Good news for Jose, Jermaine and, I'm told, Jack Armstrong

Welcome to Jermaine O’Neal and Jose Calderon Day here in Toronto.

Couple of news conferences, some words of wisdom (or something like that), maybe a grandiose prediction or two and then maybe things will slow down a wee bit.

Or not, given how things never, ever really seem to slow down a bit.

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Cap and tax numbers are in, they’re a little bit below what many had expected and just reinforces, again, that the only move left here is to sign a minimum-value free agent, maybe someone with two or three years of service in.

The cap came in at $58.680 million, the tax at $71.150 million and the mid-level exception is $5.585 million.

The numbers, in reality, are staggering but in the world of basketball, they’re actually lower than some people expected.

And what’s going to happen is more than a few players are going to have to settle for less than they thought.

For the Raptors, the numbers don’t mean anything, actually. They still have enough to get the one guy at the one price they expected, and are willing to pay. I guess the only thing it might mean is that the pool of players available might grow a bit if some teams have budgeted X dollars and the limits are lower than they thought.

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As we sit and wait for Matt Devlin to be formally announced as the new Raptor TV play-by-play guy, whispers around the organization are that Jack Armstrong not only will be back, but that we’ll see and hear more of him on games this year than we did last.

And that’s a good thing.

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Elton Brand to Philly, what do you think of that?

The immediate reaction is, oh, oh; how much better are the Sixers going to be with a stud power forward playing next to Sam Dalembert and how will those two match up against Chris Bosh and Jermaine O’Neal?

Pretty much better, I’m thinking.

The Sixers still have to re-sign Andre Iguodala – and if they don’t, the addition of Brand simply keeps them at the level they were at last year – but with him on the wing and the two big guys under the basket, that’s a pretty formidable threesome.

Funny how a year ago now, everyone figured the Sixers were toast, in the midst of a huge rebuilding process that might take seasons.

Toss in their hot finish last season and now the acquisition of Brand and all of a sudden, there’s probably a new challenger for second in the Atlantic Division.

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You know, sometimes you’ve got to give props where they’re deserved.

Like today to The Score and Canada Basketball.

I don’t know who urged who, or who paid what, or how it exactly came together, but the decision to show next week’s Canadian games at the Olympic qualifier in Athens is a huge boost for the program and should cement The Score as the basketball leader in Canadian television.

What I’ve heard is that Canada Basketball approached FIBA a while ago, trying to manipulate global TV deals to let them be more specifically tailored to Canadian needs. Nice to know there are forward-looking people in the organization, at The Score and even at FIBA who saw the intelligence in that move.

Sure, it’s stupid early with 6 a.m. starts but what the heck; I’m up around then finishing this off every morning, it’ll give me a reason to turn on the television.

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Speaking of Canada, they’re in Hamburg today to face that iconic German athlete Chris Kaman and that Nowitzki fellow in their penultimate exhibition game before the Athens tourney.

I’m not sure the result is the most important thing to worry about today, what’s big is whether Sam Dalembert or Jesse Young plays.

Dalembert played the first game and about five minutes of the second – limping noticeably – of the four-game series here last week and Young didn’t play a minute.

Canada’s good, as deep and talented a team as we’ve had, but without those two big guys, the task of qualifying becomes exponentially more difficult.

It isn’t going to be easy, I’d rank Greece, Germany, Croatia, probably Brazil and maybe Slovenia ahead of them, but they’ve got a chance. A greater chance than some of us thought a year ago.

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Speaking of Canada, here’s Rowan Barrett on how the zillion-year-old vet’s fitting back in:

"Coming in, it could have been challenging, I haven’t really played with most of these guys and supposed to be kind of coming into some kind of leadership role and sometimes that can be difficult, especially when the team has been formed and there’s leadership there in the past but at the same time, I kind of coached some of these guys when they were younger.

"I think that love and that respect is there and I’m just trying to use my experience at this time to help whatever way, if it’s to score in tight situations, obviously that’s what I do on the court.

"My role is a little bit more than one dimensional now. And I’m excited to do it.”

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Since today’s Jermaine O’Neal day, here’s a topical question:

Q: Hi Doug quick question for you - do you feel the Ford deal for O'Neal was the best deal out there? If not what other deal would have been better.
Junior B-A, Toronto

A: Well, there were three others I know that were out there: Phoenix for Boris Diaw, Portland for Channing Frye and Martell Webster, and the ill-fated Charlotte one for Gerald Wallace that fell apart over an extra draft pick.

And all things considered, Toronto's needs for an inside defensive presence weighed against the need for an athletic wing, the long-term financial picture, what was left on the roster and what might have been available with the 17^th pick, I think they got the right one done.

Is it a perfect trade? No. None are.

But when all of them are looked at and all things considered, this was the best one.

Comments

[derek]

Wouldn't it be amazing if Jose did another sacrifice for the team and decided to backload his contract until JO leaves? If he was thinking of 8Mil/year, he could have his contract workout as
08/09 - 3 mil
09/10 - 3 mil (JO/Bosh? leaves tonnes of money available next year)
10/11 - 13 mil
11/12 - 13 mil
IF a player did something like this, would it increase the cap/tax space to sign a player??

Blogger's note: Put that notion out of your mind, can't be done under salary cap rules.

[Ben]

Doug, where will the press conference be aired? I'm assuming RaptorsTV, but it's not on the online schedule, nor the one on televison. (I didn't even see the original press release, only references to it, hence my not knowing.)

Blogger's note: I have no idea if they'll be aired but unless they're planning to show The Best Of The Norma Wick Hour, check at 1:30 and I bet they've got 'em on RaptorsTV

[Aaron Campbell]

What time is the press conference?

....and more Jack is the best news ever!

HELLLLLOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!

Blogger's note: First one's scheduled for 1:30

[liam c]

more Jack this year? woohoo! that's amazing news. i think him and devlin will make a nice duo. kind of like earl camembert and floyd robertson...

Doug what's Norma Wick up to these days?

I was indifferent when they announced she wouldn't be back doing Raptors coverage last year but I have to admit that the broadcasts and especially the Raptors TV produced shows have suffered from her absence.

Any chance she might be back covering the Raptors next year?

Blogger's note: I hear from her every now and then, she's staying busy, doing well but I'm afraid the people over at Raptor TV continue to "go in another direction."

[Kelsie McPherson]

Based on all of the other deals that were out there for TJ, JO was definitely the best of the lot. Gerald wallace is definitely an acitve wing but he's a 3-4 and not the type of slasher we need. I liked the Portland deal but Martell is definitely more of a jump shooter than slasher as well.

My question is if things work out well with JO over the next couple of years what do you think are the chances of the Raps bringing him back once his contract is up? I know it's way too early to predict these kind of things but talent is talent and for too long we've been trying to get by with marginal or unproven talent. JO is an established player in this league.

Blogger's note: Way, way, way too early, I'm afraid, to even speculate.

[Marc in Burlington]

Hey Doug,

I think it's great that Jack Armstrong looks to be back with an increased role with Raptors broadcast. Personally I find the colour commentary he provides to the raptors game to be vastly better than that of Leo Rautins. Does an increase of work for Jack mean less Leo? I have sat on the floor near the tunnel for several Raptors games and had the pleasure of speaking with Mr. Armstrong on nights when the game wasn't on Sportsnet and found him to be an engaging guy. I look forward to experiencing Matt Devlin's work, as I was one of those guys that found that Chuck's act got tired pretty quickly. I appreciated his enthusiasm, and euphemisms and respect the job he did helping to build the Raptors brand, but I am looking forward to the new play by play guy. What can you tel us of his game calling style? Have you heard it? Did you enjoy it?

Stay cool

Blogger's note: Straight-forward and fair is how Matt described his style to me. I really haven't heard enough to form an opinion, actually, but he's a good guy with a solid reputation.

[ro]

I love Jack! He has great comments and he's fun to watch. I want a "HELLO!!" t-shirt.

[Joe Sonoma]

Raps should've spent some money and signed Magette. With the 76ers signing Brand and Magic siging Pietrus, the Raptors haven't gained any ground in the east with O'Neal. 5th or 6th place if they are lucky.

[Nemesio]

Hello Doug: Why dont you give the Partland deal at least the benefit of the doubt? The O'neal deal will be good ONLY IF he is healthy and plays with motivation. BC is obviously betting that's going to happen, otherwise he will certainly regret the Portland deal. Frye is a solid rebounder and Webster can shoot the lights out and they are both young. It would have not been so bad having Channing Fry and Humhpries backing up Bargs and Bosh, and having Martell Webster added to complete a nice quartet of wings with JK, Parker and Moon. Additionally, The Raptors perhaps would have kept their draft Pick this year and would have a bit more money left to sign Ukic and decent NBA proven backup-PG. The only downside was that both Frye and Webster would have to signed to long term deals after this season, but I dont think they would have demanded the 23 millions that Oneal will be paid next year.

[Andrew]

I like Jack, but it would be nice if he could cut down on the degrading and sexist HELLOS everytime the camera cuts to the Dance Pak.

[Sean]

Kareem Rush: on the radar?

Blogger's note: Maybe, but certainly not in bold or anything.

[Vincent Lam]

So Maggette's going to GSW and Pietrus is going to Orlando. So Doug, do you see the Raps making a trade for them after their base year compensation is over? (just joking)

[Tim W.]

Even if it was possible for Jose to do a backloaded deal the way Derek suggests, that would hurt the team later rather than sooner, and end up doing more damage overall. I'm a big Calderon fan, but there's no way I would want to be paying him $13 per year at any time during his contract.

While Brand really helped himself, and the Sixers, by signing with them, Maggette goes a team going nowhere. You'd think after playing for the Clippers for so long he'd have jumped at the chance to go to a quality organization and a winning team like the Spurs. Instead, he'll be watching the playoffs on television. Again. Brand had a half decent chance of making the playoffs if he had stayed with the Clippers, but their lack of depth and would have meant an early exit anyway. With the Sixers, Brand goes to a team that probably gets home court advantage in the playoffs and has a good mixture of youth and veterans. Sure, Maggette will be making a lot more with the Warriors, but at 28, the guy has already made close to $50 million over the course of his career, so I'm guessing he doesn't need the money anymore. And $5.75 is certainly nothing to complain about. If I was Maggette I would have gone to the Spurs.

Of all the potential trades, while the one for O'Neal involves the most question marks (his knees), but has the potential to have the biggest payoff and, as Doug said, is exactly what the Raptors needed the most. Unfortunately with Brand going to the Sixers, the Raptors still probably won't get home court advantage in the playoffs and will most likely drop to third in the Atlantic Division, but the deal is the best one that was out there.

[Tristan]

In what universe is the combination of Dalembert/Brand better then O'neal/Bosh? O'neal is a significantly better defensive AND offensive player then Dalembert, while Bosh has surpassed Brand offensively (look at career and recent PERs, TS%'s, etc.) and is of a similar caliber defensively. And if you're going to point out that JO is pushing 30 having just come off a major injury, then I should remind you that Brand is in the exact same boat. Seriously - under the assumption that BOTH O'neal and Brand return to pre-injury form, our tandem is clearly better. Now, of course, the same thing can't be said about our respective backcourts...

[Mike]

Doug - In reference to Summer League, specifically Bargs not playing in it.

As you said in your blog, summer league is a bit of a gong show. That being said, why is it good enough for Kevin Durant, who basically forced his way onto the court for the Oklahoma City no-names, but it's not good enough for Bargnani?

Isn't there some benefit to giving Bargnani 3-4 games of SL action where he's told to take 15-20 shots per game, all shots to be either in the low post or top of the key? Or is this just the difference between guys destined for greatness because not only are they supremely talented, but they're pure gym rats (like Durant) and guys that look dazed, confused and give off a lazy vibe (like Bargs).

[nicole t]

Remember when the Atlantic Division was a joke?

[Jamie]

Im looking forward to hearing Mr. Devlin call games...it might even get me to watch some wrestling this summer...122 days left...

[Eric]

"Is it a perfect trade? No. None are." This, Doug, is about as microcosmic of the franchise's problems as anything anyone says or writes.

The fact that so many in the media and around the team feel the need to DEFEND this trade is all we, as fans, need to know. You'll say, "Oh, but the fans criticize every trade," but how many people in Boston were criticizing the Garnett trade last year? How many in New Jersey were criticizing the Carter trade in 2003? How many in Denver criticized the Iverson trade? That's not to suggest that they were all perfect trades, only to prove that fans don't necessarily complain after every transaction.

If Jermaine O'Neal was really a jewel, if Jermaine O'Neal was really the kind of player that the team and media claim he is, Toronto fans would be fine with it. As it stands, those claims sound more like denial than anything else. And quite frankly, we in Toronto should know what denial sounds like given how many times we've heard it.

"Jermaine's knee is fine- give it a rest! Jermaine's knee is 100%!" You tell me, how many players in the history of this league have come back to 100% after suffering an injury that serious- an injury that pretty much caused them to take three or four years off, before resuming their career at an elite level? Those are not good odds.

The media and team were proven wrong about TJ Ford and his future as a Raptor. Chances are they will be proven wrong about this one, as well. The probability that Jermaine O'Neal becomes what the team claims he will is slimmer than the probability he won't. That's all the fans are saying and that's a fair complaint.

[matt]

Doug, its my understanding that the salary cap is used for actually signing new players, whereas the luxury comes into play (as a soft limit) for resigning your own players. If thats the case did Philly do a smart thing in signing a new player under the cap and then waiting to sign their own restricted FA in Iguodala so that they still had more money under the cap without Iggy under contract?

Blogger's note: The simple answer is yes.

[adam mo!]

Hey Doug, recently just started reading your blog daily, since Chuck left the raptors organization, and i have to say, your great for feeding my addiction. Back to business, any word on Roko Ukic and when he will officially become a raptor?

Blogger's note: "Soon" is about all I've heard

[peter]

Looks like JO is taking number six and AB is sticking with number seven...small thing to do but it shows already that he is a team player which is huge...

[Vincent]

"Is it a perfect trade? No. None are."

See Pau Gasol for I don't even remember what just last year. That trade seemed pretty perfect for the Lakers...

[Nilia]

i saw you today Doug @ the press conference and i saw Grange too! What's your impression of Jermaine O'Neil in front of the press? The East doesn't look so weak now; esp with the Atlantic.

Blogger's note: Jermaine's a fine interview. Gives solid, insightful, honest answers. We can't ask for much more than that.

[D G]

I havent seen any comments from TJ yet? Has he made a statement?

Blogger's note: He's done some media in Indy, is having a news conference there one day early next week, I believe.