30 Teams 30 Days Toronto Draft Preview

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30 Teams, 30 Days: Toronto Draft Preview

Jun 13, 2008 11:20 AM

2007-2008 Finish: 41-41
2008 Draft Picks: 17th

Pre-Draft 2008-09 Projected Starters:
PG Jose Calderon
SG Anthony Parker
SF Jamario Moon
PF Chris Bosh
C Rasho Nesterovic
Key Reserves:
PG T.J. Ford
SG Carlos Delfino
SF Jason Kapono
PF Andrea Bargnani

What the Raptors Do Well:

The Raptors are a rising beast in the East, and they like to believe that eventually they will be the best team in the conference. However, they are being built by Bryan Colangelo, the same guy who couldn?t direct a title to the Valley of the Sun. His borders are spilling with talent, but he is unable to corral them into a single unit worthy of reaching ABC in the playoffs.

Jose Calderon and TJ Ford have battled recently for the starting point guard spot, but it's become obvious that it is time for Calderon to lead this team and for Ford to be traded for some interior help. Maybe send Ford to the Knicks for Zach Randolph ? it would help both teams!

Chris Bosh continued his ascent into the upper echelon of the NBA, averaging a team high 22.3 and 8.7 rebounds. He was a beast in the paint and only expects to get better. The only problem is that he is a 6-10 intimidator, and he has only been capable of a career-low 1.0 blocks per game, which was his worst ever this season, further emphasizing his recent lack of aggressiveness and intensity in the paint.

Anthony Parker had a solid season, averaging 12.5 points, 4.1 rebounds, 2.2. assists, 0.96 steals, and a jumper that will put a dagger in your eye. Parker has fueled this fiery team back into contention and has been one of the primary reasons the Raps are a force to be reckoned with this season.

Greatest Areas of Improvement:

Active Rebounder
The Raptor frontline is very weak, aside from the rising star Chris Bosh. Rasho Nesterovic isn?t an ideal big man, and Andrea Bargnani still hasn?t figured out where the paint is. The Raps need a guy who is going to draw charges, hack a player going to the hoop, and rip down a tough board or two.

Upgrade at Small Forward
With the loss of Jorge Garbajosa to season-ending injury last year, the Raptors had a huge void at the three position. They can use this year?s Draft pick to upgrade a position that rookie Jamario Moon held onto last season.

Who?s Gone Number 17 Recently?

Over the past five years, the 17th pick has yielded some players that are reaching the cusp of All-Star caliber, and players with basically the same name. Josh Smith and Danny Granger are elevating to new levels, and Sean and Shawne Williams are hoping that a Shawn Williams emerges this year to follow suit at 17.

2007
Sean Williams, New Jersey Nets

2006
Shawne Williams, Indiana Pacers

2005
Danny Granger, Indiana Pacers

2004
Josh Smith, Atlanta Hawks

2003
Zarko Cabarkapa, Phoenix Suns

Who Should the Raptors Target?

For more in-depth analysis and background regarding the players that the Raptors should target in this year?s Draft, click on each player name to be redirected to Christopher Reina?s Prospect Report piece.

- Robin Lopez of Stanford

For a team looking to add a big man willing to get dirty under the hoop, Robin Lopez is their man. He is a pest on the defensive side of the ball and isn?t afraid to take a charge. Many compare his game (and hair) to that of Anderson Varejao, which no team would rather be without.

- Nicolas Batum of Le Mans

Batum is an interesting pick here for the Raptors. They have Jamario Moon at the small forward position and not much else. Technically, Jason Kapono is listed at small forward, but we all know that his shooting tendencies often make him seem more like a shooting guard, always looking to nail a key 3-pointer. Batum could provide the Raptors with another European player who could put the ball in the hole and offer tough perimeter defense with his long arms and lateral quickness.

- Javale McGee of Nevada

While McGee has been mentioned in plenty of Draft Previews leading up to the Toronto edition, he may very well still be on the board. The Raptors really have no threat inside the box other than Bosh, and McGee could offer them a two-dimensional attack down low that would be tough for opponents to contain.

- Donte Greene of Syracuse

Donte Greene gives the team a young athletic wingman who can run the floor and finish in transition. He is a bit redundant to Jamario Moon but has plenty more potential, not to mention he?s 8 years younger. Greene gives them another option at the small forward position who could evolve into a key contributor down the road.

Picks Over the Past Five Years

The Raptors were fortunate when Chris Bosh fell to them in the 2003 Draft and lucked out again when everyone thought they were reaching on Charlie Villanueva in 2005. However, Bargnani is looking like a bust early on in his career; they took Joey Graham over Danny Granger; and Rafael Araujo is, well, terrible.

2007
None

2006
Andrea Bargnani, 1st
P.J. Tucker, 35th
Edin Bavcic, 56th

2005
Charlie Villanueva, 7th
Joey Graham, 16th
Roko Ukic, 41st
Uros Slokar, 58th

2004
Rafael Araujo, 8th
Albert Miralles, 39th

2003
Chris Bosh, 4th
Remon Van de Hare, 52nd

Previous Editions of the 30 Teams, 30 Days Series

Who do you want the Raps to draft at number 17? Feel free to contact Jason M. Williams with your thoughts. He can be reached at Jason.Williams@RealGM.com for comments and questions.

Tags: NBA

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