#1 Contender

I was playing EA Fight Night 2006 for XBox 360 at Best Buy the other day with my buddy Jon, and I'm pretty sure it has the boxing equivalent of updated rosters, that is the boxers get older. How do I know this? I was playing as Roy Jones, and Jon was using Bernard Hopkins. Since we both have no real idea how to play. I was pretty sure I was going punch for punch with him. In any case, Roy Jones was having the snot beaten out of him every match. We eventually switched controllers to test my theory of "Roy Jones is ass in this game", which proved to be true.

Anyway that really had nothing to do with anything.

The real #1 talk is with the upcoming NBA Draft, where the Raptors have the top pick. (On
a side note: the NHL draft just came and went, did you notice? Neither did I.) What was supposed to be Greg Oden has now become anything. This has lead to grumbling about "DAVID STERN SCREWS TORONTO AGAIN, HOW FAST CAN HE EXPAND AND CONTRACT FROM CANADA?". In any case, let's look at the Raptors possible boob prizes.

1. Andrea Bargnani

As of today, NBADraft.net has listed Bargnani as the Raptor's pick in their mock draft. There is a lot of support to this, after all the Raps hired away Beneton Trevisio's GM to be Coangelo's assistant. Trevisio would be Bargnani's European club. Moreover, Sam Mitchell and Wayne Embry were both sent over to Europe to check the kid out after the lottery. I wish I could comment more on him, but he's a total wild card. All the buzz surrounding him says he has the tools to be a Nowtizki-like player, which is huge. Then again, there was all the hype surrounding Darko, so who knows? (Side Note #2: How does Joe Dumars feel after passing up Wade? Even Carmelo or Bosh?)

Final Take: Neutral


2. Adam Morrison

Before I say anything, let me tell you I've been accused of horrible biases against white basketball players. I don't think I have one, but when you have Keith Van Horn being paraded around as the one-time saviour of the Knicks as well as "The Next Bird", you just don't want to hear about the next Great White Hype (TM). Anyway, Morrison has decent fundamental skills. He's got decent size and speed as well a a good shot. He also took his team quite far in the Tourney. I really don't think diabetes will hold him back. In my opinion, there are two glaring weaknesses to him. First is his emotion. A pro needs to keep it under control. My best example would be the mercurial Kobe. This man can drop 81 one night and in another, just take 3 shots in the second half of a game when the season is on the line. Incredible. Morrison, with his season on the line and a slim, but possible chance to win the game cried like a little girl. There's nothing wrong with crying... after the game is over. Secondly, this guy is 6-8 and averages like 5 rebounds in college. Given he is a perimeter player and lacks vertical ability, he still doesn't seem like he's much else other than a scorer (His assist numbers are also woeful, but he's the main scorer, so I can't really blame him). I might be going out on a limb here, but he's not a #1 overall guy. I think he might be a solid player in the NBA, but one day someone (probably me) will be saying "Man, I can't believe people thought he was the #1 guy". In any case, if Bosh, Charlie V and Graham is the Raps future, this guy does not fit in.

Final Take: If the Raptors draft Adam Morrison, it will be the worst news you heard since your sister told you she was marrying a black guy. (Unless you're black, in which case it would be the worst news since your sister was marrying a white guy)

3. LaMarcus Aldridge

Basically a beefier Chris Bosh with the effort of a Charlie V. With the deal for Rasho in place, the Raps frontcourt is still somewhat crowded if Aldrige joins the fray. He put up solid rebounding numbers, decent shot-blocking and scoring averages. Still, looking at them, they were still less than the numbers Shelden Williams put up which should be a cause for concern. It's tough to say if he would be a great fit for the Raptors unless he really puts in more effort. Unfortunately, effort can't be taught. As for the chances of the Raps taking him with the number one pick? Coangelo said he liked what he saw. Of course, if you have been reading the newspaper, there hasn't been a pick Coangelo saw and didn't like.

Final Take: I think playing with Bosh may mitigate his weaknesses, but he still probably isn't the best pick.

4. Tyrus Thomas

Project. That's all I have to say. If the Raps want to contend with the Oden lottery, then pick Thomas by all means. He can't shoot well, his offensive game is a total work in progress. On the upside, he does put in effort. His athleticism is a huge asset. He actually wouldn't be a bad fit in the 3/4 spot. Bosh, Charlie and Thomas in the front court could really pose a unique athletic threat similar to Marion, Stoudemire and Richardson.

Final Take: Could be a great piece. Really depends on Toronto's short-term goals.

5. Rudy Gay

Probably the best fit for the Raptors. This guy (along with Brandon Roy) would be the "need" pick. Unfortunately he's had some terrible workouts and hasn't really impressed with his athleticism (conversely, Roy has been putting up numbers beyond scouts' initial expectations). He didn't have a great tournment run, but UConn players tend to be great pros. He put up pretty good rebounding numbers for his position and played effective D. He does have some turnover issues.

Final Take: The #1 at the beginning of the NCAA season has seen his stock drop. Still, he probably has the tools to be a legit player, why pass him up?