Back at it after a day to taking a breath

Miss me?

I figured as much.

Was nice to take a full Sunday and do very little except glance at the comments a couple of times. Some family time, some laying on the couch time, some long-neglected outside work time.

I did try to put together a mailbag but almost every question was ‘Why don’t they get this guy? What do you think of that guy? Hedo is the best/worst thing ever, agree?’ And, frankly, they were statements rather than questions and the ones I could answer I already had.

I know you missed it but …

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REUTERS FILE PHOTO

No, no, no, no, a thousand times no.

Here’s one thing I don’t quite get – and that’s on a long, long list:

The suggestion somehow that getting Hedo Turkoglu means the Raptors are now going to trade Chris Bosh. Or should.

I’m trying to get this straight:

You get a good player so it means you plan to, or should, deal away a very good player?

The logic escapes me.

Isn’t this the way to show Bosh you’re serious about winning? Doesn’t giving him another weapon to play alongside – a weapon who is going to create a lot of space for Bosh to operate – mean you’re trying to put the best team possible on the floor?

Now, you know that I’ve never thought they should trade Bosh, that he’s too good to get anything close to value for, that I think he’s in for a monster year, that I think he could just as easily re-sign here next summer as leave.

But it just doesn’t make any sense at all to strengthen your team by adding a borderline all-star small forward (and go check the dispatches from last February and see how many people thought Turkoglu got jobbed when he was snubbed for the all-star game) and then weaken it by trading away a bonafide all-star.

Now, Chris Bosh may indeed decide a year from now that he wants to go play somewhere else. But you can’t say for certain that he will, just like I can’t say for certain that he won’t.

But I will say with absolute certainty – and I will not listen to arguments to the contrary – that making this kind of move does more to appease Bosh than turn him off.

And you have to trust me on this one last point: There is no one – NO ONE – in the Raptor hierarchy who has any taste for moving Bosh today.

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Oh, oh.

Tough loss for Greg Francis and the teens down in New Zealand overnight, as Tanya details in this dispatch.

Here’s the deal: They need to beat Kazakhstan today and then Argentina tomorrow (or Kazakhstan tomorrow and Argentina the day after, depending on what hemisphere you’re in, I think) to have any shot at the quarter-finals.

Can they do it?

I have no idea, to tell you the truth.

You’d think a win over Kazakhstan would relatively easy to accomplish; beating Argentina might not be the easiest task.

Best o’ luck, kids..

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So, what’s Bryan up to now?

Not entirely sure because the information super highway dried up a bit yesterday when everyone sat back and took a deep breath after the Turkoglu saga.

I know he was working the phones but it was the end of holiday weekend down south and I imagine a few folks decided take the foot off the pedal for a day.

But it’s got to be back to work today.

You’ll see in Brian Schmitz’s story here that there is going to be no sign-and-trade transaction in Orlando so scratch that off your list of possibilities.

It’s not like it’s the only fire Bryan’s got going, though. There are several teams still interested in Anthony Parker – Cleveland seems to be the most aggressive – and now that it’s official that Shawn Marion’s going to be out there, you might here his name mentioned in a city or two.

What, or how, Bryan can turn those assets into remains between him, the bean counters and the agents but the GM’s a rather creative sort so something might be afoot.

And after we’ve all had time to take that deep breath, I imagine rumour, speculation, innuendo and a fact or two might emerge in the next 24 hours.

Should be fun.

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Here’s one for you that might, in some small way, back up my contention that coaching isn’t the be-all and end-all in winning.

When Joe Dumars gets around to hiring a replacement for Mike Curry, he will be Detroit’s sixth coach in 10 years.

And in that time, the Pistons have won an NBA championship, gone to Game 7 of an NBA final and been in, what is it, six straight conference finals?

That’s not bad. Seems the guy calling the plays might not make that huge a difference.

That said, whoever gets the gig now – and it looks like Avery Johnson is the leader in the clubhouse – had better get some kind of long-term guaranteed deal because the chance of him finishing out the contract are pretty slim.

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So I’m sitting in the restaurant/saloon last night, waiting for Super Wife and Stumpy to come calling and it’s one of those places with a zillion televisions, all on sports.

Now, I’m as eager to watch whatever’s on as anyone – hell, I sat and watched that tennis yesterday morning like I knew what was going on – so I’m casting furtive glances as the Sunday evening TV fare.

On this station: A Lennox Lewis fight.

On that station: Leaves vs. Gretzky and the Kings.

On that other station: Lakers vs. San Diego Clippers (and it did the heart proud to see World B. Free chucking it up like no one we’ll ever see again).

And I’m thinking: Yes, there are too many channels.

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I’m going to put this one out here now because I’ve had a lot of queries about it:

Q: Hi Doug. Could you clarify what constitutes a minimum salary player?

Matthew S, Vaughan

A: The minimum salary for any player is dictated by the Collective Bargaining Agreement. It varies by years of service and goes from about $450,000 for a rookie to about $1.3 million for a 10-year veteran.

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You know how there’s a moratorium on signings until Wednesday?

Well, there’s now a moratorium here on questions about the mid-level exception.

Here is the definitive statement I got from a very highly placed league source who knows what he is talking about.

The only – ONLY – way Toronto could have possibly retained its mid-level exception was if Orlando wanted to do a sign-and-trade deal for Shawn Marion.

That, as we read earlier today, is not going to happen.

So, ipso facto (or something like that), Toronto can’t get it and I’m done considering it.

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Okay, I’m off.

In between Raptor phone calls and e-mails, I’m Argoboy today (lucky football readers, indeed) and there’s a long and, I presume painful, visit to the chiropractor thrown in for good measure, so if we’re a little tardy on the comments, we’re a little tardy on the comments.

See ya.

Comments

[Steve]

Hey Doug, would dumping Humphries give the Raptors enough money to resign Delfino?

Blogger's note: Depends entirely on what they got back.

[sb]

Doug,

I figured that the lack of story today and no blog yesterday meant a well-deserved day off (and a beautiful one it was at that) - glad you were able to make the most of it.

Thanks for all of the reporting you did over the weekend...I hope the T. Star Brain Trust Power That Be recognizes all that you do with a substantial pay raise.

Or maybe another day off between here and October.

Or you can go cover some Argos....

Hmmmmmmm.

[Nick]

Is it possible that AP signs a vet's minimum with the Raps? I know that there will be some Europe teams offering him big bucks but he's already accomplished a lot over there - few MVP honours and championships (I think?). As a pro baller, your ultimate goal should be winning the NBA title, right? Why not take a salary cut and return to the organization and the city you love, and take that last shot at winning the NBA title?

Blogger's note: Anything's possible.

[Jeff]

Doug if raps are going to be under the luxury tax threshold, why can they only make minimum value offers? Is it because they are over the cap? It seems odd to have money to spend before being taxed but not being able to spend it.

Also is it posible for Raps to acquire the bird rights to players from other teams after the ink the Hedo deal? Can't they just get the rights for a player from another team, for future consideration, then sign the player?

Blogger's note: Odd, but true. And I don't quite understand the Bird Rights question and I'm not sure you understand what they are They are only available at the end of contracts of three years or more and are not an entity to themselves. I think what you're proposing is quite impossible

[Alan Squires]

Doug,

If Hedo is getting a salary close to 53 million over 5 years, assuming he will be getting an annual raise of 8%, would his 1st year salary be $9 million, 2nd year $9.72 million, 3rd year $10.5 million, 4th year $11.3 million and 5th year $12.2 million, for a total of $52.72 million? According to hoopshype and assuming we renounce Marion, Parker, Delfino, Graham and the Legend, our payroll currently sits at about $45 million, plus Turks $9 million first year salary, that will leave us at about $54 million. Assuming the Cap will be $57 million this year would that not leave us with $3 Million to sign a player? I hope that this is the case as a $3 million player and a couple of players on a minimum contract might add some nice depth to our bench. Thanks!

[SteveG]

I really don't get it Doug,

All of the years of people saying "Bosh needs another 20pt scorer.. he needs help on the wing"

and when BC finally gets that (I know Turk didn't get 20pts/gm last year, but he is certainly skilled enough to do it) they pick it apart and say he doesn't know what he's doing!!

Not to mention.. Bargs averaged over 20 pts a game too over the last few months of the season!

I guess some things are just never good enough!
Personally I can't wait for the season to start..(that makes 1 Raptor fan anyway)

[Kevin]

Hi Doug,

Question from the uninformed here.

If the Raptors delay signing Turk does it allow them to play with the numbers a little while longer and possibly not write off all of the Bird rights guys?

Blogger's note: No. it's money, not time that's the issue

[fg]

Im pretty glad the raps signed Hedo, I did want to see marion, delfino, parker, kleiza etc.. in a raps uniform, but to be honest after hearing that Marion turned down over 8 million a year for an older 31 year old, with no shot/dribble (good rebounder). Im very pleased that BC has had the guts to sign hedo and let marion and his ego leave. Turning down over 8 million a year shows his attitude towards playing in the City. Turks wants to be in Toronto for the long haul. and turks is only getting around 10 million a year, so its not like BC went way over board, not at all.
Sorry Marion but your not worth anywhere near 8 million a year and you really really lost out on a perfect starting position. Im proud of BC standing up and not moving an inch and showing that Toronto is a great place to play.

so for that reason, Turks is younger, better shooter, better dribbler, no that bad of a defender in clutch situations, overall an improvement over marion and not that much more expensive then marion on a dollar to dollar factor.

Yes we lose bird rights, but BC has a plan, im sure of it, and with our draft pick and a couple moves, our bench is better then last season and our starters are better period.

[Jenuwine]

Wassup Doug! Just wanted to drop a line and say good job on keeping us Raps fans informed. I don't know any other writer on any other site doing the same thing. Thanks for the blog Doug!

[John P]

Any word on Nesterovic?

Blogger's note: Nope

[joe]

ha I was wondering when you would get tired of answering some of the same question over and over again, it looks like it finally happened. And to that I say...... what took so long? also if Hump gets traded thanks Hump for making we forget about the disaster named Hoffa! (although I still have nightmares about not drafting Iguodala)

[Manny]

Doug, in your opinion, which do you think is the more potent combination:

Rashard Lewis, Hedo Turkoglu, Dwight Howard

Hedo Turkoglu, Chris Bosh, Andrea Bargnani

thanks

Blogger's note: Whichever one you don't want, I'll take. If I had first choice, I'd take the second; all three of them can score in a variety of ways and all three can be on the court with the ball in their hands in the final seconds of a close game when free throws might be an issue

[Kelsie]

Hey Doug, just a few things.

I had to stop reading the blog on the weekend because of the repetitve questions and also the Bosh bashing and trade scenario's. If I hear one more Bosh to G.S. for Biedriens and Belleneli and filler's I'm going to lose it. I'm not sure why so many people are eager to trade Bosh or say he's not a "max player" but it gets to the point where it's comical to me to even suggest that they would get any equal value for trading a 4 time all-star who has YET to hit his peak, who works hard and has been loyal and represented this organzation in as classy a manner as anyone who has put on the jersey. It's also a joke to hear he's not a max player but have no logical or sensible reason as to why he's not? Because he's not Lebron or D. Wade is not a legitimate argument. He's not clutch? What big man in the NBA is expected to be clutch and take all the big shots in the 4th quarter in this league? Duncan? Seems to me that Manu and Parker take as many later game shots as he does. Garnett? Pierce takes the shots. Superman? Don't make me laugh. I'm tired of all the anti-Bosh chatter, it's annoying. Bargs and Bosh will be a match-up nightmare for years to come if he re-signs and everyone has a little patience.
If you don't like him you don't like him but I've never seen a city like this that doesn't make an effort to appreciate a young star who works his tail off every year, because of what?

I don't get it.

BC needs to earn his salary now. No matter what happens with the strengthening of the bench how will he add any scoring power to the 2nd unit? I'm a little bit worried that we won't have any scoring punch from the bench and does this mean now that Pops might be retained as a back-up 3 due to not having many options available? Do you think he would prefer Delfino or Parker if he had some money to re-sign one of them?

Finally, although I appreciated your articles on the weekend we the fans need to get over the "he wants to come here" mentality. Sometimes we fans react like jilted lovers with the "he doesn't like us" or "he doesn't want to play in Canada" nonsense. We know how great our city is. Players will go anywhere when you are WINNING!

Let's stop the inferiority complexes people, cause it's weak and pathetic. We live in a GREAT city, we just don't have a great basketball team.....yet.

Walk proud.

Blogger's note: Unless they move a big, I don't see Pops as any possible option and even then he'd be behind Rasho on their list.
Deflino or Parker? Good one. The sense I get -- and it's a debate they're having that's far from settled -- is they like Delfino a little bit better, mostly because he's younger. But I don't really have an opinion, either one -- for the role they'll be asked to play -- would be fine with me.

[Parker]

Hey Doug, Thanks as always for the great coverage. Yours is the page I visit first each to stay informed. What do you think about smush parker in the summer leauge?? I know its just summer leauge but the guy has skills(not social skills apparently) but skills. If he bucks up and shows that he is serious would it be worth it to brian to keep him on as a back up? he would be a step up from where roko was last year and a huge leap from will solomon. Your thoughts??
Thanks

Blogger's note: He'll get a long look but he'd have to beat out Douby, who has a leg up because he's got a partially guaranteed deal and the coaching staff likes him

[Name]

where in the world is D Brown from U-Conn? I would have liked to see him get a summer league invite!

[tim]

is it possible to trade Hump and 2 second rd picks to whoever for 1 second round pick just to get rid of Humps contract?

Blogger's note: If that team is under the cap or has enough room to assume the $2.9 million contract,, yes

[matt]

I think what Jeff is getting at is kind of a sign-and-trade with another team (only i think he made the mistake of thinking wed trade for an unsigned guy). but its interesting, its another way of getting a guy like kleiza. denver re-ups him for the ~2-3mill he was gonna get, and we send them hump for their troubles. hes ging to leave anyways so at least they get a somewhat servicable big. the only question is if theyre letting him go cause they dont want to pay 2-3 million in which case its moot.

[WSG]

Off topic, but regarding fun with chiropractors … after an injury (years ago) had chronic episodes of misery with hips going one way while the rest of me went another … UNTIL a fill-in doc gave me a ratty photo-copy of diagramed lay-on-the-floor back-stretches (knee[s] to the chest one way and another type thing) and ever since … no more misery. Like, ever (touch wood). Passed along in the off chance that your fun is similar and you haven’t been so informed of these seemingly magical stretches. (Took two years of regular trips to the doc before I learned of them.) Cheers.

Thanks for the blog. Go Raps!

[BrianV]

Hey Doug, I am trying to get my head around the salary cap/luxury cap thing. The Raps are currently under the salary cap. So that would mean that they have that amount below the salary cap plus the amount until they hit the luxury cap, before they would have to pay the luxury tax. So, if nothing comes of strking a deal for Parker, Delfino or Marion, they will still have the $3 million (below the salary cap) PLUS the $10-plus million (estimating luxury tax) to spend on players without paying the tax. Is this correct and if so, do you see BC being tenative about spending this money, above the salary cap, to shore up the bench? Forgive my obtuseness on this much-explained topic.

Blogger's note: I think your salary cap number is wrong and I don't think he'll be tentative but, by rules, he will e only be able to offer minimum value contracts

[yertu damkule]

the hedo signing is great. now all they need to figure out is a way to play the starters 40+ minutes/game (one of whom, by default, is a 19-yr old rookie).

offense wasn't an issue with the raps last year. rebounding & D was. by signing hedo, they lose more rebounding, D & depth, and gain more offense. it's great to have options/weapons, but there are only so many touches during the course of a game. it's a given that jose can be his usual unselfish self, and that DD isn't going to need touches, but you're still left with 3 guys who play, for all intents & purposes, a similar outside-in style.

all in all, i'm not against signing him, per se...just bummed that once again, BC has used multiple assets to fill a single need, leaving the cupboard bare & the bench depleted. sound familiar?

[Caleb]

This may or may not have been answered before (or maybe I'm just wording it differently), but does the actual timing of Hedo signing his name on a contract affect what BC can do in terms of trades/flexibility to sign/trade away players? Could they for example have a verbal agreement with Hedo already, but ask to not sign the deal until next week to allow other signings/deals to go down to make better room for his contract, and better teammates for him to play with, or will BC be forced to announce the deal immediately and deal with the financial consequences?

Blogger's note: No

[Wil]

Doug, if you could put on your GM hat. If you were filling out the roster of the Raps, with what will have to be a cheap bench, what sort of guys do you want? Versions of your starters in order to fill-in for injuries (except not close as good) or maybe one-demensional guys who are just good at a certain skill (rebound, 3-points)? Or whomever you can get to sign? Thanks.

Blogger's note: Best player I can get for the money I've got and since I have no idea right now who'll fall through the free agent cracks, I can't give names. I'd like well-rounded players who will be willing to accept secondary roles

[Grant]

I'm quite amazed that there is anyone who thinks Bryan Colangelo is running the Raptors into the ground with all of his "stupid moves." Does anyone recall the starting lineup of the 2005-2006 Raptors(the last team assembled by Rob Babcock)?: 1 Mike James, 2 Joey Graham, 3, Jalen Rose, 4 Chris Bosh, 5 Loren Woods. The wost case scenario for this year's staring five will be: 1 Jose Calderon, 2 DeMar DeRozan, 3 Hedo Turkoglu, 4 Chris Bosh, 5 Andrea Bargnani. Does anyone really think that the 2005-2006 group is better than the 2009-2010 group? Didn't think so, and this shows that Bryan Colangelo has made the Raptors a better team since he has been here.

Sure he has made some mistakes (as do all mortals), but when he does he moves quickly to rectify them, and is always trying to make the team better. And, frankly, every roster he has assembled has filled me with hope - at the start of the year - that the present team will be better than the past one. And, as one with some historical sensibility, and enough grey matter to realize that things take time to change, this is good eneough for me.

[Pete K]

Here's my take on Hedo signing: if it works, great. We improve as a team, and Bosh might stay. If it doesn't work, it still is great. We go back to the lottery and take a shot at a franchise caliber of a player in John Wall. Then Bosh might stay as well. I prefer the latter however.

[ashm]

Hey Dough
I think Borat will play in the Kazakhstan and win for them :)