As you can expect from a "mover" such as Bryan Colangelo, it is no surprise that The Toronto Raptors have been busy this off season. They just made the trade of the draft.
Here's how it played out
To Toronto:
Jermaine O'Neal
41st 2008 draft pick (Nathan Jawai)
To Indy:
Me.J Ford
Rasho Nesterovic
17th pick (Roy Hibbert)
and either Maceo Baston or Joey Graham
This trade is all but done, and all those people who say otherwise tell them to answer this. When the Raptors draft somebody in the first round, they have a press conference in the days following introducing there pick to the Toronto media.... Where has that press conference been for Hibbert. Not to mention Hibbert was nowhere found on the raps radar, in fact I am pretty sure he didn't even come for a workout, and if he did, only one.
Anyways this trade is a make or break, and even in different sports, it is very similar to the trade for Scott Rolen of the Blue jays, both have long injury lists. O'Neal has not played 70 plus regular season games since 2003..... that was 5 years ago. He may be still in his late 20's, but remember, hes been in the NBA for over 10 years, as he came straight out of high school. Granted he didn't play much his first couple years in Portland... those legs and especially the knees are much older than late 20's. If he can give us 55 plus games and be ready for the playoffs... watchout the raptors will be a force downlow. This move also signifies that barring something crazy, my man JK, Jason Kapono is back in the starting 5. Last season, coach of the Raptors Sam Mitchell did a horrible job of finding open looks for JK. He's a spot shooter who can't really create his own shot. But as we saw in the playoffs, he can occasionally drive to the net, and his accuracy from long range is unreal. I see O'Neal and Bosh creating double teams down low, with JK wide open for the threes, Mitchell won't even have to find ways to get him open looks, all he has to do is motivate these guys and look good in his suits, which is the only things I think he's good at, as a coach. There are rumors out there that Carlos Delfino is as good as gone, most likely to Europe. There are also rumors concerning Anthony Parker who is signed for this year, but has a 3 year 21 million dollar deal from Olympiakos sitting on a table that for a guy like him, has to be a once in a lifetime contract, those are numbers he will never see in the NBA.
Although I've gotten offtrack I see this trade as valuable to the Raps if O'Neal stays healthy. Jawai is a guy who if we can get him motivated can be a rotation guy. At the same time he's got some serious weight on him and some attiude issues. The NBA lifestyle will either send him to the Mcdee's and clubs or get him serious that he wants more than one of those plushy contracts. We gave up Ford, who gave up on this TEAM once he decided to complain about being a backup to a guy who was much better than him, I guess it's tough making 8 million a year. This trade also ensures that the Raps will go from a 13-15 man rotation, down to a 10 man rotation, with the 10 guy only getting garbage minutes. It also means we need a backup point guard unless Roko Ukic is as good as many people are saying. He is finally coming over from Europe, and if he can solidify the backup spot, it opens up some money for a guy at the 3 or 2 who can slash to the net and get to the line.
Ozel
Monday, June 30, 2008
Looking towards the end of this year with the Jays
The Jays have officially played more games than are left, which means the trade deadline is a month away. Unlike the NHL deadline, there isn't alot of moves made at the deadline, but the jays could be players this year. Everybody is talking about trading AJ Burnett. While it could be a good move, everybody is forgetting the two first round draft picks we get, if he signs with another team next winter. Not only that everybody is forgetting that JP Ricciardi is most likely gone after this year if we don't make the playoffs. That means our draft picks won't be wasted on Russ Adam types, or the more than 30 outfielders that he has picked, with only 1, Adam Lind, making it anywhere on the jays roster. So hopefully those picks wouldn't be wasted. I see AJ having a great month and beyond. He's due alot of money for the next two years, but this guy has been a selfish person with loads of potential who turns it on when it means he can get more money. Unless the jays can significantly beat the two picks we will receive in the winter ( and make no mistake, Burnett is definitly gone at the end of this year if not sooner). Other guys I would like see moved regardless if we are in the race or not are Lyle Overbay and either Greg Zaun or Rod Barajas. Overbay will be close to impossible to move with his contract at 6 mil per season for 3 more and his weak numbers. I think moving either of our catchers is a good move. One of them could handle the catching duties with a young guy, and with the low amount of veteran catchers we could get something for either of them. Barajas has some pop with a strong arm and good defensively. Zaun is a switch hitter who manages his pitching staff well, both have qualities teams could use for a stretch run, and would give something of value back, be it a prospect. If the jays make a run, which I can see them doing, they do not need to touch there pitching staff, but add a bat somehow. Jason Bay has been floated around but he will cost a good pitcher, which I wouldn't do. If I were to predict anything I'd say Burnett moving is 50-50 at this point, and other than that, I don't see anything happening.
Ozel
Ozel
Free agent Frenzy starts Tommorow
As many of you know, free agent frenzy begins tommorow. Also what many of you leaf fans know is that our team, as is built right now sucks. I mean I could seriously see the Chicago Wolves, winners of this year's Calder Cup of the AHL beating these guys. When your considering Matt Stajan or Nik Antropov (whose mostly been playing wing lately) as your number one center, things aren't looking good for the immediate future. It goes without saying that the leafs can only get better. Looking at our player salaries for last year, it came to a shed over 52 million. Looking at who were getting rid or already have gotten rid of ( tucker, Gill, Wellwood, Raycroft and Sundin) we have a few other guys who have left but, they made well under a million. I add Sundin to this mix as I see no real chance that he will come back. With all the savings we make with these departures (save the million and a half on the cap that the tucker and Raycroft buyouts will cause) The leafs have money to spend. Trader Cliff ( Fletcher) has already stated were not going after anybody whose older than 29. This is a great move by the wily veteran, were not competing for years.
Because of these factors I do not see the leafs being players in Tommorow's action but heres a list of a few players to keep an I on.
Sean Avery
Dmitri Kalinin
Curtis Joseph
Jason Williams
Branko Radivojevic
Radim Vrbata
All of these guys are UFA's. I really see Sean Avery coming here. Not only because Bob Mckenzie thinks it will happen but because of many reasons. First and foremost, regardless of if Toronto is going to be a bad team for a few years, the Leafs need to make a splash, they need to do something that will get the fans attention away from how bad they are, and what better way than to get Avery, the loud mouth, no holds bar, who will do anything to get people's attention, including working as an intern this summer for Vogue Magazine. Not only that, just because the leafs will be a bad team, doesn't mean we have to give wins away and get teams to enjoy playing us. With Avery on the roster, teams will hate to come to the ACC. From what I've read, Avery does really want to resign in New York. It seems unlikely with his salary demands ( in the 4 million range) and there attention on a fair amount of UFA's (Jagr, Rozival, and don't forget there interest in Brooks Orpik). The leafs will be able to pay Avery what he wants, as well as give him the big stage he has enjoyed in NY. And even for those leaf fans who don't like it, think of this, it may speed up the departure of Jason Blake and that contract he has.
Curtis Joseph, from what I've heard is a Leaf if he wants too. He still has the family in King City, and you would think he would love to come back and finish his career where he had some of his best years. It also won't cost much to sign him. Williams is another guy I see the leafs getting. He's in that age group that fletch has stated he wants, he won't cost to much, he's from the area, and even at 28, he still has some upside. I could also see Vrbata coming here. He's got some scoring punch and could play on the first line, granted of a weak team like ours, but I think he will be in demand and it may be hard to convince him to come here, especially because hes not worth to overpay.
Concerning Kalinin, I think this. If the leafs sign him, that means they think they can get rid of McCabe. Kalinin won't get close to Caber money, but he will need ice time, and right now he would be a 4th defencemen. I see him as a 3rd. Now you might think that isn't much of a difference, the fourth and 3rd dee men are on the same line. But what happens when an injury happens or penalty? or pp? So if the leafs get Kalinin, look for one of the other big three (Kubina, Kaberle and Caber) leaving.
In the end, I see the leafs still being way under the cap at the end of this free agent period. I don't see us going after any significant UFA"s, we don't have the depth to give up draft picks, but nonetheless, Wojtek Wolski is out there, and he's one guy I'd at least consider.
Ozel
Because of these factors I do not see the leafs being players in Tommorow's action but heres a list of a few players to keep an I on.
Sean Avery
Dmitri Kalinin
Curtis Joseph
Jason Williams
Branko Radivojevic
Radim Vrbata
All of these guys are UFA's. I really see Sean Avery coming here. Not only because Bob Mckenzie thinks it will happen but because of many reasons. First and foremost, regardless of if Toronto is going to be a bad team for a few years, the Leafs need to make a splash, they need to do something that will get the fans attention away from how bad they are, and what better way than to get Avery, the loud mouth, no holds bar, who will do anything to get people's attention, including working as an intern this summer for Vogue Magazine. Not only that, just because the leafs will be a bad team, doesn't mean we have to give wins away and get teams to enjoy playing us. With Avery on the roster, teams will hate to come to the ACC. From what I've read, Avery does really want to resign in New York. It seems unlikely with his salary demands ( in the 4 million range) and there attention on a fair amount of UFA's (Jagr, Rozival, and don't forget there interest in Brooks Orpik). The leafs will be able to pay Avery what he wants, as well as give him the big stage he has enjoyed in NY. And even for those leaf fans who don't like it, think of this, it may speed up the departure of Jason Blake and that contract he has.
Curtis Joseph, from what I've heard is a Leaf if he wants too. He still has the family in King City, and you would think he would love to come back and finish his career where he had some of his best years. It also won't cost much to sign him. Williams is another guy I see the leafs getting. He's in that age group that fletch has stated he wants, he won't cost to much, he's from the area, and even at 28, he still has some upside. I could also see Vrbata coming here. He's got some scoring punch and could play on the first line, granted of a weak team like ours, but I think he will be in demand and it may be hard to convince him to come here, especially because hes not worth to overpay.
Concerning Kalinin, I think this. If the leafs sign him, that means they think they can get rid of McCabe. Kalinin won't get close to Caber money, but he will need ice time, and right now he would be a 4th defencemen. I see him as a 3rd. Now you might think that isn't much of a difference, the fourth and 3rd dee men are on the same line. But what happens when an injury happens or penalty? or pp? So if the leafs get Kalinin, look for one of the other big three (Kubina, Kaberle and Caber) leaving.
In the end, I see the leafs still being way under the cap at the end of this free agent period. I don't see us going after any significant UFA"s, we don't have the depth to give up draft picks, but nonetheless, Wojtek Wolski is out there, and he's one guy I'd at least consider.
Ozel
My introduction
Hello everyone, my name is Marc Oliver. I am a 22 year old student at the University of Guelph, a small town just outside Toronto Canada. I am an avid sports fan, not just focusing on North American Sports. I went to high school in South African and have lived in London, England as well. I will be focusing on Sports for Toronto sports fans, but will occasionally cover Rugby as well as Premiership football (soccer) as well as any major sporting events I consider important to me. I will report rumors that I hear and what validity I think they have. I hope you enjoy and constructive commentary is always welcome.
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