What's Wrong with Hedo?

deception · Sep 22, 2009

http://www.torontosun.com/sports/basketball/2009/09/22/11043916-sun.html

Hedo Turkoglu, the man expected to help guide the Raptors back to the NBA playoffs this season, will be arriving at training camp next week in Ottawa in less than ideal condition and may not get a ton of minutes in pre-season action.

The 6-foot-10 forward, whom the Raptors acquired in a four-team deal on July 9, was less than stellar at the recently competed EuroBasket 2009 tournament in Poland -- at least statistically speaking -- which has prompted speculation, and much hand-wringing amongst Raptors fans, that he is either tired or hurt.

Playing for the Turkish national team, Turkoglu, who has pledged to make the NBA all-star team this season, averaged 28.1 minutes, 9.8 points, 4.2 rebounds and 2.6 assists, while shooting 32.8% from the floor in nine games, considerably down from his numbers with the Orlando Magic last season. In 77 games with the Magic, Turkoglu averaged 16.8 points, 5.3 rebounds, 4.9 assists and shot 42.8% from the field, while playing 36.6 minutes per game.

Raptors general manager Bryan Colangelo yesterday dismissed suggestions that Turkoglu played poorly at EuroBasket 2009, but did acknowledge that his prize off-season acquisition looked tired.

"International play has always been more of a team game, less individual, so statistics are less of an indication than what he actually contributed," Colangelo said. "I watched him play, and would say he effectively deferred to others on his team, as he was often the target of defensive schemes.

"Having said that," Colangelo added, "he did appear physically and emotionally tired when I saw him last week, which is understandable given his late June NBA final appearance and mid-July training for the Euro championship."

The Magic took the eventual champions Los Angeles Lakers to a fifth game, which was played on June 14. Given that, and the fact that Turkoglu spent much of the summer with the Turkish national team, Colangelo said the Raptors' starting small forward will be given "some strategic rest" during the pre-season.

"(That's) not ideal," the GM said. "(But) it will go a long way for him right now."

The Turkish team also struggled, finishing eighth with a 5-4 record, losing its last four games. That does not bode well for the team, which will be playing host to the world championship next year.
Click to expand...

the more i think about this signing, the more i fret

BasX · Sep 22, 2009

Dude is tired, NBA Finals + Euro Championship. Just needs a break.

deception · Sep 22, 2009

BasX said: ↑

Dude is tired, NBA Finals + Euro Championship. Just needs a break.
Click to expand...

u know guys like that often experience nagging injuries throughout the season. i hope the supposed depth is enough to compensate for a hobbled hedo.

Kaz · Sep 23, 2009

deception said: ↑

u know guys like that often experience nagging injuries throughout the season. i hope the supposed depth is enough to compensate for a hobbled hedo.
Click to expand...

dont worry hedo will be okay as long as bosh and bargs can play off eachother raps will b fine

Log in or Sign up

What's Wrong with Hedo?

deception JBB Banned Member

BasX I Win

deception JBB Banned Member

Kaz Member

Share This Page

Log in or Sign up

What's Wrong with Hedo?

Moderators

deception JBB Banned Member

BasX I Win

deception JBB Banned Member

Kaz Member

Share This Page

Useful Searches