Toronto Raptors 2011/2012 Season

[bluejays]

I know it's not right, but I'd be super pissed at Nash, and would go so far as to say to strip him from Team Canada GM duties, if it came out that he mislead Colangelo into signing Fields, then went on to going to the Lakers. I don't think he's that type of guy, but if it comes out that he does that, I wouldn't have an ounce of respect for him as this would set the franchise back for years.

[Senator Clay Davis]

I think the Raptors have a 50/50 shot at Nash. Honestly the money is big because it is obviously a sign of respect, but its the chance to become something more than he could just winning a title with Kobe or LeBron. I mean he's basically a footnote there. But for the greatest player Canada has ever produced to come home and help turn the Raptors around, that can really have a more substantial impact. My gut tells me he will pick the Raptors because honestly they might not be a championship team with him, but certainly a playoff team and if Valanciunas is as good as he looks and with Steve Nash being Steve Nash, it completely opens things up for everyone else. With them buying in defensively last year, I honestly could see them in the top 4 in the East in the 2013 season.

[moon]

Originally Posted by fleury

I know it's not right, but I'd be super pissed at Nash, and would go so far as to say to strip him from Team Canada GM duties, if it came out that he mislead Colangelo into signing Fields, then went on to going to the Lakers.

I may have missed it but is there any evidence of Nash convincing Colangelo to offer sheet Fields?

I am conflicted about Nash on the Raptors. On the one hand it would be cool to cheer for Nash on the Raptors and to have a likable guy on a team full of meh right now, but on the other hand I think Nash deserves better than this Raptor team and would like to see him win the title. Also, Nash coming in also likely keeps Colangelo for longer than he should be and will do a lot to hide the holes on the team and players which both likely hurts the Raptors in the long run.

I think if I lived in TO and got to see him live I would be much more excited about him coming to the Raptors but since I can just as easily watch him for the Heat or Mavs on the TV as I can the Raptors makes it a little less exciting.

Just hope he doesn't go to the Lakers as it would be awful seeing him passing to the Rapist, that is if KoMe every let him touch the ball.

[flames_1987]

Originally Posted by fleury

I know it's not right, but I'd be super pissed at Nash, and would go so far as to say to strip him from Team Canada GM duties, if it came out that he mislead Colangelo into signing Fields, then went on to going to the Lakers. I don't think he's that type of guy, but if it comes out that he does that, I wouldn't have an ounce of respect for him as this would set the franchise back for years.

I'd give that a 0.000000000000000001% chance of being true, but even that would be too much

[flames_1987]

The longer this goes, the less and less likely I find it that he'll be a Raptor. That's a lot of pessimism, mixed in with reports. Reports seem pretty strong the Raptors offered him 3 for 36 million, which is the best Nash could hope for. He really doesn't have any leverage in hoping of driving up that price or anything else for the Raptors. I guess it will just come down to how interested the Mavs are in him. Although it's going to be a crushing blow if he signs somewhere else, at least I could handle Dallas over the Knicks, Nets and Lakers.

[The Big Chill]

Originally Posted by flames_1987

The longer this goes, the less and less likely I find it that he'll be a Raptor. That's a lot of pessimism, mixed in with reports. Reports seem pretty strong the Raptors offered him 3 for 36 million, which is the best Nash could hope for. He really doesn't have any leverage in hoping of driving up that price or anything else for the Raptors. I guess it will just come down to how interested the Mavs are in him. Although it's going to be a crushing blow if he signs somewhere else, at least I could handle Dallas over the Knicks, Nets and Lakers.

Well the Nets won't be in play anymore. I can't really see what would be intriguing about Dallas, they have an aging team who wouldn't really be expected to make a run for a championship. NY really has no cap space for him. I think the Raptors still have a pretty good shot at landing him, with the only other options seemingly being a lot less money to play for LA, NY, or Miami.

[octothorp]

The optimist in me wants to believe that Nash wants to see every team put their best offer on the table (both in terms of what they'll pay him as well as what they'll give the Suns in a sign-and-trade), then will pick the offer that appeals to him the most.


But here's my fallback position: I said before the draft that I'd be really happy if the Raptors traded down with Houston, got Lowry and the 12th pick, and selected Ross. So they got Ross, which I like. But with the Rockets offering Lin a 50 million, four year offer sheet, how desperate will they be to move Lowry, assuming the Knicks don't match? He's got a couple years at $6 million remaining, which looks like a bargain compared to the numbers Dragic and Lin seem to be commanding. If the Raptors can cobble together a deal that acquires Lowry without giving up any critical assets, I'd be okay with that.

[flames_1987]

Some media types with actual credentials reporting the Knicks are working hard with the Suns to get a sign and trade deal done with them and the Knicks are his preferred destination.

[The Big Chill]

Originally Posted by flames_1987

Some media types with actual credentials reporting the Knicks are working hard with the Suns to get a sign and trade deal done with them and the Knicks are his preferred destination.

If that is the case then BC better start on plan B here pretty quick.

Are we still able to back out of our agreement with Fields? I know nothing is signed yet, so I kind of hope we don't have to sign him for that price if it doesn't help us get Nash.

[flames_1987]

Originally Posted by The Big Chill

If that is the case then BC better start on plan B here pretty quick.

Are we still able to back out of our agreement with Fields? I know nothing is signed yet, so I kind of hope we don't have to sign him for that price if it doesn't help us get Nash.

Yes we can still back out of it, although not sure what type of reputation that would earn us.

[The Big Chill]

Originally Posted by flames_1987

Yes we can still back out of it, although not sure what type of reputation that would earn us.

It will change BC's rep from a joke to a jerk. Not a big deal.

[Senator Clay Davis]

Going to the Knicks would be the only move that could negatively affect Nash's long term rep. Seriously, he wants to go somewhere he can be eliminated in the second round if they avoid the wrong team in the first round? Does Steve not know Carmelo Anthony is the most selfish offensive player in the game? Does he know if they keep Lin he'll be a few bad games away from people calling for Linsanity? Does he know D'Antoni is gone? The Knicks would be a disasterous choice for Nash.

[The Big Chill]

Originally Posted by Senator Clay Davis

Going to the Knicks would be the only move that could negatively affect Nash's long term rep. Seriously, he wants to go somewhere he can be eliminated in the second round if they avoid the wrong team in the first round? Does Steve not know Carmelo Anthony is the most selfish offensive player in the game? Does he know if they keep Lin he'll be a few bad games away from people calling for Linsanity? Does he know D'Antoni is gone? The Knicks would be a disasterous choice for Nash.

The bolded would be the same in Toronto though.

[Senator Clay Davis]

Shouldn't that make it more likely he'd want to sign in Toronto? Sign and New York and get eliminated in the 2nd round, no one cares whatsoever. Go to Toronto and do the same, instant God-like status. I cannot see what the difference is between the teams. The Knicks are not better than Miami, Chicago or Boston with Nash, probably as good as Brooklyn, Indiana and Philly. If he goes to Miami or the Lakers than thats fine, its obviously chasing a ring. Going to New York, for less than the Raptors can offer, to essentially not win a ring anyways, might be the most confusing thing I've ever heard.

[flames_1987]

http://sports.yahoo.com/news/nba--kn...teve-nash.html

Nash and the Knicks are in the critical stages of discussions on a three-year deal worth between $27 million-$30 million to be executed through a sign-and-trade deal with the Suns. The Knicks would send rookie guard Iman Shumpert and multiple players – including Toney Douglas – to Phoenix for Nash, sources said.

I could at least stomach this had he gone to Dallas, but the Knicks? Gross. I don't get the move because that team is still going to be average and unable to play defense

[Senator Clay Davis]

Single most confusing signing ever if it happens. Less money, essentially same chance at a title, substantially less long term legacy. I mean I just don't get this in any way.

[flames_1987]

Especially after D'antoni last year!!!!

The good that has come out of this, is people realizing Jose Calderon is a good Point Guard in the NBA and a lot of teams were interested in getting him if he was free

[Senator Clay Davis]

I'll say it: In Toronto he'd be expected to bust ass on defense, something he's never done. In New York he'll make them an exciting offensive team, allowing him to once again play no defense because they'll win 50 games, even if they allow 105PPG to do it.

[octothorp]

Yeah, this only makes sense if New York was really the only place he wanted to play all along, in which case I think there was some insincerity on his part in the things he was saying prior to free agency.

The thing that pisses me off is that a couple weeks ago, I didn't even want Nash on this team, but I totally bought in to all the hype and rumours that Toronto was the frontrunner.

I'll still respect Nash regardless of what he chooses, but that won't stop me from continuing to cheer every misfortune that the Knicks have, from defeats to spats to injuries to mismanagement.

[Suave]

I don't think Nash would be going to New York for the Knicks, more for the city itself (He loves it there). Same deal with going to Toronto, it would be more about building basketball in Canada, rather then the Raptors.