Could Jamario Moon be the reason the Raptors kinda suck??

MEMPHIS -- Eight games into his NBA career Raptors forward Jamario Moon is making himself indispensable, but there's nothing he can do about his resume.</p>

He can't change the fact that he's a 27-year-old undrafted free agent that no NBA team thought worthy of anything beyond a tryout up until a few months ago.</p>

He can't change the fact that he spent the better part of his adult life moving from one minor league basketball outpost to another.</p>

It's the type of resume that can pigeon hole a player and often does. The kind of resume that says it's too late for the NBA. That ship has sailed.</p>

Fortunately for Moon, he found an organization where the resume doesn't matter that much. The tandem of general manager Bryan Colangelo and head coach Sam Mitchell prefer to base their evaluations on what they see in the here and now, and what they're seeing right now has Moon getting the kind of starter's minutes most teams reserve for established players.</p>

Despite proving himself on the court night in and night out since he joined the starting rotation six games ago, head coach Sam Mitchell is hearing from people who are wondering if he has gone off the deep end giving a so-called "nobody" that much playing time.</p>

Over six starts (he came off the bench his first two appearances) he is averaging 30:50 with 9.5 points and 6.7 rebounds.</p>

To Mitchell's credit, he couldn't care less what people are saying. He knows what he's seeing.</p>

"His development has been amazing," Mitchell said. "Does he make mistakes? Sure, but the mistakes he makes are help-side defence and mistakes of that nature that all young players make. What he does is whoever we put him on hasn't had a big night against him and we've put him on the best perimeter player every night."</p>


torontosun.com/Sports/Basketball/2007/11/23/4678874-sun.html</p>

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Master Shake)</div><div class='quotemain'></p>

I can't really agree with this, but I'll be smart about it. Garbo isn't starting because he is still fragile from his injury and playing him big minutes could risk his ankle not healing. Moon brings rebounding (12 against Dallas) athleticism and a shot blocking forward, which the Raptors have never had.</p>

To say Moon didn't earn it, is just be stupid. How do you think he got a contract? This guys has played in numerous minor leagues working his ass off to get to where he is. To say guys are asking "Who the hell is this Moon guy and why is he starting?" means there is no team play. All they want is to start to get stats, and I know our team isn't like that.</p>

Juan Dixon over Jamario Moon...to easy. First off, Dixon is a SG and an undersized one at that. Plus he is a streaky shooter and whole he may be apart of the best 5 man unit for the Raptors, that means Parker and Ford are on the bench too.</p>

Jamario Moon is a hard worker, who is earning his minutes. He rebounds very well and is still a bit raw. He is starting to get a better jump shot and guys, he is a rookie. He still has lots to learn, and so far he has been doing really well. So lets give him more time, and I'm sure you'll love him more.</p>

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Well said Master Shake and I couldn't agree more. If there's one player out there that's playing great defense consistantly its Jamario. Not only is he just blocking shots and getting steals, but have you noticed how many shots this cat is altering by using his athleticism and long arms to his advantage. This summer the Raptors weren't the only team that were aggressively pursuing Moon, there infact were about 7 or 8 and were allcrushed to hear the news that Moon signed with us and not them. So, he's been on alot of team radar's for ages now and to say that he's one of ther reasons for our sub-par performance so far is rubbish.</p>

I wouldn't also put the blame on TJ, but his me-me-me style of play isn't helping. Don't get me wrong because I think Ford is amazing basketball player, but a horrible PG. Point guards get their team involved and keep the ball moving, with TJ80% of the timehe'll either take the shot himself and then the remainder of the time he's run around like he's playing at Rucker Park only to make questionable decisions. Where Ford's point guard abilities are the best is when on the fast break, but he doesn't seem to have the patience to run an efficient half court offense. But like I said, Ford is definitely the better basketball player between the two (Ford & Jose), but Jose is hands down the better point guard especially for this team. </p>

Our biggest problem or so I've noticed this season is our interior defense or lack their of I should say. We lack that interior presence and had we had someone who could consistantly play great interior defense then we likely win maybe another couple games so far instead of losing them because opposing teams knewthey couldtake advantage of us in that area, because we clearly don't have an answer yet for that void. </p>

 

I have to say, as far as I know, the Raptors have never really had a great interior defender. I mean, we get guys like Bosh and Bargnani contesting, but no shut down guy. I thought Rasho was supposed to be that guy, but I guess not. If Bargnani would bulk up a bit more, and learn some better footwork, he can become a pretty good inside defender.</p>

TJ Ford: Passing the ball every other quarter. I think what won the Raptors so many games last year, was this tandem of Calderon and Ford. One is quick and can stop on a dime and drop a jay. One brings smart, pass first-shoot second play. Two guys who combine to be the best 1-2 PG combo in the league (Don't tell the Nets fans, they still think Marcus will be great). While TJ's play can make you say "Wow, he is something special" or "What the fuck is that guy doing? Has he ever heard of passing?" He brings something good to this team and we all know it. For the Raptors to win, we need TJ playing pass first shoot second and Jose doing the same. When TJ passes, the Raptors are incredible. They have so many options; it is amazing to wonder how Ford and Calderon don't average 10 assists a game each.</p>

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Hold on there Mr. Short-term memory, the Raps have had some pretty good interior defenders back in the day. OAK, JYD, AD, Keon was pretty good - uhh, Zan Tabak and Oliver Miller? Carlos Rogers?</p>

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Ok so maybe you're right. I smell a new thread on who is / was the Raps greatest interior defender?</p>

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Shookem)</div><div class='quotemain'></p>

Hold on there Mr. Short-term memory, the Raps have had some pretty good interior defenders back in the day. OAK, JYD, AD, Keon was pretty good - uhh, Zan Tabak and Oliver Miller? Carlos Rogers?</p>

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Ok so maybe you're right. I smell a new thread on who is / was the Raps greatest interior defender?</p>

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Lol, but none of them were great. I mean, we never had that really good down low defender. Also, I started watching ball in 2004, so not to much on the past.</p>

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I understand Big Will's point though. These guys are used to being the most important person in the room and it probably doesn't matter who is taking the spotlight but just the fact that it's someone else.</p>

However, I think BC did a pretty thorough background check and has assembled a group of players that don't need that kind of attention. And Garbo getting injured may be a blessing in disguise.</p>

 

With Garbo injured at least I wont feel bad when he racks up DNPs</p>