11/05/24
July 13, 2006
Raptors to sign Anthony Parker of Maccabi Tel Aviv.:
Parker is considered possibly the greatest (international) player not in the NBA. ESPN confirmation. Obligatory [youtube].
posted by lilnemo to basketball at 12:38 PM - 16 comments
I just felt like I was watching a Slam Dumk contest. If you're looking for another slasher who can take it to the hoop and dunk, he's the guy for you...however, Toronto needs some perimeter shooting, and I thought his shot looked a little flawed... But then again, he looks like Mano Giniboli and Andre Igoldala, a solid slasher (AI) who can shoot some (Mano)...
posted by chemwizBsquared at 01:23 PM on July 13, 2006
Another interesting move. While the video makes him look great, it's still a little in the air as to exactly how his game is going to work in the NBA. And the Raptors, I believe seem him as a combo guard who may start at the 2, or may come off the bench as a scoring 6th man. It all sorta depends on where Mo Pete is going to play. Less than four months into the Colangelo regime and this team is TOTALLY different. Still can't see who's rebounding, though.
posted by WeedyMcSmokey at 01:45 PM on July 13, 2006
Still can't see who's rebounding, though. What? No love for the Slovenian Sensation? Tough room.
posted by lilnemo at 01:47 PM on July 13, 2006
Odd fact: His little sister, Candace (Tenn. hoops star), is more well-known than he is.
posted by jackhererra at 03:26 PM on July 13, 2006
Weedy's right. The Raptors had the 4th-worst per-game rebound differential (-2.67) in the NBA last season and with Hoffa, Sow and (probably) Woods gone, it's difficult to say they've upgraded in that department. Based on how Phoenix's roster was crafted (they had a worse rebound differential than Toronto), I suspect that Colangelo doesn't place a high priority on glass-cleaning ability.
posted by Scott Carefoot at 03:49 PM on July 13, 2006
Here here on that...and though rebounding can be misleading...look no further than the NBA finals...Dallas outrebounded all their foes, and then Miami came and wiped them cleanly across the boards Will Bargnani be the rebounding answer? NO! That much we know...but I like what they're doing...just wish he shot the ball better (Parker)
posted by chemwizBsquared at 03:55 PM on July 13, 2006
So this is ANTHONY Parker, the European player, but not TONY Parker, the European player. That shouldn't be confusing for the fair-weather fans in Toronto...
posted by grum@work at 03:56 PM on July 13, 2006
the way he plays kinda reminds me of michael jordan. maybe he should file a $832 million lawsuit against nike and jordan...
posted by ksb122 at 04:10 PM on July 13, 2006
Toronto needs some perimeter shooting, and I thought his shot looked a little flawed.Two things: 1. After watching Mike James last year, Raptor fans will be glad to see the volume of 3 pt shots decrease. And I'm pretty sure Mo Pete is a legitimate 3 pt threat. 2. People thought Stojakovic and Nowitzki's shot mechanics looked awkward when they came into the league as well. Odd fact: His little sister, Candace (Tenn. hoops star), is more well-known than he is. In Tennessee, maybe even in the U.S, but not overseas. That shouldn't be confusing for the fair-weather fans in Toronto... I'm pretty sure the fair folk of Toronto know exactly who Anthony Parker is.
posted by lilnemo at 04:14 PM on July 13, 2006
Raptors = Contenders.
posted by redsoxrgay at 04:45 PM on July 13, 2006
Contenders? For what? If you said the 8th seed in the East then yeah, you have something. Toronto adding Anthony Parker won't make them anything spectacular unless this kids hilight reel is just from one game. Look at the Raptors. They have a solid big man (Bosh). But outside of that, they have a flawed swingman (MoPete), a 7-foot rookie European who will take time to develop (Bargnani), and a point guard who doesn't have range outside of 18 feet (T.J. Ford)... They're on the right track though...just give them about 5 years before they can be "considered" contenders.
posted by chemwizBsquared at 05:22 PM on July 13, 2006
Gotta love the fact that he's a former Bradley Brave!
posted by ballen7065 at 06:10 PM on July 13, 2006
It's impossible to claim with any certainty how the 06-07 Raptors will perform. It's starting to look like this could be an entirely new roster except for Chris Bosh and Morris Peterson. This kind of turnover is unprecedented in my memory.
posted by Scott Carefoot at 07:49 PM on July 13, 2006
Chemwiz, everyone except the Knicks are contenders in the East. Nobody can really make a case that Toronto will suck this year, because we dont know how well the players will gel. Anyways, with Bosh and Ford, the Raptors should be able to make the playoffs in the east. Bargnani and Parker will stabilize the team, and Mo Pete will be an added burst of offense. I think that the Raptors have a shot at winning 45-50 games this year.
posted by redsoxrgay at 09:43 PM on July 13, 2006
Well, Toronto won't win the title next year...the East elite are as follows: Miami, New Jersey, Cleveland, Detroit, and Chicago. The Pacers and Wizards are pretty much the "second tier" of the East with Milwaukee, Toronto, Orlando and Philly duking it out for the last playoff spot out there... But hey guys, its not even August yet...we'll see what happens when we get to training camp.
posted by chemwizBsquared at 10:51 AM on July 14, 2006
Be sure to press mute before watching the youtube video.