Well, that didn't take long, did it? 13th man is here

REUTERS FILE PHOTO

Ladies and gentlemen, your 13th man.

The Europification, if that’s a word, of the Raptors continues.

Unable to find anyone on this side of the Atlantic to fill the 13th man role, the Raptors are about to sign Will Solomon to a contract and finish off their summer shopping season.

(Of course, you regular readers – as regular as this morning, in fact – will know I thought this signing my drag on until late August but guess not).

Spies here and in Israel (my man Eran comes through again, and it wasn't even P.J. Tucker-related), where Solomon once played for Maccabi Tel Aviv, say the 6-2 combo guard is destined to be the next player from overseas to join the Raptors. No idea when the official announcement will come – there’s always paperwork to be done – but it’s a done deal as far as I can glean and could be finished as early as today.

Solomon does seem to have a bit of what the Raptors want in their final player.

He’s 30 years old so he’s been around.

He’s coming off a solid Euroleague season with Turkey’s Fenerbache, where he averaged 17.9 points and 3.9 assists in 21 Euroleague games, stats that aren’t to be sniffed at.

He’s got some NBA experience – he was a second-round pick of the Grizzlies in ’01 and played in 62 games with Memphis in the ’01-02 season.

He’s been all over Europe, spending a season with each of Efes Pilsen in Turkey, Maccabi Tel Aviv, Hapoel Jerusalem and Aris Thessaloniki in Greece before playing the last two seasons with Fenerbache.

Signing Solomon likely ends all activity for the Raptors this summer. They’ll go with a 13-man roster that has a payroll just under the NBA tax threshold and is constructed pretty much just as GM Bryan Colangelo wants it.

He’s got three point guards – Jose, Roko Ukic and now Solomon; a quartet a quintet of wings – Anthony Parker, Jamario Moon, Jason Kapono, Joey Graham and Hassan Adams; and five bigs – Chris Bosh, Jermaine O’Neal, Andrea Bargnani, Kris Humphries and Nathan Jawai.

Comments

[SJ]

Hi Doug,
I've read it in the main Israeli sports website - ONE - a few hours ago. Indeed - it seems like a done deal. He was actually the number one guy that Maccabi wanted to sign this summer for the main PG position...The article says that it's pretty much a heartbreak for Maccabi and their new coach who were really after Will to get him signed...However - he opted in the end for NBA...
Now - the question - will he really be the 13th man...or actually compete with Roko for the back-up PG....I think the latter would be more to what BC had in mind...

[Bay Street Lawyer]

Who gets credit for the find? Maurizio or Masai?

Blogger's note: Cumulative effort, but it was Colangelo who saw him in a game in Turkey this year and he kept the name filed away for future use. But, really, everybody on the scouting side of the operation knew who he was.

[cornell, ever hear of it?]

I know Mr. Colangelo has had a streak of going the Euro-route, but this is pushing it. If some 2nd round draft pick from almost a decade ago couldn't hack it in the NBA when he was in his twenties (back when the dollar was strong and the Euroleague was still foreign for American guys), how can anyone expect him to pick it up again at 30 years of age? There's a reason he's been "banished" - as it were - to Europe, and there are enough legitimate free agents in the league, who have been active in the league, that are still waiting to hear back from teams. Had Mr. Coangelo been patient enough (and I, like you, thought this would have take more time), there could have been someone far more legitimate to sign as the thirteenth Raptor.

[GM]

Does it count as Europification if the player is American? Will the Euro bashers cut him some slack? Interesting.

[CJ]

Any background info on Soloman's character? Is he a good team guy? Will he mind being on the bench or not even dressed most of the season?

Now that we have a complete roster. It's early yet, but in what order would you rank the guards, wings and bigs? Who sits out as 13th man if all are healthy? My guess is Jawai...

[dc]

i'll call this a pleasant surprise, seeing as this is a remarkably slow time of year for the nba. I'm sure i'm like most fans when i say i have no idea who this guy is. that being said, the raptors have demonstrated a remarkable ability to pick up under-the-radar players with excellent nba ready skills, so long as they are not number 1 picks.
i know, its still too early, but what are your feelings about this roster? You said Colangelo has got the roster set according to his vision, pretty well. Does that mean we should likely expect a return to the style of play and progress made two seasons ago with this group? I know it's too early, but barring injuries i think this lineup will make it into the second round of the playoffs regardless of what any other teams in the east do at this point.

[Mark Irish]

Kudos on breaking this story! It reminds me why this blog is the first place I check in the morning.

[Dan Daoust]

Ma Nishtana this Macabbi TA player from all others?

[CARLoS]

That was quick. Where did he come from? I mean, I never saw his name mentioned once.

Doug, how would they have narrowed their sights on Soloman? Who would have "found" and lead this signing - Gherardini?

Blogger's note: Answered in today's blog

[Richard Provan]

Man, the wing side of the equation looks awful weak. As do the back-up point guard spots.

[Andrew]

Wow, surprising, exciting, the perfect fit yet again by our genious basketball guru. It's funny when I saw pictures of Team USA this morning I saw Jerry with the team and I was thinking, I wonder where Brian is right now...well now we know.

Hey Doug, do me a favour and watch this http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j5sYlelYXqQ ...doesn't it just tingle your spine!

[WSG]

"What they are saying about Solomon" - (middle of page) from his bio/profile page from Clemson Tiger days. He was certainly highly thought of by these (mostly) coaches.

http://clemsontigers.cstv.com/sports/m-baskbl/mtt/solomon_will00.html

[Thierry]

why wouldn't the raps wait till late August? why the rush? is there no guard out there with more nba experience that would help roko ukic learn the game?

[JB]

Nice recovery Doug! Looking forward to seeing the revamped Raps on the court this fall!

[Dave Taylor]

Hi Doug,

Great info in your recent blogs as always. One name that we haven't heard much about over the summer is Derrick Martin. I always have enjoyed what he brought to the team even with his limited minutes. He seemed to have a great relationship with the younger guys as a combo coach and mentor. He'll hopefully get into the coaching ranks full time when he's done. Any news on his current status? Keep up the great work!

Blogger's note: I haven't heard of or about D Mart since the season ended; I'm sure he's living the high live somewhere. But I don't imagine you'll see him in any uniform this coming season.

[Jesse N.]

Didn't take long at all. Solomon posted almost identical stats as Anthony Parker when the two played together for Maccabi. That year Maccabi lost to CSKA Moscow in the Euroleague Final. At 30 years old, it doesn't look like he's rusted at all since that season. Could he maybe be more than just a third point gaurd?

[John]

Thanks for the update. Have a great trip to China and hopefully you can get some time off before training camp starts. Not sure if it will hold any real interest since they have the minimum and no money left to spend.

[Aaron Campbell]

Will get more value for the money signing a euro vet compared to an marginal NBA'er, so I like this move.

[Nigel]

Interesting signing. Another move by Colangelo that may just work! Bringing over experience and a hunger to succeed is a formula that has worked in the past and may hopefully work again.

[AJ]

can this shoot, only 6"1 ?? doug, you think he can play the SG position?

Blogger's note: I've seen him listed at 6-2 but, either way, I can't see him getting any extended time at the 2.

[Paul]

Is it just me or does this Raptor team have that special feeling that something good is about to happen. The roster seems very well balanced with a few spots that could surprise. Their does not appear to be any major weakness on the team. And for the first time the Raptors have a big three, Calderon, Bosh, and Oneil. Team toughness has been an issue but not on the part of Bosh and Calderon. Now you add the toughness that Oneil initiates along with Adams and things should be fair out there. Having a tough guy inside and a tough defender on the outside can make all the difference against some teams. Rebounding might be a strength instead of a weakness.
Even if Bargnani doesn't become the sixth man that we need there may be others like Kapono or Parker who come of the bench to make a consistent mark. It also sems like this team is built to weather some injuries here and there. They are bound to happen and the best you can hope for is a strong supporting cast that runs with opportunities. I think we have a 50 win season in this team and at least a first round playoff win. After that we'll see what happens. Maybe they will happen here this year?

[Ben]

I don't know about some of the other people around here, but I'm enthused to see this team play this year. People can say what they want to now, but if this group of guys get busy and work hard to better themselves this year, I won't be surprised to see them making noise come the 2008 playoffs.

And Doug,

I just get this gut feeling that there's still some extra oomph that is going to come from Jamario Moon or Hassan Adams this year. I mean, personally, I think (and hope)Jamario has the will and concentration to get better, especially if he bulks up like he said he would, because I really like his game thus far. So my question is, do you think they (being Moon or Hassan) might bring some of the X-factor the Raptors have been looking for for so long?

Thanks from Nova Scotia

P.S. I don't know how closely you were following the FIBA U-18 girls, but Abbey Duinker is a local girl from here, and just wanted to give a shout out to that silver medal they got. Good work girls!

[d]

u might have got the date wrong but the player right. living in istanbul i've seen Will play. Mostly on tv recap though, but he seems to tick each box u stated. I too am looking forward to watching the raps play the balance should show Sam's worth and giving the former #1 a good shock/kick is well called for. My biggest anticapation is for the chance to see Childress live for under $20. The w.l. quotes him saying the right things but I'm hoping he rips it up when he comes here.

[yertu damkule]

isn't it a bit early (& pointless) to debate the merits of this signing, without having seen him play? cornell, i see where you're coming from, but AP took pretty much the same route, and he's worked out ok. solomon, for less money, should fill a role, whether that be someone who sees significant court time, or merely as an experienced vet who can help groom roko (& adams?) & be a solid practice/locker room guy. i'd rather have someone motivated to prove himself, willing to fill a role, who has shown leadership (& that he can play), over a guy like dixon, who's basically a one-trick pony who would have only come here if he had no other options....and who then would more than likely have started pining for more PT. and in a way, i can see more teams going this route when filling out the bench - going after solid euro vets looking for that one last shot to stick w/ an NBA team, someone who won't complain about minutes & is mainly focused on making the team better.

and it's pretty obvious that joey is the de facto 13th man; it wouldn't surprise me at all if solomon were to play quite a bit, at least in those stretches when roko's having growing pains.

what i'm wondering is...if joe-blow fan had mentioned the possibility of signing him (or a similar euro-based player) a week ago, what would your (doug's) reaction have been?

Blogger's note: Who knows what the reaction would have been. I'm pretty sure you think I would have dismissed Joe-Blow Fan right away but I probably would have looked the guy up, seen he was 30, five or six years in Europe, a year in the NBA, combo guard, good Euroleague numbers and figured he'd be on the list.
Or I would have made some snarky remark just to tick you off.

[Steve G]

cornell.. ever hear of Anthony Parker?
who took pretty much the exact same route.

Now i'm not saying that Solomon will come over and start or even contribute much to the Raps, but his experience overseas will definitely be an asset to this team. Especially if injuries/rookie jitters (to Roko) hit.

Sometimes when players are drafted their games just aren't matured enough for the NBA, so they go "grow up" in Europe and come back.