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  • #31
    Raptorsss wrote: View Post
    Knowing how horrendous Novak's D is and that there isn't any reliable volume 3 point shooter on the bench, it's conceivable that he takes AA's spot and pushes Novak, Fields and Ross for minutes. Our 3 and D spot for the wing position still isn't settled.

    Novak, Ross and Fields are on the hotseat this year, even with their guaranteed contracts.
    Whoa. Whoa. The gap between NBA rotation players (even scrubs) and a 27 year-old Angolan who hasn't even sniffed Eurobasket, let alone the NBA, is HUGE. This guy got an invite because of the Ujiri connection (I like white men can't jump's take on it, above), not because he's about to push an 8-year NBA vet for minutes. Everybody just calm down. We're talking training camp. Training Camp.
    "We're playing in a building." -- Kawhi Leonard

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    • #32
      rocwell wrote: View Post
      Nah don't worry mate, we've got Gray!
      I take the "Just for Men hair-care" approach here. Keep that youthful look, with just a touch of Gray.

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      • #33
        S.R. wrote: View Post
        Whoa. Whoa. The gap between NBA rotation players (even scrubs) and a 27 year-old Angolan who hasn't even sniffed Eurobasket, let alone the NBA, is HUGE. This guy got an invite because of the Ujiri connection (I like white men can't jump's take on it, above), not because he's about to push an 8-year NBA vet for minutes. Everybody just calm down. We're talking training camp. Training Camp.
        You do realize that Novak's defense is atrocious right? If Marais is half the defender Alan Anderson was and can hit wide open 3's consistently he's already our best bench player. Ujiri invited arguably the best basketball player playing professionally in Africa and maybe that player isn't even a 16th player on a scrub NBA team, but his skill set puts real pressure on Novak, Ross and Fields to outplay him for minutes.
        -"You can’t run from me. I mean, my heart don’t bleed Kool-Aid."
        -"“I ain’t no diva! I don’t have no blond hair, red hair. I’m Reggie Evans.”

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        • #34
          Raptorsss wrote: View Post
          You do realize that Novak's defense is atrocious right? If Marais is half the defender Alan Anderson was and can hit wide open 3's consistently he's already our best bench player. Ujiri invited arguably the best basketball player playing professionally in Africa and maybe that player isn't even a 16th player on a scrub NBA team, but his skill set puts real pressure on Novak, Ross and Fields to outplay him for minutes.
          Novak is an atrocious defender, but it's not like Novak should ever be part of your top 8. He's a situational player and if he's in your top 8-9, the other guys in the rotation better all be great defenders. But he's also proven as a shooter, as one of the best in the league in that role, and is a pretty smart player, which means he at least often knows what he's supposed to be doing on D (that doesn't sound like a lot, but it is).

          However, Morais has never played against elite competition except for little chunks in international play. He's a 6'3'' guard. Will he be able to defend either guard position in the NBA? Or will he be too slow for PGs and too small for SGs? And throw in his lack of high-level experience, and he could get schooled regularly by even bench players with some savvy.

          It's fine to root for him, but there's no way to suggest he's capable of stepping into the NBA immediately. He's 27 years old and never even got a Euro contract, or even a D-League contract, and he's got the classic tweener body. Don't get too excited.

          AA is a bad comparison, as AA was NCAA schooled, and Euro experienced, and had prototypical size for a wing. None of these elements apply to Morais. He may not have the physical or mental tools for the NBA game, and his one obvious skill, which is shooting, is even based on a different distance of 3 pt line.

          I still think this is mostly just to get the guy exposed to NBA coaching and competition, so if he doesn't make it (the likeliest scenario) he can at least take that knowledge back to his country and continent to possibly help develop the game.

          *Not to mention it's good exposure for him in general. Maybe it will help land him a Euro deal as well if he gets cut.
          Last edited by white men can't jump; Mon Sep 16, 2013, 01:23 PM.

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          • #35
            Chr1s1anL wrote: View Post
            2013 Afrobasket MVP Carlos Morais To Raptors
            1 Reply
            The 2013 Afrobasket MVP Carlos Morais has received a non-guaranteed deal to try out for the Toronto Raptors at training camp in about two weeks from now according to Angolan sources.

            Mariana Rodrigues of Desporto reported on an instagram photo posted by Morais that shows his name and picture on a MLSE identity card as a Raptors player.

            Joe D’Almeida of Platina line confirmed the instagram picture and provided this quote from the player (translated from Portuguese).

            “It depends only on me achieving this great goal. If all goes as hoped, the contract can be a reality, but it all depends on a few factors.”

            Basically, if everything goes well, Morais believes he can get a contract with the Raptors.

            Morais is a 6’4” 27-year-old shooting guard who plays professionally in Angola and has been the star of the Angolan National team for several years. He is primarily a three-point shooter and in his 7 games at the 2013 Afrobasket, he averaged 7.3 three-point attempts per game. At the tournament, he averaged 15.9 points and collected 4.6 rebounds per game. In the championship game versus Egypt he had 21 points and 8 rebounds while hitting 4 three-pointers as Angola won 57-40.

            Raptors President and General Manager, Basketball Operations Masai Ujiri told Pawel Weszka of NBA.com about his trip to Africa this summer and how important developing the game in Africa is to him personally.

            “It just continues to pile on, the unbelievable experiences that I have had on the continent while trying to help grow the game and give back,” Ujiri said. “I think we all continue to do everything we can to help grow the game in Africa.

            “It’s going to be a phenomenal tournament. I think I’ve gone to every single Afrobasket since I played in 1997. It’s such a competitive tournament, it’s almost raw. It has bettered skill wise and it’s bettered technically. Overall I go watch every country and give every player an opportunity to see him live.”

            Apparently Ujiri saw what he likes in Morais. Ujiri has been adding long range shooting to the Raptors this summer and Morais is another three-point specialist that continues that theme, plus he provides Ujiri a legitimate means to help grow the game in Africa. It will be interesting to see what this guard can do when he shows up at training camp.
            The man has a bright future as a politician in his home one day should he chose to go that route. He's certainly paving the way for it.

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            • #36
              white men can't jump wrote: View Post
              Novak is an atrocious defender, but it's not like Novak should ever be part of your top 8. He's a situational player and if he's in your top 8-9, the other guys in the rotation better all be great defenders. But he's also proven as a shooter, as one of the best in the league in that role, and is a pretty smart player, which means he at least often knows what he's supposed to be doing on D (that doesn't sound like a lot, but it is).

              However, Morais has never played against elite competition except for little chunks in international play. He's a 6'3'' guard. Will he be able to defend either guard position in the NBA? Or will he be too slow for PGs and too small for SGs? And throw in his lack of high-level experience, and he could get schooled regularly by even bench players with some savvy.

              It's fine to root for him, but there's no way to suggest he's capable of stepping into the NBA immediately. He's 27 years old and never even got a Euro contract, or even a D-League contract, and he's got the classic tweener body. Don't get too excited.

              AA is a bad comparison, as AA was NCAA schooled, and Euro experienced, and had prototypical size for a wing. None of these elements apply to Morais. He may not have the physical or mental tools for the NBA game, and his one obvious skill, which is shooting, is even based on a different distance of 3 pt line.

              I still think this is mostly just to get the guy exposed to NBA coaching and competition, so if he doesn't make it (the likeliest scenario) he can at least take that knowledge back to his country and continent to possibly help develop the game.

              *Not to mention it's good exposure for him in general. Maybe it will help land him a Euro deal as well if he gets cut.
              I'd just like to mention that his been to like two Olympics and in Beijing he scored 26 points on team USA. I agree with you that he won't make the team because I be live it's Stone's spot to lose. I honestly feel like the other 2(Wright and Morais) are just there to push. So Ujiri can see his really healthy. Than you never know stranger things have happened. Jamario Moon comes to mind.
              @Chr1st1anL

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              • #37
                Oh man.

                I'm rooting for these guys but Morais scares the hell out of me with Casey coaching.

                Absolutely unfair on my part and definitely jumping to conclusions and certainly not rationale but I think if he is on the roster come opening day we have our new AA.

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                • #38
                  Matt52 wrote: View Post
                  Oh man.

                  I'm rooting for these guys but Morais scares the hell out of me with Casey coaching.

                  Absolutely unfair on my part and definitely jumping to conclusions and certainly not rationale but I think if he is on the roster come opening day we have our new AA.
                  I hear where your coming from but, if Ross lose minutes to any of these 3. I think we need to stop pointing the finger at Casey. I'm starting to get the impression that Ross just doesn't have it in him to be successful. He has all the skills and atheltecism. That it though. Doesn't seem like he has any dawg in him.

                  I don't if anyone realized he was in Toronto workout with all the young guys but, than flew to Vegas to watch the Mayweather fight. When the rest of the young guys went to watch it together at real sports.
                  @Chr1st1anL

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                  • #39
                    Chr1s1anL wrote: View Post
                    I hear where your coming from but, if Ross lose minutes to any of these 3. I think we need to stop pointing the finger at Casey. I'm starting to get the impression that Ross just doesn't have it in him to be successful. He has all the skills and atheltecism. That it though. Doesn't seem like he has any dawg in him.

                    I don't if anyone realized he was in Toronto workout with all the young guys but, than flew to Vegas to watch the Mayweather fight. When the rest of the young guys went to watch it together at real sports.
                    I felt last year that when given consistent minutes and a role Ross was doing alright for a rookie. I'm still willing to give him the benefit of the doubt based on this despite all the other possibilities of what could have been happening behind the scenes.

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                    • #40
                      Chr1s1anL wrote: View Post
                      I hear where your coming from but, if Ross lose minutes to any of these 3. I think we need to stop pointing the finger at Casey. I'm starting to get the impression that Ross just doesn't have it in him to be successful. He has all the skills and atheltecism. That it though. Doesn't seem like he has any dawg in him.

                      I don't if anyone realized he was in Toronto workout with all the young guys but, than flew to Vegas to watch the Mayweather fight. When the rest of the young guys went to watch it together at real sports.
                      I hear what you're saying, but at the same time it's only been a year - give him some more time.
                      "We're playing in a building." -- Kawhi Leonard

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                      • #41
                        Chr1s1anL wrote: View Post
                        I'd just like to mention that his been to like two Olympics and in Beijing he scored 26 points on team USA. I agree with you that he won't make the team because I be live it's Stone's spot to lose. I honestly feel like the other 2(Wright and Morais) are just there to push. So Ujiri can see his really healthy. Than you never know stranger things have happened. Jamario Moon comes to mind.
                        I did say he played small chunks against strong competition....but stats in those games mean very little if he's the best player on a bad team, and thus taking the bulk of shots...while also the teams he plays clearly have no real fear of Angola, so they're not going to think "oh man, we better shut this guy down or he'll beat us", or even try that hard because they'll expect to win. Most teams at the Olympics couldn't play down to their level if they tried.

                        I'm not trying to put him down or suggest there's no way he makes it...but there's basically no real evidence to suggest he's should be able to make the leap to the NBA. It would be pretty phenomenal if he does.

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                        • #42
                          I actually think Morais will get a non-guaranteed contract, not because he's the best 15th player available, but I think Ujiri will want to keep his god of African basketball reputation and he can secure that by signing the best pro player in Africa.

                          I'm not going to post a link, but on FIBA.com their African blogger did a story on this saying that if he makes it the whole country will be behind the Raptors, traveling to games and such.
                          -"You can’t run from me. I mean, my heart don’t bleed Kool-Aid."
                          -"“I ain’t no diva! I don’t have no blond hair, red hair. I’m Reggie Evans.”

                          Comment


                          • #43
                            Raptorsss wrote: View Post
                            I actually think Morais will get a non-guaranteed contract, not because he's the best 15th player available, but I think Ujiri will want to keep his god of African basketball reputation and he can secure that by signing the best pro player in Africa.

                            I'm not going to post a link, but on FIBA.com their African blogger did a story on this saying that if he makes it the whole country will be behind the Raptors, traveling to games and such.
                            Great, if at least half of the Angolan permanent residents who came to this country last year come out to support Morais, we'll have an extra 28.5 fans at Raptors games! #sarcasm #justjokes

                            http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/resourc...rmanent/10.asp
                            "We're playing in a building." -- Kawhi Leonard

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                            • #44
                              Raptorsss wrote: View Post
                              I actually think Morais will get a non-guaranteed contract, not because he's the best 15th player available, but I think Ujiri will want to keep his god of African basketball reputation and he can secure that by signing the best pro player in Africa.

                              I'm not going to post a link, but on FIBA.com their African blogger did a story on this saying that if he makes it the whole country will be behind the Raptors, traveling to games and such.
                              That would be a stupid move, management-wise. It would be a very BC-ish move, that's more about marketing than about basketball. I hope MU doesn't do that. I mean, if Morais really earns the spot, fine...but if not, and MU signs him, I'll be the first one on the "MU haters" team.

                              On another note, doesn't anyone else think it's pretty likely the team doesn't fill that 15th spot? If Ujiri thinks trading someone like, say, Gay is the best course of action early in the season if things aren't going well and/or he gets a great offer, then wouldn't he want the flexibility of an empty roster spot? I mean, Gay's contract is huge, and would suggest it would be difficult to trade him without taking on at least a couple of players back. I really believe someone would have to show something to suggest they have the ability to step into the top 10 or so of the rotation if called upon, at the very least. Not sure any of Stone, Wright or Morais is better than a 13-15 type player.

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                              • #45
                                white men can't jump wrote: View Post
                                That would be a stupid move, management-wise. It would be a very BC-ish move, that's more about marketing than about basketball. I hope MU doesn't do that. I mean, if Morais really earns the spot, fine...but if not, and MU signs him, I'll be the first one on the "MU haters" team.

                                On another note, doesn't anyone else think it's pretty likely the team doesn't fill that 15th spot? If Ujiri thinks trading someone like, say, Gay is the best course of action early in the season if things aren't going well and/or he gets a great offer, then wouldn't he want the flexibility of an empty roster spot? I mean, Gay's contract is huge, and would suggest it would be difficult to trade him without taking on at least a couple of players back. I really believe someone would have to show something to suggest they have the ability to step into the top 10 or so of the rotation if called upon, at the very least. Not sure any of Stone, Wright or Morais is better than a 13-15 type player.
                                So sign the 15th player to a non-guaranteed deal and cut him if the Gay trade happens and we need the open roster spot. Easy solution.

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