Raptors: Fixing It Without Mike James
| 10
|
by user HoopsAddict.com
By Jeff Wong @ HoopsAddict.com
I lied. I said that reaching 1,000 words in my Raptors submission to the NBA GM Fixit contest was hard. Actually, trimming it down to 1,000 was the hard part. There was so much I wanted to explain about my moves, but I just couldn’t fit it in. Luckily, I have my space on Hoops Addict to expand on my wheelings and dealings. Move #1: Bye-bye, Space Mountain. Yes, I am one of the many Raptors fans who didn’t like Mike James’ shoot-first mentality when Chris Bosh went down. Nor did I appreciate his gimme-money rants. As Ryan puts it, “He reminds me of Cuba Gooding Jr’s character (Rod Tidwell) in Jerry Maguire. Only problem is Tidwell saw the light and stopped running his mouth while James never did.”
But it was James’ style of play that was the biggest problem. While he was deadly offensively with 20.3 points per game and a 44.2% three-point shooting efficiency (fourth in the NBA), his decision-making process seems to revolve around himself. It’s surprising that his assist totals are so high; it just didn’t look like he involved his teammates that often.
And that’s why I’d let James “fly”: To me, what MJ brings to the Dinos’ table is not worth $8-10 million a year. Instead of doling out those big bucks on him, I’d use the 2006/07 season to gauge the development of our young point guards, Jose Calderon and Roko-Leni Ukic. I’d buy out Ukic’s contract with Tau Ceramica and see if he can crack the rotation. If he’s really as good as the scouting reports say, he’s got a chance to make an immediate impact. Just imagine Bosh or Villanueva in Splitter’s place in this video!
If Ukic is not ready, he’d go to the D-League and get major minutes, which he wouldn’t get in Europe. Who would be on the big-league roster? Would I leave PG in the hands of Calderon, Darrick Martin and Alvin “It’s Only a Flesh Wound” Williams? No. As I’ve said before, another veteran needs to bridge the gap. I suggest Gary Payton or Sam Cassell (yes, Sam Cassell) on a one-plus-option or a two-year deal.
I would have a decision to make in the big off-season of 2007, when a potentially big crop of draftable talent and free agents will undoubtly result in player movement. If the young points and Payton/Cassell don’t pan out, the Raps can sign or trade. It’s Chauncey Billups’ and Luke Ridnour’s team-option year, so it’s possible they (read: Ridnour) could be had. And if the Payton or Cassell / Calderon / Ukic rotation works out, it’s status quo for 2007/08.
And now, a little parting poetry: James is as good as gone. It’s time to say goodbye. He’s already said it: “I Believe I Can Fly”.
Here’s what he was thinking while he sang:
I believe I can fly (I believe that Houston will offer me more money!) I believe I can touch the sky (Alley-oops from Rafer! Or, hallucinations from sparring with Tyson!) I think about it every night and day (I’ve got 8-10 million things to think about!) Spread my wings and fly away (I’m flying Air Canada out of Toronto!) I believe I can soar (To Houston!) I see me running through that open door (Bye, Raptors!) I believe I can fly (I can fly!)
Okay, it’s no haiku, but it does the job.
And please vote for me - June 7 on NBA GM Fixit!!!
Date
Fri 06/02/06, 4:51 am EST
