This just in on JO

Who loves ya, babes? Still sitting in the ante room off the Raptor locker room and figure I better let you know this:

Jermaine O’Neal’s 99.999999 per cent out for tonight against Charlotte.

“I’m not 100 per cent sure he’s not going to play but it’s just a feeling,” Sam said just a little while ago. “He didn’t practice the last two days, he’s been getting a lot of treatment, he’s moving a little better.

“We’ll know for sure this afternoon. Because a guy didn’t practice, you play as if he’s not going to play.”

But the mood was prevalent that no matter what happens this afternoon, it’ll be something of a miracle if O’Neal’s in the lineup.

If he can’t go, Jamario Moon returns to the starting lineup although Sam did say you’d see three bigs – Chris Bosh, Andrea Bargnani and Kris Humphries – on the court lot.

That’s it for now, be back later tonight.

Comments

[CARLoS M.]

Thanks for the goods before the games Doug! Raptors fans appreciate the speed and effort to get info out. It is like you're hustling for an offensive rebound. LOL

[Arthur Bailey]

Good. It was stupid of the Raptors to let O'Neal play against Boston.

He injured his surgically repaired knee!!!! he should not be playing until its 100%, or else they risk greater injury, perhaps permanent.

It's not like the game against Boston was a must win, and even if the roster was at full strength, they had a slim chance of winning! maybe not the best attitude to have, but its not worth risking O'neal's future health, and perhaps career, over.

[Ryan G]

Is it just me (and fellow grunt Mike Grange) but did the Raps coaches/trainers/GM really drop the ball by letting JO play against Boston.... Doug, what in the world were they thinking??

Blogger's note: They checked with the doctors, the trainers and the player and all agree he could give it a shot. Didn't work out. But i've got no problem with them trying.

[John]

Unrelated, but I'm sure someone out there will want to know that Matt Bonner is getting his own shoe:

http://www.mysanantonio.com/sports/spurs/Spurs_Bonner_sees_himself_as_boring_guy.html

[Mo]

Hi Doug,

Thanks for the update on JO's situation. I think its better to rest him rather than risk him like they did in the last game. He looked uncomfortable throughout that game.

As for the changes in the starting lineup, why do you think Sam isn't starting Humphries, especially since he's doing well these days. Moon has obviously not performed as well as last year either starting or coming from the bench, then why give him back his starting spot? (I bet he'll take at least one jumper just inside the 3-point line in his first 3 shots of the game)

Blogger's note: Because if they start Hump they have absolutely no bigs on the bench; you'll see Hump-Bosh-Bargnani a bit, but not at the start

[George]

Hope Jermaine Rests... To see JO limp off the court yet again will be an unnecessary distraction. Even if it is just his ankle... With Hump bringing it and Moon hopefully feeling excited to be back in the starting 5, I am sure hope that the Raptors can find a way to win this one.

[Nicholas C]

While on the topic of JO I just want to say how great it is that he hosted a holiday party for some local TO youth. I just watched the video, love the looks in the kids eyes when he is talking to them.

Also, Chris's VERY generous donation this week, as well as Sam's donation to a greener Toronto in the summer need revisiting. We have some really great people on our team who understand the importance of community and getting involved in said community. Glad they are taking part.

[GM]

Nicholas C, no doubt there are some solid citizens on the Raps, but the NBA mandates a certain number of community hours. So every player on every team does something like this. It's just the better known ones who get the press.

Hopefully the rest of the Raptors step up in O'Neal's absence tonight instead of wilting.

[John]

It seems like JO is concerned about the fans and that they think his knee is messed up. I'm just glad he's OK and I'd rather see him miss a game or two until he is at basically full health.

[Chris Clarke]

Against the undersized Bobcats, Jermaine O'Neal is not absolutely necessary. Good to hear he'll likely get the night off. Thanks for checking in, Smitty.

[Rahulan S]

I expect a huge game from Bosh. Thats what I want to see when he is p'd off, I don't want him to sit out a timeout. I want to see him come out and take it out on a weaker bobcat team and have a statement game ...maybe a high 40pt or 50pt game.

[OLM]

Thanks for the update Doug.

----
I wanted to mention a trade idea and was hoping that maybe if you saw some sense it (humour me, would ya?) you could bring it up to someone at the Raps (you know, in case they haven't already examined every option under the sun).

I'm of the opinion that the Raps have to get more athletic, and the person I nominate they get rid of is Kapono. Personally I'm getting tired of watching him play on this team, despite his shooting gifts. As I mentioned in my comment yesterday, he's slow, and a defensive liability (how many and1's has he given up?). Perhaps he's better on a more athletic team, but on this team built around skill players, his physical limitations cause him to be completely atrocious on D. Besides, do we really need another 3 point guy when AP, Jose, Jamario (hey, nearly 35% ain't bad), and Andrea have all shown that they can hit it from outside?

http://www.commercialappeal.com/news/2008/nov/26/grizzlies-look-for-shooting-help/
"Grizzlies Looking For Shooters - The team's lack of outside shooting has coach Marc Iavaroni in constant conversations with GM Chris Wallace about a possible solution, including a trade.

"He has concerns with our team's shooting," Wallace said of Iavaroni. "I do as well. Whether it can be upgraded in the short term remains to be seen. Now, we're at a period in the NBA where teams are looking at doing deals more than they are in October and (earlier in) November. Who knows what could occur?"

Conventional wisdom suggests Javaris Crittenton and forward Hakim Warrick, who the Griz didn't offer a contract extension, could be trade bait."

So, my idea is a Kapono for Crittenton and Warrick deal that would help both teams significantly. Works in the ESPN Trade Machine:
http://games.espn.go.com/nba/features/traderesult?players=3197~2794~2010&teams=28~28~29&te=&cash=

Kapono to Memphis would definitely fill the Griz's need for a shooter, and bring them some experience to a young roster.

I will be the first to admit that I'm not a big fan of Warrick's, but I'll also be the first to admit that the guy is ultra athletic, and quick, something the Raps are sorely lacking. I'm not familiar with his defense, but I'm pretty positive that in the right system, a long, quick, athletic guy like Warrick would be an upgrade from what we already have (at least he can get back to his man after helping quicker than Kapono). The Raps don't need him to score a ton, but his athleticism would definitely help open things up on the offensive end as well. Plus, he's in the last year of his contract, which is always a great motivating factor.

As for Crittenton, he's been the victim of being in places where he hasn't been needed. He's a young, very talented PG who was buried in LA, and Memphis behind other young promising guards and still really hasn't had a chance to establish himself. Having him on this team would be a significant upgrade to the backup PG spot, and the combination of him and Warrick coming off the bench would upgrade our bench tremendously. The positive thing is his contract is small, and it's up at the end of next season as well which will leave us with some flexibility for 2010.

This move would also pull the Raptors $2 million or so away from the Luxury Tax line, leaving BC some room to add a vet down the road if the situation requires it.

Your thoughts?

Blogger's note: Real quick? Memphis isn't likely to do anything to add financial obligations; and can you make the case Hakim Warrick is Jamario Moon without the three-pointers? And how much better is Crittendon going to be than Ukic right now or in the future? Legit question, I think.

[Gary L]

Bonner has his own shoes!! nice, good for him!! i miss the red rocket!!

[Eric]

I love how Jermaine has been since he joined the team. They're in disarray right now but I can only imagine how it would've been without him. He's looked healthy and upbeat. At the same time, he'll have to do a better job of convincing me that his knee is ok. I think he's taking the high road to make the fans and his teammates feel better because he realizes another season in a suit would be a waste of time. Until I see him sprinting on the floor like he did last week, with explosive power in his step, I can't help but think the man's planning to play on seriously damaged knee ligaments for the sake of saving everyone else the heartache. It looked like his eyes were watering after he left the floor vs Boston in a helpless "What do I do now?" gaze. He has to convince me that I was seeing things.

[Colin W]

Re JO - Mmmm....knee? Ankle? Which is it?

Blogger's note: A little bit of both

[Holly Mack]

Doug, just commenting because I skimmed the trade idea above and noticed you wondering whether JCritt is as good as Roko. My vote is YES. I think Crittenton has the ability to be a solid player in this L if he can just get time to develop as he watches and learns from a vet. His situation in LA wasn't a good one as he was behind Fish and Farmar and he also isn't getting the time in Mempis (maybe because he hasn't earned it). I do think, however, if he can get on somewhere that has minutes for him each game, he will improve and end up showing his worth. Just my two cents. Enjoy the game tonight!

[GT]

doug, nice question on the postgame interview with sam. way to free joey!! LOL.