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Forget ESPN rumours, Grange at SportsNet telling it like it is for the Raptors

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  • Forget ESPN rumours, Grange at SportsNet telling it like it is for the Raptors

    27CDB6E-AE6D-11cf-96B8-444553540000" codebase="http://download.macromedia.com/pub/shockwave/cabs/flash/swflash.cab#version=9,0,47,0">

    Dwane Casey may have already made his most important coaching contribution of the season.

    With the accelerated NBA free agent period already in high gear, don't expect the Toronto Raptors to be making plays for the handful of big name prizes out there.

    And according to those familiar with the team's mindset at the moment, the Raptors newly hired coach is good with that.

    "He supports this," was how one insider put it.


    Now, that may sound redundant. Despite the potential cap space the Raptors could have at hand - as much as $17-million if they took advantage of the new collective bargaining agreement's amnesty provision to make unwelcome contracts go 'poof' - it's hard to imagine the franchise attracting top talent now.

    Casey may have forged a strong bond with free agent centre Tyson Chandler in Dallas over the past season, but strong enough for the 29-year-old defensive whiz to leave a championship team in Dallas for an uncertain present in Toronto?

    Unlikely. There was a report Thursday that the Raptors would be active in pursuit of the likes of Chandler as well as Nene, the free agent from the Denver Nuggets, and Marc Gasol, a restricted free agent centre who played with the Memphis Grizzlies. All will command contracts beginning at $50-million and heading straight up from there.

    But the sense around the Raptors now is a splashy move is far off the radar at this stage. Even if there were an option to "get in the game" on the sexy free agents, the team's brain trust is focusing on building, rather than re-building.

    Translated: Look for free agent moves or trades that will have minimal impact on the long-term. Instead look for moves to fill out the roster or provide a look at a potential development piece. In general, expect an effort from the team to encourage the fan base to be patient as president Bryan Colangelo uses this year and next to position the club for long-term success.


    Newcomers will likely be brought in on one-year deals, although there might be an exception made for a veteran who could help Casey communicate the former Mavericks defensive specialist's message on that side of the ball.

    Chuck Hayes, the undersized centre by way of the Houston Rockets might get a look, as could Jason Collins, who veteran Raptors fans will remember for neutralizing Chris Bosh during the 2006-07 playoffs when Collins was with the Nets.

    That Casey is onboard for a longer term approach is significant. It's his resume that will bear the brunt of the wins and losses this year.

    And while you'll never hear anyone associated with an NBA team throw words like 'tanking' around - that's for the guys like me -there is an acknowledgement that competing in a top-heavy Eastern Conference will require some significant talent infusion best achieved through the draft.

    Accepting short-term pain for a long-term payoff is risky - drafts being by their nature uncertain - and also a departure by Colangelo, who has typically embraced the challenge of rebuilding on the fly.

    That Casey has bought in will only help.

    But coming off a 22-60 season and with their first overall pick, Jonas Valancuinas playing in Europe and looking at a 2011-12 campaign that will be two months shorter than the norm, it's a perfect time to hit the reset button.

    Like most NBA talent evaluators Colangelo and executive vice-president of basketball operations Ed Stefanski were expected to be in Lexington Saturday to watch the University of Kentucky host the University of North Carolina.

    Raptors fans should pay close attention to the Wildcats' Anthony Davis and the Tar Heels' Harrison Barnes - the Raptors decision makers doubtless will be.

    If accepting another losing season is going to be worthwhile the payoff will need to be in the form of a high pick in a deep draft and the addition of a franchise-changing type talent. Barnes and Davis may just qualify.

    Does it have to a long slog through the bottom of the NBA to get back to respectability?

    Not necessarily. Colangelo, remember, only managed to gain a two-year contract extension so he'll be motivated to show progress sooner than later. He's not the type to take the long way 'round anyway.

    Passing on long-term contract commitments at this stage could set the Raptors up well a year from now, when - if the amnesty provision were in play - they could have as much as $24-million of space under the salary cap.

    As well, Valancuinas would be available to them, along with whoever they manage to land in what again is considered a deep, talented draft.


    In place already are the likes of DeMar DeRozan and Ed Davis.

    It's not a playoff team, but it's a base of talent worth building on.

    There's hope in that.
    Source: Michael Grange, SportsNet.ca
    Last edited by mcHAPPY; Sat Dec 3, 2011, 08:44 AM.

  • #2
    I'm not always a fan of Grange's but this is a very well-written article.

    Comment


    • #3
      http://www.sportsnet.ca/basketball/2.../grange_casey/

      But the sense around the Raptors now is a splashy move is far off the radar at this stage. Even if there were an option to "get in the game" on the sexy free agents, the team's brain trust is focusing on building, rather than re-building.

      Translated: Look for free agent moves or trades that will have minimal impact on the long-term. Instead look for moves to fill out the roster or provide a look at a potential development piece. In general, expect an effort from the team to encourage the fan base to be patient as president Bryan Colangelo uses this year and next to position the club for long-term success.

      Newcomers will likely be brought in on one-year deals, although there might be an exception made for a veteran who could help Casey communicate the former Mavericks defensive specialist's message on that side of the ball.

      Chuck Hayes, the undersized centre by way of the Houston Rockets might get a look, as could Jason Collins, who veteran Raptors fans will remember for neutralizing Chris Bosh during the 2006-07 playoffs when Collins was with the Nets.
      Music to my ears. I can't wait for the season to start and put and end to the FA rumours. I don't want any of 'em!
      Definition of Statistics: The science of producing unreliable facts from reliable figures.

      Comment


      • #4
        Boy, I hope what Grange is saying is true. If this is truly the case, then Bryan should really be trying to acquire another lottery pick in 2012 - I don't care how he does it, but he needs to try and get another one.

        We have chips to help do that - Bargnani, Barbosa, TPE. Heck I'd even give up Bayless, Amir or even Ed for a high lottery pick.

        I'm living in a dream world, but I'd love to have both Anthony Davis and Barnes/Miller. AFAIK, Bryan has never once tried to acquire a second pick in the lottery before. So this is definitely a pipe dream.

        Comment


        • #5
          planetmars wrote: View Post
          Boy, I hope what Grange is saying is true. If this is truly the case, then Bryan should really be trying to acquire another lottery pick in 2012 - I don't care how he does it, but he needs to try and get another one.

          We have chips to help do that - Bargnani, Barbosa, TPE. Heck I'd even give up Bayless, Amir or even Ed for a high lottery pick.

          I'm living in a dream world, but I'd love to have both Anthony Davis and Barnes/Miller. AFAIK, Bryan has never once tried to acquire a second pick in the lottery before. So this is definitely a pipe dream.

          I endorse this post.

          Personally I'd put Miller ahead of Barnes. I think Barnes will be a great pro and have a fabulous career but Miller, in my opinion, will be a star.

          The team to target, in my opinion, is Utah. They already have two rookies this year (Kanter/Burks) along with two second years (Haywood/Favors) and they have 2 draft picks in 2012 (their own and top 7 protected GSW). I'm not sure what the Raptors could offer besides financial relief. However I'm not sure that is a huge concern with $65M guaranteed to 11 players with the only need being a back up PG and Okur coming off the books next year with Harris/Jefferson/Millsap the year after. The Jazz really are positioned well to not only compete now but get better fast.

          Comment


          • #6
            Damn Bargs looks like he is in 2007
            NBADoppelgangers.tumblr.com

            Comment


            • #7
              Matt52 wrote: View Post
              27CDB6E-AE6D-11cf-96B8-444553540000" codebase="http://download.macromedia.com/pub/shockwave/cabs/flash/swflash.cab#version=9,0,47,0">



              Source: Michael Grange, SportsNet.ca
              This Michael Grange guy is such a hater, he is nothing more than a media personality and his comments should be taken as such. That being said, their is a significant possibility things could play out exactly how he is saying. With us picking up cheap defensive role players like brown, pryzbilla, collins, to beef up the C position and that is about it. Either way I cant wait for the season to start.
              "Defense wins championships."

              Comment


              • #8
                There has been so much contradictory info/innuendo regarding what the team is going to do. Hope this is the case. As a matter of fact BC should be pursuing at least one high draft pick with the same vigour he might have pursuing an expensive free agent. In the next year I would pursue the older/2nd tier free agent (think a Battier/Allen of the Grizz type) to roundoff the team of young athletic and talented studs.

                Comment


                • #9
                  SuperRaptor wrote: View Post
                  This Michael Grange guy is such a hater, he is nothing more than a media personality and his comments should be taken as such. That being said, their is a significant possibility things could play out exactly how he is saying. With us picking up cheap defensive role players like brown, pryzbilla, collins, to beef up the C position and that is about it. Either way I cant wait for the season to start.
                  A hater? How on earth do you get that? Grange is probably one of the most respected and knowledgable writers covering the Raptors. He never comes across as a mouthpiece for the organization (cough**Doug Smith**cough) and always seem to know what he's talking about. Just because you disagree with someone's viewpoints, that's not enough of a reason to call them a hater
                  Read my blog, The Picket Fence. Guaranteed to make you think or your money back!
                  Follow me on Twitter.

                  Comment


                  • #10
                    Tim W. wrote: View Post
                    A hater? How on earth do you get that? Grange is probably one of the most respected and knowledgable writers covering the Raptors. He never comes across as a mouthpiece for the organization (cough**Doug Smith**cough) and always seem to know what he's talking about. Just because you disagree with someone's viewpoints, that's not enough of a reason to call them a hater
                    Tim you should know by now if you don't where blinders or rose coloured glasses your a hater.

                    So much hating to do, so little time.......

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                    • #11
                      I like Miller and Barnes too but have you guys watched Kidd-Gilchrist play? He's going to be something really special.
                      @sweatpantsjer

                      Comment


                      • #12
                        Miller is just the kind of guy we need. He has the swag and confidence we really lack on this team.

                        Comment


                        • #13
                          e2thed wrote: View Post
                          Damn Bargs looks like he is in 2007
                          Is that a good thing or a bad thing?

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                          • #14
                            ceez wrote: View Post
                            I like Miller and Barnes too but have you guys watched Kidd-Gilchrist play? He's going to be something really special.
                            I do not mean this to be a derogatory statement but I see Kidd-Gilchrist as a Luol Deng type player - great third option and really good defensive wing player.

                            Comment


                            • #15
                              Matt52 wrote: View Post
                              I do not mean this to be a derogatory statement but I see Kidd-Gilchrist as a Luol Deng type player - great third option and really good defensive wing player.
                              I saw my first ncaa game this year this aft. ...the UK-NC game....impressive for this early in the season and no doubt because of the talent on the floor. I thought Gilchrist was one of the players who stood out for myself....quick and athletic on both sides of the ball. Never saw Deng at his age but Gilchrist definitely seems like a mid lottery area pick and probably the second best (close) SF after Barnes. imHo.

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