Ye Olde Mailbag: In-season Raptors trades, a bit of March Madness and what’s up with Zion?

There should not loads of questions right here and a few of them are very lengthy however there’s most likely sufficient to make it price your whereas to spend a while earlier than tonight’s recreation.

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Q: Wouldn’t or not it’s good if the Raptors might ship all their younger gamers to the Popovich ending faculty after which reacquire them?

In all seriousness, the one in-season roster adjustment that rivals Poeltl’s arrival, within the sense of instantly bettering mediocre efficiency, is the Homosexual commerce for the three Kings a decade in the past. (I don’t depend the Gasol commerce since that crew might by no means be described as mediocre, earlier than or after his arrival). Are you able to consider others (maybe a high 5 listing, we haven’t had a kind of for awhile)?

You are reading: Ye Olde Mailbag: In-season Raptors trades, a bit of March Madness and what’s up with Zion?

The won-loss file could not present it but, however there’s something immensely satisfying to a story subplot that reconstitutes the Casey bench mob. Shut your eyes and it has by no means been away; now for the tough bit, maintaining it collectively.

James A., Victoria

A: They’ve actually acquired an enormous bounce from Poeltl in six weeks or so, I’m going to attend to see what occurs together with his contract in the summertime earlier than declaring it a monster win. I absolutely count on he’ll signal at a good quantity however till he does, I’ll reserve judgement.

As for others, other than the Homosexual deal, Serge Ibaka for Terrence Ross involves thoughts however aside from that, in-season offers have all the time been both completely inconsequential or involving groups going nowhere, it’s laborious to rank them. Wayne Embry in his interim function getting out from underneath a Jalen Rose contract and getting some cap area was fairly good.

I do know what was the worst, by far.

Whats up, Vince for nothing!

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Q: Hello Doug
I’m of the opinion that substantial adjustments will happen on the finish of the season. With that in thoughts I really feel the Raptors can be higher off getting the best doable draft decide quite than making a token look within the playoffs.
If they might get a top quality guard with say Scottie Barnes skill free of charge wouldn’t that take advantage of sense in reshaping this crew?
Stan

A: I couldn’t disagree extra. It’s all the time higher to study from taking part in vital recreation than it’s by sending a sign that profitable doesn’t matter. All the time.

However, sure, discovering a possible all-star like Barnes free of charge can be nice, it’s simply wildly unlikely given actuality. Perhaps the scouts hit a house run however that’s as prone to occur with the 16^th decide because the ninth.

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Q: Hello Doug,

It wasn’t way back that Zion Williamson was god-like in his talents and He was going to guide the Pelicans to the Promised Land. A couple of years later, he has fallen again to earth and his mortal physique appears to be catching as much as him.  Do you watched his total physique weight is probably a serious participant in his injury-prone-ness?  Though he’s supremely athletic, he does appear to be rather a lot heavier than what can be supreme for a supremely match NBA participant in right this moment’s fast-paced recreation. I heard he has a “weight-clause” in his contract. Is that true? Do every other gamers within the NBA have one? Additionally… what is the weirdest contract clause you have heard of?

Richard F

Victoria

A: Unsure it’s the burden, though others have prompt it. I feel it’s extra the facility and torque he performs with that lesser muscle groups and tendons have a tough time dealing with.

I don’t find out about a “weight clause” and I’d be shocked if any agent agreed to that.

I do know that there have been gamers who’ve advised groups to not listing their professional weight or peak due to the preconceived notions that go along with these numbers.

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Q: Pricey Doug,
Thanks once more to your knowledge. A completely totally different query this time. From my distant recliner in Vancouver, it appears to me that the Blue Jays are totally different from the Raptors in that they can appeal to gamers and the umpires don’t appear to thoughts coming to Canada.

Is my notion true? If that’s the case, is it as a result of the gamers and umps keep for 3 days quite than out and in? Or, does the truth that the NBA stars are dominantly People whereas baseball stars are extra worldwide?
Thanks once more,
Bev

A: I don’t assume anybody balks at coming to the nation for an everyday season recreation or collection – Toronto’s all the time been a favorite metropolis to go to. There was a time when NBA gamers unfamiliar with Canada didn’t need to transfer right here for a whole season.

That’s performed with now and never an element.

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I don’t know this to be 100 per cent true however I’d assume baseball gamers – particularly these from the Caribbean or Latin America – are extra used to dwelling a brand new tradition than these from the States and can be extra amenable to one thing new.

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Q: Hello Doug,

With March Insanity upon us, thought you wish to hear some NCAA questions and feedback.

The NCAA platform and panorama has modified prior to now few years and can proceed to vary extra over the subsequent few years.

There’s the Switch Portal for gamers the place there isn’t any longer a ready interval in the event that they need to change Faculties.   It’s virtually like Free Company after yearly.

Additionally, the impact of NIL (identify, picture, likeness) permitting gamers to learn monetarily, continues to be to be seen.

What’s to cease a college booster from hiring a Star Participant to signify his/her Firm and paying them $1 million for this service.

Is there a restrict to the financial quantity of NIL and the way does the NCAA police this?

Massive, wealthy faculties with wealthy alumni may have no drawback doing this.

Is there wherever the place these NIL figures are made Open and out there to the general public?

Perhaps it’s about time that the NCAA rip-off is put to an finish and that the highest star athletes are proven to be what they’re  –  PROFESSIONALS and college students in identify solely.

Simply questioning what your ideas are on this and has the Genie been launched from the bottle with all these current adjustments.

EDDY

A: I’ve so little curiosity in or data of the NIL factor I can not assist you to with any particulars. I truthfully couldn’t care much less as a result of the NCAA – basketball and soccer primarily – have been professional leagues for many years and this simply codifies what’s all the time been occurring underneath the desk.

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Q: Sir: Do you learn these questions as they arrive in or suddenly? Additionally, have you ever ever had a participant/coach/entrance workplace individual touch upon any of the questions/solutions?

Paul M

A: I look shortly at them in the course of the week however normally wait till Friday earlier than placing the file all collectively and giving them a deeper learn.

Positive, I get feedback from folks on the Raptors if I’ve made a mistake in some truth or missed some extent and I welcome it as a result of it means they’re studying.

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Q: Hello Doug,

Hope you might be having fun with the insanity that’s March! Do not refill on inexperienced beer and Shamrock Shakes from Mickey D’s!

A few good wins and hope is renewed for the ultimate dozen video games!

Some questions:

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1) Not a lot was stated, however the Raptors despatched a lot of the youngsters (minus Malachi) to the 905 previous to the street journey, I assume for taking part in time.  Do you assume Nick will roll 10/11 sturdy from right here on in? Was sending the youngsters away a nasty thought?

2) Has Pascal being taking part in poorly (as some have prompt not too long ago) or is it extra a matter of Jakob getting factors and rebounds that earlier Pascal would have made? After all, Jakob will get his personal factors and rebounds as a result of his distinctive skillset/measurement.

3) Talking of Jakob, how a lot do you assume the loss to Utah some time again pushed Masai & Bobby to get him?  (Their bigs brutalized us!) Equally, having seen OKC , do you assume they understand a sturdy large like Jakob could possibly be precisely what they want? (they’ve two skinny, younger 7-footers injured proper now)

4) How a lot of March Insanity do you observe, and is so, by what means and the way intently? The match is 63 video games from begin to end, waht or who do you decide and select to observe?

Thanks to your insightful articles and their constant prime quality!

Bernie M

A: The younger gamers needed to go play, letting them play within the G League was the one means that was going to occur. The Raptors have settled on a nine-man rotation, barring damage, and none of them have been going to be in it.

Pascal was not taking part in poorly so the query is moot. His power may need lagged in brief bits however that’s it.

Sure, the Utah recreation uncovered flaws within the roster however administration, the coaches, the gamers, and all of us knew about them so I can’t say one recreation was the set off.

March Insanity is normally background noise at house or muted video after I’m out. I stated this to somebody Day 1: “I can not think about how NBA executives watch these items all season. I’ve a lot extra respect for them now.”

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Q: This has all the time puzzled me, to my data Boucher has not solely by no means performed for Canada’s nationwide crew, nevertheless it is not even a speaking level.

I do not get it, is he Canadian? As I do know he’s from Montreal and if that’s the case why is not it a speaking level.

He can be a helpful participant together with his size, rebounding, motor, skill to unfold the ground and so on. however he’s by no means within the dialogue, and appears to be given a move. It has me flummoxed..

Doug B

A: Chris was really born in St. Lucia and has all the time most well-liked to have his summers to himself. We wrote in regards to the one 12 months he was in camp and left on the final minute – 2018 perhaps? – nevertheless it’s been a non-story since then.

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Q: Hey Doug. By no means miss your column (effectively, supply points with a few snowstorms apart).

I am questioning in case you’d agree that the primary drawback with the Raptors is solely that they’re nonetheless a bit younger. Common age is 25 (perhaps Will Barton modified {that a} bit). The typical age of most NBA Champions averages out at 27 or 28 years. The youngest ever NBA champion’s common age was 26, the Showtime Lakers. The oldest champion’s common age was 30 years. Since there has by no means been an NBA champion at a mean age of 25, this 12 months’s Raptors are set to hitch each different NBA crew with a mean age of 25 in failing to take action. Ever. In the event that they maintain the crew collectively for subsequent 12 months, I do not assume they’re the Showtime Lakers so we will mark them down as not profitable subsequent 12 months at 26 years common age both. However in 2024-25? I feel 2 years of maintaining this crew collectively would give them an actual good shot at a championship, after which a continued run from 2024 by means of to 2028. The oldest individual of the core group can be Fred at 35 in 2028, which is the age of Steph Curry now, and Durant is 34 now. Given what number of shut video games they misplaced this 12 months, would not a pair years of taking part in collectively flip these losses into wins? After all nothing is assured (and I am not a cap man so I admit I am undecided how that might be affected, I will go away that as much as Masai and Bobby) nevertheless it looks as if a logical path that they’re on – create a powerful core and develop with them (Scottie has potential to be actually particular), including minor items right here and there, creating your individual expertise alongside the way in which as they acquire extra expertise (i.e. Gary, Valuable, and Christian). I suppose I used to be the one one who was tremendous excited what Masai and Bobby did on the commerce deadline – they stored everyone vital and nonetheless added an enormous piece (Jacob), not for this 12 months since a mean 25 12 months previous crew is rarely going to win, and even subsequent 12 months, however I feel the years after that might be unimaginable. I do know trades are the attractive and enjoyable solution to do issues, nevertheless it’ s like with private relationships, there’s all the time somebody on the market who appears thrilling and contemporary, however till you might be able to put within the work along with your spouse, husband, or no matter, you are not going to have the outcomes you need. Marriage is difficult.

So is constructing a champion (really most likely most issues price doing are laborious, however that is for an additional day). Typically trades work out immediately (Raps 2019), however more often than not they fail – for nearly everybody. I want what the Spurs did within the current previous, with persistently good groups, drafting effectively (I do know Kawhi was a Pacers draft decide however actually the Spurs) and all the time placing out good groups with profitable all the time part of the tradition. In truth, had they not had the issue with Kawhi they could nonetheless be a contender.

Kinda lengthy winded however is not common age a key concern and do not the Raptors simply want extra time collectively to be an actual contender?

Sincerely,
Peter Sundiata

A: Sure, very long-winded and I don’t assume anybody can unequivocally say there’s a chronological age however I are inclined to agree that it takes a number of years for a gaggle to develop collectively however there additionally must be bits added every an yearly, It’s what number of and in what function that issues.

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