Tip-In: Toronto Raptors Post Game – All-Star Hangover

ugh...what an ugly game that was last night. Lebron was ho-hum, even in his triple double type night, t-o was terrrrrible, and like you said Franchise, the game showed just what pieces are really missing from this club.

I'm actually excited about the KNicks matches though as I think if Bosh is back the Raps can get both and then take down Minny.

I was looking forward to this game, and how Marion would shake out, notwithstanding it being his first game with the Raps. But when Bosh was deemed a scratch, I realized we were toast. Add some horrible shooting, and one knew the toast would be burnt the moment the bell rang.

Thin or not, we can’t afford to play a team like the Cavs without our best player. Certainly not while integrating Marion in at the same time. No point being disappointed by this loss. It is obvious though, how we need a back-up Big for this last stretch if play-offs are the goal.

Which brings me to this "tanking" concept that’s being thrown around. If the draft was something to be excited about, I might think tanking would be a subconscious goal. But I have to wonder if the balance of this season should be more about enticing Marion to go beyond this year (with the Raps), then picking up a rookie who might or might not work.

I still think if Toronto doesn't get greedy they can dump Kapono for an expiring salary (say Eric Snow). Dumping Parker has been a fetish of mine for about a year and a few months now, he is just too inconsistent to warrant keeping around just for kicks. If someone is looking to get an expiring contract we should ship him out and move JG to the 2 when Bosh comes back.

P.S. No offense Franchise but in Canadia we spell it capitlaise :)

The big man situation is terrible right now, although totally expected after the JO trade. Even with Bosh expect some Jake at times.

I couldn't disagree more with people who think this draft is going to be a questionable one. There are some nice looking prospects out there. As I noted a few days ago I highly recommend people spend some quality time watching college ball over the next little while. As you know we get infatuated with this stuff and the more people have watched the better the conversation.

If there is one guy I want to see BC move today it is Kapono. There are a few scenarios that work cap wise (Kwame Brown and Will Bynum for example) where Kapono adds a piece to a team destined for the playoffs while the Raps can clear more cap space. I would even like to see a move like the Chris Mihm trade (but for Solomon) where the Lakers shed themselves of a player for essentially nothing.

Could be an interesting day.

I think JG is the one to move today. You see how many touches he got last night? How are you gonna iso joey against lebron!?! They were trying to showcase him.

my prediction.

What the raptors need isn't someone with a particular skill set. Its someone with a particular MIND SET.. And that's why year after year we get no where. EVERY good team that consistently fights for a playoff spot has atleast one guy but likely two or more, influential individuals that want (scratch that) NEEDS to win and is prepared to curse and scream at his own players if they don't do what's asked of them.
Charles Oakley was it for Toronto and that's why we won. This team is every bit as "talented" as every other team, but every one of these guys (especially Bosh) does not have the will to win and/or the ability to engage their teammates to just leave it all on the floor.
Give me a guy with heart over talent any day of the week... Watch a Golden State game if you think I’m lyin…

Why trade a guy who is cheap and will not cost a lot to resign? Unless you are packaging Graham with another player, you can't even get much for his contract.
The move to make now is shipping Kapono to a contender for whatever we can get.
1. Cleveland - Kapono for Eric Snow's expiring deal. Not sure Cleveland will do this but Kapono is cheaper than RJ and he won't bitch about playing time. It costs them nothing off their active roster.
2. Boston - Kapono for Scalabrine and Tony Allen. Allen is out for like 2 months and scalabrine is not enough for Boston on the bench. Kapono's defensive liabilities can be covered by Boston much like they cover Ray's. Scalabrine gives us another big man and Allen would be a nice replacement for Parker at a lower cost although I am not sure how the deal works as Allen is a BYC.
3. Milwaukee - Kapono for Luke Ridnour. Granted the back up PG has improved and it would create a log jam there but Ridnour's contract comes off the books at the right time and with Solomon most likely not getting resigned in the offseason, it wouldn't hurt to have a proven NBA PG to back up Calderon (plus they could then use Banks as the combo guard that he is). Kapono will help to make up some of the lost scoring they will lose if they move RJ and can still contribute off the bench for them next year. It would also free up some minutes for Sessions.
4. Long shot - Orlando - Kapono and Solomon for Turkoglu. This would be insurance for Orlando both at the point and SF going forward and if Toronto shipped a pick as well they might do it rather than get nothing for Turk. I doubt this one will happen though.

Howland, thanks for the voice of reason. I couldn't agree more about the draft, as there are at least 8-10 players who could help us immediately next year. I also pray that BC does any kind of deal that gets out of Kapono's contract, and hopefully which brings in a big (I love that Kwame and Bynum trade, btw). And, if BC is so set on AP next year, why not rent him out now and just sign him as a UFA this offseason? Better yet, package him with Kapono and we should be able to get a deal done. The good thing is, we've seen that BC has no qualms whatsoever about admitting his mistakes and moving on. Indeed, that is a big part of what makes Kapono's continued place on our roster all the more confusing. However, this is probably just an indication of how bad a mistake he was and any offers he was receiving were no doubt of the "hold-your-nose" variety. Anyways, the worst thing that could happen today is for BC to stand pat. We're a 14th place team, so there is no good reason whatsoever for us not to be shaking things up. I guess that is part of the reason why BC's recent quotes about "keeping the band together" have been so angering.

I am really skeptical of labeling any draft before it goes down.

It seems to me that when a draft doesn't have a superstar no. 1 there is no point in having it. And then the label gets thrown on to every player in the draft. Weak, deep, thin, strong. Who exactly is labeling the draft? The scouts? GMs?

The fact remains both scouts and GMs strike out more often than they hit home runs, and there is no way that in a draft of 60 basketball players there won't be any worth having.

The draft is a constant source of hope for any franchise, a fountain of youth. It's also about as reliable as tossing a coin and making a wish, but you still do it.

Like Franchise said yesterday, with teams in cost cutting mode, the draft becomes increasingly important to filling holes in rosters. How many teams were planning on using MLEs next year on FAs, but are now forced to stand pat or face the luxury tax?

Even if the Marion trade doesn't work out, I think BC may have dodged a bullet, and we'll see other teams take the hit.

love that kapono for bynum/brown trade. makes sense for both and plausible.

Rumoured trade waiting on league approval - NY gets Chris Wilcox and Larry Hughes, Chicago gets - Jerome James, Tim Thomas and Anthony Roberson, Oklahoma gets Malik Rose. Not sure why Oklahoma would want rose as he has an expiring contract like Wilcox (albeit slightly higher) but probably won't provide as much for the rest of the season. I guess they are going into tank mode (more than they already are). It would make sense to Mason more than Wilcox.

any traade involving the Raps will be a surprise. Nothing on the Romour mill except WS thing.

im just messing around with trades i was wonderin if golden state would give up azubuike, turiaf and belinelli for kapono and parker it works out salary wise..

1. Chicago just fleeced Salmons and Miller from Sacramento... uggh...

2. I like the idea of Wilcox coming to TO. Nasty!

3. This draft has a lot of promise - write it off at your own peril. Personally I think BC will be getting us a second pick... whether we tank or not - there is some low lying fruit on this tree...

4. Trading J.Kap would make my day... (best wishes if it doesnt happen);

5. I was laughing my ass off at the quote about how long it took for the Miami commentators to 'discover' some of the weaknesses of Jamario's D.... Classic!

6. AT least we can all get some good sleep after this deadline passes.... waiting for this one to pass has not been pleasant...

The thing that is sad about the NBA today is too many of the trades that are happening are extremely boring moves. Blockbusters just do not seem to happen much anymore because no one wants to gamble their future away in order to win now. The more moves I see completed the more I realise that most of the GM's and owners in this league are way too conservative. If you are Cleveland, wouldn't you do what ever it takes to win a championship and let the long range be damned? Adding Shaq (one of the rumours) may or may not help put them over the top but it sure makes a big splash and you might force Boston to make a move just to offset you. Worst case is that Shaq does nothing and you take him off your books in two years. If James is going to bolt he will bolt but this move at least sends the right message. Too many other teams are worried about the long term instead of right now. That is probably why Boston and LA won't make major moves and even teams with money (NY, Dallas) will make moves that won't hurt them long term. Neither of those teams are likely to swing deals to make them champions this year but you would think they would at least try.

Looks like the deadline's come and gone without any moves by BC. I'm sure he was working the phones all day but if the Knicks can pull off some of these garbage deals I'm not sure why TO can't do something with expiring deals.

Again, would love to have some of those G-State wings but looks like Mad Scientist Nelson wants to keep things status quo...

or JK and AP for Gordon, Noah and Sefolosha from the bulls lollll

status quo in raptorsland is quite unpleasant BC i'd like some WINGS with my beer!!!! i heard G-State has some delicious ones.....

Isn't the deadline 3pm EST?

According to Hoopshype, with T-Mac down, Rockets were fishing around for a guard, with Carl Landry as bait. Could we have a match with Parker? Nothing would stop us from resigning him in the offseason if need be.

A few folks on the board have expressed interest in a player Dejuan Blair, citing the sucess of a few similar sized players like Milsap and Maxiell. I would rather the Raptors go after a player in that mold who has already proven they can adapt their game to playing among the trees in the NBA paint. No knock against Blair, I'd just take the conservative route on that one.

One question I would ask in light of Franchise's (last thread) Hump vs. Blair comments. Where did Hump go wrong? Coming out of Minnesota after one year as a hotshot freshman. Putting up close to 20 - 10 his first year. On paper that's the kind of dominance you'd look for in a freshman declaring for the draft. And he's supposed to be a hardworker. Was it his disregard for being a role player that keeps him from establishing a niche with us? And since he's on the books for a few more years, is anyone expecting any further development from him or content with him maintaining the level he's at?

Does anyone have any idea why there exists a purgatory of cap space between the actual cap and the luxury tax?

Why doesn't the NBA open up all salary under the tax as free and available, no restrictions. You'll see a lot more trades, and a lot fewer bad contracts hamstringing teams.

Or will that only last for the one year they decide to change the rule? And then it will be status quo... all teams against the tax.

My feeling is it exists to save the GMs from themselves in some way... but I can't quite figure it out...

Word has it that Patrick O'Bryant might be the newest member of the Raps...some discussion about him coming here in exchange for Will Solomon.

Funny if this goes down as while O'Bryant is a former number one pick, Solomon now gets a shot at a ring hillariously enough.

I absolutely LOVE this deal. O'Bryant is exactly the kind of guy they need as a 10/11th man.

Problem is he will be a 8/9th man.

We got a living, breathing basketball player for Solomon?? This deal is already a win :)

I heard O'Bryant to the Kings first.

Must be Solomon to the Kings then...

ESPN reporting it... it is Solomon to Boston for O'Bryant.

Now we have two former Bradley players on the Raps. Maybe Parker play mentor... seems like O'Bryant needs a chance and some encouragement.

Lessthanzero - Solid point - multiple Running Rebels, multiple Bradley Braves...maybe that's BC's new thing...

I like the deal, although I'm hearing whispers again about second round picks and cash...both of which (or at least the 2nd round pick) are coming to TO.

Bryant is more money and another year so this is a salary dump for Boston who never use Bryant while Solomon provides another guard for them in cause things go really wrong. I think Boston is 90% sure that Oklahoma is going to dump Joe Smith so he will get minutes for them and they balance their roster a bit.

Gotta love Raptors fans, we get excited over the likes of Patrick O'Bryant. Guys like this don't really belong on Championship calibre teams, unless they're just taking up space on the end of the bench; evidenced by the fact that Boston unloaded him.

This team needs to decide on an offensive/defensive philosophy and move forward by bringing in the types of players that fit in with said philosophy. Right now, I'm not sure anyone could tell you with a straight face what this team's philosophy is exactly. Marion MIGHT be a step in the right direction........depending on what direction the Raptors go, but right now it seems to be in a state of flux. That's what I think the problem with this team is, and has been.

WE DON"T KNOW WHO WE ARE!

Are we a running team full of athletic players? A half-court team that emphasizes quality possessions? A defensive minded team that allows the offense to flow from the defense?

We need to ascertain this before we start drafting or trading for different players. If we're going to get out and run with Marion, then we need to draft some guys that can fit in with that philosophy.

If BC and Triano (or whoever is going to coach the team) do anything, it should be developping a game plan and on-court philosophy to attain some modicum of success. Otherwise, this team will continue to drift aimlessly from game to game, no matter the personnel on the court.

Rob

Rob -

Couldn't agree more. How many forms has this team tried to take in the past 2 years? 4? This is what happens when the whole team is unsettled, from the coach to the end of the bench.

It would be nice to feel that there is a long term plan here and that BC is committed to it. Right now it just seems like a number of lateral moves with no real direction or purpose.

I would say that lateral move stuff is a league-wide sorta thing. Without many moves to free up cap space (especially with the Chandler deal falling through) there hasn't been major shifts of power this year. Looks like the Marion deal was the only really big transaction. Maybe also the Magic trade, if it went through.

What up with O Bryant? Who needs him. Yes, we are thin at the bigs, but damn, now we have another 500 thou committed next year on garbage? This guy will make us reconsider calling Bargnani a Bust, though. While there was a debate about Bargnani, this guy is the real deal. Lazy, slow, uninterested.
What about Jawai? What a slap in the face to him after he got his first basket yesterday!

Ease My Pain -

Now with Banks on board Solomon had no place on this team. Why not deal him for a young 7 footer with a very reasonable contract? You can't have too many bigs.

He has not lived up to his potential but there is an opportunity for him here in TO to get some run.

I can't imagine Jawai being upset. He should be in the D League anyway.

^I agree, it makes perfect sense to trade Solomon for a young big man like O'Bryant; that doesn't mean people should overhype him.

This is the type of stuff BC should do more often. Take a known quantity (ie. no real potential) and deal them for a younger player who has some upside; if for no other reason than we might get lucky and find a stud in the scrap heap.

Rob

Apparently there is a 2nd rd. draft pick involved also, and since we have none left to give, I am assuming we're the ones receiving it. It's going to be something like 59th or 60th pick since it's Boston's, but hey I'll take it at this point.

Rob

i think it's o'bryant to us, cash to sac-tow, and the kings' 2nd rounder to boston.

from nba.com:

"Celtics backup center Patrick O'Bryant will go from Boston to Toronto. The Raptors are sending guard Will Solomon and cash to Sacramento. The Kings will send a future draft pick to Boston."

Great trade in terms of getting a big for a small BUT I remember seeing Patrick O Bryant in Golden State and he was tall, slow, weak, very very weak and seemed unmotivated or disinterested or something. He was hardly ever intense and never looked hungry on the floor.

Despite all that, at 22yrs he still has some hope. First thing he's got to do tho is put on some weight and build some muscle. Saw him 2 weeks ago for the Celtics and he actually looked more out of shape than when he was at GS. I wouldn’t expect too much out of him right now but u never know, maybe he’ll "get it" while in a Raptors uniform and really contribute; we can only hope.

Maybe BC projected O'bryants numbers out to 40 minutes - 14.8 pts, 12.6 rbs, 3.0 asts, 3 blocks. Interesting enough though Hollinger said Celtics made sauvy signing in his per ratings but dissed Toronto trading for him in his trade grades today (Toronto got a C). I doubt his numbers will improve to the projected 40 minute numbers but if he can do even half of that for 40 the trade will be worth it.
2nd aspect of the trade is that it hurts them for next year as he has another year on his contract but it can be used as an expiring deal for 2010 meaning his numbers come off the books for the Raptors at the right time or they can use him to package in a deal to get better next year. At least here he will get a chance to play until the Jawai is ready (if ever).

Long live the O`Bryant Era!!

Hell, fogot he was with Boston though did like him back in college and remember he was on the Raps radar that draft.

Patrick O'Bryant could be the second coming of Acie Earl. And I liked Acie Earl, alot. He's the extra TALL body (since he is definitely no wide body) that the Raps may need to fill the bench. A step up in my opinion for the team, but that is not saying much. I bet Maceo Baston is looking real good now.

As for the draft, this draft will not blow anyone away but there will be more players that can contribute deeper into the draft. There will be an abundance players that are bonafide studs in the college game that can be glue guys at best, but good glue guys. How many rings to guys named Posey have Horry have? There will be enough talent after the boards are filled with names to sign for little cap money that can play Moon type roles, circa 2008.

Watched UCLA lastnight and wa simpressed with Josh Shipp. Anyone else has this guy on their radar for the draft?