Is there anything more exciting than draft night?
It really is a night when all teams fill their heads with dancing sugar plumbs.
Any and all of the players drafted on Thursday night could become the next Kobe, Jordan or D Wade. There will be a few GM’s looking for that hidden gem in the late first round or early second round. A player in the mould of a JJ Barea or Gilbert Arenas.
The beauty of it all is that no one will really know who won or lost until end of next season (assuming it even happens) and will be debated years from now. How many pundits and experts question why Kobe Bryant hung around the green room until #13 or why he was later traded by the Hornets. Of course Sam Bowie being taken over a young shooter from UNC will forever haunt everyone that works for or cheers for the New Jersey Nets.
Hopes, dreams, worries, visions of what can be. Is there anything better?
For the Toronto Raptors the draft is an important step in their continued rebuilding/retooling. With the addition os Dwane Casey to the coaching staff one would have to think that defense is going to play a part in whatever they decide to do with the pick.
Bismack Biyombo? I’d take him for his name alone. Can’t wait to write about how Biyombo Bismacked the opposition. Kemba Walker? He is a point guard and one that just won as much as you can in college ball. Vesley? An interesting project. Dare I say Jimmer? On second thought, maybe not. Or the more prefered Brandon Knight? Although he likely won’t be in play.
In the end the player Toronto chooses will be very much an egg and no where close to a chicken. What I mean to say here is that the Raptor faithful need to be patient with whoever is selected and need to see the pick as a small part of a much larger puzzle.
Rome wasn’t built in a day and this club will not be reborn with this pick.
One thing Raptor fans should be confident about is the person who is making the choices.
Draft Night is an exciting one for all involved. Who will wear Raptor Red on Draft Night?
Bryan Colangelo has a pretty solid track record when it comes to drafting talent. Yes, he passed up Lamarcus Aldridge and Brandon Roy in favour of Andrea Bargnani. But, Bargnani ain’t that bad (someone needs to say it). Demar Derozan was an inspired choice at the #9 slot and Ed Davis was an absolute steal at #13. Plus while with Phoenix he was responsible for Michael Finley, Steve Nash, Shawn Marion, Amare Stoudamire, Leandro Barbosa (in a draft day trade), Luol Deng, and Stephen Jackson. To name a few.
Is there another GM you’d rather have making the choice than this guy? Not me.
Add to this that Dwane Casey is now part of the decision-making team and will likely make a push for a more defensive minded player.
Mix all of these ingredients together and you have the recipe for a very intriguing draft from the perspective of the Toronto Raptors.
In the end, they Raps will make their choice, we will all applaud or jeer and ultimately debate the pick for the next several years. Hopefully our pick is more MJ and less Sam Bowie. More Derozan and less Araujo.
Happy Draft Day everyone!
Kristoffer Pedlar
Zan Tabak Herald
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