The Indiana Pacers traded Jermaine O’Neal and the rights to draft choice Nathan Jawai to the Toronto Raptors for T.J. Ford, Rasho Nesterovic, Maceo Baston and the rights to Roy Hibbert. Finally, the Pacers realized it was better now than never with J.O., who at the age of 29 had his lowest numbers in seven years. He has played 206 out of a possible 328 games the past four seasons and if he’s not damaged goods, the Raptors know something nobody else did. With knee and hip problems, it’s hard to fathom at this point of his career that O’Neal can get back to the 20 points, 10 rebounds and 2.5 blocks he averaged from 2001-05. But was it worth the $44 million he’ll get over the next two seasons? Well, they no longer have to worry about Ford’s spinal weakness and they didn’t need the other three. So even if O’Neal is healthy enough to score 17-18 points a game, garner 8-10 rebounds and block a couple of shots playing next to Chris Bosh, they can become serious contenders in the East.

- FoxSports 

Things that should obviously improve next season (I hope):

Coaching: Sam Mitchell never knew how to coach a team that was playing the run and gun game. He doesn’t have to worry about that now because the team has become a half-court team. Hopefully he still doesn’t have retarded plays like how we finished off games last season. Hopefully he learns a thing or two about full-court press. Hopefully he learns how to plant a screen or two.

Andrea Bargnani: The things that Sam MItchell and Bryan Colangelo did to Andrea Bargnani really set back his development big time. When he first came in to the league he could have played the small forward position and held it down against guys like Hedo and done his best against LBJ. Before last season, they tried their best to convert him into a centre so they wouldn’t have to go out and get him. This didn’t work. He put on extra pounds and now he lost his groove and athleticism. He’s too big to defend against SF’s and too small to defend against the C. Now we just gotta hope for the best.
Predictions: 49-31 and 3rd place. LET’S DO THIS!!!

- Dildeep Singh Pato 

There are a few things I feel are important to make note of after having conducted the interview. First off, Matt loves basketball and loves to talk basketball. Much like last year we decided to go continue with our “15 Questions” series, but Matt and I talked for upwards of two hours and this easily could have been a 45 question interview. His willingness to take the time to talk ball with me and share his opinions really says a lot and the HQ very much appreciates it.

Second, there is no questions that Matt has big shoes to fill but after speaking with him I have no doubt that he will do a fantastic job being the voice of the Raptors. His style will undoubtedly be different from what people have become accustomed to, but to me it will be a change for the better.

Last, this interview has really put me over the top regarding how excited I am for this season to start. It is going to be a different team with a different feel both on and off the court. I for one, am ready to watch, and listen to, this season play out.

- RaptorsHQ

 

Players for the Spanish men’s and women’s basketball teams posed for a pre-Olympic newspaper advertisement in popular Spanish daily Marca, in which they are pictured pulling back the skin on either side of their eyes to narrow them.

Among those making the pose in the men’s ad are Toronto Raptors point guard Jose Calderon, Los Angeles Lakers forward Pau Gasol, as well as Portland Trail Blazers rookie Rudy Fernandez.

- CBC 

Fix Restaurant & Bar at Bellagio satisfied a late night fix for some of the sports world’s top athletes.  Dining together: Toronto Raptors stand-out Jermaine O’Neal taking shots of Tequila alongside Boston Celtics’ Paul Pierce.

- The Vegas Eye