Raptors Make a 6'11" Splash

200806026_oneil.jpgWritten by guest contributor Kenneth Wong.

On the eve of the NBA Draft, our hometown Toronto Raptors have made a huge change to the organization by acquiring all-star centre Jermaine O'Neal from the Indiana Pacers. In the deal, the Raptors give up TJ Ford, Rasho Nesterovic, and their 2008 17th pick (all pending physicals).

It's obvious why Brian Colangelo traded Ford, Nesterovic, and the 17th Pick. Ford was expendable after Jose Calderon proved he could play as an all-start caliber point guard in the NBA by putting up 11.2Pts, 2.9Rebs, and 8.3Asts all in 30mins:18secs a game. Add on the three years left on his contract ($25.5million for the next three seasons), it was obvious throughout the NBA that Colangelo was going to deal one of the two starting point guards, turns out it was Ford. Rasho Nesterovic and his $8.4 million contract, which ends in 2008, was simply a salary dump. With respect to the 17th pick in the draft, the pick could turn out to be between a number of players. But in my opinion, this trade was to win now and with all due respect to Rasho, he isn't the type of player to bring us a championship.

Now that Colangelo has made yet another great trade for the Raptors, on paper, it seems like the Raptors have a great chance to compete with the newly crowned champions, the Boston Celtics, and even match-up against some of the best teams in the West. With this trade comes a new style of basketball for the Raptors. Instead of spreading the floor, using fast breaks, and trying to score with ball movement, the Raptors will turn into a half-court style offense. The front line of O'Neal, Bosh, and Bargnani, who are 6'11, 6'10, and 6'10 respectively, will bring Toronto the size it has always wanted but could never find.

This is a great trade for both teams. The Pacers get Ford who will change the offense from a half-court style to an open style basketball, comparable to Steve Nash's Phoenix Suns, where they will use fast-breaks, shoot plenty of 3's, and play small ball. With the likes of Granger, Dunleavey, and now Ford, the Pacers have the ability to move the ball and score quick buckets. The Raptors get the centre they wished for who can rebound, use brute force/the low post to score, and who draws double teams leaving open shots for the likes of Parker, Kapono (2-time NBA 3-point champion), and the highly improved jump-shot of Calderon.

This deal really was a win-win situation for both sides. Now let's just hope health isn't a problem with the upcoming season.

Photo by myersmoments.

Reader Reviews and Comments

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If Jermaine O'Neal stays healthy, this is an amazing trade for the Raptors. But I really hope this doesn't turn out to be like Hakeem Olajuwon. Of course Olajuwon was at the end of his career when the Raptors got him and Jermaine should have a few good years left.

Posted by: Lyndon at June 26, 2008 1:02 PM

bigger issue for the raps now is who is the raps backup pg. that has got to be where they will be putting their mid level towards this year.

Posted by: kit at June 26, 2008 1:10 PM

Kit nails it. By the end of the season, Calderon was dying from all the minutes that were thrown his way when Ford went down. He's obviously a capable PG but the Raps still need a more capable back-up than a Juan Dixon-type.

Posted by: A at June 26, 2008 1:21 PM

Yeah, because Paul Pierce and the Celtics bench had nothing to do with their success...so of course, Toronto, with NOTHING to compete with those elements will be just fine....dummies

Posted by: nunya at June 26, 2008 1:36 PM

Yeah, because Paul Pierce and the Celtics bench had nothing to do with their success...so of course, Toronto, with NOTHING to compete with those elements will be just fine....dummies

Posted by: nunya at June 26, 2008 1:36 PM

A lot worth mentioning here:

1. This deal isn't done, and can't be completed until the July 9 because TJ Ford is a base-year compensation player, meaning he technically isn't making enough money for this deal to work until July 1, and the NBA has a moratorium on trades until July 9, so until then, this could still fall through (however unlikely that is).

2. For this deal to work, Toronto also have to include another million or two in salary, which is rumoured to be Maceo Baston, a former Pacer.

3. The Raptors front line will probably never, ever be O'Neal, Bosh and Bargnani. None of them can guard a swingman.

4. Kit is right - the Raptors don't have a backup point guard. Last season, it was obvious that without a solid backup, this team wouldn't have even sniffed the playoffs.

5. This isn't already a "win-win" for Toronto and Indiana. Both of these guys are injury-prone players who have fallen out of favor, for one reason or another, in their respective cities. If either guy gets injured badly over the next two seasons, the other team will win this trade, hands down.

Posted by: Chris Clarke at June 26, 2008 2:06 PM

Chris...great points.

Rumour has it that Toronto also gets the 41st pick in this year's draft.

Posted by: James at June 26, 2008 3:37 PM

Mr. Wong, and the majority of commentors thus far, should stick urbane observations of our metropolis, and stay away from sports commentary. It's clear you're commenting out of your depth here (except perhaps Mr. Clarke).

While this trade is a good move for the Raptors, as it addresses a glaring peronnel issue, by no means does it make them championship contenders. And while the Raptors do indeed need another PG, lakcing a back-up PG is not a serious problem. The NBA is chock full of average PG's worthy of a support role and this need can easily be addressed through the free agent market.

Posted by: raptorrob at June 26, 2008 5:44 PM

This trade is good if Jermaine a) stays healthy, and b) shows the maturity he lacked in Indiana. Once back from injury he did a lot of complaining. Mostly about minutes and touches.

He has skills, and we only have to pay out for two years of his services. Hopefully he'll be driven enough in the first couple of years on a new team to help us. This is exactly what Chris Bosh needs though. I would expect a 25/11 season from Chris, with O'Neal being a far superior defensive post player to anyone on the team right now.

Posted by: Lanky at June 26, 2008 7:03 PM

This trade sucks. Couldn't he have gotten Mags? Why is Colangelo building a perennial first round knockout?

Raptorrob - shut up and go back to realgm.

Posted by: guy lafleur stole my bike at June 26, 2008 7:44 PM

TJ Ford is a injury risk right? So, it is going to be risky for other teams to acquire his services. O'Neal has some injury risk attached to him too. Raptors need to move a PG and the Pacers want to move O'Neal. The deal makes sense for both teams. It is sad but keeping Ford and Calderon in the back court was going to be impossible especially with the huge ego of Ford.

raptorrob - That was a pretty harsh post especially since I can almost guarantee you are no expert yourself. If O'Neal can produce his all-start numbers alongside Bosh why can't they be contenders for the NBA Championship? Throw in Calderdon, Parker, Bargnani, and Kapono they have the CHANCE to become a championship team. Bottom line Rob, your comment is the usual commentary that comes from a guy who sits at home thinking he can build a real professional team just because he took home the NBA trophy in NBA Live 2008 for the PS3.

Posted by: fantasybaseballmacbookpro at June 26, 2008 8:37 PM

raptorrob - guess these guys should stay away from sports commentary and are commenting out of their depth too?

Just let me know if these guys are considered real sports writers.

http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/columns/story?columnist=hollinger_john&page=Onealtrade-080625

http://sports.yahoo.com/nba/blog/ball_dont_lie/post/O-Neal-for-Ford-trade-nearing-completion;_ylt=AujwVvPq_ei3YvAdTo.WiJO8vLYF?urn=nba,90275

Posted by: wilco at June 27, 2008 4:07 AM

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