Jurassic Hoops’ Post-Draft Digestion

With little downtime in the world of professional sports’ drafts, we take a few minutes to look back at the day that was for the Toronto Raptors.

Personally, I was really hoping for the Raps to make a move.  Not necessarily a Boshbuster, but something, just to get in on the action.  Instead, I’m left withering with gratefulness as we did get our man… DeMar DeRozan.  Now if we could just pull back on all the Vince Carter comparisons, seriously, mess off.

Speaking of Vince, he returned home to Orlando after toiling in mediocrity with New Jersey for the past few seasons.  This is likely the first and final shot V.C. will have at playing for a winner, assuming he’ll be motivated, of course.  The deal appears to work for both sides, although New Jersey cut a butt-load of payroll while still somewhat bolstering their young lineup.

Back to Double D, he seemed genuinely excited to come to Toronto (wait until he gets a peek at our winter) and should slot in nicely if that promising raw athleticism translates to production.  Jose throwing up lobs to a high-flying swingman… oh man I’m getting excited already!  Jamario Moon he is not, I hope.

So what now?  Unless you’re drunk on optimism, or just plain drunk, then you’ll have to acknowledge that Bryan Colangelo still has a lot of work to do if this team is to avoid relocating to St. Louis in the next couple years.  I kid, sort of.  There’s no way that Raps’ fans will settle for Chris Bosh “walking” at the end of this coming season.  With no plans to re-sign, he has to be moved to the highest bidder.  It’s sad, as he was the “face of the franchise” for a short period of below averageness.  Bargnani is too ugly to be the “face”; what are we left to hope for?

No Shortage of Surprises:

Much to the dismay of an overanxious Kevin Love, the Minnesota Timberwolves used their plethora of picks to draft five guards.  Before you say “Chris Childs/Charlie Ward era New York Knicks”, consider the T-Wolves’ potential to make another move or two with all of the young talent the have stockpiled.

I felt bad for DeJuan Blair as he sat and watched his stock magically disappear.  Then I felt elated as he has a shot at banging bodies down low on the reminted championship contending San Antonio Spurs.  Next to Tyler Hansborough sliding down to the 13th pick for Indiana, Blair could end up being the biggest sleeper of the draft.  I’m not the only one who thinks so either.

Alright, I’m off to catch my breath and get some rest before tonight’s NHL draft.

Tags: 2009 NBA Draft, Demar DeRozan, NBA, Toronto Raptors