Toronto wins the NBA Draft Lottery, who goes #1

[houselog442]

Well Toronto wins the NBA Draft Lottery, so who goes number one? This the weakest draft I seen, probably even worse than the stinker in 2000! I wouldn't be surprised if Andrea Bargnani goes number one, but thier are alot of different players that could go #1 in this draft.

 

[charper1]

Yep, crap draft class. I am thinking they trade the #1.

Most GM's find it hard to pass up 7 footers, but unless Bargnani has proven Dirk-like skills, I can't see a non-US collegate going #1.

It is a toss up between Tyrus Thomas and LaMarcus Aldridge to me and I really think that boils down to who the Raptors lose, or expect to lose, between now and the draft and what offers they may get for a trade.

Assuming for now they make the #1 pick, I say they choose Thomas. Too early to vote for the TRADE option.

 

[houselog442]

I read today before the Lottery show that the Raptors in the process of hiring one of the key management people out of the Italian league that Bargnani is playing for, and that he was going to try to manuver his way to Toronto. It sounds like he doesn't have to manuver his way to it now since Toronto has the top pick, so its more about they either want him or they don't.

 

[charper1]

Then he must have those consistant Dirk-like skills. Just wonder if he will be ready for the NBA game in less than 2 seasons. 7' 220 sounds small to me. They also have to be concerend with the culture of losing and retain the players they have that might leave. Plus, teams must have some star names to sell tix which this guy won't do; so they will need a good FA as well. Right now the Raptor's only real name is Chris Bosh and he playes the same similar spots as Bargnani.

 

[houselog442]

Bargnani is a little older, and he is really shown himself in europe on one of the best teams. One problem with Toronto is that they have needs at PG and C and there just isn't anybody that fits there this year. If High Schoolers were allowed in the draft, i wouldn't have even bothered putting this thread up because Greg Oden would easily have been the top pick in this horrid draft. The big question on most euro big guys is how much foot quickness does he have? Most euros have slow feet, and thats why they struggle in the league. Dirk has pretty good foot quickness, Gasol is slower than a turtle. The euro with the best feet is Darko's, but I think Bargnani's is about as quick as Dirk's but its hard to tell. One other factor with Toronto is that they played a couple of euroleague teams back in the preseason and Bargnani's team played the Raptors once, I am trying to find an article on the game summery, but it might not be too easy to find, lol

 

[charper1]

You nailed most of what I was thinking, and God help them if they are planning on drafting him to be the center, which is what I thought they would go after, thus skipping him or trading down to secure more picks for a possible sign & trade deal of a "star" FA that might actually want to come to Toronto.

Speaking of that, what does the league and/or agent do to compensate the players that play there? (Tax & exchange rate hits)

Nazr Mohammed might do, if he wants to be a F/T starter.

They can't get Ben Wallace, he can't score nor do I think DET will let him get away being the fan favorite.

Nene is out there. (restricted)

Not too many quality 6' 10" or larger big men!

 

[houselog442]

Actually teams with no state income tax do have an advantage over teams from states with big taxes. The NBA does have a provision in the collective barganing agreement that does offer extra bonuses to Canadian teams to help equal out the taxes that the socialist government of Canada has. Here is the FAQ from a good website that has the whole cba on their site: http://members.cox.net/lmcoon/salarycap.htm#63

 

[houselog442]

Another thing about the NBA is that the league is going through significant changes in the past two years. What I have noticed is that players that are smaller for thier positions are starting to dominate the game, and that playing with your back to the basket is starting to really faze itself out. Teams have finally decided that since Low post Centers have no motivation to play hard anymore (ie Jerome James and his $5 million a year contract) teams have decided to ditch low post centers for good. Thats why it would not surprise me that Toronto has a lot of interest in Andrea Bargnani. Look at all the hand check calls Dirk got in that San Antonio series. It has become easier now for big guys to play facing the basket than it is with your back to the basket. Thats why a player like Lamarcus Aldridge isn't the overwhelming favorite to be the top in the draft, even though he is clearly better at the offensive end and has better size than tyrus thomas