That's a funny observation.
Oddly enough, the Lakers can give you a run for your money with Radmanovic, Vujacic, Gasol, Luke Walton, Farmar, (the injured) Chris Mihm and Coby Karl. That's almost 1/2 the roster.
Full Version: Toronto Raptors 2007-2008
Another dismal effort by the Raps. Playing without Bosh they allowed the Bobcats to have their way, losing 100-98. Not much rest this week, with games Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday vs. Orlando, Miami and Washington. Bosh unlikely to play.
Without Bosh the Raps look lost, directionless, and are sinking like a stone (3-7 over last 10). At 34-31, they still hold the #5 spot in the East, but are only 1 game in the loss column ahead of Washington, and 3 ahead of those surpising Sixers (8-2 over their last 10). The obviously want to avoid the #7 and 8 spots, as those teams would face Detroit and Boston in the first round, the only cream in the Eastern crop. #5 and 6 would face Cleveland Orlando, easier opponents.
Canmark, I think you'd be better sliding down to #6 and playing Orlando. I'm sorry to say it, but LeBron would absolutely kill the Raptors -- defense isn't your strong suit. Orlando, on the other hand, is not playoff-tested, and if you can get Howard in foul trouble (or just send him to the line enough to shoot bricks), you've got a shooter's chance.
Despite the green unis, the Raps had no luck of the Irish on St. Patrick's Day. Tied after three quarters, they fall to the Jazz 96-79. TJ Ford is tossed in the fourth quarter. Raps now at 34-33.
The Raptors slide losing 8 of their last 10 coincides with Bosh being out for the last 7 games with his injured knee. He is hoping to be back when they play the hopeless Miami Heat at the ACC tomorrow night. They better win that one. Any hopes of catching Orlando for third are completely out the window now 10 games behind them. They are 3.5 games behind 4th place Cleveland - and have a big game there Friday night if they intend on making a run at them.
Actually of more concern may be Philly and Washington coming up from behind with the Wizards just a half game back and the surging Sixers just one behind the fading Raps.
And one of the big problems with the Raps has been the often erratic and at times just plain brutal play of TJ Ford since he came back from his injury. I understand Coach Mitchell is trying to play gentle father figure here - and doing everything he can to let TJ play his way back into the form he showed much of last year and at times early this season before he got hurt - but how much patience can he show. He's been back for over a month now and TJ still looks to be completely out of contol much of the time. And last night Calderon played the third quarter that saw the Raps outplay Utah and end the third quarter tied 65-65. Enter TJ and bye bye game. Two missed shots, two blown defensive assignments and two fouls - followed by him totalling losing it and getting rung up for two technicals and getting tossed and it was game over. The Raps never recovered from his brutal display. I feel bad for TJ - but the bottom line is - his play is hurting the team right now.
They've got to right this sinking ship quickly or else they are in real trouble. You don't want to drop down to the number 7 seed and have to face Detroit in the first round of the playoffs. I'll be at the game against Denver on Easter Sunday. Hopefully with Bosh back in the lineup things will be much better and they will play a whole lot better than they did last week in Denver. In that game the Raps embarrassed themselves, giving up 44 first quarter points and 79 first half points, playing what may have been the worst game in franchise history.
Actually of more concern may be Philly and Washington coming up from behind with the Wizards just a half game back and the surging Sixers just one behind the fading Raps.
And one of the big problems with the Raps has been the often erratic and at times just plain brutal play of TJ Ford since he came back from his injury. I understand Coach Mitchell is trying to play gentle father figure here - and doing everything he can to let TJ play his way back into the form he showed much of last year and at times early this season before he got hurt - but how much patience can he show. He's been back for over a month now and TJ still looks to be completely out of contol much of the time. And last night Calderon played the third quarter that saw the Raps outplay Utah and end the third quarter tied 65-65. Enter TJ and bye bye game. Two missed shots, two blown defensive assignments and two fouls - followed by him totalling losing it and getting rung up for two technicals and getting tossed and it was game over. The Raps never recovered from his brutal display. I feel bad for TJ - but the bottom line is - his play is hurting the team right now.
They've got to right this sinking ship quickly or else they are in real trouble. You don't want to drop down to the number 7 seed and have to face Detroit in the first round of the playoffs. I'll be at the game against Denver on Easter Sunday. Hopefully with Bosh back in the lineup things will be much better and they will play a whole lot better than they did last week in Denver. In that game the Raps embarrassed themselves, giving up 44 first quarter points and 79 first half points, playing what may have been the worst game in franchise history.
Argentinian Carlos Delfino now has his own Spanish-language home page. Not sure what it all means (as I don't understand Spanish), but the sexy photo galleries are much appreciated. 
That's it. The season is over for the Raps. They were outplayed, and that's a fact. It's now up to Bryan Colangelo to retool the team for next season.
Other comments: I do have some questions about Coach Mitchell's rotation in the playoffs. While Rasho Nesterovic had played well late in the season, he lost his starting job to Andrea Bargnani who is wildly inconsistent and doesn't rebound. Further, Kris Humphries saw virtually no playing time despite the fact that he brings energy and rebounding off the bench. On the plus side, Jason Kapon finally got serious playing time and demonstrated why he was signed in the first place, putting up numbers above the regular season (15.6 ppg vs. 7.2 ppg; 58% FG vs. 48% FG, 30 min. vs. 18 min.).
Other comments: I do have some questions about Coach Mitchell's rotation in the playoffs. While Rasho Nesterovic had played well late in the season, he lost his starting job to Andrea Bargnani who is wildly inconsistent and doesn't rebound. Further, Kris Humphries saw virtually no playing time despite the fact that he brings energy and rebounding off the bench. On the plus side, Jason Kapon finally got serious playing time and demonstrated why he was signed in the first place, putting up numbers above the regular season (15.6 ppg vs. 7.2 ppg; 58% FG vs. 48% FG, 30 min. vs. 18 min.).
A sad day in Raptorland. 
Chuck Swirsky, who did the radio and then TV play-by-play for Raptors games for the past 10 years, is returning to Chicago to do radio play-by-play for the Bulls. Swirsky, famous for his many catch-phrases, will be missed.
Onions, baby, onions!
That was sick, wicked and nasty!
Get out the salami and cheese, mama. This game is o-vah!
Chuck Swirsky, who did the radio and then TV play-by-play for Raptors games for the past 10 years, is returning to Chicago to do radio play-by-play for the Bulls. Swirsky, famous for his many catch-phrases, will be missed.Onions, baby, onions!
That was sick, wicked and nasty!
Get out the salami and cheese, mama. This game is o-vah!
How many of these eyes will be in Toronto next year?
Yup Smokey - this is looking like a very interesting off-season in Raptor land. If they end up having to choose between Calderon and Ford - the fans would vote for Calderon in a landslide. Although the team is a much better team if the two can find a way to co-exist - because Raps were at their best when the two-headed point guard was at its best.
Rasho Nesterovic has exercised a player option for the 2008-2009 season at $8.4 million. Rasho averaged 7.8 ppg and 4.8 rpg and a 55% field goal percentage. He came on strong late in the regular season and was under-used in the playoffs IMO.
I guess these shoes are made for walking! I hear Garbo doesn't want to return to the Raptors, and that Toronto is negotiating a contract buyout. I really like Garbo, but I hate buyouts. I hated it when the Grizzlies did it with Eddie Jones and Damon Stoudamire, and I hate it now for the Raptors. Guys should honor their contracts.
I think the buyout has more to do with the Raptors ridding themselves of Garbo than vice versa. (a) The Raps did not want Garbo to play in the European Championships last year as he was still recovering from injury which cost him much of the 06-07 season, but he begged and pleaded and the Spanish team took out a $1 millon insurance policy; (
Garbo was virtually lost to the Raptors for the 07-08 season, which many attribute to him playing in the Euros and never fully recovering; the Raps have sued the Spanish federation over the insurance, and a resolution has not come from it yet; (d) Spain has pencilled Garbo in for the Olympics this summer and the Raps are saying that he can't play while under contract; (e) the Raps may feel that he'll never play for them again (for physical reasons) and want to rid themselves of him.
Cleveland is supposedly prohibitting Zydrunus Ilgauskus from playing for Lithuania in the Olympics for fear of injury. With older, injured or injury-prone players, at some point you have to take a stand. The Raps were being "nice" to Garbo last year and it cost them his services. I think the team would just as soon release him in some way and not have to go through the same drama.
Garbo was virtually lost to the Raptors for the 07-08 season, which many attribute to him playing in the Euros and never fully recovering; the Raps have sued the Spanish federation over the insurance, and a resolution has not come from it yet; (d) Spain has pencilled Garbo in for the Olympics this summer and the Raps are saying that he can't play while under contract; (e) the Raps may feel that he'll never play for them again (for physical reasons) and want to rid themselves of him.Cleveland is supposedly prohibitting Zydrunus Ilgauskus from playing for Lithuania in the Olympics for fear of injury. With older, injured or injury-prone players, at some point you have to take a stand. The Raps were being "nice" to Garbo last year and it cost them his services. I think the team would just as soon release him in some way and not have to go through the same drama.
Well, from a cap space point of view, the buyout would be minimal. So the only true advantage would be to rid the team of a distraction.
But where does that leave you guys with resigning Calderon?
But where does that leave you guys with resigning Calderon?
All the Raptors have to do is match any offer to keep Calderon and considering today's news - it is clear that the Raps intend on keeping Calderon. According to media reports the Raptors and Pacers have agreed in principle to a trade that will see TJ Ford, Rasho Nesterovic and a 17th pick in the upcoming draft go to the Pacers and the Raps receive Jermaine O'Neil. Here's hoping O'Neal stays healthy.
ESPN.com is reporting the Jermaine O'Neal deal (as "Done deal?"), but the Raptors website isn't saying anything at the moment.
I don't think they can, under league rules. July 1 is the usual first day trades can be made, but there's some reason here that the teams can't finalize it until July 9 (according to ESPN).
This trade could be one of the few that actually makes sense for both teams. But it could also end up just being a swap of two medically incapacitated players. I'm particularly skeptical that O'Neal is ever going to be remotely the same, but if he is he will help Bosh out in the front court immensely. If not, the Raptors will obviously regret this, but I like Colangelo's willingness to take chances.
This trade could be one of the few that actually makes sense for both teams. But it could also end up just being a swap of two medically incapacitated players. I'm particularly skeptical that O'Neal is ever going to be remotely the same, but if he is he will help Bosh out in the front court immensely. If not, the Raptors will obviously regret this, but I like Colangelo's willingness to take chances.
According to this Toronto Star article, the Raps may be planning to pare down the roster to 10 usable players (with a few other scrubs), with Carlos Delfino possibly being the odd man out.
Current projection (barring any major moves): STARTERS Jose Calderon (PG), Anthony Parker (SG), Jason Kapono (SF), Chris Bosh (PF), Jermaine O'Neal ©. BENCH Roko Ukic (PG), Andrea Bargnani (PF-C), Jamario Moon (SF), Kris Humphries (PF-C), Joey Graham (SF)
Current projection (barring any major moves): STARTERS Jose Calderon (PG), Anthony Parker (SG), Jason Kapono (SF), Chris Bosh (PF), Jermaine O'Neal ©. BENCH Roko Ukic (PG), Andrea Bargnani (PF-C), Jamario Moon (SF), Kris Humphries (PF-C), Joey Graham (SF)
QUOTE
By dealing for Jermaine O'Neal in a three-for-one transaction, and limited in the amount of money they can spend before hitting the luxury tax level, there's every indication the Raptors will have a defined 10-man rotation next season with three or four bit pieces taking up space at the end of the roster.
That would be instead of the 15 players they carried for most of last season, a group that included a glut of similarly skilled swingmen who all were clamouring for playing time.
"It's not a bad thing to have that kind of roster makeup," president and general manager Bryan Colangelo said yesterday.
* * *
It's a virtual certainty that former second-round draft pick Ukic will be in Toronto next year and it appears the Raptors are willing to bring over this year's second-round pick, Australian centre Nathan Jawai, to let him try to develop his game.
That leaves one spot for a third guard and one for perhaps another swingman to give Toronto a 13-man roster.
"We do want to have a nice, lean roster," said Colangelo.
The one player who seems to be on his way out is restricted free agent Carlos Delfino. Because of financial constraints, and the desire to give coach Sam Mitchell a chance to establish a regular rotation, Delfino doesn't appear to have a future with the Raptors.
That would be instead of the 15 players they carried for most of last season, a group that included a glut of similarly skilled swingmen who all were clamouring for playing time.
"It's not a bad thing to have that kind of roster makeup," president and general manager Bryan Colangelo said yesterday.
* * *
It's a virtual certainty that former second-round draft pick Ukic will be in Toronto next year and it appears the Raptors are willing to bring over this year's second-round pick, Australian centre Nathan Jawai, to let him try to develop his game.
That leaves one spot for a third guard and one for perhaps another swingman to give Toronto a 13-man roster.
"We do want to have a nice, lean roster," said Colangelo.
The one player who seems to be on his way out is restricted free agent Carlos Delfino. Because of financial constraints, and the desire to give coach Sam Mitchell a chance to establish a regular rotation, Delfino doesn't appear to have a future with the Raptors.
I heard Anthony Parker might go back to Europe. Any truth to that?
According to the previous article, it's Delfino that may be headed to Europe. But obviously Parker has a lot of value having previously played in the Euro leagues. I've heard though, that he's expressed an interest in remaining in the NBA.
I've also heard that the other prime offer for TJ Ford was a deal with Charlotte for Gerald Wallace. The hitch on that was that Wallace has 5 years remaining on his contract, where Jermaine O'Neal has only 2 years.
I've also heard that the other prime offer for TJ Ford was a deal with Charlotte for Gerald Wallace. The hitch on that was that Wallace has 5 years remaining on his contract, where Jermaine O'Neal has only 2 years.
Well, I think the O'Neal trade was a good one for you guys. TJ is one good "hit" from being out of the NBA, plus I like Jose better as your starting point guard. O'Neal is well rested after last season, and will come into Toronto with something to prove. O'Neal will make Bosh better, and he is already extremely good.
Pacer trade > Bobcat trade!
Pacer trade > Bobcat trade!
The first thing JO has to prove is that he still has two useable legs.
With fan favorite Chuck Swirsky leaving for the Bulls, the Raptors have announced a new play-by-play broadcaster, Matt Devlin.
QUOTE
The Toronto Raptors announced Wednesday that Matt Devlin has been named the club's new television play-by-play announcer. Devlin joins the Raptors after stints as the play-by-play voice of the NBA's Charlotte Bobcats and Memphis Grizzlies.
"Matt has a polished presence and a network broadcast style," said Chris Hebb, senior vice-president of broadcast and content for Maple Leaf Sports and Entertainment. "His hire is consistent with the continuing commitment of our organization and our broadcast partners to grow Raptors basketball nationwide."
"Matt has a polished presence and a network broadcast style," said Chris Hebb, senior vice-president of broadcast and content for Maple Leaf Sports and Entertainment. "His hire is consistent with the continuing commitment of our organization and our broadcast partners to grow Raptors basketball nationwide."
Following the signing of Will Soloman from the Euro leagues, the Raptors have set their roster.
QUOTE
Signing Solomon ends all activity for the Raptors this summer. They'll go with a 13-man roster that has a payroll just under the NBA tax threshold and is constructed pretty much just as Colangelo wants it with the three guards (Jose Calderon, Roko Ukic and Will Soloman), five swingmen (Anthony Parker, Jamario Moon, Jason Kapono, Joey Graham and Hassan Adams) and five bigs (Chris Bosh, Jermaine O'Neal, Andrea Bargnani, Kris Humphries and Nathan Jawai).
"That's it," the GM said.
"That's it," the GM said.
Garbo lives! Ex-Raptor Jorge Garbajosa (still #15) joined Jose Calderon in action for Team Spain in Olympics basketball.
Jose Calderon sat out Spain's semi-final win over Lithuania with a partial tear of his right adductor which had occured in Spain's previous game.
Playing for Spain is tough. First, Pau, then Garbo, now Jose. Hopefully, Calderon's injury isn't too bad, and he'll be ready come October.
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