Tip-In, Toronto Raptors Post-Game: Second Options That Right Now Should Be Thirds

Have to say I saw the same things as you last night franchise. Team just looks lost with roko and he looks lost to. Like you im pulling for the guy but there needs to be major improvements from him and willy before this team is ready to play iwth the big boys.

I can't really agree that the Raptors are in that much need of a point guard, as much as we are probably clamouring for a good wing player. After watching most of last night's game, it's become abundantly clear that Jamario Moon will not be the person to lead this team anywhere. Most telling was just how ticked off Mitchell was about Moon's play in the game, so much so that Hassan Adams got burn over Moon in the 3rd. Not finishing strong even on break aways, is just not good enough.

What was really interesting to me is that I believe that Joey Graham should start regardless of what happens. I believe not only because of his size and newly found ability to take it to the rim, but in order to make Joey a valuable commodity on the market before the trade deadline this year, we'll have to give him the burn in order to entice someone into possibly picking him up in a trade. The only way to do that is to hope for the best. Out of the two between Moon and Graham, Graham's the only one with a salary that can be packaged with someone else to get something in return.

I do believe that with Roko it'll be a learning process, and I'm willing to conceed that we may lose more than our fair share of games in the beginning, but at the same time, I think the Raptors have to continue to build confidence in the rookie just because he fits into the long range plans of the team at such a high degree. Out of choosing to ride out a guy who is shaky on defense and has some small confidence issues who MAY become a special point guard, or keeping the SF situation with mediocre talent the way it is now, I'd much rather look for a SF than a PG on the free agent market. We have possibilities of improvement at the PG for the next few years, but at the SF, the outlook is much bleaker.

I wonder if it makes sense for Mitchell to try to give Jose a chunk of time with the second unit and Roko/Solomon time with the rest of the first. If our offence with Bosh and JO involves a lot of dumping it into the post, it requires less from the PG than playing with Bargs and JK. It might be the only way to get Jose the rest he will need.

Sam, that is an absolutely brilliant idea, as we know that Calderon, unlike Ford, does not have an ego, and will do what is best for the team. Of course, his minutes would remain the same, but yes, the 2nd unit desperately needs him running the point.

With the chemistry between JO and Bosh meshing now, the first unit minus Jose can still do well enough until Jose makes his entrance in.

We have two options the way I see it. Trade for an experienced backup one and start Jose, or do what Sam suggests and which I concur with.

This would never happen at the start of the season, but desperate times mean desperate measures, and if the 2nd unit is a colossol flop, Sam will be backed into a corner and may make the change. I would love to see it at least in the last pre-season game to see how Roko and Solomon would handle it.

pretty good game. and for sure the lakers are looking solid.

as for the raps - it's starting to settle in that the raps have 3 all-stars in their starting five. and with a consistent, if unspectacular, AP manning the two spot, and some relatively consistent sightings of good joey, the raps are in business.

and I'd have to agree with franchise that the second unit isn't bad, they just don't have anyone to hook them up properly.

it'll be interesting to see what BC does with the situation.

but again - how good does calderon, bosh and o'neal look??? can't wait.

how about joey graham's dunk!!! if he can stay aggressive like that... this will be a nice year even if he makes some mistakes along the way.

feeling good about his team. The lakers are stacked with talent and our starters played nicely against theirs. Bosh was either having one of those rare games where he gets shut down or was just not playing at full bore because of preseason - but either way, what a luxury to have JO to fill the void. It's so nice to see the physicality under the basket - hopefully nathan jawai can show us some of that too, because hump and bargs are still playing too soft.

and btw, can't see calderon playing in the second unit.

first, you're seriously underestimating what he does if you think just anyone can step in and do it. (with the first unit.)

and second, can you imagine what the likes of a chris paul, or a deron williams would do with roko in front of them??

I'm thinking BC and mitchell are going to ride calderon hard for the first part of the season. they probably told him so, too. by december, if the raps are playing well and are looking like they have a shot at a good run into the playoffs, I'm sure we'll see some action on the market by BC.

have to add too - the reffing was atrocious and laker favouring. the tech on joey graham when HE was fouled? come on ref!

The scary thing is that Roko WAS playing with Bosh and JO for a good chunk of the fourth quarter and things were still a mess. So I don't think playing Jose less with the starting group is the answer here. It's simply going to take time for Ukic and Solomon to learn the system and the intracacies of the point guard position in the NBA. But until they do, I'm just not sure how this team can expect to compete with the best of the league.

Loved Joey's dunk, but loved Joey's "And 1" even more. Just great to see him finishing under control and getting to the line...

Another option may be to play AP with Solomon as Back-up PG, as an alternate passer/playmaker as Roko is not ready yet to play. The best thing about both of Solomon/Ukic is that they will only be required to play 12/13 mins game.

Sh!t - was unaware they were showing the game last night.I'm off work today, maybe its on Rewind.

Leaning with Papa - first part of season look for Jose to log 35+ minutes. I'm still hoping one of the PG's eventually picks up their game.

Looking at 4th quarter points from last night, it couldn't all be PG's fault.

There is no way Rap's should beat the Lakers, when they are playing well, who are stacked with talent and on a mission to win the NBA this year.

Raptors are looking to play well and win a playoff series or 2, and it will be considered a successful year, while the Lakers will only be considered successful if they win the championship. BIG difference.

Your post raises the interesting question of Mitchell's status. Many had said that if the team was underperforming by the time the December road trip was over, Mitchell might be gone. Question now is, whether fans will give Smitch the break and call for BC/MLSE to hit the tax and get a backup PG and wing player (though I doubt starting caliber wing player will be available before the trade deadline).

Hope you guys caught JO's hack of Pau preventing an easy lay in. Gasol went to the ground heard, and JO didn't even consider helping him off the ground. He just walked away.

When that happened, I popped wood.

Hey Franchise and Howland. I scoured the recent posts to see what we will be doing to protest the TSN2 crap. Did not see anything as of yet, and so I propose the following preliminary action. Everyone go to the NBA.com homepage and submit a question conveying their displeasure with this illogical decision. I have copied and pasted the one I sent below, for anyone to use. Go to the NBA.com homepage and then look for 'Fab Relations FAQ', and then go to 'Want to contact us?', then click 'here', then 'Contact the NBA'. This will take you to the screen for making such a submission. Please let me know what else you guys think we can do. Thanks.

"Hello. I am writing regarding the Toronto Raptors, and there broadcast schedule for this upcoming season. It has recently become known that 23 of their games will only be carried by a subsidiary of TSN in Canada, TSN2. Not only is this network an additional charge for many Canadian viewers, the largest cable network in Canada, Rogers Cable, does not even carry this channel at the moment. So, basically, by allowing this to happen, your league will be reducing its exposure to new and developing fans in Canada, while simultaneously infuriating passionate fans who strive to watch every game (like myself). I am sure you are by now aware of this horrible marketing decision on the part of MLSE (managing partner of Raptors organization), and I am curious if you will be consulting them to reverse or alter their course in this regard.
Thank you.

Almost every cable company and Satellite company, EXCEPT Rogers carries TSN2. In addition, these companies have made TSN2 avaialable at no extra cost. If people are writing letters, they should be writing letters to Rogers and or TSN and not the NBA, Raptors or MLSE.
I should add that TSN and Rogers are in talks to add TSN2 to the Rogers network and they expect to have it up and running by the time the first game is expected to air on TSN2 in December.

Way too much drama concerning TSN2. I thought I heard BC saying it will be worked on. Assuming MLSE is not aware of the issue and not working on it is just plain wrong. You will get to see all of our games on TV.

http://us.lrd.yahoo.com/_ylt=Ap0LLupd5HXzUM4ID7QARgVEno14/SIG=12fmbabig/**http://cosmos.bcst.yahoo.com/up/sports?ch=244098&cl=10285737&lang=en

there ya go - still laughing on the biased "dunk of the night" haha

Oneanddone: Well it is great that all the other companies carry TSN2, but Rogers still does not. That is the nature of the problem, so it is great you took the time to reiterate. My next step was to contact Rogers and TSN, and so I agree with your logic there. Until I know that I will have access to all the Raps games, I will continue to be 'dramatic' (nice jab Tinman). I wrote this post to any likeminded individuals who happen to have Rogers as their cable supplier, but your opinions, and desire to express them are appreciated.

Just out of curiosity, is there a list of point guards that might make suitable back-ups? Someone like a brevin Knight or a speedy claxton or someone who could step in? What about Steve Blake, what's he up to?

I'm holding out on the anger until it actually comes out that Rogers won't be carrying TSN2. from everything I've read and heard, the two are working on it and I highly doubt come opening night that the issue won't be resolved.

it wouldn't make much sense to alienate an already whimsical/suspect fan base.

now come opening night... if things haven't been worked out - then for sure there's going to be some serious rioting and looting. (just kidding...I think)

Well I submitted a complaint to TSN as well now, so I hope this multi-faceted approach satisfies my anti-proactive critics. I personally felt a top-down approach was most likely to possibly influence things. If the NBA management was somehow unaware of the possibility that their product could potentially be withheld from metaphorically (and possibly literally) clamouring fans, willing to take the time to write in months in advance of the issue, they might lean heavily on the relatively minor sports broadcasting company to get their act together. Anyways, I will report any happenings beyond standard automated replies. Happy viewing ladies and gents.

if the good joey shows up consistent... do u see us making a trade for a back up pg using joey as bait? who else wud b an option to truly get rid of

If I were smitch, i would play roko against pgs that aren't much of an offensive threat (pgs like jacque vaughn for instance last year), and play solomon against more shoot first pg. Hope that one pg gains confidence and ride him out. We'll shall see.

PS: Seeing the lakers shows how far we have to go to be a contender, farmer walton etc. show championship teams must draft well. BC hasn't as of yet (I know it's only been a couple of years)

It should be every owners goal to win a title, however some teams primary goal is making money first and winning second.

For example if MLSE’s goal was to win a title this year they would be willing to spend more money and enter the dreaded luxury tax.

Let’s think what could have happened if BC had only the NBA payroll rules to follow instead of the budget he has to follow:

This is just an example not these exact names but this idea in general:

BC in theory could have resigned Delfino at say 3-7 million, resigned Primo to a 1 year contract (only in order to trade him as an expiring contract during the season)

Used his MLE (mid level exception on player X maybe Posey, Childress, Magette, anyone worthy of the 6-7 million at the wing postion who could improve it. If not use on the best available player as either a trade chip or making another player disaposable based on this signing.

Use the veterans minnium or even the MLE if he is the best available player to get a veteran back up PG just in case Roko is not ready.

Bought a second draft pick in the draft and made sure they got CDR or anyother good prospect who fell through the cracks

Again all in thoery and not these particular names but players that would A. make us better and B. Increase our team salary and have lots of tradeable players and options/flexability.

Sure this would also eliminate cap space but not if you signed these players to short term deals 1 or 2 years. Sure this would reduce the chance of landing these players but maybe there would have been a match somewhere.

So using the above thinking our roster could have been something like this

PG Calderon/Roko/(damon or Jwilliams or player X take your pick I am sure I am forgetting a few other possibilities)

SG Parker/Kapono/not hassan Adams/Delfino
SF Player Y (Childress/Posey/Magette/anyone better then what we have/Graham/Moon/CDR

PF Bosh/Hump/Jawai

C Oneal/Andrea/Primo

Now think of the potential trades possibilites this would allow us to make during the season. We would have a much better chance of winning a title clearly as we are not deleting any players we would just be adding.

So here we spent around 10-11 million dollars over the tax and made us a team that would have a better shot to win a title this year if MLSE number 1 goal was to win a title.

BC, Smicth and all the players and the enitire organization wants to win a title as there goal don’t get me wrong, however MLSE does not want to spend over the tax which they are entirely entitled to do and is a maybe a good business decision (I would gamble and go for it for higher revenue potential if the team has great sucsess however they choose to play it safe) BUT as a fan we want a Mark Cuban type owner that wants a tilte more then anything however unfortunately that does not exist here.

Another reason to grade BC a little higher as he does not have a budget as high as the Lakers and Celtics among other teams.

Think about what adding 10-12 million dollars to our payroll over the next 10 years each season would do? What possible players could we add.

Toronto will spend around 70 million this year. The best two teams Boston and LA spend 81 and 83 this year. Granted most teams don’t go over (Detriot is an example that you don’t HAVE to go over to win) However if we are talking about maxiumizing your teams chance to win then clearly Boston and LA ownership is fully commited and Toronto’s is not.

AGAIN if MLSE wanted to win a tilte sooooo bad they would alow BC to spend what ever he seas fit under NBA rules.

But we can’t and that ofcourse hurts our chances and makes me a little sad to be honest.

To bad Mr Balsaly (owner of RIM) (and yes I am sure I spelled his name wrong) did not like Basketball like he likes hockey. He would be a great owner.

GO RAPS and do me a favor if you see a retired teacher… slap them around a bit and tell them not to be so tight with there cash….

Sam,
Giving a back-up PG minutes with the first unit makes sense, but which one?

Roko seems to be able to take people off the dribble and penetrate pretty well. I think he may be the kind of guy who will slash like a good 2, which will be useful if he just dumps it into one of the bigs. he can also distribute pretty well to the perimeter guys.

But Solomon can hit some shots and may be better able to take advantage of the bigs kicking it back out better than Roko.

In the end, I think Roko's ability to get to the rim wins. He can play pick and roll with the bigs and get some isolations on a big man. If he's got the onions, he can get in there to get the other team's bigs rack up some fouls.

And yes I know MLSE is a coporation and they have the same goal as every other corporation to make money but it does not mean I or Raps fan have to like it… God I hate them ""ownership, MLSE what ever you want to call them ""… I am still so bitter about all Raps preseaon games last year and this year not being on Raps TV. Most were on this year and most were not on last year, however clearly they should all be.

However I won’t elaborate because I have been there and done that and really don’t want to anger myslef that much again.

This whole TSN2 thing better work because if my Rogers ultimate sports package does not show me 82 Raps games I will snap and Jail or a mental institution is something I would like to avoid this season.

GO RAPS

I know this might be way out there but do you think that we could swing a trade with our trade partner Indiana and get Jamal Tinsley for Joey,solomon and a future draft pick....I know he has issues but in a new team, new country, new philosophy and old buddy JO it just could work and Tinsley is a very good player ..issues aside....Raps4Life