URGENTLY NEEDED: Starting Wing and Back-up Point Guard
By RaptorTalkWhile we don't expect Bryan Colangelo to be running ads on Craigslist - we definitely expect him to be working the phones heavily.
You see, it was painfully clear before the season started that the 2008-09 Raptors had two major glaring weaknesses:
1. No star quality wing player to take the pressure off the front court
2. No credible back-up point guard to fill in when Calderon is not available
Over the past few games, these weaknesses are growing more and more obvious. While the Raptors big three big men have been superb, the wing and guard play (beyond Calderon) has been woefully inadequate. So while Bosh, O'Neal and Bargnani are rounding into an exceptional front court, they are being let down night after night by the too many of the guys at the 1,2 and 3 spots who just aren't good enough. They are being exposed too often.
Looking at the wings
Neither Parker, Moon or Kapono is a starter on most NBA rosters. That's a fact. Its also a fact that Joey Graham continues to be an inconsistent enigma who is not the answer either.
The Raptors need that 'go to guy' at either SG or SF who can create his own shot and strikes fear in other teams. I guarantee that no one on the NBA has fear in the hearts over Parker, Jamario, Joey or Jason. This has been the Raptors weakness since Vince Carter left and Bryan has not taken steps to fill the void - nor did Babcock before him.
Who can help Jose?
Apparently, not Will Solomon based on what we've seen so far. Roko Ukic shows promise, but he's very, very raw and he can't shoot worth a lick. If Jose goes down for any length of time, then the Raptors are in huge trouble. Calderon is the one player the Raps can least afford to lose.
Seeing him tweak his hamstring had to make Colangelo ill.
Go over the tax threshold
The Raptors are about $1,000 below the luxury tax threshold and I hope MLSE allows Bryan to pull the trigger on a deal or two and move into tax territory.
I'm not suggesting MLSE would or should go deep into luxury tax territory. But it may be a wise move to give Bryan the flexibility to go over the threshold to some degree, because there will be a steep price to pay if the team goes 41-41 again.
If the Raps hover around .500 and are sitting as the 7th or 8th seed come February, you will see a drop in attendance to close out the season. If they are under .500 and missing the playoffs, that's a bigger hit on the bottom line - which each playoff date worth $1 to $2 million in pure profit.
To make matters even worse, will be the hit the team takes in 2009-10 season ticket renewals. With gate receipts running around $75 million, a drop in season seat holders could lead to a $7 million to $10 million hit and maybe more with missed playoff dates. The number could be higher because corporate seatholders will be cancelling higher priced seats.
Remember, ticket renewals go out around March 1st. As few as 1,200 lower bowl cancellations equals a loss of $10 million.
So letting Bryan do a little spending to fix the Raptors may be an idea that makes good financial sense. Go get a decent swingman and a solid back-up point guard, sooner than later.
Otherwise, the move to acquire Jermaine O'Neal will prove to have been a giant waste of time and effort.
I thought Will Solomon did very well, they won 3 games with him. I think Will Solomon is a better ball player any day.
They are not given this kid enough playing time. He is better than Calderon any day. Will and Humphrey played well together in that miami heat game. The new coach sucks. He need to play Will and humphrey more often.
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Well watching Will Solomon out there while Jose Calderon was out, It was unbelievable. He got the other players
involved and they were kicking butt.
Will is a terrific player and I think Sam Mitchell did a good job by getting this guy i watched him play overseas, you better sit him on the bench or the coaching staff will be fired because they payed the wrong guy all that money cause Will is tuff and better anyday than Jose Calderon.
Will is fast and can ball. The new coach will be gone soon because why ain't you playing one of the best player on the team, why are you letting Will Solomon sit?
I'm going to email Collangelo and ask him this question,we all see what Will can do, score. That's what the raptor needs.
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