In our continued efforts to provide Raptors fans with maximum team coverage, we here at Raptorshq present Media Watch; our regular survey of the media examining all articles, excerpts and other media information relating to the team.
For June 7, 2005
THE GLOBE AND MAIL â€" RAPTORS PREPARED FOR SCOUTING TRIP â€" By Robert MacLeod
First up, the Globe and Mail looks at the Raptors’ interest in the NBA’s pre-draft camp in Chicago. Rob Babcock, Sam Mitchell, Wayne Embry, Jay Triano and various other front office members will be in attendance at various points during the camp both scouting prospects and, in Triano’s case, helping to run the camp.
Perhaps the most interesting part of the article is the mention that with the Raptors’ abundance of draft picks, (four this year) they are looking to swing a deal to clear some roster space.
PORTLAND TRIBUNE.COM â€" DEALING THIRD PICK IS STILL A “STRONG CHOICE†â€" By Kerry Eggers
From Portland’s Tribune article concerning Portland’s draft choices at the third spot, the Raptors are mentioned as possible trading partners for Portland. The article, however, contradicts the Globe and Mail’s report as its sources say that the Raptors are “leaning towards KEEPING their picks.†Once again if one thing is clear three weeks before the draft, it’s that there’s still a lot of smoke and mirrors as to what teams are actually going to do on draft day.
DRAFTCITY.COM â€" THE ANDREW BYNUM WORKOUT â€" By J.L. Weill
From rumours concerning the Raptors’ trade options, we move to the media coverage of players the Raptors may be considering with their draft picks. Draftcity.com brings us in-depth coverage of high school man-child Andrew Bynum’s workout.
Raptors personnel were in attendance for Bynum’s workout and, with their dearth of big men, Bynum, at 7 feet with great mobility and plenty of “upsideâ€, has to be considered when draft day rolls around.
DRAFTCITY.COM â€" WORD ON THE STREET: CHICAGO PRE-DRAFT CAMP EDITION
Draftcity.com also brings us some interesting rumours involving possible Raptor selections in their latest “word on the street†update:
Among the most intriguing rumours connected with the Raptors are those concerning Raymond Felton and John Gilchrist. Draftcity’s Jonathan Givony addressed Felton’s draft stock on Toronto’s Fan 590 radio station recently and it appears Felton’s stock is rising with each workout he attends. His speed, defence and leadership have always been his selling points but now he is also shooting the lights out from the NBA 3 point line, a testament to his improved long range game, something scouts had always been concerned with. Have Felton’s recent workouts and shot improvement perhaps put him on the Raptors map with their first pick?
Gilchrist on the other hand missed his scheduled workout with Toronto this past Sunday. While both his agent and the Raptors downplayed the incident as him not being able to locate his passport or birth certificate, this could raise some alarms for GM’s across the league. A former Maryland Terrapin, Gilchrist is already carrying with him a rep as an uncoachable, belligerent, selfish player, and one who didn’t relish the role given to him by his NCAA coach, Gary Williams. Gilchrist’s maturity has often been questioned both by media and by teammates and incidents like this, regardless of the truth behind them, are not going to help his cause. The sad part of this is that a mature Gilchrist would be a steal for the Raptors in the second round. Gilchrist has a strong NBA-ready upper body, is extremely talented and if not for his past history, might be a lock for the first round. In fact, Gilchrist’s situation closely mirrors the situation of another former NCAA star chosen in the second round…a Mr. Gilbert Arenas.
- Franchise