Comments on: Jermaine O’Neal to the Raptors

By: Big Mike

Big Mike — Sat, 28 Jun 2008 07:44:47 +0000

I’m still trying to understand how this is a bad trade for the Raptors? This could end up being a steal for them, IF Jermaine is healthy. Don’t tell me about his contract, it’s got 2 years left and gives the Raps a ton of space for the 09′-10 offseason that will have a crop of stars. O’neal had to get out of Indiana, he still felt all the residuals from the 2004 brawl, I see this as a wake up call trade. He’s rehabing hard down in Vegas, and at 29 is still young. If the Raps get the 20 and 10 O’neal, couple that with Bosh, Jose, and their talented shooters, they’ll make noise in the East.

By: Hoffman

Hoffman — Fri, 27 Jun 2008 02:17:53 +0000

Basketballogy,

Yes, I noticed the Jefferson trade. I think it was a good move for the Nets. I’m not an RJ fan. I’m sure you’ve read this but the trade will allow New Jersey the cap space to make a run at LeBron in 2010.

By: Basketballogy

Basketballogy — Fri, 27 Jun 2008 00:02:41 +0000

A-Train, he’s the second coming of Danny Manning: great talent, poor healthy.

Did you all read that Yi has been traded to the Nets for Jefferson?

By: Tsunami

Tsunami — Thu, 26 Jun 2008 12:44:17 +0000

Yeah how can this be BAD for Toronto? TJ Ford is not the answer at point guard for that team – they gave away 2 guys that weren’t going to be part of their core and added a guy that brings some toughness and rebounding to a soft team.

By: King_kaun

King_kaun — Thu, 26 Jun 2008 05:28:19 +0000

great deal for Toronto. Let’s not forget: O’Neal will be playing for a new contract in the next two seasons. If he sucks, then say hello to 22 mil in cap freedom. If he does great, they can resign him for a more reasonable pricetag!

T.J. Ford will just get injured again…the real steal here is the # 17 draft pick. A whole slew of good players could be available at that spot, depending how the first 16 picks go down!

I can’t wait for the draft!!!!!

By: Hoffman

Hoffman — Thu, 26 Jun 2008 03:16:44 +0000

nunya,

O’Neal is six time All-Star. In fact, he was an All-Star just last season. I understand your concerns but if he makes a full recovery, I think you could be pleasantly surprised.

By: nunya

nunya — Thu, 26 Jun 2008 03:10:03 +0000

O’Neal is overrated..he is NOT a centre and he is not an All Star.

I HATE this deal for Toronto….

By: Hoffman

Hoffman — Thu, 26 Jun 2008 03:03:49 +0000

A-Train,

O’Neal is more KG than Duncan. He’s a midrange jumpshooter. I didn’t want to mention this in the blog because I figured I’d be skewered but O’Neal’s back-to-the-basket fadeaway from the corners in 2004 was the best I had seen since MJ. He had the move down that cold. I liked Ford in Milwaukee but I still think this was a GREAT move by Toronto. They traded their backup point guard for a legitimate All-Star center.

By: A-Train

A-Train — Thu, 26 Jun 2008 02:20:40 +0000

The young O’Neal was promising, but this version is finished. Really, it’s sad because the guy had a world of potential, but came up incredibly short.

Now, I don’t know what he is. He’s like a right-handed Zach Randolph, but with a worse shot and better defense.

In the past five years, only once has he shot better than 45% from the field in a season (47% in 2006). I mean, for a 6-foot-11 post guy, that’s awful.

He’s an average foul shooter, at best. He commits about three errors per game.

Overall, a talented yet highly inefficient player. But I think this is a good risk for Toronto. As you noted, he’s 29 and can still put together a handful of serviceable seasons. He’s basically there to take pressure off of Bosh, who is 100 percent a finesse forward. Basically, all O’Neal has to do is stay healthy.

But that’s a big if.

Ford is going to go nuts in Indiana with Dunleavy and Granger on the wings. I’m thinking averages of 16 points, 9 assists, 3 steals.