The Sixer Sense
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NBA Draft Strategy: Colangelo’s Choices In NBA Draft?

By Bret Stuter

Jun 25, 2015; Brooklyn, NY, USA; General view of the full first round draft board at the conclusion of the first round of the 2015 NBA Draft at Barclays Center. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports
Jun 25, 2015; Brooklyn, NY, USA; General view of the full first round draft board at the conclusion of the first round of the 2015 NBA Draft at Barclays Center. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports /
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May 7, 2016; Miami, FL, USA; Toronto Raptors center Jonas Valanciunas (17) and Miami Heat center Hassan Whiteside (21) both reach for a loose ball during the first quarter in game three of the second round of the NBA Playoffs at American Airlines Arena. Mandatory Credit: Steve Mitchell-USA TODAY Sports
May 7, 2016; Miami, FL, USA; Toronto Raptors center Jonas Valanciunas (17) and Miami Heat center Hassan Whiteside (21) both reach for a loose ball during the first quarter in game three of the second round of the NBA Playoffs at American Airlines Arena. Mandatory Credit: Steve Mitchell-USA TODAY Sports /

2011 Draft

2011 Draft first round – 5

Who They Chose: Jonas Valanciunas  –  Lithuanian center Jonas Valanciunas fell into their lap after Cleveland unexpectedly took Brampton’s Tristan Thompson at four.  Toronto fans were hoping for back court help with the pick and had their hearts set on either guards Kemba Walker or Brandon Knight.  While not a prolific post scorer, he has delivered solid defense and modest offense for the Raptors.

Mock Draft Consensus:  Guard Brandon Knight

Best Pick Available: Shooting guard Klay Thompson

Overall Grade:   Above Average.  Valanciunas is a solid piece to the Toronto Raptors roster, and continues to improve each year.  However, with a draft board that had small forward Kawhi Leonard, shooting guard Jimmy Butler, point guard Isaiah Thomas, or shooting guard Klay Thompson available, one has to wonder if any of the other options might have salvaged Colangelo’s career.

2012 Draft

2012 Draft first round – 8

Who They Chose: Terrance Ross – shooting guard/small forward Terrance Ross .  The Raptors tried to repair the miss at bolstering the  back court the previous year with the choice to add the wingman from the University of Washington.  The pick felt like a reach at the time, and history has proven that to be the case.   Ross earned spot duty in his rookie year, and was given more responsibility on the team after Colangelo resigned.   His production has never kicked into a solid starting role.

Mock Draft Consensus: power forward/center Andre Drummond

Best Pick Available: Andre Drummond

Overall Grade: Below average.  Once more, the team had a chance to enhance the starting lineup, but settled for a solid reserve.

Next: Grading Colangelo Drafts