Okay, let’s get to this whole mid-level exception obsession that’s running rampant and throw cold water on any of the Corey Maggette, Mickeal Pietrus, Ron Artest, James Posey, I don’t know who else stuff that’s out there.
Every team that’s over the salary cap, as the Raptors are, can make use of the mid-level exception every season. If they want. So, yes, Toronto had it.
But here’s the deal: It’s an exception to the CAP, not to the TAX, which is a rather huge difference. And it turns the whole “use the mid-level to sign someone” argument moot.
Now, these are estimates, not absolutely correct but not far off, and it will show you why they are NOT going to use that money.
Right now, with 12 players under contract or about to be, the Raptors have right around $70 million committed. The CAP will be about $59 million and the TAX level is going to be about $71 million, maybe slightly more.
And Torontois NOT GOING TO SPEND OVER THAT. Not going to happen. Put it out of your mind.
So, with those numbers in mind, about the most they can offer to the 13th guy would be a veteran minimum contract, which runs from about $700,000 to about $1.2 million depending on how long the guy’s been in the league. And that’s exactly what they’re think they’re going to do at the moment.
So, please, no more Maggette, no more Pietrus, no more Artest, no more anyone of that ilk.
Thanks
Here’s four to kick around who fit the bill of combo guards who can make a shot or do something that might help steal a game or two in the season: Eddie House, Tony Allen, Roger Mason and, believe it or not, Juan Dixon. I’m sure there’s more out there but that’s a jumping off point.
Of all the cockamamie, dopey, idiotic things I’ve heard this week, the whole notion of the Raptors playing a regular season game in Buffalo would top the list.
Exhibition games? Maybe. And, having seen 60 or so exhibition games over the years, they can play ‘em all in Buffalo for all I care.
Regular season? Not a chance.
Go back to saving the Bills.
Here’s three things to think about concerning the newly-constructed roster and “depth.”
It defines more clearly the role for Bargnani, who is now a backup four and five. No more questions about whether he should start or Rasho should, no more jerking him around and maybe that helps his confidence.
The swingman position has been narrowed. There were legitimate questions last year about whether Delfino should play more or Kapono should play more or Moon should play less or, yes, even whether Joey should get on the court. And we haven’t even touched on Juan Dixon. This way, there are three – Moon, Parker, Kapono — with legitimate claims on playing time – and two – Graham and Adams – who can fight for a fourth position. But if they don’t do anything, there won’t be people saying they should get on the court.
The point guard position is settled.
You may not like the way things are shaking out because there is no question they didn’t address the lack of athleticism on the wing and that’s going to bite them in the ass more often than not, but that’s some of the logic behind the moves.
Matt Devlin probably gets announced as the new Raptor TV play-by-play guy today.
Don’t know much about him, actually. But he’s worked in Charlotte and around the league for quite some time.
An exhibition game or two? Maybe.
But will the Toronto Raptors play regular-season games in Buffalo? No chance.
“We’re not thinking home games. No, no, no, no. We’re not giving those up,” said Richard Peddie, president of Raptors owner Maple Leaf Sports and Entertainment Ltd. “We have our fan base here we want to service.”
“We’re booked for this year and we’re probably in the process of being booked for next year,” Peddie said. “We like to take those games coast to coast, but that being said that [Buffalo] is a market that has been good to us and if the arena is right and the economics work, we’d look at it.”
According to Schumer and Lipsey, the notion of having the Raptors play games in Buffalo came from conversations they had with MSLE chairman Larry Tanenbaum, who has been part of the effort to have the NFL’s Buffalo Bills play preseason and regular-season games at the Rogers Centre.
Peddie said that bringing the Bills to Toronto did not necessarily translate into playing NBA games in Buffalo.
“We know there is a relationship there, but really we have nothing to do with the Bills,” Peddie said.
The representative of Delfino, Angel Cerisola, confirmed that the Spurs made him “an offer for two seasons. Carlos is being assessed because an agreement looks a bit longer, for three years.” San Antonio also handles other possibilities for the post of eave names Mickael Pietrus (Golden State), James Jones (Portland), James Posey (Boston) or Quintin Ross (LA Clippers).
Also, Delfino received offers from Cleveland and Orlando. In addition, outside the NBA, Khimky, Russia, he approached a millionaire proposal. Anyway Santa Fe is the intention of staying a longer in the league if the United States and was escorted Manu and Fabri much better.
- Ole (translation)
Toronto Raptors — Added Jermaine O’Neal and if he’s healthy and his head is in the right place — Sam Mitchell is a key factor here — JO and Chris Bosh could be a formidable duo and O’Neal makes them tougher on defense. Jose Calderon is locked up and TJ Ford is gone, so no more debates about who is running the team. Ron Artest would be a great fit here if they can swing it.
So here is 10 Questions I have based on what we know so far:
1. Injuries are a real concern for this team should this be the plan going forward. Can they remain healthy through this season?
2. Jose Calderon is now the man, how will he respond to it?
3. Jermaine O’Neal and Chris Bosh together will be interesting to watch but what will be their impact together?
4. Last chance for Andrea Bargnani, will he respond to his new role as the Raptors 6th man coming off the bench?
5. The Defense should be improved but is it enough to win in the post season?
6. Something about all of this says to me their will be a move made in the season to complete this whole make over. Who will come and who will go?
7. Roko Ukic, How good and how fast will he fit into the NBA?
8. Who is going to step up for Raps? Kris Humphries and Joey Graham this means you. Graham especially as he has never lived up to his prior billing when he was drafted.
9. Will the Olympics have impact on Bosh and Calderon?( Also Delfino should he return which is not likely at this point )
10. Sam Mitchell how will he address this new group on the offensive end of the floor?
But do the Raptors NEED to play a game or two in Buffalo? Certainly not for financial reasons. This past season, the Raptors averaged 19,435 a game at the Air Canada Centre, which is just under capacity and 9th-best in the NBA. In other words, the Raptors are doing quite well, thank you, and Forbes valued the franchise at $373 million a year ago, which is 14th highest in the NBA. The average ticket price is $54, so you can do the math.
Sure, their payroll is a heavy one, in the mid-$50 million range and climbing, but the NBA enjoys huge tv revenues in addition to the tickets sold, so the Raptors are certainly in the black.
Maybe it’s Buffalo?s good fortune that Raptors chairman Larry Tanebaum seems to be becoming a fan of things Buffalo, at least in the words of New York Senator Charles Schumer. Schumer says he and Buffalo News publisher Stan Lipsey have talked with Tanebaum about the possibility of playing some pre-season and even regular season games in Buffalo, and the response was so positive Schumer is already predicting it will happen in the 2009-2010 season.
Tanebaum was only slightly less positive when contacted by media in Canada, as he confirmed the talks with Schumer, but referred more to it as talks about pre-season games rather than actual regular season games.
Still, wouldn’t it just make good business sense from Tanebaum’s perspective, having some exposure in Buffalo, which has all but turned its back on the NBA since being jilted by the Braves in the late 80′s? Why wouldn’t the Raptors like to see some young fans around Buffalo wearing Raptors shirts with Bosh and Calderon and Parker on the back?
Remember Toronto, Buffalo didn’t mind letting you get a close up look at our Braves back in the 70′s for a few games, and that helped set the groundwork for the Raptors to eventually come on the scene in the mid 90′s.
I have no doubt at all Buffalo would sell out any regular season game involving the Raptors, so while it may only be a wash for the Raptors financially, they may more than make up for it in merchandise sales and good old fashioned good will.
There is still some of that around, isn’t there?
I will say if they do make this thing a reality which I see as unlikely. I want to suggest what it should be called. ” The Jack Armstrong Buffalo Classic” after all who do Raptor fans love more in the Western New York area? I would have contacted Jack and got his feelings on this idea. But Jack is on holidays. I am sure knowing his feelings on that part of the world he calls home he would welcome the idea of Raptors coming closer to his home. It would make a shorter drive to work for a game or two. But I know Jack has strong ties to that community and would want to see this happen for good folks in Buffalo. He would not be a fan of my name suggestion but you could even make it Jack Armstrong Bobblehead night in Buffalo. I really got a lot out of the lone marketing course I took back in college. Not really but I am always coming up with ideas.
Second Round Pick No.41 – Nathan Jawai
I have nothing to say on the man because I’ve never seen him play. I’m skeptical that he’s an NBA player but he’s decent value at a mid-second round pick. Hopefully it works out for the Raptors.
Conclusion: Unlucky to be the pick right after Chris Douglas-Roberts. Took a long shot and we’ll see if it pays off. Decent draft pick.
While Adams didn’t produce much in his one year in the NBA he was a pretty consistent scorer in college for the Arizona Wildcats, averaging 14 points and 5.3 rebounds over his four year college career. I also trust our European scouting department and they must have really seen something they like in Adams’ game to bring him over in a crowded battle for playing time at the SG/SF positions.
Now, having said this I don’t mind the Adams signing, but not at the expense of Carlos Delfino, as this would appear to be yet another sign that Delfino will not be returning to Toronto next season. Delfino was one of the best players off the bench last season for Toronto, averaging 9 points in 23.5 minutes. Delfino was a great sharpshooter off the bench, as he shoot 39.7% from the field and 38.2% from behind the arch. He also was one of a handful of players who actually stepped up their game in the playoff series against Orlando and is really someone I think the Raptors are overlooking, as I don’t see Adams being capable enough to take over Delfino’s role. Overall, I’m really not liking Toronto’s depth headed into next season, and unless there are a couple of acquisitions of solid bench players, such as Delfino, I don’t see how next year’s team will be any better than this year’s, even with a healthy Jermaine O’Neal.
Despite finishing the season averaging an impressive 11.2 points and 8.3 assists per game, during the last two months of the season there was a significant drop in Calderon’s shooting percentage due to his legs being tired and his jumper leaving him. During the season Calderon shot a sizzling 51.9% from the field (367-707) but during March he shot 48.8% (66-135) and in April his field goal percentage dipped even lower to 38.7% (19-49). Granted, this only represents two months of the season, but it’s a troubling stat because it shows what may happen again next season if Calderon is forced to log heavy minutes.
Throw in the fact that Calderon will be playing heavy minutes for Spain this summer in the Olympics and that’s just another reason for Raptors fans to be concerned.
Something else that can’t be underestimated is that teams will now be able to plan for one point guard logging significant minutes instead of Ford and Calderon splitting minutes. While NBA teams’ scouts have had the past few years to analyze and dissect Calderon’s game, now that he’s the starting point guard even more time and effort will be dedicated to slowing him down.
You can knock Ford all you want for being injury prone, but the fact of the matter is he’s a proven winner and as a point guard there’s not much else you can ask for. Calderon may turn into an all-star caliber point guard, but last season his play down the stretch raised some questions marks and now doubts linger over whether he can handle the starting spot for an entire season.
Jose Calderon re-upped with Toronto which was another no brainer. He’s a very talented point guard and they could not afford to lose him. The Raptors are one more piece away from being a big player in the East. They could use a really good swingman. Cory Maggette anyone?
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Please don’t take it wrong but i’ll translate again the article of OLE cause is a little confuse.
The agent of Delfino, Angel Cerisola, confirmed that the Spurs made him “an offer for two seasons”. That’s being evaluatin because Carlos is looking for an agreement a little bit longer, maybe for three years.” San Antonio also handles other possibilities for the SF spot, like Mickael Pietrus (Golden State), James Jones (Portland), James Posey (Boston) or Quintin Ross (LA Clippers).
Also, Delfino received offers from Cleveland and Orlando. In addition, outside the NBA, the Khimky from Russia, also approached a millionaire proposal. Anyway the intention of the Santa Fe native is staying longer in NBA and if he was escorted Manu (Ginobili) and Fabri (Oberto) it could be much better.