Pressure is on Bryan Colangelo to make the most of the fifth pick for Toronto Raptors – NBA Update
Toronto Raptors’ general manager Bryan Colangelo completed his first task to perfection by hiring Rick Carlisle’s assistant Dwane Casey, who helped the Dallas Mavericks in landing their first NBA title, as the new head coach. The
second biggest task for Colangelo which will decide the fate of the Raptors is to select the best available talent with the fifth overall pick on Thursday’s NBA Draft.
Jim Kelly, Toronto’s scouting director said, "At this point, especially when we're in the top part of the Draft at No. 5, we're looking for the best possible player," Kelly said. "And there happens to be a number of very good point
guards there."
Over the last three years, the Raptors winning average has been less than 32 games per season which has a lot to do with the skimpy performances on the defence. After being given a second chance in shape of an extension of two
years in the contract, the 46 year old Bryan cannot afford to make a big mistake especially at this crucial stage.
On the quest of removing the tag of a poor team on the defence from the Toronto Raptors, Colangelo appointed Casey, who is the best man to preach a defensive strategy as he did it with the Mavericks. Now, Bryan needs to make the
most with the fifth selection and draft someone who can benefit from the brilliance of Dwane and team up with DeMar DeRozan, Andrea Bargnani, and Jerryd Bayless to turn the Raptors into a play-off contender.
Toronto examined the talent of a number of top prospects during the NBA combine workout sessions which include the big man Enes Kanter, Marcus Morrison, Tristan Thompson, Brandon Knight and Kemba Walker. San Diego’s small forward
Kawhi Leonard also worked out with the team.
Among all the players, University of Kentucky’s influential point guard Knight is under strong consideration. Knight might not be as experienced and offensively sound as University of Connecticut Huskies’ Kemba Walker however his
agility and athleticism is what makes him so special.
“He's a big-time athlete, big-time motor. [He] can really fly up and down the court there. [Knight] has all the tools to be a good defender. That's one of the reasons we have great interest in him." Kelly said.
Walker might be the second option for Toronto if Brandon is drafted by the Utah Jazz who holds the fourth overall pick. The 21 year old Walker is an outstanding scorer and can stimulate the offensive system as well.Whoever the
person may be, all the pressure is definitely on Colangelo to make the best possible decision in order to mark an impression of his presence as a general manager.
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