| 
Why do the Toronto Raptors stink so good? Vol. Bosh or Bargs By John Nguyen
02.26.2009 - Updated on 02.26.2009
|
A question was raised. It was “who suffered a worse breakdown? This year’s Raptors or last season’s Bulls?
I didn’t hesitate. It’s the Chicago Bulls of 2007-2008 because they were picked to go to the Eastern Conference Finals, and in the season before that, they made it to the second round. During the crash, they did not have any direction, the coach and players lost confidence in each other, contract talks, trade talks, selfishness, and regression all exposed them. They regressed all together into a lottery team.
The Toronto Raptors of 2008-2009 is experiencing similar stuff. They lack any direction, players and coach lost support in each other, Bosh’s 2010 plans, Jermaine O’Neal experiment ending in utter failure, and lack of effort exposed them. Don’t worry, T-Dot. Look on the bright side. You don’t really need a number one pick when you already have one with Andrea Bargnani. Just look! He’s turning the corner! He doesn’t look like Bustnani anymore. You still have Chris Bosh, too. This tandem creates more problems than answers though.
Who are you going build around? Continue with Bosh or start around Bargnani?
Bryan Colangelo cannot keep both because Bosh has already made some murmur about opting out. You know the cliché. Where there’s smoke, there’s fire. Besides, Bosh and Bargnani cannot work together because neither of them is good defensively. They’re proving that this season with one of the worst records in the league with a current record of 23-36. Would you even want to see this squad in the playoffs? It’s better to lock yourself up with a top 10 pick, no? You can finally land that talented wing man you were looking for.
Yet honestly, die hard Raps fans…do you see this squad 2 years from now with Chris Bosh? As an outsider, I don’t. If his body language and effort doesn’t tell you what he’s thinking then there’s nothing left to show that could be more evident. Truth is Toronto had 5 seasons to build a playoff contender around Bosh and it hasn’t happened. Cut your losses; trade Bosh once this miserable season ends and start a new path with Bargnani. I’m pretty sure Bosh doesn’t want to resign so just bite the bullet. Don’t bank on resigning him. That would be a stupid move. Try to get a quality defensive center, a tough defensive minded role player, and top 10 pick through this trade. I’m guessing this trade should go down on draft night to get maximum value. This way, the Raptors would be able to build quickly around Bargs. C’mon, don’t knock it.
Think about it. Colangelo would be getting two top 10 players in the draft (even if it is a weak draft class) with 2 additional players coming back in some 3 way trade. Notice that I’m emphasizing defense. Jose Calderon can’t change gears like TJ Ford either and he can’t run a fast break. Let’s look at the other problems on why this season’s squad has been a train wreck:
- Soft
- No defense
- No quality shooting guard
- No Jorge Garbajosa
- Not enough consistent outside shooting.
- O’Neal being too injured to get any chemistry going.
On another note, Shawn Marion is another problem. Do you give him his deal he’s looking for? The thing with Marion is he thinks he’s really good now to warrant that big deal. Common sense says that’s not true. He’s aging. He’s no longer the all star he was in Phoenix. He’s gradually declining. Someone please tell Marion this. He’s currently getting a little bit over $17 million just for this season courtesy of ShamSports.com. If he wants a $17 million plus per season deal, let him walk. Don’t even think about crying. Save that money for 2010.
So what would you do? Retool around Bosh again or start anew with Bargnani?
[image:http://www.flickr.com/photos/hz536n/2840907622/] |
| | |
Posted by
credo
on 02.28.2009 | I think that dating back to the trade deadline, the rumours swirling aound amare stoudamire and what not, i was hoping that it might happen and that somehow he’d land in toronto for chris bosh. amare would be the answer for toronto’s lack of "toughness." not to mention he is a pretty strong force, he dunks in everyone’s faces more than bosh does. but that was just my opinion. what do you guys think? . | Posted by
Jack
on 02.28.2009 | I’m with you on this one John. Good article. . | Posted by
on 02.27.2009 | trade bosh ..youre right . | Posted by
J.Nguyen
on 02.27.2009 | That’s cool. I still press that Bosh/Barg will not work because both of them as a tandem is SOFT. While you guys assert that Bargs is becoming a good defender, he still has a LONG way to go. It wasn’t that long ago that many of you labeled Andrea as a bust anyway. It takes a few years to become a solid defender when Bargs didn’t even show ONE sign of it in his first 2.5 years in this league.
As for Chris Bosh, his time is probably done as a Raptor. 5 seasons or not, Toronto had more than enough time to build around and you guys couldn’t get it done. I’d rather just build around Bargnani since he’s arrived. He’s more offensively diverse than Bosh; kinda Dirk-ish in a way. That’s what you guys envisioned anyway. And what other way to build quickly? Trade Bosh to acquire those pieces. . | Posted by
Raptors-Fan
on 02.26.2009 | I agree with Chutney. Bargnani actually gets praised for his defense, even on off nights on the offensive end. For once I think Nyguen is right. Trade bosh and start over around Bargnani. If we could get 2 top 10 draft picks and draft Stephen Curry + Aminu or even, *gasp*, blake griffen, we’d be a good team moving forward. . | Posted by
Chutney
on 02.26.2009 | "Besides, Bosh and Bargnani cannot work together because neither of them is good defensively. They’re proving that this season with one of the worst records in the league with a current record of 23-36.": Is that really how you back up such bold assertions? Bargnani’s actually a pretty capable defender and, at 23, he has a lot of room to improve. Bosh isn’t much of a defender, but he’s an excellent defensive rebounder. They are an unorthodox pair, but you can win with them provided you surround them with the right complementary pieces. . | Posted by
on 02.26.2009 | resign: to quitre-sign: to sign again . | Posted by
Solo
on 02.26.2009 | As much I hate the idea of loosing another Star player due to contract renewal. Nguyen did made a very good semi correct point. I don’t believe its has been 5 years building around him, as his first year is a rookie flying under VC, then half way to his second season the trade of VC for nothing back disturbed his growth, the most I can agree is 3 years on the helm. But then he got new coach and new manager during that period of stretch, so is it really Bosh or is it something else ? On the other hand, in Bosh’s mind, it has been 3 years of trying and all he got is a big nothing. What is on his mind, only he can tell. As for CB playing with AB, I don’t see a problem, CB is not T-Mac, he never demand the spot light, and he seems to play well under the team first concept for 2 years, I think we should look at it from another point of view, now finally someone can take the load off his shoulder on nights that he is not performing. See how Paul Pearce did with Ray and KG , on a bad night he can score nothing for 3 quater and explode on 4th, trust me, I know, I am from Toronto, and you can check the record what he did on one of the home game here.I say BC should stay put for the off season, focus on signing Marion and not put the pressure on CB. . | Posted by
pete
on 02.26.2009 | It sounds crazy, but I would prefer to keep Bargnani. He has a much better outside shot so he has more space to drive, which he has just learned. Also, he has much more room to grow defensively, he has made huge strides, and he appears to be a little more clutch. He is also a better passer. However, I would wait until next year, because he is not a proven commodity like bosh is. Maybe trading Bosh for a good wing-man (I;m really reaching, but Joe Johnson, maybe Rudy g--and other bits) then drafting Hasheem Thabeet as the defensive centre. SIgn Delfino in free agency and get a defensive backup point. If its reasonable, re-sign Marion. This would make a much more balanced and better team. . |
No profanity or inaproppriate remarks. All i.p. addresses will be saved and abuse/hate posts will be reported to providers and authorities as part of the anti-spam act of 2003, thank you for posting comments on the articles only. | | | |
| | | |
|  | | | | | NBA Features | | | | | | |
|
|
