Post#7 » by tsherkin » Tue Jan 13, 2009 2:47 pm
Calderon is just about the worst transition point guard in the league, he does EVERYTHING in the half-court. The team started succeeding when it meshed Shaq and the running game together, not while playing exclusively slow ball. Toronto's 20th in the league in pace, mostly because Calderon never goes under the FT line extended on a break and never takes chances with risky passes except the occasional oop.
And then what else does the team get back? Anthony Parker would tidily replace Raja Bell except that his defense has gone south since the 06-07 season and noticeably since even last season. He still shoots exceptionally well from everywhere, but that doesn't really matter given Jason Richardson's abilities.
Bargnani is playing well the last 8 games, but where does he play? The 5 when Shaq's out? The 4 when Amare's out? If you get the Bargs of the last 8 games, then it's not a horrible trade in terms of talent received (of course it's still a terrible trade), but he's known for going on little bursts where his shot is falling and everything looks good. He appears to be rebounding well at the moment and his defense is much-improved this whole season, so there's that. He's a way better passer than Amare, too, so that's helpful.
Kapono is obviously a great shooter, though expensive, but that's it. Moon is a good rebounder and defender and not much else, though he's a great transition finisher.
But aside from all of that, there's no way Toronto pulls this.
Jose, Bargs, Parker and Kapono (and then maybe Moon on top of that) for Nash, Lopez and Barbosa?
Uh-uh, even the Raptors turn their heads at this one. We don't want Barbosa and then we're left without a small forward of any description (or playing Moon HEAVY minutes without any kind of even semi-legitimate backup).
So that's completely without sense. The Raptors get a scoring upgrade and a big-time playmaking upgrade but get another crappy combo guard (yay), some more cap flexibility in 2010 that they won't use to any great effect, and Robin Lopez.
This is a terrible trade for both teams.