7:05pm Eastern
1. What was the theme of ‘locker clean-out day’? From Chris Bosh, to Sam Mitchell, to Bryan Colangelo … we kept hearing how the Raptors need to improve in three areas: (1) Rebounding. (2) Defense. (3) Scoring / Finding a second scorer - a number two option - to take some of the heat of of Bosh’s shoulders. Well, I’m sure I’m not the only one to think this … but … who is the one guy that could fill the void in all three of those areas for the Raps? I’ll give you a hint: He’s 7-feet tall and he’s from Italy. And while it wouldn’t be fair to heap all of the pressure and blame on Andrea Bargnani, he clearly needs to be better next season. He could be their make-or-break guy. He regressed this year.
2. Does anybody else get the feeling that Jorge Garbajosa may never play basketball again? I don’t know. I hope I’m wrong. He showed some great ‘promise’ late in the season … getting back on the floor … finding his shooting stroke again … but I just get this feeling in my gut that his leg/ankle won’t hold up through the constant pounding of 82 games and 8-9 months of practices and games. Toronto could definitely use Garbo next season. Let’s hope the next 5 months can get Garbajosa - and his career - back on track (especially if he’s taking the summer ‘off’ … not playing for Spain … according to Colangelo).
3. Call me crazy … but … I’m giving Joey Graham ONE MORE YEAR. I know, I know … he’s had a disappointing career to this point. And we all keep waiting for “Good Joey” to show up on a consistent basis but we’ve become too accustomed to seeing “Bad Joey” on most nights. However, this season Graham was lost in a numbers crunch. Say what you want … but here’s the truth: Graham started the season hurt. You can’t help bad luck. And while he was battling back … trying to get himself in shape … Jamario Moon stepped up and stole the spotlight. Obviously, Jason Kapono - the big free agent signing - was going to play. Toronto had to see what they’d get out of newly-acquired (and soon-to-be-restricted-free-agent) Carlos Delfino as well. Anthony Parker wasn’t going to lose any minutes. Garbajosa’s injury was a door-wide-open for Graham. But with Joey G. hurt … Moon rose to the occasion and he never looked back. He started 70+ games and essentially planted Graham to the bench. If Toronto clears a body or two from their crowded swing spot (SG/SF), Graham could see some time in the rotation next year. Otherwise, it’ll be another LONG season for Joey.
E. Smith
I have said for long time I think Garbo gets bought out. Here is why I think that. He was a borderline athlete to play in this league prior to his injury and he now post injury I do not think with be athletic enough to play @ NBA level. Love to have your thoughts on my comments ERIC.
- James BorbathAndrea never should have started as a three shooter. We have enough of them and even if we did not we needed him as a center. I have complained about it for two years. Finally Collangelo said Andrea will learn the center.
I hope the new coach agrees because Sam never figured it out. We need Andrea to rebound and drive and anything that distracts him from that is dumb.
Maybe some team will take TJ and Sam as a package?
- MilesMost of us are more interested in who the next Leaf G.M. will be.
- JimWell, you’re at the wrong blog for that then, Jim. Save your hockey chat for another area — like Howard Berger’s blog. I’m sure he’d be happy to chat with ya there … and he’s probably written about that subject (many times) as well.
- E. SmithJim, I could care less about the bumbling leafs!They blow and will for another 3 seasons.Completly lost interest.Alot of guys i know are fed up with the leafs.Plus they’ll probably hire the wrong guy like they have for the past 40 years.
As for Garbo, i think he’s done as well,he had no quicks before he got hurt and now going into next season he would be a year an a half older.A buyout is in order. To be honest i wasn’t that impressed with him when he did play prior to the injury.
Bargnani: Next year is a make or break year for him. If he doesn’t average 15PPG and 6+ RPG and in general be more agressive he’ll be considered a bust in people’s eyes including my own. Three season’s in without progression would be a huge blow to Colangelo. But i do think that they will try to improve his agression/back to the basket skills in the off season.And he needs to get bigger (20 lbs).
Joey graham: Trade him!!He’ll never play much here in T.O. He didn’t play this year and they want to upgrade the talent for next season which IMO means he’ll be glued to the bench even more next season. Send him to Minnesota where he might play.
- jeffLet’s keep the talk to the Raptors - save the Leafs for another blog (Berger) or site.
- E. SmithI have a great idea for the Raps secondary scorer. His name is Corey Maggette and he is available this summer. He gets to the basket with the best of them and is a decent shooter. He can play the 2 or 3(mostly 3) and is a 20 ppg scorer. Maybe the Raps can get him in a sign and trade for TJ Ford or Rasho and draft picks or something. He would be a perfect fit and the Clippers need a pg don’t they?
- aviEric, I have no idea how you can have this much patience for Joey Graham. You just may be crazy (though, I still think you’re the best). I don’t know where to start with how much of a disappointment the self-proclaimed, “most versatile player in the league” is. He belongs as a journeyman at best just like his brother Stephen. I wish the guy luck in the future. I hope BC ships him out of town for someone who can actually contribute. Seriously, I could go on for days about how 95% of joey isn’t worth having on our team. 5% just doesn’t cut it, especially when he only tries to play well when his brother is around or if he’s on national tv.
- Aaron McMillanAvi, i don’t think we have any shot at Corey Maggette. First,he’s too expensive and the clippers would’t take an injury prone PG or aging Center for him unless they get desperate, Really really desperate!
jeff
- jeffEric, I’d never think I would find anyone else in this world who also thought like me in regards to JG. Personally, given the right situation, I think he still has the upside to be a great player in this league. Like you said, this year was bad luck for him, especially in regards to injury, but I think coming into training camp (if he’s re-signed) and he works his butt off, he can prove many wrong and earn some PT.
then again, i think it all depends on if he improves or not through the offseason.
- BehzadChris Paul our Savior
Chris Paul has to raise the stock of TJ Ford every game. It is human nature that everyone sees their similarities and some will want to fix their differences. I hope Colangello sells Ford’s rising stock rather than falling back in love with it. We need less guys with potential and more guys with the goods.
The total lack of structure of our team is embarrassing after watching the play-offs. Sam has to go.
- milesAnthony Parker is arguably the worst starting shooting guard in the league. We need a 20PPG guy in the 2 spot and we definitely have assets to get a guy like that in a trade off.
- BeburgBeburg please explain HOW AP is the worst SG in the league. I respect your opinion, but without clear explanation, all i can say is you haven’t followed the NBA all that much and therefore a playoff series makes your opinion.
- BehzadCalderon Score more?
With TJ gone I was hoping Caleron would score a lot more and maybe compensate for not having a super shooting guard.
I would much prefer an all star level player who could drive and rebound with physicallity. That being said if Sam is still here, Sam would convert him to the three shooter. Everyone else is?
I really want a coach for Andrea. I would love for him to play Rasho games except he is much quicker and much more athletic. What a was of two years? Jump hook anyone?
- MilesBehzad, you tell me how many times Parker drives to the bucket? It’s amongst the worst starting SG in the league, his PPG is also amongst the worst and he is 33 years old! He’s an average player, maybe you should follow NBA more closely before commenting about me.
- BeburgBeburg, you’re right on. AP is not a starter on a good team. He doesn’t score consistently enough compared to most 2’s and while he has a reputation as a good defender, I don’t think he’s physical enough to defend other team’s 2’s. He definitely contributes to the Raptors being a “soft” team.
- MarvinAP is not going to set the league on fire, but remember that he was an upgrade on what we had before. AP is steady and able to contribute some nights, but on a better team he would be a valuable sixth or seventh man. In a perfect world we would get a better player. Right now I would be more concerned about upgrading the 3 or 5 spots.
- KevinKevin
Amen, I am tired of our lack of rebounding, our weakess in our own paint and lack of points in the paint.
- MilesDown the strech of the season and in the playoffs I would have went with Joey Graham over Moon.
Don’t get me wrong I like Moon and he was the hot guy, but he doesn’t create for himself. Meaning he needs an alley from Ford/Calderon or a screen from a big guy.
Graham is able to attack the basket and create for himself and others. Not to mention he is a pretty good individual defender.
If Moon learns to take guys off the dribble then you can trade Joey.
By the way what happened to Maceo Baston (if that is how you spell his name) we signed him and he wore a suit all year. He didn’t even get a run after we locked up a playoff spot?
- Kamal