The Raptors need a big man baddly. They got scoring in Vince, Jalen, and Donyell. But now they only have Bosh to play center. They have gotten out rebounded the last 6 games out of 7! With Bosh's small frame, just makes it more needed. They need to make a trade soon, or they won't win! Who should they get?
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting bobac74:</div><div class="quote_post">The Raptors need a big man baddly. They got scoring in Vince, Jalen, and Donyell. But now they only have Bish to play center. They have gotten out rebounded the last 6 games out of 7! With Bosh's small frame, just makes it more needed. They need to make a trade soon, or they won't win! Who should they get?</div> Well good luck searching because there is LITTLE talent in the Eastern Conference for a big man.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting jenike:</div><div class="quote_post">I would look to Kurt Thomas in NY. Maybe a Lammond Murray for Kurt Thomas deal could happen.</div> That would never happen... Kurt was a starter before McDyess/Mutombo took his minutes... Thomas is much better than Murray who's been away too long to be valuable to a team...
Murray was a good player before and thomas will option out anyway... you never know there gm is Scott Layden. We will get Tyronne Hill very soon who will help on the boards.
I don't know if they need another starting center, Bosh has been tremendous this year. True, he is slight of build. But he's holding his own very well and putting up consistent numbers. I think Donyell, who grabbed 14 boards last night can take up most of the slack, he's an awesome rebounder when he actually gets some PT. The Raps have had so many journeyman centers come through lately, Mengke Bateer being the latest. If they could move Murray for a better backup, that would be great for them. Don't know if it would make any sense for Detroit, but maybe they would consider a Rebraca for Murray deal? Pistons would get some offensive punch off the bench and Toronto gets a solid backup to Bosh.
6'10'', that means he's going to play center for this season at least. Toronto had a center with Antonio Davis, but they traded him away so Bosh could get more playing time. He's been playing center most of the season and putting up pretty decent numbers : 11.4, 7.1, 1.6. Better than most other centers in the east. He's too small to battle the PF's right now, center is the best fit for him until he bulks up a bit.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting OgShowtime:</div><div class="quote_post">6'10'', that means he's going to play center for this season at least. Toronto had a center with Antonio Davis, but they traded him away so Bosh could get more playing time. He's been playing center most of the season and putting up pretty decent numbers : 11.4, 7.1, 1.6. Better than most other centers in the east. He's too small to battle the PF's right now, center is the best fit for him until he bulks up a bit.</div> Yes Bosh is playing C but he's a rookie who didn't play a full NBA season in his life...the "Barney's" (get it? Barney, the purple dinosaur???) need a C, Lamond would be their only trade bait. Mo Pete looks more and more like their 6th man off the bench which he's adapting quickly...
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting OgShowtime:</div><div class="quote_post">He's too small to battle the PF's right now, center is the best fit for him until he bulks up a bit.</div> He's too small to 'battle PF's,' but his best fit is at center? Generally, Centers are bigger and stronger than PF's. Bosh will be playing center for the time being. Which is no problem when he is facing the likes of smaller big men in Indiana's Pollard, New York's Kurt Thomas, etc. But when he has to go against the likes of Duncan(or Nestrovic), O'Neal, Miller/Divac, Ming, and even the bulkier Davis(Curry, when he gets back), he will struggle, reducing his impact. The Raptors need a center. Seattle would like to move James or Booth. Kurt Thomas wants out of NY(But at 6'9", he really isn't what the Raptors are looking for). Basically put, Toronto needs a clogger.
<div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">Bosh will be playing center for the time being. Which is no problem when he is facing the likes of smaller big men in Indiana's Pollard, New York's Kurt Thomas, etc.</div> That's my point exactly. If he played in the west it would be different story, but in the east who does he have to guard? I agree, his athleticism will only get him so far. But, who are you going to get for Lamond Murray? What should the Raptors do, sit Bosh and play Mengke Bateer? Sit Marshall? This is exactly the reason that they should have just held on to Davis and JYD. Scoring was up for a few games, but they could have just moved Alvin Williams and Jerome for another scorer. By making that trade with Chicago, they basically shot themselves in the foot. They traded away all of their frontcourt toughness, now they have more scorers, but almost zero post presence.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting OgShowtime:</div><div class="quote_post">That's my point exactly. If he played in the west it would be different story, but in the east who does he have to guard? I agree, his athleticism will only get him so far. But, who are you going to get for Lamond Murray? What should the Raptors do, sit Bosh and play Mengke Bateer? Sit Marshall? This is exactly the reason that they should have just held on to Davis and JYD. Scoring was up for a few games, but they could have just moved Alvin Williams and Jerome for another scorer. By making that trade with Chicago, they basically shot themselves in the foot. They traded away all of their frontcourt toughness, now they have more scorers, but almost zero post presence.</div> No, they shouldn't sit Bosh. I never said that, nor meant that. You dance with the girl you brought. In this case, its Bosh. But the Raptors have to realize against teams with bigger PF/C's, Bosh will be neutralized. On defense, he will be punished. For that reason, Toronto should make a push for a center with size/bulk. That would allow Bosh to play the 4 on offense, Marshall the 3, VC the 2, and Rose the 1. Basically getting the best players on the court. Murray for James? Seattle might consider it, as James is only getting 14 minutes per game.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting Vintage:</div><div class="quote_post">No, they shouldn't sit Bosh. I never said that, nor meant that. You dance with the girl you brought. In this case, its Bosh. But the Raptors have to realize against teams with bigger PF/C's, Bosh will be neutralized. On defense, he will be punished. For that reason, Toronto should make a push for a center with size/bulk. That would allow Bosh to play the 4 on offense, Marshall the 3, VC the 2, and Rose the 1. Basically getting the best players on the court. Murray for James? Seattle might consider it, as James is only getting 14 minutes per game.</div> Yup, I agree with Vintage...the Raps need a "clogger" they have plenty of scorers who can put the ball in the basket. The trade with Chicago was GOOD...they needed optional scorers...Vince couldn't do it alone...and never has...well maybe a few times but he ain't no AI...now, he's a STUD! Davis was dead weight and a sulker at best while JYD was an overpaid Cheerleader (starter's money for cheerleading, heck I do that in the stands and the Raptors don't even pay me!). I'd like to see Kelvin Cato here but that asking alot...
That deal might work, but Seattle really wouldn't have any more use for Murray than Toronto does. He would be sitting behind Rashard Lewis. I just wonder what they can do to really improve themselves right now by simply offering Murray. As you listed, a lineup of Rose, Carter, Marshall, Bosh and PlyrX would be the best combination. I think if they offered Williams they would get more takers, maybe an Melvin Ely for Alvin Williams trade? Or maybe offering around a package of Williams and Peterson/Murray.
Cato would be great, but Van Gundy is in love with him - he's not going anywhere...Yao still needs his help.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting OgShowtime:</div><div class="quote_post">Cato would be great, but Van Gundy is in love with him - he's not going anywhere...Yao still needs his help.</div> Proving my point on Bosh! http://slam.canoe.ca/Slam/Basketball/NBA/T.../19/292017.html
I didn't say that they don't need a center, simply that Bosh would have to do because he's the best they've got right now to play the position. Sure he's going to hit the wall a few times this year, the kid is playing huge minutes...There's absolutely zero talent available at the center spot right now except for maybe Theo Ratliff. Cato would be a nice pickup, but last year he could have been had for practically nothing. Maybe the Raptors need to scout their centers a little better, this is the team that signed Michael Stewart back in '99 to a six-year, 24 million dollar contract! He played out his contract while averaging less than 2 points and 2 rebounds per game. That contract killed this team and crippled their ability to shop for anyone else.
Raptors Get: Calvin Booth Give: Lamond Murray Jerome Moiso Get: Kurt Thomas Give: Lamond Murray Milt Palacio Get: Jerome James Give: Lamond Murray Get: Stromile Swift Give: Lamond Murray Milt Palacio
True, Bosh is playing great right now. But he is battling bigger guys, and when(not if) he hits the rookie wall, he's gonna hit it harder than he would have. Playing PF is ideal for him, and the Raptors should make it a priority to find him some help. Tony Battie for Alvin Williams might work, since the Cavs wouldn't mind some help at point.
Just found a few more links from Toronto on the trade/signing targets for the Raps: http://www.globeandmail.com/servlet/Articl...orts/TopStories http://www.thestar.com/NASApp/cs/ContentSe...ol=970081562040
