The Indiana Pacers traded Jermaine O’Neal and the rights to draft choice Nathan Jawai to the Toronto Raptors for T.J. Ford, Rasho Nesterovic, Maceo Baston and the rights to Roy Hibbert. Finally, the Pacers realized it was better now than never with J.O., who at the age of 29 had his lowest numbers in seven years. He has played 206 out of a possible 328 games the past four seasons and if he’s not damaged goods, the Raptors know something nobody else did. With knee and hip problems, it’s hard to fathom at this point of his career that O’Neal can get back to the 20 points, 10 rebounds and 2.5 blocks he averaged from 2001-05. But was it worth the $44 million he’ll get over the next two seasons? Well, they no longer have to worry about Ford’s spinal weakness and they didn’t need the other three. So even if O’Neal is healthy enough to score 17-18 points a game, garner 8-10 rebounds and block a couple of shots playing next to Chris Bosh, they can become serious contenders in the East.
Things that should obviously improve next season (I hope):
Coaching: Sam Mitchell never knew how to coach a team that was playing the run and gun game. He doesn’t have to worry about that now because the team has become a half-court team. Hopefully he still doesn’t have retarded plays like how we finished off games last season. Hopefully he learns a thing or two about full-court press. Hopefully he learns how to plant a screen or two.
Andrea Bargnani: The things that Sam MItchell and Bryan Colangelo did to Andrea Bargnani really set back his development big time. When he first came in to the league he could have played the small forward position and held it down against guys like Hedo and done his best against LBJ. Before last season, they tried their best to convert him into a centre so they wouldn’t have to go out and get him. This didn’t work. He put on extra pounds and now he lost his groove and athleticism. He’s too big to defend against SF’s and too small to defend against the C. Now we just gotta hope for the best.
Predictions: 49-31 and 3rd place. LET’S DO THIS!!!
There are a few things I feel are important to make note of after having conducted the interview. First off, Matt loves basketball and loves to talk basketball. Much like last year we decided to go continue with our “15 Questions” series, but Matt and I talked for upwards of two hours and this easily could have been a 45 question interview. His willingness to take the time to talk ball with me and share his opinions really says a lot and the HQ very much appreciates it.
Second, there is no questions that Matt has big shoes to fill but after speaking with him I have no doubt that he will do a fantastic job being the voice of the Raptors. His style will undoubtedly be different from what people have become accustomed to, but to me it will be a change for the better.
Last, this interview has really put me over the top regarding how excited I am for this season to start. It is going to be a different team with a different feel both on and off the court. I for one, am ready to watch, and listen to, this season play out.
Players for the Spanish men’s and women’s basketball teams posed for a pre-Olympic newspaper advertisement in popular Spanish daily Marca, in which they are pictured pulling back the skin on either side of their eyes to narrow them.
Among those making the pose in the men’s ad are Toronto Raptors point guard Jose Calderon, Los Angeles Lakers forward Pau Gasol, as well as Portland Trail Blazers rookie Rudy Fernandez.
Fix Restaurant & Bar at Bellagio satisfied a late night fix for some of the sports world’s top athletes. Dining together: Toronto Raptors stand-out Jermaine O’Neal taking shots of Tequila alongside Boston Celtics’ Paul Pierce.
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Ack! They’re all racists! Damn you Jose Calderon! Damn you to hell and beyond! You will pay for this, bring back the poll so I can re-vote!!!
He should be booed more than Vince Carter moving forward. Say what you want about Vince, but he has never dived into something racially motivated.
I think the Olympic Committee should force a default of one game to both the Spanish teams.
Can you imagine if the US did this?
Booed by whom though? Oriental people? I don’t know.. When I was little people would do the narrow eyes thing at me, I was never offended by it. Yes, I have narrow eyes. No, I don’t know why we all have glasses. Why am I so good at math? Who knows. No, I don’t know Kung-Fu. Yes, you’re right — my house DOES smell a little weird.
There is a lot of ignorance out there, the Spanish Basketball team notwithstanding. I’m not sure if I should boo them or just laugh at them for their stupidity.
I agree though, the US would have a hard time getting away with this.
It was definitely poor judgment, but friggin’ hell can we all stop being such sensitive pansies for once?
boooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo