Breaking news: Darrick Martin

With everybody waiting for the cavalry to arrive, this should come as a short sharp slap in the snoot: There is no cavalry. Only 5-foot-11 Darrick Martin to fill that last space on the Raptors roster, including the inactives (there's a difference?).
The spin is that this is nothing but insurance, as GM Babcock has told our guys in Philly. But the Boy GM is supposed to be out trying to find a big for that last spot, isn't he? I know they're hard to find -- but this is the best he can do?
Martin's claim to fame: he's one of those Vancouver Grizzlies-Raptors guys now, joining the likes of Benoit Benjamin and Aaron Williams. He also played on the Clippers team that lost 17 straight to open the season back in the 1999 demi-season that followed the lockout. He also played on something called the Michigan Mayhem, which sounds like a WHA team but apparently was his last stop. A lateral move, in other words.
So say this for him: he knows misery, this poor man, and he's sure come to the right place for more of that. (And if they need him for more than 10 minutes a night, it's a bad, bad sign).
If this all gets you a little down, J.E. Skeets wants you to dream.

Comments

[Terri]

Does Babcock honestly believe he can afford to throw in the season like this? Fans are just going to stay home. The players are going to get angry, point fingers and want out. And this losing is going to reinforce in NBA players' minds that Toronto is an undesirable place to play. So Mr. Babcock, you can have all the salary cap room you want in 18 months or whenever, but it will mean nothing. With your attitude, "throw in now, possibly win few years later", no one is going to want to come here. And who can blame them?

[Rick]

I have a few comments from the perspective of a somewhat "interested/disinterested" observer. Though I reside in New York for the last 12 years, I grew up in Toronto during the 80's when Toronto did not have a basketball franchise. As a result, I clinged to the franchise at that time of greatest noteriety - that being, the Los Angeles Lakers (and I am still a rabid Lakers fan). When Toronto was fortunate enough to obtain a basketball franchise, I began routing for two teams - which means twice the heartache and twice the elation. Which brings me to the saddened state of the Raptor's fans and media at this point. I've been following the recent trend in the media to bash, ridicule and second guess the affairs and decisions of the Raptor's management. True, some of it is justified. However, I do not believe that the frenzy to jab and maul a basketball team with slings and arrows is fruitful for a franchise so early in development. One must remember that Toronto once had no professional basketball at all. Patience is warranted and should temper the hostility towards the team. Just remember, a few names. Tracy McGrady, Damon Stoudamire, Vince Carter and Chauncy Billups. The first three names were drafted by the Raptor's management (not bad right?) and the last player landed in Toronto through a trade. These players did not leave because of digruntlement with management. They left because of opportunity and forsight into the future and because management caved under the pressure of the media and fans to produce immediate results. Opportunity is developed through patience, guidance and most of all respect. The same traits that I believe should be preached during both losing and winning seasons. Winning is contagious but a winning attitude is even more worthy of praise. I'll just leave you with this - would you rather Toronto not have a basketball franchise at all? Give it some time folks - even the media in the United States believe that Calderon, Villanueva, Bosh and Graham - in time - will develop into a great nucleus. That's if the media and fans will give the team a chance. Support the team folks. Come to the games. Praise the players for playing well. Cheer. And for heavens sake, give the guys a break! San Antonio joined the league in 1976 and it took them over 20 years before seeing any gold. Patience Raptor fans ... patience.