But just pocket these ten statements into your think-bank for future pondering as we head into this flea market of free agency:
- Steve Nash is still a fantastic player. There's been no appreciable decline in his shooting or passing at age 37. There's every reason to believe he is John Stockton 2.0 and can play three more years at a very high level before retiring in tact
- If Steve Nash were to start for the Raptors next season, I am confident he'd be, at 38, worth two extra wins than Jose Calderon
- The Raptors have glaring holes at both swing positions, centre and backup point guard
- The Raptors, even with Nash, would struggle to win 30 games next season and there's no good reason to believe they will contend for a playoff spot in the next three years
- Jose Calderon's been, inarguably, the Raptors most productive player since Bosh left
- Signing a replacement for their most productive player, then, presumably amnestying that player does nothing to address any of the team's glaring holes, especially with unplayable, untradeable players on the roster (Kleiza)
- No argument for why Nash would want to sign here for any reason besides a most lucrative offer makes sense: because he has a relationship with Triano and Colangelo? So what? Nash has relationships all over the league. By all accounts, he's the greatest, nicest, most affable dude in the history of dudes. Yes, he identifies as Canadian but his affinity is to the west coast where his pro soccer team is, his family lives. I'm going to go out on a limb and say those ties are more important than proximity to Basketball Canada's head office in Etobicoke. He lives in Phoenix and New York. By all accounts, he enjoys the playoffs. Look, anyone with the cap space can outbid but shut the fuck up with this homecoming shit. You love Toronto. Steve Nash hangs out in Paris
- Free agency is an awful, awful market. Everyone's seen the Moneyball movie by now so I don't have to explain what 'value' is. So, know this: top five unrestricted free agents at every position will get overpaid enough to discount their value. It happened the last two years, bookending a lockout waged over wages. It happened before that. It will happen
- The only value left in the NBA market is in low-cost tertiary free agents scouted properly and trading to take on salary
- Truly and honestly prepare yourself for many more years of sub .400 basketball in Toronto. Meditate on it. Smoke a peace pipe. If Cap'n Canada's your salvation, you're cuckoo for Colangelo puffs.
2 comments:
The saddest part of this entire season (for the Raps) is that GM Colangelo (again) over-estimated the success of his team (again) over-valued his own ability to build a winner-- the decision to trade for a point guard who is under contract for only two more season, and in the process gave up the Raptors first round pick is unfathomable for a team that is clearly developing indefinitely, until a star is either hatched, or acquired. Fast forward to where the talent-less Raptors are living up to their ability, winning at a .200 clip and on their way to a league-worst finish, and a top 3 pick in the Draft, going to Houston in the Lowry trade. Two seasons from now Lowry will be gone, while the #1 draft pick will be considerably important in his second season, playing for the rebuilt Rockets.
As a Raptor fan, this really is the last straw and the bottom of the proverbial barrel for me.
What I will say about the Lowry deal is that Jose needs to be replaced from both an age and defensive standpoint. Kyle Lowry is not only younger, he is also tougher. The business of major league sports is very result-driven, especially by the fans, which means opportunities like Lowry have to be considered when they are made available. You don't ask other teams to trade you their good players simply because you want them. They know that already, but they're not going to be generous and just give you whatever you want. Also, 2013 could have some intriguing options I like, but it's a weak draft overall. Top prospects Cody Zeller and Shabazz Muhammad look like legit NBAers, but can you or anyone say they're sure to be NBA all-stars or franchise players that the Raptors need instead of just starters? Do you buy into Nerlens Noel?
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