Toronto Trying To Land Amare

[Tim W.]

Yeah, I find it terribly odd that amidst all the defense/leadership/centerpiece status (or lack thereof) talk, the very same fans want us to go after players that don't match their own criteria. So I take it max money Amare can apparently be the man on this team? That David Lee/Elton Brand/Al Jefferson is also apparently a good defender.

It's gotten so bad that on another thread, a couple of people were actually arguing in favour of Beasley over Bosh.

All season long, people complained about the Raptors lack of defense, the lack of leadership from Bosh and the fact that they don't want the Raptors to overpay him. Yet people are so scared of losing Bosh's production they'll make a deal with the devil to get it back, ever in lesser form. Sure, Amare, Jefferson or whoever won't help one major problem the Raptors had last year, never mind actually improve them. At least the Raptors fans can pretend that little has changed.

These are the types of moves that scared GMs do, fearful of losing their job. If they can just keep enough talent around, no one will notice that the team actually isn't going anywhere. At least his job is safe.

I'm actually now looking forward to the rebuilding process. Ed Davis, Amir Johnson, Sonny Weems, DeMar DeRozan and even Marco Belinelli are some nice young players that should help the team on both ends of the floor. I look forward to watching them develop and watch the team acquire the right types of players. Sure, the wins won't be aplenty, but the future will certainly look a lot brighter.

[Priest]

Well its a longshot if we land amare but if we do its a good step towards building a new team. He isnt exactly a defensive presence but maybe his presence would attract other players to the team, or BC might get some intriguing offers for his services come deadline day.

[hateslosing]

Can you sat worst defense in the history of the league? Amare, while I do like his game, is not someone we want in Toronto.

[Quixotic]

Yeah, I find it terribly odd that amidst all the defense/leadership/centerpiece status (or lack thereof) talk, the very same fans want us to go after players that don't match their own criteria. So I take it max money Amare can apparently be the man on this team? That David Lee/Elton Brand/Al Jefferson is also apparently a good defender.

[Apollo]

Riley pitched Amare on joining Wade and James? Bosh going elsewhere now? Funny.

In terms of the Raptors, I'm all for Amare coming here. Bosh isn't that much better than Amare.

[Tim W.]

turning over a new leaf would be a point

How would that be turning over a new leaf? Amare is older, not as good a rebounder and plays worse defense than Bosh. Basically, it would take them back where they were before, but a worse defensively. Ya, that's turning over a new leaf.

Turning over a new leaf is not taking back any players who aren't, at the very least, above average defensively.

[LBF]

h, god. I hope Toronto isn't in the mix. What would be the point?

turning over a new leaf would be a point

[Tim W.]

h, god. I hope Toronto isn't in the mix. What would be the point?

[Hotshot]

I highly doubt Toronto is in the mix to try to land Amare' since they have more chances of landing Bosh.

[Doc]

This courtesy of Ric Bucher from ESPN:

Amare Stoudemire now appears to be a long shot to return to Phoenix after opting out of the last year of his contract and negotiations on a new deal with Suns owner Robert Sarver broke off late Tuesday night, a source said.

Stoudemire is now in the mix of free-agent power forwards being pursued by the Miami Heat, Chicago Bulls, New Jersey Nets and New York Knicks.

The Houston Rockets, Dallas Mavericks and Toronto Raptors also are looking at potential sign-and-trade scenarios that could land Stoudemire.

Heat president Pat Riley met with Stoudemire last night and pitched Stoudemire on joining LeBron James and Dwyane Wade with the Heat, a source said.

All three would have to sign similar five-year deals starting at roughly $15 million, less than they could make on sign-and-trade deals.

Source - Click here