Reports are coming out that the Toronto Raptors have made an agreement with Indiana that would send TJ Ford, Rasho Nesterovic, the 17th pick in this years draft, and a player to be named later (in order to match salary) to the Pacers in exchange for Jermaine O'Neal...
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If any of you had read my last post, you would be aware that I hate this idea. The guy has only played more than 70 games in 5 out of 12 seasons (granted, one of those 12 seasons was shortened, but he still missed about a dozen or so games thatparticular season) and is there any reason to expect that he will be able to play more than half a season in '08-'09? He's a $22 million liability.
TJ Ford had to go, there's no question about that. He's too good to keep on the bench, and the writing on the wall indicated that Jose Calderon was the PG of choice in Toronto. TJ's had his injuries, and there's no reason to expect that he will be able to remain healthy for all 82 games, but he only accounts for $8 million on the payroll.
Rasho is a good, reliable, and healthy center. He's a smart player who can start for you, or come off the bench and not allow it to affect his game. I would fully expect Rasho to be able to play the full season, and he would account for about $8.5 million on the payroll.
TJ and Rasho make about $16.5 million, which leaves another $5 to $6 million dollars to make up. How much value will be placed on the 17th pick of the draft this year? If I were to guess maybe $1 million, that would still leave about $4 - $5 million, which would possibly mean the player to be named later could be the likes of Kris Humphries, Anthony Parker, Andrea Bargnani, or Jason Kapono... All those guys are capable of being huge contributors to the team... a huge loss if they are included in the deal...
If the reports are true, and if Jermaine O'Neal passes his physical, the one thing I would recommend is that he had better take care of himself and really contribute to the team. I want the Raptors to be successful, but it's so hard with O'Neal's sketchy history.
If the Raptors should end up with a result anything less than a .500 season, they will likely lose a lot of fan support, which would make it very difficult for the team to survive in Toronto. The city throws more support behind the Toronto Maple Leafs than the rest of the major sports combined (the Raptors could win the NBA championship, but the headlines in the Toronto media will be about the latest surgery on one of the Leafs...). Now, over the next five years, the Buffalo Bills (NFL... I''m sure you know that, but I'll say it anyway) will be playing games in Toronto which will likely draw a lot of attention away from the Raptors. Our MLS team (soccer), the Toronto FC, which has only been around for a season and a half has ridiculous support already. The CFL (Canadian Football League) team, the Toronto Argonauts will probably have a lot of support as well based on their big moves in the offseason, and are expected to be championship contenders (that's more of an FYI for y'all, but hopefully you see my point).
I am also hard-pressed to believe the ownership group will be happy to be paying their basketball players more than their hockey players... the same group owns the Raptors and the Leafs (and Toronto FC).
I'll keep my fingers crossed that everything will magically work out... but am just too skeptical to believe it...
Shaquille O'Neal was an all-star who had put up big numbers at one time... Jason Kidd was an all-star who put up big numbers at one time...
It's not so much the trading away of TJ Ford that bothers me... It had to happen. TJ is a back-up in Toronto, but is more than capable of being a starter on more than half the teams in the league.
I don't like giving up Rasho Nesterovic, the draft pick, and a "player to be named later" for this deal to work. Rasho's much more valuable than a lot of people give him credit for. I've watched about 80 % of the Raptors games the last two seasons, and Rasho has been one of the most reliable players the Raptors have had in that time. It's unfortunate that what Rasho really offers doesn't appear on a stat sheet...
If it were just TJ and Rasho being traded, I still wouldn't like it, but at least we could have probably drafted a young player with some potential to learn the game. Also, who knows who will be the player to be named later?
O'Neal's last 4 seasons are worrisome, 44, 51, 69, and 42 games respectively... It indicates to me that he is wearing down, which is not beneficial to the Raptors. If O'Neal goes down with another injury, the Raptors don't have a back-up center who can step in and play the same type of game. Also, there will be more pressure on Bosh than before if O'Neal is out of the line-up because they will still lack the extra size that they have needed.
I want it to work, I hope it wll work. I want to see the Raptors do well, but I think when everything is finished, the Raptors will be giving more t
Again, I heard the news on my drive home from work, and again my day was ruined... Add to it the fact I had to spend $50 to fill up half my gas tank in my car... Completely irrelevant, but still annoying nonetheless...
Jason Kidd and Shaquille O'Neal are over the age of 35.
O'Neal is only 29 years old. He's recovering from a torn meniscus in his knee -- it's not microfracture surgery.
Center/power forwards who put up 20 and 10 don't grow on trees.
The potential reward is more than worth the risk with this deal. If O'Neal returns to full strength (which is very likely) you'll have best frontcourt in the Eastern Conference.
Like I said, I'm keeping my fingers crossed. But it's very hard to believe when a player hasn't completed a full season in the last 4...
I hope Bryan Colangelo plans on making more moves to pick up guys who will be able to support the others, because O'Neal alone is not enough to help, IMO.
Fair enough my friend. I just wish you were a little more optimistic about this deal. It's not on a Pau Gasol for Kwame Brown and JR Crittenton level, but it's closer than you think.
Brother Clinch,
well you know, I considered the Pacers to be the Jazz of the east for many years (good team, just couldn't make it over that hump), just be patient, they'll be back.
Getting back to the topic at hand, The Raptors will do just fine just have a little patience (yep that word again).
I'm a Toronto sports fan. The Maple Leafs are my hockey team, the Raptors are my basketball team, and the Blue Jays my baseball team. I'll do what I can to stick with them through good times and bad, and always hope for the best. Lately, the Raps have been my number one team, and the one that has the best future right now.
I'll have my opinions that may be shared by others, or not. However, they are just opinions which are intended to get others to think differently about whatever topic they may be.
