My All-13th-Pick-2010 Team

This is my all-13th-pick-2010 team! Just as the NBA does at the conclusion of the season with the first-team All-stars and second-team All-stars, I am awarding potential 13th pick draftees the All-13th-pick-2010 Toronto Raptors title!

Each position has one player. Here it is:

Pg - Eric Bledsoe --> Combination of great handles, great athleticism, and speed along with underrated passing ability and decent shooting ability. In the shadow of John Wall for a year, I think whoever gets him is getting a top lottery talent for sure. If he stayed a year at UK, he'd be a top 10.

Sg - Avery Bradley --> The number three prospect coming into the year, he disappointed many, but at the same time matured as the season progressed. His ability to play lockdown defence, while having a decent offensive upside combined with an NBA-ready mid-range game (not to mention his hops), he looks to be a good value pick here. Can he be a bust? Sure. But if in the right system, with the proper motivation to succeed he could be a very good two-way player. Draws comparisons to Russell Westbrook, which is understandable, but I see him as more of a Monta Ellis/Shannon Brown type of player, more of the latter.

Sf - Xavier Henry --> (Probably a shooting guard, but Bradley is in the way) NBA body, shoots the ball as well as anyone in this draft, and plays hard on D. A role player in the eyes of many, but in reality he was on a team with a lot of talent, and thus mouths to feed. Cole Aldrich, a lottery talent, definitely benefited from Henry's ability to space the floor, he could do the same for Bosh. In my view I believe he's a Paul Pierce at best, which is a lot, and a Quentin Richardson at worst. Safe pick, great value.

Pf - Patrick Patterson --> Before the pre-draft camp he was seen as a surefire lottery pick, but for whatever reason lost some ground. One of the few top 10 players to have the balls to go to the camp, it may have hurt his status, but I don't see how. He played hard and did well. He brings toughness, almost Charles Oakley-esque. Although many fail to see his upside, he does have a developing offensive game. He can shoot the midrange, his post game (although a little short) is advanced, but most of all his ability to outwork others makes him stand-out. He's a steal if he falls and a find if he's reached for.

C - Daniel Orton --> His situation is unique - he played 13 minutes at UK and averaged 3 and 3. Not "superstar" numbers. But what he does have going for him is brute strength and a great touch around the rim. Some people see him as a surefire dud, who comes in and takes three years to develop into a 10-8 player. Others, like me, believe that if he's the primary backup on a rebuilding, or otherwise "average" team, he can become GREAT. His wingspan and overall talent make me believe that he can succeed with the Raptors; with or without Bosh. He can literally go anywhere in the draft (from 8-30) because he hasn't shown much other than flashes. Honestly, I'd rather pick the 4 above, but in case of some drastic situation where teams read this post and realize how good these players are, he's the guy. I hope this is not only helpful, but I hope you will be tempted to make your own all-13th-pick-2010 team. Discuss. Argue. Thrash. Do what you will. But I hope we can all agree that these 5 players have great potential.

Go Raps/Jays/Leafs! And Enjoy!

- Jake T

Welcome to Tor-Sports! A little about me to start!

Before I get into the sports aspect of this blog, I want to introduce myself to you- my wonderful readers (all three of you!). I am 18, I go to the University of Toronto, and I am probably not the greatest writer of all-time, so bare with me people. I obviously love the major Toronto sports franchises, which in my eyes are the Toronto Blue Jays, Toronto Raptors, and the ever so popular Toronto Maple Leafs. I'm not of the belief that the Argos or TFC are major sports franchises, because I just don't like football and soccer that much. A little unfair, I know, but it's my blog so...ha! Anyways, I just want to make it clear that I have no insider information (except I have purchased ESPN insider, does that count?), no major professional sports scouting experience, nor do I have any connections/relations to any professional athletes or management. This blog will consist of my educated opinion based on observations made by others or myself. To be clear, if you are reading this blog to answer questions that you may have you will likely be better served reading Doug Smith's or Eric Smith's blog where insider information is provided. But if you desire to analyze this insider information, crave rumour speculation, and want to delve deeper into your home team then this may just be the blog for you. A common trend in this blog will be the fact that more questions will be raised then answered. Anyways, today's topic is what I think the Raptors will, as well as, should do in the upcoming NBA draft on June 25^th! A separate post will follow with my All-13^th-pick-2010 team!

Go Raps/Jays/Leafs! And Enjoy.

- Jake T