Bryan Colangelo insisted all along last season that he liked his Raptors roster. So I went on vacation and he blew it up real good. Have to be impressed with the quick work done by the Raptors GM — which puts the team into playoff contention, but still nowhere near Orlando, Cleveland or Boston in the East
Bargnani is a kid who right now is an above-average player in which I will be a superstar soon. He’s an amazing player to watch with his stupendous abilities for his position. He can shoot and rebound, but it’s not like every NBA center. His shooting is just too good.
His best season was just last year as he had averages of 15 points and five rebounds per game. He’s been doing very well so far and in his short career, and has a very long way to go. Watch out for this kid, he’s looking good.
As for the Raptors article, I think many people believed I was a big Raptors-hater but I wasn’t deliberately trying to imply that. Although I did say nothing but negative about Toronto, I think I have changed my mind a bit. Although I still believe Toronto won’t make the playoffs next year, I did mention the year after that. I totally messed up on some parts by leaving out other Raptor stars like Andrea Bargnani. And now with Jarrett Jack, I do see them as a playoff-contender now. I really don’t know but I think they’ll be nothing better than about the seventh seed.
The Toronto Raptors have left Las Vegas after completing their NBA Summer League run. But their coach is sticking around for another week.
Jay Triano will oversee the USA Basketball minicamp at Valley High School beginning Thursday. Twenty-five players will participate with the hopes of being invited back to Las Vegas in 2010 as Team USA prepares for the FIBA World Basketball Championships in Turkey.
"I think we want them to get an understanding of what the national team represents, and we want them to understand the international game," Triano said of his primary goals for the three-day camp, which will culminate with the USA Basketball Showcase intrasquad game Saturday at the Thomas & Mack Center. "I want to keep it similar to what Coach K (Mike Krzyzewski) does and keep it as simple as possible."
The decreasing cap means little personally to James, Wade and Bosh, especially if they re-sign with their teams. What it can do is crush any hopes they might have of playing somewhere together, because a cap in the low $50 million range would make it difficult to afford two maximum salary players and fill out a professional roster around them.
But if that’s going to convince them to stay put, would they decide to do it now?
The All-Star trio can receive three-year extensions, tacked on to the two years left on their current deals, for a total value of about $95.2 million through the 2013-14 season.
If they opt out of their deals next summer and re-sign with their current teams, they would be allowed to sign six-year contracts. That would earn them $125.7 million through 2015-16. Signing with another team limits deals to five years with smaller annual raises each season, giving them a top value of $96.2 million.
First of all, Jarrett Jack doesn’t have to start to give his team production in the NBA. He has only started a full season once for Portland and a few games last year due to injuries to a point guard controversy following injuries to TJ. During Ford’s absence, Jack flourished with the chance to get quality minutes averaging over 15 points per game. In my opinion, Jack will do a great job replacing Calderon if he gets injured or coming off the bench as a spark plug. I can pretty much assure you that the point guard controversy will not follow Jarrett to T-Dot.
He will be able to offer leadership to a team with young players such as Bargs or D squared (my new nickname for DeRozan).
Turkoglu was one of the NBA’s best last year, as he is an outstanding shooter who causes a lot of match-up issues. He is one of the two biggest difference makers in this deal. Geoge and Wright each bring strong shooting and defense to their new team.
DeMar DeRozan: DeRozan showed why he was the Raptors first round pick this year averaging 17.0 ppg, 4.8 rpg, 1.2 apg, and 0.8 spg in 32.6 minutes a game. DeRozan struggled from beyond the arc but the Raptors knew that when they drafted him. On the other hand it seemed like he could get to the rim whenever he wanted and look every bit the high flying guard that we thought we were getting. DeRozan should be the 6th man for the Raptors for the majority of his first year in the league, developing on the bench while providing a scoring boost when he is put on the court.
Toronto doled out big dough (four years, $20 million) to Jarrett Jack, a reserve, but the Raptors hope it helps keep Chris Bosh in the fold. The Raptors are operating under the assumption that the Pacers will not match their offer sheet this week. Jack and Bosh were incoming freshmen at Georgia Tech in 2002 and played one season together. … Shawn Marion’s new deal in Dallas is for $39 million over five years, with bonuses that can get him over the $40 million mark. …
33 Raps
Great stuff AltRaps, keeping it going in the weekend.
The Italy-Senegal game is way more fun to watch than summer league. And Bargnanis still not taking if to the hole.
He was against Sweden. Then again, basically read nothing into these ganes, Bargs probably isn’t trying, I don’t think Sweden or Senegal basketballers warrent any effort
Looks to me like he’s developed a nice little jump hook.
Ya, thats whay i see as well, he had little jump hook, and try little cut in.
Nice. Truly Notorious P.O.B.
I hope Herbie doesn’t start saying tripola everytime Bargs hits a three.
Man, Bsrgs still plays the same as last year.
I think what’s getting lost in the debate on whether to trade or keep Bosh, is whether it is better to have Bargniani as a 4 or a 5. AB being a 4 has been a key cog in my thinking on this but, for some reason, I didn’t think to approach it that way.
Try to ignore the question of Bosh, do you prefer Andrea as a 4 or a 5?
Also, considering the knees and his slight build, what is your confidence level on Bosh being able to take the wear and tear and continue to produce at a maximum level over the course of seven years?
Yeah watching AB play in that Senegal game is really concerning me. I’m hoping its as Shats said and he is simply not trying, but even if he is not trying he should be able to blow the competition away.
1) not moving at all without the ball. He is not even moving much with the ball for that matter.
2) saw 2 or 3 missed travel calls by the refs on AB (one thing I really thought AB had improved on last year)
3) shot is still nice
4) just looks slow and uninterested out there
I hope this is no indication of things to come. This looked more like the AB of 2 years ago than the 2nd half of last year. I’m not gonna notch this game up to the rest of his future as an NBAer, but is sure as hell isn’t reassuring.
I think that once Bargs is back with Calderon, and learns to play with Turk, things will be looking great. Take a look at the video at about 1:55 or so. Replace the guy working the pick and pop with Bargs with Turk and I think Bargs will be more willing to make a strong move to the basket knowing Turk will be able to find him.
Of course he’s not playing at an NBA level. He’s playing against Senegal in an arena with about 300 ppl in it. I don’t expect this kind of play come October/November.
Also I love this site to death but can you guys please stop linking bleacher report all the time. Any idiot with a cpu could write on that site.
I understand alot of blogs are amatuer writers but they at least have to take the time to get their own blog and most are close to professional or very professional in the way they write.
I keep seeing these Bleacher Report links to articles 8th graders could write.
Anyway sorry if I come off rude, if I did.
+1
Thanks for your opinion, but no. Don’t like them, don’t go there. Again, it’s the reason we list where the link will take you.
Do I agree that it isn’t the best? Absolutely. There are also other sites out there that are written with the grammatical ability of an 11 year old, but get more views than the majority of Raptors blogs.
Good writing is in the eye of the beholder. You can choose what you do and don’t read, but that shouldn’t be forced upon others.
+1
haha
Fair enough
I don’t see any improvements in his game. WHERE THE HELL IS THE PULL-UP JUMP SHOT. He needs a mid-range game. He is starting to look more like Okur then Dirk.
Wait until training camp etc is over before you expect something like that.
It’s July. Just as I wasn’t super excited about Douby’s summer league play, I’m not worried about Bargnani’s internaional play. You need to be even keeled about this time of year and put it in perspective.
This is the time that you want players to be working on their weaknesses and taking advantage of game-time situations. From what I’m seeing (particularly in the first game), Bargnani’s driving to the basket a lot more and working on his game in the paint. I’m glad he’s still taking the outside three (and making it). That’s what’s going to be deadly when Turk is running the pick and roll. The Italian team needs and uses AB in a much different way than the Raptors are going to use him and given that it’s only July, the kid has time to work on his game. You’re probably not going to be seeing what you’re used to seeing in these games yet. Especially in 7 minute clips.
OMG. 7 minute clips of Bargnani vs. high school kids, welders and bricklayers. I check this site too often.
Pretty interesting results for that last poll counting who does/doesn’t like the idea of re-signing Bosh to a max deal for 2010:
close to 50/50
Amazing, considering he’s “the face of the franchise”.
I’m thirsty for some Anthony Randolph trade-kool-aid.
It was actually 59/41 in favour when we closed it, but had hovered around 63/37 most of the way.
Pretty much not 50/50.
Oh, last time I checked was last night and I thought I remembered it being 52/48 – maybe it was 58/42.
Regardless, 60/40 is still pretty significant.
You’re right…I thought it would be closer or a no.
Judging by the comments and some of the blog articles on this site, I fully expected it to be closer. Guess it just shows there are more Bosh supporters here than actually comment.
Cavs sign Moon to an offer sheet !!!!!
wat the hell did andrea try to do at 1:07
What does everyone think Moon is getting offered from the Cavs?
I’d say 1.3m per guaranteed for 2 yrs.
An autographed jersey from Lebron..
I wish someone would offer Jamario a live alligator.
Andrea’s low post game looks horrible.
Considering he didn’t even venture into the post last year, I’d say any attempt at a low post game is a huge improvement. Further, considering his Basketball IQ, and his offensive moves to date, not to mention that sweet little jump hook he’s been using against Senegal and Sweden, I’d say he’s working on his post game this offseason, which is nothing but good, in my opinion.
Yea I am loving the sweet jump hook he put on display.
he seems a little quicker too on that drive.
not bad.
Pasta for breakfast, lunch, and supper will do that to ya ….LOL
Nice daily’s thread AltRaps.