AI^2

[Drex]

thats true drex , but now they got their big men , what do they need this year ???

They need to win They need to be consistent. Lately they been playing fairly good. Actually, I don't know. You should ask some Raptor fans like fgrep15.

Sure they needed a big man, but ANY big man? Let's face it, no one with any semblence of a right mind projected Araujo as a Top 10 pick, he was more or less like a 15 - 20 pick. They probably knew there was a great chance that he would either prove to be a total bust or take years to develop into a nice player.

They took the best that was available in the draft.

Then again, he's not even at a regular senior age of 22, he's 24!!! How much more can he develop bodily and mentally?

He can develop the mentality of the League. Play hard in the contract years
Nah, the style in the NBA is much different that in other leagues. He needs to learn when to pass, shoot, etc.

Iggy Top on the other hand has huge upside, and everybody knew that on draft day...

I didn't knew about him. Actually, I think I've never heard about him until the Sixers drafted him. Now that I know he has a huge talent, I'm so fucking glad the Sixers drafted him

[AlwaysWhat,NeverWhy]

They took the best that was available in the draft

That's the problem right there. What if the best available talent at your position of need is just not good enough?

He can develop the mentality of the League. Play hard in the contract years

Pffft, he'll be 27-28 in his contract year....

[J@3]

Pffft, he'll be 27-28 in his contract year....

That's his biggest downfall (apart from any lack of real ability)... he's just old.

[Drex]

What if the best available talent at your position of need is just not good enough?

You try to get another. Besides they're not looking for a Superstar, they think Bosh is the future; they're just looking for a solid big-man.

[AlwaysWhat,NeverWhy]

You try to get another. Besides they're not looking for a Superstar, they think Bosh is the future; they're just looking for a solid big-man.

A Top 10 pick is very valuable. You do not waste it on wishful thinking, that's all I'm saying.

[The X]

yep, if they just wanted a solid big then they could have traded the pick....I'm sure a playoff team would have given a solid big man for a shot at a talent like Iggy....

[air gordon]

^
why would a playoff team, possibly a title contender, give up a proven post player, which are far and few in between, to draft a player they would have to wait on?

the most recent instance i could remember this happening was portland, when they traded Jermaine O'Neal for Dale Davis. O'Neal was not a rookie then but was similar in that he was full of untapped potential. that exactly didn't work out for portland

also indiana traded antonio davis to toronto for the draft rights of jonathan bender. umm yeh

[fgrep15]

except toronto had to pick araujo.. they only have 2 decent big men in their squad (bosh and marshall) while they were at a log jam at the 2 and 3 spots.. araujo ain't bad at all, underrated passer and he knows his role on the team. had they drafted iguodala he would've been battling w/ a couple other guys on the squad for minutes

Toronto didn't "have to" do anything, you don't draft on need when the difference in talent level between the players is so much. A lot of people say Iguodala wouldn't play on the Raps, but remember MoPete wasn't signed to a contract, if we drafted Igoudala, we do a sign and trade with NOH so they got MoPete, and then Iguodala backs up Rose and Carter which would give him about at least 23-25 MPG. Lammond Murray would in no way shape or form play over him.

When you draft on need, and take a lesser player due to that, it gives you less options. If the Raptors were looking to trade Araujo, hardly any teams would care, but if they had drafted Iguodala, he's great trade bait for the team even if they didn't want to keep him.

...and yes, Araujo is not bad [actually he is], but he's far from good. Babcock even agreed to him being benched lately, though I don't understand since we're going nowhere, so at least play the young guys, but Araujo is still pretty garbage. Seriosuly, he's no better than 19 year old Andris Biedrins who was drafted on potential...

You don't draft a 24 year old guy who has no athleticism on potential, it just doesn't work like that. It seems like the management is realizing they made a mistake though, and kinda admitting it, but whatchu gonan do?

Now the only thing I'm confused about is how Cleveland was supposed to get Iguodala when they had a lower pick than Philly??

[FendeR`]

Who cares.. Toronto is stupid and the Sixers benefited from their mistake

[Drex]

Fuck yeah! I don't know why I was defending Araujo

[fgrep15]

Who cares.. Toronto is stupid and the Sixers benefited from their mistake

The 2 Babcock's had been drafting for Minnesotta and Atlanta, while they were there, they didn't draft too well, it's just continuing.

[Ruff Ryder]

Andre had a massive game tonight vs. the Lakers. He D'd Kobe up and gave him hell the whole game. He's a very underrated defender too. He also had a highlight reel of slams.

[The GOAT]

Daaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaamn! Did you guys see those 4 oops from AI 1? SICK! I will go on a hunger strike if he's not in next year's dunk contest!

[FendeR`]

I will go on a hunger strike if he's not in next year's dunk contest!

Rofl. And yeah Andre has the play of the day on nba.com