Do you believe that lightning can strike twice in the same place? Well if you don't, the Raptors chances of getting the number one pick are done. Last year Cleveland won the NBA Draft Lottery, but it was not thanks to their worst record and their own pick. That pick would drop 3 spots and they would draft Canadian Tristan Thompson. The pick that landed them Kyrie Irving the eventual NBA Rookie of the Year was the 8th spot heading into the lottery. It was a pick they acquired in a trade with Clippers that saw them acquire Mo Williams and former Raptor Jamario Moon in exchange for Baron Davis and the pick. The Clippers with that typical luck the franchise has been famous for. That said, if the Clippers don't make that trade and draft Kyrie Irving they likely never land Chris Paul. The lottery has been a jumping off point for a lot of big trades based on the results directly or indirectly. Boston of course bombed out in the lottery and missed out on the number one pick and instead of drafting Greg Oden they made a trade to acquire Ray Allen from the Seattle Supersonics. This trade lead to another trade for Kevin Garnett and the Boston big three was born. It stopped the Celtics from losing Paul Pierce to complete the trio. So even if the Raptors don't win the lottery it might not be the end of the world.
The Raptors have been in the Lottery 11 times in franchise history. They have only moved up twice in those 11 trips to the Lottery:
1996: The Raptors entered the Lottery in the 3rd slot and ended up in 2nd. (They actually won the draft lottery but based on their agreement to enter the NBA were not allowed to select first) This pick would be used to draft Marcus Camby. It should or could have been used to select Allen Iverson at number one. That said, Isiah Thomas who was running the team at the time claims Camby would have been the pick at number one as well. The Raptors at the time were in desperate need of a big and with having Mighty Mouse Damon Stoudamire were not in need of a point guard so it is likely this was true. But still imagine how different the Raptors might have been with Allen Iverson?
2006: The Raptors entered the lottery in 5th spot and jumped all the way to number one. This is the draft that saw Andrea Bargnani become the first ever number one pick for the Toronto Raptors. It has been a long and bumpy road since than for Bargnani. This would turn out to be one of the worst draft classes in recent memory. The Raptors passed on guys like Lamarcus Aldridge and took the big Italian making him the first ever player from Europe to be selected number one overall.
So based on this the Raptors should be a lock for the first overall pick in 2016? Raptor fans sure hope not and would like to believe this team will be a fixture in the playoffs by that time. The Raptors have actually had some terrible luck in the Lottery. They have exited the lottery with a lower pick than what they came in with 5 times.
1998: Entered 2nd and fell to 4th (They Drafted: Antwan Jamison who was traded for Vince Carter)
1999: Entered 6th and fell to 6th ( They Drafted: Johnathan Bender traded to Pacers for Antonio Davis)
2003: Entered 3rd and fell to 4th (They Drafted: Chris Bosh)
2004: Entered 7th and fell to 8th (They Drafted...Wait For It!!! Rafael Araujo)
2011: Entered 3rd fell to 5th (They Drafted: Jonas Valancuinas)
Shockingly enough it seems things go well with one large exception for the Raptors when they drop in the lottery. Not that I am suggesting they tank the NBA Lottery but it sure is a pretty nice list of players they have ended up with as a result. The lone exception is of course the Rob Babcock pick of Araujo that could have been Andre Iguodala or a host of other guys that are still playing in the league today.
In the 4 times the Raptors did not move based on the Lottery here is who they took and where:
1997: Tracy McGrady 9th Overall
2005: Charlie Villianueva 7th Overall
2009: Demar DeRozan 9th Overall
2010: Ed Davis 13th Overall
Now that I think about it the start of this blog is wrong. Lighting could strike in a different place as the NBA Lottery is no longer held in New Jersey and has moved across the Hudson River to Time Square and the ABC/ESPN Studios. Dwane Casey will be the one representing the Raptors on the stage for this event. In case you were wondering the odds on the 8th pick. It has only moved up twice in 2001 to 2nd for Clippers and as mentioned the pick that belonged to the Clippers landed number one for the Cavs last season. This dates back to 1995. Raptors most likely outcome is to remain at 8th spot with a 70.38 % chance of that happening. The next most likely is they drop one spot to 9th with a 16.5% chance of that happening. The chance of landing the top pick is only 3.5% and to land in the Top 3 is less than 5%.
So that is all the facts and figures for NBA Lottery tomorrow. What is also fact is we will be having an NBA Lottery Chat as we have for the past few years. So come hang out with us and enjoy the NBA Lottery and some Raptor off-season chatter with Team DNB and you. I will be there hosting the chat and trying to keep you entertained. So make plans to join us for the Draft Lottery.
Showing posts with label Raptors History. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Raptors History. Show all posts
5/23/12
A History To Forget In Round 2 For The Raptors
There has been lots of talk about who the Raptors would like to take with their first round pick. You may almost forget that they have two 2nd round picks as well. That would be understandable given that Raptors awful history in drafting in the the second round. It started so positively on the surface. The Raptors drafted a member of the Michigan Fab 5 in 1995. Jimmy King only played 64 games in that first Raptor season and averaged 4.5 points. He would be traded that summer and only played two more games in the NBA for the Denver Nuggets. That said at least he played for the Raptors. DeeAndre Hulett (2000 46th pick), Remon Van de Hare (2003 52nd Pick), Albert Miralles (2004 39th pick), Edin Bavcic (2006 56th pick) all never suited up for the Raptors for an NBA Game. Tyson Wheeler drafted in 1998 picked 47th overall played 1 game and made the only 3 pointer he ever took as a Raptor or in the NBA for that matter.
It truly is a house of horrors looking at the Raptors lack of production out of the second round. This is not even including guys they traded for like Nathan Jawai and more recently Solomon Alabi. You can make a strong case that Matt Bonner might be the most significant Raptors 2nd round pick of all time. Well technically he was traded for too as Bonner was actually drafted by the Bulls 45th overall. We all love Matt Bonner for the most part, but seriously that is the best we have done? Not to mention you could argue that Bonner is a much better player now playing with the Spurs than he was as a Raptor.
The most games played by a Raptor home grown 2nd round pick is 85 games by Roko Ukic. If you want to throw Matt Bonner in the mix he played here for just two seasons and played in 160 games in those 2 seasons. While the first round boom and busts get all the attention not just with the Raptors but all teams, this is truly a history of epic failure is it not? In these many years of being a franchise you would think the Raptors could have found a couple gems in rough? Just by dumb luck even. Many might have hoped P.J Tucker could have been that guy but all he got was a cute Chuck Swirsky nickname in the "Baby Mule". Not even the smile of Uros Slokar can make me feel better about this.
So as you prepare to get all your lucky charms ready for the draft lottery and hope the Raptors will hit the Anthony Davis jackpot don't forget the Raptors still have their 2nd round pick and the 2nd round pick of the Indiana Pacers that they got in the Barbosa trade. In a draft that most people would class as a deep draft maybe this will be the year the Raptors will find a player in the 2nd round? After reading this it is hard to feel optimistic about the chances of that happening isn't it? Chances are the Raptors will draft some European player that never sees the light of day in the NBA. There have been lots of those in the Raptors history.
You might say why is this important. The answer beyond the fact it shows a lack of scouting ability in the organization. It also helps you out in terms of your cap if you can find a couple guys in the second round that can play in terms of the teams overall cap situation. I mean we all have fun cheering for a Solo dunk, but isn't it about time the Raptors found an actual legit player in the 2nd round rather than a player who is just slightly ahead of the mascot in terms of importance to the franchise? In fact I am insulting The Raptor by saying that. After all he has lasted longer than any Raptors 2nd round pick.
You might want to remember this the next time you get into a heated debate over the Raptors getting or giving away a second round pick.Given the Raptors awful history in actually using their second round picks trading them might be the best move they can make at the end of the day. That or maybe it is time to overhaul the scouting department. The Raptors success rate in the first round is better but is not exactly filled with greatness either. This might be as big a part as any as to why the Raptors have only seen the 2nd round of the playoffs just once.
It truly is a house of horrors looking at the Raptors lack of production out of the second round. This is not even including guys they traded for like Nathan Jawai and more recently Solomon Alabi. You can make a strong case that Matt Bonner might be the most significant Raptors 2nd round pick of all time. Well technically he was traded for too as Bonner was actually drafted by the Bulls 45th overall. We all love Matt Bonner for the most part, but seriously that is the best we have done? Not to mention you could argue that Bonner is a much better player now playing with the Spurs than he was as a Raptor.
The most games played by a Raptor home grown 2nd round pick is 85 games by Roko Ukic. If you want to throw Matt Bonner in the mix he played here for just two seasons and played in 160 games in those 2 seasons. While the first round boom and busts get all the attention not just with the Raptors but all teams, this is truly a history of epic failure is it not? In these many years of being a franchise you would think the Raptors could have found a couple gems in rough? Just by dumb luck even. Many might have hoped P.J Tucker could have been that guy but all he got was a cute Chuck Swirsky nickname in the "Baby Mule". Not even the smile of Uros Slokar can make me feel better about this.
So as you prepare to get all your lucky charms ready for the draft lottery and hope the Raptors will hit the Anthony Davis jackpot don't forget the Raptors still have their 2nd round pick and the 2nd round pick of the Indiana Pacers that they got in the Barbosa trade. In a draft that most people would class as a deep draft maybe this will be the year the Raptors will find a player in the 2nd round? After reading this it is hard to feel optimistic about the chances of that happening isn't it? Chances are the Raptors will draft some European player that never sees the light of day in the NBA. There have been lots of those in the Raptors history.
You might say why is this important. The answer beyond the fact it shows a lack of scouting ability in the organization. It also helps you out in terms of your cap if you can find a couple guys in the second round that can play in terms of the teams overall cap situation. I mean we all have fun cheering for a Solo dunk, but isn't it about time the Raptors found an actual legit player in the 2nd round rather than a player who is just slightly ahead of the mascot in terms of importance to the franchise? In fact I am insulting The Raptor by saying that. After all he has lasted longer than any Raptors 2nd round pick.
You might want to remember this the next time you get into a heated debate over the Raptors getting or giving away a second round pick.Given the Raptors awful history in actually using their second round picks trading them might be the best move they can make at the end of the day. That or maybe it is time to overhaul the scouting department. The Raptors success rate in the first round is better but is not exactly filled with greatness either. This might be as big a part as any as to why the Raptors have only seen the 2nd round of the playoffs just once.
7/8/10
The Starting 5 With Oak
It is a pleasure for me to have talked with for many, one of the most loved Raptors of all time Charles Oakley. We chatted about his thoughts on all this 2010 madness. We look at his time with the Raptors. He also give his thoughts on his desire to coach in the NBA. He gives his thoughts on that and a number of things in the league. We also get into what Charles has done off the floor and what he is up to these days. Charles is looking to start his own cooking show and is involved in a bunch of things including producing movies. It was great to talk with Charles and get his take on a number of subjects. Like any interview I have ever head with Charles there are some interesting and honest answers. This was a great treat for me and I hope it will be for you as well.It is always interesting to hear from Charles Oakley and it would be great to see him back as a part of the NBA in some way. If that happens or not is hard to say. However, Charles Oakley will always have things going to keep himself busy and happy. Oakley if he does come back to the NBA, would bring some old school mentality with him and that is a good thing for the league. Whatever Oak does though, he does it with his full effort and it has earned him respect in Toronto, New York and with all NBA fans that watched him play. Much love and thanks to Charles Oakley.
You can follow Charles on Twitter.
Response to this interview was so large it crashed the bandwidth on are normal service. We thank you for the overwhelming response and if you were unable to listen the problem has been corrected and we apologize for this issue.
1/21/10
The Starting 5 With Special Guest Jerome Williams
If you start a conversation about some of the most loved Raptors of all time, the name Jerome Williams will no doubt enter the conversation. The Raptors have been taking the time to look back on the 15 years of history of this franchise, so today in the Starting 5 we do a little of that with former Raptor and undisputed leader of the Dawg Pound. Junk Yard Dog aka Jerome Williams. He was a force both on and off the court in his time in Toronto. His work in the community was just so large you could not even hope to mention it all. From the very start Jerome has been a hit with Toronto Raptor fans. I caught up with him today at the office of his Charity The JYD Project in Nevada. We talked about a variety of things from the legendary story of how he first arrived in Toronto to even his take on the current Raptors today. Jerome even sees a little JYD in one of the current members on the roster. He talks about his former team and the fact the Alvin Williams is now coaching with the Raptors. All that and a lot more with not just a Raptor Legend but an all around good person in today's starting 5.
That game that Jerome mentioned is on March 5th.... as FINALLY THE DAWG POUND COMES BACK TO TORONTO!!! If you don't remember in his time here Jerome was also a big wrestling fan and once was a guest referee in a WWE match at the ACC. Jerome is still doing good things, and as I said in the interview at the end sports needs more stand up folks like the JYD. It was a great thrill for me to talk with one of my personal all time favourites, and I hope you all enjoyed it listening to it, as much as I had doing it for you all. So remember, on March the 5th if you are heading to the ACC , get ready to Bark up a storm as Jerome put it, as 2 of his former teams do battle with the Knicks and the Raptors going at it in what could be an important game in the Atlantic Division.
8/16/09
Season That Will Define The Franchise?
For many reasons this was always going to be a big season for the Raptors. It marks 15 years in the NBA. Where has the time gone seriously? I was hanging around Toronto on Friday and was around the Skydome. You may prefer to call it Rogers Centre. But is was the Skydome when the Raptors called it home. I never attended a game at the dome. It was not the most ideal place to play a basketball game. Damon Stoudamire was booed in that same Skydome and he would have the last laugh being named rookie of the year. It was kind of proof that Toronto had a long way to go as basketball fans. Damon was a good player from Arizona but the people felt Ed O'Bannon was the guy based on being part of a championship UCLA squad. Damon was the little man that would lead what was the first era of Raptors basketball. Mighty Mouse may never be as popular in Toronto or anywhere else ever again. Be it the cartoon character or the man who took on the nickname.
The smiles and happiness would not last long. A struggle, both on the court with the young expansion team going through growing pains and one off the court for control of the team would lead to a short time on top for Mighty Mouse. Isiah Thomas would make a power play that would fail to get into the ownership of the team. He would end up leaving and Damon would follow not long after him.
Glen Grundwald would replace Thomas and it would be a move he made on draft night that would launch the next era of Raptors basketball. The Raptors headed into the draft and took Antwan Jamison but it would not be for long. He had mad a deal and swapped Jamison for Vince Carter. Air Canada "Carter" would soon take flight. He would just explode on to the NBA scene and became a Sportscenter hi-light favourite. It would lead to another Rookie of the Year award and excitement to come. Vince would become the first all-star in franchise history. He would not just become an all-star he would lead the voting for several years.
Vince would bring back the Slam Dunk Contest and win it in jaw dropping fashion. The Raptors had entered a whole new world. Games on national T.V in the states on a regular basis and a legit superstar in the NBA. The Playoffs would come as well. After being swept aside by the Knicks the Raptors would return to the playoffs and win a 5 game series over the Knicks with the deciding game on the famous MSG hardwood. A classic battle with the Sixers would follow. A UNC Graduation and a shot that was short from the corner and the Raptors were inches away from the conference finals.
The Raptors had arrived or so we thought. But that would end up being the high point of the Vince Carter era. The next off-season Glen Grunwald attempted to keep his team together. He would over pay for all the role players and re-signed his star in Carter. A failed Hakeem signing and it was all about to fall apart and no one at the time could know just how bad.
The years after would be full of injuries for Carter and frustration all around. The guy that once owned the Air Canada Centre had the building booing him and most people had lost their Vinsanity. The bad contracts and losing would cost Glen Grundwald his job ultimately. Rob Babcock would come in. He would be forced into trading Carter as the superstar made his intentions known that he wanted out. The hiring of Babcock had been the last straw for Vince. Carter had wanted Dr.J a hero of his to be considered for the job as G.M. MLSE did not hire him they took Babcock. He would make one of the worst trades in NBA History ending the Vince Carter era.
But the last move Glen Grunwald made or one of them was to draft Chris Bosh. When Carter was gone the position of face of the franchise became Bosh's in the eyes of fans and the media. Big shoes for a young kid that was if you remember pretty quiet and soft spoken when he first came to Toronto.
4 all-star appearances , a Gold Medal on Team U.S.A , A Division Title and no playoff series wins. Also the evolution of Bosh to media superstar. He made his famous Car Salesman You Tube Video that put Chris Bosh on the map in the world of pop culture beyond basketball.
Coming off a season of true disappointment the question of 2010 have got louder and some people have gotten louder in their disapproval of Bosh. It all sounds similar for Raptor fans. I outlined where we have seen it happen before. I also could have included Tracy McGrady who cut bait on the Raptors and has still never got to experience(as a player) the second round of the NBA Playoffs.
So will history repeat itself? Bryan Colangelo has worked his butt off to make sure it does not. We have talked about all the moves that he has made to improve this basketball team over the summer. Colangelo has done all he can to make the Raptors an attractive place for Bosh to want to remain. It will take this team winning to make it happen. However despite the speculation in the U.S Media that Bosh will bolt in 2010 it seems there is still hope that he can remain.
Bosh regardless wants to have a great season if he is staying or going. This could be the best season of a career that has been impressive to say the least. If that happens and the Raptors can be successful perhaps Chris Bosh will break the trend and remain with the franchise. If he does not it could cast a huge shadow on this franchise and leave you to wonder if you can ever truly believe that someone will remain part of the Raptors for the long haul.
If Bosh goes who is next to fill that role of Franchise Superstar? Andrea Bargnani would be the answer for some. I am not sold on that personally. I think Bargnani is a long way still from being a 4 time all-star and being ready to lead. Jose Calderon is not a guy that fits the role. Despite fans wanting to think Jose is ready to become an all star and take things to a new level it seems he is short of those lofty expectations. Perhaps Demar DeRozan? It is far to early to tell. However he does have talent and could be a star. He would be in a spot like Bosh when he took over the role. It would be something that he would need to grow into for sure.
However the best case for the Raptors is to see the CB4 era continue on. If it does this basketball team could finally turn the corner and build some consistence and become a contender in the East. The Raptors have never really been that. If Bosh does not remain, even though the team has been constructed in such a way it could deal with that, it still will be a blow to this franchise. This season will mark the Raptors 15th in the NBA and they are still a team looking to find that true formula to lasting success. Having comets shooting through Toronto only to burn out and die is not going to be the answer. Never has more been riding on a season for the Toronto Raptors. This season is going to be one that will define the franchise one way or the other.
Raptor fans have stuck with this franchise from beginning to now, I hope and pray for a happy ending for Raptor Fans. I think that as a group they have earned it.
The smiles and happiness would not last long. A struggle, both on the court with the young expansion team going through growing pains and one off the court for control of the team would lead to a short time on top for Mighty Mouse. Isiah Thomas would make a power play that would fail to get into the ownership of the team. He would end up leaving and Damon would follow not long after him.
Glen Grundwald would replace Thomas and it would be a move he made on draft night that would launch the next era of Raptors basketball. The Raptors headed into the draft and took Antwan Jamison but it would not be for long. He had mad a deal and swapped Jamison for Vince Carter. Air Canada "Carter" would soon take flight. He would just explode on to the NBA scene and became a Sportscenter hi-light favourite. It would lead to another Rookie of the Year award and excitement to come. Vince would become the first all-star in franchise history. He would not just become an all-star he would lead the voting for several years.
Vince would bring back the Slam Dunk Contest and win it in jaw dropping fashion. The Raptors had entered a whole new world. Games on national T.V in the states on a regular basis and a legit superstar in the NBA. The Playoffs would come as well. After being swept aside by the Knicks the Raptors would return to the playoffs and win a 5 game series over the Knicks with the deciding game on the famous MSG hardwood. A classic battle with the Sixers would follow. A UNC Graduation and a shot that was short from the corner and the Raptors were inches away from the conference finals.
The Raptors had arrived or so we thought. But that would end up being the high point of the Vince Carter era. The next off-season Glen Grunwald attempted to keep his team together. He would over pay for all the role players and re-signed his star in Carter. A failed Hakeem signing and it was all about to fall apart and no one at the time could know just how bad.
The years after would be full of injuries for Carter and frustration all around. The guy that once owned the Air Canada Centre had the building booing him and most people had lost their Vinsanity. The bad contracts and losing would cost Glen Grundwald his job ultimately. Rob Babcock would come in. He would be forced into trading Carter as the superstar made his intentions known that he wanted out. The hiring of Babcock had been the last straw for Vince. Carter had wanted Dr.J a hero of his to be considered for the job as G.M. MLSE did not hire him they took Babcock. He would make one of the worst trades in NBA History ending the Vince Carter era.
But the last move Glen Grunwald made or one of them was to draft Chris Bosh. When Carter was gone the position of face of the franchise became Bosh's in the eyes of fans and the media. Big shoes for a young kid that was if you remember pretty quiet and soft spoken when he first came to Toronto.
4 all-star appearances , a Gold Medal on Team U.S.A , A Division Title and no playoff series wins. Also the evolution of Bosh to media superstar. He made his famous Car Salesman You Tube Video that put Chris Bosh on the map in the world of pop culture beyond basketball.
Coming off a season of true disappointment the question of 2010 have got louder and some people have gotten louder in their disapproval of Bosh. It all sounds similar for Raptor fans. I outlined where we have seen it happen before. I also could have included Tracy McGrady who cut bait on the Raptors and has still never got to experience(as a player) the second round of the NBA Playoffs.
So will history repeat itself? Bryan Colangelo has worked his butt off to make sure it does not. We have talked about all the moves that he has made to improve this basketball team over the summer. Colangelo has done all he can to make the Raptors an attractive place for Bosh to want to remain. It will take this team winning to make it happen. However despite the speculation in the U.S Media that Bosh will bolt in 2010 it seems there is still hope that he can remain.
Bosh regardless wants to have a great season if he is staying or going. This could be the best season of a career that has been impressive to say the least. If that happens and the Raptors can be successful perhaps Chris Bosh will break the trend and remain with the franchise. If he does not it could cast a huge shadow on this franchise and leave you to wonder if you can ever truly believe that someone will remain part of the Raptors for the long haul.
If Bosh goes who is next to fill that role of Franchise Superstar? Andrea Bargnani would be the answer for some. I am not sold on that personally. I think Bargnani is a long way still from being a 4 time all-star and being ready to lead. Jose Calderon is not a guy that fits the role. Despite fans wanting to think Jose is ready to become an all star and take things to a new level it seems he is short of those lofty expectations. Perhaps Demar DeRozan? It is far to early to tell. However he does have talent and could be a star. He would be in a spot like Bosh when he took over the role. It would be something that he would need to grow into for sure.
However the best case for the Raptors is to see the CB4 era continue on. If it does this basketball team could finally turn the corner and build some consistence and become a contender in the East. The Raptors have never really been that. If Bosh does not remain, even though the team has been constructed in such a way it could deal with that, it still will be a blow to this franchise. This season will mark the Raptors 15th in the NBA and they are still a team looking to find that true formula to lasting success. Having comets shooting through Toronto only to burn out and die is not going to be the answer. Never has more been riding on a season for the Toronto Raptors. This season is going to be one that will define the franchise one way or the other.
Raptor fans have stuck with this franchise from beginning to now, I hope and pray for a happy ending for Raptor Fans. I think that as a group they have earned it.
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