http://www.theglobeandmail.com/servlet/sto.../TPStory/Sports<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE </div><div class='quotemain'>Watching the National Basketball Association final lurch to its inevitable result, two conclusions are clear - one with important ramifications for the Toronto Raptors and possibly even former NBA all-star Grant Hill.The first is that the San Antonio Spurs are an excellent team, worthy of the dynasty talk that will come with their fourth title in nine years, a feat awaiting only the formality of their finishing off the overmatched Cleveland Cavaliers in the fourth game of the final tonight or (at the outside) the fifth game on Sunday.The second is that the Eastern Conference is so wide open, the Raptors should be thinking of themselves as legitimate candidates to be here a season from now.Doubtless general manager Bryan Colangelo and his crew think so, but even more significant, players who might help them get there are taking notice as well.Hill, for example, has been covering the final as a television analyst for ABC. The Orlando Magic wing player will be an unrestricted free agent on July 1 and, after losing some of the prime years of his career to injury, is looking for an opportunity that will maximize his chances of earning an NBA title - or at least the chance to compete for one.An uninspiring performance by the Cavaliers and the lack of a surefire next-best candidate in the East has suddenly put the Raptors into that mix."They're on the radar. Bryan's done a great job there," Hill said before the third game on Tuesday, adding that he would only begin focusing on his playing future after talking more with the Magic after the final is over. He also noted that his wife, recording artist Tamia Hill, is Canadian and said that "at this point in my career, a winning situation is the primary thing."A source close to the former Duke University star also said Hill has mentioned the Raptors as a possibility among a select number of franchises, with the Phoenix Suns, San Antonio Spurs and Detroit Pistons under consideration. Certainly, the Raptors' playing style would seem to be a good fit for Hill, and there's no doubt that one of the NBA's most respected citizens would enjoy the team's uniformly drama-free locker room.While Colangelo declined to comment on Hill, given he's not yet a free agent, it's thought he's seeking a short-term contract to maintain his flexibility.There are other options to shore up the Raptors' need for more production from their small forward spot, though since Toronto can spend only the mid-level exception, the field is somewhat limited.The most desirable names - Rashard Lewis of the Seattle SuperSonics and Gerald Wallace of the Charlotte Bobcats - are both too expensive. Not as talented is Luke Walton of the Los Angeles Lakers, but he is a reliable three-point threat and top-grade facilitator. Getting him to leave Southern California could be an obstacle, however, according to those close to him.The Cleveland Cavaliers' Sasha Pavlovic is intriguing, if only because he's 23 years old, will have NBA final experience and shows flashes of being a serious offensive threat - although that's often off-set by his hubris with the ball. He's a restricted free agent, and given Cleveland is likely to be a tax team next season if they re-sign Anderson Varejao, Pavlovic might be available with a carefully constructed, front-end loaded offer.Other candidates include James Posey of the Miami Heat and Mickael Pietrus of the Golden State Warriors, both long-armed defenders with some offensive skill, with Posey's experience balanced against Pietrus's promise.Trades are a possibility as well, with the only problem being that the Raptors' most desirable commodity is Jose Calderon, the emerging Spanish point guard.The Atlanta Hawks, who came close to signing Calderon out of Spain before the Raptors did, desperately needs point-guard help and carries a wealth of wing players that could fit in Toronto, but Colangelo has stressed that continuity and depth are features he wants to establish on his roster, which suggests any move that would involve a player as prized as Calderon would have to net a proven asset in return and likely a draft pick, too. One rumoured deal involving Calderon and Joey Graham for Josh Childress, Solomon Jones and the 11th pick in the draft, as floated the other day for example, wouldn't cut it.Whatever the case, the Raptors can only be encouraged by the way things have developed since they were eliminated by the New Jersey Nets in the first round.Clubs thought to have championship mettle - Miami and Detroit, for example - have been exposed as vulnerable. Fast-rising rivals such as the Chicago Bulls and Cleveland are missing key pieces.The Raptors are, too. But more than ever, it's evident that the right move or two and the requisite amount of luck could land them in the NBA final. And, once there, it's hard to imagine their doing any worse than the Cavaliers.</div>What do you guys think?
I think Hill will land with the Suns. He said he wants to go to a contender, and while the Raptors are good, they aren't up there yet. The Suns are probably his best fit, as far as the style they play.
If we get Grant Hill, then Mo Pete is gone for sure. I'm not sure how Grant Hill would do in Toronto, but I wouldn't mind having him on our team.
^Why do you say that. The Raptors aren't contenders yet so it wouldn't be better than the Suns for him as he is a few years from retirement.
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE </div><div class='quotemain'>I think Hill will land with the Suns. He said he wants to go to a contender, and while the Raptors are good, they aren't up there yet. The Suns are probably his best fit, as far as the style they play.</div>Agreed, I believe the recent article had Hill even pointing out Suns fit his style of play opposed to a team like the Spurs who he has interest in. I think when it comes down to it, it's between two teams. Pistons and Suns.
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (wolverine30 @ Jun 14 2007, 05:15 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div><div class='quotemain'>^Why do you say that. The Raptors aren't contenders yet so it wouldn't be better than the Suns for him as he is a few years from retirement.</div>He has a better chance to win, but I don't see him staying healthy with that running style. I'd love for him to go there if we're speaking of contenders.
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (jjdaman20 @ Jun 14 2007, 04:58 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div><div class='quotemain'>Is there a team Grant Hill hasnt liked the idea of going to?</div>The Knicks of course.
Nice I missed this one, Hill to the Raps would be good. Thing is why get Grant when we can have Mo cheaper..
I don't know...Might be too much of a risk injury wise....This will probably be his last year anyway...I'd rather get a guy who is still decently young.
Ive been stressing that we will become contenders for a while now, and some supposed ESPN article writers like PFF and clangus think Im a homer. But here you have it, I said the raptors in five years would be contenders, grant hill said in a possible year or two, am I wrong, or is grant hill a homer too? Jeeez.Anyways, I would like to see Gerald Wallace here. His defense would be a real help alongside Anthony Parker, its like a one two punch. However, I really want to see Nesterovic gone. With 8 mil and a sign and trade with Mo pete we could dump rasho for wallace and another center, I dont know what because is thinking, being desperate doesn't mean picking up a less than average center for 21 million espescially on a young and up and coming team. That would be at least 10 mil under the cap. Hes really screwed us.
Hill really wants to go somewhere else but I don't think he would really help out the raptors that much.
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (CB4AllStar @ Jun 17 2007, 08:37 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div><div class='quotemain'>I don't know...Might be too much of a risk injury wise....This will probably be his last year anyway...I'd rather get a guy who is still decently young.</div>agreed. he always has a great year starting off and then comes down with injuries after his great starts. but if he was on the raptors he would jsut come off the bench, I dont really see him starting for us at all.
