As Raptors fans, we’ve heard this so many times, I’ve lost count: “Players don’t want to sign in Toronto.” It is widely held that this is one of the main reasons that the Raptors have been unable to find success in their 15-year history. In order to see if this is an excuse we give ourselves to explain away years of bottom-feeding or a legitimate line of thinking, I thought I would take a look at teams that were at the top of the NBA heap last year. I will simply state whether their core guys, as well as their key contributors, were drafted, acquired through trade or signed via free agency from another team. I will only focus on how they were initially acquired (any re-signings will not be considered unless the player was moved and reacquired). For our purposes, any sign and trade will be considered a free-agent signing.
Boston Celtics: Ray Allen (trade), Kevin Garnett (trade), Rajon Rondo (drafted by the Phoenix Suns and traded to the Boston Celtics that summer), Paul Pierce (draft), Kendrick Perkins (drafted by the Grizzlies and traded to the Boston Celtics that summer), Glen Davis (drafted by the Supersonics and traded to Boston that summer).
Cleveland Cavaliers: LeBron James (draft), Antawn Jamison (trade), Shaquille O’Neal (free-agency), Anderson Varejao (drafted by the Orlando Magic then traded to the Cavs that summer), Anthony Parker (free-agency), Zydrunas Ilgauskas (drafted by the Cavs, played 12 seasons for them before being traded to the Wizards. Never played a game in Washington and was re-signed by the Cavs for relative loose change).
Dallas Mavericks: Dirk Nowitzki (drafted by the Bucks and traded to the Mavs that summer), Jason Kidd (trade), Shawn Marion (free-agency), Caron Butler (trade), Jason Terry (free-agency), Brendan Haywood (trade).
Denver Nuggets: Carmelo Anthony (draft), Chauncey Billups (trade), Nene (drafted by the Knicks then traded to the Nuggets that summer), Kenyon Martin (free-agency), Chris Anderson (free-agency), J.R. Smith (trade), Ty Lawson (drafted by the Timberwolves and traded to Denver that summer).
LA Lakers: Kobe Bryant (drafted by Charlotte and traded to the Lakers that summer), Pau Gasol (trade), Andrew Bynum (draft), Lamar Odom (trade), Ron Artest (free-agency), Derek Fisher (returned through free-agency but initially drafted by the Lakers).
Oklahoma City Thunder: Kevin Durant (draft), Russell Westbrook (draft), Jeff Green (drafted by the Celtics and traded to the Supersonics, now OKC, that summer), Serge Ibaka (draft), James Harden (draft).
Orlando Magic: Dwight Howard (draft), Jameer Nelson (drafted by the Nuggets and immediately traded to the Magic), Rashard Lewis (free-agency), Vince Carter (trade), Mickael Pietrus (free-agency), J.J. Redick (draft).
Phoenix Suns: Steve Nash (returned through free-agency but initially drafted by the Suns), Amar’e Stoudemire (draft), Jason Richardson (trade), Grant Hill (free-agency), Leandro Barbosa (drafted by the Spurs and traded to the Suns that summer), Goran Dragic (drafted by the Spurs and traded to the Suns that summer), Jared Dudley (trade), Channing Frye (free-agency).
San Antonio Spurs: Tim Duncan (draft), Tony Parker (draft), Manu Ginobili (draft), Richard Jefferson (trade), George Hill (draft), DeJuan Blair (draft).
Utah Jazz: Deron Williams (draft), Mehmet Okur (free-agency), Carlos Boozer (free-agency), Andrei Kirilenko (draft), Paul Millsap (draft), Wesley Matthews (undrafted rookie signing).
It’s important to note that only after of building a winner through the draft and trading that teams are easily able to plug holes through free-agent signings. Some examples of this are Rasheed Wallace with the Celtics, Grant Hill with the Suns, and Ron Artest with the Lakers.
I also decided to look at some of the notable players on this current Raptors squad and see how they were acquired (trade, draft, signing).
Toronto Raptors: Chris Bosh (draft), Andrea Bargnani (draft), DeMar DeRozan (draft), Amir Johnson (trade), Sonny Weems (trade), Jarrett Jack (free-agency), Hedo Turkoglu (free-agency), Jose Calderon (free-agency).
You’ll notice that the two, widely considered, worst contracts are Hedo’s and Jose’s (both of whom were signed via free-agency). With the exception of Jarrett Jack, the rest of the players who are considered valuable assets were either drafted or traded for by the Raptors.
This model isn’t limited to the NBA. To use the example of arguably the top three teams in the NHL, their top players last year were acquired through the draft. In Chicago, Jonathan Toews, Patrick Kane and Duncan Keith were drafted by the Blackhawks; in Pittsburgh, Sidney Crosby, Evgeni Malkin, Sergei Gonchar (before he left to Ottawa) and Jordan Staal were drafted by the Penguins; in Washington, Alexander Ovechkin, Nicklas Backstrom, Alexander Semin and Mike Green were drafted by the Capitals. Just like the example of Artest with the Lakers, the Blackhawks were able to woo Marian Hossa to Chicago because they already had a team in place ready for a championship.
This is the first year that so many top-tier players have been acquired through free-agency in the NBA. Amar’e, Bosh, and possibly LeBron (we’ll find out tonight on ESPN) are the exceptions to the rule and belief that winners are built through the draft and trading. When a team is drafting or trading, players usually have no choice but to go to the city that’s drafting or trading for them. All of the teams mentioned above have done excellent jobs of drafting superstars and making trades that have significantly improved their rosters. Here we see that this is where the Toronto Raptors organization has failed—NOT through a lack of free-agent willingness to play here.
By the looks of things now, the Raptors should be getting a high draft pick next year. It might take a while, but if the Raptors are to ever become successful, they have to hope to land a superstar through the draft to compliment the solid young pieces that are already in place.
Showing posts with label Anas Ahmed. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Anas Ahmed. Show all posts
5/10/10
The DNB Staff Meeting
This is a new feature where I talk with our DNB staffers Anas and Danielle. To kick this thing off we have both in the house for this first episode and we talk both Raptors and NBA. But before we get to those conversations just wanted to mention the DNB's mention in the Toronto Star. I was one of a number of folks quoted in an article on Bosh and his infamous tweets. Scott Carefoot from Raptor Blog is also quoted in it as well. Thanks to him for making me aware of this and thanks to Anas who found an online link to it. If you still have a copy of the Toronto Star from Saturday it was on page 2 of the insight section. This is the 2nd time the Dino Nation Blog has made it in the Toronto papers. I was quoted in an article on the TSN2 mess from last season in The Globe & Mail. Hopefully stuff like this inspires the troops both the staff and you folks that read.
So with that said let's hear from our staffers with their thought on the Raptors and NBA. We will lead off with Anas and myself chatting NBA Playoffs from last night as the Suns were putting the final touches on a sweep of the Spurs.
Now here is Danielle talking some Raps with me.
Here is more Raps talk with myself and Anas.
Now to close this off the newest person I know on Twitter Danielle De Graauw talking on the NBA.
Thanks to Danielle and Anas for taking time to talk with me and we will keep these going moving forward so you can hear from my staff in addition to just me all the time.
So with that said let's hear from our staffers with their thought on the Raptors and NBA. We will lead off with Anas and myself chatting NBA Playoffs from last night as the Suns were putting the final touches on a sweep of the Spurs.
Now here is Danielle talking some Raps with me.
Here is more Raps talk with myself and Anas.
Now to close this off the newest person I know on Twitter Danielle De Graauw talking on the NBA.
Thanks to Danielle and Anas for taking time to talk with me and we will keep these going moving forward so you can hear from my staff in addition to just me all the time.
3/8/10
One of the Nation: Alex "Fundamental" Canzoneri
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Hello Dino Nation!
This is the first edition of the new, "One of the Nation" feature. The idea here is to give Raptors fans an outlet to speak about their own lives and opinions on the team. We all get to say what's on our minds on Twitter but hopefully this will give some of you the chance to give us a glimpse beyond 140 characters. If you're interested in being interviewed, hit me up at anas.ahmed11@gmail.com or on Twitter @thisisanas. I'd love to hear about the different lifestyles of Raptors fans and what you do when you're not cheering (or booing) the Raptors.
Our respected guest this month is Alex "Fundamental" Canzoneri. I was originally going to make this a write-up but after we got to talking, I thought it would be best to throw up an audio version (so please excuse the amateur sound-quality). I hope you enjoy listening to this talented music producer as much as I enjoyed interviewing him. Also, be sure to check out the links down below. Some real GOOD music.
"Ms. 416"
Download "Ms. 416"
"Might Not Make It"
Download "Might Not Make It"
Ayatollah Jaxx's album, "Hello Hip Hop", is dropping March 9th for free download. "Ms. 416" is the first single off of it.
http://www.twitter.com/fundamental10
http://www.myspace.com/fundamentalproductions
http://www.myspace.com/wearegoodcompany
All inquries: goodcompany22@gmail.com
2/23/10
He-do and the Glass Playoff Shoes
I was hoping my debut on the Dino Nation Blog would be a little more epic than what follows. Unfortunately, my laptop died on me and I’ve been limited to Blackberry Internet browsing and word processing for the past few weeks. Tecno-failure coupled with the fact that I’m working two jobs outside of the media has really hindered my ability to write anything of substance. Words of caution to you teen-aged aspiring journalists out there: it’s a jungle after graduation. Be ready to get your Tarzan/Jane on. Anyways, I won’t usually blurb like this (I hope) before each post, nor am I normally apologetic, but I felt it was important to let my main man JB, and the Dino Nation know the deal. Here we go...
One of the few things I’ve been able to do from my Blackberry is read people’s Tweets. I normally hit up RealGM to measure the general opinion of Raptors fans but I’ve been unable to do so. One theme I’ve noticed play out on Twitter is that many, if not most, feel that Hedo Turkoglu has been the biggest disappointment of this exciting Raptors season.
Now, I understand that most of the anti-Hedo sentiment is directly related to his $50 million plus contract, but I think it also has much to do with unrealistic expectations heading into the season. I’m not talking about the expectations Bryan Colangelo had when he gave Hedo that contract. I don’t, for a second, believe that he expected Hedo to perform as he did in the Magic’s championship run year-in and year-out. Just to jog your memory, if you scratch the opening round against Philly from the record, Hedo posted per-game numbers of 17 points, 5.3 assists, 4.5 rebounds, and 1.5 threes. In that 18-game stretch following the first round, he had six games where he scored 20 or more points, back-to-back 12 and 14 assist games, eight games with two or more threes, and seven games with 6 or more rebounds.
In the 07/08 and 08/09 seasons, he put up similar numbers but in neither was he considered to be the Magic’s unquestioned leader in the clutch. Yes, they liked to have him take the final shot, but against the Lakers, analysts and fans throughout the league were taking notice of Hedo’s fourth-quarter dominance.
Now you’re asking, what’s wrong with you, Anas? You’re just repeating everything that we knew when we signed Hedo. Yes, that’s right. All I’ve done is thrown numbers out at you, made you focus on the statistical feasts you were fed in heaps in the off-season. Nine out of ten articles written in the days leading up to, and the days that followed the Turk signing made mention of these very same numbers and playoff heroics. It’s easy to forget that Hedo has posted career numbers of 12.3 points, 2.9 assists, 4.2 rebounds, and 1.3 threes. Eerily similar to the numbers he has posted here in Toronto post-fat contract (12.3 points, 4.3 assists, 4.5 rebounds, and 1.5 threes). I’m a Fantasy sports junkie myself, but even I can say it’s not all about stats.
I wrote a piece before the Hedo signing saying that the Raptors should focus on keeping Marion. In hindsight, I’m happy that this didn’t happen. Although Hedo was given a bloated contract, his passing ability from the three-spot has helped Chris Bosh increase a scoring average that, for the four years preceding Turk’s arrival, had appeared to have maxed out at 22. Even if Hedo isn’t hitting those game-winning shots, other teams are still expecting him to do so. Teams still zone in on him despite his underwhelming season. He commands a double-team that Marion never would have. Yes, we lost Marion’s rebounding but the Raptors have more than made up for that with Amir Johnson.
Raptors fans, this whole blog could have been summed up in this final graph: Calm down! You’re witnessing one of the most exciting Raptors seasons in the team’s history. Be thankful that you have a guy who is letting you down (right now) as opposed to a team filled with guys who have never played well-enough to warrant any lofty expectations. The year is young. Hedo’s true test will come when the games matter the most: the playoffs. He’s put in work in the post-season like no other current Raptor. He’s a guy that wakes up when everyone starts to sleep on his team. Last year, the Cavs were supposed to take the East. They didn’t. This year the Raptors are firmly wedged underneath ESPN’s snooze button even though they are within biting distance of home-court advantage. Don’t make the mistake of thinking that won’t play a factor in making Hedo rise to the occasion. When those very same analysts who celebrated Hedo for his spectacular post-season play are sleeping on his squad when picking their playoff Cinderellas, don’t be surprised if Hedo is the bell of the BALL.
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One of the few things I’ve been able to do from my Blackberry is read people’s Tweets. I normally hit up RealGM to measure the general opinion of Raptors fans but I’ve been unable to do so. One theme I’ve noticed play out on Twitter is that many, if not most, feel that Hedo Turkoglu has been the biggest disappointment of this exciting Raptors season.
Now, I understand that most of the anti-Hedo sentiment is directly related to his $50 million plus contract, but I think it also has much to do with unrealistic expectations heading into the season. I’m not talking about the expectations Bryan Colangelo had when he gave Hedo that contract. I don’t, for a second, believe that he expected Hedo to perform as he did in the Magic’s championship run year-in and year-out. Just to jog your memory, if you scratch the opening round against Philly from the record, Hedo posted per-game numbers of 17 points, 5.3 assists, 4.5 rebounds, and 1.5 threes. In that 18-game stretch following the first round, he had six games where he scored 20 or more points, back-to-back 12 and 14 assist games, eight games with two or more threes, and seven games with 6 or more rebounds.
In the 07/08 and 08/09 seasons, he put up similar numbers but in neither was he considered to be the Magic’s unquestioned leader in the clutch. Yes, they liked to have him take the final shot, but against the Lakers, analysts and fans throughout the league were taking notice of Hedo’s fourth-quarter dominance.
Now you’re asking, what’s wrong with you, Anas? You’re just repeating everything that we knew when we signed Hedo. Yes, that’s right. All I’ve done is thrown numbers out at you, made you focus on the statistical feasts you were fed in heaps in the off-season. Nine out of ten articles written in the days leading up to, and the days that followed the Turk signing made mention of these very same numbers and playoff heroics. It’s easy to forget that Hedo has posted career numbers of 12.3 points, 2.9 assists, 4.2 rebounds, and 1.3 threes. Eerily similar to the numbers he has posted here in Toronto post-fat contract (12.3 points, 4.3 assists, 4.5 rebounds, and 1.5 threes). I’m a Fantasy sports junkie myself, but even I can say it’s not all about stats.
I wrote a piece before the Hedo signing saying that the Raptors should focus on keeping Marion. In hindsight, I’m happy that this didn’t happen. Although Hedo was given a bloated contract, his passing ability from the three-spot has helped Chris Bosh increase a scoring average that, for the four years preceding Turk’s arrival, had appeared to have maxed out at 22. Even if Hedo isn’t hitting those game-winning shots, other teams are still expecting him to do so. Teams still zone in on him despite his underwhelming season. He commands a double-team that Marion never would have. Yes, we lost Marion’s rebounding but the Raptors have more than made up for that with Amir Johnson.
Raptors fans, this whole blog could have been summed up in this final graph: Calm down! You’re witnessing one of the most exciting Raptors seasons in the team’s history. Be thankful that you have a guy who is letting you down (right now) as opposed to a team filled with guys who have never played well-enough to warrant any lofty expectations. The year is young. Hedo’s true test will come when the games matter the most: the playoffs. He’s put in work in the post-season like no other current Raptor. He’s a guy that wakes up when everyone starts to sleep on his team. Last year, the Cavs were supposed to take the East. They didn’t. This year the Raptors are firmly wedged underneath ESPN’s snooze button even though they are within biting distance of home-court advantage. Don’t make the mistake of thinking that won’t play a factor in making Hedo rise to the occasion. When those very same analysts who celebrated Hedo for his spectacular post-season play are sleeping on his squad when picking their playoff Cinderellas, don’t be surprised if Hedo is the bell of the BALL.
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