toronto raptors linkage – oct 12
***** Happy Thanksgiving to all of you from all of us at AltRaps *****
“They will be looking to send a message, same as us,” O’Neal said yesterday after practice. “There’s going to be a little bit more on the line than a (usual) pre-season game. Elton is one of the best offensive rebounders in the game and among the best in general.”
On July 9, the Raptors acquired O’Neal from Indiana, the same day Brand left the L.A. Clippers for a five-year deal worth a reported $79.795 million US. Both big men had injury issues last season — O’Neal a knee, Brand a ruptured Achilles tendon — and both of their old clubs missed the Western Conference playoffs.
Now, each player is attempting to help himself and his new employer in the East. Brand had 18 first-quarter points in his home debut Friday night and 24 overall in a 110-104 loss to the Knicks.
“It’s going to be interesting for the fans in Toronto and Philadelphia,” Raptors’ forward Jamario Moon said. “I think this will be just like a regular-season game in many ways, but I don’t think we’re going to show them everything we have in this game and neither will they.”
O’Neal, who has played under 20 minutes in each of the Raptors’ two exhibition wins, will be used more liberally today by coach Sam Mitchell.
“I just shot the ball better today than in the last two weeks,” said O’Neal, who looks forward to more front-court time today getting comfortable with Chris Bosh. “I can’t speak for Elton’s (injury), but for me, it’s about getting my rhythm back.”
The league and its teams mandate that everyone play at least seven games that don’t count in the standings so they can sell a few more tickets, work out the kinks in game operations and the like and get everyone hyped for a month or so before things really count.
The players?
They go out there, do what they can knowing the results of the games don’t matter and pine for opening night.
“I say just get it over with, man,” said Bosh. “A couple of games are cool, but then you keep playing and keep playing and keep playing. It’s kind of like a mini-season and then you wait a whole week for the regular season to get started.
“I would probably cut down the games and cut down the time (between the end of the exhibition and the start of the regular season). Let’s get this thing started, I’m ready.”
Roko Ukic might be a 6-5 legit point man, but sorry Skeets, so was Jeryl Sasser. So was Zoran Planinic. I’m not buying it. Hopefully I’ll be wrong about ‘im.
Andrea Bargnani can play three positions, I don’t doubt that he’ll turn things around this season, and he’s pitched right in the middle of a left-to-right frontcourt reserve line of shooter Jason Kapono and banger Kris Humphries. But the backup center is Bosh, and Bosh needs a blow. I worry about depth, I really do. Irrespective of the team’s international play, actually. If these guys were home all summer, it would still be a question mark.
So, maybe next year. That isn’t to say things haven’t improved, or that a batch of good health won’t vault these guys past 50 wins. I just can’t bank on it. They’re closer, though.
Expected record: 48-34
The former coach of the Canadian basketball team joins The Game Plan to discuss the Raps’ backup point guard situation, what to expect from Jermaine O’Neal and Kris Humphries, and which player on the roster will surprise this season.
Scott, seriously do you not know Indiana is in the Eastern Conference?
I do, but I don’t write for the paper that it was pulled from. Follow the link and ask them.