The Raptors look primed to pick DeRozan but i’m not convinced he’s the way to go. Could be a real high ceiling for him and people say he’s going to be the best player in this draft 5 years from now. Can the Raptors wait?
I’m also hearing that the Raptors might look at Johnson because of toughness.
I agree that the Raptors were too jumpshot oriented last season but can you go too far in the other direction now? Can you get rid of jump shooters and just pile up a bunch of though guys?
Humphries, Evans, and then you spend a draft pick on Johnson? I would rather see Dajuan Blair if toughness and rebounding is the direction they want to go in.
June 24th, 2009 at 3:43 pm
Welcome, Nuno!
You’re right, the Raps are heading in the less-jumpshooty direction, but I wouldn’t say they’re completely going the other way. The core is basically Jumpersville (Bosh, Bargnani, Calderon).
Apparently James Johnson can hit a jumpshot, so he’s not a complete departure from what the Raptors got. I worry that he’s a bit of a reach at #9, though. Anyone seen JJ play? What accounts for him going up the draft board so fast?
June 24th, 2009 at 4:15 pm
I have seen James Johnson play and all i have to say is that he is ok to solid. I dont really know why he is “flying up draft boards” beacaue during the season he was, just as i said, average.
He is a tough player that has good size which is a reason BC likes him. He can hit a open jumpshot but as a wing it is your job to do that. Other than those reasons i dont know why he is rising unless he is tearing up workouts (my guess would be that)
June 24th, 2009 at 4:15 pm
Hey fellas, that was fun. Thanks for dropping by for the chat.
I’m gone for now, but might be back later tonight, definitely back Monday morning. Please feel free to keep chatting amongst yourselves.
And please comment here your thoughts on draft night.
Thanks!
June 24th, 2009 at 7:07 pm
I hear murmurs around the traps of the Raps trading up to get Ricky Rubio… but then again, every team seems to be implicated in the same Rubio rumours.
I’m thinking dealing Marion is probably not a good thing right now, considering how much he has hurt his stocks. I’d be hoping that he has a self-fuelled resurgance in 09/10 and that he can become the Matrix of old!
Good luck for Draft night Raptors fans, my GM, Mr Pritchard (backed by the wallet of Paul Allen) will be only too happy to do business with yours.
June 24th, 2009 at 8:24 pm
Hey Mookie!
I hadn’t heard any rumours of the Raptors moving up to get Rubio. B.C. said explicitly that if he were to move up, he’d only target the #1 pick.
Yeah, it looks like there isn’t much of a market for Marion (yay, alliteration!). Remaining with the Raps would be reasonable.
June 24th, 2009 at 11:22 pm
This draft class isn’t filled with stars so you go for potential. . . Derozan is an excellent mid range shooter and averaged a good percentage when shooting the ball in college. . .A lot of factors can play into derozan not having a good start but he showed ppl it truly did matter. . . Why derozan, simple because if you take him based on potential he’ll be a wing who will have a chance to contain and play against the lebrons and wades of the world. . . Im not comparing him to lebron or wade but at the same time i don’t think henderson can ever be on their level. . . We don’t need a mo pete or anthony parker. . . Given he’s more atheletic. . . We need derozan. . . Who can fill the void left by vince. . . I like evans as well
June 25th, 2009 at 1:25 am
I think DeRozan is going to be the guy because he’ll be available and he has some upside like everyone has mentioned. He’ll bring some excitement for the fans and will probably be at All-Star weekend for both the rookie/sophomore game and the slam dunk contest. Is he Vince Carter Redux? Doubt it, but he’ll be a scorer. The only downside is that you probably won’t get his best during his rookie contract and might price himself away from the Raptors if he fulfills his promise when a new contract comes up. But, hey, one season at a time.
June 25th, 2009 at 9:01 am
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August 4th, 2009 at 1:21 pm
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