Grab the Opening Tip: Felon Edition.
No Arenas. No Mason. No Stevenson. 7-25 on the season. 3-7 in their last 10. 2nd night of a back-to-back. Worst team in the East. Second worst in the league. The Ugliest uniforms in pro sports…do you see where I’m going with this? Raptors have a shot at salvaging the Bucks game that slipped through their fingers, with the possibility of taking 4 of their last 5 heading into the weekend (Memphis being the worst team in the league).
As we all have painfully learned over the years, you can’t take anything for granted in Raptorland, especially early leads, double digit leads, multiple double digit leads, 54.2% shooting, Bargnani’s resurgence…
The Raptors can’t take this game for granted. Sure the Wizards only have 7 wins, but they are better then their record indicates. They too have gone through a tough schedule, but unlike the Raptors, there is a bit of hope with the team. They have been playing some stingy defense, only giving up 92 points a game over their last 5 (including a gritty 80-77 win over the Cavs).
This defensive renaissance is due in part to Dominic McGuire’s insertion into the starting 5. The long-athletic second year player has been hitting the glass hard, blocking shots and getting into the passing lanes.
Unfortunately for them, their offense is sputtering. Hard to expect much with Arenas and Stevenson on the sidelines (and Mason lighting it up in San Antonio), but the Raptors will have to keep Butler off the board. Against the Magic, he was scoreless in the 1st half, but went off for 29 in the second, so you know he’s feeling it.
On the other hand, the Raps have won 2 of their last 3, both wins coming against a quality opponent. Would be three in a row, but the Bucks were just too much for the tired Raps on the second night of a back-to-back. A key to the Raptors semi-surge has been the play of Bargnani. His last 5 games have probably been the best stretch of consecutive performances he has put together since his rookie season. How? He is getting burn, starting alongside Bosh, and isn’t being shuffled around from position to position. Clearly defined role. There’s even talk of keeping JO on the bench on his return to keep Bargnani producing. I can live with him not rebounding if he just scores, and takes some of the load off Bosh. Interestingly enough, when he scores, his defense and rebounding increase, funny how things work.
A big key for the last few games has been Rokoman, who have stepped in for an injured Calderon nicely. Solomon has been playing under control, distributing the ball, and hitting a shot from time to time averaging 7.7pts and 7.3ast over the last 3. Roko on the other hand has been badass. Kid has been driving to the rack, running the break, distributing the ball and even got a haircut for a 3 game average of 8.3pts and 3.7ast. It would be a huge bonus if their play continues when Calderon returns from injury. If Rokoman can provide 15+ minutes of quality for JC it would save his legs for the rest of the year.
Bosh has been Bosh. Not so sure he has checked out considering he is averaging 25.4pts and 10.4rebs over the last 5. I don’t have much to say about the guy, he’s sick and is the reason we aren’t Memphis. Last season, the Wizards owned the Raptors, taking 3 of the 4 in the season series. Thankfully Roger Mason Jr. isn’t here to continually break our hearts with each dagger he stuck from the perimeter.
Match-ups
Rokoman vs James
The Edge: Washington - It’s probably closer to even, but I just don’t have a good feeling about this match-up. James is a pit-bull going through a mini-resurgence since his arrival in Washington. Getting about 11.4pts and 3.4ast a game…not bad with all things considered. If Rokoman can keep James jacking jumpers on the perimeter, and out of the paint, things wont go south.
Parker vs Butler
The Edge: Washington - Butler is a nice-nice player. What a steal he was for the Wizard, since all they had to give up was Kwame Brown (who seems to be more valuable as a trade piece then a player, lol). Parker has had solid back-to-back games (19pts 3rebs 3.5ast) running the floor, hitting jumpers and D’ing up the opposing SG. With Arenas and Stevenson out, the offensive burden will fall to Butler, who will be attacking Parker like JO does strippers. Hopefully defensive rotations are on the ball tonight.
Moon vs McGuire
The Edge: Even - McGuire’s defensive prowess will be wasted on Moon, who takes bad shots anyways. This match-up will play itself out on the boards and in transition. Neither of these guys is going to be a game changer for their team, but their contributions on defense will be crucial. Hopefully Moon doesn’t fall for too many pump-fakes.
Bosh vs Jamison
The Edge: Toronto - Wont be an easy game for CB4, that’s for sure, but he wins most of the pre-game match-ups by default because of the mismatch opportunities he poses. Jamison has scored 20 or more points in 4 of the last 6 times he has played the Raps, and double-doubles in 4 of the last 5. Gotta keep him off the boards, and I can live with him being a jump shooter as long as he doesn’t get into the paint. Note to Raptors, try and get the ball to Bosh EVERY SINGLE TIME.
Bargnani vs Songaila
The Edge: Toronto – VL is killing it the last couple games. Songaila is outmatch here in size and ability. He can’t defend Bargs in the paint, he can’t bother him on the perimeter. Still a little skeptical on Bargnani’s long term outlook, but at least he could be used as a decoy to free up Bosh some.
Line
Vegas.com has the Wizards at -1.5. It’s gonna be a tight one, there is no doubt.
Prediction
Either way, it is going to be a tight game. Just that my faith in the Raptors during tight games is non-existent. I have this sick feeling Butler and Jamison are going to have monster games, and squeak out a tight win after an early double-digit deficit. But the idiot in me say the Raptors will take this one by 7. I’m going with the idiot on this one.
Viva la Ukic!
100 Raps
Parker + VL for Diop, Wright and Howard?…..
IF WE DO DEAL THIS VL WILL BECOME A 70% 3 SHOOTER AND 9 BOARDS/GAME GUY OVERNIGHT
THAT IS THE RAPTORS CURSE
I’m ordering my Diop jersey today!
i would rather have brandon bass then diop personally, but it’s not a bad deal.
also not so sure about howard this season, hasn’t been playing all that great. maybe a change of scenery will help, but do we want to risk that?
I would MUCH rather have Brandon Bass too, but I don’t think that’s in the realm of possibility.
How legit is that rumors though? i wouldn’t mind it but is howard really a slasher? and Diop wouldnt b horrible..
i would rather trade JO as he had been really coming along before his “bruise”, and his trade value could be reasonable. AB has been playing well off late and I would hate for him to blossom elsewhere and feel like the Bulls 2 seasons after trading Brand.
i hate this deal!! howard is a problem guy and i cant live with trading parker and keepng kappono. especially with the resurgance of il mago i think we should let this play out a little bit longer.. wait for a deal for either jo and or kappono.
yup…
i read that article, and thought it, uh, interesting. mainly cause of this:
‘Anthony Parker is more than a throw-in, giving Dallas the starting two-guard they so desperately need. In fact, Parker might be the more important piece in this transaction. A prolific scorer in his own right, Parker can create his own shot, score in a variety of ways, and also defend the bigger twos of the Western Conference.’
when i see the terms ‘prolific scorer’ & ‘can create his own shot’ used in reference to parker, i gotta wonder. dallas’ 2 situation must be even shittier than TO’s – why don’t they just go with Jet? yeah, he’s valuable coming off the bench, but jeez.
i’d rather see bass coming back as well, and as much of an advocate as i’ve been of VL being dealt, i wonder if howard’s the answer.
i laughed when i read that too. he might flourish with kidd and nowitzki on the perimeter though, but like…profilic? lol
I would not trade Bargnagni at this point. He has been too productive and shows way too much potential. Especially for Josh Howard, as he is being shopped by Dallas precisely because he has been UNable to adjust to slashing to the net. Dallas has asked him to stop shooting so much. This is not the answer to the Raptor’s problem, and would leave us void at the SG spot, in terms of defence. I like Diop though.
1) Moon isn’t playing tonight.
2) Is AB = VL ? If yes, why ? What it mean ?
vl = vegetable lasagna…no meat in the game. the moniker stays until he does a 20 game stretch of solid production.
I’d like to see Bosh put together a 20 game stretch of solid production too! Let’s invent stupid nicknames for everyone.. Lord knows we need it!
also “vegetable” for his frequent brain lapses and gaping mouthpiece.
Chalk it up to hoopsworld to invent a rumor where the salaries don’t even match..
They did mention that these were only the principles in the deal and that discussions were ongoing. So I’m sure the salary issue would be worked out. Not saying I buy into this rumour yet, but I don’t think the salary issue is that material.
Funny, for a long time the kiddies at RealGM have been pointing to Josh Howard as the Raptors saviour and asking why BC couldn’t land a guy like that. Now that the rumour is out there, they are all turtling over there.
I’m wondering if this wasn’t leaked just to see what other offers might flood in if it’s thought that Bargs in on the table and a relative trade value has been set.
great point on training to set some sort of trade value for bargnani.
DON”T TRADE BARGS!!!!
I don’t know if I buy this rumour but if there’s been a time to trade Bargnani, this is it. He’s have five good games in a row, that’s almost unheard off. Either he’s turned the corner and will become the consistent player we all want him to be OR he’s going to revert back to VL status.
As ebrian pointed out the salaries don’t even match so there’s probably more players involved. Howard’s exactly what we need and somebody we should’ve made a run at much earlier (just like Pietrus). I just don’t see Colangelo admitting that he was wrong about taking Bargnani #1.
pietrus…*sigh*
I’d be interested in finding out whether or not Chris Bosh is in Colangelo’s future plans.
Arse,
I would have thought the same thing not too long ago, but now I’m not so sure, and heres’s why:
BC’s reputation has taken a helluva hit this year and his own value is falling. Regarding Bargs: he’s a lot like Nortel. Greedy and/or naive investors still think it’s a $120 per share company and think it’s currently a steal. Insightful investors read the company’s financial statements and try to predict realistic future performance based on past performance and realize it’s currently priced accurately.
Kind of like Bargs. There are a lot of greedy naive people out there that hold out hope he can actually blossom into a true first overall pick. Knowledgable basketball insiders look at his actual performance stats and look at the agregate of his past performances and realize he will likely never realize that perceived potential.
Personally, I’m somewhere in the middle – but BC can’t afford to be.
I wouldn’t be too surprized if BC tried to cash out while Bargs’s value has recently spiked.
Also, if he really wants to keep Bosh, he needs to get hime REAL help now, and not the POTENTIAL help he currently has around him. So a lot depends on BC’s actual long term plans.
True, if BC wants to keep Bosh then he has to bring in some real young talent in here, otherwise Bosh will just go to a team that already has pieces (Detroit). I would love to know what MLSE thinks of the job BC is doing and whether they’re pushing a move or not.
Arsenalist,
If he’s given major minutes from here forward … yes, indeed … Bargnani has turned The Corner … which many others couldn’t see coming up for the longest time.
He is NOT Dirk Nowitzki.v2. Never was. Never will be.
IMO, though … he most definitely has the chance to become a better version of Bill Laimbeer. Always has had THAT in him, for those who knew what to look for.
————————–
If Jermaine O’Neal’s presence in the line-up ever eats into Bargnani’s PT again … it will be a real shame.
——
Colangelo needs to sit tight, right now … re: Bosh, Calderon & Bargnani, and ride this season out … regardless where the team finishes.
As he’s doing THAT … the bargaining chips they have to play SHOULD BE:
* Jermaine O’Neal
* Jason Kapono
* Anthony Parker
Can they get the 8th playoff spot this season, as is?
Maybe. Maybe not.
It’s really irrelevant, at this point.
The ship heading towards the EC Finals for the next few years has already passed.
Time to let it go. Chasing it now … will only lead to a Titanic whirlpool down-the-road.
Start Over … right now … by continuing to build again with Bosh, Calderon and Bargnani.
Ukic is the tandem PG to go with Calderon. He is going to be plenty good enough to get the job done in future years.
Keep the upcoming draft picks. Use those to build the team gradually.
Unload O’Neal as soon as a solid deal comes your way that will improve the team by adding solid young athletic players to the core group, at a reasonable cost … e.g. like Rodney Carney, Royal Ivey, Ramon Sessions, Solomon Jones, Louis Amundson, etc.
Get the dynamic SCORING Wing Player most solid High End NBA teams need in the Draft, ala Scottie Pippen, Clyde Drexler, Sean Elliot, Rip Hamilton, Manu Ginobili, etc.. They are not really THAT impossible to find … if you know what to look for.
There is no reason whatsoever that the Raptors SHOULD BE anything other than a first-class operation in the NBA if the people running things actually know what they’re doing and a commitment to actually TRY TO WIN THE NBA CHAMPIONSHIP in the not-too-distant future [i.e. by the time Chris Bosh retires].
——————————–
If Chris Bosh chooses to walk away in 2 years time.
Then, simply, start over again … with the available cap space … if a solid trade can’t be worked out heading toward the Trade Deadline THAT last season of his existing contract [which is highly unlikely, IMO, as there will definitely be GM's in this league who would LOVE to add CB4 to their team, at that juncture].
——————————–
Right now … this organization can go choose to go to the top or it can continue sliding into TREADMILL TERRITORY.
It is going to be most interesting to see which way MLSE decides to go.
not to worry, doughy smith reports that the rumour is a total fabrication, or something along those lines. and as has been proven repeatedly in the past, if there’s one thing that can be banked on, it’s smith. he’s downright prescient.
Ummmm he said the Smitch was totally safe….
I’m pretty sure Yertu was being sarcastic.
and … just to keep the good folks here abreast of recent developments with a solid under-the-radar player like Rodney Carney. Short & sweet. Enjoy! : )
For the first time in ages I read one of Khandor’s posts and I agreed with it. The rest of my day will be spent in deep introspection.
Unless a deal that both addresses the Raptors’ wing problems while giving them the cap flexibility they have presents itself, the team should just ride out the failure of the plan that got them to this point in the season. It’s only one season (for which I am literally paying but that’s another story).
One player I wonder about though is Ben Gordon – I’m not sure we need a dunker so much as a SG/SF who fills in the space created by Bosh, Bargnani and Calderon. The guy the team needs has to be able to go to the rim but also has to be able to make the open jumper, quickly. Michael Redd would be a good fit if he weren’t oldish and expensive. Anyone else’s thoughts?
Who can we get for Kapono and Humpfries ?
I wanna hear your suggestions.
Howard would be nice in Toronto BUT! not for bargs. that would ruin our plan. Despite all the negatives suurounding B.C. moves he actually is leading toronto to champonship level.
in 2010 if bosh re-signs, we could sign howard or ginobli.
we could trade JO for an impact player
or a bunch of pieces and a swingman
oh yeah and bring Carlos defino back.
B.C Decisions will be so important in the next 2 years.
Sam,
You know the story about the high school aged boy who doesn’t understand where his father’s coming whenever he speaks with him … and, then, goes far away to university for a while … and, then, returns home again, in the summer, only to discover just how much “smarter” his father seems to have become in the time since he’s been away AT SCHOOL learning about life?
You know THAT story?
Well …
cats in the cradle?
Are you trying to say you’re my father? I’m pretty sure you’re not.
And why’d you have to ruin it with the arrogance? I was on the verge of giving you credit for saying the Nets might be better than the Raptors at the beginning of the season. Now you’ll get no such credit you Memphis-biased condescendor.
Free Rodney Carney – send him to Canada!
this is gold! lol
seriously… i’m still laughing! hahaha
high school aged boy and he doesn’t understand where his father’s coming?
by high school he should have figured out where his father comes.
Agree with Khandor, and Victor, trading bargs is not the solution and dealing AP will leave a big hole in the SG specially on the defensive end. The players TO should shop are JO; Kapono and maybe Humphries especially is he’s not playing.
I agree to with the Calderon-Ukic tandem. It’ll work on the long run.
Bring Back Delfino!
there also is a game tonight eh guys? lol
This article makes it clear there is not a game tonight – it speaks of Toronto playing Washington. That’s not a game.
This is not the deal to unload Bargnani – if the want O’Neal we should jump at it.
If a trade with Dallas could be made, involving Bargnani for Josh Howard, it’s a deal that the Raptors should absolutely make.
Going into a free agency period offering Jose Calderon, Josh Howard, Chris Bosh and then signing a max contract worthy player …. that can be the core of a contender for years to come.
You also have magnificent lineup flexibility after that trade. Josh Howard is perfectly capable to play either at shooting guard or at small forward, so you can add almost any type of wing next to him and make it work. Chris Bosh is also capable of playing power forward or center at an extremely high level, so again you can add a big man who plays at either slot. In other words …. you’ll roll into free agency able to acquire either a SG or SF or PF or C and make it work.
If that trade was completed, the minute it was done Bryan Colangelo has to shift his primary focus to free agency. That means dumping contracts like Kapono (Diop if he’s involved in the trade) and possibly Humphries, and if possible Jermaine O’Neal. Colangelo should try to get below the cap for 2009, a tough ask but it may be achievable, and if not focus on 2010. In the meantime he has to use his draft picks wisely, and possibly buy late draft picks, to try and add cheap talent at the end of the roster to go alongside his high contract players of Jose Calderon, Chris Bosh, Josh Howard and another large contract.
A trio of Calderon, Howard and Bosh will be hugely enticing to available free agents. The opportunity for contending for a title will be a huge draw.
The fearsome foursome? Anyone? No? Yes?
i worry that bargnani hasn’t been given the right environment to develop over the last 2.5 years under smitch, imho. suppose bargnani were to develop into what bc thought when drafting him? 20/7. wouldn’t that be just as enticing? then, you have the point guard, power forward and center positions locked up. and can go into FA and the draft looking for wings, both cheap and starter quality.
that is the assumption that bargs develops in toronto. the safer bet would be to make a move for howard, maybe.
If this trade where available, and passed on by Bryan Colangelo …
Colangelo would be taking a massive risk on a player who’ll give questionable contributions and has questionable potential over a certainty. A certainty which changes the whole dynamic of 2009 or 2010, and opens a huge window to building a contender.
I guess the question comes down to how much talent would you need to receive to give up on the potential of Bargnani … and I’m sure those answers would vary hugely (interesting poll?) … but Josh Howard offers more than enough for my liking.
I’d also rather have a guard/wing/big than a guard/big/big, more flexibility structure wise.
Anyone who thinks that trade is good for Toronto are probably the same cretins who thought the O’Neal trade was good for Toronto.
If the goal is to show Bosh you care, this is the deal to make. I think if BC’s decision is to unload Bargnani he’s not going to get a better offer than this (assuming he did). Is Howard an ideal character? No, but I’m tried of getting nice character guys, and besides, don’t we REALLY, REALLY need an athletic wing who can drive the ball???
I think Bargnani’s last five games are clouding a lot of peoples’ judgment and they’re scared that they might be giving away a budding superstar.
“I think Bargnani’s last five games are clouding a lot of peoples’ judgment and they’re scared that they might be giving away a budding superstar.”
Arsenalist,
The latter part of your comment, I can go with. But clouding my judgment – for what it’s worth – is not how I’ve looked at the past 5 games. Call me an eternal optimist, but I’ve never been out of AB’s corner. And yes, one can look at the circumstances for Barg’s progress as excuses, but what else would you like to call them.
Factors play a part in any development, and with AB, I think there were many. Language, new country, Mitchell, proper minutes, rabid fans, plus learning a position that really isn’t so different, but is. Then add teams who adapted to his play – while Bargs was not quite so. Throw in a heavy dose of doubt, and you have our 5 man. Someone — who despite all this — has a talent under all that.
We started to see that guy this year. Then somewhere along the line, we got into the experimental phase – one where Bargs might’ve started at the PG position if we thought we could win more games.
So now Mitch is gone, the language and country are rounding into form, fans are happier with him (and this is where the 5 game stint helps), add more minutes, and secure a position. We still have the rabid fans – can’t change that – but we can focus on his confidence. And that’s another reason why the last 5 games mean something.
I guess we could trade him, to someone who sees all that. But it would be a shame to let someone we’ve dragged through all this, shine somewhere else. It’s a trend in Toronto – and maybe more a Leaf trait – that turns fans off. We all know sports is a business, but sometimes we’d just like to be there, when the business gets started. And grows up. Kinda like having a baby.
I think Bargnani’s first two season’s are clouding some people’s judgement. I have always been in his camp and he has the talent everyone is seeing now. No one on this team has been jerked around more. He needs consistent playing time like he’s getting now and a consistent role. He is the player we wanted and will only get better. Dalls wants to unload Howard because he settles for the shot too much…we don’t need another SG that won’t penetrate. For the guy who said the VL stay until he puts twenty great games together please show me that from Calderone, Bosh or most others…Drop the bs and give the kid some credit. Problem is when O’neal returns Triano will put Bargs on the bench and get him 11 minutes one game and twenty the next…hardly what you develop players with.
BC needs to convince Bosh that Bargnani is part of the ideal team here in Toronto, because, as Khandor has stated and defended, Bargnani is the perfect positional big man next to Bosh. This can only be done if Bargnani continues to play consistently and we get an athletic wing man who can help the team out. Bargnani and Bosh need some help to rack up some wins.
It is one thing to try to please Bosh by making the right moves – it is another to try to satisfy him at the expense of future W’s. Bosh needs to have confidence that BC will make the right moves…what worries me, is that hiring Messina would alienate Raps fans even more, and will do so to Bosh who will consider Colangelo’s Euro-agenda greater than his championship one.
absolutely right, and also if Bosh is convinced then he won’t have to force as many shots knowing he has Bargs and the ball should be spread around which will ultimately make for better looks for Bosh
THE GRASS IS ALWAYS GREENER ON THE OTHER SIDE
Please please PLEASE click on this link and see what the Mav’s fans think of this trade.
http://mavsblog.dallasnews.com/archives/2009/01/brace-yourself-for-a-bunch-of-josh-howar.html
They say (like I said in an earlier post today) that Howard is lazy on defence, doesn’t really rebound or drive the ball much, and is content to take jumpers.
Howard is SO NOT the answer to the Raptors problems, and does not fill our need for a wing who can create off the dribble and get his teammates open looks, especially in crunch time.
All the posts I’ve read there hate the trade.
i wonder if this rumour was floated out of TO, to (artificially) inflate VL’s perceived value. essentially, if he’s mentioned in a trade scenario that would net a josh howard, then that legitimizes his value at that level…setting the bar, so to speak, on what it would take to pry him out of TO.
i still chuckle when i think about the article, though, and the glowing terms in which AP was discussed.
‘lazy on defence, doesn’t really rebound or drive the ball much, and is content to take jumpers.’
geez. doesn’t that describe half the raps’ roster?
put it this way…2 weeks ago, this trade would have looked pretty damn appealing, no? is it just VL’s recent splurge of good ball that’s making him seem to be of higher value than he really is?
Fucking dummies…Howard is another world class fourth quarter choker….
The Raptors need a fucking alpha wing that wants to take over when Bosh gets overwhelmed…the last thing they need is another fucking disappearing act.
If you are going to take a risk on a talent like Howard, you do it with players that have no potential to improve…
Howard would be great if you are giving up Parker, Kapono, Graham, Hump, O’Neal, Moon….
Fucking idiots….
No fucking instinct for personality, you only look at 3 year old fucking stat sheets….
Nunya – can you please tell us a couple players that you’d like to see on the Raptors, realistically speaking. And maybe some deals that you might try to swing with Bargnani and Parker as the trade-bait.
Truth is that no matter what deal we do we’re not going to get the “answer to our problems”. That will have to happen via draft and clever free agent signings.
Howard would be hounded by the moronic hacks here….he’s deeply uncomfortable with constant scrutiny by the media…you think the fucking stupid questions he is going to be bombarded with in Toronto is going to make him get stronger and more resolute or make him skulk back to his condo to smoke weed?
Some have touched on this already but I don’t think people watch enough Dallas games, because IMO, BC needs to keep Howard far away from here.
Also, is it not more conceivable BC sits tight until he get a permanent coach? And how often does BC make mid season moves? Small additions maybe, but major roster shake ups?
I think there are issues at Golden State and they have plenty of wings/guards who don’t get to play.
As mentioned above, Rodney Carney is a terrific player who has never really had a shot who would be GREAT for the Raptors.
Raps Fan + Arsenalist,
I just clicked on that link above to Bargnani’s last five games (Line-O-Meter). That’s a very nice feature … but I was wondering if you could get an average on the minutes played. It has totals/averages for all the other columns except minutes.
It’d be great if that could be added …. especially when you go to last 10 games and I can’t keep track of the math in my head!
I tried to do that when I made that thing but there’s a bug in MySQL that prevents me from doing it correctly, I’ll look at it again soon.
yeah, maybe minny would trade carney for JO?
Yea, because that’s the only possible way it could happen…..
re Bosh. SERIOUS talent needs to be brought in for him to stay, and that won’t happen, plus the JO experiment is a bust. Any free agent worth his salt is waiting for much better opportunities over then next two year, then looking at TO.
Everyone is bent on a roster change because the current one is not going anywhere. Thing is, in life, timing is everything. Not sure right now, as Khandor keeps saying, is the time to do anything at all. Just deal with what you got now, wait for the right deal to come along. Which is what BC is saying as well.
First I agree with Khandor, then Fluxland (sort of) defends BC. I go away for awhile and people at RR go get all reasonable.
At least there’s still nunya, bringing the hate 24/7, 365
There aren’t enough hours in the day or months in the year for the amount of hate I have stored up.
Never said BC would make the right deal or knows what that is.. but at least he sells the idea. The right deal for BC is one that sells tickets not wins rings.
http://www.hoopsworld.com/Story.asp?story_id=11152
so, wonder what the ‘tax-related’ deal is?
mlse is going to charge an idiot tax to anyone buying a ticket to a raptors home game.
HAHAHAHAHAHA!!!!
Sam,
ruin?
Interesting how it is that some who pride themselves on being light-hearted ‘jokesters’ do not appreciate being joked WITH … not at … in return.
==========================
nunya? … are you sure that’s what you meant to write?
———–
The just concussed among you … should do your best to not fall asleep over the next 12 hours … it could be disasterous to your long-term well-being. : )
I was just offended by the Cat Stevens reference. Never liked him, or that song.
But thanks for talking down to me some more. That was nice.
Free Rodney Carney
And nunya, you’re beginning to grow on me, you old lug :*
sorry dude, i was trying to make a funny.
Raps Fan, if you’re talking to me, no apology necessary (although keeping the Cat Stevens references to a minimum is probably a good idea for us all). And keep up the good work along with you’re RR associates.
And Khandor, comment away in peace. You drive me up the wall but it’s not like we’re talking politics here. And, as I said already, I think you’re right.
Is it getting to the point where the motto for this Raptors’ season should be “Let it Die, Already”?
done, no more cat stevens references.
BTW, its Yusuf Islam now.
Like i’ve mentioned above we have to build the team around bosh calderon and bargs. wait til next year to trade o’neal we’ll fill the missing pieces with him and his gigantic contract comming off we will be able to resign bosh plus add another impact player.
trading bargs for howards is crazy! were not going to win the championship this year. Plus, we will make the playoffs this year without a strong small forward.
Good move by Jay to start Joey Graham in SF he certainly has the slashing mentality and he just needs to work on that to draw the D in and kickout to teammates.
I love moon off the bench.
As for our trading chips for this year
Parker: i like parker, but expiring contract plus recent performances will be good trade bait.
Kapono: Love his shaTs, but he aint even shooting anymore. Bargs/Calderon can drain the 3’s. so we can trade him since they make a lot
if were going to trade then we need to get good role players that won’t warm the bench. or if we can package them for a good SF or SG then that would be awesome. we’ll make 2nd round of playoffs.
JO comes off the books next year and man were free to sign antoher big name
Big thigns comming :)
In 2 years when bosh is in new york and memphis has a core of mayo, gay and blake griffin, your gonna wish we were memphis.
if anything trade parker + kapono for Howard.
their salaries match
zero chance, would make my day though.
LOL. We just traded a future conditional second round pick and cash to the Clippers to take Hassan Adams off of our hands. I guess that clears us to keep Voshkul and remain under the tax.
Not the trade I’m sure everyone was hoping for!
great, another draft pick gone, what is that, 4 draft picks bc has traded away? and we wonder why we don’t have any young talent…
Something is going down….Hasam Adams to the Clippers…yipee!!!
Now who is going to become CB4’s new ball washer .
Bosh is missing a testicle??!!!?!?!?! I NEVER KNEW
Parker + Kapono = Howard??
No chance unless Josh shares some of his stash with Cube. Wait a minute…
Sorry, that should read that we GOT a conditional second round pick.
ahhh, thats better…
Howard should come to toronto we have better weed for him to smoke
RapthoseLeasfs (I think its supposed to be RapthoseLeafs?) – you and I are the exact opposite. You have been in Bargnani’s corner from day one and I’ve been wanting to draft Roy or Aldridge from day one. Your post about the factors that are holding back might be true but I say even after he gets over the language, Mitchell etc. barrier, he’s still not a high caliber NBA player. We get excited when he has 18 pts and 6 rebs, go check the daily box scores in the NBA and see how many players net those numbers. Many. Point is that he could be a good player, but nothing worth hanging on to at all costs.
Endo,
Drafting Aldridge and the conflict with Bosh (at his position) — we could debate. Alderidge`s poor 3pt% doesn`t help – an advantage that AB brings to Bosh`s game.
Drafting Roy would`ve been great intuition, and I like that you had your Crystal Ball working well in 06. But other GM`s didn`t have theirs — he was a gamble they weren`t about to make. Eventually that gamble became reasonable down the draft line.
Without getting into the AB going 1st overall debate — a useless conversation NOW, if I`ve ever had one — BC saw something that, right or wrong, had Bosh at the 4, and AB at the 5. Bargs offers a solid Center (and stop thinking Dirk now), who offers quality play at a REASONABLE price. What everyone seems to forget, is how convoluted the CBA. Make the wrong move, and you screw up a team`s dynamics for years to come. I like JO, but look what his salary is doing to this team. We`re handcuffed. Not so with AB. If he can put up quality numbers, and he appears to be doing that, plus play D, which we see a big change in, then he`s good value for his spot. JO is not, and that`s where they differ. And why I think we need to keep Bargs.
Bargs contract is NOT reasonable! he makes just as much as kapono and the qualifying offer for his nexx contract is 8.5 mil!!!
its all fine and dandy being derogatory on the net,but i guarantee you this,let me be in a public place and hear someone making comments like vl or bashing euros and im slapping the fuck out of the bitch.be forewarned…..i don’t get where its acceptable.im sure mocking the black players with fried chicken and watermelon nicknames isnt acceptable you classless losers…so what, we get an oriental player and were going to call him cp for crappy rice?…fucking idiotic losers.
I hope you know VL is based on a Seinfeld episode.
we equally discriminate amongst everyone here andiamo, not just pasta dishes.
I’ll be there with you Andiamo.
Give the kid a break. Don’t forget he didn’t grow up playing U.S. style bbal or college ball so much of this is a learning, plus he had a shitty coach in Mitchell who really jerked him around.
By the way who’s the idiot who said Bargs is paid alot because he makes as much as Kapono… are you comparing Kapono to Bargnani? Are you kidding? Do you watch the same basketball I do?
Idiot in you wins RapsFan lol. Raptors win by 7:)
Still hate willie solomon tho, his retarded moves and lack of defense at the end could have cost em the game… Luckily it didnt bite him in the ass cuz wizards settled for dumb 3s at the end and missed everything.
woohoo, 100! hey, where is everyone?