I heard that to.The Raptors are thinking about signing Griffin, or they might go after Theo Ratliff of the Hawks. The Hawks want more scoring. Trading for Kurt Thomas, signing Tyrone Hill, are also rumors. The Raptors need a big man.
Fizer is not a PF, he's a SF in a big man's body. - And why would New York take Murray/Curry/Bateer for Thomas? Murray is the only real valuable player in that deal, and New York certainly would not trade Thomas for him. The Raptors should forget about Thomas and look hard at Ratliff. I agree with DJP, the Raps now have enough scoring, if they make another deal it should be for defense. Alvin Williams and Lamond Murray might get that trade done, even if it takes trading MoPete, I think it would be worth it.
I think the only guy right now that could fit the Raptors would be Brandon Haywood, hes not a huge scorer but he can compete with other big men defensively because of his size. But considering there isn't a huge selection, I wouldn't go with Kurt Thomas, I don't know if he could bring much more than Marshall and Bosh do right now.
I wish the Raptors could get Brandon Haywood. Hes 7 ft, rebounds good, and young. Plus he doesn't demand minutes. I don't think the Wizards would give him up though, So i'd go for Kurt Thomas. He gives you pts, and rebounds, and thats what the Rapters want. The knicks will trade Thomas because he has been complaining about him not starting. He might even demand a trade. Plus Thomas asked for long termed contract since this is his last year, and the knicks refused to give one. Hes going to leave next year, so why not trade him and get some scoring, which they need. The trade would help both teams. Rapters should trade Lamond Murray, Milt Palacio, and a 2nd round draft pick for Kurt Thomas, and Charlie Ward. The knicks want scoring, thats Murray's thing, they also want leadership, Palacio, and they want some young talent, 2nd round Draft pick. They Rapters get Kurt Thomas who is unhappy there, and will fix their big man problem. They also get Charlie Ward to play behind Jalen Rose at point guard. Ward has only been playing 16min a game there, so they will give him up. This helps both teams.
ratliff would be nice, bring on theo!! iv always wanted theo to be a raptor. hed be a great fit. presence in the lane, decent on the glass, and can hit that short mid range jumper. id love to have theo a raptor
Theo is the answer you're looking for up north, he's a more athletic and much younger version of Mutombo.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting bobac74:</div><div class="quote_post"> Rapters should trade Lamond Murray, Milt Palacio, and a 2nd round draft pick for Kurt Thomas, and Charlie Ward. </div> This doesn't help the Knicks much. They don't want Palacio, and Murray's benefits are minimal. The Raptors would have to part with more besides just him. Murray and Peterson are more realistic. You can't give up scraps to get Thomas. The Knicks consider him a real contributor, even if they don't plan on him contributing much in the future. Kind of like the 'dog in the manger' idea. They want a lot for him. The Raps won't go for Griffin. He's a powerforward, and in the mold of Chris Bosh. Bosh is the Raptor's future, and he's practically an untouchable, like Carter. Haywood would be good if they could get him, but I think Washington considers him to be their future at center if they can improve his offensive game. A Haywood who becomes more controlled is a Haywood who can potentially give you 12-14 points and 10-12 rebounds a night, not to mention 2-3 blocks. With that future Haywood in mind, you can understand why the Wiz would be very hesitant to part with him. I think someone like Battie or Adonal Foyle would be good. But the bottom line is: if the Raptors want to add someone of decent quality, they have to give someone of decent quality, not crap guys like Milt Palacio, Roger Mason, Eric Montross, Michael Curry or Mengke Bateer, the guys the Raptors wouldn't mind getting rid of. The decent guys are Murray, Peterson, Alvin Williams, Marshall, Rose, Moiso, and to a lesser extent, Baxtor.
Yes,<div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post"> if the Raptors want to add someone of decent quality, they have to give someone of decent quality, not crap guys like Milt Palacio, Roger Mason, Eric Montross, Michael Curry or Mengke Bateer</div> You are absolutely correct, nobody wants these guys! Montross is officially retired, but otherwise who wants journeymen like Palacio, Curry or Bateer? Curry is a competent backup for defensive purposes, but won't be useful unless on a competitive team. Mason seemed to have some upside, then he was dealt for Rick Brunson. That doesn't say much for what Paxson thought of his abilities. Foyle is someone that also came to my mind when considering lower-level defensive-minded centers. Haywood looks much slimmer and more active this year, he's not going anywhere unless the Raps are willing to give up Bosh for him. Toronto may even want to consider moving Rose if they can find any takers, he would bring the best package in return while clearing out cap space for free agents.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting OgShowtime:</div><div class="quote_post">Fizer is not a PF, he's a SF in a big man's body. .</div> He's a PF. He has an inside game like a PF. He doesn't stay on the perimeter, he doesn't defend SF's, he doesn't have the handles of a SF. He is a PF. The Bulls tried Fizer at SF the year he was drafted. It failed miserably because he isn't one.
It didn't fail miserably. He averaged almost 10 ppg coming off the bench, but he was coming off the bench behind Artest and Brand. He is mobile enough to play SF, though their quickness gives him trouble. He's better at PF and rebounds more, but he doesn't score as much as he does when he plays SF. Either way, I doubt Chicago is gonna let him go for a little. He is a former #4 pick, and I think they'll wait and package him when they have a big deal on the table. I'm still mad they didn't deal him and change for Chandler instead of Brand.
Fizer is much better off at power forward. He doesnt have the speed or range to play small forward. He has very good post moves and bulk so he is a power forward.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting starman85:</div><div class="quote_post">It didn't fail miserably. He averaged almost 10 ppg coming off the bench, but he was coming off the bench behind Artest and Brand. He is mobile enough to play SF, though their quickness gives him trouble. He's better at PF and rebounds more, but he doesn't score as much as he does when he plays SF. Either way, I doubt Chicago is gonna let him go for a little. He is a former #4 pick, and I think they'll wait and package him when they have a big deal on the table. I'm still mad they didn't deal him and change for Chandler instead of Brand.</div> It failed miserably. Sure, he did get 10 ppg. But he gave up more. That made it miserable.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting dj_premium_plus:</div><div class="quote_post">ratliff would be nice, bring on theo!! iv always wanted theo to be a raptor. hed be a great fit. presence in the lane, decent on the glass, and can hit that short mid range jumper. id love to have theo a raptor </div> Yes I think Theo or Brandon Haywood would be absolutely perfect for the Raptors, however I think its almost impossible to get Theo, and I doubt Glen Grunwald is even thinking about Haywood.
Okay, okay - he's a PF then. But why can he not get any playing time? Even when Chandler was out early on, Fizer continued to ride the pine. His numbers are solid for the amount of minutes he plays.
Here is an article you might enjoy: <div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">The Raptors are in need of a legitimate big man, and there are a number available, including the aforementioned Ilgauskas, Theo Ratliff in Atlanta, Orlando's Juwan Howard and the New York trio of Clarance Weatherspoon, Othella Harrington and Kurt Thomas. The Raptors have also reportedly shown interest in Houston's Eddie Griffin, a 6-foot-10 power forward who was released by the Houston Rockets in October because he faces an assault charge related to allegations of a fight with a woman, along with drug charges. As well, coach Kevin O'Neill has expressed interest in Tyrone Hill, who was released by Miami. This is a team that has to find an identity. Before the trade, the Raptors couldn't score a lick, but were one of the top defensive teams in the league. Now, the defensive play has suffered. </div> Toronto Sun
Ha, that's funny. Dennis doesn't fit into anything the Raps are trying to do. And again, Toronto won't seriously look at Eddie Griffin. Maybe I'm being cynical, but I don't think he's gonna catch on anywhere and have much of an impact.
