Comments on: Friday Bolts – 3.27.09

By: dustbury.com » Way north of all this snow

dustbury.com » Way north of all this snow — Sat, 28 Mar 2009 01:43:16 +0000

[...] The Thunder managed to keep the turnovers down to 11, but shooting was off — 41.7 percent — and treys, three of 13, were few and far between. And they didn’t come close to their usual board dominance, pulling in only 37 rebounds. The OKC bench was good for 42 points, though 21 of those came from Nick Collison; Kevin Durant, who logged 37 minutes, about five less than usual, managed only 18 points, and no one else had more than 11. Damien Wilkins, though, had something to prove: in less than four minutes of garbage time he rattled off 8 points, missing only one shot. Even Robert Swift came out to play, though Earl Watson remains glued to the bench. [...]

By: Joey

Joey — Fri, 27 Mar 2009 23:47:07 +0000

@Keith Yeah, it would certainly make for an interesting trade discussion if Presti was confident that Bosh would resign, that's for sure.

By: BudinOK

BudinOK — Fri, 27 Mar 2009 23:17:41 +0000

Where is Earl? Why are they not playing Earl???

By: Keith

Keith — Fri, 27 Mar 2009 23:07:25 +0000

@joey I definitely see what you're saying, but the things Bosh wants that would have him leave Toronto (good FO, good teammates, chance to win) he could find here. Presti would have to give a hard look at how likely he thinks it is that Bosh resigns, but I would be on board if it happened. A recent ESPN article mentioned how much more players could make be resigning in the offseason than waiting until FA in 2010. We would retain his Bird-rights if we traded for him, so he would have even more incentive to stay.

By: joey

joey — Fri, 27 Mar 2009 21:13:40 +0000

@Keith
Here’s the problem though, Keith. Bosh’s contract is up in 2010. And there’s no amount of “verbal promise” in an agreement that would ever make me mortgage Jeff Green’s future for a one year rental on Chris Bosh. Even though he’s one of the best young bigs in the NBA.

Tack on Bosh’s recent legal issues and I’ll pass.

By: Keith

Keith — Fri, 27 Mar 2009 18:52:16 +0000

Yeah, if the Raptors are shopping Bosh, I’d trade Green and change for him in a heartbeat. Gotta love Uncle Jeff, but Bosh is a perennial all-star who can dominate games when necessary, all while playing solid all-around basketball. Bosh>Amare if it comes down to that in the summer or next trade deadline.

By: Keith

Keith — Fri, 27 Mar 2009 18:48:40 +0000

Blake would be incredible. He’s got D-Howard athleticism but can actually score down low even better.

By: Alex

Alex — Fri, 27 Mar 2009 18:43:16 +0000

Or is Bosh the one luring Jeff Green away to come play with him?

By: Alex

Alex — Fri, 27 Mar 2009 18:42:00 +0000

Wait, did Raptors Republic just offer us Chris Bosh for Jeff Green?…

By: joey

joey — Fri, 27 Mar 2009 17:49:48 +0000

I’d be shocked if Johnny Flynn, assuming he doesn’t go back to Syracuse, were a top 10 pick in this year’s draft, in fact, even a lottery pick. Too much of what he does (very well, mind you) in college would not translate at all to the speed and size of the NBA. His ability to penetrate in college is predicated on him being one step ahead of the other team’s pg and is then usually not helped out by a failure to correctly rotate from the opposition’s weak side defender. In the NBA, the height, length and sheer speed of the NBA will almost certainly not just catch up to him, but outdo him.

The ability to finish at the rim in the NBA for a supremely undersized PG is also a question mark (think the currently benched TJ Ford from the Pacers, who dominated while at Texas but has been a solid second option when healthy while at both Toronto, Calderon was better, and now at Indiana, where Jarrett Jack has now usurped him). He’s not an elite passer, doesn’t possess elite court vision and is streaky at best as a jump-shooter. Where he excels is in pace, grittiness and leadership…but those, unfortunately, don’t dismiss all the other concerns on their own.

Being an undersized high school PG myself, I always have love for the little guys. But Flynn would be behind Rubio, Warren, Jeff Teague, the allure of Brandon Jennings from Italy, Eric Maynor from VCU, Jrue Holiday from UCLA and even Ty Lawson on my draft list (he and Patty Mills are a wash).

I can think of a lot of other things to do with the fifth overall pick then take a gamble on the 8th best PG in a draft that will always be a backup, you know?