Yesterday, the Pacers shipped out Jermaine O'neal. Who just happened to be their best player and in return they received T.J. Ford a fifth year PG out of Texas, C Rasho Nesterovic, Roy Hibbert (the 17th pick overall) and a player to be named later. This trade benefits both sides, but not equally.
The Pacers get a reserve PG in Ford, Nesterovic, Hibbert an inexperienced rookie and the always irrelevent player to be named later. Clearly in terms of player quality they lost out. But, where they succeeded was in getting rid of a major team distraction. There is something to be said about the quality of player that O'neal was traded for. Fact of the matter is these four guys can not play the one position and have the same effect on the court.
The Raptors won in terms of player quality. They got an All Star F to pair with Chris Bosh. Granted, he only played in 42 of 82 games last season. But, he is still a force to be reckoned with. To say that his career is in its denomet is premature. He was unhappy in Indy and I'm certain that he would have played more if he was happy.
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about 1 month ago
There's no hole at PG on the Raptors. Jose Calderon was (for much of last season) and now is the starting PG for the Raps, no doubt about it.
about 1 month ago
And he was traded today. The hole now, is gaping.
about 1 month ago
With Roko Ukic coming over from Roma in Europe backing up Jose Calderon, I don't really see any hole either. Also, I think you meant San Antonio rather than Detroit regarding Nesterovic as a "contract dump"?
about 1 month ago
im sorry but oneal is not a small forward and he will not be able to gaurd one off of the dribble. i think raps will have a slow team and will not be able to run the floor as well with this starting line-up
about 1 month ago
Timot, You should lose your password and not submit articles anymore.
You have no idea what you're talking about.
about 1 month ago
Allow me to continue, now that I've cooled off.
1. If you think Ford is a reserve PG, you should ask him. He clearly became a big baby the Calderon won the starting spot from him this year. If Ford isn't starting, he'll be on the next train to the next city.
2. Nesterovic is not a Pistons contract dump. WTF are you talking about? He's never been associated with the Pistons...ever! T-Wolves/Spurs/Raptors. That's it.
3. This is no hole at the PG spot and despite when you said above, Calderon is still with the Raptors.
4. O'Neal has NEVER been a small forward.
Starting (Reserves):
1-Calderon (Ukic)
2-Parker (Adams)
3-Kapono (Moon, Graham)
4- Bosh (Bargnani)
5-O'Neal (Humphries, Jawai)
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