Pops is back, and he'll be in uniform tonight

The fans in Toronto have an old friend to cheer for again.

Pops Mensah-Bonsu, who was a hit during his 19-game stint with Toronto last season, has been claimed off waivers by the Raptors and -- get this! -- he'll be dressed for Tuesday's game in Denver.

He’d been waived by the Houston Rockets last week and Toronto made the claim that was accepted late yesterday afternoon.

Where he fits is unclear. Listed at 6-9 and 225 pounds, he’ll likely be behind Amir Johnson in the front court rotation now and will move further down the ladder when Reggie Evans returns from his mid-foot sprain, which could be in the next 10 days or so.

There is no major monetary gamble because Mensah-Bonsu’s minimum value salary is not fully guaranteed for the rest of the year. Toronto had created a roster opening – and some flexibility – by waiving guard Quincy Douby last Thursday and felt compelled to fill the spot in less than five days.

Mensah-Bonsu had played 12 minutes total in four games with Houston before being waived.

Comments

[Striker77]

Wow, I had no idea... Pops did looke pretty good against the raps a few weeks ago during preseason...

Pretty interesting turn for him. What do you think about it Doug? Will he get ahead of O'Bryant in the rotation? (although, I guess, O'Bryant isnt really in the rotation, right?)

Blogger's note: I would think he'd be the fourth, maybe fifth big now (he and Rasho will split it depending on matchups) and then fifth or sixth when Reggie Evans gets back.

[NRapz]

but, who knows. maybe he can impress the coaches and bring something that will put him ahead of the rotation. Do you think that pops will bring something special to show TO fans that will get him the nod over some other guys?

Blogger's note: No, I think he will show the coaches he's the fourth or fifth big

[Roxanne G]

The Legend lives on.... - I'm with you on this one Doug - not sure about the real sense behind this pick up - but it is a fun move. He's fun to watch and his energy will hopefully be contagious some nights when it's needed.

[brass monk]

LEGEND!!!... I just saw his agent twittered something about it and I rushed over here - nice to see you're on top of these things Doug. Anyway, I predict the team now goes 62-10 the rest of the way GOOOO RAPS! ;P

[Jason]

Any rumblings of picking up AI, wouldn't he be more effective at the two spot than Demar Derozan?

Blogger's note: No, no, no, a thousand times no

[FPB]

Pops, Akwaaba!!! (Welcome - back TO)

[RapFan]

For the casual to semi-serious fan like myself and for the kids this is a great move. Forget where he fits into the rotation, who doesn't love "pizza pops". This guy is entertaining.

[JP]

one thing it does is tell Patrick O'Bryant that he should buy a lot more suits because another big man just stepped in front of him.

[JP]

it also suggests that Reggie may need a little more time than they expected. He said a few days ago that he was going to get a second opinion on his foot and that he hasn't been able to run up and down the court yet. so signing Pops could also be an insurance move while they wait on the big enforcer.

they have a month to test him out. my feeling is that, unless he makes a meaningful impact in the next 3 weeks to a month, they will let him go sometime in December.... and he'll play in Europe somewhere.

[Shawn]

Hi Doug,

I totally agree with you on Pop's ability. However, he plays with such passion that it is bound to rub off, that can't be all bad, can it?

Blogger's note: No, as a fifth or sixth big he'll be okay

[CARLoS M.]

a turn of events fit for a Legend...

[RapFan]

Pops will get you the pizza every time. Money player when it comes to getting 100 points and free pizza slice. Welcome back "pizza pops"

[malefax]

The Legend returns!

It's kind of sweet. One figures that getting a standing ovation from the Air Canada Centre crowd would be one of his career highlights.

[Evan]

Why so many bigs? Do the Raptors feel comfortable because the guards are producing? I would have gone for a defensive SG, but maybe there aren't that many out there.

[PJ]

Excelent news! I think he can play at the small forward against the big ones (lebron, Melo).

[Tical]

didn't you emphatically state on more than one occasion that the Raptors had NO intrest in bringing back Pops? what changed? or were you just reporting opinion as opposed to actual inside news...

Blogger's note: No. What I said was, in the summer, they had no interest in bringing him back as anything more than the 16th man on a fully non-guaranteed contract, a stance proved true when they let him leave for Houston.
What I said last week was that they did not waive Douby so they could sign Pops, which was proved true by the on-the-record quote from the general manager.
My opinion is, and always will be, that fans over-rate his abilities like crazy and I don't ever see him being a rotation player on even a marginally good team.

[Ian]

You do such a great job and you're always the first to break any Raptors news to fans, but why were you so certain they wouldn't bring Pops back after Douby was released?

This isn't a knock at you by any means (I really hope you see it as an honest question and not a slag against you) but it seemed to make sense with Reggie still being out and the team needing an energy guy to come off the bench.

I guess my questions are:
- What role does Pops have when Reggie comes back? I can't see him getting much playing time being so far down the depth chart.
- Would you compare him to Chris Andersen in that he's sort of a fireball on the court - doesn't really follow any plays but hustles his butt off?

Blogger's note: I wasn't at all certain they wouldn't bring him back once he was waived, what I was certain about was that they did not waive Douby so they could do it; a fact backed up by an on-the-record quote from Bryan Colangelo
As for his role? He'll be the fifth big when Evans comes back and will seldom ever play; and he is a lot like Andersen, without the schtick

[Jeff]

You were wrong Doug!!! Ha!

[JT]

Wow. Don't you look stupid Doug. You spent all summer ripping on Pops at every turn saying the Raptors had NO interest in him and making fun of fans who thought he had any skills.

Now to try to save some face you say, "Well they are taking him back but he won't be any more than the 5th or 6th big man". Sounds to me like you let your personal opinion of him get in the way of unbiased journalism. Who are you to say where he fits in this team when you clearly have shown yourself to be absolutely clueless about him thus far?

I can generally respect your views and enjoy your column, but it seems like you have been way out in right field on Pops and have shown a stubborness about giving Pops any credit at all that I just don't get.

Blogger's note: Did they sign him in the summer? Ah, I don't believe they did. And all you need to do, like I do, is ask people connected with the team what his role is. It's not rocket science to suggest he will eventually be behind Chris Bosh, Andrea Bargnani, Amir Johnson and Reggie Evans. That, even for the mathematically-challenged among us, would put him fifth on the depth chart of bigs. If you think otherwise, you're dead wrong.
I was right in the summer and I'm right now. Sorry if that doesn't fit with your fan's view of him, but it's a fact around the team.