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Grange on NBA: Casey’s contribution |
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. Michael Grange will provide insight and analysis on all the top stories in sports. Leave any suggestions in the comment box. Posted in nba, raptors, Uncategorized | Comments Off
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Raptors hire ex-76ers GM Stefanski |
The Toronto Raptors have hired Ed Stefanski as executive vice president of basketball operations. Stefanski was hired Wednesday and will report to Raptors president and general manager Bryan Colangelo. Stefanski was fired last week as general manager of the Philadelphia 76ers and had mixed results in four seasons, signing Elton Brand and Andre Iguodala to $80 million US contracts and firing coach Eddie Jordan after one 27-win season. Stefanski hired Doug Collins, who led the Sixers to the playoffs last season, but it was too late to save his job. Before he joined the 76ers, Stefanksi spent nine seasons with the Nets. He was promoted to general manager of the club in the summer of 2004 following a one-year stint as the team’s senior vice president of basketball operations and four seasons as the team’s director of scouting. Subscribe to our feed!. |
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Toronto Raptors hire ex-76ers GM Stefanski as… |
TORONTO — The Toronto Raptors have hired Ed Stefanski as executive vice president of basketball operations. Stefanski was hired Wednesday. He will report to Raptors president and general manager Bryan Colangelo. Stefanski was fired last week as general manager of the Philadelphia 76ers. He had mixed results in four seasons, signing Elton Brand and Andre Iguodala to $80 million contracts and firing coach Eddie Jordan after one 27-win season. Stefanski hired Doug Collins, who led the Sixers to the playoffs last season, but it was too late to save his job. Before he joined the 76ers, Stefanksi spent nine seasons with the Nets. He was promoted to general manager of the club in the summer of 2004 following a one-year stint as the team’s senior vice president of basketball operations and four seasons as the team’s director of scouting. Copyright 2011 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed. What do you guys think about this. |
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Raptors’ Barbosa signs with Brazilian team |
The Associated Press Posted:Aug 18, 2011 5:50 PM ET Last Updated:Aug 18, 2011 5:50 PM ET
Toronto Raptors guard Leandro Barbosa has signed a deal to play in his native Brazil. Barbosa signed with Rio de Janeiro-based club Flamengo. The deal includes a clause that would allow him to return to the NBA if the lockout ends. A statement on Flamengo’s website says Barbosa signed Thursday. Details of the deal weren’t released. Barbosa averaged 13.3 points, 2.1 assists and 24.1 minutes in 58 games last season — his first in Toronto. He made US$7.1 million last season and was second on the team in 3-point shooting. The 28-year-old Barbosa, who’s in his eighth year in the NBA, was voted 2006-07 NBA Sixth Man of the Year while with the Phoenix Suns. Gotta run!. |
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Toronto needs to avoid Pritchard and look at… |
Written byThe Sports Network Toronto, Canada (Sports Network) – Add Kevin Pritchard to the list of
The former Portland Trailblazers GM joins Ed Stefanski, Jeff Bower and Dennis
Pritchard’s time in Portland wasn’t the longest but it was quite successful,
The young core of LaMarcus Aldridge, Brandon Roy and Nicolas Batum has
With that in mind, Pritchard’s arrival would be pretty exciting for Raptors
Toronto already hired a GM much like Pritchard back in 2006 in Bryan
Both Pritchard and Colangelo are control freaks with strong personalities. If
It has been reported in the past that the reason for Pritchard’s departure
The hire that the Raptors president should make is one that can create synergy
As the current assistant GM of the San Antonio Spurs, Lindsey would bring some
A Lindsey selection would also make sense, as he’ll work well with Colangelo
Lastly, and perhaps most importantly, the reason why Lindsey should be the
Lindsey may not be the sexiest pick, but he seems like the right one. If the The Sports Network You Might Be Interested InGotta run!. |
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Barbosa made US$7.1 million last season and was second on the team in 3-point shooting.
