Everything Marc Gasol

[KeonClark]

But honestly the list of 7 footers who give you all of that is very, very short.

Actually, I'd say that list is quite tall

[S.R.]

One thing that was spot on in the SI Top 100 list was the analysis of Gasol. His value isn't in trying to be a 20 and 10 guy or the franchise corner piece he used to be, it's simply in having a centre who can defend Embiid in the post, hedge Steph on the perimeter, and be a chameleon on offence who can work from the low post, high post, or perimeter and try to create offence or move the ball.

All that said, yes at this point in his career creating offence, especially in the post, is the weakest link in all of that.

But honestly the list of 7 footers who give you all of that is very, very short.

[DanH]

Yeah, I think that was due to Gasol feeling really lucky to join a championship team and trying too hard to be an unselfish teammate, to a fault. The Gasol (and Lowry) over-passing was infuriating. Some of that was also being scared to shoot. Both guys are going to be a lot more relaxed this year, with Kawhi gone, a chip under their belt and nothing to prove.

Some of it was that.

Some of it was also that we had a lot of good shooters and scorers and passing wasn't really a bad option. Some of it is also that Gasol trying to score in isolation is actually a bad thing, and the fact that we will need to rely on that a bit more this year is part of why the offence will likely struggle at least a bit. But considering how few shooters we have, we might need him to score more - I just hope it's as a jump shooter and floor spacer more than as a dedicated scorer, especially in the post.

[golden]

It felt a lot that he was passing up easy points in order to share the rock too often. He going to get more of a chance (and the Raptors really need him to) to get his own and play more of a role in the offense besides distribution this season.

Yeah, I think that was due to Gasol feeling really lucky to join a championship team and trying too hard to be an unselfish teammate, to a fault. The Gasol (and Lowry) over-passing was infuriating. Some of that was also being scared to shoot. Both guys are going to be a lot more relaxed this year, with Kawhi gone, a chip under their belt and nothing to prove.

[G__Deane]

Feels like Marc gets up more for these international competitions than he does for NBA games. Could have used some of that offensive flare in the playoffs.

It felt a lot that he was passing up easy points in order to share the rock too often. He going to get more of a chance (and the Raptors really need him to) to get his own and play more of a role in the offense besides distribution this season.

[G__Deane]

https://www.sportsnet.ca/basketball/...cup-semifinal/ Marc Gasol leads Spain to double-OT win over Australia in World Cup semifinal

[planetmars]

Feels like Marc gets up more for these international competitions than he does for NBA games. Could have used some of that offensive flare in the playoffs.

[golden]

[golden]

"The Raptors could have a really bright future if Siakam becomes an All-Star–caliber player. They have one of the cleanest salary cap situations in the league: They currently have $32.2 million on the books for 2020-21 and $15.2 million in 2021-22. Toronto is a well-run organization located in a huge market that should be appealing for international players, if not American ones. The Raptors could become a really attractive free-agent destination if they had a young star to sell to a second star."

I'll beliieve it when I see it; Go Masai!

The four teams Porzingis had on his wish list of trade destinations were the Nets, Los Angeles Clippers, Miami Heat and Toronto Raptors, according to two people with knowledge of the list who were not authorized to discuss it publicly. The Knicks, of course, traded Porzingis to the Mavericks.

https://www.sportsnet.ca/basketball/...ade-wish-list/

[G__Deane]

Nice article on Gasol, his play in China and how he fits with the Raptors post-Kawhi. Bigger role, more impact.

"The Raptors could have a really bright future if Siakam becomes an All-Star–caliber player. They have one of the cleanest salary cap situations in the league: They currently have $32.2 million on the books for 2020-21 and $15.2 million in 2021-22. Toronto is a well-run organization located in a huge market that should be appealing for international players, if not American ones. The Raptors could become a really attractive free-agent destination if they had a young star to sell to a second star."

I'll beliieve it when I see it; Go Masai!

[Puffer]

Nice article on Gasol, his play in China and how he fits with the Raptors post-Kawhi. Bigger role, more impact.

[LJ2]

Horford is probably the only one there with a strong argument. The JV fanboy in me would put him second, but the line is probably between first and second so...

I was thinking Horford too, but the way Marc defended Embiid with that bigger body was impressive. That and his ability to see the floor playing point-centre.

[Rudy Bargnani]

2020 free agent pool is looking pretty weak actually. Could def see them punting until 2021

[DanH]

Out of curiosity, out of that list who would you guys have chosen for one more playoff run with this team. Damn I may chose Marc over all of them for his defense and intangibles.

Horford is probably the only one there with a strong argument. The JV fanboy in me would put him second, but the line is probably between first and second so...

[DanH]

I don’t think an extension is necessary, if Kawhi resigns then we see how this next year goes and decide from there.

Theres no reason to commit to a 34 year old centre

There could certainly be a reason. For example, if Kawhi asks for it when he's deciding if he wants to re-sign and for how long.

Also, if they want to punt on 2020 free agency, and hunt 2021 free agents, moving their expirings to 2021 now would be a good move - hard to get guys to re-up for only one year in FA.