What you need to know of Ed Davis, and a bit of an update

The Raptors have stuck to their script and taken the player they deemed best at any position when they drafted Ed Davis with the 13th pick in Thursday's NBA draft.

The word on the 6-10 North Carolina power forward is long, athletic rebounder; coming off wrist injury but the Raptors aren't worried about that

Looks like a solid if unspectacular pick who was projected to go quite higher than No. 13.

Son of Terry Davis, who played 10 years in the NBA. Said his favourite player is Chris Bosh, too bad he was drafted to replace him.

We'll be back with more later on.

Well, here's the more:

The word I got from someone who I trust when I asked whether Davis was picked to be traded was:

"He's not going anywhere."

The interesting thing is the Raptors did not have him in for a workout; they asked but he thought he'd be gone by No. 13 and didn't accept the invitation. Toronto did interview him and see him work out at the Chicago pre-draft camp.

Comments

[Chi]

If Bosh leaves, who do you start at 4, Amir or Ed? Amir grew quite a bit last year but I don't think he's a starter, ever. Is Ed ready to start?

[JP]

Doug - why does BC always "try" to get picks and other teams seem to "do"? Is he handcuffed somehow by ownership?

[bob]

I think tonight is an example of why the raps are going no where, and I doubt they make any deals tonight, they had a chance to get some young players, but instead they sit by and do nothing, and then wait until next week and they will go out and get some over priced underachieving player.

[paul c.]

to expect a move is a bit much. They aren't going to make any moves just to make them and we can assume if they do nothing else tonight that there was nothing better out there. It's a LOOONG offseason to get excited about what we're missing out on tonight.

[D-Mac Ottawa]

Andy Rautins a Knick. Tres cool! Congratz. Cheers.

[dave]

Andy Rautins! Good Job!

[nick]

ANDYYYYYY!!!

[Chops]

Doug what are your thoughts of Chris paul possibly going to the magic for Vince Carter and jameer Nelson??

[Natalie]

Nice! Young Rautins to the Knickerbockers...

Blogger's note: Perfect fit, good for him; just got off the phone with him, he's ecstatic

[Mark L]

Do you think Davis mentioning that Bosh is his favorite player plays at Bosh's ego at all?
Bosh says he was expecting more movement...I guess he's pretty disappointed so far as well.

[Avi]

Doug...is R. Fernandez on his way to TO?

[Adrian]

Ed Davis is not a bad pick. But the 13 was an asset that they probably could have maximized better ("How do you know what was on the board and who was offering! You don't know! Do you have a line into BC's Blackberry? You don't!" lol), only in the sense that does this team really need another project?

All I know is that nothing got done. Another year- 3 in a row- of supreme talk headed into the draft ("looking to add another pick by trade, willing to buy another pick") that did not result in anything. All talk, no walk. "Maybe there was nothing on the table!' lol. It's funny how other teams manage to pull it off without even talking about it, and the Raptors do just the opposite. Hopefully that's just a coincidence. Hopefully they're not just willing to buy picks as long as they don't have to pay any money for them, cuz it sure seems that way. The results would point in that direction. All talk. No walk. Again. To be cont.

[Mike Smith]

Doug, care to provide us with an update on our heroes of the hardwood? Your reporting has been sub-subpar this evening. What up Doug?

Blogger's note: And yet you obviously feel compelled to read and write. I'm honoured.

[dribbles]

I like the pick. He's one of the few guys I've seen play a fair bit and apart from his rebounding and shot-blocking, I think he's more talented on the offensive side than he's being given credit for. He has good footwork, some decent post moves and nice touch around the basket. He just needs to get stronger and work on his jumpshot.

That said, this roster needs major work to balance out. Right now I look at the team and you possibly have Amir, Andrea, Ed, Reggie Evans (and longshot Bosh) who are all best suited to play the 4. Sonny, Demar and Marco are best suited as 2s. Hedo is the only natural 3/4 and he wants out. I have no idea what's going to happen next but BC has lots of work to do.

[Adrian]

Here comes Colangelo. Cue the excuses. I'd love to hear how close he came to doing what he said he would. You don't have to close the deal, Bryan- just tell us how close you got and we're good. I bet you came so close.

Blogger's note: Actually, he acquired a second-round pick, as he suggested he might. A little quick on the draw, weren't you?

[Jeff]

Chad Ford reports Alabi to Raps.

chadfordinsider Hearing the Raptors will actually get Solomon Alabi from the Mavs.
2 minutes ago

[Jamie]

Hey Doug,

Any last minute news as the evening wraps up?

No big blockbuster by anyone. 2010 the year of the free agent..

[dave]

hey hey...both parties are clapping!

Welcome Solomon Alabi!

[Dan]

I think other GM's might be trying to get Turk without giving up much (hoping that the Raps want to unload him) and BC is trying to convince everyone that he may keep Turk in a Raptors uni next year so they'll give up more to get him. Personally, I'd get rid of him before the World Championships in case he gets hurt or continues to play poorly!

[dave]

Can you tell us which, when and how many 'future picks' are being sent to Dallas for Solomon Alabi?

Thanks Doug.

Blogger's note: I can't; probably just cash but I'm not sure

[Dan]

Doug, are surprised that no one gambled on Jon Sheyer?

Blogger's note: He'll get a look in someone's summer league team.

[Adrian]

I won't complain. It was a move. Must have been karma. Yes, it's only a 2nd rd'er but that's still an improvement. I don't care if it's Nathan Jawai 2.0. It's not just a press release, there's some action there. Keep the pedal to the metal Bryan. Just saying. One step at a time. Hopefully some bigger steps are around the corner.

[dave]

Mark Cuban must have some outstanding favours for BC... giving up his one and only pick for future considerations? especially knowing that dirk may or may not be coming back?
Anyway, I'm glad that the Raptors chose a couple hardworking young men in Davis and Alabi.
Need Defence Toronto? We got some!!!

[Adrian]

I do have to say, Doug, you're quit to defend Colangelo! lol. Record time! You sure make me wonder... what is your agenda? And does the 50th pick in the 2nd round really make you feel that good- is that the kind of move that you were suggesting Colangelo needed to make? We'll see how you retract today's blog assertion tomorrow morning.

I'm happy with any change- even if it's a 2nd round pick. But don't make it out to be much bigger. And it does bother me a little that this guy is Ujiri's man much the same as Bargnani was Gherardini's but... I'll keep my word. It's still a move and any move (nomatter how small) is better than the status quo. Have a good night. I'll see you tomorrow. :)

[J]

Not sure why so many people are unhappy. Yes, would have been nice to have gotten Paul George but since he went to Indiana, Aldrich went to OKC, and Henry went to Memphis, Davis was a blessing. When so many teams passed on Blair, how many people asked San Antonio why they picked up Blair instead of someone with less 1st round talent and more 2nd round talent? Seems like Ed Davis was caught right in between the players with all the news (Wall, Turner, Favors, Johnson, Cousins) and the players projected to go in the 11 to 19 range (George, Bradley, Bledsoe, Henry, Aldrich, Udoh, Patterson, etc.) so hey, those 6 to 10s must suck. He must suck because he didn't think he'd fall to 13. Sheesh.

We got the best player available at 13, and he is a better BPA than any of the names mentioned prior to the draft except maybe George, and we got Alabi as well, albeit on a much cheaper contract. That is equivalent to what we wanted before the draft: the BPA at #13 (Davis), and an additional pick in the 20s (Alabi). Yes, it's a shame we couldn't get Bradley but aside from him, better is not worse.