08.18
Bosh, a three-time NBA All-Star for the Toronto Raptors, doesn’t have the same name recognition as the other All-Stars. If his standout play continues, Bosh could go from a star to a superstar this summer. “I’m just a quiet dude on the team,” he says.
The Toronto Raptors made a notable maneuver this off season. With the emergence of Jose Calderon as the team’s top point guard, there was no longer a need for the injury-plagued, undersized T.J. Ford. Toronto traded Ford along with Rasho Nesterovic to the Indiana Pacers for Jermaine O’Neal.
On the one hand, O’Neal hasn’t had a healthy season in a few years, and shouldn’t be relied upon to produce the same kind of numbers he was once capable of. On the other hand, it may be a valid assessment to suggest that O’Neal was simply not putting his best foot forward because of the mediocrity of the Pacers.
In other words, he may still have something left in the tank. With Chris Bosh in place, the Raptors don’t need O’Neal to be a star. What they really need is a big man who can play defense at the center position so Bosh can be free to carry the offensive load.
A good season for O’Neal would be 14-15 ppg with 10 rpg or so, and about 1.5-2 bpg.
Predicted Final Division Standings:
1. Boston Celtics 58-24
2. Philadelphia 76ers 47-35
3. Toronto Raptors 43-39
4. New Jersey Nets 29-53
5. New York Knicks 19-63
There is not much to tell about the game yesterday, they played with all of the intensity that they are capable of. They defended and ran as if they were playing in the Final game and we followed behind them for nearly the whole match in every aspect of the game. If we meet them again I am convinced that we will be capable of playing better. I commented the other day that this game was not fundamental for the Olympic Tournament and I still think the same thing. Nevertheless, maybe it is not the moment to be self analyzing because until we get a chance to meet again, we have to deal with two very important and complicated games next week.
Now may be we are reaching the most difficult time, we have an irrelevant game in two days that will not supposed any changes in the classification and on the 20th we will play the most important game, and everything seems to indicate that it will be against Croatia. These next four days will be very long waiting for this and the following games, but we cannot forget that the quarterfinals will be crucial. This is the game that separates success from failure and everything is decided in forty minutes. It is necessary to maintain concentration, correctly confront the game against Angola and be prepared to be capable of giving 100 percent in the quarterfinals.
Sincerely, I see Croatia as a difficult rival. They beat us last year in the Eurobasket Championships and we had a very complicated game against them in the previous one, when we were close to losing against them. They are a team very similar to us: They have good players in all of the positions, a very broad rotation and players with international experience. They have height, technical and physical. The proof is that in the last competitions the games against Croatia have been very equal. We have to be aware that it is going to be a very complicated and hard game against a great team.
hmmm…so, in the average fanatics eyes, O’Neal is no better than Carter in “not putting his best foot forward”. Yet, O’Neal is being crowed about? Screams typical Toronto fans to me. Turncoats Inc.
I’m really starting to enjoy Jose Calderon’s blog. I particularly appreciate how he approaches each game like a thinking man, by describing games as “complicated”. Complication is so different from other words that could have been used — like “difficult” or “tough”. The latter being more like they’d need to fight and play hard, versus complicated which describes a game which they need to be technically sound, play smart ball, read match-ups, etc.
Or maybe it’s just a translation thing.
I love the irony of the O’Neal thing as well Scott. It is fun to think Raptor Fans are hoping O’Neal was tanking like Vince was. It would not shock me to See O’Neal have a Carter like rise from the ashes. I think it is clear he is WELL RESTED.
James Dino Nation Bloggers last blog post..The Sam Mitchell Debate Ends This Season
and if he doesn’t??
Could be a huge big money 2-year failure.
Personally I think he will be adequate. He will peak and valley through both seasons. I do worry about workload with our shallow bench and wonder how far that goes to tire him out.
I think O’Neal will be okay — but have to stress that those who think he’s an inside force need to have their game tapes updated. He’s no longer that player and, healthy or not, I don’t see that returning. Zach Randolph, post knee injury, has become more of a jumpshooter as well and is (a) three years younger, so you’d think he’d bounce back to form, and (b) has spent two seasons now on the floor post-injury. And O’Neal last year spent even more time away from the rim than Randolph.
Completely agree. That is also why I shudder when I hear him called a “centre”. He is no more a centre than Bosh is.
Personally, I am counting down the days until we play Philly. That will be a true test of our front court. Iggy, Brand and a pissed off centre looking to pay back our assistant coach? Brilliant.
Scott – Daly only wants to get back at one of our colour commentators (Rautins), not Triano. But he will be facing Canada’s team … so yes, he will be riled.
Anyone know how Bosh performs against Brand historically? Can you find stuff like that on 82games.com?
I thought Triano also passed him over by not supporting his nationality change when he was coach? Could be wrong, but thought that was the case. Then Leo allowed it, but look where that ended up.