Tag Archives: Joe Johnson

by | July 4, 2012 · 9:48 am

Raptors have the Right man in Charge

It’s been a pretty crazy few days in Raptor land.  Steve Nash may be coming home to Canada to lead the Raptors back to the playoffs with the hope of  hosting a postseason game for the first time in four years.

There have been all kinds of wild rumours and big time dollar figures being thrown around over the “twittersphere” and beyond.  While you may agree or disagree with the players names and dollar figures being tossed around.  One thing should be very clear for Raptor fans.

We are lucky to have Bryan Colangeloas our General Manager.

Colangelo has been a steady hand for this Raptors franchise. His decisions are not always successdul, but they are bold.

In his time in charge of the Raptors he has been active and creative in trying to build a team that will be competitive.  True, his attempts haven’t always brought success on the court, but he has shown resiliency and an ability to admit his mistakes, which keeps the Raptors active every year.

In the past he presided over shrewd business decisions like trading highly regarded rookie Charlie Villanueva for TJ Ford, going overseas and bringing in fairly unknown international players like Jorge Garbajosa and Anthony Parker.  Those moves won him an Atlantic division title.

He tried to take the next step by trading to acquire Jermaine O’neal, but that didn’t work out so he turned him into Shawn Marion and then ultimately Hedo Turkoglu.

Now the Hedo acquisition, at the time, was a stroke of genius.  A trade that simply should not have been able to happen. The Raptors acquired the biggest fish in the pond that year.  A calculated and complicated transaction that, in the end, didn’t pan out.

Hedo was moved quickly (he was likely to be run out of town anyway) for Barbosa who was moved to clear capspace.

And here we are.

Many will look to Colangelo’s record and see a whole lot of failures.  Jermaine O’neal didn’t mesh with Bosh, Turkoglu was an unmitigated disaster.  But what I see is a GM trying to improve every year and who continues to take risks.  Better yet, none of the risks he has taken has cemented the raptors into Salary cap hell or left the team stuck with an untradeable contract.

He’s taken risks, but, unlike other GMs, has been able to get himself out of situations that haven’t worked.

Now this offseason has started with a bang.

Colangelo is throwing a lot of money in an attempt to lure Steve Nash back to his homeland and has made a gigantic offer to Landry Fields.

The Steve Nash signing is about building a culture and selling tickets (lets not kid ourselves here).  Nash would instantly become the face of Toronto sports.  Sorry Jose Bautista and Phil Kessel, but Nash would instantly become the most marketable athlete the city has seen in a long time.  That is instant cash for MLSE.

Steve Nash coming home to Canada, is a dream that is on the verge of reality.

A three-year offer is also safe in many ways.  Nash is older but there is every indication his body can continue to withstand the grind of an 82 game season.  Three year contracts are shorter terms and become tradeable assets in the final year.  If the Nash thing doesn’t work out, his contract is a chip to play in that third year.

Nash to Toronto would mean butts in seats.  But let us not forget the basketball side of this story.  Nash would be a steady hand at the driver’s seat for a team filled with young talent.  His addition instantly makes Demar DeRozan, Jonas Valanciunas and Bargnani that much better.  It takes a lot of pressure off of them as well.

Nash has made a career out of creating superstars.  Players that have played with Nash have made names for themselves because they were given the ball in the right places. Shawn Marion, Joe Johnson, Amare Stoudamire, Channing Frye, Jared Dudley, and more have all benefited greatly from playing alongside Nash.

There is every reason he can do the same with Toronto’s young, talented lineup.

Nash to Toronto makes sense.  Basketball wise and money wise as MLSE stands to make millions on jersey sales and merchandise.

Hence the signing yesterday of Landry Fields.

The New York Knicks are one of the few competitors for Steve Nash (yes LA and Dallas are hanging around too but they aren’t really in play).  Colangelo, in a brilliant move, effectively eliminated his stiffest competition for the prize he wants.

New York can’t use Fields in a sign and trade, they’ve taken their eye off of Jeremy Lin (their now biggest concern) and likely have no money left for Nash.

A stroke of genius.

Also, assuming the Raptors do not rescind the offer after signing Nash, Landry Fields represents a significant upgrade at the 3 for Toronto.  He’s tough, can score and plays strong on the defensive end. A trait I’m sure that is not lost on Dwane Casey.  He’s also likely to improve his game with Nash distributing the ball.

Now this decision could all blow up in the face of Colangelo again.  He could lose Nash to Dallas or Nash could sign and be a bust in the mould of a Hedo Turkoglu.  Maybe we watch Nash deteriorate in Toronto and he isn’t able to take us anywhere.

Something tells me that if given the opportunity, Colangelo will right his wrong, clean up his mess and be able to point the ship back in the right direction.  That’s what he’s always done.

For now we get to enjoy one of the most exciting off seasons the Raptors have had in years.  There is a real buzz surrounding the team and in the eyes of most, a real shot at achieving some success.

We have Colangelo to thank for that.

***

Kristoffer Pedlar
The Zan Tabak Herald

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by | May 23, 2012 · 7:37 am

Raptors Offseason Plan Beginning to Take Shape

It has been an intriguing offseason thus far for the Toronto Raptors, that is to be sure.  They haven’t even done anything yet and there has already been plenty of chatter surrounding the team and potential free agent signings since the day the season ended.  Whether these rumours are based in truth or conjecture remains to be seen.  Regardless of the eventual results, people are talking about the Raptors and fans are getting excited.

I’m not one to get caught up in rumours, but these rumours seem to have some weight to them and all of them could change the course of the Raptors hopes for next season as well as the  long-term status of GM Bryan Colangelo, who has one year remaining on his contract.

First came the Steve Nash rumours.  Now Steve Nash rumours are nothing new around these parts.  He’s Canada’s greatest basketball talent ever and would look fantastic playing for Canada’s only basketball team. Over the years Toronto has heard lots about Nash coming to town, but there wasn’t really any way to get a deal like that done.   But now the “Nash to Toronto” rumours have a certain weight to them.

He’s long been rumoured to be leaving the Phoenix Suns after this year and his recent appointment as President and General Manager of Canada’s Mens National Team would seem to indicate he wouldn’t mind spending more time closer to his homeland.

A Steve Nash arrival in Toronto would mean improved play on the offensive end and a whole lot of jerseys being sold at the ACC.

Nash would fit in swimmingly here in Toronto, despite the fact Jose Calderon already occupies the starting point guard spot.  Calderon has been quite willing and ready to share time whenever necessary and the depth at point guard could give the Raptors a leg up on competition in the Atlantic division.  Calderon seems better suited to the backup role anyway and could become valuable trade bait down the road with a large expiring contract.

The Nash rumours also have weight as his former Canadian National team coach, Jay Triano is employed by the Raptors and Bryan Colangelo, the GM that drafted and then re-acquired Nash in Phoenix is currently the Raptors President and GM.

Nash has a knack for bringing the very best out of his teammates.  Shawn Marion, Joe Johnson, Amare Stoudamire, Channing Frye, Jason Richardson all owe much of their success (and large pay cheques) to the point guard that gave them the ball.

Nash has always put himself second and his team first.  His teammates were the beneficiaries on and off the court.  How much could a point guard like Nash improve Andrea Bargnani’s game? or DeMar DeRozan’s?

Makes you wonder.

Nash makes good players great.  He brings the best out of his teammates and could certainly benefit some of the underachieving Raptor players.

And just imagine the jersey sales at the ACC.

Nash would therefore seem to be a perfect fit in Toronto.  Unless, of course Jeremy Lin is.

Jeremy Lin is a restricted free agent and there are now reports from a host of sources claiming the Raptors will be very much in the mix for his services, should the Knicks decide to let him go.

Lin is much younger than Nash, could be cheaper and may fit better into the core that is developing in Toronto.

Jeremy Lin is a rumoured Raptor target this offseason. His acquisition could be the spark this young Raptor team needs.

He is a restricted free agent, so how much stalk can we put into these Lin to Toronto Rumours?  It is very possible that the Knicks get out-priced for his services.  Lin is not a player that has  been around long and therefore may not have earned the lucrative deal he seeks in the eyes of NBA GM’s.  His stats are good, but the sample size is small, and he was never really able to mesh with franchise player Carmelo Anthony suggesting he may need to be a number one option. 

Lin, who missed the Knicks’ run to the playoffs, could be the odd man out in New York, making him very much available to Toronto.  A move for Lin would be very reminiscent of Colangelo’s other signing of a young point guard that changed his Phoenix Suns back in 2004.  That, of course being, Steve Nash.

Lin has shown he can be a game changer, a superstar, a go-to guy.  At the point guard position that is simply something the Raptors have never had.  

It is clear that Lin’s stats are a small sample size and his median numbers are not nearly as good as his 2011/12 stats, but he could be worth the risk.

He is explosive and can certainly shoot the ball with confidence.  He can drive the net and get his teammates involved in the offense. His defensive ability is weak but his deficiencies could be fit into Dwane Casey’s system.  If Calderon worked out, Lin likely could too.

He would also become a big fan favourite here in Toronto, a city with a large Asian fan base.  It could be a big marketing opportunity that the new owners at Rogers and Bell, simply cannot pass up.

Still the odds of landing Lin rest in the hands of Glen Grunwald and the New York Knicks and what they are attempting to do this offseason.  The Knicks maintain the right to match any offers the young point guard gets, meaning the Raptors will likely have to overpay to get him.

Lin presents an interesting option for the Raptors, but one that they ultimately dont have complete control over.

Then there are the murmurs about Nicolas Batum.  Now, none of these rumours are anything but pure and utter speculation, but he would fit very nicely into the Raptors lineup.  A small forward with that kind of ability has alluded the Raptors since the days of Tracy McGrady.  Batum would instantly become one of the best small forwards the franchise has ever seen.  A great fit for the short and long-term. Plus his European background would be a plus in the locker room. 

He certainly won’t be cheap and the Blazers are very unlikely to let him go for nothing.  Expect the Blazers to match everything and anything for Batum and then work out a trade with a team if they have to.

If the Raptors are serious about acquiring Batum, which they should be in my opinion, then they are going to have to put together a trade package that will make it happen.  That is much more difficult than just signing a player, but if anyone knows how to work out a complicated off-season trade it’s Colangelo.

So despite the fact the Playoffs are going on without the Raptors, there is plenty for a fan to sit and ponder.  This summer will be another chapter in the remaking of this Raptors team and it is exciting to imagine the possibilities.  So far three of the most solid offseason rumours would offer the Raptors definite upgrades in talent at two key positions.  All three rumoured acquisitions are big name players that would raise the talent level and profile of basketball in Toronto.

Like most Raptor fans, I can’t wait to see what happens on July first. Judging from the early offseason rumours, it is likely to be one of the more exciting ones yet.

***

Kristoffer Pedlar
The Zan Tabak Herald

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by | April 15, 2012 · 8:40 pm

Who are These Guys?

So the Toronto Raptors are all of a sudden playing like a team that could put a scare into a higher seeded team in the playoffs.  What has happened? Or more to the point, what took so long?

No Bargnani, no Calderon, no Bayless, no Problem.

Dwane Casey started a lineup that would have been considered a joke at the beginning of the year and came away with an impressive and decisive victory over a very good Atlanta Hawks team.

The last time the Raptors won in Atlanta, it was 2007 and Peyton Manning was winning his only Super Bowl championship with the Indianapolis Colts.  Yep, it was that long ago.

I don’t know what Dwane Casey has told this team or what he has done to make them so much better than they should be, but he has really turned the fortunes of this team around.  He is winning with a roster that shouldn’t be.

On Sunday night his defensive system held the high-octane, playoff bound Atlanta Hawks to 86 points on 40% shooting.

Much will be made of the effect this game will have on the Raptors eventual first round draft pick and on the “Tank Nation” movement, but how can you not like the way Dwane Casey has this team playing?

Break up the Raptors!!

Zan for Three

Kudos to the Coach

While many will thumb their nose at another victory and chalk it up to hurting our chances at a top pick in the NBA draft, much needs to be made about the way Dwane Casey has turned this team around.  While (arguably) three of his best players were out with injury, Casey willed his band of castaways to consecutive victories over Boston and Atlanta; both teams heading to the playoffs in two weeks.  His defensive system and preparedness has got this team playing the best ball they have played all season regardless of the names on the back of the jerseys.

The whole is greater than the sum of its parts.

With a roster that sports 3 D-League players and a host of others that would be hard pressed to crack the Bobcats lineup this year, Casey has gotten a lot out of this team.

Alan Anderson is playing his way into the hearts of the Raptor faithful and Justin Dentmon and Ben Uzoh are showing that they belong in the NBA.  Most importantly, for the Raptors moving forward, Demar Derozan is looking every bit a top flight player.

All of the success goes to the coach.

You may not know a lot them, but this Raptor team is playing some very inspired ball over the last few weeks. Dwane Casey deserves all of the credit for the turnaround.

Casey has his team playing hard and giving their all.  They’ve bought in to the “pound the rock” mantra and the results are becoming more and more consistent.

I don’t know about you, but I think it’s time to talk extension.

10 Day Factor

There are some out there who believe you have to be wary of players that are on 10 day contracts as they tend to play very hard until they get a full contract.  I say it’s time to test that theory.

All three of Toronto’s 10-day club have earned the right to be a part of the team this year and possibly beyond.  Alan Anderson has been an absolute revelation and deserves a guaranteed contract with the big club for next year.  His 16 points on 6 of 9 shooting has been a regular kind of statline and he is often the hardest working player on the court every night he plays.

If you’re a believer in rewarding hard work then you almost have to give this guy a guaranteed deal.  A great find by Colangelo and great faith shown by Casey.

Where do you buy the Anderson Jerseys?

Breaking out of the Dog House

James Johnson hasn’t been the same player since he was benched by Dwane Casey for unspecified reasons a few weeks ago.  He’s looked lost and he hasn’t seen anywhere near the minutes he was seeing before being benched.  He lost his starting spot to Aaron Gray and never got it back.  It’s been a bad month for JJ.

Tonight he got his groove back.  He played hard and made the most of his 23 minutes scoring 15 on 6 of 8 shooting and chipped in with 4 rebounds and a steal.  He was all over the defensive end and did a great job containing Atlanta’s high scoring forwards.

Hopefully, he’s back. 

Zan of the Night

Demar Derozan

Not enough is being made of the complete turnaround in Derozans game over the last month.  He has shed his rough first half and is looking every bit the player the Raptors brass envisions him to be going forward.  Dwane Casey has cracked the code with Demar and has him playing the best ball, possibly of his career.

This all bodes very well for next year as the Raptors will be gunning for the playoffs.  With a confident, effective Derozan that goal becomes a lot more realistic.

Not Zan of the Night

Joe Johnson

A rough night at the office for Johnson.  One of the better veteran shooters around, he had a simply dreadful game shooting 2 for 12 with only 7 points.  He was held completely in check by the Raptors defense and could not get his team going at all.  A lopsided loss to the Raptors says a lot about Atlanta’s playoff chances.  If the Hawks have any hope in the Eastern conference playoffs it will be Joe Johnson that must lead them.  Tonight he was a non-factor.

…finally

An Alabi Sighting!  0 points in 2 minutes of play, but he did get a shot off! More to come, I’m sure.  Free Alabi!

***

Kristoffer Pedlar
The Zan Tabak Herald

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by | February 1, 2012 · 12:14 am

Another Ugly Loss for Raptors without Bargnani

One game removed from Demar Derozan stepping up to fill the void of Andrea Bargnani, the Raptors and Derozan fell back to Earth at the ACC, getting absolutely obliterated by the Atlanta Hawks.

The Raptors had no answers for Joe Jonson who seemed to do what he wanted, when he wanted all night long.  The Raptors could not get any scoring from their starting lineup and need to start searching for an identity without Andrea Bargnani.

Bargnani is their best player, by far, and his absence only seems to be cementing how valuable he is to this team.  Without him the Raptors look lost on offense as no one seems able or willing to create their own shot or take over a game.

Demar Derozan was able to do it against the Nets, but he needs to find that effort  consistently if he is going to take that next step in his development.

Tonight Derozan and the Raptors were flat.

Zan For Three

Love and Hate

It was German poet Kurt Tucholsky who said; “those who hate most fervently must have once loved deeply…”  In the case of Toronto Raptors fans this rings true.  We see it every time Vince Carter, Chris Bosh, or Tracy McGrady come to town.  The entire stadium goes absolutely Roman on them.  There is so much venom and disgust it absolutely dominates the game.

Tonight Tracy McGrady was back in town as an Atlanta Hawk.  Make no mistake about it, his game is no where near where it used to be, but Raptor fans don’t seem to care.  They boo him every time he touches the ball.  

They boo because of the way he left this franchise and they boo his smug attitude.  On Tuesday they were also booing his mockery of our National Anthem.

McGrady jokingly sang the Canadian National anthem at the start of the game and shared a laugh with his fellow teammates about the incident.  As if this town needs more reason to dislike this guy.

He left Toronto right as he was about to explode into a superstar.  He could have had years playing alongside his cousin Vince as a potent one-two punch in Toronto.  He chose fame and fortune in Orlando and the Raptors never quite reached the height they could have if McGrady had stuck around a few more years.

Everytime the fans boo him it is with the image of what could have been in their minds.  They wanted to love Tmac, they wanted to buy his jersey and chant his name.  But he didn’t let them and he took away what was, seemingly an opportunity at Eastern Conference supremacy in his days in Toronto.

He will always be public enemy no. 1 in these parts, but I think he’s just fine with that.

Jose Calderon and Dwane Casey discuss strategies on how to stop Joe Johnson. I don't think they came up with anything.

Striving for Consistency

A game after igniting Raptor Blogs everywhere, Demar Derozan took a holiday.  He looked lost and discombobulated out there and not the same player he was one game ago.  Demar is a great player, there is no doubt about that.  He can shoot the mid range jumper well, drive with the best of them and is learning to hit that three-point shot more consistently.  What he hasn’t figured out yet is how to make his performance consistent each night.

Game in and game out you’re never sure what you’re going to get.  Will it be the confident high flyer who gets to the rim at will? or will it be the timid player that is content shooting low percentage jump shots?  We’ve seen both this year, but if Raptor fans are going to get excited about the future, he is going to have to start putting forth a more consistent effort.

We need this guy to be the player he can be on a more regular basis.

Alabi Time?

Come on! No Alabi in garbage time?  If not on a night like tonight, then when?  Coach Casey has to give this guy a look otherwise the fan base will never know what they have in him.  There is no time like the present when the team seems to be looking for some inside assistance.

Gotta give him a sniff sometime.  In a game like this, that is over quickly, it is imperative that guys like Forbes, Alabi and Ed Davis get an extended look.  It is integral to see what exactly the Raptors have on this team for the future and for the trade market.

Zan of the Night

Joe Johnson

The guy was lights out all night long.  He had 30 points at the beginning of the third quarter!  His performance was awe-inspiring and he could not be controlled.  He seemed to take full advantage of  the Raptors weak perimeter defense.  He manhandled them all night long and in the end was the key to the Hawks victory.

Not Zan of the Game

Amir Johnson

Would the real Amir Johnson please stand up? Amir is typically snagging rebounds and finishing beautiful passes from Jose Calderon.  Lately he has been all over the map, from non-existent to downright awful.  Tonight he was invisible. He just isn’t doing the things he needs to do on either end of the floor.  Hopefully for everyone, he picks up his game or the beneficiary will be Ed Davis who is starting to see more minutes.

***

Kristoffer Pedlar

The Zan Tabak Herald

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by | July 22, 2010 · 3:21 pm

The Turkoglu Era Ends in Toronto

We knew it was going to happen eventually, although with the way deals seem to be completed in Toronto lately you never could tell, but Hedo Turkoglu is now a member of the Phoenix Suns.  It has to be a bittersweet moment for the Raptors organization as so much was expected from the Turkish forward coming into the season.

Turkoglu was coming off one of the most impressive post-seasons in recent memory and almost led his underdog Magic to an upset over the Lakers.  Hedo looked to be a perfect complement to Chris Bosh in Toronto.  Hedo could score, pass, drive and had a tendency to make players around him better.

That, of course, did not happen.

It was a rough and lonely year for Turkoglu in Toronto and his time as a Raptor has finally come to an end.

Hedo had a rough season, never really finding his groove.  He wore out his welcome with lackadaisical play and a rumoured night of partying the same day he missed a game with “flu-like symptoms”.

All of this could have been forgiven had the veteran led Toronto to a playoff berth, but he couldn’t do that.

Turkoglu’s style of game never really fit with Toronto because Chris Bosh needed the ball so much and because Jose Calderon needed o be the one to give it to him.  Turkoglu plays best when he is creating off of the dribble, but he was used more as a spot up shooter.   The marriage never seemed to work and now Colangelo has found a new suitor for the disgruntled forward.

In Phoenix Turkoglu is already getting off to a better start.  He looks happy and in good shape.  Last year he came into the year out of shape and missed parts of training camp.

He is coming to a Phoenix Suns team that is missing the backbone of its offense in Amare Stoudamire.  He also joins perennial All-Star Steve Nash.

Now if Turkoglu likes the ball in his hands he won’t get a chance to have it in his hands very often as Nash commands the ball most of the time.  However, that being said, it is apparent that Turkoglu will be a big part of their offensive plan.  If anyone can bring Turkoglu back to his days of success it is Steve Nash.

You can look at all the players that have come and gone in Phoenix and see that Nash was the common element that led to their success.  Amare, Joe Johnson, Shawn Marion, Quentin Richardson, Channing Frye, Jared Dudley, Barbosa, Boris Diaw, Raja Bell, Jason Richardson and the list goes on.  All have come to Phoenix and achieved high levels of success.  You can almost certainly add Hedo Turkoglu and Josh Childress to that group for next year.

Mark my words Hedo Turkoglu will be a different player this coming season.  He has never had a year more personally embarrassing for him and he will be determined to prove to himself and those around the league that last year was a fluke.  He will benefit from having a very creative coach at the helm and from being in the presence of an NBA player that excels on making those around him better.

Turkoglu looks to rebuild his image in Phoenix and with Steve Nash in control he just may do it.

It is a sad end to his time in Toronto and possibly poorly timed on Managements part.  Yes, it was very apparent that Turkoglu was nothing close to a fan favourite and likely would have been booed every time he touched the ball,  but this season more so than last, Turkoglu fits well with what the Raptors are trying to achieve.

Chris Bosh is gone.  Jose Calderon is likely gone.  Jarrett Jack and slew of young players will be the focal point of the offense next season.  These young players are fast and great at slashing to the basket and driving the ball.  Jarrett Jack worked fairly well with Hedo when both were on the court last season because Jack didn’t need to have the ball to be effective.  Turkoglu could have provided a great deal of veteran leadership for this young team and would have probably had the ball in his hands on many possessions.  He also plays a position that the Raptors still don’t have a starting calibre player for, unless you believe the hype on Sonny Weems.

Many fans will not miss the Turkoglu of last season, but I think fans will miss what could have been.  When chatter comes up later this season about a piece of the puzzle that is missing pundits will likely mention a forward that can handle the ball, hit open shots and control the offense.  This player was there, he just wasn’t allowed to come out and play.

The end of the Turkoglu era in Toronto needed to happen.  For the long-term it serves the Raptors by not having to pay Turkoglu for the next five years and in Leandro Barbosa the Raptors got back a player that will fit their new look offense.  But the deal serves Turkoglu even more because he will be free to be himself next year and will surely reap the benefits of playing with Nash and a coach, in Alvin Gentry, that will be able to make him work in their system.

So, best of luck to Hedo Turkoglu next year.  I have a feeling he is in for a much better season.

***

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Kristoffer Pedlar
The Zan Tabak Herald

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by | July 5, 2010 · 1:05 pm

Bosh Roulette: Where Will He Go?

It is becoming increasingly clear that Chris Bosh wants to play in another city next year.  He seems to be revelling in his free agency and being wined and dined by various NBA teams.  The one glitch in his plan for a 6 year max deal seems to now be the Raptors unwillingness to accommodate Bosh unless the Raptors stand to gain as well.  This could throw a wrench into the plans for a super team in Chicago or Miami and may force Chris to take less money in a city he wants to play in.  Still, many possibilities exist for the Raptors and Chris Bosh to find a deal that will appease both sides.

Let’s take a look at his potential suitors:

Chris Bosh has a lot of options when it comes to where to play next year. Many of them will depend on the co-operation of Bryan Colangelo and the Raptor organization.

Miami Heat: Before the onset of free agency and in the first few days of the frenzy, Miami looked like the sure-fire destination for CB4.  Miami had a deal on the table including Michael Beasley, Mario Chalmers and Joel Anthony.  The deal would have combine Bosh with Dwayne Wade, but would have also left Miami’s bench pretty thin.  The deal fell apart and the Miami deal won’t happen unless Pat Riley ponies up some draft picks and a massive trade exception.

Odds are still high that Bosh ends up here, but he might have to take a little less money or a third team will have to be added to the deal.  Miami had hopes of combining Wade and Bosh, but those dreams are in danger of being dashed.  In fact, Wade has been visiting a number of other teams and could leave the sunshine state.

Verdict: Miami still looks like a possibility but Colangelo has made it clear that he won’t get taken to the cleaners. If Miami wants Bosh they are going to have to at least try to accommodate the Raps.

Chicago Bulls: The Bulls have dreams of building a super team with Bosh, Wade, Noah, and Rose.  Unfortunately for Chicago, they need other teams in their conference to help them do it.  A super team that looks like that would entice anybody.  Lebron is also a possibility in the windy city, so it could get crazy in Chi-town.

Bosh likes the look of the city and how could you not want to play with a starting five that consists of those players?  Again, max money will be hard to come by unless the Bulls are able to come to an agreement with the increasingly steadfast Colangelo.  Unless the Bulls are able to offer up a player like Joakim Noah, I don’t think a deal gets done.

Verdict: The Bulls are all over the free agent market right now, but seem to be unwilling to give up any sort of asset to get these players.  If Paxson doesn’t start to get serious about a sign and trade, the bulls could end up empty-handed.  I do believe a compromise can be worked out between the Raps and Bulls that is somewhere between Taj Gibson, Luol Deng and Joakim Noah.  The Raps are right to hold out for something more lucrative in order to accommodate Bosh and an Eastern Conference rival.

Houston Rockets: This would be the Raptors most preferred situation and Houston is close to Bosh’s hometown.  The Rockets were apparently the first ones on the “Bosh Scene” at midnight on July 1st.  They love the idea of pairing Bosh with Yao Ming.  That would be a pretty strong frontcourt.  The Rockets also have a sea of assets that intrigue the Raptors including multiple first round picks and skilled players such as Aaron Brooks, Trevor Ariza and Luis Scola.  The Raptors seem to be pushing Bosh towards Houston with their unwillingness to take the Bulls and Heat offers.  Bosh would also end up out West, away from the Raptors in the Eastern Conference, and couldn’t come back to haunt them the way Vince Carter has in previous seasons.

Verdict: This is probably the best scenario if you are a Raptor fan.  Bosh would bring back top dollar from the Rockets and we wouldn’t have to worry about “super teams” in Chicago or Miami.  Not only that but Bosh would be out west where Raptor fans wouldn’t be taunted by his potential success.  A definite possibility if Colangelo can stay strong and hold out for the best sign and trade deal.

New York Knicks:  This is the least likely scenario, but if Bosh is looking for fame and money New York could be his best option.  There is every likelihood that Wade and Lebron will return to their current teams leaving the Knicks out in the cold.  They would then put all of their energy into saving face with their fans and throw the moon at Chris Bosh.  Bosh has given every indication that he wants the moon this offseason.  So the Knicks might be a good fit.

Verdict: Unlikely, but possible as other dominos begin to fall.  A rumored Lee for Bosh sign and trade was talked about during the season and could be a deal Colangelo considers.  Not the best news if you are a fan of defense, but a possibility nonetheless.

Los Angeles Lakers: This was a team considered quite a bit during the year.  Every Raptor fan with access to the internet has posted about a potential Bynum for Bosh deal.  The deal would strengthen the Lakers considerably and would give Bosh access to the thing he craves even more than a championship :  attention.  He would be close to his buddy Jay Leno and he wouldn’t have to become the focus of the offense with Bryant and Gasol around.  He could be a key to returning the championship to L.A. for a thrid straight year.

Verdict:  A bit of a pipe dream if you’re a Raptors fan as Bynum would be a beast in the East.  A great idea, in theory, but one that is unlikely to materialize.  Los Angeles won the championship with their current roster and they don’t really need to bulk up with another max contract.  Bynum has potential to be as good, or better than Bosh in the long-term.  A long shot at best.

Cleveland Cavaliers: Playing with Lebron would be a dream come true for Bosh.  He would benefit from being a secondary option and playoff berths would be plentiful.  But, he would be playing in Cleveland.  If Bosh wants exposure and media attention, surely Cleveland isn’t the route to go.  Rumours indicate Bosh has no desire to play in Cleveland, but would love to play with Lebron elsewhere.

Verdict: Unlikely because of Bosh’s desire to be a media mogul or some such nonsense.  Playing with Lebron?  yes.  Playing with Lebron in Cleveland?  Not so much.

Toronto Raptors: Yes, there is still a glimmer of a hope that Bosh will return to the Raptors next season.  The Raptors can offer more money than anyone else and Colangelo seems steadfast in his desire to get a decent deal for Bosh, should he move to a new team.  If Bosh can’t get his money elsewhere, he might stay and collect it in Toronto.  This becomes even more likely if Lebron and Wade stay with their current teams.  Joe Johnson was rumoured to be on the move and he ended up staying, it could be in Bosh’s and his agent’s best interest to stay where he is a focal point of the offense and where he can get the most money.

Verdict: Borders on never going to happen, but there is a possibility that Colangelo’s game of hardball brings CB4 back to the ACC.  A long shot at best, but still possible.

In the end, I believe in my heart of heart that Bosh will end up elsewhere this offseason and the next time Toronto fans see Bosh on the court, it will be in a uniform other than a Raptors one.  My hope is that Colangelo is able to orchestrate a deal that will land the Raptors young players or financial assets that will benefit the team going forward.  So far, Bryan has shown that he won’t be taken to the cleaners by the Pat Riley’s and Paxon’s of the world.  Hopefully a deal will materialize that gives Bosh the riches he so covets and the assets the Raptors will need to take a step forward.

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Kristoffer Pedlar
The Zan Tabak Herald

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by | May 8, 2010 · 6:29 pm

Suns Rising in Phoenix

Who would have thought it, only a few months ago?  The Phoenix Suns on the verge of making it into the Western Conference Finals.

A month ago people were talking about Lakers and Mavericks with the Spurs and Nuggets having outside chances.  No one was talking about Phoenix.

Steve Nash celebrates a victory over the Spurs. He has been the leader for the Suns in this years playoffs once again and is carrying his team to the finish.

They have been a cursed team ever since Steve Nash was body-checked into the scorers table against the Spurs by Robert Horry.  They haven’t really contended for this sort of success since that day.

The Suns have made the Conference Finals twice in the last six years, only to come up short.  They almost made the conference finals in 2006 but were thwarted by a Robert Horry body-check that resulted in players being suspended.

Nash won two NBA MVP trophies and had one of the most dominating starting lineups in the league during those years, but still came up short.  They let Joe Johnson go, traded away Shawn Marion and draft pick after draft pick, leaving them with Steve Nash, Amare Stoudamire and question marks.

The team has really turned it around this year and it all stems from the play of its leader: Steve Nash.

Nash has a history of making players into stars.  He did it for Shawn Marion and Joe Johnson and he’s doing it now for Jason Richardson and Channing Frye.  It seems no matter who he is playing with on the court, they are better because Nash gives them the ball in the right spot at the right moment.   The point guard shows confidence in their ability to score and they do.

He handles that ball out there with such confidence.  He runs the floor with ease and seems to always find an open player.  Whether he earns the assist or not, the team usually comes out of each set with a decent shot at the basket.

Amare Stoudamire is not complaining.

Coach Alvin Gentry has certainly found the right chemistry in this post-season. The Suns look poised to take out the Spurs and head the Western Conference Finals.

He has been the beneficiary of Steve Nash’s leadership since Nash arrived to Phoenix in 2004.  Now, that’s not to say Amare isn’t one heck of an NBA player on his own merit, but Nash has certainly made his job easier.  In fact, this summer Amare might be thanking Nash a whole lot if Stoudamire is able to cash in on a big payday in this summers free agent market.

Amare may now be the premier big man on the market this off-season.  Sorry, Chris Bosh. He is almost assured a max contract from somewhere.  Hopefully for the Suns, he is able to stick around and continue his alliance with Nash.

GM Steve Kerr will have some tough decisions to make this off-season, but for now he should be happy to watch the team he has built perform in the desert.  The Suns have achieved higher than expectations.

Kerr has finally found the right mix of players.  Something the team has been searching for since it lost to San Antonio in the Conference Finals in 2005.  Players have come in and players have left.  Joe Johnson, Shawn Marion, Quentin Richardson, Shaquille Oneal… the list goes on and on.  They have never found the right mix of players.

But this year, led by Nash and Amare,  the Suns have found the magic necessary to compete with the top teams in the very tough Western Conference. Kerr is the one who brought them in.  Not all are household names, but they have fit in well.  Most are castaways from other teams or former stars that lost a bit of their lustre.

Channing Frye, a tough inside player with a three-point shot let go by New York despite consistent play.  Jared Dudley, a defensive specialist who played a key role on a rebuilding Charlotte team.   Grant Hill, the ageless wonder playing like he is wearing a Duke uniform, was let go by Orlando and was pondering retirement before Kerr snapped him up and added him to the Suns frontcourt.  Goran Dragic, the apparent successor to Steve Nash emerging as a hero in these playoffs was acquired from the Spurs after being drafted 46th overall in 2008 (don’t they wish they had that one back now).  And Jason Richardson, emerging as a possible future star in this league was a key Kerr acquisition at the end of the 2008 season and has been a focal point for the team on offense.

Finally a balanced attack.  One that coach Alvin Gentry has used perfectly in taking down the Trailblazers and now the Spurs.

Kudos to GM Steve Kerr for sticking with the right pieces and making smart off-season moves and trades to fill in the missing holes.  And kudos to Alvin Gentry who has gotten the most out of this team.

One thing is for certain, this is not a team I would want to be facing in the Conference Finals.

Good luck to the Lakers.

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Kristoffer Pedlar
The Zan Tabak Herald

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by | April 23, 2010 · 5:45 pm

Playoff Dilema: Who to Cheer For?

So, the Raptors are out of the playoffs and I’m slowly getting over my bitterness and frustration with another season without home town playoff basketball.  I’ve been settling in to watch the Celtics-Heat series and have been flipping through the rest of the series’ on The Score when I can.

As a Raptor fan my allegiance is, and always will be, to the Raptors.  Therefore it is hard to decide who to cheer for this playoff season.  Who is a Raptor fan to cheer for?

Now don’t get me wrong, I love basketball.  I will watch two teams I absolutely despise play in a playoff series.  The NBA playoffs, much like the NHL playoffs, are a completely different game.  Every possession becomes important.  Every timeout is thought through.  Players begin rivalries that last for two weeks.  The intensity in the area from the fans and players is an unreal thing to bear witness to.

But who to cheer for?

What team is going to give me some satisfaction by winning it all?

What team do I want to see walk away with a championship?

I thought about this dilemma long and hard and started at the top, with the most likely finalists: The Cavs and Lakers.  There are elements of both of these teams that I love.  Kobe and Lebron are, obviously, a good place to start looking.  They are the two best players in the NBA bar none and can change a game on a dime.  However, I am one of those fans that cheers for the underdog.  Neither of these teams fit that description.  As much as I’d love to see the Laker dynasty take another one or watch Lebron, Jamario and Anthony Parker win their first.  I just don’t think I like their team enough.  Will I watch them?  Absolutely.  With pleasure.  But I don’t want them to win that much.

What about Orlando?  A great young team with some fantastic pieces.  Dwight Howard deserves a ring.  He is a monster and every bit a star player.  A championship calibre player.  The problem I have with Orlando is Vince.  Part of me wants to see him win a ring and the other part wants to see him fail.  I’m like the characters from the old Mini-Wheats commercial.  The Magic have a real shot, that cannot be denied, but I would both love and hate every possession.  Too torn on Orlando.

There are the Celtics?  Nope.  No way.  I hate the Celtics more than any team in the NBA.  In fact, whoever they play will become my new favourite team.  Garnett has become a prima donna and I can’t take any team seriously that has “Big Baby” getting into the faces of other teams. No to the Celtics. 110%

The Bulls beat my Raptors and I’m still not over it.

Milwaukee has a great young player in Brandon Jennings, but they just don’t do it for me.  Without Bogut they are dead in the water anyway.

Is there a more exciting team to watch than Josh Smith and the young Hawks in Atlanta?

The Bobcats helped the Bulls get into the playoffs.  I hold grudges.

Miami has Wade and O’neal who I love as well as Canadian Joel Anthony and they are playing the Celtics who, as we know, I despise.  They will also likely try to steal Bosh in the off-season and for that reason alone are not a team I can cheer for. They’ve already won recently and don’t need the win as badly as other teams.  Close, but not the team I will cheer for.

The Eastern team I’d like to see in the Finals is the Atlanta Hawks.  They have one of the best young lineups in the NBA.  All of their players play hard and there isn’t a player on that team I can dislike.  They’re a team that could surprise a lot of people.  Mike Bibby and Joe Johnson are two of the best leaders in the NBA.  Josh Smith and Marvin Williams are two of the most exciting young players in the game and Al Horford is going to be a dominant player in the league.  They’re likeable, exciting to watch and are well coached.

Go Hawks!

In the Western Conference, we’ve already discussed the  Lakers.  They will, most likely, take the championship spot in the West, but I want to cheer for someone different.  Someone that hasn’t won.

What about the Thunder?  In a couple of years we are all going to be talking about how 2010 was the year the Thunder came of age.  They are not ready yet and, more than likely, won’t get past the first round.  This young team is gaining some playoff experience.  This is the first year of many this team will be battling for the prize.  Soon, this will be the team to beat in the NBA.  Mark my words.

The Jazz are not an exciting team.  Deron Williams is, but after that not much in the way of excitement.  Unless you count Andrea Kirilenko as exciting.  Plus I still can’t forgive Carlos Boozer for the way he left Cleveland.  I hold grudges remember?

The Nuggets would be the scariest looking champions of all-time.  For that reason alone they are enticing.  I just can’t get behind them yet.  Maybe a few Billups daggers will get me going.

The Mavs are fantastic on paper and their owner is a whole lot more entertaining that the Teachers’ Pension Plan but Big D just isn’t for me either.

Neither is Portland.  A great looking young team, much like the Hawks, but no Roy equals no chance.

Steve Nash is a player Raptor fans should have no problem getting behind. Go Suns!

San Antonio is still plugging away, but they’re looking old and tired and not cheer worthy.

The Western team of choice is the Phoenix Suns.  Steve Nash is a Canadian.  check.  He is a very unselfish basketball player that makes others around him better. Check.  He can control a game like no other.  Check.  He makes Jason Richardson, Channing Frye and Grant Hill look like All-Stars.  Check Mate.

Phoenix deserves a shot. They ‘re a likeable team and definitely one that you can cheer for. Plus they are underdogs.

If it’s not going to be the Raptors, Go Suns and Go Hawks!

Let the second season begin!

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Kristoffer Pedlar
The Zan Tabak Herald

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by | March 16, 2010 · 7:54 pm

Raptors Still Looking for Leader of the Pack

The Raptors ship is in danger of sinking.  They are barely holding on to the eighth seed in the East and have two tough home games against the Hawks and Thunder this week.

If the Raptors intend to the have visions of playoffs dancing in their heads they need to turn a corner.  This corner has nothing to do with their shot selection or match-ups against opposing teams.  They need to find that inner dragon.  The will to win.  The belief in themselves and the unapologetic fight that winning teams have in spades.  They need to find the swagger that the Cavaliers and Lakers have.  The vocal leadership that players like Rasheed Wallace and Joe Johnson bring to the table with their respective teams.

Charles Oakley was never one to "beat around the bush". He told it as he saw it.

The Raptors have not had that in a long time.  Not since Charles Oakley.

Love him or hate him Oakley was a motivator in that locker room and was key to the initial success of the Toronto Raptors.  Yes, Vince and McGrady had a thing or two to do with the Raptors making the playoffs for the first time and winning their first series, but it was Oakley that pushed them to get there.

He was vocal, wasn’t afraid to call out his coach and teammates and he brought it on the floor.  He fought for loose balls, rebounded with the best of them and knew his role.  Not everyone liked what he had to say but he pushed his teammates to be better.  And they were.

Where is that presence now?  Where has it been the last few years?

Chris Bosh finally broke his silence and called out himself and his team but where has that been all season?  Where has that been since Chris Bosh was a member of this Raptor team? It was long overdue and hopefully not too late.   Let’s hope it wasn’t a one-off because the Raptors need that leadership in the locker room if they intend to be a playoff team.

Good Teams have vocal leaders.

Boston has Garnett and Wallace, there’s Lebron and Shaq in Cleveland.  Juwan Howard is a nice complement to the young stars in Portland and Stackhouse has been invaluable in Milwaukee.  Where is our veteran leader?  Who was that even supposed to be going into this season?

I feel that Colangelo had designs of that player being Hedo Turkoglu but we see how that has panned out.  If anything his example is catching on in a negative way, setting a poor example for young players like Derozan and Jarrett Jack who are emulating his negative attitude. Hedo hasn’t led on the court and he has been awfully quiet off of it.  Unless you count “ball” as motivational speaking.

Bosh has taken it on himself, but his comments may be too little, too late.  Team meetings and group talks aren’t working.

The time for discussion is over and tough love needs to be delivered.  The players have chosen their words carefully and decided not to rock the boat.  Chris Bosh’s words were direct, but still lacked that punch the Raptors need.  Even the moves by the coach have been reluctant and tentative.  Putting Calderon in to start the 3rd against Portland was a significant signal but not a wake up call.  Benching Hedo, calling out a player or two directly…these are the moves that drastically shake a locker room and it looks like this locker room needs some shaking.

Oakley was a player that walked the walk and talked the talk. This leadership has been missing from this years Raptor squad.

Charles Oakley was the type of veteran voice in the locker room that is missing in Toronto.  The Raptors need that now more than ever.  A Charles Okaley, a Derek Fisher, a Jason Kidd.  Someone who is going to come in and inspire. Who will fight on every possession even if they lose the fight.  Someone who won’t only lead by example, but be one as well.  A coach can’t do that.

This Raptors team needs to find it’s inner Oak and fight to the finish.

***

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Kristoffer Pedlar
The Zan Tabak Herald

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by | December 2, 2009 · 10:39 pm

Hawks Rip Apart Sleepy Raptors

Coming off a tough loss to the Wizards last night the Raptors really needed to come out on fire.  After a decent first quarter the team was absolutely torn to shreds by the young Hawks and gave up 146 points in the process.  The Raptors couldn’t get anything going and were down by more than 20 at the half.  The entire second half was a showcase of “junk ball” and the Raptors have now lost 5 straight with no end in sight.  It may be time for a change to shake this team up a bit.

Raptors' starters Jose Calderon and Chris Bosh get some much needed rest on the bench during an awful loss to the Hawks

The Zan for Three

Back to Back

Yes, this was the second game of a back to back and yes, the Raps were playing one of the better teams in the Eastern Conference so a victory was never really certain; but come on!  The second game of a back to back excuse is becoming older than “the dog ate my homework”.  There are plenty of people in the world that work 5-7 days a week and don’t get paid millions of dollars to do it.  Pull up your socks, drink a red bull, whatever.  You have to get yourself pumped to play one of the better teams in the conference.  The Raps need to play with more energy and grit plain and simple.  Reggie Evans where are you?

The Starting 5

For another game the starting five came out of the gate slow and couldn’t defend the other teams scorers.  Getting into a scoring fight with the Hawks isn’t a great game plan.  And playing no defence to speak of isn’t a good backup either.  Let’s not suggest that major changes are needed yet (it’s only 20 games into a new season) but maybe a change in the starting five would help shake things up a bit.  Scott Carefoot recently suggested inserting Antoine Wright into the starting lineup for Derozan.  Not a bad idea, maybe add some defence.  Raptor fans all over the place have suggested removing Calderon and putting in Jack.  With Jack’s recent play, again not a bad idea.  You could try Belinelli at the 2 for more offence?  Or if that fails check to see how Alvin Williams’ knees are feeling.  One thing is certain this team needs a bit of a wakeup call…and it should happen in the starting five.

Demar

The kid looked good tonight and I liked that he played a lot of minutes.  These kind of games look terrible on the record and may make fans claw their eyes out, but they can also really build confidence in your young players.  Derozan looked poised and confident.  He drove the net and rebounded the ball.  That’s a good thing to see from your top rookie going into a winnable game in Washington.

Zan of the Game

Not the Raptors!  Joe Johnson is maybe one of the most underrated players in the NBA.  If a team were to grab him in the off-season it would be a franchise changing move.  Almost a triple double tonight.  Could be the steal of the upcoming free agent class.

Not Zan of the Game

Sleepy heads in the starting five

The season is young and they were up past their bedtimes last night but professional ball players need to bring their A-game every night. And especially after a tough loss the night before.

And another thing

Maybe we should ask Jim Todd what the biggest difference is in coaching with the Hawks as opposed to the Raptors.  Could be some good answers there.

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