Raptors Ink Ukic To Three-year Deal

FarSight · 07-16-2008, 05:32 PM

Toronto has officially singed Ukic

http://www.tsn.ca/nba/story/?id=2435...headlines_main

MikeToronto · 07-16-2008, 05:36 PM

Yay, we now have signed two 41st draft picks in a row!!!

Official presser: http://www.nba.com/raptors/news/rokoukic_071608.html

thriller92 · 07-16-2008, 05:44 PM

Ukic definately has the skills to become a solid NBA PG. Hopefully he learns the NBA game quick and can fill in right away with his very solid pick and roll skills and kick out game. His length should give opposing PGs a lot of trouble too.

In saying all this, I'd still look into getting a Tyronn Lue type vet PG just incase Roko isnt ready JUST yet.

MikeToronto · 07-16-2008, 05:55 PM

Let's look again at that 12-men roster we have under contract at the moment:

PG - Calderon (Ukic)
SG - Parker (Adams, Ukic, Graham)
SF - Moon (Kapono, Graham, Bargnani)
PF - Bosh (Bargnani, Humphries)
C - O'Neal (Bargnani, Jawai)

Considering how close they are to the luxury tax territory, that's pretty much it, folks. Sure, they will look hard into moving pieces like Hump or Graham while trying to upgrade one of the wing positions, but that's highly unlikely and they simply cannot take any more salary back in a trade, not even 10% allowed. So, I can see BC waiting for the dust to settle, picking up one of the available vets at PG position on a minimum contract and starting the season with 13 men roster. I doubt Lue will be that guy, though.

Thug · 07-16-2008, 07:18 PM

Wow, they signed him for 3 years? Other than that this move is not really surprising, I was expecting to have him as our backup PG but 3 years? I thought he would get more like a 2 year contract or 1. Oh well, good to have Roko on board nonetheless.

**•LX•** · 07-16-2008, 07:18 PM

They are holding a spot for a combo guard. That's what Sam said at the Jose signing. I guess that could change, but I would imagine they have someone in mind.

Superjudge · 07-16-2008, 07:34 PM

Obviously he's good enough that they dont wanna get into a situation where after a year they have to break the bank to keep him

this is a good thing

**Claudius** · 07-16-2008, 08:58 PM

I've watched him play closely and I think he's going to be a very good player as his range on his jump shot has improved.

My only concern with him is his style of play may irk some. He likes to be flashy at times and I don't know how this might go over with Smitch. But the nicest thing about his game is that he uses his size effectively and his reach. If his foot speed increases just a bit then I think we could have a very good defender at PG which is something we haven't had since Alvin Williams?

Major · 07-16-2008, 11:16 PM

Sweet. I like the 3-year deal. The pieces are finally starting to fall into the right place now. We've all been waiting a very long time to see this kid play in the NBA.

Welcome to TO Roko

LocalWoot · 07-16-2008, 11:23 PM

so this is where I predict that Ukic will be our 6th man by mid season.

Top 6th man i mean

Apollo · 07-16-2008, 11:38 PM

Here's to hoping that he can develop in a similar fashion as to Calderon... Although I think he's going to turn out to be a Marko Jaric type player; which would be great.

whizzy · 07-17-2008, 06:43 AM

Hi Guys,

I really like the addition of Roko. From what I saw and heard the last months/weeks he looks like he brings all the tools to be a solid NBA PG. His size and his passing skills can help us. Also his speed and his BB-IQ should help us to have a solid 2nd group.

I look forward to a backcourt of Roko and Hassan. We have athletic there, hustle and shooting/slashing as well.

So, great from Bryan to give him a 3 year deal. I look forward to the new season.

Welcome Roko in Toronto

Bye

Whizzy

**fancylad** · 07-17-2008, 07:43 AM

It's funny, eh? Raptors sign Calderon from Tau. Who do Tau replace him with? Roko Ukic. I guess this just seems like the logical next part of the equation.

I'm quite excited that Roko is finally going to be here. I see a lot of potential in him. As CG alluded to, hopefully Roko will bring more substance than flash and will respond well to Sam.

Oh, and hey Whizzy. I'll be in Vienna next week!

Major · 07-17-2008, 09:42 AM

Yeah that's funny stuff fancy, I didn't realize that.

So this obviously marks the end of our back-up PG search, what's next?

Snooch · 07-17-2008, 09:43 AM

Scoring Driving 2 guard who can be groomed to replace Parker

bartron_44 · 07-17-2008, 10:38 AM

I think we need a starting SF to replace Moon in our starting lineup. Don't get me wrong, I am a fan, but he shouldn't be a starter, at least not yet. He needs to improve his jump shot, and get a little more confortable going to the basket. He did seem to get better last year, but I still think he would be better served off the bench against a second unit. We could use Kapono in the starting lineup to keep the opposing D hones.......if he could stay in front anything on the wing an help out on the boards more.

Snooch · 07-17-2008, 10:49 AM

^^ I agree but I don't know how we could ever get a starting SF better than what the tandem of Moon and Kaps bring with what we could offer.

Dr. J. Naismith · 07-17-2008, 10:52 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bartron_44

I think we need a starting SF to replace Moon in our starting lineup. Don't get me wrong, I am a fan, but he shouldn't be a starter, at least not yet. He needs to improve his jump shot, and get a little more confortable going to the basket. He did seem to get better last year, but I still think he would be better served off the bench against a second unit. We could use Kapono in the starting lineup to keep the opposing D hones.......if he could stay in front anything on the wing an help out on the boards more.

Maybe its just me bart, but I think we should wait till maybe late November or December before we talk about replacing Moon in the starting line-up. Who knows, maybe with his training this summer he'll of improved his game ten fold. Improving your shot and being more aggressive on offense like attacking the hoop more often can be taught. So, he has all the tools to improve. Let's see how Moon does before we write him off this summer. JMO

bartron_44 · 07-17-2008, 11:27 AM

True, I still don't find him as a very good starter.....yet. If he can fix everything you mentioned, then I agree he would be a good SF. He can't gaurd the elite SF's...but then again, who can...lol....I love his higlight real potential!!!!

Dr. J. Naismith · 07-17-2008, 03:31 PM

I also love what new Raps assistant Gord Hebert had to say about Roko regarding this performance in the current Olympic qualifying tournament.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Michael Grange's Blog

Also this will be a good chance for Raptors fans to see Croatian guard Roko Ukic who will likely be an absolute nightmare for Canada's guards to handle given his size and quickness and penetrating ability. Herbert is high on Ukic who he coached against in Europe. "He's not afraid of taking big shots. He's very creative getting into the paint and he can make plays when he gets there. I think he has a chance to be a good NBA player."

Source - Click here

07-16-2008, 05:32 PM	#1 (permalink)
FarSight is dead inside. Junior Member Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: mississauga Posts: 26 Representing:	Raptors Ink Ukic To Three-year Deal Toronto has officially singed Ukic http://www.tsn.ca/nba/story/?id=2435...headlines_main

07-17-2008, 06:43 AM	#12 (permalink)
whizzy is dead inside. Junior Member Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Vienna Posts: 27 Representing:	Welcome Roko Hi Guys, I really like the addition of Roko. From what I saw and heard the last months/weeks he looks like he brings all the tools to be a solid NBA PG. His size and his passing skills can help us. Also his speed and his BB-IQ should help us to have a solid 2nd group. I look forward to a backcourt of Roko and Hassan. We have athletic there, hustle and shooting/slashing as well. So, great from Bryan to give him a 3 year deal. I look forward to the new season. Welcome Roko in Toronto Bye Whizzy

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07-16-2008, 05:36 PM	#2 (permalink)
MikeToronto is not a Twit The Gatekeeper Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Toronto Posts: 1,380 Representing:	Yay, we now have signed two 41st draft picks in a row!!! Official presser: http://www.nba.com/raptors/news/rokoukic_071608.html

07-16-2008, 05:44 PM	#3 (permalink)
thriller92 is thinking about whats to come. Calderon has eyes Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Ottawa Posts: 4,866 Representing:	Ukic definately has the skills to become a solid NBA PG. Hopefully he learns the NBA game quick and can fill in right away with his very solid pick and roll skills and kick out game. His length should give opposing PGs a lot of trouble too. In saying all this, I'd still look into getting a Tyronn Lue type vet PG just incase Roko isnt ready JUST yet.

07-16-2008, 05:55 PM	#4 (permalink)
MikeToronto is not a Twit The Gatekeeper Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Toronto Posts: 1,380 Representing:	Let's look again at that 12-men roster we have under contract at the moment: PG - Calderon (Ukic) SG - Parker (Adams, Ukic, Graham) SF - Moon (Kapono, Graham, Bargnani) PF - Bosh (Bargnani, Humphries) C - O'Neal (Bargnani, Jawai) Considering how close they are to the luxury tax territory, that's pretty much it, folks. Sure, they will look hard into moving pieces like Hump or Graham while trying to upgrade one of the wing positions, but that's highly unlikely and they simply cannot take any more salary back in a trade, not even 10% allowed. So, I can see BC waiting for the dust to settle, picking up one of the available vets at PG position on a minimum contract and starting the season with 13 men roster. I doubt Lue will be that guy, though.

07-16-2008, 07:18 PM	#5 (permalink)
Thug is in Houstatlantavegas Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Posts: 1,061 Representing:	Wow, they signed him for 3 years? Other than that this move is not really surprising, I was expecting to have him as our backup PG but 3 years? I thought he would get more like a 2 year contract or 1. Oh well, good to have Roko on board nonetheless.

07-16-2008, 07:18 PM	#6 (permalink)
•LX• is doing the laundry in his mind, and pocketing all the change he finds In the Paint Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Toronto Posts: 8,073 Representing:	They are holding a spot for a combo guard. That's what Sam said at the Jose signing. I guess that could change, but I would imagine they have someone in mind.

07-16-2008, 07:34 PM	#7 (permalink)
Superjudge is a Genius Meter. You're a bad guy Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: I live in Toronto. Posts: 7,367 Representing:	Obviously he's good enough that they dont wanna get into a situation where after a year they have to break the bank to keep him this is a good thing

07-16-2008, 08:58 PM	#8 (permalink)
Claudius is contemplating The Killing Joke Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Burkina Faso, Disputed Zone Posts: 5,875 Representing:	I've watched him play closely and I think he's going to be a very good player as his range on his jump shot has improved. My only concern with him is his style of play may irk some. He likes to be flashy at times and I don't know how this might go over with Smitch. But the nicest thing about his game is that he uses his size effectively and his reach. If his foot speed increases just a bit then I think we could have a very good defender at PG which is something we haven't had since Alvin Williams?

07-16-2008, 11:16 PM	#9 (permalink)
Major is dead inside. Senior Member, Eh? Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Toronto Posts: 1,640 Representing:	Sweet. I like the 3-year deal. The pieces are finally starting to fall into the right place now. We've all been waiting a very long time to see this kid play in the NBA. Welcome to TO Roko

07-16-2008, 11:23 PM	#10 (permalink)
LocalWoot is dead inside. Junior Member Join Date: Jul 2008 Posts: 14 Representing:	so this is where I predict that Ukic will be our 6th man by mid season. Top 6th man i mean

07-16-2008, 11:38 PM	#11 (permalink)
Apollo is a dick Banned Join Date: Jun 2008 Posts: 3,155 Representing:	Here's to hoping that he can develop in a similar fashion as to Calderon... Although I think he's going to turn out to be a Marko Jaric type player; which would be great.

07-17-2008, 07:43 AM	#13 (permalink)
fancylad is having less Olympic withdrawal seizures Oi! Oi! Oi! Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Toronto city Posts: 7,945 Representing:	It's funny, eh? Raptors sign Calderon from Tau. Who do Tau replace him with? Roko Ukic. I guess this just seems like the logical next part of the equation. I'm quite excited that Roko is finally going to be here. I see a lot of potential in him. As CG alluded to, hopefully Roko will bring more substance than flash and will respond well to Sam. Oh, and hey Whizzy. I'll be in Vienna next week!

07-17-2008, 09:42 AM	#14 (permalink)
Major is dead inside. Senior Member, Eh? Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Toronto Posts: 1,640 Representing:	Yeah that's funny stuff fancy, I didn't realize that. So this obviously marks the end of our back-up PG search, what's next?

07-17-2008, 09:43 AM	#15 (permalink)
Snooch is OK with hating Bosh, why not you? i's the b'y Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: In the Paint Posts: 6,933 Representing:	Scoring Driving 2 guard who can be groomed to replace Parker

07-17-2008, 10:38 AM	#16 (permalink)
bartron_44 is dead inside. Member Join Date: Jul 2008 Posts: 52 Representing:	I think we need a starting SF to replace Moon in our starting lineup. Don't get me wrong, I am a fan, but he shouldn't be a starter, at least not yet. He needs to improve his jump shot, and get a little more confortable going to the basket. He did seem to get better last year, but I still think he would be better served off the bench against a second unit. We could use Kapono in the starting lineup to keep the opposing D hones.......if he could stay in front anything on the wing an help out on the boards more.

07-17-2008, 10:49 AM	#17 (permalink)
Snooch is OK with hating Bosh, why not you? i's the b'y Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: In the Paint Posts: 6,933 Representing:	^^ I agree but I don't know how we could ever get a starting SF better than what the tandem of Moon and Kaps bring with what we could offer.

07-17-2008, 11:27 AM	#19 (permalink)
bartron_44 is dead inside. Member Join Date: Jul 2008 Posts: 52 Representing:	True, I still don't find him as a very good starter.....yet. If he can fix everything you mentioned, then I agree he would be a good SF. He can't gaurd the elite SF's...but then again, who can...lol....I love his higlight real potential!!!!