Summer Break - Euro Ball

On Messina: What would actually the risk for the Raps to employ Messina? Do we believe we could loose the finals because of him?

How many coaches better than him are in the playoffs now?

Do you think he would have done better or worse than Mitchell?

So, what is the problem? fear of the unknown?

I meant the finals next year, since next year he would gain his so needed experience

Renato - I think he should be an assistant first because the NBA is a different game. The way you have to coach, the way you approach strategies thanks to differences in rules, and the way you handle the players... Yeah, basketball is still a game about putting the ball into the hoop, but those rule changes would take time to figure out to exploit. I think we've seen with Messina come in last year with CSKA that he's a really prepared coach, but he was also at a disadvantage by playing using NBA rules.

And I'm definitely not comparing him to Mitchell. What we're looking at is where the Raptors go from here. Triano, the Raptors can sell for sure to the public. If Messina comes in and has trouble adapting to the NBA, then everyone will crucify Colangelo for going "euro" to fix his problems again.

And finally, if Colangelo goes Mitchell, Triano, and Messina, it's basically three coaches in a row with questionable experience. Not saying it's a horrible idea, but from people's perspectives, it's a pretty risky proposition. It doesn't look good to people that you went with the same strategy three times in a row and got hammered three times in a row. (I'm just saying IF Messina were to do badly).

Frankly, the Raptors can't wait a year to get things adjusted. They need to win now/next season, and need to do it because each subsequent year for Colangelo has been worse and worse. It's why I think that if the Raptors had done poorly in Colangelo's first year, he would have brought in Messina. But the team as it is right now, is not in a full blown rebuilding phase where they can take a huge chance on a coach.

Regarding Delfino, I don't think there is that much untapped potential in him either. I figure more Delfino = less Kapono, a net benefit in my books. A poster referred earlier to the fact that two bench shooting guards (Parker and Delfino) is redundant. Delfino can only matchup against similar sized small forwards. And for arguments sake let's throw in HQ favourite T.Will in the draft, who in terms of position (SG/small SF) occupies the same niche as Delfino. I can't see a scenario where all three are in the rotation.

Another conflict, lies in potentially having T. Williams and Marion on the court together. Great defensively, but questionable on offense in the half court. Who's drawing fouls? Who's driving the ball?

Here are a few of the many possible combinations for the wing spots next year taking a few perceived conflicts into account:

Parker + Delfino + Draft (not SG)+ Marion
Parker + Draft (T-Will) + trade/sign Starting SF + trade/sign SG (platoon with T.Will)
Parker + Delfino + Draft (SF)+ trade/sign Starting SF

Trade/Sign Starting SG + (Parker/Delfino) + Marion +
Draft (not SG)

Note: The above assumes that any drafted SG/SF could contribute in a backup role right away.

Its safe to say I'm awaiting who the Raptors pick both for the player themselves, and as a hint at plans for the rest of the wing rotation.

Reading on from the last article, there are a few guys on this Eurolist that might also have some of the required HUNGER too. Regardless of his hoop skill, Count Chocula always played with a little spice to his game, Prentezis seems to be developing into a really gritty Ryan Gomes meets JYD type of player and I think Messina is the type of coach that carries the respect of his players in that they know he could lead them to be champs. If all three these guys came in to replace North Americans Joey G, Moon/Hump and Triano I think our chances to win are improved.

That said, even if we did bring all three of these guys in, we would still need some (as Jack says) 'Dude' to get on the wing and bring some athleticism, defence and scoring. That dude is far more likely to be North American than a Euro.

PS It is hilarious that Delfino, Jorge and Milt are all playing hoops together in Russia. I mean, we keep hearing that we would have been fine if Garbo was healthy the past couple of yeasrs, but we paid him out to go play in Russia? Delfino is the solution for next year? Why wasn't he any part of the solution this year, especially if he as done nothing to up is game in Russia? When it all boils down to it, I think Milt might be closer to a back up point than how close Count or Garbs are to a starting wing.

Still not sold on delfino as an answer although bc seems to love him. Just so streeeeeaky with his shot and shot selection.

One thought though - maybe he would flourish in to's up-tempo offense now??

Others may be interested in Delfino and, if BC says he is not interested, they'll expect to get him for free. BC may just be trying to hold the value of the asset, which is costing him nothing, from other teams. He may be playing it that way, or he may want him back. He was serviceable, did have the balls to go to the hoop once in a while, which gave him some of the biggest balls on our papery Raptor team. He is probably seen as a good bench guy and BC will either keep him as one or make the Knicks pay something to get him.

EASEMYPAIN:

Well Said.

Comment of the month.

Hi guys, I had the chance to watch Andrea's interview in Italian (the one the guys at realgm provided some translation for). They seem to have missed an interesting piece of information when Andrea said they were going probably to discuss his contract extension this summer. Just in case someone was interested.