Crossword

Nash wasn't restricted though. I'm not sure how much Milwaukee would be willing to spend on Ford, considering they're already tied down to huge contracts to Redd and Simmons, but then it comes down to us maxing him out. Same with Hinrich, who the Bulls might even match regardless of whether we max him out or not. Banking on RFA's isn't the brightest thing to do, especially when we might not have the money to sign them in the first place.

On the other hand, who's coming out this year? There's Jason Terry, Andre Miller, Sam Cassell, and everybody's favourite, Mike James. All of them are around the same age, with the obvious exception of E.T., and neither Terry nor Miller is a true pass-first PG. Terry's the only guy out of that group I'd really like to see in Toronto, but if he isn't given a ridiculous contract by the Hawks, he'll return to the Mavs... unless we're the ones giving him the ridiculous contract.

Either way, going with only Ukic and Calderon is just asking for trouble. Despite all his dumbfounded comments, we might be seeing MJ in a Raps uniform again next year, if he's our only option.

Team Mao

During that offseason, they will have Redd, Simmons, Gadzuric and Bogut under contract for a total of 35.3 million dollars, plus their draft pick next year and most likely Ilyasova. So four players at 35 million, plus knowing that they will be giving Bogut a max deal in a few years. They will have to fill their roster (10 or 11 players) with 25 million dollars to stay under the luxury tax. Most of their players who will be expiring will old or useless, not worth resigning, meaning that they will need to bring in free agents, which will mean that they can't go over the cap to fill of these roster spots.

Resigning Ford would mean that they would be a team with absolutely no depth whatsoever. Meaning, it is very likely that he could be had for a price tag of 8-9 million.

In terms of the Bulls, it is a different situation. If they match on Hinrich, it will mean a lot of there other young talent will not be resigned. So by putting in an offer sheet,even if it is matched, we are in a way sabotaging another up and coming conference rival. If we get him, perfect, if not then we still have accomplished something.

It is not a perfect situation. But is Marcus Banks the solution? Speedy Claxton? Mike James again? Are the guards in this draft much better than Ukic? I just don't see the point in rushing to fill what some see as a need by wasting money on mediocre players or trading out of the top pick, can you say treadmill?

Dee-Zy

vote = speedy

Team Mao

=5 million per season which could be better spent elsewhere

Dee-Zy

where?


give him like a 2-3 year deal. That'll be enough time for our young PG to develop, then he will be a good pg off the bench (year 2 or 3)

Team Mao

How many guys (except for Mike James and other certifiable lunatics) take 2-3 year deals late in their careers? Or anytime in their career for that matter? Getting Speedy Claxton or any of those guys would require us offering big money or long term (5 year) deals. Speedy Claxton has said that he wants to stay in NO (sorry, I can't find the link but it was said after the end of the season sometime), if he goes somwhere, he will get MLE or close to it for full time allowed. No way Cassell comes to Toronto and Marcus Banks-jesus way to aim high, guy's a loser.

Why is everyone so quick to give up on Jose Calderon? At the beginning of the season, pre injury, he was the epitome of pass first point guard that everyone is screaming for. He got injured and struggled through the rest of the season. I would say it's a bit early to give up on him becoming a quality point guard, or at least being better than Claxton, Banks et al. Watching the two guards play, I don't see a whole lot of difference between Calderon and Ridnour, except I see Calderon as being a better on court leader (once he nails down the language). The guy has been starting point guard for his national team and one of the top teams in Europe, he's got leadership skills, he knows how to direct a team.

Divine Spammer

BTW, all the talks about Roko makes me think on a guy with a similar game who will probably be available with our second rounder (35th).
Yotam Halperin.
Smart player with good fundementals and great basketball skills.
The only thing that concerns scouters is his athleticism, which is inferior to Roko's.
He's also a tall combo guard (6'5''), like Ukic, but I believe his a better basketball player.
He can be a solid back PG, IMO.
If Roko doesn't come this year you can draft Yotam, sign him on a one year contract and see what he's got.

Plus, he's Israeli so maybe Raptors games will be televised here at last.

__________________
"Talk, it's only talk
Arguments, agreements, advice, answers,
Articulate announcements
It's only talk"

King Crimson, Discipline (1981)- "Elephant Talk"

Crossword

Nobody's giving up on Jose, I just don't think he's ready to log heavy minutes as a starting point guard yet. Even if he does start, I wouldn't put him in for more than around 25 minutes this year, and then that leaves nearly just as much minutes for Roko if we're going with that rotation alone. That's not going to cut it IMO, just like Calderon-Jack wouldn't cut it. If we're serious about being in the playoff hunt all season, we need to get a veteran PG somewhere in there, can't just keep throwing them into the fire.

no_free_baskets

i agree with mao, that injury played a big part in calderons struggles (im not sure if he was ever 100% after his injury) however, i do think we need to look at the possibility in his struggles also could have been also attributed to the fact that the league adjusted to his game (sag off on def. to let him shoot + more difficult for him to penetrate in the lane n create passing opportunities, etc...)

im really quite concerned about his shooting thou...euro ball it seems to me, is all predicated about being able to hit our outside shot (especially as a perimeter plyr), so it should be a skill that calderon should be quite developed in...i think a couple of our euro posters ( i think divine spammer was one) made a good pt. thou in saying that u have a lot more time in the euro game to get our open shot off, so that might be a possible explination....but still, if he had any kind of outside game, his perimeter shooting shouldnt have been as bad as it was...hopefully he can improve it next yr...he'll definetely need it if the raps plan to start him..

Divine Spammer

Yes, you need to release the ball much faster and from a larger distance.
A player with mediocre shot skills in Euro level will have difficulties in adjusting to this new situation.

Jose just suffers from the usual adjestments problems of Euro players.
They're also might be more vulnerable to injuries, because they don't work on their muscles as the US players do.
If I remember correctly, most of the Euro players that succeeded in the NBA eventually needed some time to get used to the differences of the NBA game from the Euro game.

Jose will work on his jumper this summer, I'm pretty sure. He's a real pro.
He can be reliable shooter next year, I'm truly believe so.

__________________
"Talk, it's only talk
Arguments, agreements, advice, answers,
Articulate announcements
It's only talk"

King Crimson, Discipline (1981)- "Elephant Talk"