Raptors set to sign Garbajosa from Spain

[Choron]

BC is ready to sign the European player Garbajosa from Spain...He is reportedly going to accept a contract worth get this: 3 years 12 mill....Wow so he's going to be making 4 mill per season

This is expensive... I really really hope BC knows this guy can play hard if he's getting this much cash!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[Choron]

http://www.thestar.com/NASApp/cs/Co...out/Article_Type1&c=Article&cid=1153173011959


Apparently he is a very good rebounder with good shooting...

"It was partly on Gherardini's recommendation that Toronto president and general manager Bryan Colangelo decided to pursue Garbajosa."

Ok I hope both BC and Gherardini(especially) know what they are are doing!!

 

[Choron]

Well I just don't really like the concept of Toronto throwing away most of its salary cap before the real FA comes next season(next years market is going to be full of superstars)

But I'm with you, I have faith in BC...

 

[Choron]

"A" list free agents will want to come here because of guys like Chris Bosh...It doesn't matter where you are if you are a contender and still being paid the proper salary...Next season may be our first big off season...

Also, 4 mill per year in the NBA is not squat...

 

[frankcastle]

So do the Raps have any room left for next year because it sounds like they've used all of it up for now.

Are there any big contracts that expire next year to free up some money?

For example Alvin Williams or say Yogi Stewart (who at one point was recieving $5 million way back when).

 

[frankcastle]

I don't mind $4 million going to someone who has some sort of credentials. This guy sounds like he has potential.

 

[healer677]

Garbajosa has solid credentials.

For some of the members of the board who may remember my comments previous regarding Euro players pre and during the Olympics - I am big on players who can play below the rim.

For 4 million -give me a small forward that can play D (most Euros can do that), shoot 40% from the perimeter, 75-80% from the line, haul in 8-10 rebounds, give the team 35 minutes, minus the "attitude" - I can live with that.

Granted he played in Europe, but for winning teams (one of which is a powerhouse in Euro ball -and produced an NBA notable named Kukoc).

If you look at his numbers closely....and look at let's say -Jalen Rose's number his last year with the Raptors. Even if you deduct a few percentages because he played in Europe -I'll take a 4 mil player over a 15 or 16 mil player of the same numbers.

 

[maurice93]

"A" list free agents will want to come here because of guys like Chris Bosh...It doesn't matter where you are if you are a contender and still being paid the proper salary...Next season may be our first big off season...

Also, 4 mill per year in the NBA is not squat...

The average salary is about $4.5M - $4M is what you pay for a rotation (top 8 player)

So it;s not that big a deal if he flops.

 

[Argocock]

Its not my intention to bring racism into the picture, but business is business and to a cynical guy like myself it almost looks like Colangelo is purposely trying to build a team with as many white guys as possible. Its no secret that basketball is not really followed very closely in Toronto(arguably the 4th sport) I heard somewhere that the t.v ratings are so low that there is more people watching the games at the ACC than on T.V.

With that in mind, would it be possible that the powers that be at MLSE think that they can create interest in the Raptors and therefore make more money(selling jerseys, souvenirs, increase t.v ratings)by making the team "whiter"?

 

[maurice93]

Its not my intention to bring racism into the picture, but business is business and to a cynical guy like myself it almost looks like Colangelo is purposely trying to build a team with as many white guys as possible. Its no secret that basketball is not really followed very closely in Toronto(arguably the 4th sport) I heard somewhere that the t.v ratings are so low that there is more people watching the games at the ACC than on T.V.

With that in mind, would it be possible that the powers that be at MLSE think that they can create interest in the Raptors and therefore make more money(selling jerseys, souvenirs, increase t.v ratings)by making the team "whiter"?

John Salmons
T.J Ford
Anthony Parker

MATT BONNER, a white fan favourite gone.

No deal.

 

[frankcastle]

Argo,

Doubt it.... a winning team will attract attention faster than a whiter team.

 

[Choron]

Its not my intention to bring racism into the picture, but business is business and to a cynical guy like myself it almost looks like Colangelo is purposely trying to build a team with as many white guys as possible. Its no secret that basketball is not really followed very closely in Toronto(arguably the 4th sport) I heard somewhere that the t.v ratings are so low that there is more people watching the games at the ACC than on T.V.

With that in mind, would it be possible that the powers that be at MLSE think that they can create interest in the Raptors and therefore make more money(selling jerseys, souvenirs, increase t.v ratings)by making the team "whiter"?

This statement is both absurd and rediculous...BC isn't a racist LOL!

 

[healer677]

As far as the Rapotors building a "white" team, I don't buy that.

What attracts fans is simple -success. You win games, you win over fans. It's that simple.

If we look at basketball history- the last great "white" team would be the 80's Boston Celtics. But in that teams case they had a couple of good players *insert sarcasm*, you know like....some guy named Larry Bird....and another dude named McHale...Danny Ainge...an aging Bill Walton. But on that team you also had Cedric Maxwell, The Chief,DJ and (a personal fave) ML Carr. But, you could put Martians on the floor, if you win, the fans are happy.

Raptors gate recipts have suffered because they're shit.

The Raptors are trying to think outside the box and see if Euro players can make a transition to the high flying, above the rim, man-on style in the NBA. If they can even find one or two solid players for 4 mil a piece -bonus, job well done.

 

[frankcastle]

Definitely look at the Raps when they were the 3rd best for attendance at one point.

Then look at some of the names of the guys they had like A Davis, V Carter, A Williams, M Peterson, JYD, Hakeen, Kevin Willis, C Oakley, M Bogues, D Stoudamire, Doug Christie, Tracy Murray, T Mac, Camby, J Rose..... you gotta think long and hard to come up with stand out white players.

The Raps were doing well because they had a high flying insane dunkers in VC and T Mac and you had interesting characters like Oakley not to mention that they were one shot from going deep into the play offs.

Anyways, plenty of black atheletes and good attendance.... why? They were a team that was improving in WL for the first while, they made it to the playoffs and even in the early years they were one of the few teams to get a W against the Bulls when MJ and company were on a record setting pace.

That's what hooked me was that even in the early years between Doug Christie and Damon Stoudamire you had a team that could actually surprise even the top teams. Nowadays, when I watch games I don't have the same kind of hope/optimism.

But despite the decrease in optimism I'm still a fan and try and catch as many games as I can on Raptors TV and other sports channels..... well at least the 4th Q who really has the time to sit and watch 82 full games?

 

[wonkyknee]

I don't think Yao makes that much difference..

to a team. If he was here in Toronto, without others to make the team great, the Raps would suck. Houston not doing well...case in point.

However, the support from the Chinese population would have been huge!!

I think Rasho might sell some new Serbian interest.

Multiple players from Spain now might be intriguing.

and with Bargnani and Gherardini the Italian support will come....especially if AB turns out to be even "pretty good"

If Colalangelo starts appealing to the Italian Business community, box sales, sponsorship, etc could really add up, as well as ticket sales.

 

[frankcastle]

BTW Houston didn't pick Yao Ming for the asian population of the city.... they picked him because of his size and skill.

B-ball is growing in popularity in other countries so it makes sense to start looking outside of the states.

 

[Choron]

to a team. If he was here in Toronto, without others to make the team great, the Raps would suck. Houston not doing well...case in point.

However, the support from the Chinese population would have been huge!!

I think Rasho might sell some new Serbian interest.

Multiple players from Spain now might be intriguing.

and with Bargnani and Gherardini the Italian support will come....especially if AB turns out to be even "pretty good"

If Colalangelo starts appealing to the Italian Business community, box sales, sponsorship, etc could really add up, as well as ticket sales.

Another way to increase all of the business and profit of the owners is for the team to actually WIN again...