A far-from-earth-shattering trade, and they played a game

Hmm, been a week, I kind of forget what we do here.

It’ll come to me, I’m sure.

Oh, yeah. Right.

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THREE POINTERS

What was that?

So, I’m perched on one couch, Super Son’s over on the other one and I swear I looked up and saw Sonny Weems take – and make – a three-pointer.

I rubbed my eyes, shook my head, knocked the potato chip dust off my chest and watched the replay.

Yes, it was a three-pointer.

Considering it was his first make from distance in 14 games, you can see my surprise.

I don’t mean to single out Sonny because DeMar’s no better but when your starting wings are absolutely no threat to shoot three-pointers, that’s an issue.

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Is it his time?

Watched with interest when Jay gave Alexis Ajinca some extended minutes last night and went with a four-man bigs rotation, which is generally against form.

I haven’t seen enough of Ajinca to have much of an opinion of him but with the last 25 games of the season upon us, I wouldn’t be surprised if Jay ran out four big men more often than not to see what he’s got in the intriguing 7-footer.

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Big night, or not?

Yes, Jerryd Bayless had 10 assists against the Bobcats, first time he’s got to double figures in a game in 11 games, and that’s maybe a sign that his decision-making point guard skills are getting better.

Then you remember the four turnovers in a short run in the first half and, well, maybe not.

He is still a work in progress and I don’t think we know anything more about his long-term future today than the day the Raptors acquired him.

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Some other things?

A few.

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I love the people here.

(Some of them)

Raptors make a minor trade and everyone’s up in arms and people should be fired, and it’s impossible to believe they couldn’t have received more and we’re talking about a guy who might be a bit player on a 15-41 team, for goodness sakes.

But I will say this

I would much rather have a kid, James Johnson, with a year and half of NBA experience and a year and a year a bit left on his contract than the 28th pick in what might be a lockout-chilled bad draft that you’d have to give three guaranteed years to.

I have no idea if James Johnson can play, no one does because he’s barely been on the floor, and the folks who are excited are just as likely to be right as those who are disappointed.

It was a minor deal at basically no cost, why not make it?

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I hope we get a deadline day blockbuster here like we did Feb. 20, 1997.

That was the day they moved Acie Earl to Milwaukee for Shawn Respert, an earth-shattering move if ever there was one.

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One more on the Johnson deal.

If I’m Sonny Weems or Julian Wright, I’m not signing any long-term leases.

Not that I thought either would be back but Johnson doesn’t make much money ($1.8 million next season), you know Bryan sees the same issues at small forward as all of us do and Johnson’s a guy who probably vaults past Weems and Wright (both of whom have no contract guarantees for next year) right away.

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Oh, what’d they say in Charlotte about that rather boring and predictable game?

This is what they said.

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Did you hear?

Carmelo Anthony got traded!

Yeah. To New York!

And thus closes one of the more unseemly stretches in NBA Transaction History, thankfully.

But what’s it mean on the court?

Well, I guess there’s no question the Knicks are better and, eventually, they might be able to challenge Atlanta for fifth best in the East behind Boston, Chicago, Miami and Orlando.

They have star power now, and that seems to be what they love in New York more than anything else, and the Knicks may improve in the long run. But right now? Right now they have a bunch of defensively-average scorers who’ll have to learn to share the ball, run whatever system it is that Mike D’Antoni runs and hope that no one gets hurt because the bench is even worse than it was.

The Knicks, as a basketball-playing franchise, have been irrelevant for years. They are no longer as irrelevant as they were; I’m just not sure how much better they’ll be in the long run.

And the one thing we have learned more than anything else since this sorry saga began is this:

It’s all about the money for Carmelo Anthony. Forget winning in Denver or waiting until the summer to find a better place to make a championship run as a free agent.

This was about the $65 million extension and forcing a way to get it and move on.

He showed his true colours all the way: Pay me. Or else.

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KC Johnson on the Bulls and the trade and what’s going on with that club.

Read it all here.

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Oh yeah, as least the arrival of James keeps the Raptors’ Johnson quote at two since it means the end of Trey.

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And since the guy’s coming here this week and it’s trade time, too, let’s do this:

Q: The question and response in today's mailbag about Steve Nash spurred me on to another question regarding him. Numerous times this year, I've read that he should be given an opportunity to play for a ring by getting traded to a contender. My question is, would he even accept such a trade? He seems very happy playing in Phoenix, where he's a god. In addition to other factors, I get the impression Grant Hill chose to stay there because of Steve. Do you think he's the least bit interested in being traded? If not, do you think he'd retire if he was?

D M, Calgary

A: I don’t think, at the moment, that Nash has any interest whatsoever in being dealt, I think he enjoys his teammates, his city, his challenge and at no time in the 20 years or so that I’ve known and covered him did I think he was a guy who’d throw up his arms and bail on a situation.

Now, this summer might be a different story, but that’s a long time and a collective bargaining agreement away.

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Yes, we’re here tonight at 7 for an IGBT; please join us, it’ll be fun. Honest.

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And if you’ve got mail …. Well, you know what to do.

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Comments

[joe]

Hi Doug,

With only 25 games left, it appears the Raptors will get a top 5 pick in the draft come June. Do you forsee BC going for a SF, a PG, or the best player with this pick?

Do you think the Knicks would have been better off not trading so much of their team for Melo and just signing him as a free agent this summer or would the pending expiration of the collective agreement prohibit that from happening?

Thanks

[Mark]

"Blogger's note: If you don't see the difference between a top 4 pick and No. 28 in any draft, I'm sorry; I have no explanation."

I guess I don't understand it. Thanks for your snippy reply.
I just don't think Colangelo should sit on his hands this season in favour of getting a draft pick from what might be the worst draft class in years, if there's a lockout. Seems like a bad gamble to me.

[Bill]

Just read that the Nets got Deron Williams from the Jazz. Seems like the other teams in our division is improving and we are staying put (unless you call the Johnson acquisition an improvement). Doug, can you explain how GM discuss potential trades with each other? Was Williams availability made clear to other GMs? Did BC make any effort to inquire about the getting him at all? I don't think the "why would an all star want to go to a bad team like the Raptors" theory works here because the Nets were not that much better than Toronto in terms of talent or record. Was it because we didn't have the appropriate assets (even with the trade exception)?

Blogger's note: No, I can't explain it to your satisfaction, I'm sure, because GMs tend to keep private conversations private. And if it's true, as I just read, that the Nets-Jazz deal happened in 24 hours NO ONE else had a chance, assets or no assets

[Nick]

Hi Doug,

Need your help. I'm looking to gauge the audiences interest in keeping or trading Bargnani.

I whipped up a quick little website (voting) and wanted to post it here.

Let me know if you can help.

http://tradebargnani.com/

Thanks,
Nick

Blogger's note: Whatever. Seems a gigantic waste of time.

[John S]

Looks like the Nets got Deron "Coach Killer" Williams.

It'll be interesting to see what happens in NJ... the 2011 version of Spreewell/Carlesimo!

[saatuk]

I want to know who coined the phrase "skill set" and I want that person to come and take it back before it does any more damage to the English language.

----

It was probably the same joker who coined the phrase "work ethic" and he should be marooned on an uncharted desert isle.

[The J]

Deron to NJ, Melo to NY, and Boston is already the best team in the East? I think the Atlantic is about to become to the Raptors what the AL East is to the Blue Jays. Unless.....CP3 to TO? A Raps fan can dream, can't they?

A 16th pick for a 28th isn't bad, unless you are assuming more could be obtained as part of a package deal. It's not that crazy. For example, there is a rumour that the Bobcats are looking to trade Gerald Wallace for an expiring contract and a 1st rounder. Pretty much the two things we had up until yesterday. Just a rumour mind you, but as an example, it's another way of looking at the potential for that draft pick. But who knows, the hole at SF is big enough that it will allow a lot of opportunity for Johnson to shine. It's low risk, with a chance of medium reward. And I wonder if most people bashing the trade are really just taking out their frustrations of Colangelo's overall failures, out on this small move.

[LeeZ]

Doug, what is your read on the organization's opinion of Andrea? Obviously, Brian has thought very highly of him, and for public consumption, he will (as well he ought to) continue to speak in glowing terms about him. But have you caught wind of any current within the higher echelons, up to and including Brian, that the organization may have decided that Andrea is not the foundation they once believed him to be, and if that's the case, do you see any chance they'd, say, trade him to the the Knicks, who a) have a glaring need for a centre, and b)have a coach who loves offence even at the expense of defence?

Blogger's note: They still think highly of him

[John]

Hey man, that aint no way to talk to your biggest fan! Relax. You dug yourself a big hole here but I have faith. You're soiling the value of the Miami pick by using the same reasons you mocked other fans for mentioning over the past 6 months. It's tough. Hopefully no one will notice the polycephaly.
.
Hopefully no one will notice that up until... yesterday (?), we were being told by the MLSE empire that this is a deep draft, bottom-heavy if you will, to help sell the value of the Miami pick in spite of their ascending record. But now the asset is moved and the Raps position has done a miraculous 180.
.
Hopefully no one will notice. I feel ya. Keep fighting the good fight man. We're with you. Knicks get Melo, Nets get Deron, we get James. I guess we retain important financial flexibility which we presumably do not plan to spend on basketball players. It's a steep climb for you but you have our full-fledged support. If anyone could do it, I'd put my money on you. Keep fighting.
.

[The J]

So if Deron is leaving Utah, does that mean Sloan will return to coaching? Kind of sad if he was the one who drove Sloan out, considering he would be gone shortly thereafter. Perhaps this will finally start the ball rolling to having some parity between the conferences. 2 Western teams take steps back, 2 Eastern teams take steps forward.

[Smalahove]

I guess Avery J better start looking over his shoulder. Utah got rid of their coach killer, too bad they forgot to keep the coach!

[doug]

@John I think your stretching the facts, no one has ever said this is a deep draft, and why are people so upset about losing a low first round draft pick??...some of the things i read on here make me just shake my head...does anyone with any sense actually think Gerald Wallace could be acquired for a expiring contract and a low first round draft pick, come on let's get serious....also all I hear or rather read on here is how deep the East is with Rose and the boys in Chicago, Miami and it's big 3, the Celts and their gang of four, etc,etc...and then all the angst about Barg's...well what confuses me is this...is that Barg's is the 5th highest scorer in the east for the last month ...just saying, I'd love to debate some of the people and their so-called statements, arguments on here....it's just way to easy..and if you look at the draft possibilities of this upcoming draft, and the Raps position it's easy for me to see the player BC will take, or try to...

[Mike kovacs]

the bargnani poll is meaningless especially since you can vote as many times as you want on the same visit.

[Andrew Gregg]

Hi Doug:

Another observation...and I'm cribbing from Mr. Brunt in the Globe this morning.

Isiah Thomas' re-emergence in NY could mean Donnie Walsh's exit. Wouldn't it be intriguing if Walsh's availability played itself into Coangelo's future with the Raptors? The argument this season has been that MLSE will re-sign the Coangelo because no one better is available. That might not be the case anymore...

AG, Toronto

[Lorie]

I haven't invented any vacuous catchphrases, cliches or created much of a fuss in any way. I am, however offering to take full responsibility for all bafflegab and jargon everywhere if it gets me to an uncharted tropical desert island. Now. (It is a tropical one, right??? 'Cause it's a deal breaker for me if it's in the Arctic.) Regimes are toppling, there's devasation all over, trades we don't want, happen and trades we do want, don't. And now Bieber's cut his hair. I'm heading for the hills. Or preferably, that island.

[A]

Blogger's note: No, I can't explain it to your satisfaction, I'm sure, because GMs tend to keep private conversations private. And if it's true, as I just read, that the Nets-Jazz deal happened in 24 hours NO ONE else had a chance, assets or no assets

Are you saying the Jazz failed to do their due diligence on the value of their most important asset, Deron Williams, around the NBA? On what basis can you possibly make that deranged assumption? Give us some facts and sources, we'd love to read them and follow-up. Otherwise keep the conjecture to yourself! Thanks.

Blogger's note: Reading Comprehension time: Where did it say they didn't talk to 29 teams privately and decide in the last 24 hours to do a deal? But thanks.

[KBall]

@Nick ... um, when you send your "petition" to trade Bargnani to MLSE you may not want to put in the link to your website ... seems like it's a bit of a runaway landslide for "keep Bargnani". Good try though.

[GM]

* New York and New Jersey were two teams that cleared a bunch of space to get LeBron. It didn't work out. Then they were in the hunt for Carmelo. It didn't work out for the Nets. And since they were looking to trade Harris, and Williams had overstayed his welcome in Utah, it made sense for a swap there. It's not as if the Raptors had a legitimate chance that they just blew.
* Love that tradebargnani website. It's a runaway victory. Maybe they should change the name to keepbargnani.

[GM]

Uh, in about five minutes, the "trade Bargnani" numbers jumped from 400-odd to 1400-odd. Still trailing by more than half, but as someone else pointed out, the fact one can vote numerous times makes the whole thing even more stupid than it already was.

[doug]

that whole trade Barg's website...is as meaningless as a movie winning Best picture at the People's Choice Awards...

[Kent]

@ doug, you posted... "also all I hear or rather read on here is how deep the East is with Rose and the boys in Chicago, Miami and it's big 3, the Celts and their gang of four, etc,etc...and then all the angst about Barg's...I'd love to debate some of the people and their so-called statements, arguments on here"

OMG. LOOK AT THE STANDINGS. The sad thing is that they will look about the same (perhaps with the exception of Boston) for the next 6 years because the guys you mentioned are all young current all-stars and future hall-of-famers and Bargnani will never come close to any of them. This is a statment 99% of NBA observers would agree with and thus require no debate.

[A]

Blogger's note: No, I can't explain it to your satisfaction, I'm sure, because GMs tend to keep private conversations private. And if it's true, as I just read, that the Nets-Jazz deal happened in 24 hours NO ONE else had a chance, assets or no assets

Reading comprehension time: "Nets-Jazz deal happened in 24 hours... Nets-Jazz deal happened in 24 hours... Nets-Jazz deal happened in 24 hours... Nets-Jazz deal happened in 24 hours... Nets-Jazz deal happened in 24 hours... NO ONE else had a chance, assets or no assets... NO ONE else had a chance, assets or no assets... NO ONE else had a chance, assets or no assets... NO ONE else had a chance, assets or no assets... NO ONE else had a chance, assets or no assets..." Thanks.

Blogger's note: Now you need to work on typing skills because one of your keys is stuck, it seems

[doug]

@Kent why do you always state 99% of these people would agree or the other day 99.9 % of something or another in one of your arguments ....you know it's alright to stand up and just have a opinion by yourself, it's allowed you know, just saying...so the guys I mentioned are all current young all-stars, and future HOF'ers and Barg's "won't even come close to them"...well see that's my point, he is leading them in scoring for the past month...for a guy that is "no good" and "should be traded"and "is a bust" not a bad accomplishment...thanks for proving my point...see it's too easy

[sam]

@Nick - Your Website is with out a doubt the silliest thing I've seen today -
Can you start a trade Kent, or Kelsey, or Eddy, or Aditya website -
There's Entertainment -

[joe]

The Nets trade for Williams is excellent for the Raps. Right now New Jersey is only slightly ahead of the Raptors in the standings. Williams will improve them and Jersey will push away from the Raps. This means the Raps will likely finish in the bottom 4 and get a shot at getting a top 3-4 pick in the draft and hopefully drafting that stud player they so desperately need.