A remake is coming, and two blasts from the past

Now what?

Oh, right. The draft. Free agent camp. Free agency. Olympic qualifier. Olympics. Mail. Lots. Of. Mail.

When's a guy gonna get some time to socialize?

Remember when we wondered how long this thing could keep going once the season was over? That was silly, wasn’t it?

Can’t promise 1,000 words every morning but can promise to get something up. How interesting it’ll be? I can’t say.

Like today.

All of a sudden, we’re looking at the possibility of huge change on the Raptor roster next season.

Garbo? Gone.

The Gangster? Gone as soon as his contract expires.

Carlos? Could very well be gone if he gets a good free-agency offer.

T.J.? I’d say it’s 80-20 he’s gone in a trade?

And for a team that only had 14 guys on the roster at the end of the season, you’re looking at the possibility of five new faces, a third of the roster changing from one season to the next.

And with the prospects still around for a two-for-one or even three-for-one trade involving a package for Ford and someone making large money, there could be even more turnaround.

A good thing?

Not sure.

The problem last year was that there was little “separation” on the roster. The four swing guys – Moon, Parker, Kapono, Delfino – were at about the same level in talent. Oh, and consistency, too.

That made coaching difficult because not only didn’t Sam know which three were going to be good each night, there were quiet – very quiet – rumblings that the guys who weren’t playing thought they deserved to be playing more and those rumblings were probably right.

What good teams need and usually have is relatively clear separation between the value of guys one through, say, 10, and those occupying the 11^th to 15^th spots on the roster.

Man, even Juan Dixon, who was deep on the bench here, thought he deserved more time and it’s easy to argue he was right.

So I don’t think Bryan needs to hit three or four home runs as he remakes a third of his roster.

He needs to hit one into the upper deck, for sure, and maybe a second. But some of his job this summer will be getting guys to occupy the end of the bench because that’s what their talent dictates.

You can have too many mediocre talents fighting for minutes, what you want is a group of stars and some backups who realize they are backups.

It’s a tough, tough job.

-

Over the comments section, the always-insightful Bballer wonders which was the worst draft class in the last decade and holds up 1998 as the gold standard for mediocrity.

The lottery that year:

Michael Olowokandi, Mike Bibby, Raef LaFrentz, Antawn Jamison, Vince Carter, Robert Traylor, Jason Williams, Larry Hughes, Dirk Nowitzki, Paul Pierce, Bonzi Wells, Michael Doleac and Keon Clark.

Very average, for the most part. Traylor was a busy, LaFrentz was always hurt, Wells was okay but not great; Doleac turned into a role player and we all know what happened to our man Keon.

Me?

I’m looking at 2000 and saying, “blech.”

How about:

Kenyon Martin, Stromile Swift, Darius Miles, Marcus Fizer, DerMarr Johnson, Chris Mihm, Jamal Crawford, Joel Przybilla, Keyon Dooling, Jerome MOiso, Eton Thomas and Courtney Alexander.

Ugh.

-

A little bit of mail:

Q: There is a distinct way that I watch the NBA playoffs once the Raptors are eliminated. Essentially, I try to see what each team does differently than the Raptors that has allowed them to advance deep into the playoffs.
So my question is this, what is the most distinctive characteristic shared by the Lakers and Celtics that the Raptors currently (and glaringly) lack?
My answer? Above-average perimeter defence.

Chris B, Toronto

A: I would imagine a huge majority of fans feel exactly that way.

-

You all excited about this free agent camp thing that starts tomorrow?

Yawn.

I know the Legend Of Jamario Moon and all but, really, that’s a one in a million shot.

Best case scenario: The find someone to keep Maceo Baston and Joey Graham company.

Oh, and they get a dominant summer league team out of it.

-

Was chatting with an old friend and a couple of grunts while standing outside at halftime of Game 6 getting some fresh air and the old friend makes a call and hands me his cell phone.

Bad reception I thought, or someone in a very crowded spot who could be barely heard above the din.

After 10 or 12 seconds, it hits me:

It’s Oak!

Yes, the one and only. He was hanging at the Garden in New York, or some restaurant, or some social function or some concert (I couldn’t make that part out). Says he’s doing fine, thinks he’ll be in Toronto sometime in July (“I’m just rolling like always,” he said).

One thing that did come out: “Tell Sam I said hi, tell Bryan to get him some players.”

-

Last mail hit:

Q: It's June 17 and the draft is coming up and many teams are holding tryouts. What about the Lakers and Celtics? Are they holding tryouts or must they wait at the end of the final. If they must wait, isn’t it unfair to them since they don’t get as much time to prepare?

Chad J,Mississauga

A: Oh, no, they’re doing all their draft preparations just like everyone else is, the scouts are in town doing workouts, the GMs are paying attention, as well. It just gets lost in the news.

-

Because it’s Jalen’s World and we’re just a small part of it, here’s an update.

Turn on the TV yesterday morning, a tad bleary-eyed in Boston, and flip to Mike and Mike In The Morning ‘cause that’s what I do on the road.

And there, in the Golic chair, sits Our Man Jalen, co-hosting the ESPN radio simulcast show and being all Mr. Media.

Do my work, wander down to get coffee and come back after 10. Still on ESPN and it’s the First Take chat show and, sure enough, there’s Jalen again, being the guest panelist.

He might be the hardest working man in showbiz.

Guess in all those years when he was telling us about his budding media career, he wasn’t just blowing smoke.

-

Okay, off to see what these kids at the workout look like and talk to Some People Who Know about what’s been going on with these guys the last few days.

Comments

[Bo Klymkiw]

You wrote that "[BC] needs to hit one into the upper deck, for sure, and maybe a second. But some of his job this summer will be getting guys to occupy the end of the bench". That home run has to upgrade our rebounding, because Rasho and Andrea aren't going to. (I'd trade for Marcus Camby) The second can be a triple instead of a homerun, because (assuming T. J. is indeed traded) what we need next most is a substitute PG. (I'd trade for Jarrett Jack.) Finally, a third string PG needs to replace Darrick. I'd somehow get a 2nd-round draft pick and use it to get Bryce taylor of Oregon, converting him from SG ... via the development league, and keeping him as an injury call-up, if necessary.

[Andy C]

my vote is for 2000 draft as well. at least you can build a team around one or two guys from 98 (and even win the championship with one of them)

so we should be expecting an in deph interview with Oak come July?

[voislav]

Speaking of ex-players, I think that Raptors should start doing a retro night, where they would bring an ex-player to do some signing and chat with the fans and maybe even roll out the old Raptor jerseys. I know that this is a relatively young franchise, but I think it could be done for one or two nights a year and it would really give fans a chance to show their appreciation for some of the players.

[Ben]

Saying that the 1998 draft class was awful is absolutely ridiculous, good lord. Nowitzki, Pierce, Carter, Jameson, Bibby, Williams, Bonzi. Not every class is 84 or 2003.

When ANY basketball fan talks about the worst draft ever, 2000 should immediately spring to mind, not 1998.

[ro]

I have heard some buzz that NY is looking at TJ or trading for a different draft pick. The article meantioned that BC is the "most active" right now. What does that mean?

See quote....it is unclear whether the Knicks plan to use their first round pick, sixth overall, in next week's NBA draft or trade for a solid player, the New York Post is reporting.

Toronto's T.J. Ford, Milwaukee's Mo Williams, Indiana's Jamaal Tinsley, and Portland's Jarrett Jack are on the block. Sources have indicated Raptors' General Manager Bryan Colangelo, who picks 17th and is looking to move up, has been most active.

???????

Blogger's note: Don't read too much into it; all it means is, among the people that reporter talked to, the sense was that Colangelo is making and taking more calls than others. It may turn into nothing, or it may not.

[Mikey]

Bo, Roko Ukic is, by all accounts, going to be the third string PG next season. Speaking of Jose's back-up Doug, who are some names you could see BC going after for his point guard off the bench? Chris Duhon pops out at me because I know he isn't going to be back in Chicago. Would he cost too much money?

Blogger's note: Probably not. Might be on the list but, really, he's rather under-whelming.

[Vince]

Kudos to Sam Mitchell for his $50,000 donation. Seeing he and Bosh make donations to the city should make some 'potential' Raptors realize that Toronto ain't so bad. I think we're still fighting that stigma to some extent.

I agree that 2000 was the weakest draft, although we'll have to wait and see if 2006 compares a few years down the road (thanks for the high school rule change, Mr. Stern - I can't imagine how Greg Oden would have looked in a Raptors jersey).

[Brad]

The 1998 isn't that bad? At least 5 former all-stars in Bibby, Jamison, Carter, Nowitski, Pierce; and Williams, Hughes and Wells have to be considered at least solid starters. It would definitely trump the 2000 draft where only Kenyon Martin could be considered all-star material and Crawford the only other starter of the group.

[tim]

im pretty sure, marcus camby thinks toronto's a joke by now

Blogger's note: I'm pretty sure you're wrong, he still stays in touch with a few people here and speaks glowingly of the city every time I talk to him.

[Dan]

Kapano must have helped his trade value in the playoffs. I know Sam never gave him consistant minutes in the regular season, but the minutes he did get he was not nearly as aggresive with his shot as he was in the first round. In the regular season he didn't force anything and only took what he was given. In the playoffs he was the teams most consitant player and was second only to Bosh. If he plays like that next year I would try to find an athletic two and let Kapano start.

[Mike K]

2000 was clearly the suckiest, but in my opinion the 1998 draft was one of the better ones in terms of impact players, alhtough not as deep as most - you had 4 All-Stars in the top 10 (VC, Antawn, Dirk & Newly-crowned Champ The Truth who inexplicably dropped to 10), but only 3 arguably very good players (Bibby, White Chocolate, Bonzi). 2001 is arguably weaker in terms of impact players: 1 All-Star (Tony Parker) and 3 lesser All-Stars (Pau, Joe Johnson and Agent Zero), 4 very good (J-Rich, Battier, R.J. & G.Wallace) and 2 good-but-radioactive (Curry, Randolph).

[Paul M.]

Soooo...if you update the comments today, any chance you'll give us a sneak peak on today's workout? Or will we have to wait for the full update tomorrow?

Blogger's note: We didn't get in to see any of the workout today, not sure why. So I'm going to have to make some calls tonight to see if there was anything of note. Which I doubt since i asked one guy if there was anything special about today and as he walked out of gym he nodded his head, no.

[bballer]

i checked wikipedia for that 2000 draft and it was atrocious. nothing really good came out of that draft that couldn't have been found in the 2nd round other years. every draft after that one did improve. i guess 2000 was the reason why gm's thought that high schoolers would be a better bet when measuring talent over the college guys. oh well. the league and the draft has become better since then.

keep up the good work and i'm looking forward to the draft!

[Mark]

Love your column, it is nice to read stuff coming from an intelligent and reliable source.
So it looks like Lamar Odom is on the block. You think the Raptors make a move? Would the Lakers have an interest in TJ? I propose TJ, Hump and Kapono for Odom, Farmar and Coby Karl. Raps get a versatile forward that could easily run the floor and play with Bosh and can rebound the ball. Kapono is not the answer at the 3 anyhow and Farmar would be a solid 20 minute backup to Jose. The Raps can see how it works out with Odom next year and choose to resign him or use the cap relief when his large deal expires at the end of next year.
For the Lakers, they upgrade at the point, where they got burned in the playoffs(hello Mr. Rondo)and add a couple of useful bench players in Kapono and Hump without giving much up off the roster they would want for next year.
I think this deal really makes sense for both teams and maybe draft picks have to get involved to balance things out. (not sure the Lakers are interested, since it seems they only do deals when they can fleece the other side (Hello Mr. Gasol)
Your thoughts?

Blogger's note: I presue that when Bryan talks to Mitch Kupchak, Odom's name is at the top of his list. I'm sure there's some interest here, although Odom's stocked dropped considerably with his effort in the final

[Amanda]

Am I the only one really hoping that BC tries to pry away Mike Dunleavy from Indiana? He would definitely be an upgrade at the 3 and could be that other 20 point presence BC said he was looking for.

[Jonathan]

Not to refute the 2000 draft as the worst in the past while, but just a tiny reminder that Michael Redd was part of that draft class, albeit as a 2nd rounder. That's probably the most glaring indicator of how bad that draft truly was, for the 43rd overall pick to turn out as the draft class' best player.

Oh, and 1998 had guys like Cuttino Mobley, Rashard Lewis, Ricky Davis and Al Harrington as well, on top of Dirk, Pierce, et al.

[yertu damkule]

hey dougie. so, now that the real season has started, please tell me that the mock drafts on ESPN/SI in which the raps are picking robin #$%^ lopez at 17 aren't accurate. i've got nothing against the guy, and it's not like there's much else available at that spot, but it'd be nice to see TJ packaged w/ that pick for either the wing we're lacking, or to move up. but let's say the raps are looking at keeping the pick & drafting a big (i.e. 5) - what does that say about bargs? i mean, we know he's not able to play the 3, they're not moving bosh to 5 so bargs can play the 4...so, why bother keeping him? BC continually says that the first guy most GMs ask about is bargs, so why not unload him now? his stock is low, but does ANYONE have ANY confidence that he's going to pull a 180 next year & all of a sudden be competent (see how low our expecatations have fallen...)? realistically, he's going to have to put together at least one full solid season before his stock starts to improve from where it currently is (i.e. no GM is going to view him having a good first half as 'proof' that he's a legit NBA'er). if they're intent on keeping bargs, 5 is the only place he can play, so as long as they have rasho, there doesn't seem to be much point in drafting an offensively limited 2nd-rounder at #17. is 17 too high for CDR? he's unorthodox, but he's a scorer (not just a shooter), a good defender, and comes fro ma great program.

[Joe T.]

Hey Doug, I was just reading that the Cavs may be shopping Anderson Varejao around. He's obviously the type of player Sam would love and the Raps could use. Cleveland, of course, could use a point guard. Now I'm not up on salaries, caps, taxes and all that complicated stuff. Is there any chance that the Raptors could send Ford to Toronto and get Varejao and somthing else in return? And do you think it would be worth it?...

Oh, and I still think Bryan should try to get Raoger Mason back in Toronto...

And Turiaf would look good in red...

Blogger's note: There's a chance anything can happen; I'd be surprised if the Raptors moved Ford to a team that they then would have to fight through in the playoffs perhaps. I think TJ headed west may be more logical

[Dallas]

Hey Doug,

Any specifics for us on the numbers and cap implications from the Garbo buy out now that it's official? C'mon, feed the beast. You don't want to be scooped by the Metro news who already scooped you with the report that Pau's brother Marc has declared for the draft this year, and is being projected to be taken in the first round.... I don't know how you guys missed that...

Blogger's note: Yeah, we're dopes for missing that. Maybe he'll get drafted by Memphis, seeing how they have his rights and everything already.
No numbers on the Garbo buyout. Yet.

[Bo Klymkiw]

I read somewhere that the Raptors were not inclined to offer Ukic more than what he'd get in Europe, AND he definitely wouldn't be a starter here, so why would he choose to cross the pond?

Blogger's note: The challenge of playing in the best league, maybe?

[GM]

I think the Raptors should trade Ford to a team in the east. It gives them four or five more wins on the year instead of just two.

Blogger's note: Ding! Ding! Ding!

[Zack]

Funny how Metro reports Marc Gasol is getting projected as a first round pick when the Lakers selectedhimlast year and traded him for his brother.

Blogger's note: Yeah, I'm absolutely speechless they could make such a stupid, irresponsible, ridiculous mistake.