Lamond Murray and Jerome Moiso get another chance to prove themselves: Article

<div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">But Babcock said yesterday that all is forgiven and Murray will have a clean slate when he arrives at training camp this fall. "This is a new start for everybody," Babcock said. "Everybody's got a chance to show what they can do. You've got a whole new staff and we have no preconceived notions going in. Whatever happened last year, that's done with.

<u>"Everybody's got an open chance to prove what they can do," the GM added. "For a player like Lamond, that's a great opportunity, because we're going to give him an honest chance. The best players are going to play, so if he proves that he's still one of the best players on the team, than he'll get minutes." </u>

Babcock said the same goes for 6-foot-10 forward Jerome Moiso, who also struggled under the now-fired O'Neill and showed only glimpses of his vast but raw talent. The free-agent signing in 2003 has plenty of athleticism, but Moiso was virtually nailed to O'Neill's bench, even though Toronto was in desperate need of size last season. Babcock hopes that the 26-year-old Moiso, who has played for four different NBA teams in five seasons, is a late bloomer.
</div> Courtesy of <u>Canoe.ca</u>

 

I think everybody's been way too tough on Lamond last year.

He's missed a whole year for crying out loud, give him another chance... if he doesnt' prove himself this year... then get rid of him like he wants it. Personally, I've always liked him and I think he can contribute and be very useful... wit a new coach, I guess he'll get what he wants this year.

 

boourns! i say get rid of lammond. not only did he complain like a baby last year, but his huge salary is taking up cap room that could be filled by a decent center. lammond wont be worth the money we are paying him. i say package him up with donyell and a future first rounder, and ship them off to GS in sign and trade deal for damp

 

^If Lammond Murray comes back and has a solid season his trade value would be worth a lot more than it is now. Give him a month to show that he can play and then deal his sorry ass if/when his value is high.

 

Both of these underachievers are getting new chances...interesting. Lamond Murray I do not blame for not performing well last season since he was rusty, but Moiso? This guy shouldn't even have been signed last season. In fact, the only reason he was considered a steal was because of that one game in the playoffs with New Orleans when he scored 10 points and blocked a few shots. Many had projected him as a starter at the start of last season, were they ever wrong.

 

I totally agree with giving Moiso a chance, but Lammond I'm not too sure. In all fairness Kevin O'neil did give him a legitimate chance to prove himself, and he didn't. Lamond made stupid decisions with the ball, and he had an awful shot selection. I was excited before last season because I really though he could contribute, but he didn't. Since hes getting a second chance I hope he can be productive.

 

^ I agree with Franchise. Lamond got all the minutes he wanted and did a pretty terrible job with his shot selection and decision making on the floor. Moiso was barely given a chance to prove himself because dumb O'Neill threw him on the bench for the whole season because of a couple of "blown defensive assignments". (Like that never happens to anyone in the NBA :| ) I personally like this move because both Lamond and Moiso's trade values are pretty low right now. Any positive thing they can do for the team could greatly help us.

 

I wouldn't be surprised if Murray plays great next season. I think he just didn't like the way KO ran the offense (which is understandable) so he didn't give his all during practice (which is less understandable) and that's what cause him to suck during the regular season. And he was probably a little rusty from being injuried the season before and he also couldn't get in any type of groove because he was benched most of the time. He put up good numbers playing for the Cavs before coming to TO so hopefully with the new coaching change he can perform at the same level he used to.

 

It is a great chance for Murray to step it up. It would be wise of him not to hold a grudge on the organization because of last year's coaching decision. His stock is rock bottom.

Moiso is a waste of 6'10! I know about his work ethic on the practice court...he doesn't care to exchange sweat for skills.

 

Lamond is a selfish player. When he got garbage minutes at the end of a blow out game, he just launches bricks from outside and looks dead. He doesn't even look for his teammates. Maybe we should buy out his contract...

 

i heard he had a player option to stay this season. i think he should just leave. even if he does play well he is still over paid. That's cap room the Raps need. Do you really think he can live up to his 4.8 mil/5.2 contract in the next 2 years? he could just leave right now. i guess the raps could give moiso another chance. kev o'neall didn't really give him a chance to play

 

<div class="quote_poster">Quoting Carcharias:</div><div class="quote_post">It is a great chance for Murray to step it up. It would be wise of him not to hold a grudge on the organization because of last year's coaching decision. His stock is rock bottom.

Moiso is a waste of 6'10! I know about his work ethic on the practice court...he doesn't care to exchange sweat for skills.</div>
Actually Moiso is over 7 feet tall with shoes. He was 6'11 without shoes. I don;t have a link but I saw it on realgm before. I heard we are trying to trade Mo Pete in a S and T for a starting center.

 

darn murray i'd rather have mo pete anytime than that guy..........remember when he was guarding rj? he was terrible,all i can say is "repitition" if he knew he sucked then h*ll practice! that's the only way he'll get better but if he's going to pull that "i'm a 10 year vet" then he's just garbage again i think mo could probably benefit from a different coach. for moiso, that guy needs some confidence on himself.

 

<div class="quote_poster">Quoting bigballa:</div><div class="quote_post">i heard he had a player option to stay this season. i think he should just leave. even if he does play well he is still over paid. That's cap room the Raps need. Do you really think he can live up to his 4.8 mil/5.2 contract in the next 2 years? he could just leave right now. i guess the raps could give moiso another chance. kev o'neall didn't really give him a chance to play</div>
Lammond won't opt out of his contract because no one is going to give him that much in the FA market, kinda like what Jerome James did with Seatlle, the teamamtes didn't want him back, but he knows he won't get that kinda money again.

We can buy him out for 7 million, pay him 3.36 million this year, and 3.64 million next year. We save 1.5 million for the year and he can go wherever he wants, but its not likely happening.

 

I like the idea of Murray getting more minutes off the bench. I think our bench can be solid this year, if Mitchell plays his cards right. Off the bench:

PG Milt Polacio
G Alvin Williams
SG Roger Mason
G/F Morris Peterson
SF Lamond Murray
F Matt Bonner
PF Pape Snow
F/C Jerome Moiso
C Rafael Araujo

I think thats a pretty solid bench.

 

Araujo on the bench? I don't think Mitchell will let Bosh suffer again and start him at the C. The fans will suffer just as much as Bosh. Nobody wants Eddy Curry coming to TO and looking like Shaq on us.

 

<div class="quote_poster">Quoting Kaillou:</div><div class="quote_post">I like the idea of Murray getting more minutes off the bench. I think our bench can be solid this year, if Mitchell plays his cards right. Off the bench:

PG Milt Polacio
G Alvin Williams
SG Roger Mason
G/F Morris Peterson
SF Lamond Murray
F Matt Bonner
PF Pape Snow
F/C Jerome Moiso
C Rafael Araujo

I think thats a pretty solid bench.</div>

Actually, thats a very weak bench. Milt Palacio is a terrible player, Roger Mason is very unpredictable, Lamond Murray was awful last year when he had playing time, Pape Sow will likely be playing in Europe (radio reports), Jerome needs to start working, and Bonner might not even make the team. Also I would include Donyell Marshall on the bench and have Araujo starting.

 

^ Matt Bonner should definitely make the team. He's a big body with a multi-dimensional game. He can hit the three, block some shots, get the offensive boards, and play some defense. I definitely want him on the roster next year.

 

<div class="quote_poster">Quoting v_carter15:</div><div class="quote_post">^ Matt Bonner should definitely make the team. He's a big body with a multi-dimensional game. He can hit the three, block some shots, get the offensive boards, and play some defense. I definitely want him on the roster next year.</div>

I'm well aware of what Matt Bonner is capable of, but hes primarily a perimeter player much like a Donyell Marshall. If we were to keep him on the roster we certainly wouldn't use him for defense. Unless he plays center he won't be getting much playing time.

 

^ Then i guess he'll be playing mostly at centre with Arujo. Who do you think would be more effective at centre, Bonner or Sow?