Smith: Pops might be cut

[supersub15]

http://thestar.blogs.com/raptors/2009/1 ... -long.html

Here’s one that’ll rile up a whole bunch of you.

I can see the end coming for Pops.

(Don’t throw things, hear me out)

Later this month, right around the 20th, I believe, maybe a couple of days later, his contract becomes fully guaranteed if he’s still on the roster.

And with it looking more and more like they’ll need the flexibility of a roster spot, either for a trade, maybe a third point guard, maybe a big, I can certainly see that spot being created by his departure.

This has as much to do with money as ability – there is no one else they can waive and save money doing it – so it might turn out to be the logical move.

[youngLion]

I wouldn't lose sleep over this. Once Evans come back he'll be 100% disposable and redundant.

[anj]

Finally, some good news.

[Indeed]

Perhaps we need another point guard, ideally if we can dump Banks as well.

[TheDunc]

Damn it, i was hoping pops was going to stick. I dont know what people expect out of 12/13th man. To me he plays his role perfectly

[J-Roc]

He ought to be cut because he sucks. Unbelievable to me that he thinks he can get more PT by becoming a low post scorer. He's only ever supposed to be a rebounder and he's supposed to finish fastbreaks with dunks. When you don't play your role, you end up looking really bad.

[TheDunc]

He ought to be cut because he sucks. Unbelievable to me that he thinks he can get more PT by becoming a low post scorer. He's only ever supposed to be a rebounder and he's supposed to finish fastbreaks with dunks. When you don't play your role, you end up looking really bad.

d
Yea because his role is very important when your down 20 in the 4th. When the games important pops wont attempt stupid shots. He brings athletism,energy and goes to the offensive boards constantly.

[Jose_Matador]

Why can't we cut are loses with Banks and look to move him for peanuts and lint ? anything would be better.

[J-Roc]

He ought to be cut because he sucks. Unbelievable to me that he thinks he can get more PT by becoming a low post scorer. He's only ever supposed to be a rebounder and he's supposed to finish fastbreaks with dunks. When you don't play your role, you end up looking really bad.

d
Yea because his role is very important when your down 20 in the 4th. When the games important pops wont attempt stupid shots. He brings athletism,energy and goes to the offensive boards constantly.

Seems to me that if you want PT, you need to stick to your role even in garbage time. Let Jay see Pops grab 8 boards in 5min. Do that in enough "garbage times", and suddenly fans and media are suggesting you get more PT. It's what he did last season. By trying to be a low post scorer, Pops ends up looking out of sync and frankly like he doesn't belong in the NBA. I think he's done in the NBA for a while when he gets cut this time.

[Brinbe]

Pops is the least of our worries

[NG15]

Why can't we cut are loses with Banks and look to move him for peanuts and lint ? anything would be better.

I doubt any GM in the league is gonnna' take on Bank's contract, unless BC pulls a magic trick out of his a$$.

[J-Roc]

Pops is the least of our worries

Could say the same about Banks, POB, Weems....

[inrapscity]

bah. bring in carlos arroyo.

[Brinbe]

Pops is the least of our worries

Could say the same about Banks, POB, Weems....

And it's true, we're not losing any games because of them.

[timdunkit]

Meh ... open roster spots are always nice if you need to take in an extra player for a trade ...

[bboyskinnylegs]

Drop Pops and bring in Patty Mills...it's very likely he gets dropped by Portland with their injury concerns at other positions, and if Jose is an injury concern, that means he can't be traded and we're stuck with Jack and Banks right now... Mills might bring some scoring punch, and its likely he'll be dropped by Portland. At 400k why not take a chance on a young scoring point guard...

[Air Canada]

He hasnt really done anything since we signed him so this isnt really a big deal

[killerbs]

Mills, Bayless or Arroyo anyone? Thoughts?

[TheDunc]

He ought to be cut because he sucks. Unbelievable to me that he thinks he can get more PT by becoming a low post scorer. He's only ever supposed to be a rebounder and he's supposed to finish fastbreaks with dunks. When you don't play your role, you end up looking really bad.

d
Yea because his role is very important when your down 20 in the 4th. When the games important pops wont attempt stupid shots. He brings athletism,energy and goes to the offensive boards constantly.

Seems to me that if you want PT, you need to stick to your role even in garbage time. Let Jay see Pops grab 8 boards in 5min. Do that in enough "garbage times", and suddenly fans and media are suggesting you get more PT. It's what he did last season. By trying to be a low post scorer, Pops ends up looking out of sync and frankly like he doesn't belong in the NBA. I think he's done in the NBA for a while when he gets cut this time.

Hes playing for a contract and he has 3-4 minutes to prove himself. So hes trying to do to much. He still rebounds, goes to the offensive board all the time and he runs the floor. Hes forcing some shots but who cares, its at the end of games when were down 20.

[youngLion]

Mills, Bayless or Arroyo anyone? Thoughts?

Bayless would cost something substantive and I don't think the team is in a position to pay much for a third point, but I would take a flyer on Arroyo if he ends up getting cut by Miami.