Showing posts with label NBA. Show all posts
Showing posts with label NBA. Show all posts
Tuesday, May 11, 2010
Monday, March 29, 2010
Monday, March 22, 2010
Tuesday, December 22, 2009
Wednesday, November 25, 2009
Wednesday, November 4, 2009
Tuesday, October 6, 2009
Tuesday, August 25, 2009
Friday, June 19, 2009
Wednesday, June 17, 2009
Raptors Offseason - Coming up on Draft night
The Raptors surprised nobody yesterday when they announced that they had tendered a qualifying offer to restricted free agent Count Chocula err I mean Carlos Delfino.
The offer at this point is nothing more than a formality for the team to retain Delfino's rights. Meaning should another team want to make him an offer they now have the right to match it.
Colangelo was on the Fan590 morning show today and said basically that its almost a lock that Delfino is back and that the only issue would be figuring out the numbers.
If they can get Carlos under contract for say 10 million over 3 yrs then this is a good deal. Delfino adds depth to the bench at a position they were very weak at last season.
Yesterday also marked the cities introduction to the newest Raptor Reggie Evans. Evans said all the right things and I believe that he is going to have a huge impact on this team. He has no idea what he is in for with the fans here if he just plays the way he has in his career. Toronto Fans LOVE his type of game. Just look at how they loved Oakley, Garbo and JYD. Evans is a player in that mold and exactly the type of player they need.
This leaves only a few roster spots available for the upcoming season as they are likely to add to their depth on draft night a week from Thursday. On the Fan Colangelo basically narrowed his selection to 5 guys. DeNar DeRozan, Gerald Henderson, Johnny Flynn, Jrue Holiday and James Johnson. Unless something happens in the top 8 where a team swaps a pick or the Raptors move up I fully expect one of those names to be called at 9 when the Raptors pick.
This leaves the team with only a few options and the most intriguing to me at least is what they should do regarding Sean Marion. Marion is likely to command a salary in the 7-9 million a year range. I don't think of the teams out there with cap space (Memphis, Detroit, Portland, Utah) that he would fit with those teams so regardless of whether he likes it or not Marion's best bet it to sign with Toronto and hope for the best. I don't see Colangelo going after anyone else with this money so Raptors fans better get ready for 3 or 4 years of the matrix.
The last thing that will have to be determined is what to do to fill out the bench. Its unclear whether Douby and O'bryant will in fact be back but considering they were in working out in Raptorland yesterday I am venturing a guess that they will be back. That said there would be only a couple of roster spots left to fill and not a lot of money to do it with. There have been rumblings that they are interested in bringing Rasho Nesterovic back and I'm hoping they can do so with the vetern's minimum.
I am also hoping that they can bring Anthony Parker back. AP showed us last season that although he may no longer be a starter in the league his diverse skill set would make him a valuable bench guy. I expect teams like Cleveland and possibly Philly to take a long look at AP and if this is the case he may sign elsewhere for more money.
Overall the biggest thing for Colangelo this off season is that he HAS to get the draft pick right. He basically HAS to get somebody that can start at SG/SF or at least play heavy minutes and contribute. If he doesn't then this team will be in the lottery again next year.
The offer at this point is nothing more than a formality for the team to retain Delfino's rights. Meaning should another team want to make him an offer they now have the right to match it.
Colangelo was on the Fan590 morning show today and said basically that its almost a lock that Delfino is back and that the only issue would be figuring out the numbers.
If they can get Carlos under contract for say 10 million over 3 yrs then this is a good deal. Delfino adds depth to the bench at a position they were very weak at last season.
Yesterday also marked the cities introduction to the newest Raptor Reggie Evans. Evans said all the right things and I believe that he is going to have a huge impact on this team. He has no idea what he is in for with the fans here if he just plays the way he has in his career. Toronto Fans LOVE his type of game. Just look at how they loved Oakley, Garbo and JYD. Evans is a player in that mold and exactly the type of player they need.
This leaves only a few roster spots available for the upcoming season as they are likely to add to their depth on draft night a week from Thursday. On the Fan Colangelo basically narrowed his selection to 5 guys. DeNar DeRozan, Gerald Henderson, Johnny Flynn, Jrue Holiday and James Johnson. Unless something happens in the top 8 where a team swaps a pick or the Raptors move up I fully expect one of those names to be called at 9 when the Raptors pick.
This leaves the team with only a few options and the most intriguing to me at least is what they should do regarding Sean Marion. Marion is likely to command a salary in the 7-9 million a year range. I don't think of the teams out there with cap space (Memphis, Detroit, Portland, Utah) that he would fit with those teams so regardless of whether he likes it or not Marion's best bet it to sign with Toronto and hope for the best. I don't see Colangelo going after anyone else with this money so Raptors fans better get ready for 3 or 4 years of the matrix.
The last thing that will have to be determined is what to do to fill out the bench. Its unclear whether Douby and O'bryant will in fact be back but considering they were in working out in Raptorland yesterday I am venturing a guess that they will be back. That said there would be only a couple of roster spots left to fill and not a lot of money to do it with. There have been rumblings that they are interested in bringing Rasho Nesterovic back and I'm hoping they can do so with the vetern's minimum.
I am also hoping that they can bring Anthony Parker back. AP showed us last season that although he may no longer be a starter in the league his diverse skill set would make him a valuable bench guy. I expect teams like Cleveland and possibly Philly to take a long look at AP and if this is the case he may sign elsewhere for more money.
Overall the biggest thing for Colangelo this off season is that he HAS to get the draft pick right. He basically HAS to get somebody that can start at SG/SF or at least play heavy minutes and contribute. If he doesn't then this team will be in the lottery again next year.
Sunday, June 14, 2009
Raptors - Off season begins
Brian Colangelo finally righted another wrong this week sending Jason Kapono to the Sixers for Reggie Evans. Two seasons ago Colangelo spent the teams mid level exception on Kapono even though it was clear the team needed an athletic wing player. At that time players like Pietrus and Matt Barnes were available and after watching Pietrus in the playoffs if soured me even more knowing that Kapono was here instead of him.
Getting value back for Kapono is nice to see. Evans brings a lot of things that this team is lacking. Rebounding, Grit and toughness all at a reasonable salary. He's not a flashy player and hasn't won any three point shooting contests but he WILL help this team. The only downside I can see with Evans is that his offensive game is a liability and he is a terrible free throw shooter which makes it difficult to have him on the floor late in close games. Overall though I am happy with this deal.
It fills a huge need for the Dinos and saves them some cap space as well.
What I'm not happy with are the rumors and BC's statements that he intends on bringing Marion back. Unless its for 5-6 million a season I don't see this as a good move. If Marion gets 8-10 million a season for 3-4 seasons I view that as a terrible investment. Marion can't shoot or create his own shot. He runs the floor well and is a good rebounder for his position but I can't see how investing that kind of money on a guy who rely's mostly on his athleticism is a smart idea. Marion is getting older and his legs aren't likely to be the same 2 seasons from now and the back end of a contract on a guy like marion could be similar to the Kapono deal all over again. I like marion in Toronto but it has to be at the right price and I have a feeling that BC is going to have to overpay to keep him.
The Draft is certainly going to be interesting as I fully expect BC to buy a second late first rounder. Having 2 picks in this draft is a great way to add depth to the roster with reasonable contracts.
The other major question mark is at Shooting Guard. BC has made it clear that he is seriously looking at bringing back Delfino and again I'm not sold on this idea. I think if BC wants to do that it has to be at the right price. Delfino to me isn't that big of an upgrade over Anthony Parker. Speaking of Parker I am hoping that he is willing to take a pay cut to stay with the team. He seems like he is a great locker room guy and would be great to have coming off the bench. I hope the same for a guy like Rasho Nesterovic. Bringing him back to backup Bargnani at Center would be great to see.
My final thought is regarding the rumors on Bosh. We all knew there would be a lot of trade rumors regarding CB4 and I was not surprised that he isn't extending his contract and will wait until 2010 to make a decision. I do think that BC is being closed minded to not consider dealing Bosh. This is an opportunity to make a deal to get 2 or 3 KEY players and possibly draft picks. Bosh stock has never been higher and you will NOT get better value for him at any other time. If I were BC I would look at a deal with Miami for Beasley, Haslem and Blounts expiring contract (8.5 mil) and a first or 2nd round pick for Bosh.
Bosh is pretty much going to give you 20 and 10 every year. I think Beasley can be a 17-8 guy possibly better (he avg 14 an 5 last yr in 24 min a night). Why wouldn't you make this move? What do you really lose other than a big name. The Raptors would get a guy to replace Bosh who is younger and has the potential to be great. They Gain Cap space for 2010 and they get Haslem and possibly something of value in the Draft.
Getting value back for Kapono is nice to see. Evans brings a lot of things that this team is lacking. Rebounding, Grit and toughness all at a reasonable salary. He's not a flashy player and hasn't won any three point shooting contests but he WILL help this team. The only downside I can see with Evans is that his offensive game is a liability and he is a terrible free throw shooter which makes it difficult to have him on the floor late in close games. Overall though I am happy with this deal.
It fills a huge need for the Dinos and saves them some cap space as well.
What I'm not happy with are the rumors and BC's statements that he intends on bringing Marion back. Unless its for 5-6 million a season I don't see this as a good move. If Marion gets 8-10 million a season for 3-4 seasons I view that as a terrible investment. Marion can't shoot or create his own shot. He runs the floor well and is a good rebounder for his position but I can't see how investing that kind of money on a guy who rely's mostly on his athleticism is a smart idea. Marion is getting older and his legs aren't likely to be the same 2 seasons from now and the back end of a contract on a guy like marion could be similar to the Kapono deal all over again. I like marion in Toronto but it has to be at the right price and I have a feeling that BC is going to have to overpay to keep him.
The Draft is certainly going to be interesting as I fully expect BC to buy a second late first rounder. Having 2 picks in this draft is a great way to add depth to the roster with reasonable contracts.
The other major question mark is at Shooting Guard. BC has made it clear that he is seriously looking at bringing back Delfino and again I'm not sold on this idea. I think if BC wants to do that it has to be at the right price. Delfino to me isn't that big of an upgrade over Anthony Parker. Speaking of Parker I am hoping that he is willing to take a pay cut to stay with the team. He seems like he is a great locker room guy and would be great to have coming off the bench. I hope the same for a guy like Rasho Nesterovic. Bringing him back to backup Bargnani at Center would be great to see.
My final thought is regarding the rumors on Bosh. We all knew there would be a lot of trade rumors regarding CB4 and I was not surprised that he isn't extending his contract and will wait until 2010 to make a decision. I do think that BC is being closed minded to not consider dealing Bosh. This is an opportunity to make a deal to get 2 or 3 KEY players and possibly draft picks. Bosh stock has never been higher and you will NOT get better value for him at any other time. If I were BC I would look at a deal with Miami for Beasley, Haslem and Blounts expiring contract (8.5 mil) and a first or 2nd round pick for Bosh.
Bosh is pretty much going to give you 20 and 10 every year. I think Beasley can be a 17-8 guy possibly better (he avg 14 an 5 last yr in 24 min a night). Why wouldn't you make this move? What do you really lose other than a big name. The Raptors would get a guy to replace Bosh who is younger and has the potential to be great. They Gain Cap space for 2010 and they get Haslem and possibly something of value in the Draft.
Friday, June 12, 2009
Thursday, June 11, 2009
Youtube of the Day - Featuring Steve Nash at the finals (for letterman)
Hey I thought this was Bosh's gig?
Wednesday, June 3, 2009
Wednesday, April 15, 2009
NBA Playoffs - GET READY FOR 'AMAZING'
Today is the last day of the regular season. Watch this promo for the playoffs and tell me you can't wait for them to start!
Thursday, April 9, 2009
NBA -Holy crap this is awesome
Lou Amundson read-raps "ice ice baby" While Shaq dances and THEN Goran Dragic sings the theme to "greatest american hero" and THEN Robin Lopez sings the theme from "Cheers"
Via Ball don't lie
Wednesday, April 8, 2009
Friday, April 3, 2009
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