Those who know me know one thing: I’m all about keepin’ it real. So let’s be realistic. I had hoped to write a column today about how the Raptors had been reborn:
- Jay Triano had been fired and replaced by Eddie Jordan or Avery Johnson.
- O’Neal and Moon had been transformed in Shawn Marion.
- Roko Ukic had demanded more playing time (and was listened to).
- Delfino had come back from Europe.
- Joe Smith had been cut by OKC and ignored the Celtics by signing with the Raps.
- Calderon was healthy.
- Bosh had decided to play like a max-money player.
But after returning from my vacation with the kids at Disneyworld, reality set in. Perhaps I was sniffing a little too much of the pixie dust, no? As it stands this morning, the Raptors are 14th in the Eastern Conference, 5 ½ games out of the 8th and final playoff spot in the Eastern Conference. Since there are still 24 games to play, the boys still have a shot at the final seed, right? Actually, no they don’t. According to John Hollinger at espn.com, the Raptors only have a 5.5% chance of making the playoffs.
What makes this even more difficult for the Raptors is that they would have to climb over 5 teams to earn the 8th spot. Adding to their problems is the fact that the 6th and 7th seeded teams are playing .500 ball, and even the 8th seeded team is playing close to .500 ball this season, having won 47.5% of their games. In comparison, the Raptors are playing a horrible .379 ball (only Washington and the bottom feeders of the Western Conference have played worse).
Even if the Raptors were to play .600 ball from here until the end of the season (which no one would suggest they are capable of seeing that this would require them to go 15-9 over their final 24 games) their record at the end of the season would stand at 37-45. Unlike last season when it only took Atlanta 36 wins to make the playoffs in the 8th spot of the Eastern Conference, Milwaukee (who currently sits 8th) already has 28 wins with 25 games to play. In 2009, 8 games under .500 will not get you into the playoffs, no matter what conference you play in.
So let’s be realistic. The season is over.
What is much more realistic is that the Raptors play out the final 24 games somewhere in the .400-.475 range and win approximately 11 of their final 24 games. Expect players like Marion, Bosh, Bargnani, and Jose to compete and attempt to make a run at the 8th spot but to ultimately fall short and end up in the 11 or 12 seed in the East. And with a final record of 33-49, the Raptors can expect to find themselves drafting in the 8-11 spots after teams like:
LAC, OKC, MEM, SAC, GS, WAS, CHAR, INDY, and NJ.
The good news for the Raptors is that drafting in the 8-10 spot this year will be a very nice space for them. While most teams rebuilding would like to hit the real lottery and pick in the top 5, the truth is that in the 8-11 spots, historically, lots of excellent players have emerged. In fact, the argument could be made that outside of the 1st 3 picks, the last decade has witnessed the 8-11 picks producing better NBA players (not necessarily super-duper stars, but solid NBA starters) than the 4-7 spots.
And for every year like 2003, where guys like Bosh, Wade, Kaman and Hinrich go 4-7, there are years like 2002 that saw both Amare and Caron Butler, or 1999 that saw A. Miller, Marion, and Terry get drafted in the 8-11 spots.
Check it out:
2008
- 4-7: R. Westbrook, K. Love, D. Gallinari, and E. Gordon
- 8-11: J. Alexander, D.J. Augustin, B. Loez, J. Bayless
2007
- 4-7: M. Conley,J. Green, Y. Jianlian, C. Brewer
- 8-11: B. Wright, J. Noah, S. Hawes, A. Law
2006
- 4-7: T. Thomas, S. Williams,B. Roy, R. Foye
- 8-11: R. Gay, P. O’Bryant, S. Sene, J.J. Redick
2005
- 4-7: C. Paul, R. Felton, M. Webster, C. Villenueva
- 8-11: C. Frye, I. Diogu, A. Bynum, F. Vasquez
2004
- 4-7: S. Livingston, D. Harris,J. Childress, L.Deng
- 8-11: R. Aruajo, A. Iguodala, L. Jackson, A. Beidrins
2003
- 4-7: C. Bosh, D. Wade, C. Kaman, K. Hinrich
- 8-11:TJ Ford, M. Sweetney, J. Hayes, M. Pietrus
2002
- 4-7: D. Gooden. N. Tskitishvili,D. Wagner, N. Hilario
- 8-11: C. Wilcox, A. Stoudamire, C. Butler, J. Jeffries
2001
- 4-7: E. Curry, J. Richardson, S. Battier, E. Griffin
- 8-11: D. Diop, R. White, J. Johnson, K. Brown
2000
- 4-7: M. Fizer, M. Miller, D. Johnson, C. Mihm
- 8-11: J. Crawford, J. Pryzbilla, K. Dooling, J. Moiso
1999
- 4-7: L. Odom, J. Bender, W. Szerbiak, R. Hamilton
- 8-11: A. Miller, S. Marion. J. Terry, T. Langdon
The point is simply that the Raps shouldn’t worry about tanking the season from this point out, since the odds of them getting into the bottom 5 and having a real shot at the top three are not very good. Instead, they should focus on building a system with a real style of play and simply spend the last 24 games as a tune up for next season.
Realistically, in the 8-11 spots in the 2009 draft, the Raptors will not be in the Blake Griffin sweepstakes, but can expect to find good quality players at all positions available.
I’ve listed below a couple of guys at each position that should be available come the 8th pick. I’ve also listed their current school in case you wanted to gear up for March Madness by getting out your scouting reports and getting ready to watch some of these guys in action. While this draft does have two or three PFs or Cs that should go in the top 5, after that there is a significant drop off in talent in terms of big men. On the flip side, with most of the top 5 going to “bigs”, that leaves a plethora of PGs and SGs to round out the top 15, many of whom are legit NBA prospects. While this is not the deepest draft in the last 5 years (with several superstars in the making), it certainly appears to be very deep at the guard spots and offers the teams drafting between 7-15 many choices for future starting SGs and PGs.
Note * denotes a Senior
C
- Cole Aldrich, Kansas
- Jerome Jordan, Tulsa
PF
- Jordan Hill, Arizona
- *Tyler Hansbrough, North Carolina (this would be considered too high to draft a player like Hansborough, but with is IQ, motor, and success at the collegiate level, he might be the perfect complement to a front court that already houses Bosh and Bargnani).
SF
- Earl Clark, Louisville
- DaJuan Summers, Georgetown
SG
- Demar DeRozan, USC
- Gerald Henderson, Duke
- *Terrence Williams, Louisville
Tweener Guards:
- Willie Warren, Oklahoma
- Stephen Curry, Davidson
- Jrue Holiday, UCLA
PG
- Brandon Jennings, Italy (possible- but don’t get your hopes up about him being available this late)
- Ty Lawson, North Carolina
- *Darren Collison, UCLA
As always, standing in the key, I’m the Dr. I’ve got my feet planted and I’m planning on taking a charge!
phdsteve
57 Raps
What about Jodi Meeks? would he be eligible? and or good enough to take at that spot?
heres the deal with Meeks.
He is an awesome scorer! I mean, he is lights out from the floor, quick, loves to penetrate and take it to the rim…and man can he score. he is averaging close to 25ppg this season at kentucky and even had a 50+ point game the other night. there is lots to like about his game.
Here’s the down side- at 6′2- he’s too short to play the 3 in the NBA and is also pretty small to play the 2. However, the bigger issue is that he really is not a strong ball handler, which is going to make the transition to the pros even more difficult.
Right now, I see him as a second round pick- but that will probably change between now and the draft- especially if he keeps dropping 30 points a night. If he has a big tourney look for him to rise into the mid teens.
But Id say its pretty safe to guess that if BC really wanted to buy apick with the 3 mil in cash he got in the JO deal (like he said he was going to do)- there will be lots of teams in the 20s looking to sell- and Meeks could be had in the 20s.
If the team was going to commit to a run- and – gun offense, then Meeks would be a solid pick in the 20s but I think 8 is too high a pick for a tweener guard, who is too small to play the 2 and not a strong enough ball handler to play the point.
but man can he score!
fyi- the university of kentucky is listing him at 6′4 but i think that may be a little generous.
Two problems as I see them:
1. Since I don’t think Triano’s going to be the coach next year, there’s no way we can truly prep for next year.
2. You have to think that the roster for next year will be significantly different than what it is now so we can’t really tune up for next season.
Rest of the year should be used to give Roko, Jawai etc. playing time so we can properly evaluate them and see what they can realistically offer us next year.
i could live without jawai playing another minute in a raptors uniform. he doesn’t belond in the league, i hope i’m not alone in this.
good point about finishing 8-11, should keep bosh happy hes competing to win and keep the raps in a position to get a youngin who can help.
welcome back man :)
There is 5.5 % chance of Raps keeping Triano past this season unless he goes on a rampage with the team from now on and makes the playoffs…Another point: I’d like to see AP gone next year for a solid young 2-guard.
Your not alone on Jawai raps fan, the big kid belongs in the ABA 2000 garbage but not in this league.
Also, it’d be interesting to see this line up testes: Jose, Ukic, Marion, Bargnani and Bosh with Roko pushing the ball for the remainder of the season.
that’s “tested” and not “testes” ahahaha “see this line-up testes” how gay is dat:)
I disagree with Arsenalist. I think Triano will be back next year as Colangelo will put blame on injuries, the problems integrating JO and Jay not having a training camp to work with. I’ve heard him say that Triano is doing a great job and I honestly think he feels he’s found another D’antoni in Triano.
I also don’t see a whole lot of changes to the roster coming although I think there should be. Sounds like Collangelo just wants to re-sign most of the guys – Parker, Marion, Delfino and Graham. I’m sure there will be some tinkering but I don;t expect an overhaul.
I don’t believe there’s a snowball’s chance in hell that Triano is Head Coach next year and I’d bet that Colangelo told him exactly that when he took the reins from Smitch and handed them – temporarily – to Jay. I don’t know if most here figure that Smitch winning COY screwed up Colangelo’s plans to bring in his own coach … but it seems as obvious to me as anything could, that that’s what happened there. I’m thinking he wanted Ettore Messina back then … but had to put it on hold. He won’t be denied again … hence the quick trigger on Smitch, as soon as he could justify it, this year.
As for Bosh, if one of my kids had the kind of personality change that Chris Bosh (on the court) seems to have had starting from around the time he publicly announced his MVP intentions, I’d be checking his pockets and all the secret hiding places I could imagine … and wouldn’t be surprised if I found what I’d hope not to find. If I got no answers there, I’d probably be having a close look at who he was hanging out with and what it looked like their hobbies might be. As far as I’m concerned (in other words) changes like we’ve seen in CB this year don’t ‘just happen’. Not in the real world or at least, not without SOME explanation. Something’s gotten into his head, one way or another. Either that, or he’s been disguising an injury or illness that’s been keeping him from being the player (the GREAT player) that he was for those first five or six weeks of this season. I don’t know what the solution is there, but if Bryan isn’t all over it, finding out or already knowing, he’s not as sharp as I think he is. Just to throw two cents in that corner.
You write good stuff, Arse. I don’t always agree, but I almost always enjoy it a lot.
this is actually a very interesting discussion- will Triano return next year?
I dont think BC can bring him back and not expect some kind of public backlash- however, I do see the other side of the argument.
But, i think the Messina rumours are really too string to ignore right now- but I really think this team needs a legit NBA coach and that Messina is not the answer.
I don’t know if Messina is the kind of coach (or kind of guy) who could end up being a GOOD NBA coach … but I suspect that he could. Having only read about him and then saw a video (somewhere online) of a bit of the clinic he did the last time he was in Toronto, my guess is that he WOULD become a good coach in the NBA. Why? Because he’s a student of the game (and then some) and he seems to be able to communicate his knowledge (that is, teach) to players and coaches, alike. I can’t imagine that his apparent fundamental understanding of the game wouldn’t adapt to the NBA … at least, in time.
As has been said, how many thought of Doc Rivers as an outstanding coach, before last year? They all grow and evolve (more or less) as time goes by (sometimes when they just get better players to coach, of course) … so I can’t see that Messina wouldn’t do the same, just because he hasn’t yet coached in the NBA. He seems a pretty smart dude.
true about Messina as a student of the game- but the NBA is a different beast. with so many millionaires, its more about how well you can mange people and own their respect than it is about how much you actually know about bball. Triano, for example, has a very high basketball IQ, but doesnt have the respect of his players. Thats why I say that this team needs a proven coach, one who’s name alone commands their respect.
as for Doc Rivers, a couple years back, before he got to beantown, he had the respect of the whole league as coy in Orlando and in Boston he was well regarded in his first year. It was during the burn out year – when they were tanking to try and get Oden that he took tons of heat- but that was really more to do with Ainge not wanting to trade his young players and demanding Doc play them, Pierce not wanting to play through a little pain (and perhaps even faking an injury), and guys like Telfair and scalibrine starting on a team gunning for the lottery.
but your point is valid….win and you are a good coach, loose and you are a moron.
lose, not loose. sorry
Didn’t know that about Doc Rivers, so bad example on my part. And you’re right about Triano I think … he probably does have a good mind for the game, but if he doesn’t have the full degree of respect from the players that a successful coach has to have (and I’m not totally convinced that’s true), it might have more to do with him just kicking around as an assistant for so many years that it’s hard now, for those same players to break out of all the old habits of dealing with him as NOT the top guy. In time (or elsewhere), I don’t think he’d have a problem.
The thing I sense with Messina, is that he’s smart enough to not let that be an issue. He’d give respect and eventually (at least), get it back. It’s often the way those things go … but of course, I could be wrong.
no, Id say, your argument for Messina sounds pretty good.
i hope jay triano stays in TO rather than waste money on another high profile coach. triano and colangelo are on the same page, and they want the team to RUN.
BC should put pieces that would fit the “run-gun” system and dump the current players that don’t fit. Sam smitchell was not BC’s guy and they were not on the same page, sam wants a halfcourt set up style, BC wants the phoenix run style. If we had not made the playoffs last season, and sam mitchell did not win COY 2 seasons ago, BC would have fire him bring D’Antoni here.
i just hope BC does not overrate his players by resigning them to long, large contracts. He should resign Marion (the Raps best player since his arrival, not just based on stats), probably joey (a good energizer off the bench) at a VERY reasonable anti-Jason Kapono price. Cut Parker even if he is an intelligent player because he is old and inconsistent.
If Bosh continues to play awful, trade him ASAP, rather than losing him for nothing in 2010. Also Jose Caldero, he clearly does not fit the system (just a good jumpshooter who can’t take it to the rim) and he cannot handle the minutes of a starting point guard. Groom roko as the team’s future PG, give him minutes and make him the primary backup PG. He will get better, then get Capt’n. Canada.
Send Jawai, O’bryant to the d-league.
BTW, The Leafs looked like the Knicks, getting 2 coaches fired after they beat those teams.
interesting points but i usually think people are crazy once they mention these 2 things…
1. that roko ukic is the future, let alone a role player on a good team, let alone barely able to make it in this league (yes its nice to see him do his thing and have the occasional good game…but he is already 23 (maybe 24) and i just dont see the kid developing…he is a horrrrrrible shooter and he is just not good. i’d only keep him because i like him..and even then id bury him on the bench.
2. all this crazy homer steve nash stuff drives me mad. there is nothing wrong with being proud of the guy but he’s not going anywhere…and if he is i’d have to believe he is ONE DAY going to new york..where he will be old and just as much a defensive liability as he is now. i’d love to see steve on the raptors…but its unrealistic in the next year.
stvncostello- you wanna know whats wrong with bosh? check his pockets? throw an analogy? to play along i suppose youre a bad parent who doesnt realize that its not what your child is doing…its his parents constant fighting that have rendered him helpless (and quite possibly damaged beyond repair)
triano isnt a good head coach, hes a good assistant…he didnt tell this team to run…shawn marion did…and it was one game…if they run with success tomorrow and 3 games after that…then i will say that their style has changed…but they just played even pace with a running team because they had a guy who knew their system. just wait for jose “i wanted to run all along” calderclown to pull up on every possession so that his assist to turnover ratio stays top notch and he can create the statistical illusion that hes worth a damn.
lets pray this team is exciting tomorrow night…they have the potential to do it.
interesting points but i usually think people are crazy once they mention these 2 things…
1. that roko ukic is the future, let alone a role player on a good team, let alone barely able to make it in this league (yes its nice to see him do his thing and have the occasional good game…but he is already 23 (maybe 24) and i just dont see the kid developing…he is a horrrrrrible shooter and he is just not good. i’d only keep him because i like him..and even then id bury him on the bench.
2. all this crazy homer steve nash stuff drives me mad. there is nothing wrong with being proud of the guy but he’s not going anywhere…and if he is i’d have to believe he is ONE DAY going to new york..where he will be old and just as much a defensive liability as he is now. i’d love to see steve on the raptors…but its unrealistic in the next year.
stvncostello- you wanna know whats wrong with bosh? check his pockets? throw an analogy? to play along i suppose youre a bad parent who doesnt realize that its not what your child is doing…its his parents constant fighting that have rendered him helpless (and quite possibly damaged beyond repair)
triano isnt a good head coach, hes a good assistant…he didnt tell this team to run…shawn marion did…and it was one game…if they run with success tomorrow and 3 games after that…then i will say that their style has changed…but they just played even pace with a running team because they had a guy who knew their system. just wait for jose “i wanted to run all along” calderclown to pull up on every possession so that his assist to turnover ratio stays top notch and he can create the statistical illusion that hes worth a damn.
lets pray this team is exciting tomorrow night…they have the potential to do it.
the ceiling for Roko can be found in this formula
Current Roko + decent Jumpshot + some B-ball IQ + some physical developement = potential NBA starter (likely 6th man type)
And you know, I’m ok with that given how little is invested of the guy. Remember that everyone involved in the organization is reportedly blown away by this guy’s effort to improve both physically (gym rat) and mentally (constantly asking questions) shows an effort to improve. I’d rather have that than talent and spotty effort…
dont forget, that people were saying the same thing about Calderon after his first year:
-that he was bound to be an NBA backup
-that he had no jump shot
etc.
Roko is a pretty decent guard. He has excellent size- and a pretty decent wing span. He likes to push the ball, and has a ton of international experience for a young player.
If he really is the “gym rat” then anything is possible.
Some might say that Calderon is still an NBA backup. Get any big guard athletic guard out of college and he’ll outplay Roko any day. Or for that matter from the D-League.
good point. When Calderon is getting taken off the dribble night in and night out, at times, he certainly does look out of place.
I also dont think Roko has a huge NBA upside (and Ive blogged about this for almost a year) but Im not about to write him off until I see what he does in the offseason AFTER his first full year in the NBA. IMHO, thats when you really see which European players are going to be good NBA players. Its not how they do in their first year, but what changes they make, what adjustments, during the offseason that tells all.
Sorry dude. Didn’t mean to hit so close to home for you. It was just a way of saying … . That’s all.
ha…okayyyyyyyy.
yeah, i’m not expecting Roko Ukic to be an all-star caliber type of player like a chris paul, tony parker, deron williams, rajan rondo, devin harris type . But rather a decent point guard who can play solid minutes on both ends of the floor and a good offense initiator like a Chris Duhon (was good backup pg in his Chicago days, now the main pg for the knicks), eric snow, bobby jackson type or a Jose Calderon( The BACKUP, NOT The STARTER yuck!)
Well, I don’t think the Knicks would need steve nash since they have chris duhon who is young, could drive to the lane, shoot 3’s, and play good defense. Yes, steve nash loves to play for D’antoni, but he also loves to play for Jay. Plus steve nash wanted to retire a Raptor. We could sign him in 2010.
Who then should coach the Raps???? Avery Johnson won many games because Dallas already had a solid team, run a great offense w/ don nelson and just lacked the D. Eddie Jordan, he had a big 3 in jamison, butler and arenas but could not get past lebron. Flip Saunders, could never get past the conference finals. JVG, gives the offense a very short leash, very slow paced,. ANd this euro Guy mesina?? PLease….
If Triano is head coach next year I think that’s a sign that BC knows Bosh is done as a Raptor. I can’t imagine Colangelo would feel truly comfortable having Triano lead the “keep Bosh” season unless he knows it’s just going to be a major transition year (Bosh trade before deadline). He can then hand pick his coach based on how the team is constructed after the Bosh trade.
Yes, sometimes good players do go 8-11, but if the draft is as weak as people are saying it is, then it won’t matter what falls down the line because super-secret, overlooked crap is still crap.
I also don’t know why phsteve is previewing NCAA players because our draft pick will be spent getting Emmanuel Sucksballsio III.
As for Triano, I don’t mind if they keep him as an ASSISTANT coach, but I’m not convinced he is head coach material.
lol.
I hear Colangelo is totally in love with his game and has been scouting him for years. Apparently he lived with Gheridini for a while!
one more thing worth noting is that this draft is not as weak as some are saying. While it may not boast any Lebrons or Odens, or a 1-2 punch like Rose and Beasley, I think this draft is deeper than any of the last 5 drafts. I think teams will be able to get legit NBA starters into the late teens and early 20s. Not a lot of Kobes, DWades,and KGs, but a whole lot of Cassells, Bowens, and Horrys- and as we know, you need both types to win titles.
For team who already has a couple of big pieces (like Bosh, Bargs, and Marion) this is the perfect draft to stock up picks in. Becuase you dont need to hit a homerun with a Rubio or Harden, but instead you can 2 or 3 late first rounders for $$$, and fill up your roster and bench with some nice young, athletic (and bball smart) players.
Click the video player on this site right now to see what Devin Harris just pulled against Philly.
He’s unrestricted this summer. My dream is to get rid of Calderon (no longer BYC). Trade Jose to Phoenix for Barbosa and sign Harris, there’s your Eastern Conference finals team.
Devin Harris signed a 5-year extension in September 2007, so he is not a free agent for the foreseeable future.
What about Jeff Teague (Wake)?
He’s bordering on POY honours and according to a lot of mock drafts might be available around pick 8.
I can’t help but think our best move this summer is to keep Triano, resign Marion and trade Bosh.
Clearly our roster isn’t suited to playing defense or half-court basketball. If you can’t guard anyone, you might as well do the full D’Antoni and try to outscore them. At the very least we’d be fun to watch again.
Maybe try and send some sort of variation on Bosh to Washington for Jamison + their pick this year. That’d give us a veteran PF who’s versatile, plus two picks this summer to jump start a rebuild on the cheap.
We’d probably have to waive a few contracts, probably not resign Delfino or Parker.
Of course, if Washington get #1 overall, this goes from slim to none.
Teague is pretty solid. I dont think he’ll be there at 8. I see him as the 1st or 2nd guard off the board (depending on how much a team like Rubio). Teague is really benefiting from Wake’s storng year. I tend to see him going between 4-6. But if it was me, I wouldnt tank my season to get teague over Hill or Collison- and lets face it, eventhough he is having a tough time over in italy, Jennings may end up being the best player to come out of this draft. period. and he will almost certainly drop out of the top 5 9but maybe not to 8).
HELLO? HELLO?
IS ANYONE OUT THERE?
WHAT ABOUT JODIE FUKEN MEEKS???????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????? OK I FEEL BETTER NOW
sorry it took me so long to respond to this- see #1.
The Raps definitely have to resign Marion this offseason. Hopefully we can keep playing the uptempo style we saw Sunday. Shawn is hella underrated by alot of fans imo. He easily has the highest bball iq on the Raps and on top of being a double double machine is a great passer. If Calderon dosen’t want to push the ball let Marion bring the ball up. I’m glad we made that trade with Miami. Moon is GARBAGE and O’Neal is a shell of his former self. For all you Moon fans who rave about his value at 700k check this:
Moon : 132 games played 4 dd’s 0 games with 5 or more assists
Marion: 3 games played 2 dd’s 2 games with 5 or more assists
By the end of the week Shawn will have done more in a Raps uni than Jamario “just happy to be here” Moon ever did.
I also realy like what Ive seen from Marion and think that if they can resign him at a reasonable price- that they should try to keep him.
I happen to agree that there is a chance Triano will be back. D’Antoni did not have a good record his first couple tries in the league and now look at him. So there may be some truth to Jay being back….I have mixed feelings about that.
I have no problem bringing Parker, Graham, Delfino back on the cheap and off the bench. A young 2 guard needs to start, which will be fine with the other 4 guys starting and taking the bulk of the scoring load.
AND for the “something happened to change Bosh early in the season” theory. This is total gossip but….I live in Ottawa, and I was visiting some friends in TO about a month ago to see the PHX game, and was in the VIP section at MUZIK club (totally not my thing but my buddy is security there). Apparently a lot of athletes hang out there – Julius Peppers and Amar’e were there that night (FYI…Amare ain’t 6′9″). Anyhoo, I was talking to some of the staff and their groupie friends about just that subject – that something changed in Bosh early in the season after starting off like gangbusters. The story that was told to me was the Bosh was dumped by his girlfriend early in the season around that time. You know, the short girl that was heckling Lebron last year. Anyway, there’s a bit of gossip for ya that might explain how it started.
I’d just like to point out that there was a time when I also thought that Hansbrough would be a great fit for the Raps – hustle, rebounding, etc… And then I realized that we already have him. His name is Kris Humphries, and he’s not that good.
rofl
I think Hansborough is a huge upgrade from Humphries- but I think you are right that anything before a very LATE first round pick is too much too spend on a 6th man in the NBA.
but fyi- the raps really do miss Humphries and his energy right now.
Kris Humphries is underrated.
If given appropriate time, he would amass the best rebounding numbers on the team.
that was true until Marion arrived- but yes, I agree that Humph is an excellent 6th or 7th man. What Hansborough has that Humph doesnt is
a) better hands
b) is a better passer
c) a higher bball IQ
d) a killer instinct
the only thing limiting hump at this point in his career is the belief that he’s better than he actually is. he could carve out a nice little niche being the first big off the bench for a good team if he’d just KNOW HIS ROLE & look for his offense within the flow of the game…which means, no jacking 13 footers. get on the boards, run the floor, play tough D, and the minutes/touches will come.
100% true!
I only have 2 rules for the raps drafting this year:
No white-americans. (especially seniors – terrible picks historically)
No tweeners (they better have an NBA position- Either PG, Wing or Big)
And remember that College stats are not particularly relative to the playing with men. Draft picks are best picked as assets and not short-term solutions. And is it too god damn much to ask for BC/MLSE to buy some frackin late picks this year?!?!
Edgar, I agree with all that you said except the point about white american seniors. This a little bit of a misrepresentation, since most white seniors are awkward 7footers who would have declared as sophmores if they really had any talent but instead stick it out at school and then get drafted just because they are big.
Instead, I think what is more important is too look at the history of seniors from big programs (like Duke or NC for example) who were the leaders of their respective schools and divisions for more than 1 season and that have learned the game under some of the best minds in the game. These guys dont declcare out of high school or as sophmores or juniors becuase they are never really talked about as being the “potential next big thing.” Instead, they simply lead their teams to victories. They usually get talked about as being “excellent college players whose game doesnt really translate into the NBA game.” Normally they get spoken about like this because they are not prime time scorers, but they do the little things well (set screens, rebound, box out, team defend, etc.). And becuase of this, their stock DROPS big time on draft night when teams would rather draft the raw, younger, more freakish athletes with the huge upside versus the smart, safe senior. This is exactly how scouts talk about Hansborough.
Two other guys like this who come to mind immediately are Boozer and Battier- and Id gladly have either or my team.
We need to pray that we either luck out and get a higher pick, or the teams ahead are silly… but the player we need is James Harden. Anyone else feel the same way?
Harden is awesome and would be a great fit in Toronto but he is probably top 3 in this draft.
but to tell you the truth I like DeRozen better and he will be available at 8.
Harden would be the best 2guard for us in the draft, but even he isn’t perfect for our needs. He’s not super athletic.
Bearvon – Roko has been noticeably developing over the past year. He is starting to show some signs and has improved his jumper. At the start of the year he was dreadful and I would have agreed with you then, but he has proved me wrong. I thought the same thing about calderon in his rookie year. He couldn’t hit a shot and looked like he was lost on the court. Now he is the most efficient PG in the league. Give Roko another year or two before throwing him to the wolves.
I will give you that Calderon does pull up alot… he runs the floor initially and then stops at the 3 pt line to set up the offence. But you need to understand he was developed as a player to do that. You don’t just one day say “hey we are going to run now” and things change over night. Calderon has to unlearn what Smitch wanted from him and learn the 7 secs or less offence. That simply won’t happen this year. (and he also has to be willing to give up his efficiency and accept that he will turn the ball over alot)
On a side note Parker needs to either go or come off the bench… and someone needs to tell him to stop taking fading jumpers… man thats really pissing me off.
Resign Marion
Draft Ty Lawson
RUN
yup! Im sooooo on that bandwagon!
Ty Lawson is awesome but his stock has taken a hit this year. I like his game a lot and think he will be an excellent NBA guard.
the only down to his game is his size.
PHD – I’m not sure about derozen, personally. I think his ballhandling is terrible, his work ethic seems a bit questionable, and his jumper is only okay. But, he’s an elite athlete, obviously. I’ve seen a fair bit of him this year (I live in LA) and have been consistently underwhelmed.
Harden, on the other hand, is the real deal, IMO. You’re absolutely right that he should be drafted top 3. And for those who say he’s not an “elite athlete”: have you seen him play? Weren’t people saying B-Roy wasn’t an elite athlete when he was in the draft? Harden can shoot, can create off the dribble, can operate in the post, and can pass the ball. He’s a long 6-6, and I think he’d be a great fit on our squad. Let’s hope our ping pong ball pops up!
agree…ive watched some derozan and while anyone would fall over about his potential…he doesnt seem to be living up to even 1/3 of it.
and being an asu dude myself (ok not me personally, i never got the chance to go to college…but my sister graduated)…i gotta give mad props to harden.
son bizzle is sick.
Yup… Harden will be next year’s Brandon Roy, IMO. There’s really nothing he can’t do on the court.
nice read!