toronto raptors linkage – sept 23
Meanwhile Jose Calderon is a guy with more cash in his pocket. But along with that comes some added pressure and responsibilty. The first job for Jose will be to mentor the Raptors new back-up at his position. Roko Ukic will need to learn all he can from Calderon so he can make a quick transition to the NBA game and way of life. Jose can pass on his experience as it was not long ago he was in the exact same shoes as Roko Ukic.
With Bargnani, and Kapono as the focal points of offense coming off the bench, the Raptors will have a very balanced attack which could see both players reaching double-digit scoring totals.
Adams—unlike Delfino—will not be taking 13 shots a game, and will allow Bargnani and Kapono to do their thing as the good shooters they are. At the end of the game, either player can play the three if an additional shooter is needed to replace Moon—who is a bit of a handicap out there on offense.
The idea that Moon is to be ousted from the starting role because O’Neal and Bosh need shooters is simply silly. There isn’t enough ball on the court for Jose, Bosh, and O’Neal as it is. To put in a Bargnani or Kapono—two players who don’t particularly look like they belong in the NBA when they don’t have the ball in their hands—would be a failed experiment.
Wed, June 18 - Toronto releases Jorge Garbajosa.
My take: The Raptors and Garbajosa were at odds when the Spanish forward decided against doctors orders to play for his country on a broken leg. He never really fit in to the plans and like most European forwards, had a hard time refraining from fouling people. He become somewhat of a fan favorite for looking like a slightly shorter version of Vlade Divac. Europeans are so hard to tell apart.
Yet another team embarks on a twin towers game-plan. The Raptors sent spare parts and an expendable TJ Ford for big man Jermaine O’Neal, and boy was this trade worth it for the men in purple. Teaming up the versatile Chris Bosh and O’Neil certainly looks good on paper. Toronto will have one of the most feared frontcourts in the league. But will this all work? The Knicks, for example, found out that not all inside tandems work out fine. Will O’Neil and Bosh be able to share the post? The Raptors’ season depends upon it.
A) Serbians are hard to tell apart from Spaniards?
B) Men in purple?
C) I can’t believe he’d compare our situation to the Knicks. I mean, who compares to Eddie Curry?!
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Ha. Agree with you on all counts, Spudz.
I think Adams and Solomon can exceed expectations. Didn’t Dave D’Alessandro say that the Nets regretted having to waive Adams?
I believe someone on the Nets staff admitted to that.
I find it really hard to get excited about these types of players. For every Jamario Moon, there are a lot of Linton Johnson journeymen (note: he was signed AGAIN the other day).
For the most part, we should acknowledge that all of these players are low risk, low return. Ten decent minutes from either of them is a good deal (and the “potential” to be better than scrubs is just a bonus).
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You’re right.. Hassan Adams definitely has some decent upside, as long as we approach it that way. Temper your expectations, and you are bound to be surprised.. eventually.