toronto raptors linkage – aug 27
DWIGHT HOWARD, Orlando Magic: “J.O. is going to be very helpful for the Raptors. They already got Chris Bosh, he’s a low post threat and a jump shooter, there will be a lot of things with having a big centre is going to change how people play them. They will be a lot tougher then they were last year.”
JERRY COLANGELO, USA Basketball: “I think it was a terrific deal for them, I think it puts the Raptors into a different situation. They had great momentum after their season two years ago, but they were marred by injuries this year, and never seemed to get a rhythm. I like the fact that O’Neal, because of his talent, is coming off of a situation where he has something to prove. And, when you catch a player on a rebound like that, that’s good timing.”
Scoop Jackson, ESPN Columnist: “If you look at the play-offs and the way they fell off against Orlando, they needed more scoring. You need somebody down there who’s going to give you an additional scoring threat, to take the pressure off of Chris Bosh. I think Jermaine O’Neal probably has three good years left, and something to prove. There’s a bigger problem in Toronto about what the hell is going to happen to Andrea Bargnani? As a top pick, he’s a one-dimensional player, and he’s not doing that one dimension well. I know what protocol is in situations like this, but I’m looking at management to do what’s best for the team. If Bargnani doesn’t do anything this year, they got to get rid of him.”
If the Raptors decided that they were not able to get a player they felt was worth going into that exspensive business of going over the tax level that is fine. But to say that they couldn’t is not correct it was a choice they have made. That choice was a money one and if it was a basketball one we should know about it. But because the Raptors have successfully sold the fact that they are at the Cap and that is that we will never know the answer from a basketball point of view.
If there are reasons other than saving MLSE money I want to hear them. This may not matter to most people but I just hate when it is just accepted that team’s in any sport choose to save money or not spend money and people just accept it.
Chris Bosh has ALWAYS had the ’soul’ of ‘the Great Man‘ himself locked away inside …
and it’s been unfortunate that only a few astute NBA observers have been able to decipher accurately what his actual strengths are, prior to this point in his (still young) career.
Hopefully … this will now begin to change … and others (e.g. Raptors’ Management & Coaches?) too will comprehend just how good this young man COULD/WOULD/SHOULD be … if he emphasizes the REBOUNDING, TEAM DEFENSE, SHOT-BLOCKING, FACILITATOR (Team Offense) and … most importantly … LEADERSHIP role with whatever team he plays for.
Word to the wise: Chris Bosh is good. If you didn’t know it already the Olympics were supposed to remind you of that. His defense in the Olympics is being hailed as one of the key factors for Team USA’s win and you can’t disagree with that. I’d like for the media to halt the praise and wait for him to get out of the first round before labeling him an NBA superstar. Don’t get me wrong, I understand a fan’s need to have a superstar on their favorite team but right Bosh is a very good player, not a superstar. Winning Olympic gold is great but frankly if you ask him if he’d rather beat the Magic in the first round the answer might be surprising.
What went wrong:
They didn’t address the depth.
The Raptors have a fine point guard and a potentially dynamite frontcourt, but they still lack depth. Anthony Parker, Andrea Bargnani, Jamario Moon and Jason Kapono form a decent perimeter core, but there isn’t much behind them. The free agent signings of Will Solomon and Hassan Adams are not likely to make much difference.
They hit the ceiling.
Like the Sixers, the Raptors don’t have a lot of flexibility going forward. Toronto’s payroll is now right up against the luxury tax, and its ownership (unlike that of Philadelphia) is apparently unwilling to cross over the threshold. Colangelo can only hope O’Neal stays healthy and the bench produces, because he might not be able to make any more moves.
Grade: A-
Desp One was asked by a friend to create a pair of custom Air Force Ones with a Toronto Raptors theme. The designer mixed the Raptors colors with his friend’s love of leopard prints to create the “Laptors.”
The “Laptors” feature dark purple outsoles, dark purple leopard spots and a light purple background. There is a hint of orange or yellow on each leopard spot which makes the light purple background look like a thin shroud. Desp One added red to the Nike swooshes and shoe strings to complete the Toronto Raptor color scheme. The colors are well-balanced from heel to toe with a pallet-cleansing white space on the toe box.
Should O’Neal fail miserably, at least we’ve got his huge contract coming off the books, paving the way for a big trade or some great free agent signings. This team is in the middle of a balancing act. While we’re young, we’re not too young, and that label will quickly be turned to “average” (should we not make some positive steps in the next few years), and even quicker transform into “old.” We cannot keep relying on the “youth” as a means to delay production, not with such a competitive league that will only become increasingly difficult to win in. We’re young, but we’ve added some invaluable experience and talent to the mix. We won’t be a contender next year, but these are steps in the right direction by Bryan Colangelo.
Being such a well-regarded member of the NBA, Nike is now introducing a new colorway of the Hyperdunk based on Mr. Bosh. These sick Hyperdunks come in a nice white, red, and black colorway, giving these futuristic shoes a nice classic look, with a color scheme similar to many of Nike and Jordan Brand’s famous releases from the past. Furthermore, a CB4 label on the tongue, as well as a “4″ on the side of the kicks denotes Bosh’s influence on the design of these Hyperdunks, and adds a nice touch to the overall aesthetic. No word on a release of these as of yet, but Raptors fans should definitely take heart in the fact that Nike is definitely showing their ace some love.
the raptors are goin to be really good with bosch and calderon and the other studs that they got on that team.