Comments on: Say It Ain’t So…O’Neal A Raptor?

By: Ford Deal Done? Jermaine O’Neal To Raptors « Dino Nation Blog

Ford Deal Done? Jermaine O’Neal To Raptors « Dino Nation Blog — Wed, 25 Jun 2008 23:10:30 +0000

[...] Dino Nation Blog on O’Neal/Ford Trade [...]

By: dinonationblog

dinonationblog — Wed, 25 Jun 2008 22:27:46 +0000

For the Raptors to acquire any kind of a “Major Talent” Rasho Nesterovic must be part of the deal that beings that player to the Raptors. I think the value in Rasho is in his salary number and his play. This is not to say his play is unimportant. But the amount of cash that a team can have in cap space is FAR MORE important. So that does not change if you trade Rasho today or at the deadline. Boris Diaw is a player that Bryan Colangelo has a complete understanding of and if he thinks he can be part of this franchise going forward he would know better than anyone what he thinks about him moving forward. I find the issues with Diaw tend to be consistant play and his problems can be more of a mental nature than a phyiscal one. Colangelo stated in his press conference today that there are 4 to 5 deals involving T.J Ford. This is one of those 4 or 5. The Suns have been rumoured to be interested in Robin Lopez and that indeed may be part of a package for Diaw? We will see. Thanks for the comments Stu and welcome to the Dino Nation Blog Family if I had not expressed that earlier.

By: stu

stu — Wed, 25 Jun 2008 20:13:01 +0000

Perhaps the raps should be waiting to include Rasho in any potential deal. Rasho is coming into a contract year, translation big numbers from him! why not let him produce and gain value and them trade him @ the deadline for something more as he will then be a very valuable asset for many teams.
also am I the only one totally underwhelmed by Boris Diaw? If you look @ his career numbers he just doesn’t impress.

By: tim

tim — Tue, 24 Jun 2008 15:54:10 +0000

boris diaw for tj is too good deal, but i dont see diaw, being a better starter here, and oneal is such a bad deal, but the impact is sooo clear, so if this goes down lets hope this isnt a ben wallace thing cus its bound to happen

or in my world i would deal tj after the first month of the season, so we can see who wants to get rid of someone, like the pau gasol trade, the steal
we need a steal

By: Linkage – June 24

Linkage – June 24 — Tue, 24 Jun 2008 15:07:15 +0000

[...] – Dino Nation Blog [...]

By: dinonationblog

dinonationblog — Tue, 24 Jun 2008 03:54:58 +0000

It is a gut feeling I have Mark. I just think that a lot of what the Pacers have not been able to do he(JO)is at the heart of why Indiana never was able to get anywhere. I did say in the blog should this have happened I would at least give him a chance to prove my thoughts wrong. I think we get a different perspective sometimes when a guy comes to your team and town. Change of local can also do wonders for some players. But I just was not a fan of this for a lot of reasons.

By: dademon16

dademon16 — Tue, 24 Jun 2008 03:45:08 +0000

Well the comparisons to Chris Bosh aren’t anything Jermaine was at the source of. He’s said in the past he respects Bosh and likes his game. We all know CB4 is the superior player in the grand scheme.

I understand you may have personal feelings about a guy but I don’t know how he could be questioned as not being a winner. When guys like Paul Pierce and Kevin Garnett finally succeed after years of doing what Jermaine’s been doing, they’re lauded but he obviously doesn’t have that type of respect. Toughness doesn’t mean you’re a winner but he has desire and the intestinal fortitude to play through serious injuries when he can. Being a winner has a lot to do with Ron Artest and the fact Larry Bird hasn’t been able to build around him well enough. Now it’s Granger’s team.

T.J. might draw more interest now but I’d love to see what else is out there that could’ve turned out as well as this could’ve. Boris Diaw? That’s all I’ve heard. I DO know if this is the team that starts 2008-2009, the Raptors are going nowhere.

By: dinonationblog

dinonationblog — Tue, 24 Jun 2008 03:24:57 +0000

Going into the stands and that entire mess is what ultimately screwed the Pacers. Ron Artest is at the Root of that though. But maybe it was the constant comparisons to Chris Bosh but I just have not been a fan of O’Neal. Everything you said based in fact but I just don’t seem him as a guy that is a winner. Being tough and being a winner is not the same thing. Ultimately I just am happy this deal appears to be off and it will at least draw more interest for Ford and perhaps drive up the price the Raptors can get.

By: dademon16

dademon16 — Tue, 24 Jun 2008 03:16:05 +0000

I totally disagree with the fact you’re questioning Jermaine O’Neal’s attitude. He went into the stands in Detroit to defend a teammate who was being mobbed. You question his desire to win? Did he not shoot one-handed free throws when he had a serious shoulder injury a couple years ago? Jermaine O’Neal is a warrior and yes, he’s had his share of injury woes over the past four seasons but then again, so has T.J. Ford. I don’t know how many teams Jermaine has caused a serious locker room problem in.

By: dinonationblog

dinonationblog — Tue, 24 Jun 2008 02:57:35 +0000

Like I state in the Blog it isn’t like he has the body of a 29 year old. I have serious issues with his desire. I agree the Raptors need to make a statement to Chris Bosh. But making a bad move says something as well. Also I have great concern with if he can play in Raptors System. Last year he breaks down and this is at same point Pacers move away from halfcourt based offense. I don’t think that is just by chance. This is a major risk that just is not worth taking. I will be as happy as anyone if I am wrong. But I personally hope this deal just never happens.