February 14, 2009
After weeks of speculation and rumors of the deal being all but done, it’s finally done. The Toronto Raptors acquired Shawn Marion from the Miami Heat. Along with Marion and his expiring $17 million contract the Raptors also received Marcus Banks and cash considerations from the Heat for Jermaine O’Neal, Jamario Moon, and a conditional draft pick.
In Marion the Raptors have added a natural small forward and one of the NBA’s premier athletic specimens. Marion was a centerpiece in the Phoenix Suns’ up-tempo attack for eight and a half seasons before being dealt to Miami last season when the Suns acquired Shaquille O’Neal. Marion will take some pressure off of Chris Bosh as another scoring option and as a very tough defender. The deal also allows Andrea Bargnani to permanently takeover as the full-time center.
Miami’s acquisition of Jermaine O’Neal will allow Heat forward Udonis Haslem to move back into his natural PF position, and give Miami the “big man” that they were seeking to insert into their lineup. The oft-injured O’Neal arrived in Toronto this past off-season amid moderate fanfare in a deal that sent T.J. Ford to Indiana. J.O. never really looked comfortable as a Raptor and he lacked the consistency that he was noted for earlier in his career. O’Neal was averaging 13.5 PPG and 7 rebounds per game.
More to follow.
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NBA | Tagged: Chris Bosh, Jermaine O'Neal, NBA Trades, Shawn Marion, Trade Rumors | 
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Posted by S L
January 31, 2009
You had to pardon the surprised looks on fans’ faces as they entered the Air Canada Centre for Friday night’s contest between the Milwaukee Bucks and Toronto Raptors. Gate attendants were shoveling out Jermaine O’Neal bobble-heads at an alarming rate in an effort race general manager Bryan Colangelo’s efforts to trade the often injured center.
What started out as a solid performance by the Raptors soured quickly before the end of the first-half. Andrea Bargnani led the way in the first-quarter with 13 points (he would finish with 16), and the Raptors were on top 30-24 heading into the second. Ex-Raptor and poster boy for success despite alopecia, Charlie Villanueva, proved too much for the lacklustre Toronto squad to handle. Charlie V finished with a game-high 26 points and grabbed 13 rebounds to boot. Chris Bosh added 18 points and 9 rebounds, but never really broke free of Milwaukee’s defensive coverage.
The loss ends the Raptors’ three-game win streak, which was their best run since they started the season 3-0. The 96-85 loss dropped the Raptors to second last in the Eastern Conference where they hold a 19-29 record.
Frustrations boiled over late in the game as Jermaine O’Neal was ejected after being handed his second technical foul on the evening. Also of note, Jose Calderon’s run at the NBA record books came to a halt when he bounced a free-throw off the rim with 3:32 remaining in the game.
Luke Ridnour added 15 points for the Bucks (23-27), Andrew Bogut contributed 13 points and some solid defense off the bench after missing 8 games with back spasms. The Bucks’ victory was their first since they were handed the news that perennial all-star Michael Redd will miss the remainder of the season with a knee injury.
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By Scott Lewis
1 Comment | NBA | Tagged: Andrea Bargnani, Andrew Bogut, Charlie Villanueva, Chris Bosh, Jermaine O'Neal, Jose Calderon, Luke Ridnour, Toronto Raptors | Permalink
Posted by S L
October 30, 2008
Dwight Howard did it all in the Magic’s season debut, including missing half of his free-throws, 5 steals, 5 blocks, and his usual 22 and 15. No surprises here, fantasy owners can commence drooling. His teammate and resident point guard, Jameer Nelson managed only 3 assists in 32 minutes… hardly what we expected, but it’s early.
A number of Greg Oden injury replacements emerged in the season’s first two days. Oden is expected to miss 2-4 weeks, but owners should be less than optimisitc at this point. Kendrick Perkins, Darrell Arthur, Spencer Hawes, Brook Lopez, and (gulp) Joel Przybilla all made valiant efforts to make fantasy rosters. Something tells me that the Trail Blazers will fair better than Oden owners in his absence.
Michael Beasley put up 9 points on 4 of 14 shooting. He’ll get more touches, logic says he should make more of those shots… Dwayne Wade was stellar. Looks like Udonis Haslem will be starting at C, he will likely continue to grab 10 boards or so, expect that 23 point performance to be his ceiling.
The hell with Boston’s big three, the Raptors’ Jose Calderon, Chris Bosh, and Jermaine O’Neal combined for 57 points, 21 rebounds, and 15 assists. Ok, ok… those guys in Boston are pretty good too. I picked up Jason Kapono in a league that counts 3PTM, and you should too. Big win for the Raptors against the improved 76ers. I picked Philadelphia to win the East and I’ll stand by that, for now. Elton Brand was still figuring himself out.
Injury Notes:
Marcus Camby, bravo on a great season… last year. If you made this guy your number 1 option at C you could be in trouble.
Mike Dunleavy (knee) could be serious, Deron Williams (ankle) might play next week, Shane Battier (foot) will miss a month or more, Gilbert Arenas (knee surgery) see you in the new year, Monta Ellis (moped) is gone for 3 months, Sebastian Telfair (gun possession) is an idiot.
Anyhell, basketball is back!
Posted by Scott Lewis
Leave a Comment » | Fantasy, NBA | Tagged: Chris Bosh, Dwayne Wade, Dwight Howard, Greg Oden, Jameer Nelson, Jermaine O'Neal, Jose Calderon, Toronto Raptors | Permalink
Posted by thestatsman
