A weird night of nothing, really

What a surreal night.

We’re in the media room and everyone knows what’s happened, we all know Bryan can’t talk about O’Neal, there’s no sense in him talking about Hibbert and even the 41^st pick, as relatively inconsequential as it is, can’t evoke an official comment.

So what’s a group of grunts to do? Well, sit around and mock the draft TV coverage among other things.

Oh, and come up with little tidbits to put in here.

(If you came looking for the regular Friday mailbag, you’ll have to wait a day; seems it’s an irregular Friday Or Saturday Depending On The News And Doug’s Mood mailbag now)

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Had chats with a couple of Raptor coaches yesterday, trying to figure out what they think of the big deal and what they were doing to figure out how to use Bosh and O’Neal together.

Reaction was overwhelmingly positive (yeah, that’s a huge surprise) but mostly because of what O’Neal might do defensively.

Now, when some flat-footed wing guy gives up one of his many blow-bys, they think at least there’s a big, ornery fellow waiting in the paint. Rasho, for all his good things, was not big and ornery and I’m pretty sure Andrea couldn’t find big and ornery with a search warrant.

O’Neal at one time was a pretty good defender, even excellent at times, and if he’s at either of those levels this time around, that’s the huge plus of the deal.

Offensively?

Well, and take this not as a true comparison but just as an example, the staff’s going back to look at vintage video of how San Antonio used Duncan and Robinson together. Not saying Bosh and O’Neal are at that level, not a chance, but as a way to figure out some plays, that’s a pretty good duo and a pretty good coaching staff to mimic.

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Yes, there was a Gerald Wallace deal in play that never materialized because the Bobcats wouldn’t throw in another draft pick.

Wallace is intriguing, no doubt, but there are concussion issues, he’s not a particularly good jump shooter and he really doesn’t get to the free throw line all that much.

His money? Deal’s cheaper but longer than O’Neal’s.

I don’t know what I would have done had the two deals been actually on the table at the same time. Might have done Wallace and kept No. 17 but look who was there? A bunch of long-term projects. I dunno. Would have been a tough call.

Wallace doesn’t address rebounding and defensive needs, doesn’t provide the cap flexibility soon, and there are those on the staff who think he’s actually a four in a three’s body.

Anyway, it’s all water under the bridge now, they did what they did with what was actually available.

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You watch that on TV last night?
What in the world is up with Jay Bilas and his fascination with “wing span?”

I swear, every kid had an extra forearm or another elbow or something.

Odd. Very.

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Check out this Jermaine O’Neal quote from the interviews he did yesterday.

"You’re talking about a team that’s extremely athletic, extremely big at the wing positions, and they play defence.”

Guess he didn’t spend a lot of his downtime last season actually, you know, watching Raptor games.

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The talking TV heads – and I really like Jeff Van Gundy – were prattling on about the odd hiring of Vinny Del Negro in Chicago and Mark Jackson lauds it because the Bulls “went outside the box” to hire a coach with absolutely no experience.

Since Mark wants some team to do exactly that with him, maybe he should put that clip in his video resume.

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Bargnani update:

Don’t for a minute think the Raptors haven’t been keeping a close tab on him.

They sent Keith D’Amelia, the team’s strength and conditioning coach over to Italy to work him out, test him and make sure he’s doing what he’s supposed to be doing. They tell me he is.

Oh, and he’s going to the big man camp in Vegas in late July to continue his off-season work.

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A dip into the mailbag:

Q: Doug, help me out with this: Why is everyone presuming that Delfino is gone this off-season? It seems that an athletic 2/3 with what will likely be a reasonable price tag is something we'd want to hold onto. Am I missing something? I know he's up and down, but c'mon! I think he's earned a new deal. Can you shed some light on this?
Mike K, Toronto

A: It’s a combination of two things that I imagine will drive Carlos out.

One is money, there just isn’t an awful lot to go around and the bottom three or four roster spots are going to be filled with low wage-earners.

The second is the fact there was a glut, or logjam, at the two-three spot last year and this is one way to clear it up. The rotation needs to be tightened and defined in some sort of swingman cull and this is one of the ways to do it.

Now, if he wants to come back for the minimum and they can move Joey somewhere, then I can see it happening. But neither of those things is likely to occur.

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Free agency’s next but anyone thinking the Raptors are going to make a big splash is likely going to be sorely disappointed.

Even a little ripple might be asking a bit.

Once they do Jose’s deal, they’ll have 10 guys under contract and will have very little money to spend. Without knowing the cap number, tax level or Jose’s number, it’s impossible to tell with any certainty but I’m guessing they’ll have around $5 million to spend on two point guards and another player and that’s not going to yield a star, that’s for sure.

My best guess: They do Roko Ukic, another point guard (I know there’s been some sniffing around Jason Hart) and then a young swingman in the Moon mode. If there’s money left, then they’ll go look for another big.

Anyway, that’s all to be determined over the weekend and into the first of next week.

Which, of course, will give me something to do while it rains all freaking weekend.

Comments

[Andy]

We still have the MLE for this year no? We could add another quality piece with some bench filler for the minimum.

[Tim W.]

"Wallace doesn’t address rebounding and defensive needs..."

Except that Wallace is one of the better rebounding SF's and always gets plenty of votes for the All-Defensive Team. He doesn't, however, address the Raptors need for an interior defender, though.

All things considered, I think the Raptors may have made the right deal. O'Neal, if healthy, will make the biggest impact on the team, and the 17th pick I didn't want to trade wouldn't have netted much. Most of the players I liked for that spot were gone, so losing the 17th pick was not as big a deal as it could have been. And, quite frankly, I think they got a steal by grabbing Jawai with the 41st pick. I like him better than a lot of guys taken late in the first round, and he's exactly the type of player the Raptors need. If they are able to trade Humphries, I'd like to see him as the fourth big man this year, but a year or two of seasoning overseas will probably help him.

Dave Feschuck seems to be down on Colangelo because he is able to be flexible and learn from his mistakes. European up-tempo ball is certainly entertaining, but it doesn't win and never has in the NBA. It didn't win in Phoenix, or Golden State, or Sacramento before that. What wins in the NBA is defense and good interior play. All one has to do is look at the list of NBA Champions over the years. As for Colangelo, I hated the Bargnani pick then and I hate it now, but I'd rather have Colangelo as my GM than most anyone else. One thing I like about him is he isn't afraid to pull the trigger on a big deal. I remember one GM complaining that most GM's loved to talk trade, but were afraid to pull the trigger on deals because they didn't want to make a bad one. Colangelo isn't afraid to make a deal, and he has yet to make a bad trade. My only real complaint about him is that he doesn't value defense and toughness nearly enough.

[Jack]

Hey Doug,

Rumour is Artest is going to opt out afterall. Do you think JO can make a call to him and bring him to Toronto? And if so, do you think MLSE is willing to go over the cap? (I don't see him taking our full MLE). Wouldn't that be a great final piece to pick up?

Blogger's note: Not a chance, you're more likely to play for the Raptors next year than Artest.

[Jonny F]

Hey Doug, quick question...

How come the Raps never tried to get the 27th pick for "cash considerations" like Portland?

Blogger's note: Who says they didn't?

[andre v]

Doug!
when was the last time when the Knicks pick in the draft and the people didn't boo?

Blogger's note: Patrick Ewing?

[doug]

Yea I agree I thought ESPN's coverage was not the greatest..it's just like the NFL draft whres it's all about combine perfromance, with this draft it was all about the useless "wingspan" stat...I am sure Manute Bol had a impressive wingspan as well.....I have a question, why have July 1st as the cut-off date for someone in T.J's position..lie make it June 15th or something so as this whole charade can be avoided come draft night... its for one ruins in the way draft night, and also puts management in a awkward position as well as the players...everyone knows its going down, everyone knew the Raptors were drafting for Indiana but no one could acknowledge it....also can either the Rpas or the Pacers pull out of this deal like how "official" is it, as I assume it can't be registered with the league office as of yet...

Doug, do you think the Raps would have chosen Chris Douglas Roberts with #41 (or told Indy to draft him, just to be official) had he been there? I mean, the guy's got skill and had a great workout in Toronto. Was he a guy of interest?

I can just imagine if he was, this is just one more reason to hate the Nets that much more.

Blogger's note: He was on their list, yes.

[Terence Gui]

Hey Doug... I know the JO deal is as good as done, but I'm just curious, if a deal such as this (which can't be 'officially' consumated for another week or so) somehow breaks down -when Toronto already drafted on behalf of Indiana's wishes- would the Raps simply be 'stuck' with their selection?

Blogger's note: Yep, they would be.

[lukasz skrzeczkowski]

how does BOsh feel about the trade? will it takewe away any of his stats (rebounding especially) or do you think bosh's numbers will stay consitent? it will easier for him being the second toughtest guy on the teamm and now the only option down low. has he said anything about the trade yet? i wonder what bargs' reaction to the trade is as well. Do you think O'neal will be able to to teach barganin a thing or two?

Blogger's note: Bosh is fine with the deal and Andrea's probably fine, too.

[Calvin]

After reading some other articles on ESPN and letting the trade sink in. I think the O'Neal deal was the best deal and made the most sense. Gave us flexibilty in the cap 2 years down the road and a low post scorer that needed a change in scenery.

I heard that Bobcats were offering up Gerald Wallace staight up for TJ last night, but I think we would have been the losers in that deal.

Doug, with 2 very good post players to practice / mentor from in Bosh and O'Neal. Do you think Bargnani is going to impove his play down low? What do you think Bargs will improve on this year? I think we will see the 1st year Bargs come back, hopefully with a chip on his shoulder....

[Simon]

Hey Doug:

Great work these past few days, I am really impressed!! I think I might have preferreed G. Wallace. However, I am not a professional, but as a fan it would have liked that better. I would have loved to see his game with Bosh. I guess time will tell if this is a good trade. Howevever, if we got Wallace he would have to drive to the whole --since he shoots like Ben Wallace.

Havea a good weekend Doug

[Mike S.]

I know the Raptors don't have a lot of money to spend in the free agency, but I'm sure they could go after some key players like Chris Duhon/Roko Ukic/Roger Mason Jr. and Diop. Hopefully they can sign some of those players. Hey Doug what you think about Nathan Jawai? he reminds me of Jason Maxiell.

Blogger's note: I have never seen Nathan Jawai so I really can't offer legitimate comment on him. He is big, of that there is no doubt.

[Marc]

I really like what BC has done with the team, I believe that we will be a better ball club this season. I like the defensive intesity J O'Neal will bring. A couple players I think BC should look long and hard at are Mikael Petrus & Chris Duhon. Is it at all possible for Jawaii aka Baby Shaq to be on the roster this year? As well is Ukic coming to town? Great job
Doug, keep up the good work.

[Anne]

Eric,
I was on the same page as you. Utterly confused and very disappointed at the contradiction.
I could hardly wait to see what "Brian would do next".

[Tfreets]

Anyone who thinks this trade was a bad one is clueless. The potential upside for both O'Neal rounding back into all-star form and a contract that, next year, will be the most sought after in the league for a redundant point guard who is one elbow to the head from ending his career, an over-the-hill back up center making $8 mill per and a draft pick that would be 4 yrs away from contributing and likely never would. This is a genius move by BC. Bosh, O'Neal and AB could be a monsterous front court...if not BC has a contract everyone will want next year. I love it!!

[dean]

Doug,

Since the trade cannot come to legal fruition until July 9th (i think), can you explain how other teams might be able to "piggy back" on this deal and make it 4 or 5 team trade instead?

Could never wrap my head around mutli team trades and how it all works !

Thanks Doug

Blogger's note: There's no chance of any other team getting in this deal; consider it done, just on hold. No renegotation, no re-thinking, the deal is consummated

Best Hoops writer ever !

[derk cox]

COuld Jamario and Gerald have found a way to co-exist?...those "Bama" boys have it in for eachother..Wallace also has a bad 'tude. why would we want him and his bubble wrap shoulder pads!!