<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE </div><div class='quotemain'>It's rare that I like a trade from both sides, but once in a while one comes along that's mutually beneficial. Wednesday's deal between Indiana and Toronto is just such a deal. The swap would send Jermaine O'Neal to the Raptors for T.J. Ford, Rasho Nesterovic, Toronto's first-round pick at No. 17, and probably one other player (likely Maceo Baston). The trade can't be completed until July 9, however, because Ford is a base-year compensation player until the first day that next season's cap rules kick in (July 1), and so the trade won't work under the cap until then. From then until July 9, the league has a moratorium on trades and signings. Given all that, the trade won't be official for a fortnight. Instead, this will be the trade that everybody knows about but nobody acknowledges publicly. There will be no announcements or news conferences and it might mess with some summer-league plans. But the teams are exchanging medical information, and right now everything appears to be a go.</div> http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/columns/stor...ealtrade-080625
I can't wait to see this team next year. Now just package Bargs and try and get a good slashing swingman like Maggette.
It all depends on how O'Neal responds to his injury. If he turns into the player he was a few years ago, the Raptors got the better end of this trade.
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Bynumite @ Jun 26 2008, 12:42 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div><div class='quotemain'>I'll have to see how O'neal turns out to play next season.</div> Agree but right now I'd say Toronto gave up way too much.
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (tim @ Jun 26 2008, 12:45 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div><div class='quotemain'>It all depends on how O'Neal responds to his injury. If he turns into the player he was a few years ago, the Raptors got the better end of this trade.</div> If he turns into the player he was a few years ago, look out East. I don't think the Raps are banking on that, though. I think they are going to get what they wanted regardless, which is to be rid of TJ Ford and to have an experienced front court player to reduce wear Chris Bosh.
does this mean the Raptors are officially giving up on Bargs? I mean he can't play SF can he? and given that O'Neal has missed a huge amount of games over the last 4 years, what makes Raptors fans believe he's going to suddenly play 70+ games this year?
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Celtic Fan @ Jun 26 2008, 08:19 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div><div class='quotemain'>does this mean the Raptors are officially giving up on Bargs? I mean he can't play SF can he? and given that O'Neal has missed a huge amount of games over the last 4 years, what makes Raptors fans believe he's going to suddenly play 70+ games this year?</div> I don't think they're giving up on him. He'll back the team up from his natural position, much like he did in his rookie season. I think they are trying to scale down his responsibilities a little to try and help him bounce back from a disappointing season. And I think this'll help by giving him a bit more of a consistent role (he was all over the place last year, the coaching staff really messed up there). When he's playing well, he's a good big to have off the bench because he can play fill in for 3 positions. I certainly wouldn't guarantee that O'Neal will be fully healthy this year, but I think the fact that he'll actually have some legit frontcourt help for once might help. He won't be facing constant double-teams downlow and it'll be less of a strain on him physically, being paired next to Bosh.
The Raptors won, and thats a big win IMO. I've always liked JO, he's a class act in the NBA. I wish you guys good luck and I bet money from now that you'll contend for the title with the team you guys have now.
Wonder if bargs will go back to #11 and give JO #7. Raptors front court looks sick! If JO stays heathy
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Cornflake @ Jun 26 2008, 12:17 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div><div class='quotemain'>Wonder if bargs will go back to #11 and give JO #7. Raptors front court looks sick! If JO stays heathy</div> i hope so, maybe a new number can re energize Andrea we can only hope
If JO is 100 %, the Raps may now have the best big man tandem in the league. I never viewed Ford as anything extraordinary, and the odds are against pick 17 amounting to anything more than a role player. I'm having trouble trying to figure out what kind of team Larry Legend is attempting to build in Indiana. Based solely on first impressions, I think the Canadians are on the better end of this deal.
Well, I'm happy. I didn't want to give up a pick, but I guess we had too. Now Jigga, I need a JO sig and avy. Step to it!
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Master Shake @ Jun 26 2008, 12:52 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div><div class='quotemain'>Well, I'm happy. I didn't want to give up a pick, but I guess we had too. Now Jigga, I need a JO sig and avy. Step to it!</div> i will want one too but, i want a pic with him in it
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Thrilla @ Jun 26 2008, 11:51 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div><div class='quotemain'>If JO is 100 %, the Raps may now have the best big man tandem in the league. I never viewed Ford as anything extraordinary, and the odds are against pick 17 amounting to anything more than a role player. I'm having trouble trying to figure out what kind of team Larry Legend is attempting to build in Indiana. Based solely on first impressions, I think the Canadians are on the better end of this deal.</div> Reading through the various articles/posts today, I think people's opinion of the trade is really dependant upon what they think of TJ Ford. I personally have a middle-of-the-road opinion on TJ. I think he's a very talented point guard with a lot of potential. I think he's bound to play better in a different system, because he wasn't suited for our offense. But, 5 years into the league, I find myself less and less optimistic about his chances of living up to his potential. He may be 24, but he's fragile and he's taken a beating this early into his career. But more importantly, he just doesn't "get it." He's been traded twice now and he still has a stunning lack of awareness when it comes to his place in a team. He still tries to do too much, despite the fact that he's not the most gifted offensive player, and his pathetic attitude in the 2nd half of the season leads me to believe that he probably won't get it for a while.
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Celtic Fan @ Jun 26 2008, 08:19 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div><div class='quotemain'>and given that O'Neal has missed a huge amount of games over the last 4 years, what makes Raptors fans believe he's going to suddenly play 70+ games this year?</div> Yeah I know, usually stars leave Toronto and play 70+ games a year.
I'm also wondering, with the failure of finesse teams like LA, PHX, Dallas, etc. in the playoffs, if this is the first step in a whole (or at least slight) change of philosophy for the Raps. It's hard for me to believe that a team with JO and Bosh down low will play an uptempo game. But I suppose they are suited for both styles of play. I think they will be more successful running an inside out game with two premier big men to run the offense through. They have some of the best knock down shooters and an unselfish point guard, both very helpful in a halfcourt offense. Should be really interesting because I think the potential is there to be a contender, depending on a few things working out in their favor.
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (CelticKing @ Jun 26 2008, 10:04 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div><div class='quotemain'>The Raptors won, and thats a big win IMO. I've always liked JO, he's a class act in the NBA. I wish you guys good luck and I bet money from now that you'll contend for the title with the team you guys have now.</div> Since when?
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (pegs @ Jun 26 2008, 03:10 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div><div class='quotemain'><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (CelticKing @ Jun 26 2008, 10:04 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div><div class='quotemain'>The Raptors won, and thats a big win IMO. I've always liked JO, he's a class act in the NBA. I wish you guys good luck and I bet money from now that you'll contend for the title with the team you guys have now.</div> Since when? </div> <div><object width="425" height="350"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/NzopKcPYV54&"></param><param name="wmode" value="transparent"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/NzopKcPYV54&" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" wmode="transparent" width="425" height="350" /></embed></object></div>
