Tip-In: Toronto Raptors' Post-Game Report - The Realization of Potential?

I may stand to be corrected but I believe the way Turk plays the 3 spot is unique in the league. I don’t think there are a lot of players in the NBA at that position who are “pass first” players. If you are critizing him for not scoring enough perhaps that is unfair since his assist totals are often up there with Jack and Calderon and he is looking inside to the pac man himself- Bosh- who is demanding the ball every time down.
I don’t find that he is any more than an average shooter but he is very willing to take the “big” shot. I like that attitude but it might be that he needs more work on his shooting.
And finally, his defense. He is too big to have the lateral quickness to guard the athletic 3’s in the league but dispite that ,he also does an average job.
Orlando found that his “drive and kick” ability was valuable enough to get them deep into the NBA finals. Valuable enough to accept his physical liabilities.

I would still like to see a move of some sort to get a better player on the wing (def/off combination) so we can bring Hedo off the bench but I guess that is unlikely. I have to admit that they have played a lot better than I expected of late and are showing signs they may be a better team than I gave BC credit for. It will take a few more wins against some good teams and they need to be more ruthless against the crap of the NBA but they are definitely on the right track.

DW19 states: “If the Raptors can continue their winning ways I think Turkoglu is a smart enough player to find a way to be useful” . In response, perhaps he is doing exactly what he needs to do which is get the ball to Bosh and Bargani. Bosh and Bargs probably like that and perhaps Triano as well. Perhaps he is doing what coach wants.

…but I might start referring to Bargnani as the Barnyard Dog.

…or not?

very impressed

And what have you done with the usual RaptorsHQ folks? Balanced and fair comments about Hedo’s strengths and weaknesses? I thought we were only allowed to kill him (and BC).

I read the whole transcript of the interview — I didn’t interpret it as complaining that he was a PG at heart having to do all this other stuff. I thought he was giving a frank assessment of why he’s not playing as well as he (and the fans) would like.

I’m not sure what people want the team’s #3 (or arguably #4) offensive option to be. But a guy who can hit the odd shot (though not lately), get to the line to slow down the opponent’s momentum, grab some boards and steals, dish some dimes and not turn the ball over much sounds pretty good to me. I’m glad someone mentioned Garbo because to me that’s exactly how I see him, except with a much better handle and ability to put it on the floor. And Garbo was one of my favorite Raptors ever.

Is he overpaid? Maybe a bit, and his contract’s probably 2 years longer than it would ideally be. But that’s what happens with free agents and non-glamour cities. Look at the Ben Gordon and Charlie V contracts — those are way way way way worse.

Someone should make a list of all the mediocre-or-worse players making over $10M per year. There’s a bunch. Here’s a partial list: Baron Davis, Elton Brand, Peja, Shaq, T-Mac, Bogut, J-Rich, Michael Redd, Kenyon Martin, Eddy Curry, Agent Zero, Dalembert, Okafor, AK-47 . . . .

The number of lousy players making over $7M is mind-boggling (Gadzuric? Pryzbilla? Hinrich?)

Just scrolled through some boxscores on this holiday Monday

Kris Humphries is having a nice 17-6 effort as we start the 4th quarter 2 blocks away at the Staples Center, but of course the Nets are getting drilled.

Delfino has 11-9 but it looks like the Milwaukee UNs are going down in overtime

Matt Bonner is 0-fer against the Hornets in a limited role.

And finally, Nathan Jawai scored a basket during his 5 minutes of run in the T-Wolves/76ers game that’s close late.