Raptors top pick all about work ethic


First posted: | Updated:

The words Ed Davis used to describe his game were like music to the ears of Raptors head coach Jay Triano.

In this era of high-flyers and players wanting to earn a name through their defence, Davis is old school, having learned from his father, Terry, a journeyman in the NBA who carved a 10-year career through hard work and by taking nothing for granted.

"I'm going to come in and run the floor, block shots and rebound,'' Davis said Thursday night when the Raptors became the beneficiaries of his fall in the draft order, basically landing in the lap of Toronto in the 13th slot.

"I think my game is going to translate well in the NBA."

How Solomon Alabi's game fits isn't so certain.

The 7-footer was acquired late Thursday night from Dallas, which used the 50th overall pick on Alabi, for cash consideration and a future second-round pick.

Triano isn't under any illusion when it comes Davis.

As Davis' name wasn't called, bypassed and dropping, the Raptors called his coach at North Carolina, Roy Williams.

"He just raved about Ed,'' Triano said. "He's a perfect fit for us."

The imperfect is Davis' offence, but that will take time.

He doesn't have much of a face-up game, but the Raptors don't need offence from a big.



"My father worked hard,'' Davis said. "He's always tried to teach me about work ethic because everything my father got was through hard work. It's why he stayed in the league so long."

The Raptors could have drafted Kentucky's Patrick Patterson, but it was a no-brainer when Davis dropped.

Davis never worked out for the Raptors, but he did get to meet officials at the league's pre-draft camp in Chicago.

"We had a good feel for each other,'' Davis said. "Everyone is surprised I dropped (in the draft), but it really doesn't matter."

A left-hander who stands 6-foot-10 and weighs 225 pounds, the Washington D.C., native wants to hit the weight room to get stronger.

Davis will play for Toronto's summer league team in Las Vegas next month.

Sponsored Links