To Roko or not to Roko, That is the Question…

wait, so you don't think roko is ready for the nba, but your first list consists of undrafted combo guards? Your premise is that you don't want to bring Roko over because he's inexperienced. The kid has seen alot better competition than the undrafted guards you listed.

your second list makes more sense, but why do you think that having roko and a vet third pg are mutually exclusive?

Thanks for another great read FRANCHISE.

I like your second list with the exception of Armstrong. Two years ago Armstrong would have been a good fit but after watching him last year I got the impression he just doesn’t have the legs anymore.

Flip Murray is in my humble opinion one of the more underappreciated combo guards in the league. Although he is nothing special, he is very useful since he can not only play the 1&2, but he is also competent (not great) at both. I’ve been hoping for the Raptors to pick him up for a couple of years now because he would become quite valuable when injuries to the pg&sg occur. He can score, slash, create for others and play some (not great) defense on the parameter.

Finally, I’d like to throw one more name out there, Daniel Ewing the former Clipper. Couldn’t he be a cheap back-up guard with something to prove if given a chance to come back to the NBA? He played the last season in Russia and by all accounts had a great season. He’s another player I thought had some potential that was never appreciated. On the other hand, I admit he also had some glaring weaknesses when it came to court vision. I

I seem to recall that when Ukic came to Tau Ceramica he took Jose's starting role and Jose came off the bench. If that's correct, it suggests that there's less to worry about than many believe.

I think this is the year to try Ukic out. The Raps have O'Neal for two years, and in my mind, don't have all the pieces for a championship run this year...but given the 2-year window w/ JO (or maybe more if they resign him...but thats another story) they don't want to try the Ukic experiment next year, when they should be making the run for the title(more playing time together, a chance to add another 'piece' to the puzzle).

And adding another rookie? That doesn't make any sense, for the same reasons you question Ukic. At least Ukic has had time in the Euroleague to the develop, and lets hope thats the difference.

But I have always loved Armstrong. If the Raps can get him for cheap, then he would be great insurance and veteran addition to the team.

I just saw some clips of Roko playing against Toronto in last year's preseason over in Europe. Taking it for what it's worth he didn't seem too bad. He's going to have a height advantage over many PG's that's for sure.
Most importantly he seems to play in control and doesn't settle for the outside shot.
I think if he can give us 10-15 decent minutes a game we're golden.
That being said, it's a risk and it might worth bringing in a veteran as a third PG.

Franchise, I am somewhat surprised by your post not mentioning Rajon Rondo as an example of how things could work out. Hell, except for a few short spurts in the playoffs where House got big time minutes, that little dude ran the show. People were ready to crucify this guy in Boston if he didn't feed their 3-headed monster. Roko isn't even being groomed to be the starter and we are already giving up on him? Baptize the kid by fire.

Franchise,

I think your concerns about depth are perhaps a little premature. I do recall in the offseason last year you (or Howland) didn't figure the Celtics were going to be elite because they lacked a lot of depth on the bench. Turns out they did pretty good.

I think if the Raps have a winning attitude and the starting 5 gel quickly Roko's 10 minutes won't hurt the club...and I think working with Jose now will help him become a better player in the long run.

But I'm not basing this on my own knowledge/experience with the situation. I'm just writing this because I'm trying to kill a half hour at work until my tee time and decided posting something would help the time pass.

The comment about the Celtics is legit though.

you don't need to be a superstar PG to throw the ball in the general direction of two 7 footers
: )

I was the one that fully supported the Boston deal and didn't have any concerns. To that end expect an article next week about how out lack of depth is not as concerning as some might think....

How about Earl Boykins? Yes, he's undersized but he's shown he's a great floor general.

A player no one really talks about is Royal Ivey. I chatted with him when he was in Toronto and he seemed like a great fit for the Raptors locker room. I watched him closely in that game and he looks like a great change of pace to Calderon. Plus, he has the desire to be a great defender. He's an unrestricted free agent and someone I'd really like to see Toronto sign.

Even someone like Anthony Carter could be a nice fit if he only has to play 10-15 minutes off the bench.

I don't know much about Roko and haven't seen him play, but I think he will be fine based on when he will get his minutes - As a backup PG he will probably play about 2 minutes at the end of the first quarter and the first 3-5 minutes of the second quarter depending on the pace of the game, and the same in the second half. That gives him about 10-14 minutes a game leaving jose with 34-38 minutes a game.

This is generally the same rotation other teams use for their point guards meaning Roko will have to compete against other backups. Considering the fact that there are few teams out there with incredible depth at PG, Roko won't have to battle against any of the elite.

Although Roko is no where near ready to start in the NBA, keep in mind that he will hardly have to play against other starters, just backups, and hopefully he will bode well against them

Nice article. I am not completely confident in Roko playing significant minutes at the point either. However, it is definitely time to get a look at him. Give him a chance at the 1, but limit his time there and play him mostly as a 2 if he does not seem ready to run the show. At the price Roko will be paid, him being a bust will only be a problem if they have not brought in another servicable point guard. I do not like the idea of bringing in other rookies or inexperienced guys. They could not be counted on anymore than Roko. I think Darrell Armstrong would be a great signing. Ideally Roko outplays him and is the 2nd point guard, with Armstrong as the 3rd. It should not be too big a hit to see Armstrong as the 2nd PG and Roko the 3rd with a few minutes at the 2.

Great pod cast by the way.

Totally agree JBen, ideally you want a situation where your prospect outplays the veteran and then takes over as the second stringer. I'm just not sure that's a lock.

Hopefully BC knows something I don't and maybe I've been spoiled these past two years by having two starting point guards, but if Jose gets hurt...

Yes, big if and maybe like the Celtics no one gets hurt and Toronto cruises along. But don't you want to insulate yourself just in case? I'm not sure how you can argue that a guy who has yet to play in the NBA, and who may not even be a point guard, is a better form of insulation than a time-tested NBA vet.

Not a fan of Royal Ivey (except for the time he got posterized by Warrick in college) but considering both Carter and Boykins for the list. The first list is simply the "prospects don't come any cheaper than this" list. It's more of a "who's who" of guys who could be interesting prospects for Toronto for cheap than options to replace Roko. The second list deals with that aspect of things, should have made it a bit more clear.

As for Rondo, yes by the time his second year in the NBA hit he was pretty much ready to take over the helm for the C's. However who's to say if Roko will end up in that camp in terms of development, or in the Acie Law camp...ie, struggling through his first year as even a back-up. It's too early to tell, and I guess that's what my concerns are based on...

Will we have a look at Roko in the summer league?

While it's not entirely a good idea to project Roko's abilities based on video and stats (non NBA)...from what I've seen, he's going to be great for us. I really liked what I saw of Jose the first time I saw him play, but Roko is equally impressive. He appears to be able to get by his primary defender with ease. I remember thinking that he gave TJ a run for his money last year in the pre-season. In fact, TJ's attitude somewhat irked me in that game. I supported TJ while he was here, but we can do without the effect his mentality had on the team.

I believe the deal to get Roko out of the euroleague was in place before the JO trade was even in consideration. BC pretty much had to follow through or risk never having the chance to bring him over at all. That's the impression that I got anyway.

I also think that BC's next priority is finding a cheap veteran PG to help Roko develop and step in when Roko is having an off game.

I'm not really worried about Roko's performance. The Raps aren't going to be asking him to do a whole lot. He just needs not be completely useless for about 7-8 minutes each half.

Roko has been performing pretty well in the second best league in the world, so I think he can handle this.

My understanding of signing veterans is that if a team signs a 10+ year vet at the veterans minimum, they are compensated for half that salary by the league. Now this doesn't affect the cap, except that if a veterans minimum guard takes you over the luxary tax, half that value is already covered by the league.

If I'm right about that, it would make a bunch of sense to get a guy like Armstrong or Stoudamire. Let Roko rotate in as a 3rd pg/combo guard and see just where he fits in the NBA.

Franchise, I totally agree with your sentiments. In fact I might have mentioned something similar in my comments yesterday, signing a couple of vets - naming Armstrong and Ratliffe as good candidates. (Mind you I think I lost some cred by repeating my interest in Jaric and coach Blatt! Just thinking outside the box MAS)

If we can get those dudes signed for league minimum it would make everyone a little more comfortable.

Suprised the raptors didn't make a run at Chris Duhon. Easily one of the better backups in the league and wouldn't cost much.

That way we could decide to use Roko as either the backup pg or backup 2 guard.

If he wasn't good enough to be a backup pg than obviously we'd go to Duhon who has shown he can certainly do it.

Seems to be a bit late now as he has signed with the Knicks and got way more than I thought he's worth, the full mid level exception.

So basically this entire posting was useless

On to more useful stuff we still only have one true 2 guard on this team in AP.

Any word on who will be replacing the Swirsk?

i am getting the feeling that u guys are seriously UNDERESTIMATING roko ukic. This kid is going to really open some eyes next yearr and WILL go down as the BEST decsion rob babcok ever made in his tenure here with the raps. i may be hyping the kidd alott but from what i have read and seen this is what i think........

-firstly this kid can pass and pass very well at that. the only thing is he is not one of those players who is considered a consistent passer, but a player in the barbosa mold who has the ability to pass but sticks to his more stronger ability- Slashing

- secondly, not too many ppl know this but in the pre-draft camp which roko was working out with prior to the draft, he was put against 3 point guards- devin harris, jarret jack, and john lucas on one on one drills, and roko ukic thorougly demobilized all three guards in the stat range of 4, 9, and 6 points to his 12, 14, 9 (btw this story courtesy of jonathan givony of draft express) this clearly shows one of rokos two most promising abailities DEFENSE (even against devin harris!!!)

thirldy another event which clearly stuck in my head about rokos potential as a basketball player was in the 2005 fiba spain vs Croatia quarter final game which has gone down as one of the most one sided refereed game in the history of FIBA and a game which in many croatians minds destroyed the promise of croatian basketball and signified the break up of the best croatian team in history.In the game, even with the referees calling everything for spain---one thing stuck out to me (other than the point guard battle of roko vs jose, and as a raptors fan -present vs the future, ohhhhhhh man it stills keeps me drooling, but aniways :).....it was the way in which roko sytematically destroyed every hurdle the spanish team put in his way and kept (even with the refrees agianst him) his country in the game. In the fourth quarter roko ukic single handedly scores 15 (on top of his 14) points to not only bring croatia back from a double digit deficit but at the same time hits the buzzer beating shot ( in front of the thousands of fans packed in the stadium and the millions watching from the comfort of their armchairs) to take croatia into overtime. (which they eventually lost thanks also in part to the bizzare croatian coach bencing roko instead for oft injured point guard zoran planinic.

-and fourthly?!?! i dont understand all this bogus talk of getting some one like richard roby or darrel "my balls drag on the floor" armstrong. because of roko ukics inexperience. people keep forgetting that this guys has played on the second best basketball stage.

in conlcusion franchise i love your posts but i really do feel you should take a breather. this is because even if roko cannot handle the point guard duties full time and he cannot consistenly run the offence------WHO THE HELL CARES!!!! the raps need perimeter defence and slashing ability and roko ukic provides both of these things in leaps and bounds. many people look at him and judge him based on his overall appearence (which btw that god awful picture above doesnt help) people see his slight figure and percieve he may not be able to defend point guards, but i say if u have the speed capabilities to effectively shutdown devin freakin harris then u are deserving of a cookie.

yet i also feel to effectively use roko the raps ( especially "coach" mitchell_ have to take a a dantoni-esque appeal to where and how he should play.

i keep bringing up the devin harris and leandrinho barbosa comparisons, not because he will become one of these two players but i do feel he MAY become a hybrid of these two. and also further continuing the barbosa comparisons i do feel that roko's game is better suited to the nba's freestyling game.

even if our faithful leader ol' mitch doesnt have the "resources" to figure out how to use roko i will exaplin. roko is best with the ball in his hands and is severly reduced when the ball is not (example his stint in tau vitroia)so to use him effectively he is best as a backup guard who should be played with and off the ball two guard and big men who score points through putbacks and those who play near the rim (ex humphreys). Roko coulkd also be used as a defensive back up to calderon. anytime a billups or marubry (well...not marbury) type player who easily post up smaller players roko can easily come in and try to contain them. roko's defensive abilities can even range to two gurads ( but they have to be of more of a slighter build such as roy, hamilton, martin). another way to deploy roko would be to play him with a smaller guard who can defend the pointguard but has no/or little passing ability whatsoever ex ben gordon, FLIP MURRAY, bayless.

so in conclusion for the second time this is the BEST time to bring him in and for all those naysayers he will SHOW UP!

++ NEXT WEEK we will talk about DIAMITRIS DIAMINDITIS and why he will be great for the raptors so tune in :)

---btw sorry to franchise and howland for stealing the spotlight ;)(I JUST LOVE INTERANATIONAL PLAYERS)

Lou Pike - The year Jose came to the Raps from Tau, Roko was signed by them (after Jose signed with us) in order to become his replacement. They didn't actually play together.

Robert Arch - I for one love your outside the box thinking. That's why we have these open forums for discussion.

Regarding Smitch (from last post)- people can have whatever opinion they want. I for one do not see the great player developer, (i.e., Hoffa, Bargs, Joey). He doesn't utilize his players properly, i.e., Kapono (until the playoffs), Hump, Bargs, PG situation (even before the controversy), and player rotations/ proper utilization of his bench. He made it clear numerous times that TJ was the starter and that he does so many things on the court that others can't do (which was a direct reference to Jose). Then suddenly, TJ gets injured and Jose takes over as a starter. Jose begins to play out of his mind and all of a sudden eclipses TJ as the team's starter. So my question then is, what is it that Sam did to make Jose such a great player? He himself was quoted as saying how impressed he was seeing Jose playing so well in TJ's absence (he seemed pretty shocked by this development rather than expecting it). Bosh even called him out in the playoffs for trying to make major changes on the eve of their first playoff game against Orlando. Seeing all of these problems, why are people not entitled to question his coaching?

Now, Smitch finally has a team that he should be able to work with…and I hope he is successful! But, in no way am I convinced!

Gotta love RapsHQ for the quality of the commenters: Jeman today presents an analysis that makes it appear he's seen Roko much more than simply stat sheets or Youtube clips. Love hearing that kind of stuff.
I was thinking Anthony Carter too, but wonder if he's really willing to sign for cheap and be considered third string when he's coming off some seasons running Denver's O. Besides, doesn't Denver still need this guy, at least as a backup?

Ukic looked good in the game against us last year...that's what I base my assessment on.

But yeah, go for some cheap insurance I guess....Ukic obviously can play 2 at 6'5 in a bind....(Calderon at 6'3 isn't short himself.)

I still foresee other moves. Like I mentioned previously, I have a feeling Kapono will be dealt.

As others have mentioned, the hell with it, send Bargnani on his way as well?....tough call there; he can't play much worse than last season, basically...give him another shot, he'll be ok off the bench.

Someone might bite on Parker, (although a good guy and all) buh bye I say....maybe ship him out at the deadline....which leads to Graham I guess, same deal.

Rather have Delfino than Graham, but that's been discussed.

Soft spot for Mighty Mouse, do it if he's taking peanuts.

Somebody go to Hoops hype and add up the Raps salaries for next year and the year after too for that matter and maybe the speculation would be more realistic about what the raps should/could do.I'd say the best chance the Raps have of adding anything more than a minimum $'s player is a sign and trade involving Carlos or a trade involving Hump. The point is that they have committed at least $69 million on 11 players. Unless the luxury tax makes a huge jump up to $75 mill. there is not any $ for much else. MLSE will never exceed the cap becuz then they wouldn't share in the 2-3 mill. per team that teams that do not exceed the cap share.

Raptors have 12 players now for approx $69/70 mil, so have about $1 mil left for the 13th player an experienced PG or combo guard as insurance if it takes Ukic some time to adjust. That's it folks no more money and no more players, at least untill the Feb trading deadline if the current roster is not working out. Roko has the benefit of Jose having gone thru the NBA learning curve and able to give advice, as well as being more fluent in English than Jose was. Jose with all his adjustments was still able to be an effective back-up with 5 ast and 5 pts per game in his 1st yr.

Thanks Jegan. That was a cool write-up on Roko.

Franchise. I have to agree with most of the respondents and vehemently disagree with your plan of bringing in either your plan A or B.

A 3rd PG should be there in case of a major injury, but I have no doubt that Roko will be just fine and now is the time to get him into the fold.

Jegan, you've given yet another great example of why Howland and I love doing this site; the quality of comments are off the chain and with readers across the globe and in the know with various players, it gives fans a great breadth of knowledge that you just don't get from you average newspaper article etc.

That being said I'm not sure I agree with you on the defensive description of Roko (even in our last chat with Givony he worried about Ukic's ability to guard players at the NBA level), but I love the idea of a Barbosa/Harris hybrid. I hope am underestimating Roko but I just think it's going to take him at least a year to really figure things out, and considering we have O'Neal for only two and are evidently trying to win now, not sure he's the guy we want as Jose's primary back-up.

However like you mentioned Sorael, I seem to recall the agreement to bring Roko over this year being in effect since last summer, which does put things in a bit of a different perspective. I still really hope though that BC goes out and grabs another vet who can play both the back-up or third-stringer role. Hopefully we'll see Roko in summer league...which incidentally starts in about a week!

DIAMITRIS DIAMINDITIS

PS - Yes, bring on the DIAMITRIS DIAMINDITIS talk. The more overseas info the better!

jegan - great to have some over the top optimism for the raps! Seems things turn negative very quickly around here. Maybe because we all got burned so badly with our expectations last year. I must say that you have eased my mind a little on Roko, though it wouldn't hurt to have a vet PG on the roster for insurance. Personally, I would rather spend our last few pennies on league vets than even if there are some intriguing European Diaminditis in the rough out there.