A lot of rain and a lot of mail
Okay, they did the honourable thing at the golf today and called off the play before making us sit around waiting until dark. And that let me do the honourable thing and get this mailbag finished.
But not to worry, we’ll be back sometime tomorrow and Monday with the usual stuff.
Fore!
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Q: I was wondering if you caught the final segment of PTS (a week or so ago). I believe the guest was Chris King and they were talking about the newspaper business and blogging. It was interesting stuff. I would love to hear you one day on the 4-5 hour of PTS taking some phone calls. (No, I'm not selfishly asking you to devote even more hours to the job for us. Actually I guess I am.)
Kevin M, Maple
A: I didn’t here it, but I do know the issue.
Not sure how I feel about it, to tell you the truth; I think the way some of us “engage” readers and deliver the news in a more conversational fashion rather than by speaking down from on high as we used to is a change for the better. It’s up to people like me to carry that over in the newspaper product. And while I love to talk about this stuff verbally rather than just write it, I believe My Man McCown doesn’t want to give up that precious hour of air time to a guy like me.
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Q: Three
1. Can you give us the correct pronunciation for Hedo's name?
2. Reading about DeRozan's mother's battles with lupus makes me wonder why it is that there is a common belief that North American players should not be eligible to be drafted right out of high school. If he had blown out his knee in his one year of college, wouldn't that make for a potentially interesting lawsuit (against the NBA and the NBPA for conspiring to keep out the youngsters)? Don't you agree that hockey has a slightly better approach - where the kid gets the money but can play in a proper minor league or junior league?
3. When you look back at the old days, before the constant pull of the blog, do you wonder how it is that you kept yourself so busy? Obviously your blog (and the blogs of others) contains a lot of tidbits and analysis that, in the days before the internet, presumably would not have found its way into print. Either that, or we don't get the same amount of information and analysis in the print paper that we used to. What do you think?
Alan G, Toronto
A: Three
According to the Orlando media guide last season, it’s HEE-doh, TURK-oh-lue.
I have no problem with the NBA setting an age limit. It’s not like they are keeping kids from making a living. They can choose to play in the D League if they want at 18 or in Europe. So I have no issue with the way things are.
You’re getting far more information now and, yes, some of the stuff you get online you would never have seen in the paper. But there are physical limitations to how much we can publish in a paper so decisions on what to write had to be made. That’s where the internet and blogs are most useful; and why newspaper internet sites and blogs are exponentially better than those written by people who don’t have access to information to disseminate and only sit back and preach, often with no basis in fact.
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Q: Doug - thanks for the great summer coverage. A caution: please don't misinterpret this question - I think that the mix of international players on the team makes for a team with a great style of play, and likeable personalities. Having said that, do teams get a share of their team's merchandise sold? If so, I am curious if you think anyone at MLSE might be supporting paying international players more than those similarly skilled because their jersey sales would be disproportionately higher because of a more captive audience in their home country?
Kevin R, Toronto
A: No, all teams share equally in things like merchandise sale so there’s no benefit to Maple Leaf Sports.
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Q: With the salary cap dipping a bit this year, and David Stern claiming that the cap number will be lower even more next year, it got me thinking. Is this Stern's way of trying to scare, hope, and/or force the free agents of 2010 (ie Bosh, Wade, and LeBron) into re-signing with their current teams when the time comes? Or, with the current Collective Bargaining Agreement coming to an end at the end of this season, is it a positioning ploy for when the negotiating of the new agreement starts? Or, is it a combination of the two and to what percentage?
Leigh M, Samcheok, South Korea
A: It seemed to me to be a bit a posturing and a shot across the bow at the Players’ Association heading into negotiations, but it’s also a warning to fans that they might want to lower expectations about money being thrown around willy-nilly next summer since everyone’s expecting a free-agent free-for-all.
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Q: I was just wondering, with DeRozan coming to the organization at such a young age, has anyone in the front office or one of the players taken it upon themselves to settle him into the city? Something along the lines of what Mario Lemieux did for Sydney Crosby?
Ryan M, Ottawa
A: Most of the players have people who work for them, or their agents, who help them get acclimated to the NBA lifestyle. The Raptors do have people on staff who aid in such things like finding places to live, cars to rent, etc; and the Raps will set up nutritionists and the like but it’s mostly friends and relatives who handle most of it.
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Q: In the past you have looked at the actual stats behind certain adages such as you need a dominant centre to win the title or you need a dominant wing and whether or not those were actually found to be true. The signing of Jack leads me to wonder the how important the role of 6th man has been in a teams quest for a championship. (Not sure how long they've actually been giving out an official award for that) Also on that note, who in your opinion is the best 6th man in Raps history and does Jack have the chance to be that guy?
Michael S, Mississauga
A: I think a sixth man is vital to a championship team; not an eighth or ninth man, but someone who can come off the bench and fill a role when the inevitable foul trouble or injuries pop up. We saw it with Mickeal Pietrus this year and, of course, Lamar Odom.
Best in Raptors history? Hmm, tough one. They haven’t had a whole lot of success. I will venture to say Jose was and T.J. would have been, had he been able to accept that role, which he wasn’t. And, truth be told, with the exception if his inexplicable arithmetic problem in Game 5 of the playoff series with Detroit, Chris Childs was a pretty good sixth man when he was here.
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Q: It's thanks to you and your efforts at providing a daily blog that I have come to enjoy basketball so much. I mean, I have always liked it, but now I really get it. The coverage presented by yourself and The Star on Mr. Jack has been superb. What a well-spoken young man! Along with his obvious charity, what I like most about him was the fact that he took umbrage with CB4 about the suit. I like the fact that Jarret wants to be in a suit and tie and vie for the title of best-dressed athlete in Toronto. It shows class.
Speaking of class... Junk Yard Dog. Is he still living in Toronto? What exactly is he doing? That man was the most laid back guy off the floor (on the street) that I have ever met. Smiling and talking. Talking and smiling. And, he was well-dressed, too. Actually, I have found that the basketball players are always the best-dressed athletes here in Toronto. Anyhow, feel free to edit away... I know I'm rambling. Cheers, Doug. A faithful reader whose only experience with golf involves a little windmill.
Andrew J, Toronto
A: The Dog? He’s been around the city a little bit making appearances and he’s still getting appearances through the NBA but he’s got no official affiliation with the Raptors.
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Q: In regards to exploring the option to move Ukic due to the addition of Jack, would Ukic not be the best 3rd option for the team in case of injury to Calderon or Jack? I remember when Calderon got injured last year and how that worked out with Solomon and Ukic. Would Banks fill in as back up? or Delfino? I think Ukic is better insurance.
Aaron C, Burlington
A: Yes, he would, which is why I don’t think they should move him unless they have another 24-year-old point guard with one year under is belt ready to take his place.
But if he goes, I imagine they’d look at Douby in that role first.
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Q: If the Carlos Delfino signing were to fall through, could the Raptors still pursue Linas Klieza?
Marc M, Burlington
A: If Kleiza has any interest in playing on a one-year contract for the minimum salary, I’m sure the Raptors will call in the event Delfino talks break off.
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Q: Quick question about Steve Nash. With $3 mil, or whatever, of his pay being held back and to be paid after the end of his contract... how does this affect Sun's salary Cap? Is the full amount of the salary on the books for the 2 year contract period even though it will be paid over 3, 4 years???
Jeffery M, Saint John
A: It doesn’t. It’s just deferred payment, the cap hit will be the full value of the contract each season.
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Q: Alright, I have to ask since you said your mailbag is light and wanted your thoughts. The video of Lebron getting dunked on was leaked and found by TMZ and posted on the web.
The quality is not great since it was from a cellphone camera and was NOT confiscated by Nike, and I know, I know its TMZ......but they apparently found it and had the *cough* guts *cough* to post it. It will also be interesting to see how Lebron and/or Nike react to this release. Any thoughts, ideas, rants????
Joe R, Toronto
A: No thoughts, really. A bit of over-exuberance by a company trying to “protect its brand” and then they got the bonus of buzz until it was released. The fact some NBA star got dunked on in some game, even by a college kid or whatever, frankly bored me to tears. Big whoop.
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Q: I am probably the millionth guy to ask this but, any truth to the story that the Raptors are interested in Stefano Mancinelli?
Dan P, Toronto
A: No, there isn’t. Mancinelli is, according to Raptors sources I talked to, an athletic but very raw 3-4 not nearly ready for the NBA. He did play in a summer league with, I believe, Portland a couple of years ago and didn’t really do anything. I suspect most of the alleged “interest” is being drummed up Italy; there is none to speak of in Toronto.
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Q: Most interesting off-season in years eh? So, I'm liking the moves so far, but I'm seriously confused. It seems to me that a good half court team is being constructed but the Raptors keep talking about how they want to run more. Am I missing something here? How is a starting group that includes Turkoglu, Bargnani, Bosh, and Calderon going to run? None of them are overly athletic, they can't defend, and they can't rebound. How are they going to generate these running opportunities?
Mark F, Toronto
A: In transition, as they did at the end of last season. You can “run” without being like Phoenix. And if there’s nothing in transition, you pull the ball up and run your stuff.
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Q: Hey Doug! Why is everyone so down on Roko? Watching him play last season, it is clear that he has potential, size and is a willing learner. In case there are injuries to Jose or Jack, Roko can very much fill the primary back-up role. Also, Jack and Roko can share minutes as the PG primary back-up because Jack can be used as a back-up at the 2. And why not trade Marcus Banks for an expiring contract or 2nd round pick? Appreciate your answer.
Zeeshan D, Karachi
A: Please, forget this “trade Marcus Banks for an expiring contract or second round pick” junk, will you all? Don’t you think other GMs would look at his contract, and skills, and pass? It’s fantasy world unless Bryan’s a true magician and I think even he’s got his limits.
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Q: Doug I noticed Bol Kong was listed as a tryout on the Canada men's senior team. You might know he's one of Canada's top talents and was given a scholarship to Gonzaga however he was denied a visa because he was born in Sudan.
(Read about it here in this old story)
Can you let us know how things are going for him? Is he going to Gonzaga and did he get his Canadian citizenship? It would be sad to see him not be able to develop his talent to the fullest.
Joe C, Kitchener
A: It’s an old story well told and I have never heard him mentioned as a national team possibility this year. In fact, he’s never even been in a workout.
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Q: Hi Doug, I'm just wondering if the Raptors should bring in a Hall of Famer (like a Clyde Drexler) to work with DeMar DeRozan? It's kind of like what Patrick Ewing is doing in Orlando with Dwight Howard.
Yao S, Brampton
A: You’re probably right.
Why don’t they got get a guy who scored, oh, I dunno, maybe 25,000 points in the NBA, a guy who played on one of the great three-pronged offensive teams of his era, a guy who is in the Hall of Fame and a guy who’s been a coach for seven or eight years.
I wonder what Alex English is up to these days?
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Q: Two quick questions.
Let me just point out that I love the acquisitions the Raps have made this summer and I think BC is the guy that is going to make Toronto contenders once again.
First question is about Pops. I know you’re probably sick of hearing about him, but if Colangelo wants to put together a "gritty" team would Pops not be the perfect fit? I was at an Oklahoma game last season and he was out there posterizing everyone in sight. It was incredible. Now I know it’s just Oklahoma, but we should have a guy who goes out there just to make the other team quiver when he’s about to throw one down.
Second question has to do with the current free agent class. What are the chances that the Raptors acquire David Lee instead of Delfino and Rasho? I know they would probably have to go over the salary cap, but I get the feeling that MLSE is starting to give Colangelo the room to create a contender and/or possibly a championship winning team down the road. So why not now? Sign David Lee and get him to come off the bench for either Barnagni or Bosh. That front court would be insane. Then, if by chance Bosh still wants to leave you got Lee as the core 4 for your future.
Justin L, Toronto
A: Tired of questions about Pops? Yeah, you got that right. Look, as we’ve mentioned a zillion or so times, there is no room for him, nor any inclination to bring him back in anything like a desperation move if they are able trade away a player and get nothing in return.
David Lee? There’s more chance of Pops playing here than David Lee.
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Q: Hey Doug: Did you see that DeMar DeRozan was named to Draft Express Las Vegas League ALL 2nd team. Not bad!!!
Jason P, Toronto
A: I didn’t see that but I would suggest there were, what, 19 teams represented in Vegas? If the No. 9 overall pick wasn’t on either of the first two “all-star” teams, I’d be more worried than I would be happy that he was.
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Q: If Delfino returns to Russia, do the Raptors keep his rights beyond this off-season? If so when do they expire? Thanks!
Lex C, Victoria
A: No, they have no hold on him whatsoever after this year. They rescinded their qualifying offer before the big four-team trade which made him an unrestricted free agent. They do, however, still have Bird rights on him because they did not renounce him.
jeez doug, a little cranky this blog...
Posted by: aditya | July 25, 2009 at 09:21 PM
Hearing there is no room for Pops is depressing i feel like i lost a great player.
Posted by: Jason | July 25, 2009 at 09:52 PM
About the last question on delfino, do the raptors keep his rights if he decides not to play this year? Thanks for a great summer so far!!!
Blogger's note: No, he is an unrestricted free agent.
Posted by: Matt Kovacs - Age 12 | July 25, 2009 at 09:55 PM
Hi Mr. Smith -
Quick one: I know Antoine Wright from the Nets (and thought he was underwhelming) and I know him from the Mavs (and was quite impressed), so I'm hopeful he'll be more Dallas than Jersey in a Raptors uniform. I only know him as a 2, but can he play the 3? He's got the size, but does he have any experience there or is he being thrown around as a backup 3 if Delfino doesn't come to town? I can't rely on Devean George who, even during his championship years, never sold me.
Also, I'd like to suggest that, if the Raptors cannot get the Delfino deal done, the Pops fans move on to a more promising option as your #15 guy and take a chance on Leon Powe - if he can come back to the NBA healthy, he provides all the energy Pops did with more size, skill and experience on a great team. Worth the risk more than Pops, I'd think.
Blogger's note: They don't, at this time from anyone I've spoken to, see Wright as a 3
Posted by: Jarrod | July 25, 2009 at 10:10 PM
LOL sweet burn on Yao Doug, I swear some people have no idea what's going on with this team.
And please people enough with ridiculous questions about signing Pops, trading Banks or acquiring Lee. Ask a logical question or don't ask on at all.
Final thought, that dunk on Lebron was totally unimpressive. The guy went up two handed, Lebron came over late from the weak side and put a hand up, and the guy finished. Total non-story.
Posted by: Alex | July 26, 2009 at 12:11 AM
I heard that Bol Kong worked out recently with Steve Nash in Vancouver and they went to dinner together, and that Kong is going to Gonzaga.
Posted by: GM | July 26, 2009 at 01:54 AM
I think the whole age limit `controversy' is a little ridiculous. First of all, there are plenty of jobs that have age restrictions. Jobs that have education restrictions and jobs that have height and other restrictions. You can't drink n the US until you're 21. And no one is saying you can't play professional basketball. Just not in the NBA.
As a fan, I would love to see the age limit raised to 20. What I don't want to see is as many raw projects coming into the NBA. Why? Because teams will invariably give a roster spot to a project rather than a more skilled veteran in the hopes the project will show promise. And wasting draft picks on projects who end up doing nothing doesn't help the league. Not when some of those projects are being drafted in the lottery. The worst year was when Kwame Brown, Tyson Chandler, Eddy Curry and DeSagana Diop all were drafted in the top ten, all straight out of high school. Not coincidentally, it was guys like Pau Gasol, Shane Battier, Jason Richardson, Joe Johnson, Richard Jefferson and GIlbert Arenas that were some of the most successful guys from that year. All guys who were either over 20 or had two years of college ball under their belt.
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As for Mark F's question about the Raptors running, Bosh and Bargnani are two of the quickest players at their position, DeRozan is fantastic on the break, and one of Turkoglu's strengths is ball handling and passing. Each of those players has specific skills that make their team better at running the break. And Calderon is better at running the break than many fans think.
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I think some of the younger fans need to view some of Alex English's stats...
http://www.basketball-reference.com/players/e/englial01.html
Take a close look at what he did when he was traded to Denver. And notice how he was able to be such a great wing scorer without a three point shot- career totals: 18/83.
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Justin L.
Have you not read anything Doug, or any of the other countless readers have said? You actually think that the Raptors have the ability to give someone like David Lee (who is a PF, by the way, and one that hasn't shown much of an inclination for defense, so I really don't see where he fits on the team), a contract offer anywhere close to what he is asking?
THE RAPTORS ARE ALREADY OVER THE CAP!!!!!!!!!
And have been since they signed Turkoglu!
They have absolutely no room to offer anything other than the minimum to any players they have no rights to- hence how they can pay Delfino. It's why the ONLY half decent player they are looking at is Delfino, because he's the ONLY one they can give more than the minimum to.
I'm simply amazed that people can read this blog and not have come to grips with this fact, yet.
Posted by: Tim W. | July 26, 2009 at 02:03 AM
So did they make a mistake on Delfino then, rescinding his rights when they in fact wouldn't need to?
Blogger's note: No, not really; it was move they had to make when they made it (which was before the four-team trade was a possibility).
Posted by: Jeff | July 26, 2009 at 08:19 AM
99% of the problem with Toronto basketball fans is we are uneducated and have no idea what a good basketball player is. That is why we say things like "Hearing there is no room for Pops is depressing i feel like i lost a great player.", and why we stop cheering and get depressed when we are down by 12, and cheer/boo for a free slice of pretty crappy pizza no matter what the outcome of the game is. Unfortunatly, the people who are in charge of ingame stuff, would rather just put on a flashy show, then put effort into showcasing an actual basketball game.
Posted by: Jamie | July 26, 2009 at 09:43 AM
"99% of the problem with Toronto basketball fans is we are uneducated and have no idea what a good basketball player is. That is why we say things like "Hearing there is no room for Pops is depressing i feel like i lost a great player."
Jamie do you really think their aren't people that do those same types of things in every other city? I mean I can't even count how many times I have seen in a comment section a Lakers fan ask why they don't trade Morrison and Vujacic for Boozer, or David Lee etc. But L.A is a educated b-ball city right?
Doug, thanks for this answer on Yoa's Q. it made my day! lol
You’re probably right.
Why don’t they got get a guy who scored, oh, I dunno, maybe 25,000 points in the NBA, a guy who played on one of the great three-pronged offensive teams of his era, a guy who is in the Hall of Fame and a guy who’s been a coach for seven or eight years.
I wonder what Alex English is up to these days?
Posted by: Charles | July 26, 2009 at 11:05 AM
Hey Doug,
Have you heard what the sticking point between the Raptors and Delfino is?
Blogger's note: Nope, funnily enough not too many people directly involved in the negotiations are talking, privately or publicly at the moment
Posted by: Jeremiah | July 26, 2009 at 11:11 AM
With all the beating on Moon and Danny Ferry over the signing I decided to go look at the objective valuations at the basketball encyclopedia and 82games.
Player Efficiency Rating (player value scaled so that league average is 15) 13.3
Offensive Rating (points scored per 100 possessions) 116
Defensive Rating (points allowed per 100 possessions) 107
Win share (positive means winning team) 4.9
Roland Rating (net points scored per 48 minutes) 3.0
The only evaluation stat that is not equal to or greater than slightly below average is clutch play.
So, by the objective numbers, Danny is right and Doug is wrong.
Moon's weaknesses are glaring enough that he got made a scapegoat for the team performance this year. Doug's prejudice against him has contributed to that scapegoating.
Prejudice in this context is not all that terrible, we all play favourites.
Posted by: Jim Rootham | July 26, 2009 at 11:19 AM
All the talk about Pops reminds me of the issues a few years ago with Sam not being able to give consistent minutes to players. I think this team may have some of the same issues this year. If Pops was on the roster I could really only see him out there is the Raptors were getting killed on the boards after Rasho and Reggie went in and were ineffective.
Pops would be the 11th or 12th man on this team.
Posted by: Kevin | July 26, 2009 at 11:38 AM
Why every raps fan should love the HEDO signing as much as I do.
in o7/08 he was one of only five players in the NBA to average at least 19.5 points, 5 rebounds, and 5 assists per game. The other four players were Vince Carter, Tracy McGrady, Kobe Bryant, and LeBron James. (All max money players)
and if you are worried about his age...
Dwayne Wade will be 29 next summer. If all these so called experts (im not talking about you Doug) think Hedo is such a risk at 5yr 53 Million at 30, when he doesn't rely on athleticism. then why don't we ever hear these same "experts" say the same thing about D- Wade who is going to get probably the same or more years and alot more money?
Posted by: Dell | July 26, 2009 at 11:43 AM
Doug, Assuming the Delfino signing does not come through I don't see any solid 2 remaining in free agency. If the Raptors were to target a shooting guard via trade is there anyone you think would be a good fit and might potentially be a realistic option given what BC would have to offer in return?
Blogger's note: No idea
Posted by: Angelo | July 26, 2009 at 11:56 AM
the NBA age limit thing has nothing to do with them wanting players to develop and mature and everyuthing to do with the NCAA and the NBA making a agreement between them.....yes the NCAA has a lot of guys for 1's and done but in terms of recruiting, school program, coaches needing to recruit marqueee guys to maintain their reps thats all they need....many a player has forgone NCAA hoops and had successful careers, also there been ones that have been a bust but their is no corelation between the two as their has also been high draft picks, players of the year in the NCAAA that have also been busts...it's all about the NCAA money-making machine, plus also it is great marketing for the NBA as fans see a player like DeRozan for a year but know of him, what he's about etc...whereas if he came straight into the league there would be nothing known about him...if any player or agent had the temerity to challenge this age restriction in court they would win, the NCAA needs to be challenged and should be on all fronts, from ant-trust, to collusion to unfair competition practices. Plus anyone that thinks the NCAA is developing these players into the players they are in the NBA hasn't watched many college games...plus I lost all respect for David Stern over the Supersonics situation he showed his true colours and what he is all about right their in a nut-shell...it's not about "fans", players, team history, communities, it's about one thing and one thing only money, which why the NCAA and the NBA make such great bed buddies...
Posted by: doug | July 26, 2009 at 12:41 PM
another kapono highlight: besides his shot fake, travel....
kapono fouls the opposing team's player with 1 second remaining on the shot clock
Posted by: aditya | July 26, 2009 at 01:47 PM
looking at the raptors games in an hour.....i see one weakness in bosh is his inability to defend 4's that are capable of hitting 3 pointers: antawn jamison, troy murphy...
i studied the indiana game by replaying moments in the game, bosh was having brain cramps (for the lack of a better word)...in guarding troy murphy... i mean jarret jack just ran the ball up the court in transition, got in front of bosh at the 3pt arc or just inside it, blocked bosh off, passed the ball to murphy, consecutive 3 pters by murphy in the same fashion....
and honestly i rather have bosh working on his post up skills rather than trying to get stronger by bulking up...
Posted by: aditya | July 26, 2009 at 01:51 PM
Hi Doug,
I think the reason why Derozan's 2nd team all star in Summer League is so impressive is because those all star teams are made up of ALL players in the summer league, not just this year's draft class. For example, Anthony Randolph is on the 1st team but he was drafted 2 or 3 years ago. So if you take that into account I think that makes it more impressive
Posted by: Marcus | July 26, 2009 at 01:57 PM
Doug, correct me if I'm wrong, but if Delfino were to have any interest in returning to the NBA wouldn't this year be his chance to get the most money out of it? Based on the fact Toronto can basically offer him anything between 4-5 mil and it won't count against their cap,where all other teams it would, therefor they would likely offer him a lot less (or essentially what a 9ppg player IS worth!), what is he waiting for? Also if he were to hold out for another year, especially with the cap number going down, even if he were happy with 3-4 million, I don't see there being any buyers, including Toronto!
Blogger's note: Except for "it won't count against their cap" mis-statement, you're probably right
Posted by: Caleb | July 26, 2009 at 02:16 PM
"Jim Rootham"
wow impressive stats but unfortunately for the most part meaningless...there is a place in sports for stats obviously but with the advent of fantasy leagues, etc...these "fans" just learn to deal in numbers whereas in the real world you need to take into account personality, locker room fit, etc.,etc...some guys flourish in the right situation so these stats you mention are inflated or skewed whereas others are in a bad situation....from a fan's point of view that actually watches the game, the dynamics, the situations that arise (and who has made a fair bet of change on it)...all I can say is this I agree with Doug wholeheartledly in the fact that the contract for Jamario is out of line for what he brings, his b-ball I.Q. is low, his ability to read, react and adapt are low, plus most of all his ability to utilize his athleticism is low..he will have a highlight reel dunk once a month, as Pops did and everyone loves it for the glamour factor, but his true worth to a team is negligible...Raps let him go, Heat never matched, the kid had a hard time getting into the league, he is what he is a athletic, bit player no more no less...
Posted by: doug | July 26, 2009 at 02:41 PM
aditya:
Kapono's shot fake...travel was his signature move. I'm glad he finally shot faked and traveled his way out of Toronto because he was the most frustrating player on the team.
As for you wanting Bosh to improve his post-game...you have to understand that he needs to BULK UP to bang down low. Especially when he has to battle the stronger bigs in the NBA. So the two kind of go hand in hand.
Posted by: Noslak | July 26, 2009 at 03:34 PM
What's going on with Giorgos Printezis? If we were able to move Ukic and Banks for a 2nd rounder (fingers crossed, is that fair?), it'd free up a spot, maybe we could sign Derek Anderson for a minimum. The 15-man line up would look like this:
Starters Bench Reserves
C - Bargnani C - Nesterovic C - O'Bryant
PF - Bosh PF - Evans PF - Printezis
SF - Turkoglu SF - Delfino SF - George
SG - DeRozan SG - Wright SG - Douby
PG - Calderon PG - Jack PG - Anderson
I think that's a pretty solid rotation. Contender.. maybe not, but definatly one that could advance through the 1st round and make noise in the 2nd.
Blogger' s note: I don't want to throw all kinds of water on your suggestion but, even by your own rather fanciful move proposals, you're thinking a washed up third string point guard who hasn't played a significant minute in years and a raw European rookie third string power forward are going to make a difference?
Posted by: Mark | July 26, 2009 at 03:53 PM
Sorry about my previous comment. The line up looks a little squished together and confusing. It didn't look like that when I first wrote it, when I posted it changed.
Posted by: Mark | July 26, 2009 at 03:58 PM
The moves of bringing in Printezis and Anderson aren't going to change anything, I know that - it's simply to round off the roster by having 3 men in each position, the way it should be. Anderson isn't exactly washed up, Doug, his career averages are 12.0 PPG, 3.4 APG, 3.2 RPG. Yes, he is over the hill(hasn't played in a while), but he's much better than the Will Solomon experiment last year, a man who never proved himself in the NBA, no offence Will. I think bringing in Printezis would be good because Rasho is only here for a year, so it'd be nice to develop him. Which leads me to ask, do you think he is ready for NBA ball?
Blogger's note: No, I don't think he is, no one connected with the Raptors thinks he is and while Derek Anderson had some okay career numbers you may as well go get Louis Anderson.
Posted by: Mark | July 26, 2009 at 04:38 PM