Raptors Presser

[Soundwave]

Hey guys.

What a long strange offseason it has been. We had made a choice early on last season that it would be the last run for the Terrific Threesome. We were ready to reset thing in Toronto. Not that the players weren't good anymore. It was just time to freshen things up. We are very sad to see guys like Chauncey, Michael, and Elton wearing different jerseys. But to be a smart organization you have to do what is best for the team despite sentimental reasons. So we put our feelings aside and made the necessary moves. And this is what happened.......

1. We traded Chauncey for a very good young Center that can defend and rebound and also got a couple of first round picks (Andray Blatche being one of them) and cap space. We would very much like to welcome Kendrick and Andray to the fold and look forward to many years of solid play from the both of them.

2. Michael Finley, for some odd reason, was not in demand around the league. This is a guy who perhaps slightly past his prime but will most likely be a Hall of Famer one day. We got what we could for him in a 1st round pick and cap space. Sorry Mike, we expected more for you but you are in a good spot.

3. We agreed to a very good deal with Joe Johnson in RFA but the price was steep. That meant moving Elton Brand. We knew through trade talks that Elton was perhaps the most underrated and disrespected player in the entire league. He deserves to be on the Mount Rushmore of SLOE. We believe we may have given up the better player but were able to get younger, cheaper, and fill a position of need.

4. With all of our freed up cap space available we were able to hit big on Free Agency with a couple of big name players that wanted to come play for a proven winner. We in Toronto realize that cap space cannot dribble a ball and were happy to spend to acquire players the caliber of Tim Thomas and Ricky Davis.

So in Summary we turned Chauncey, Finley, and Elton into Tim Thomas, Joe Johnson, Ricky Davis, Kendrick Perkins, Andray Blatche, and a couple of draft 1st round picks. We hope to have set a blueprint for teams that are looking to rebuild in the future.

Questions?

What. How is this the wrong spot? What do you mean this isn't the GMOY thread????

Dammit.

[IamQuailman]

Are Ricky Davis and Tim Thomas in the long term plans for the Raptors, or will they potentially be used to fetch a better rebuilding package?

[logpmess]

With the acquisition of Thomas, Johnson, and Davis, do you consider yourself a contender in the east?

[WigNosy]

Given your long-expressed love of big men, which of Thomas, Johnson, and Davis should we expect to see flipped for a big first?

[Soundwave]

Are Ricky Davis and Tim Thomas in the long term plans for the Raptors, or will they potentially be used to fetch a better rebuilding package?

Maybe, Maybe not. I will say the Raptors are not a finished product yet. Also, I've kinda liked the wheeling and dealing part again. Been a while since I've engaged.

Those guys have 60 days to impress me, and the rest of the league.

[Soundwave]

With the acquisition of Thomas, Johnson, and Davis, do you consider yourself a contender in the east?

I think we are playoff capable, but we are missing that 1 piece that will make this engine run perfectly. It all starts with the PG and we aren't there yet.

[Soundwave]

Given your long-expressed love of big men, which of Thomas, Johnson, and Davis should we expect to see flipped for a big first?

D) All of the above.




*Disclaimer* Johnson can't be moved this year.

[Xist2Inspire]

What's the timetable for this team? Kendrick, JJ, Ricky, and your hole at PG says "not now," but Tim Thomas approaching 30 says otherwise. Will the moves to contend for another title come this season, or further down the road?

[Soundwave]

What's the timetable for this team? Kendrick, JJ, Ricky, and your hole at PG says "not now," but Tim Thomas approaching 30 says otherwise. Will the moves to contend for another title come this season, or further down the road?

There is none.

I would rather not place a timetable on this team. There is a learning process involved and I'm not sure how long it will take to to play to these guys strengths.

I may go for it all this season, or this may just be a baby step in a very long process. Time will tell.

[Eazy P]

What is Channing Frye's roll on your team? What do you have planned for him?

[Soundwave]

What is Channing Frye's roll on your team? What do you have planned for him?

He has to beat out Cook to be the Backup for Tim Thomas. Or he may be our starting PG.

[NOLa.]

Is this team a just-for-show until Day 60 arrives? This team isn't comparable to your previous championship squad, but it is still very talented thanks to a strong free agency and trades

Sent via Morse code

[JNR]

Generic Wolves Reporter: Your offense seems fine so far. What changes do you plan to make for your defense?

[Soundwave]

Generic Wolves Reporter: Your offense seems fine so far. What changes do you plan to make for your defense?

Not go with the CPU recommendation.

Also hope to be able to guard the point of attack at some point.

[Soundwave]

Is this team a just-for-show until Day 60 arrives? This team isn't comparable to your previous championship squad, but it is still very talented thanks to a strong free agency and trades

Sent via Morse code

I'm not sure why people keep saying that. I did not get these assets just to trade them. I am looking to get back where I BELONG.

That being said, I will listen to all offers that are presented to me. It would be stupid not to.