What does everyone think about the problem the Raptors are looking at come seasons end? Donyell Marshall has been arguably our best player this season, and the Raptors need to resign him. The problem is, they have a guy by the name of Chris Bosh who should be playing the 4, not the 5. The Raptors COULD play Donyell at the 3, but perimeter defense is the one area of his game that's really lacking. Plus, Donyell is most effective at the 4. Also, Donyell isn't the kind of guy you bring off the bench, considering his numbers as a starter. So what do we do? What do ya'll think? Do we Resign Donyell, and play him at the 3 after the Raptors get a Center? Keep him at the 4 with Bosh at Center, and rotate in a bench big man depending on match-ups? Should we let him go, and use the money to sign someone like Theo Ratliff?
Definitely keep Marshall. Bosh is virtually untradeable. Try to sign a decent big man before the trade deadlines (although i don't see any major trades happening :
This is a hard question. We have Donyell for another 2-3 years no? I think he definately has to stay with Toronto but where can we put him? Chris Bosh is going to be a mainstay at the four in a year or so. I think the best solution would be to start Marshall at the three and grab a centre via FA but only if O'neill will play a zone instead of man. That would cover up the fact that he would be a defensive liability at the three and he would create a lot of mismatches at the three as well. But you can't get rid of Marshall, he's the most consistent Raptor playing and I'm tired of the Raps letting people go and then they go on to be more successful somewhere else. The lineup would look like this: pg- Rose sg- Carter sf- Marshall pf- Bosh c- Someone defensive minded(Jamaal Magloire? Yah right..) that looks like a good lineup for many years to come.....IF they get a legit centre
What will happen to Alvin Williams then? His leadership on the court will be missed. I think the Raps should try putting Rose as a backup who could come in and back up three positions. That way the Raps will be very flexible....Oh yeah, why not re-sign Jelani Mccoy? He was solid last season.
Putting Rose in as a backup is not a good idea, just look at what happened in Chicago when they tried to do that, I don't think he can accept that role easily. If Alvin can accept the role as a sixth man or seventh man the raptors would have something solid to back up the starting 5. Not only will they have a developed and conditioned Baxter but they woul have Peterson and Alvin create a solid second team that can defend and score.
Rose is what I call an ego-player. He wants the minutes and the shots. If you don't give it to him, he'll go public and demand a trade. Small forward is his true position as he commits too many turnovers and sometimes just doesn't pass at times. he should thrive as a secondary option and feed off open looks from Carter. Alvin is a solid and productive role player and is more consistent than Rose. I think he should at least be rewarded with a starting spot for years to come as he's dedication and commitment to this franchise is just invaluable.
I wouldn't get rid of Marshall, all I would do is sign or trade for a big man that doesn't demand huge minutes, but that can do the job defensively. Just a main rotation guy, thats good enough to start on some teams, but not all. I'd like Glen to make an attempt at aquiring Brandon Haywood, he would be perfect for the Raptors in terms of productiveness on the defensive end. Hes a solid role player that has the potential to get better, Haywood in my opinion is the best choice. I would keep Marshall at the 4 for sure, and just have Bosh either start or come off the bench for some quality minutes at both PF and C. If thats not possible I would try to play Marshall at the 3, have Bosh at 4, and if Haywood had any chance of coming, leave him at the 5 spot.
