Comments on: Morning Linkage – Oct. 23/09

By: smushmush

smushmush — Sun, 25 Oct 2009 06:57:33 +0000

Tim, I think Belinelli has been given his chance. So far, he has failed. Getting real tested 3 point shooters like Vujacic or Farmar will really help this team. If they can waive Belinelli, they should or if his contract expires – good riddance. We don’t want streaky 3point shooters, we want consistent ones(like Ray Allen and Rashard Lewis contribute to ‘contender’ teams not streaky ones like Belinelli) as the team knows what it is getting out of its consistent players on a daily basis(3-4 threes per game from Rashard or Ray, 2-3 threes from Sasha and Farmar maybe) unlike Belinelli(how many threes per game?)

By: Boko

Boko — Sat, 24 Oct 2009 14:56:55 +0000

If one is going by stats per minute, Chris Anderson, DeAndre Jordan, Roy Hibbert & Sam Delembert have to be added to Joakim Noah, and there may be more …

By: thecaustic

thecaustic — Sat, 24 Oct 2009 14:17:07 +0000

You’re right, judging from preseason only is not enough and equal, but that’s the base a coach dealing with new players has to chose from. I was expecting a lot more from Marco: I still believe he can contribute to this year’s mission, but he has played his cards really bad up to date. He had to show off and deliver in training camp to show Jay he could be up for a starting spot or a short rotation loop. He failed. He can still recover positions coming from deep bench, but it will be difficult. As of today, we’re missing his skills and game instincts’ promises. I’m kind of cold on him right now because, just like you, I think he could be a great shooter and have a huge impact from the bench. But he has failed to impress Triano & C.

By: thecaustic

thecaustic — Sat, 24 Oct 2009 13:44:21 +0000

I agree. Lee is good offensively and at rebounding, but has flaws on the defense, plus he tends to disappear in the 4th. The fact he couldn’t get an acceptable contract outside NY speaks a lot about this. A Noah or Lopez kind of guy is what we would need, should Bosh leave: rebounds are looked like the real problem, but I think it’s more about chemistry between the 4 and the 5. You can always make some minor move on the roster to add a few overall rebounds. But if you play with 2 PF on your starting 5, there’s a little you can do about it in a short period of time. I hope CB4 and AB7 can mix things up in the front court this season, and show they can cohabit in a productive way.

By: thecaustic

thecaustic — Sat, 24 Oct 2009 10:48:14 +0000

You’re right, rebounds would probably remain roughly the same, but rebounds are not the key there, more of a general issue for the Raps. I’m just saying it wouldn’t be noticed that much, because the play interaction between the 4 and the 5 would work better than now. Bosh and Bargs tend to overlap on the same hunting grounds on offense at times, which is not good for the front court balance. A true centre would change that: on defense (besides other aspects) you could display a blocking duo of 7 footers – don’t forget that Bargs has improved on defense and blocked shots – , on offense I have no doubt Andrea could play the 4 (mmm, actually he already does, as does CB4. That’s what we have right now, 2 PF, no C), and he would match pretty well with a real low-post player. This would eventually work in the same way or better even in a vice versa situation: Bargs gone, Bosh staying.
I know both Bosh and Bargs have said to be committed to play more low-post and back-to-the-basket ball this year, so I’m really curious to see how things will work out on offense. Hopefully very well. But if Bosh decides to go away, we’ll surely lose a great player, but gain a more balanced front court.

By: Daner

Daner — Sat, 24 Oct 2009 05:09:52 +0000

This is just about the most ridiculous comment I have ever read…”jeopardize his career”…if the Raptors only win 30 games,Bosh is still going to be sought after as a top free agent. He played 36 minutes against Minnesota…could be because he missed most of the pre-season and Triano is trying to get him back in game shape.I guess Calderon is on the chopping block too…he played 38 minutes. What about all the other players in the league that played 36+ minutes. Are being shopped around as trade bait. Anthony Morrow played two 48 minute games last week and scored 32 and 34 points respectively…So obvious…Nelly is padding his stats so he can trade this young stud with huge potential.

By: Tim W.

Tim W. — Sat, 24 Oct 2009 04:28:05 +0000

I can’t believe you’re writing Belinelli off after one preseason! The guy is a much better shooter than he’s shown so far. Give him time.

By: FAQ

FAQ — Sat, 24 Oct 2009 03:23:12 +0000

Bosh has most likely told BC he wants to be traded asap, because he doesn’t want to jeopardize his career playing on a team that is most likely to flop badly in the regular season.

Triano played Bosh for 36 minutes against Minny, just to pad Bosh’s stats so he looks better than he is for a trade. So obvious …..

By: Urethra Franklin

Urethra Franklin — Fri, 23 Oct 2009 23:02:40 +0000

Bueller? Bueller?!?

By: smushmush

smushmush — Fri, 23 Oct 2009 23:01:32 +0000

The team is not screwed if Bosh decides to leave. It just takes us back to the drawing board and might be a blessing in disguise. It will allow us to get a low post presence we need in the weak front court with Bargnani.

By: smushmush

smushmush — Fri, 23 Oct 2009 22:57:51 +0000

In addition,
4.A veteran coach like Flip Saunders, Larry Brown also will make the team a ‘contender’.

By: smushmush

smushmush — Fri, 23 Oct 2009 22:56:11 +0000

Tim seems right about Lee. Checked up his stats and they show some defensive deficiencies. The goal if Bosh leaves or if he can’t be paid max is to get a power forward with defensive presence coralling a lot of defensive rebounds and can bang in the post – a contrast to Bargnani. That will set this team into the ‘contender” talk as a inside-outside threat like Orlando will be the benchmark. I would prefer players like Emeka Okafor, Andris Biedrins and others. In addition, a young swingman(under 25)like Wilson Chandler will sure up the future after Turkoglu leaves. Finally, if Colangelo wants to see this team win, he needs to employ a big man coach for Amir and Andrea just like the Abdul-Jabbar case with Bynum. In summary, for Toronto to be a ‘contender”:-
1. A big post presence defender like Okafor or Biedrins is needed to cover up for Bargnani’s deficiencies. The inside-outside threat will make this team unpredictable like Orlando.
2.A young swingman(under 25) to sure up the future if Turkoglu regresses or leaves like Wilson Chandler and anyone that comes to mind.
3.More 3 point shooters(let’s face it – Jose and Bargnani are the only 3pt threats, Bellineli has sucked),I would like a Matt Caroll or Jordan Farmar trade for Belinelli and Marcus Banks.
4.A veteran 3 point shooter like Michael Finley, Ime Udoka.
In conclusion, the recipe for a ‘contender’ basketball team is:-
1.Defensive minded players, coaches and coordinators.
2.An inside-outside threat of a low post presence and an array of 3 point shooters like Orlando’s that keeps defenses honest and makes other teams pay for blown defensive assignments.A reason for Cleveland’s failure last season was little low post.
3.Veteran 3 point shooters to close the game out like Turkoglu, Finley or Udoka.
A model team in my example will be a mix of Vujacic, Farmar, Biedrins, Bargnani, Jose, Finley with a couple of other players.

By: a1029384756z

a1029384756z — Fri, 23 Oct 2009 21:01:40 +0000

are there any feeds to watch the game tonight…why the hell is minisota so cheap to hire a broadcast crew

By: LC009

LC009 — Fri, 23 Oct 2009 20:46:19 +0000

I actually agree. I am not suggesting a preemptive strike here. I am saying that if Bosh goes to Colangelo and says, “I want out,” that we should try to trade him in a sign-and-trade deal.

What I was talking about in terms of psychology is that I think many fans are more or less preparing themselves for disappointment, but hoping to be proven wrong. It is similar to how the team seems to be looking at this season compared to last season: the staff and players were quite vocal about their high expectations last year, and got burned. This year, people seem to be more reserved and tempering their excitement.

By: LC009

LC009 — Fri, 23 Oct 2009 20:41:56 +0000

I fully agree with you. However, you are misinterpreting the question, which was “Of our four big guns, who has been the best this pre-season?”

Now, looking at their stats, the answer might be debatable, but Bargnani was there from the first preseason game and has looked consistently solid (from what I’ve seen).

Also, that answer does not mean much. For one, Bosh was injured and missed time. He is starting to warm up. And two, Triano was not playing his true rotation yet, because these games just don’t count.

Again, I fully agree with you, but without having seen the last game (against Boston) I did vote for Bargnani. Bosh is still the vastly superior player (overall).

By: Tim W.

Tim W. — Fri, 23 Oct 2009 20:29:09 +0000

I can see not wanting to get nothing for Bosh, but giving him away at a huge discount on the off chance he won’t re-sign is ridiculous. And Raptor fans have to remember that Vince DID re-sign, but Rob Babock’s moronic moves drove him to want to be traded. If Babcock was smart, the first thing he should have done when he was hired was trade Vince from a team that was obviously far too many pieces away from contending. Instead, he waited a year and a half, while doing nothing to advance the team.

Since Bosh has given absolutely no indication he has been nothing but happy in Toronto, I am going to assume that if the Raptors have a good season and show promise, that Bosh will re-sign. If he doesn’t THEN you cross that bridge and, as you say, get something back in a sign and trade.

No GM has ever been successful by being a chickens**t, and that’s what a lot of fans apparently want. You don’t trade someone at a loss on the off chance they may not re-sign with you.

By: Paps

Paps — Fri, 23 Oct 2009 20:22:03 +0000

Already another poll with Andrea Bargnani leading over Chris Bosh. Is this really what you people want? Bargnani leading the team as the franchise palyer. Get real, Bosh is the franchise player, he’s the one who will attract free agents, he’s the one who will win games, he’s the one that keeps them relevant in the media. If he gets traded or signs elsewhere this franchise is screwed. Bosh is the man we must root for the most.

By: LC009

LC009 — Fri, 23 Oct 2009 19:28:48 +0000

From a psychological point of view, I think that many fans are thinking and talking about trades for Bosh as a defensive stance to prevent them from getting burned emotionally. That is exactly what happened with Vince Carter, and I think that fans want to avoid that whole mess.

If Bosh would show us some more love (e.g., by saying something similar to “If this team grabs the 6th seed or better, I WILL be staying!”) then I think that much of this chatter would die off.

If he really does want out, I think that seeking a solid sign-and-trade is our best option, mainly because we have a set of owners that is willing to spend the cash needed to make us a winner. A sign-and-trade would allow us to stay above the cap, where if Bosh just leaves we simply lose that cap space, regardless of how willing we are to spend the cash (that’s just not how the NBA cap works).

By: Tim W.

Tim W. — Fri, 23 Oct 2009 19:06:25 +0000

Besides, I’m pretty sure Lee can’t be traded this year, because he just signed a one year contract, so let’s just forget about it.

By: Tim W.

Tim W. — Fri, 23 Oct 2009 19:04:16 +0000

Biedrins would be great, but he’s also a good defender. Why would you want a below average defender, like Lee, when one of the Raptors obviously weaknesses is defense? Why are so many Raptor fans intent on having these defensively deficient players simply because they put together some nice looking stats (Villanueva, Ben Gordon, Lee)? I don’t get it.

Quite frankly, Lee doesn’t rebounder that much better than Bosh to make up for his defensive deficiencies. At least Bosh is a great scorer.

I really wish people would get off this Bosh for Lee tangent. Bosh is a much more superior player than Lee, and wanting to downgrade to Lee doesn’t make any sense.