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Statistically the 2nd worst but we might as well be THE worst. Really, really... disappointing play.

Agreed. The way Kleiza has been playing should getting him a few starting nods. I love his role as the energizer on this team however and I think he provides a perfect punch off the bench so I hope that effect doesn't disappear if we begin to start him. McGuire is the best option as our defensive SF and it's a shame that Anderson is also injured because a McGuire/Kleiza/Anderson rotation could of worked well.

All good points but at this point, if we're desperate enough to consistently be starting Dominic McGuire, I'd have Fields back asap to start a deeper SF rotation. Honestly, the play of the Raptors this season is disappointing and is very much similar to what we were doing last year. One would think that this entire new philosophy of Casey and the new players coming in would make a difference but I can't seem to spot one. Back to the concern of Fields and the 3 spot, we really don't have a starting caliber 3. The best bet would honestly be to unload players and snag a bigger name SF or pick up someone smaller like a Pietrus (who we were rumoured to be interested in)

Despite his horrible offensive contributions thus far, he was providing a good defensive body while running the floor whenever given the chance. He'd be good to have back, just in a different role this time around.

Anderson showed that he could play but he was being misused. I love Casey and the mentality he brings to the team but his rotations seem to confuse me. I like the use of McGuire but the hefty amount of minutes he gets is baffling. JV being taken out in the 4th is also another question mark because he's young and has obviously shown the energy we need. I also want to see Ross get some PT now, his game versus Indiana tonight showed that he was solid on both sides of the ball so why not give him more exposure?

That's true but you have to take into account now that he's been in the league for some time now and his offensive game is proven. The extra weight can only help on his primary focuses at this point in his career: defence and rebounding

Thoughts on the game? My take on it was pretty positive. I thought that the shaky start was bound to happen as the team looked rusty and a bit out of sync. However, I was really impressed with the play of Jon Lucas, especially, and how he took over scoring in the time he was allowed to play.

It'll be a good change to see, he will lose some speed however, that's the inevitable. However, this can allow him to use that high post more effectively.

No matter how DeMar does in the season, I always see his summer work and I see improvements of some sort and that keeps my hopes alive that this guy still has upside and can be a star in this league. This highlight mix only has me more excited for the year, ontop of everything that has happened already.

The guy isn't a bad PG option off the bench but then again, there's potential of the contract tying us up when we don't want it any more.

Gave up a first rounder to chi-town for him, gave him away for a second rounder, aha.

He's coming over next week to do his official contract signing. This is happening after his club contract is over and dealt with.

Yeah I see the validation in your points. I just hope we don't let anything for big V go to waste... that is if he has anything to bring. All the best to him and our franchise though.

I can see why you're saying he would start but in the areas where he's somewhat defined, I think Jonas already beats him out for it. Plus, if you look at the rest of our projected starting line up, it'd be ideal to put Jonas in because I envision a faster-paced, quick transition type of team. That being said, Jonas fits in better with the system. Plus, we're riding hopes on him so high, even if he does come off the bench, I hope he gets the max amount of minutes he can get, thus dulling down Gray's PT more.

I don't mind Gray actually. I thought he did his job by banging bodies and being somewhat physical. The only upsetting thing is that we're considering him our backup C now. I would think that Jonas needs someone else to be there behind him.

Well, the trade rumour is Jose/Demar/Davis for Iggy/Vucevic I'd rather keep Demar and allow the lineup of Lowry/Demar/Fields/Bargnani/JV to work at this point. Plus, we can make attempts to throw out Jose for a trade alone for a decent SF. Or Amnesty him and free up room for another signing.

If Lowry is rolling into town, it's the end of the Calderon era.

Somebody delete the replica of this thread, don't know how that happened.

Not NY, not Toronto... the Lakers? By Marc Stein | ESPN.com In an unforeseen twist that could thrust the Los Angeles Lakers straight back into title contention, two-time NBA MVP Steve Nash has successfully negotiated a sign-and-trade deal from the Phoenix Suns to the Los Angeles Lakers that will team him up with Kobe Bryant, according to sources with knowledge of the deal.

Keep stacking up the payroll BC. Honestly if we acted before we could of used the amnesty on Jose, pulled for Lowry sometime now and made a serious push for Iggy (since Gay isn't moving). If that would of been possible, god damn we would be looking much better.

We've put in too much effort to not get Nash at this point. For some reason, it's settled in my stomach that we need him now. Also, there's the sour underlying feeling that he's going to choose NY.

Play Fields at the 3 or don't play him at all. Agreed with DemarDerozanDunk, DD and Ross' minutes are too valuable to us right now. Besides, if we have any sort of hopes in Landry, let's apply it to our weakest position.

I didn't even see this before I posted my own topic about it, my apologies. I don't feel Landry as a Raptor, it's as simple as that. His play seems rigid to me at times and he doesn't seem to excel at any one part of the game. It might be the fact that he's being overshadowed in NY but I doubt it. Not the right asset to acquire in my opinion.

The Toronto Raptors have reached a verbal agreement with New York Knicks restricted free agent Landry Fields on an offer sheet, according to sources with knowledge of the deal. Sources say that Fields will sign a three-year offer approaching $20 million. He cannot sign until July 11, the first day NBA players can sign new contracts. The deal is expected to include a spike in Year 3 similar to the deal the Houston Rockets verbally agreed to this week with Chicago Bulls restricted free agent Omer Asik. The Knicks would have three days to decide whether to match the offer once Fields signed. Thoughts?

Bayless has been a good asset and regardless of his time spent in the league, he has room for improvement. I'm all for re-signing him. As for Weems, I like him as a character and as an athletic bench wing. The only issue was that Triano had no idea what he was doing and gave Weems the wrong role to play. With defensive teachings from Casey and a better role setting, Weems can be very effective for us. Thumbs up to both.