A quick one before the weekend starts

I presume this is out there somewhere, probably lots of places, but what the heck.

Just got word that Anthony Parker is definitely going to Cleveland and all they have to do is clear up some language issues the deal will be signed.

Not really newsy -- Brian Windhorst of the Plain Dealer had it all but done a couple of days ago -- but just wanted to get it on the record that he'll be missed.

I know not a whole lot of you would care because what matters most is on-court stuff but AP was one fo the all-time good Raptors and he'll be missed. When he did interviews he gave carefully-considered answers that were on the verge of being boring but I'll tell you, private he was funny and insightful and if you hung around his locker before a game, it was pretty entertaining.

He sat next to Hump and Jamario and the three of 'em couldn't have been more different, which made the conversation more lively.

And, although we never got to see it 'cause it wasn't his style, we're told he did a Sam Mitchell imitation that was dead on. Not sure how many times M. Grange (TM) tried to get him to do it, but he wouldn't.

Regular readers here will know what I think of the guy when I say he was like Dell Curry in the way he handled himself as a pro and a guy.

Okay, I see a handful of comments to post and then I'm pretty sure there's a patio in my immediate future if I can find one.

Comments

[Tony]

Wish AP all the best.....He will be missed
If we can get Rasho back, he is certainly the type of vereran leader that we will lose with AP....
Have a cpl for me Dougie!!!
You deserve it! Great week of coverage!

[Andrew V]

I'm not sure if this has been addressed already in the comments to the last post (there are over 70 of them), and my apologies if it has. The Raps have $12M between the cap the tax threshold, yet they are over the cap, so I thought that the only salary that they can add is the mid-level of $5.6M. Yet you say that they have $12M to spend. Am I missing something here?

Blogger's note: Look at it this way: That's the mostthey can spend but there are only three ways they can spend it. They have the mid-level salary exception of about $5.9 million; the have the biannual cap exception of about $1.9 million and the rest they can spend using Bird Rights on their own free agents, a list that now is really only Carlos Delfino.

[Anthony R]

AP is my all time favorite Raptor. Just professional and consistent. I will miss him as a Raptor as much as we will all miss Mo Pete.
I hope he wins a championship with LBJ.
Good luck in the future AP!!!!

[Noslak]

Nice guy, but he could never hit the big shots or make his free throws at crunch time.

That being said, I'm sure he'll do much better in Cleveland with LeBron relieving him of all the pressure.

For Cleveland's sake, hopefully his fadeaway baseline jumpers start falling soon. I know he grew up in Chicago worshiping Jordan, but trying to emulate his shot isn't cool if the shots don't go in.

[Imran Pirani]

Does Anthony Parker still think he is the second coming of Kobe Bryant or Michael Jordan with all those off balance jumpers he takes. Good luck AP, you will be missed.

[John D.]

All the best AP - you will always have a spot on a sunny T.O. patio whether Doug's there or not!

[GSY]

Thanks Doug.
Agreed about AP. Sad to see him go, but hope things work well for him in Cleveland. Any thoughts about who the "glue" guys will be for the Raps this yr.
Enjoy the patio. I'm staining mine this wknd.

[dsl]

As a Raps fan, I hope it's possible to say this without coming off as bitter, jealous, sarcastic, etc:

I hope he turns into the 6th man he was meant to be and absolutely kills it when he returns to the ACC.

(as long as the Cavs lose)

[Mike]

AP seemed like a cool guy... but it was definitely time to part ways, for both parties.

[Riggs Roberts]

Hey Doug, I think that you might've answered this already but why weren't the Raptors interested in bringing over Printezis? The reason i ask is because he just signed a three year deal with a Spanish team. Thanks Doug.

Blogger's note: He's not nearly ready for the NBA

[Gary]

Bye AP!! Have fun in Cleveland with Shaq and LeBron!! All the best!!

[Kadz]

Thanks AP. Great guy, good team player. One of my favorite Raps ever (having Candace for a sister didn't hurt either).

[anthony]

The Raps need physical players who play d, so why are they considering Rasho? What about Belinelli, used to be on the Raps radar, I dont read his name any more?

Blogger's note: Wrote his name last week, they still like him but can't see a trade now

[anthony]

An interesting player who would be a good compliment to cb4 , in my opinion, is Felipe Reyes

[Darko]

Ciao Doug, well almost, just when you thought that you had MLE
after 2 milion posts, finally under control Brian did that masterpiece yesterday.
As that Soprano guy said it : just when you thought you are out, they
pull you back in.
Question, you are CB4, wouldn't you want to sign now
See Ming, Yao and Powe, Leon. If yup don't like the enviroment
at any point you ask for and get traded. Also you get $130
vs $90 (aprox.) Can't buy cheaper insurance policy anywhere.
Thanks

Blogger's note: A very good point, actually. I would imagine there has to be some thinking going on in the Bosh camp although it would be a 180 from what he's always said and indicated.
Of course, we know now that things can change in a man's mind.

[Ren]

Absolutely nothing to do with the current free agent market, trades, etc.; but...
We found out a little bit back that Adnan Virk was joining the Raptors tv crew, and, according to the press release, would be joining pre and post game shows. Who is out? Thought this question might get your mind off the regular stuff. Hope it's ok.

Blogger's note: I understand Paul Johnson won't be back

[Chris]

Yeah I second that. Good work Doug.

AP served honourably, and while I think him going to Cleveland is the best for everyone, he still deserves a tip of the cap.

[Alex L]

Good Luck AP, thanks for your time in Toronto. You will be missed. Enjoy Cleveland (if not the city, at least the team)

[Jessica]

It was expected, but I still wish he would have stayed! AP may have been one of my fav Raps of all time on and off the court.
Quiet, reserved and let what he did on the court do the talking! He will be missed!!

[Amanda]

I agree with Tony and many others I'm sure - Doug your coverage this week was very well done! Will definitely miss AP.. hopefully all of his years of hard work and persistence it will pay off in Cleveland next year

[Pat]

Give the fans a little credit, Doug. We love AP and know how valuable he was to the Raps.

[jesse]

Thanks for the hard work

[Raps Fan]

Anthony Parker was a great guy to the Raptors and he really showed a lot of respect to his team mates and his fans/media!

[Matt S, Burlington]

Sad to see AP go, but these are the times. He's a solid contributor who knows his role (and that changed a lot last season when jose went down) and makes players around him better.

We'll miss his veteran presence and, if we're lucky, maybe find a replacement who can create a little more in addition to using screens and hitting those baseline 3's from "18 Parkerville Court" (ref. Swirsk)!

[Eduardo]

All the best AP!
For sure you will be missed. Even when you missed a few free throws at the end of games we loved you.