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07-01-2005, 04:11 PM
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#1 (permalink)
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Basketballboards Benchwarmer
Join Date: Oct 2004
Posts: 147
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Just how bad was the Raptors draft? Not that bad!
Quote:
5) #41: Roko Ukic, PG/SG – Toronto Raptors
Widely regarded as the fourth best point guard in the draft behind the obvious Deron Williams, Chris Paul and Raymond Felton (drafted at 3, 4 and 5 respectively), Ukic was rumored to have a promise from the Raptors at the 16th pick. Instead, Ukic remained undrafted at the Raptors’ 41st selection. The challenge for Raptors GM Rob Babcock will be to convince him to play in the NBA and will likely offer him a three year guaranteed contract to do so. Ukic is another player who opted out of last year’s draft and decided to stay in this year’s without a strong end result. Ukic averaged 18.6 points-per-game, 4.3 assists-per-game and 1.9 steals-per-game in Europe this season, which are very impressive stats considering that players get less minutes in Europe. Not only has he improved, but he’s also gained over 30 pounds in mass (from 185 to 218) and an inch in height (now 6’6” in shoes). Ukic’s size and leadership abilities make him an intriguing prospect and Babcock pleased every Raptors fan with this great selection.
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Quote:
3) #16: Joey Graham, SF – Toronto Raptors
One of the Raptors biggest needs was a defensive player and Graham is just that. Graham is long, strong and versatile with the ability to score from the perimeter, post and has exceptional ability in draining free throws. Graham will also add some much needed rebounding from the small forward position and should earn the starting position by season’s end. Graham is an athlete through and through, playing multiple sports and possessing a strong, football player’s body. Luckily, Graham has played the shooting guard and small forward positions at his respective colleges (University of Central Florida and Oklahoma State), where he would likely play power forward at other colleges due to his body, strength and apt rebounding abilities. He benefits from this because he translates into an NBA shooting guard or small forward and has the experience to back it up. This pick certainly makes up for the potential Villanueva blunder at the 7th pick.
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http://realgm.com/src_feature/180/20...the2005_draft/
We did pretty good. Still breaks my heart to see Granger in front of Graham, though. 
Anyways, good job to Rob!
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07-01-2005, 04:18 PM
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#2 (permalink)
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dis me to my face!
Join Date: Jul 2003
Age: 26
Posts: 15,896
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Re: Just how bad was the Raptors draft? Not that bad!
I'm still a little confused by the large contingency of supposed basketball fans who are upset by the draft we had. I'm hearing a lot of complaining, which is the norm, but I think a lot of it is unfounded. There are some people with legitimate gripes but I think the majority of those complaining didn't understand the dynamics of this year's draft and didn't appraise our needs very well.
Like many have pointed out, we had these needs: youth, athleticism, potential, rebounding, defense, decision-making, motivation, and character. I think the draft addressed all of them about as well as we could've. Other combinations of players might have worked as well but I'm not dissatisfied by the way things have gone.
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07-01-2005, 05:53 PM
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#3 (permalink)
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6th Man
Join Date: Apr 2005
Posts: 364
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Re: Just how bad was the Raptors draft? Not that bad!
The article says it all. We have 2 of the top 5 STEALS of the draft. You gotta love that. We were in GREAT shape for the 16th pick. We could have easily gone with Green, Granger or Graham with that pick ... all great bargains. I'm glad we didn't trade that pick.
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07-01-2005, 05:59 PM
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#4 (permalink)
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dis me to my face!
Join Date: Jul 2003
Age: 26
Posts: 15,896
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Re: Just how bad was the Raptors draft? Not that bad!
Kind of strange how McCants, Wright, Graham, Granger, Green, Warrick, were available from 14 on. Can you really consider any of them a steal if they are all still on the board? Every college wing other than Williams was still around.
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07-01-2005, 06:17 PM
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#5 (permalink)
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BasketballBoards 6th Man
Join Date: May 2005
Posts: 268
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Re: Just how bad was the Raptors draft? Not that bad!
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Originally Posted by speedythief
I'm still a little confused by the large contingency of supposed basketball fans who are upset by the draft we had. I'm hearing a lot of complaining, which is the norm, but I think a lot of it is unfounded. There are some people with legitimate gripes but I think the majority of those complaining didn't understand the dynamics of this year's draft and didn't appraise our needs very well.
Like many have pointed out, we had these needs: youth, athleticism, potential, rebounding, defense, decision-making, motivation, and character. I think the draft addressed all of them about as well as we could've. Other combinations of players might have worked as well but I'm not dissatisfied by the way things have gone.
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Hear, hear!
__________________
That is an important point to remember. Anyone who says they know for sure that Villanueva is going to be a horrible pro, or a great pro, is lying, quite frankly. It's impossible to know.
"The way Tim Duncan plays and the way he is off the court is what any mother or father would love. It doesn't sell in this society of quick gratification, titillation, instant thrills and chills, and that's not what Tim Duncan is."
Gregg Popovitch
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Just how bad was the Raptors draft? Not that bad!
