Adams on Board…and Look Who’s Going to Vegas…

by RaptorsHQ - Archives on Jul 8, 2008 12:00 AM EDT in General

Yes Ernest, Joey Graham will be joining you at Summer Camp this year in Vegas...

Hard to believe but it’s been almost three weeks since the 2008 draft.

Am I still bitter about the whole CDR thing?

Short answer yes.

(But after picking up the new GQ with Giselle on the cover, not as much as before.)

Knowing that I’m going to have to watch CDR at least four times a year when the Nets play the Raptors doesn’t bode well for my long-term sanity I confess. Nevertheless, I’m trying to move on here and have already updated our top five prospects for 2009 on the site’s home page.

So am I hoping that Douglas-Roberts pulls a Joey Graham and becomes a 10th man? Not really…but I’d prefer if he sort of chugged along unnoticed only for New Jersey to drop him to make room for the great Lebron race of 2010. Then maybe Toronto scoops CDR up and he busts loose providing a spark off the bench for years to come.

Hey! Like Hassan Adams right?

So what about Mr. Adams, the latest "we better hope this keeps us under the luxury tax" signing for Bryan Colangelo? We missed getting a chance to interview him at the Free Agent Camp but Adams was on our "hot list" as one of the few standouts in attendance.

He’s a feisty defender who makes up for his lack of height (he’s listed at 6-4) with excellent length and superior athleticism. At a lean 220 he’s no doubt a physical specimen and could provide a nice spark off the bench for the Dinos.

A lot has already been written about Adams already by the local media but here’s a few things I bet most people didn’t know.

1) His nickname is Hot Sauce, something he got during his days as a Wildcat.

2) Adams actually played a great deal of power forward and small forward at Arizona because of his strength and athleticism and despite being under 6-5, averaged almost six rebounds a game for his college career.

3) The reason Adams’ stock may have slipped in the 2006 draft was because he was unable to continue workouts after he suffered a foot injury during a pre-draft workout. The foot injury came at the hands of…none other than eventual Raptors’ second-round pick PJ Tucker! (Somewhere I can hear Alanis Morissette singing about rain on a wedding day…)

Right Franchise, all those little tidbits are fascinating, but can he play?

I think he can and in fact I think he may even become the guy who gets the call off the bench behind Bargs, Moon and whoever the back-up point guard will be. He just seems to be more of a Sam Mitchell type already than Joey Graham.

And speaking of Joey…if you never saw either of them, couldn’t the descriptions of Graham and Adams be almost interchangeable? Both are athletic, undersized wings who played mostly power and small forward in college and who have suspect jump shots to go with underdeveloped ball handling skills. To top it off, both are going to be on this year’s summer league team!

Yes that’s right, Joey’s making like Ernest, and going to summer camp.

Along with Graham and Adams, Toronto’s team will feature:

Deji Akindele C 6-10 240 Chicago State

Sean Banks F 6-8 210 Memphis

Rod Benson C 6-10 235 California

Joel Bosh F 6-7 185 Alabama State

Coleman Collins F 6-9 236 Virginia Tech

Daniel Ewing G 6-3 185 Duke

Thomas Gardner F 6-5 213 Missouri

C.J. Giles C 6-11 240 Oregon State

John Lucas G 5-11 165 Oklahoma State

And second round pick Nathan Jawai should be joining in the fun as well as soon as he’s signed later this week.

A few names jump out from this list immediately such as Joel Bosh, Chris’ younger brother, as well as John Lucas and Rod Benson, both recent Raptors’ free-agent camp standouts. The Benson appearance is especially interesting as we had originally believed that Rod would be unavailable for Toronto’s camp, because of prior commitments to Phoenix this summer. However that was an oversight on my part, forgetting that besides the league in Vegas, teams submit entries to leagues in other places such as Denver and Orlando, and therefore one player can end up playing with more than one NBA Summer League squad each off-season.

Rod recently discussed his Free-Agent camp experience on his Yahoo blog, and we'll be posting the chat we had with him over the next few days.

Tomorrow though we’ll be taking a closer look at the names on the Vegas roster and speculate on who might be of assistance to Toronto in terms of final roster spots. What I think may be most intriguing though concerning the announced roster is that Joey Graham is on the list, and Jamario Moon is not.

Does this indicate the level of confidence Toronto has in Moon as opposed to Graham? Perhaps slightly, however I concur with something that Doug Smith stated in his blog yesterday; that Joey is in Vegas because he really just needs to get out and play. Perhaps a dominant summer league will give way to a strong training camp and thus finally a breakthrough NBA season…

…or perhaps BC is putting Graham on the Vegas league roster to simply up the ante in what could be his final shot at sticking in the league.

In any event, it will be worth watching Toronto’s games to see how Joey plays and even in this less structured environment, whether he outshines a similar player in Adams. While Graham was seen as better prospect in college, it’s Adams who most now feel will get the bulk of ninth or tenth man minutes next year for the Raptors.

And taking things one step further, it’s not even Graham that Adams really needs to worry about replacing statistically. No, it could be Carlos Delfino depending on where Adams falls in the rotation. Upon doing some statistical comparison between the two, remarkably Delfino actually had a worse player efficiency rating (PER) than Adams did in his rookie year, and Delfino played almost twice as many minutes as Adams (15.3 versus 8.3.) Delfino had a putrid PER of 8.65 in his rookie campaign while Adams had a very respectable 12.77.

In fact, Adams’ rookie mark of 12.77 isn’t even too far off from Delfino’s PER last season with the Raptors!

Now that doesn’t necessarily mean that he’ll be of greater or equal value to Toronto than Carlos, but there are evidently enough people out there who strongly feel that Adams could make his mark yet in the league. PER guru John Hollinger even wrote an incensed piece when the Nets decided to waive Adams a few years ago to make room for the lumbering Canadian Giant, Jamaal Magloire:

"To cut Adams in order to pull this move off seems shortsighted at best. I don't want to overstate things here — he wasn't going to be the next Dr.J or anything. But he was primed to be a very effective energy guy off the bench, essentially a 6-foot-4-inch version of the Knicks' Renaldo Balkman. In his rookie year after he was New Jersey's second-round choice in 2006, Adams shot 55.6% from the field and averaged an impressive-for-a-guard 6.1 rebounds per 40 minutes. He can't shoot from outside, but his running and energy were effective enough that he still averaged a point every three minutes, which is decent production for a reserve.

All told, his Player Efficiency Rating (PER, my per-minute rating of a player's statistical effectiveness) of 12.8 was solid for a reserve, especially one in his rookie season — and especially one competing with the likes of Antoine Wright (8.2) and Bernard Robinson (7.8) for playing time."

And in this year’s statistical analysis leading up to the draft, which examined college players’ PER’s, Hollinger’s historical rankings had Adams ranked seventh from the 2006 draft. That put him behind the likes of Rudy Gay, Rajon Rondo, Brandon Roy and Jordan Farmar. Not bad company. His PER of 13.79 was also miles ahead of Joey’s from the 2005 draft, and put him amongst prospects like Ben Gordon, Josh Childress, Kirk Hinrich, and Caron Butler from past draft classes.

Now am I expecting Adams to be the next Josh Howard (another player with a similar college PER?) Of course not. But I do think if given the minutes, he will be able to step in and help Toronto.

This kid in many ways is like Jamario Moon, a player who just hasn’t perhaps gotten the chance to show enough of what he can do. From the brief glimpses we saw of him at camp here in Toronto prior to the draft, Adams just looked like an NBA player, as opposed to a player trying to catch on in the NBA.

Hopefully Raptors fans will get their first taste of this in Vegas.

FRANCHISE

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I heard on TSN that the raptors are planning on holding their training camp in Ottawa (Carleton University). Does anyone know if it's open for fans to watch or is it a closed door thing?

Franchise/Howland - are you guys gunna be around for that too?

by Paul on Jul 8, 2008 12:00 AM EDT reply actions

The guy on the Summer squad that intrigues me the most os Sean Banks. This was a guy who had a ll the makings of an early lottery pick when he was coming out of Memphis. Sadly off-court issues killed his stock and he never stuck in the league, but he's played very well in the D League and in a lot of ways reminds me of a Stephen Jackson kind of guy. He defends, can score from anywhere on the court and is the kind of guy to get fired up.

Anyway... here's what Draft Express has to say about him
http://www.draftexpress.com/profile/Sean-Banks-52/

Franchise, what do you think?

by Mazel on Jul 8, 2008 12:00 AM EDT reply actions

From the Sean Banks profile:
"Worst Case: JR Rider"

I'd be happy to have JR Rider coming off the bench at SF!

by BC on Jul 8, 2008 12:00 AM EDT reply actions

We could do a lot worse at the end of our bench then Benson and Banks..

Young, Hungry, Athletic.. I wouldnt be surprised, if these guys filled out our bench, then even helped us during the season

by Coach C on Jul 8, 2008 12:00 AM EDT reply actions

Bosh's little brother?

Is this a favour to Chris or can the kid play?

by The Pope on Jul 8, 2008 12:00 AM EDT reply actions

ON THE LUXURY TAX.

Last time I checked we were not owned by Mark Cuban.
MLSE is a super tight with there cash.

Last preseason they would not shell out a few bucks to Raptors TV to show any of our preseason games (they picked up a few in Europe from NBA TV)

Luxury tax? (In my Jim Mora voice) Luxury tax? are you kidding me? Luxury tax?

getting off topic I find it total a joke that those preseason games where not on TV last season, if we think back, Raps came off a 47 win season and the excitement fans had was out of control, and Raps TV (which is owned by MLSE) did not send anyone out to Europe not Jack Armstrong not Chuck Swirski.
They pick up the feed from NBA TV (which I am pretty sure they pay a set fee for all of NBA tv programming since thats what they show 95% of the time).
They come back home and have a few more preseason games at home and one on the road and 0 are telivised, what a fuken joke. I wonder if Yankees TV shows preseason baseball. MLSE has more money then it knows what to do with.

Yes were talking about preseason! (in my allen Iverson practice voice) not the real games we all die for but the preseason, yes I am talking about preseason.

I want to see Roko, Hot sauce, Baby Shaq, Moon, Joey G.

We all do!!!
were reading blogs in the middle of July so were are obviously hard core.

I know its almost a year ago but it still makes me sick (and yes I know I have to get over it.

Back to the tax.

I don't see it, they are way too tight.

They only reason they spent big money on BC is because the other bargin basement GM we used to have(I refuse to say his name) almost made us loose our franchise. (so you think thats a bit harsh)

If we kept Babcock (shit I said his name) we would have lost Bosh and that would have been after Carter wanted out (I know this was a good thing but thats not the point) What message would then send to NBA players the Raptor franchise was a joke, good free agent would ever come here, and we would never be a contender and the franchise might be in jeporady (unlikely but possible) So the tight wads spent some cash (I was shocked) they realize you have to spend money to make money.

Fast forward to now and it's the same thing with the tax. Spend a few more bucks. (were only 1 player away from being 100% legit if were not all ready) If you spend the cash the chances of us going deep in the playoffs increases dramatically and you get it all back and then some with extra merchandising, tv ratings, extra home playoff games and those $10 beers we all love so much at the ACC (god I love spending 50 bucks on 4 beers and a bad hot dog)
I know BC gets it and I am sure he will pitch it to the board but I get the feeling when he came here they said do what ever the fuc you want but don't go over the tax. Even know we will most likely make more if we do, those idiots he reports to don't get it or like to gamble unless they have no chioce (IE Babcock/Collengelo, Damn thats twice I said his name)

I hope we go over but I don't believe we will and if we do I seriously doubt it will be for the full mid level. (which could put us over the top)

IF THEY DONT SHOW US ALL RAPTOR PRESEASON GAMES I WILL SNAP THIS YEAR!!!!

SPEND THE MONEY YOU TIGHT ASSES.

by shayne christie on Jul 8, 2008 12:00 AM EDT reply actions

Looks like Philly is clearing cap space to sign a big FA like Brand or Josh Smith. If they succeed, the Atlantic would have 3 legitimate eastern conference title contenders. No ones making those titanic division jokes now.

by LAs Only on Jul 8, 2008 12:00 AM EDT reply actions

Yeah, I was intrigued by the Sean Banks invitation too. Has he really cleaned up his act? Maybe a stint in the D league has shocked him back into reality. Like the Josh Lucas invitation (small, but he's a winner) and Daniel Ewing too. I'm generally not a big fan of Duke players, and Ewing is no star - heck, he's not even Chris Duhon - but he impressed me as a tough player and a strong defender during his college days.

by Skywalker on Jul 8, 2008 12:00 AM EDT reply actions

Shayne Christie,
That is the funniest/best post I have read on this site in over 2 years!

by The J on Jul 8, 2008 12:00 AM EDT reply actions

shayne christie,
I emailed swirsky about those games last year and he gave me some bs explanation about content ratios and the crtc and said he 'feels my pain' - hey at least the guy responded.

it's too bad about thouse hard-ass teacher's pension fund people, don't they care about winning at all? They should snap up ben gordon and at the end of the season sell the larry o'brian trophy to oklahoma to squeeze out that last bit of cash they so deperately need...

by axl on Jul 8, 2008 12:00 AM EDT reply actions

Last I heard the MLSE was still a business and I'm not sure if some know but the luxary tax is a "DOLLAR FOR DOLLAR" tax. Meaning, if we're are $2 million over the limit, MLSE is actually paying out $4 million! That's just not good business. I'm not defending them by ANY means, but like I said, it's just business.

by OneandDone on Jul 8, 2008 12:00 AM EDT reply actions

Obviously, as a private corp, we don't know how much Raps are making. But at 98% attendance, despite minimal but growing tv viewership, we've got to figure they're doing ok.
And, going by the figure I've read constantly, that each home playoff game is an extra million in the books, I believe MLSE would go over the tax if they felt it made a second round series definitely possible. However, I think they'll want to wait until the trading deadline til that decision is made.

by Tim on Jul 8, 2008 12:00 AM EDT reply actions

Shayne Christie - Beautiful rant and we feel your pain...hate how you can't see Team Canada play either in the Olympic qualifiers.

Paul - Hopefully we'll be attending the camp again this year...although it won't be as glamorous as last year in Spain ha ha.

Mazel - Going to talk about Banks tomorrow. He's someone we were hoping to get a look at during the free agent camp but he wasn't in attendance. Good that Toronto brought him in because I too think he could be a nice piece still now that he seems to have his act together.

by Franchise on Jul 8, 2008 12:00 AM EDT reply actions

Tim,
I think you are right on. MLSE will probably hold back until the Raps prove that spending over the cap is worth it.If the Raps go over the cap by Ben Gorden money, and some injuries kill them, or someone plays like Gorden did last year, the Raps are in a monster hole.
Historically, the Pension Fund has been willing to let cash flow. Think of what happened after they bought the Leafs! Roberts, Nolan, Leetch. Then they spent all kinds of money on Belfour. After that, it was cap time. And the NHL had a hard cap. Sure, the ownership at MLSE has been incompetant, but the fund has spent.
That said, going into the luxury tax produced 2 playoff teams out of 9 (or something like that)last year. So, to avoid spending stupidly, like the Leafs have done often, the Raps would need to show that they are truly contenders before venturing into tax land for a specific piece.

by EaseMyPain on Jul 8, 2008 12:00 AM EDT reply actions

well, now Brand is in Philly. Along with Rap-killer Reggie Evans, Iguodola, Dalembert...The boxscore will read 50-40 in rebounds Phi-Tor in their first matchup, I reckon.

Atlantic is no cake-walk anymore. I just don't think TO makes 4th seed in the conference if they do not have one heckuva pickup at the 2/3-spot. Enough fillers (AP, Kapono, Adams, Humphries)! Heck, Philly got rid of some cap space, too bad we had no takers for our stiffs on the bench...looking at you graham/kapono/bargs.

If those guys do not mature and start scoring and playing defence/rebounding in a hurry (NOW), TO will be scraping by into the playoffs again. And out again.

by gerry on Jul 8, 2008 12:00 AM EDT reply actions

Did Phily just become a strong contender or what Dalembert and Brandt ?

by d279 on Jul 9, 2008 12:00 AM EDT reply actions

Hi guys,
I just wanted to drp in some thoughts about everything thats going on around the Raptors. First of all I think we have a solid team now but what im not sure about is, is ukic going to be playing back up point guard? and andrea is he going to be coming off the bench? I think we should try to get williams from the heat or acquire another back up point guard, bobby jackson? I dont know how ukic will play in the NBA, but im excited to see how this turns out. I think J.O with the raptors is one of the best moves for the raptors so far after getting BOSH :)

by Saad on Jul 14, 2008 12:00 AM EDT reply actions