[Smith] No Raptors Trade Imminent - Could Wait Until End Of Summer League To Find Backup Center

[tsherkin]

Mogbo is 6'6.25 without shoes. Calling him 6'9 is erroneous.

Yeah, I went initially off of the b-ref listed height. But he was 6'6.25, 215 lbs, with a 7'2 wingspan. Good call.

Well height is literally irrelevant anyways.

Mogbo has a 9 ft standings reach and 7'2 wingspan. He can play backup center as his size isn't the issue.

Poeltl for example is 9'3" and 7'3" respectively

Yeah, the reach works reasonably well, but he doesn't have the best base for it. Still, you're right, I don't think the physical component is really the problem with Mogbo.

[YogurtProducer]

Yeah, I went initially off of the b-ref listed height. But he was 6'6.25, 215 lbs, with a 7'2 wingspan. Good call.

Well height is literally irrelevant anyways.

Mogbo has a 9 ft standings reach and 7'2 wingspan. He can play backup center as his size isn't the issue.

Poeltl for example is 9'3" and 7'3" respectively

Yeah, the reach works reasonably well, but he doesn't have the best base for it. Still, you're right, I don't think the physical component is really the problem with Mogbo.

I got a bit of faith in Mogbo. He does some things you can’t teach, and as a bench center he’s not gonna be overpowered MOST of the time. We will play the odd team that rolls 2 bigger C’s but we are at the point as an org where that’s gonna happen.

No one mistakes this for a contender. Might be worth letting Mogbo or CMB or whoever get the reps and maybe we are pleasantly surprised

[deeps6x]

Good tidbit on paying Temple as a player vs assistant coach

"The 39-year-old who will be entering his 16th NBA season has shown that not only can he play when called upon, but that his leadership in the locker room has been invaluable in two seasons as a Raptor. And it resonates far more as a player than if he’d become an assistant coach because the dynamic is just different."

LOL. It's team spin from the team's boy, trying to justify an unjustifiable waste of money. He isn't going to be on the floor more then 20 minutes all season. Just make him an assistant coach, or admit why you actually had to hire him.

[LoveMyRaps]

I just want this team to have a lob target…

Quick and Scottie love throwing lobs, but they got no one to throw it too.

A guy like Gafford would’ve been nice, but who obviously is unattainable now.

A big that can catch alley oops or stretch the floor would be nice.

[DreamTeam09]

I wonder who's philosophy is it in the organization not to make the back-up 5 position a priority, like why are they adverse to 7footers

Jay Huff was in Washington & the gleague for a while, we let Carlson walk

[ItsDanger]

I wonder who's philosophy is it in the organization not to make the back-up 5 position a priority, like why are they adverse to 7footers

Jay Huff was in Washington & the gleague for a while, we let Carlson walk

It's all on Bobby now. He could pivot anytime.

[DreamTeam09]

Good tidbit on paying Temple as a player vs assistant coach

"The 39-year-old who will be entering his 16th NBA season has shown that not only can he play when called upon, but that his leadership in the locker room has been invaluable in two seasons as a Raptor. And it resonates far more as a player than if he’d become an assistant coach because the dynamic is just different."

They did admit it, just because you don't like it agree with the premise doesn't make it not true. Someone on the team rallying the troops together is different than one of the coaches doing it. Players may & do confide in a vet rather than someone overseeing their development. Any 14th 15th man may only see 20mins all year barring injury.
Temple isn't blocking us from attaining anyone, raps simply see more value in Temple rather than some other 14th 15th man who you may pencil in on some theoretical depth chart to appease w/e concern you may have roster wise

LOL. It's team spin from the team's boy, trying to justify an unjustifiable waste of money. He isn't going to be on the floor more then 20 minutes all season. Just make him an assistant coach, or admit why you actually had to hire him.

[tsherkin]

I got a bit of faith in Mogbo. He does some things you can’t teach, and as a bench center he’s not gonna be overpowered MOST of the time. We will play the odd team that rolls 2 bigger C’s but we are at the point as an org where that’s gonna happen.

No one mistakes this for a contender. Might be worth letting Mogbo or CMB or whoever get the reps and maybe we are pleasantly surprised

I'm willing to be a little patient with him as a reserve. He's got the reach, the athleticism and he certainly has a motor. And as you say, his size is a little more tolerable going against other reserves.

[HiJiNX]

I wonder who's philosophy is it in the organization not to make the back-up 5 position a priority, like why are they adverse to 7footers

Jay Huff was in Washington & the gleague for a while, we let Carlson walk

It's all on Bobby now. He could pivot anytime.

My guess is Bobby has been the one running the show for a few years now.

[Tor_Raps]

Its the years where we had Fred/OG/Siakam where we were trying to win and failing. It was pretty clearly not having a true C and then just not having enough depth overall (where a backup C played a part) were some of the big reasons.

You mean 2020 and 2022?

2020, when Kyle and Fred played 58 and 54 games, Pascal played 60, Powell played 52, Ibaka played 55 and Marc Gasol played 44? Injuries screwed that team, not roster.

2022? When Fred played 65 games, Pascal played 68, OG played 48 and we were 4th-worst in the league at making shots?

C'mon, man. Injuries are a thing. Not having your core players for huge stretches of the season overrides any concerns over a backup center.

Again, I didnt say that was the ONLY reason but it was a massive part of the problem. Those years youre responding to is when this front office went with the stupid "vision 6'9" and neglected Cs all together and backup PGs.

It was only after getting Poeltl did they acknowledge that Centers actually do matter. Now we just want them to prioritize the backup so the season doesnt fall apart if Poeltl gets hurt or cant play 48 minutes depending on particular matchups.

Its one thing if this was a 1 or 2 year problem but we are entering YEAR 6 with this particular issue still not being addressed.

[djsunyc]

dougie reporting this means hang on to your seats lol

[The Duke]

I’m not expecting any significant moves this season.
Likely not even minor trades until the deadline.
We’re essentially locked in , ready to roll son

[The Duke]

Its the years where we had Fred/OG/Siakam where we were trying to win and failing. It was pretty clearly not having a true C and then just not having enough depth overall (where a backup C played a part) were some of the big reasons.

You mean 2020 and 2022?

2020, when Kyle and Fred played 58 and 54 games, Pascal played 60, Powell played 52, Ibaka played 55 and Marc Gasol played 44? Injuries screwed that team, not roster.

2022? When Fred played 65 games, Pascal played 68, OG played 48 and we were 4th-worst in the league at making shots?

C'mon, man. Injuries are a thing. Not having your core players for huge stretches of the season overrides any concerns over a backup center.

Again, I didnt say that was the ONLY reason but it was a massive part of the problem. Those years youre responding to is when this front office went with the stupid "vision 6'9" and neglected Cs all together and backup PGs.

It was only after getting Poeltl did they acknowledge that Centers actually do matter. Now we just want them to prioritize the backup so the season doesnt fall apart if Poeltl gets hurt or cant play 48 minutes depending on particular matchups.

Its one thing if this was a 1 or 2 year problem but we are entering YEAR 6 with this particular issue still not being addressed.

Vision 6’9” should die now … if it don’t hopefully next off season

[tsherkin]

Vision 6’9” should die now … if it don’t hopefully next off season

I think it bears reminding that the league spent decades looking for guys with size pretty regularly, and even then, the worthy were difficult to find. If we can find ourselves something like Derek Lively or Clint Capela or whatever (not them in particular, but that archetype), then that'd be wonderful... but those aren't easy to come by. Size with athleticism, soft hands and a good mind for the game isn't just flouncing about available. That's part of the genesis of Vision 6'9 in the first place, not just the switchability and so forth.

[SFour]

Mogbo and CMB as a duo at the PF/C is a decent stopgap for now....it's not going to make the Raptors contenders but it should hold for a bit until they find a more traditional backup C.

[LoveMyRaps]

There’s gotta be a trade to be made… a big that’s hiding in plain sight…

[Tripod]

I am the complete opposite of the people ok with some min guy. F that!

Go get an actual GOOD backup so we don't have to have this major drop in team play when Yak sits.

Assuming our top 5 guys start...

Shead, Walter, Ochai, Dick, Battle, CMB, Mogbo are fighting for the 2nd unit. We CLEARLY have extra 2's/3's/4's....go move one for a legit backup.

Not only will it give us a better 2nd unit but someone we can start when Yak misses games....and he will miss games.

And it doesn't force guys like Barnes and CMB to take a beating vs 5's keeping them healthier.

And it thins out the middle of the lineup freeing up that logjam a bit.

Adding that C is a MUST IMO if they want to get the most out of this team.

I think Castleton will Poeltl’s backup next season, which is unfortunate because the guy stinks.

No no no.

I would be adding 2 C's...and cutting Castleton

[Scase]

When y’all have Scase being positive in a thread you know somethings wrong lol. Maybe I should reevaluate my take lol

I'm like this with most rookies since it makes no sense to just make blanket statements before a single minute of NBA play lol.

[Tripod]

Its the years where we had Fred/OG/Siakam where we were trying to win and failing. It was pretty clearly not having a true C and then just not having enough depth overall (where a backup C played a part) were some of the big reasons.

You mean 2020 and 2022?

2020, when Kyle and Fred played 58 and 54 games, Pascal played 60, Powell played 52, Ibaka played 55 and Marc Gasol played 44? Injuries screwed that team, not roster.

2022? When Fred played 65 games, Pascal played 68, OG played 48 and we were 4th-worst in the league at making shots?

C'mon, man. Injuries are a thing. Not having your core players for huge stretches of the season overrides any concerns over a backup center.

Again, I didnt say that was the ONLY reason but it was a massive part of the problem. Those years youre responding to is when this front office went with the stupid "vision 6'9" and neglected Cs all together and backup PGs.

It was only after getting Poeltl did they acknowledge that Centers actually do matter. Now we just want them to prioritize the backup so the season doesnt fall apart if Poeltl gets hurt or cant play 48 minutes depending on particular matchups.

Its one thing if this was a 1 or 2 year problem but we are entering YEAR 6 with this particular issue still not being addressed.

Yup.

And when people say "xxxx tram doesn't have a real backup. Neither does xxxx", I look at it that it's a way to get a leg up on those teams.

It's about option. Having another big ALLOWS you to have a big with the 2nd unit if you want it. It doesn't mean you have to do it 100%.

But in games Yak misses, we are going to get crushed having NO legit C.

[tsherkin]

But in games Yak misses, we are going to get crushed having NO legit C.

For all that, though, we need to FIND an affordable option which meets all of our requirements. And it will likely cost more than just RJ.