Raptors Sign Mensah-Bonsu

completely unrelated to this i've been reading comments that bosh is a pylon on defence....really? the same bosh that was commended for his defence during the olympics???

and regarding the signing of pops I think that BC feels like a kid caught in a lie and he tries to lie and lie more and more to get out of his lie but all that is doing is just getting him into deeper and deeper trouble when he should just tell the truth and face the ugly consequences...think of our season as one big lie and BC keeps trying to pile up excuses that he was actually telling the truth and that this team could've been good when we all know the truth....

Symmetry - I'd say with a recovering injury, he hasn't had the same jump or pop to move side to side. It's an excuse, I know, but it's also true. It's the same stuff people have been talking about Calderon all year, when he's still clearly injured.

I'm with Franchise though... I don't really understand this team's attempt to push for the playoffs by signing marginal talent. If Pops brings some Spurs mentality to the team, good for him. At the very least, the Raptors can put out a sort of athletic team on the floor even should Bargnani or Graham get into foul trouble.

I agree with Franchise in regards to the timing and reasoning of the signing... but remember that O'Bryant, when sent down to the D-League did nothing! Pops produced in the D-League... so at the very least, I feel he'd be an improvement. And if he's good enough for the Spurs to sign...

But that's evaluating Pops. Not the vision of BC... and Franchise is right... it makes little sense considering where the team is and where it is going...

I do hope though, that Pops beats on O'Bryant and takes his spot. As Franchise said he has the motor, and we need more motors. Because, buying O'Bryant out is not a problem for next season, he's guaranteed very little.

I don't think this is a bad move at all. Perhaps we should have had someone of his profile earlier, but I'm not sure who would fit the bill. They apparently tried to get this guy before he signed with the Spurs.
Though I have nothing against this James White fellow.
However, I'm not sure how bothered one should be about this moves affect on O'Bryant and Jawai. This just gives us more options. They could benefit form the competition, and we can take the one or two that fit the best and work the hardest.
Further, while this guy may help us in necessary ways, I'm not sure he's guy is going to be the difference between finishing bottom seven and us potentially making a run at the play-offs. Though he may play a nice supporting role if Bosh decides he's going to start trying hard and playing aggressive again.

I see this as BC saying in so many words that the O'Bryant signing wasn't a bust.

Here's the thing, you can't criticize a GM for trying to make his team better, and I think its clear that Pops does that.

Why bring him in over Jawai? I suggest for the simple reason that Jawai needs more minutes to develop than he would get on the Raps bench, and that BC sees more long term upside in leaving him there than wasting him in the bigs as practice dummy/end of game zombie.

Yes its a headscratcher for me too why BC doesn't give White a shot. Has White got some personal habits that turn BC off like he molests goats in his spare time? Does Parker have pictures of BC in a leather dress at a NAMBLA convention? We may never know.

Sorry that first line came out wrong, should read '...O'Bryant signing WAS a bust'....

More thoughts on this because the more I think about it, the more annoyed I'm getting.

Let's look at some facts:

If you sign someone like this, you're either:

1) a team without playoff hope, looking to try out some guys with upside for the rest of the season in hopes that one will impress and make it at least to summer league.

2) or a club that still feels they can make the playoffs and just needs a little boost, something they think such a signing can deliver. (Rockets lose a slasher in T-Mac, they sign White.) There's no reason for an established playoff club to take on a Mensah-Bonsu type, unless they have injuries. Real contenders sign veterans, that's why guys like Joe Smith and Drew Gooden have exchanged hands the past few days.

So which side of the board do the Raptors fall on?

If it's the first, then why did BC demote Jawai and bring on O'Bryant, especially considering on this latest road swing, when the Raptors were being killed inside, O'Bryant was barely given a look!?!

Is O'Bryant that much of a bust already?

As one of our readers already mentioned, at least Pops dominated at the D-League level - O'Bryant did not. And remember, I liked the O’Bryant trade when it went down, but had I known that less than two weeks later Colangelo would have signed Mensah-Bonsu, I would have been irate. If you can afford to take on the salary of someone like Pops, and aren't concerned about money when it comes to giving O'Bryant another guaranteed year, why the hell aren't you bringing in as many D League all-stars as you can for a look? You're telling me that a guy like Blake Ahearn or Will Conroy wouldn't have been an upgrade over Solomon and Roko earlier this season? The drop-off from our first unit to our second was tantamount to stepping off the CN Tower observation deck yet this was never addressed!

And doesn't this transaction tell you all you need to know about Jawai as well? Sure, the guy didn't play ball for a while but essentially this move is saying that Jawai is too raw to even develop on a bad NBA team that needs his type of play.

Of all the transactions Colangelo has made under his tenure I feel that this one is the most concerning for me. I could see some logic in signing Kapono when it occurred, even though from the get-go I thought he was being overpaid. I liked the Delfino trade, I was fine with the O’Neal move, and I liked the Marion deal for what it hopefully was, a lateral move to clear up cap space. But it’s been in these smaller transactions that I’ve really started to question Colangelo’s decision-making. SyMMetry just described it as a kid telling another lie to get out of the previous one he'd been caught telling.

I can't agree more.

BC a kid caught in a lie? come on, that's like blaming a poker player for not completing a straight on the river and BC is definitely a gambler. This move is all about putting a player behind marion that is not kapono and hopefully keeping few seats warm in the ACC by winning now...

Yes, I like this trade.

Let's assume Pops shows enough of what the Raps have been lacking to make next season's roster. You're looking at a big man lineup of Bosh, Bargs, Hump, Pops and O'Bryant. That's a team that's going to climb out of the lottery next year? If that's the case, I hope Colangelo is planning to swallow his pride (and ego) and deal Bargs for a legit rebounding/shot blocking centre. Without defence and rebounding, this team is going nowhere.

I’m with Axl. Let’s see what the kid can do for the rest of the season.

Jawai is clearly not ready to compete in the NBA. In fact, I remember thinking earlier in the season that I was disappointed he wasn’t sent to the D-League. That’s where he belongs for now.

Don’t know what happened with O’Bryant, but clearly he is not getting any playing time so whatever happened in practice, he’s not the answer. With Hump out, BC needed someone to bring off the bench to keep things interesting.

Bottom line is that this transaction has no salary cap implications, doesn’t impede anyone’s growth as Jawai belongs in the D-League and O’Bryant is done and will give us a sense of what Pops can do for the rest of the season.

I don’t think this will have any influence on our overall race to the top either. Right now we are in 8th but 7th is within reach. Golden State is there for the taking and I think we’ll catch them shortly.

I like the move, I see it as an opportunity to take a closer look at a guy they’ve been interested in for a while to see if he can be useful going forward. No way this move is about making a push for the playoffs because Pops is not a difference maker. Nothing wrong with a little experimentation at this point, with 20 games to go now is the time to sample players with potential. The O Bryant move still makes sense to me bec if you had to choose between Wil Solomon and a big, any big, which would you rather have at the end of your bench? Sending Jawai down also makes sense because he obviously is not ready to play on the NBA level and it may be more beneficial to him to play in the D league first. At least Pops has torn up the D league so having him in uniform is more useful than Jawai.

I just don't see how this move even matters? Its just another D-League expirement that every team does at different points throughout the season. He may make a name for himself, but more than likely he won't and it will be forgotten in 2 or 3 weeks. This is just one of those passing instances that happen in the NBA with GMs and Coaches hoping they saw something in a player.... and in all reality there is probably nothing. (or maybe they get lucky and something turns out)

I can't see him making any difference to this teams record, at the very least he shows promise for next year.

This did get me thinking though..... whatever happened to Pape Sow? Loved watching that guy play... so much energy.... (sorry don't want to ninja the thread)

>>
1) a team without playoff hope, looking to try out some guys with upside for the rest of the season in hopes that one will impress and make it at least to summer league.

2) or a club that still feels they can make the playoffs and just needs a little boost, something they think such a signing can deliver. (Rockets lose a slasher in T-Mac, they sign White.) There's no reason for an established playoff club to take on a Mensah-Bonsu type, unless they have injuries. Real contenders sign veterans, that's why guys like Joe Smith and Drew Gooden have exchanged hands the past few days. >>

So you either need to be tanking or competing to sign this guy, but if you have a reasonable chance to do either or, then you should not?

I do not follow the Logic gentlemen. I understand being frusterated with not giving other guys a look, or being generally peeved with the direction of the team. However, this is a solid acquisition. Might help us compete now, might help us out long term. Might turn out to be nothing, but there is no risk.

If he signed with OKC, I bet many people would be upset we never got him.

With regards to O'Bryant, they either thought a change of scenery might light a fire under a guy with noted attitude/motivation problems this guy (which has not occured), or the two moves are not necessarily related and they both have a shot of earning a spot on this roster going forward.

Regardless, I am an optimist, but I readily admit this team has many questionable indicators - however, this is not a move to get too bent out of shape about.

I don't think you're seeing the big picture, Franchise.

1. BC sees that undersized 4s are becoming the norm, and tries to grab a decent young one. That's fine. From what was said above, BC wanted Pops before the Spurs scooped him up.

2. We never have to see Vokshol again. Giving a veteran scrub like him playing time was definitely a regressive step.

3. Was Jawai a mistake? Absolutely! No point crying about it now, let's just get a replacement and fire Kelly.

TJ Caino, well said.

This guy could be a poor man's Jerome Williams, Pape Sow or something in between. We're too shallow a team to turn down a free look at anyone. The only shame is that he's already signed his first NBA contract (Dallas) and been released from it. This means even if he shows something in the remaining games, we don't have the option of retaining his rights as a restricted free agent. This is getting way ahead of myself, but I hope Bryco worked in a non-guaranteed option year for 09-10, along with the contract for the rest of this season.

i hope he can help......seriously hope he can help, we really need it (yn)

Sorry, some clarification. I LOVE this move. As mentioned, I think Pops will actually come in and have a positive impact even in a limited role.

My problem with this isn't the logic behind the immediate decision, it's the logic behind the last sequence of moves in general.

Yes, this is a no-risk move, but why would you make this move after two risk moves unless those risk moves have failed? (Voskuhl, O'Bryant - three if you think that Jawai is going to be a bust.)

Yes, Jawai even if healthy should have been in the D League all season as he needs time to develop, but then why is Colangelo using Jawai's health in the Marion conference call as one of the excuses behind his team's weakness off the bench? Did he ACTUALLY expect Big Nate to come in and play a significant role?

And further, why didn't Colangelo sign him after he was brought in for a workout? Perhaps he put the offer on the table but so did San Antonio (which Mensah-Bonsu chose) but the whole situation is bizarre.

Again, love the move, but wish it had come a lot sooner, and it makes me question Colangelo's judgement regarding his previous decisions as well.

hey franchise...here's the catch 22: if(when??) the raps don't make the playoffs - have we reached the point yet where we ask ourselves, do we really trust BC in the draft??

tecumseh18...
finally !!!
someone mentions "Kelly"
This bozo has been getting away scott free for years.

papa - now that is definetly a good question. I guess the only answer to that will be the results. I for one am just hoping he will finally look inside North America instead of the rest of the world. I know BC loves he 'world league' players, and has in all reality made some (or atleast traded for some) good selections in that area (at times) but it would be nice to grab someone with some actual athleticism.

I gotta say I really miss Grunwald when it comes to the draft....

And that's fair Franchise, I can't talk you off the ledge if that's how you feel. (Which is why I would be poor at talking people off ledges – "your wife said that?! That sucks bro… and none of your other friends care about you?? Well, that really sucks.")

Personally, I haven’t considered any of BC’s previous moves in a new light since this acquisition. This guy was released and we can take a flyer on him. From what I gather, we did want him earlier and he signed with the Spurs instead.

I’m still quite indifferent to the Jawai pick, and POB was a solid chance to take. You never know with talented lazy people – one day they might just look in the mirror and turn it on.

Papa: I personally, still have faith in BC. If we are not competative next year, for any reason apart from a concious reload, then I will probably grab some pitch forks and torches and start an angry mob. However, right now we are not poorly positioned, and could concievably be challenging for hoem court next year.

Everyone has different thresholds, but in my estimation, the sun is far from set on BC's plots and schemes.

Note: I recognize that he has made some questionable decisions, and even now, I am not sure I would have preferred to go the BC route as opposed to staying the course with B-Cock > however, I still think this team has the assets to put it together.

Regarding BC;

No one is perfect or infallible.

Personally I like having BC in charge; especially with an irate fan base and a team that has loads of potential.

Let's see what the fire of creativity yields come this time next year.

That, or BC will mining salt somewhere north of Timmins begging me for repentance...lol

repent!

"Personally I like having BC in charge"

Just to further qualify my statements: I like having Bc in charge over B-Cock. He is much better at situation management and commanding respect.

What I meant was that there is a valid argument to be made that we would have been better off tanking another year and letting Roses contract expire naturally.

I like this trade, only thing is after we climb into the 8th spot Pops won't be eligible to play in the playoffs.(or will he?) I still BELIEVE RAPS CAN MAKE THE PLAYOFFS...9 out of the next 11 is at home against beatable team, if we can go on a 9 game winning streak we will be in for sure....just my blind faith taking over....raps4life

he actually can play in the playoffs. 10 day contract players have different rules, apparently.

in any case, I'm so on the fence now with what BC will do if he's in the draft this summer. full trust is not there. for sure.

as for winning the next 9 of 11? they haven't won 3 in a row all season. they've lost to bottom feeders all season.

just sayin'

Guys, lets get something straight here. Pops by far is a better player than Jawai. His vertical leap, quickness run and gun style is exactly what the Raptors need. Jawai may indeed improve and also prove to be strong in the low post position among other things, but POPS is very nimbel and quick and can run and very simply that is what this team needs badly.The running game, rebounding and fast transistion on both ends is what its all about, BC wants this team to do just that.

If Pops gets Voskuhl's minutes, I'm fine with it. To me, Voskuhl shouldn't be getting any time on this team at this point in time. I'd rather see someone with an upside get dominated (Pops or O'Bryant) than watch Jake foul out in 8 minutes.

We aren't making the playoffs, time to start building towards next year. Let's see what these guys have.

Raptors have been terrible on the boards all year. If Bonsu gives them a 2nd line forward that's willing to hit the boards and isn't 3 pt shot happy, I can't see how it could hurt any. The time is up for 2/3 of this team and BC could bring in 5 D-leaguers for all I care.

I think everyone is forgetting that Jawai is down in the d-league so if my count is correct the raps have only 12 players on the roster (now 13) and one of them is out for some time and 2 more are playing banged up. I think signing anyone is a step in the right direction. This is what has bothered me since the Oneal trade went down, we have a shallow team without counting bodies then throw in carrying 2 less people on the roster and have 3 key players who are all injury risks. Doesn't that smell like a disaster waiting to happen?
This move might actually be a sign that Toronto is about to shut Bosh down for the rest of the year and they are loading up on whatever bigmen they can get to fill his spot in the starting lineup. It makes sense in that light (or as insurance if Bosh has to sit out once a week or needs more rest) but I agree, with the general thread that BC's timing seems to be late. To be fair, Jawai was out most of the year with injury and they may have wanted to keep him around once he was back in case they needed him in an emergency (what with having only 4 big men on the roster and all not including Jake). Now that Oneal is gone and they have added OBryant they could ship him down to the d where he can get some reps. Of course, I thought it was odd that they brought him over this season instead of letting him play another year in Australia or pushing him to Europe but I guess when you roll all your money into one player (Oneal) you need to save money on your roster somewhere.

Raps4Life, You da man sometimes.

Well I've read most of these comments and you guys have some great input. I love this site. The opinions are so good. Better than a newspaper.

I'm an optimist. So I hope this dude brings some excitement to the game..as he is seen in the above picture doing an elbow dunk in what seems to be a game. ..interesting. The second thing I thought of when I saw this article and picture...was that BC knows we're playing the Heat..and he wants another Leaping Jamario on the team so he got Pops so it won't look like we lost out on the trade. Hope this guy gets some playing time tomorrow.

I would've loved to see James White in a raps uniform I was keen on him for some time this guy is a leaper check out his videos on youtube freethrow line dunks legitimately this guy is crazy once I saw him do a through the legs dunk almost from the free throw line he's crazy....now I agree with Franchise on this from the perspective that I'm mad at BC for not bringing in some D-League All-Stars when we saw Soloman single handedly lose us games(remember beggining of the season? we'd be up ten points Jose gets subbed off to rest and by the time he'd get back on the floor we'd be down ten points...ridiculous)

Also, O'Bryant is a scrub he didn't get any time on the Celtics and he's skinny as a twig seriously what need do the raptors have for him, we need a banger someone with some muscle even if undersized(think of joeys success guarding bigger guys) so I like what pops will bring to the team I'm just frustrated BC has waited this long to take any course of action regarding our athleticism and for someone that likes to gamble he sure made some stupid bets...this brings up another analogy....I remember watching a PartyPoker.com commercial on TV where it shows like Phil Ivey or someone else folding a good hand and the line delivered is something along the lines of there's a reason while only the good ones make it to the final table...so in regards to axl's comment yes BC is a gambler and a poker player but the difference between the ones that are constantly in a position to win and the ones that lose their money is knowing when to fold and when to go all in and it seems sometimes BC's ego plays a part in his decision making...also I respect him for trying to think outside the box and trying to do different things than other GM's in order to win but sometimes this season his decisions have made us regress instead of progress....drastically

yeah MGway this smacks of Bosh knee resting
also get ready for a regular diet of Banks and Roko