The offseason blows

The off-season blows big time and it's rather difficult to open Twitter, when there is nothing even remotely connected to the basketball in the trending topics. It must be even more difficult for players like Big Baby Davis, Andre Miller and David Lee, who are looking at their phones and waiting for any call.

Celtics load their team like there was no tomorrow. Their new target is Marquis Daniels, who will come in a Sign & Trade with Scalabrine or take the biannual exception. Trail Blazers don't have that much luck. Although, they have money to spend, they continue to fail to sign any player at all. After Hedo Turkoglu made his decision in favor of snowy Toronto winters, the Blazers signed Paul Millsap for an offer sheet, only to be kicked in the nuts again, this time by Utah Jazz, who decided to match the offer.

Mark Cuban's lawsuit have been dismissed, Antoine Walker didn't have luck with gambling and Richard Jefferson left his bride at the altar. That's the kind of news we are being fed lately. It's dry bread and water for those of us, who are hungry for any NBA news. I would prefer rainbow trout and Chianti, but that will have to do, unfortunately.

Dwyane Wade jumped out on Twitter lately with a promise of some news. Of course news were crappy, he changed Converse for Nike, which doesn't make any difference, if you're not interested in yet another puppet commercial. He didn't say anything about Lamar Odom, although the rumors make us believe, that Wade is trying to convince the Heat team and Odom to remarry again.

Yao Ming bought himself a team, and it might be the only basketball related activity, that will be left for him. He just cannot catch a break with his injuries, which is such a pity, for he is one of the best centers in the game and has a heart of a warrior.

Josh Childress is going back to Greece, and there is a remote possibility that he will take Nate Robinson with him.

Magic spoiled Marcin Gortat's hopes to be a starting center for the Mavericks. Marcin wasn't happy at all, especially when the Magic signed also Brandon Bass, pushing the Polish Hammer even further on the bench.

The OK City Thunder waived guard Earl Watson, who might be joining the Pacers, hence giving us the hope, that Jarrett Jack will wear Raptors uniform next season. There is no logical reason for Pacers to pay 20 mln just to get another point guard. They have time till Tuesday to make their decision. Hope we won't get the treatment Blazers are getting. Although we have Douby to backup both guard position and he had a major impact in the Summer League games, I still don't feel him as a first guard from the bench. He hogs the ball way to much, and while it may work in the Summer League games, where all the players try to steal the show, it won't be working in the team concept. Roko didn't improve and Marcus Banks... You just hope that he can somehow disappear and take his contract with him. There is no reason for him to be in the NBA.

Free Agency Day 5 - I believe we'll be fine

So Sheed is going to dress green next season. And the Celtics are reaching the All Star starting 5, while trying to put themselves into a winning position not only for the next championship, but also for breaking the record of technical fouls per one team. Doc Rivers is also talking to Grant Hill.

Mark Cuban broke the piggy bank to seduce Jason Kidd with 25 mln 3 year contract (WOOT!). Guess is he doesn't want to admit the mistake he made by trading Devin Harris for Kidd. Or he's simply afraid, that JK will drink from a Fountain of Youth as soon as he kicks into New York.

So the big market teams are spending. The small market teams are trembling.

Which one of them are we? I know, Raptors, being the only Canadian team don't get the serious attention from American media. But does it make us a small market team? Can you seriously call the only basketball Canada can cheer for a small market team? Yeah, there are most people obsessed with hockey here, but the young basketball fan base is big and growing. Check here.

So maybe it's time to stop wailing that we're spending too much on Hedo.
- We have a thin bench? We do, but we didn't even have legit starting 5 previous season.
- You're afraid it's going to hurt us in 2/3 years? I think it will hurt us more when Bosh shows us his middle finger next off-season, because we didn't give him any supporting cast.
- He's going to be overpaid underachiever. He's no Stephon Marbury. Also, he wanted to come here. Yes, he chose Toronto as his next home over Portland. The fact, that we offered him 3 mln more? It's 3 mln over 5 years with higher taxes, I don't think this changes his quality of life that significantly.
- You think that he's another 'soft Euro'. Rewind your memory to last year playoffs, when we met with Orlando Magic. Remember this ugly white dude who threw your franchise player into the second row of fans watching the game? Here's the 'soft Euro' for you.


I'm not a huge expert on salary cap, but if you see, how much so called serious teams spend on their players, you have to believe that there are enough exceptions to work out some plan to get at least one reasonable backup wing man. Not a superstar, not Hassan Adams, but a decent shooter/defender.

So, Toronto, enjoy. You have a first star player in your team history that comes here willingly. A player who played in NBA Finals recently. Didn't sit on bench, played as a starter. Shot several clutch shots, dished more than a few sweet assists. If this doesn't convince you, check Cuzoogle. End of rant.

Free Agency Day 3 - Hedo looking for a better pizza

Earlier today ESPN informed us that Hedo Turkoglu reached an agreement with Portland Trail Blazers and Shawn Marion was negotiating his contract with Toronto Raptors. Raptors offered him something north of 30 mln for 4 years, but Marion tried to get 5 year 50 mln. While whole Toronto fan base kept their breath wondering who's gonna win these negotiations, another news broke: Turkoglu rejected offer from Portland and decided to go with Toronto. Raptors offered him 56 mln for 6 years, which is basically 6 mln more than Blazers.

Was the 6 mln the reason for Michael Jordan of Turkey to come to Toronto? Or the fact that his wife loved the city? Or maybe our pizza is better?


And how is it gonna affect us? We're simply losing the MLE and staying with a bench thinner than Christian Bale in 'The Machinist'.



We also can say bye-bye to Anthony Parker, Carlos Delfino and Shawn Marion.

I like the idea of having Hedo Turkoglu on our team much more than having Marion, but it would definitely get sweeter if we could also get Linas Kleiza to come of the bench.


Another news today:

Pistons are interested in signing Avery Johnson as a head coach.

Phil Jackson will definitely come back to coach Lakers. He seems to be the right man to handle Ron Artest.


Boston Celtics are interested in getting Rasheed Wallace.

Free Agency Day 2 - Disappointed Raptors Fan

Yeah, I feel really disappointed. It feels like all the teams are trying to do something and we're just sitting and waiting for something magic to happen.

Trevor Ariza agreed to sign with Huston Rockets a multiyear MLE deal, which made about everybody in Toronto asking: WHY? Why didn't Bryan Colangelo try to sign him? NBA.com tells us, that Raptors actually offered bigger dollars to Ariza, but he signed with the Rockets 'out of respect'. (???)

Ron Artest reached the agreement with Lakers. Now, he will be able to manhandle Kobe on trainings.

Boston Celtics trying to make a run for Rasheed Wallace. Mavericks and Knicks speaking with Jason Kidd. Marcin Gortat is on his way to Dallas.

So, where are you, Raptors? Are you gonna try to resign Shawn Marion? Add Linas Kleiza? Is that all we can expect?