Rafeal Araujo = Mengke Bateer
 

Both are very strong 6-11 290 lbs.

Both excelled at levels just below the NBA.

Both are poweful in the post, but can and will hit the outside shot if left alone.

Both are slow-footed and can't elevate.

Both like to pound inside and pick up fouls.

Now I know a lot of you are screaming "NO!" in your heads, but that is because you are thinking of Mengke based on his NBA experience, and Raffy based on his BYU experience.

Some Mengke tid-bits:

PRE-NBA:
Played for the Chinese National Team since 1993 (when he was 18) … teammates on the National Team include 7-5 Yao Ming and 7-0 Wang Zhizhi … was China’s starting center in both the 1996 and 2000 Olympic Games ... helped lead China to the silver medal at the 2001 World University Games and the ABC Championship … played for China in the 2002 World Championship … had 19 points and 7 rebounds in 34 minutes (all team highs) in China’s 84-65 loss to the U.S. team on 8/31 …

Appeared in 22 games with the Beijing Ducks in 2001-02… averaged 24.8 points, 14.1 rebounds and 3.1 assists … shot .489 (203-415) from the field, .309 (46-149) from three-point land and .719 (69-96) from the line … ranked sixth in the league in scoring, second in rebounding and ninth in blocks (with 1.1 bpg) was selected a CBA All-Star and named the MVP of the 2002 CBA All-Star game thanks to a 21-point, 8-rebound performance.

Despite this, Bateer couldn't get it done for 3 differrent NBA teams. Too... damned.... slow...

So how is Araujo different than Bateer?

Araujo had foul and turnover problems playing against teenagers in a so-so college conference. Sure he could push them around and manage 18pts and 10rebs. But against NBA players?

Araujo couldn't block shots at the college level.

Chris Kaman has a 30" vertical and by his own admission found himself getting blocked by everyone.

I don't see his game translating to the NBA. Scotsman Robert Archibald used size and strength mismatches to become a decent collegiate scorer while learning the game - 65% FG%, 11ppg in 22mpg. Look at him now. For that matter, consider this- Archibald is only 4 months older than Araujo!

Don't expect too much guys. The best case scenario is a limited roleplayer.

no that is not true - he is a cross between big country and menke bateer -

you know - one horrid player with another even more horrid player. Rap fans we have been screwed over the years and there is no sign that it is going to end any time. Babcock is obviously a total looser.

i happen to saw some of his video clips. He is a strong and fluid player at low post. Posses good rebounding ability, as well as great shooting and finishing touch. I like this dude and thats all we need.

The bateer makes a little sense to me. But did u see him play?
Yes he might be a bit slow, but at least we should give him so playing time "first" before we judge this player. Language barrier is hurting him...
however ,i dont think its difficult to understand the game....i feel sad for him..he could be a solid role player

John amechi anyone? remember that guy from utah? He used to be a solid player, can spell his last name though. Kind of reminds me of araujo.

Big Country could have stayed as a ab0ove avg C if he kept himself in shape, hid not not and went from 275 to over 300.
Arujuja is msature hard working player, that hasa a very positive attitude which could be easily heard from his conversation after being drafted.

Relax people give the guy a chance judge him after the all star break.

We did not give Damon one bit of a chance all were right away totally negative on him until he showed us he had game.

We all know we need a C and what C's were more polished than him?
Swift???
Ramos???
Podkolzine???

Don't get in the Biedrins crap sure he has the size to play C but all experts projected him at PF because they all felt he would excel at PF.
Bosh has C size he could be a perminent C if he adds 20 LBS but will he be a more impact player than?
Nope.
Arujua has the complete C size he will hopefully clean the trash on the boards, finish strong, set picks for Bosh and has the same range jumper as AD has.
AD was most of the time money on that 10-15 range jumper he loved taking from the corners.

They are not gonna start him right away he will add much neaded size on the bench and depth.

Babs will 4 sure go after Hudson for the PG hole and likely lookat Blount/Foyle/Thomas for the starting C spot.
Mo Pete might not be back if he wants above 4 mill or even 4, he aint worth that much.
There are plenty of decent vets that we could sign to load up our bench and for our starting C there are 3 ofr 4 good guys that Babs will likely look at (Thomas/Blount/Foyle/Okur) and for PG thin crop Hudson or James, no THANK YOU TO Arroye or Alston not what we need at PG in terms of starting.

yeah he wasa good interior big man but Arruja will and should be better in the end result.

WTF.

How you cant compare Araujo with Mengke Araujo has experience in american basketball he's a lot better in the O BETTER PASSER, Stronger is more agressive

Great point Bateer was useless, liked to take the outside jump shot more than get in the post.

Re: Rafeal Araujo = Mengke Bateer
 

I just lost all my respect for you as a poster. If you can't figure out why, I'm not gonna tell you.

I read somewhere that he is like prepacers brad miller...He kinda reminds me of brad miller come to think of it

This thread is ridiculous.

Before you judge what I have to say, take a peek at my avatar. I am a UTAH fan...so if I ever say anything kind about a BYU player, it means something....

"Ha"fael Araujo is a very good player. First of all, he's incredibly strong...there aren't many players in the East like him. He can score inside, he has a pretty nice touch right around the basket, he plays physical and with a serious attitude (as in the not-so-occasional cheap shot) and he'll provide a very good inside presence for you RIGHT NOW. He's as NBA ready as any of the C's taken in the last 5 years. He's better than Swift (skinny little ***** will NEVER be anything) Pavel, PJ Ramos, etc....

But most importantly for you guys, he's a center...and he'll start right away. Which means, Chris Bosh WON'T be starting at center...he'll be starting at PF, his natural position, which will do great things for his development. Bosh could have a phenomenal season coming up, largely in part because he'll be playing his natural position.

You guys got a good center who's ready to play in the NBA tomorrow (although, he does commit some stupid fouls...) and has a better offensive arsenal and potential then he gets credit for. I don't believe #8 was too high...personally, I wanted the Jazz to trade to 8 and get him...

Right brad miller + 30 lbs + plays below the rim + can't defend.

that sounds about right.

It is not fair to compare Araujo to a failure such as Mengke Bateer. Bateer had 3 seasons of trials in the NBA and couldn't unglue his *** off the bench, while Araujo is a young player that has NCAA Division I experience and has alot more potential than Bateer.

If you are going to compare him to someone then my comparison is Bryant Reeves.

If he stays fit he will be better than Reaves and could be just like Miller.
I like the pick because he is a pure C will really help defensively gaurding C's as last year we had no big man and literally we got raped by guys like Ilgauskas, Curry, Kurt Thomas, Nazeer Muhammad on the boards.
Aruaja is a big strong C that wont let oposing teams just abuse us in the low post.
We neaded someone with a agressive attitude on the court, he will not let other teams bully us around in the post.
He has a nice offensive game combo of inside moves, hook shot , fade, he loves to bang down low he will really help us.

Perhaps give us what we had expected of Micheal bradley some one to clean the trash around the basket, finish strong, get rebounds.
Good Pick, I don't know on him starting, I think with his size he can but Sportsnet and babs say he will be a guy coming off the bench and mostly helping CB4 out.
'
I think Babs has a plan to add a starting C [Thomas/Foyle/Blount] Trade Marshell/Murray for a cheaper player to open up some cap room, let Mo Pete walk if he wants 4 mill/season.
Sign Hudson to a short term deal.

We will see in a few weaks what he has in store and what our team willlook like come October.

nbadraft.net:

NBA Comparison: Brad Miller

Strengths: Size. Araujo is a wide bodied 6’11” center with great strength and decent athletic ability. Unlike most college centers, Araujo plays in the post and never shies away from contact. His great upper body strength allows him to back his way into the paint with ease. He posses a full assortment of back to the basket moves, including a sweet baby hook. He has a fiery edge to his game that really helps him on the glass. His passing skills are solid for a man his size and he runs the floor well…Araujo has the ability and desire to be a solid NBA contributor. Many teams with a lack of size and bulk will look hard at Rafael.

Weaknesses: Araujo is not a solid defensive player. Never known to be a shotblocker, Araujo will have to learn how to “play defense.” In college Araujo never established himself as a shotblocker or shut down defenders and the same will be found in the League…His lack of athletic ability and quickness make him a liability on the perimeter against more gifted and agile post players. Furthermore, his aggressiveness on the glass causes him to get into foul trouble often, although he improved on that in his senior year. His jumper and ball handling are below par….At 23, his upside may be questioned.

Notes: A solid free throw shooter….Greatly improved on his stats in his final year of college. Originally from Brazil.

draftcity: http://draftcity.com/rafaelaraujo.htm

Best Case Scenario: Brad Miller before he arrived in Sacramento
Worst Case Scenario: Vitaly Potapenko

Read the strenghts and weaknesses, etc..