HassamZafar9

Its been a few days into free agency "season", several teams have already changed their rosters in accordance to the direction they're headed, and the goals they want to achieve. Teams with major signings this year can be counted out of the free agency race next year, unless they've been holding onto key financial assets over their last few seasons. Teams like the Heat, Knicks, Cavs, Houston (If T-Mac isn't dealt) come to mind. The Raptors seem to be an intriguing team, they traded away Jermaine O' Neal, to acquire Shawn Marion and ultimately: Salary Cap flexibility "this summer" but.. Why was this needed? Carlos Delfino was a restricted free agent, as were Anthony Parker and Joey Graham. Had they wanted to resign any/all of them, they could have gone over their salary cap to do so. As the free agency period goes by, Raptor fans hear Trevor Ariza accepting to sign with the Rockets for the Mid-Level Exception, Ron Artest verbally admitting that he plans on signing with the Lakers. They also learn that Charlie Villanueva & Ben Gordon agree to sign with the Pistons. When will we hear people agreeing to sign with the Raptors?


Most people forget that B.C. isn't as bad as our team was last season. He helped get this franchise back up on its feet after V.C. ditched us. He made our team overachieve for 2 straight seasons, followed by making the right move on "paper". Trading TJ seemed beneficial (I do think that they should have traded away Jose), and getting J.O. got our hopes up. Things didn't go as planned, so he brought in Shawn Marion, for about the same price. So look at it this way: we traded away TJ Ford for Shawn Marion, seems like a pretty good trade to me. B.C. hasn't pulled anything yet, but as teams continue to sign players, the competition for the Raptors decreases. Hedo Turkoglu, and Shawn Marion remain free agents, while there are only 3 teams actively searching for players like the 2 mentioned above. Bucks, Blazers, and Raptors. If the blazers work out extensions for Aldridge and Roy, like they plan on doing. They won't be able to offer an long a contract for the Hedo or Marion. Anything can happen, but it seems more and more likely that 1 of the two, Marion or Hedo will fall to us, preferably Hedo.

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Torontosaurus

I just hope we get one of these two in this order: Marion, Hedo

Does anyone know if Bucks made an offer to Sessions yet? He seemed like an up and coming pg, haven't watched many of his games though

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B-RAD

only people who are looking at the old run and gun raptor. the new defensively minded and tough Raptors all want shawn marion and not that defensive liability hedo turkoglu.

For those of you who want Hedo Turkoglu as a raptor. QUIT LIVING IN THE PAST!!

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oneironaught

The future is now! Soon every American home will integrate their television, phone and computer. You'll be able to visit the Louvre on one channel, or watch female wrestling on another. You can do your shopping at home, or play Mortal Kombat with a friend from Vietnam. There's no end to the possibilities!

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B-RAD

The future is now! Soon every American home will integrate their television, phone and computer. You'll be able to visit the Louvre on one channel, or watch female wrestling on another. You can do your shopping at home, or play Mortal Kombat with a friend from Vietnam. There's no end to the possibilities![/quote]

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HassamZafar9

Running and gunning only took phoenix so far, and now they gave up their chance of winning it all, when Amare was healthier, and nash was in his prime.. And MArion was amazing.. Now they're low on fuel, If we go the same way, we'll end up like them. I want the Raptors to win it all, not be the most entertaining team in the league and still fall short. Running n gunning only works when you're athletic and tough, not when you have Bosh & Bargnani, and Jose Calderon. A team with such flexible bigs should make some well organized "plays" and run the halfcourt game.

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Bmats7

Um... we didn't trade TJ for Shawn..

It was TJ Rasho Hibbert and a first right? Not to mention we got Banks' bad contract back with marion.

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Apollo

Hedo is not the answer if its going to cost $10/M over five years. That's going to hurt after three and he's breaking down.

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Formless

Add in a team option and shorten the deal to 4 years

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RAPMAN

I'm hoping Hedo signs with Portland, so Raptors can finally makes some moves. I think Raptors have not made any signings because BC wants to remain in the Hedo race.

This is the best year to have Cap Space. Its a buyer's market with good selection of players to pick from with little competition. Can you imagine next year, there are going to so many teams with cap space, outbidding each other and driving up the price of the elite players. I'm suprised the Raptors haven't made a push for Josh Childress. Yesterday, Childress was in Milawuakee to meet with Bucks personnel. It shows Childress is considering about moving out of Atlanta. If Marion doesn't want to sign, getting a younger Childress with a cheaper contract.

Childress, Keliza, Derozan, Delfino

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gdaytday

How does wanting Hedo over Marion equate to me living in the past? Marion is very versatile on D which is what I like most about him but he's a liability on offence. His 7 foot, two handed, from the belly, floaters make me cringe.

I would be happy with either Hedo or Marion but if we're talking for similar money then it's Hedo all the way. He can score, he plays well in the clutch, he handles the ball incredibly well for his size and can even play some point....and his defence isn't as bad as everyone likes to make it out to be.

How many close games did we lose last year? Adding Hedo takes the some pressure off of Bosh in that it adds one more capable scorer at the end of the game. With Marion, opponents have the ability to really tighten up on Bosh down the stretch and we all saw how "clutch" Bosh was late in games last year. When there are no surprises and only one guy to worry about it's a lot easier to play D.

Which of these two guys production drops off first? The 30 yr old who's strongest attributes are his defence which is based on his athleticism and who's game is already on the decline...or the 30 year old who's game is based on his size, skill, and intelligence who's just had his best year.

Don't fire capitalized insults just because I like one player over another. I think Hedo would be an immediate help to the Raptors right now...and I don't see how that is living in the past.

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Jakkal

I'd still go with Marion. Raptors need Defense more then they need more Offence.

Turkoglu
MIN/G PPG REB/G AST/G FG %
36.6 16.8 5.3 4.9 41.3

Marion
MIN/G PPG REB/G AST/G FG %
35.8 12.9 8.5 2.0 48.5

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bladeraptor

I'd take marion anyday of the week over turk. defense is the key between them. i think marion was introducing a good style when he came in, and i for one would like it to continue.

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GrannyFro

ugg, the 41% shooting makes me sick. whats turk gonna do other then bring down the FG% of the team

i agree with the defence plus just the offensive style. even at 30, marion can still fly end to end for the easy flush. plus his block and steal a game help ignite the fastbreaks

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Formless

I think you're missing one important fact:
He gets to the FT line.

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HassamZafar9

Look at turkoglu's FG % in the fourth quarter, and tell me.. Ho wmany games did we LOOSE in the fourth?

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Jakkal

Quite a few but mostly because the bench couldn't score at the end of the third and beginning of 4th.

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gdaytday

That may be true...but Bosh also couldn't score in the final two minutes...we were so predictable. Dribble up the floor, get it to Bosh in the post (he would get shoved out by his defender and not have good position when he did get it), then he'd get doubled...try to make a move, trip, and turn the ball over to the other team.

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n30tokyo

why are we still talking about Turkeyglue when 80% of the people prefer Marion? no way in hell i'd owe him 10mil/yr; he's no Kobe.

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