Why don't we talk about Kleiza anymore?

[J-Roc]

Our joker of a GM signed Kleiza to be the #1 scorer, to take pressure off of Bargnani. As it turned out, Bargs was more than capable of being the #1 scorer, and Kleiza suddenly had no role on the team. He didn't sign here to be a fringe player. Or a spot up shooter, or a playmaker. He thought he'd have his own NBA team, no different than him being "the man" on his national team.

If Kleiza thought he was going to be "the man" on this team then he's on crack.

If you think BC brought Kleiza to be "the man" on this team then you are on crack.

Talking smack about BC to you is like talking smack about Santa Claus. I'm sorry.

[666]

Our joker of a GM signed Kleiza to be the #1 scorer, to take pressure off of Bargnani. As it turned out, Bargs was more than capable of being the #1 scorer, and Kleiza suddenly had no role on the team. He didn't sign here to be a fringe player. Or a spot up shooter, or a playmaker. He thought he'd have his own NBA team, no different than him being "the man" on his national team.

A 4.6M a year does not constitutes a contract to be the #1 scorer. What's 4.6M? Not you, j-Roc, but so many guys make it seem like you want to sign a Jordan or Kobe for 4.6M. If you want a real impact player then he's going to get at least in the 8 -12M range

Again, Kleiza played hurt = less athletic and unable to reach his potential. Kleiza was actually very athletic for his size in Denver. He played at SG/SF and even defended Kobe on the perimeter. When he went to Europe he bulked up to play PF. If he loses 10-15 pounds and if he recovers perfectly from the surgery then he will quite athletic.

[J-Roc]

Our joker of a GM signed Kleiza to be the #1 scorer, to take pressure off of Bargnani. As it turned out, Bargs was more than capable of being the #1 scorer, and Kleiza suddenly had no role on the team. He didn't sign here to be a fringe player. Or a spot up shooter, or a playmaker. He thought he'd have his own NBA team, no different than him being "the man" on his national team.

If Kleiza thought he was going to be "the man" on this team then he's on crack.

If you think BC brought Kleiza to be "the man" on this team then you are on crack.

I definitely got the feeling BC thought Kleiza could at least be 2nd option on the Raptors. There were many posters saying he could be a 15ppg scorer on our team.

He's always wanted to protect Bargs, which is not something you can slight BC for. Let's face it, there was fully a chance Bargs would not be able to score even 20PPG as a #1 option. Defenses would close out on him. It would be so different for him than previous years.

But we have all been surprised at how he's able to essentially create his own shot. Since that happened, BC would have hoped Kleiza could settle in as a 2nd option. But that's just not how Kleiza ever saw himself. When he'd get the ball, he was taking a shot. Then when DeMar took over 2nd scoring option duties.....Kleiza was lost.

Early in the year we'd hear Armstrong talk about playing Kleiza in spurts at PF. Sounds nice, but that would take away from actual PF's like Amir and ED. Bottom line is every role Kleiza might have expected to have on this team slipped away.

If he wanted to keep a role, he needed to adjust to playing D and being a spot up shooter. But now he's got even more competition with James Johnson.

[666]

I definitely got the feeling BC thought Kleiza could at least be 2nd option on the Raptors. There were many posters saying he could be a 15ppg scorer on our team.

He can easily average 15 points. He already averaged 11 in 26 minutes while playing with a serious and nagging knee issue.

If he's fully healthy and plays 34 minutes a game then he would easily average 15. Especially if he's the 2nd or 3rd scoring option and spoon-fed the ball like Bargnani or Derozan. Toronto's problem is not having guys score, bur rather to have them play good defense.

[bigdirty]

I definitely got the feeling BC thought Kleiza could at least be 2nd option on the Raptors. There were many posters saying he could be a 15ppg scorer on our team.

He can easily average 15 points. He already averaged 11 in 26 minutes while playing with a serious and nagging knee issue.

If he's fully healthy and plays 34 minutes a game then he would easily average 15. Especially if he's the 2nd or 3rd scoring option and spoon-fed the ball like Bargnani or Derozan. Toronto's problem is not having guys score, bur rather to have them play good defense.

Yeah, I'm not going to debate he can still be a decent player for us. It is clear he was playing injured a lot this year and his injury turned out to be serious. I guess we'll have to evaluate the signing at the end of next season provided he has serious play time.

I did see a lot of bad tendencies for him, however. He tended to get the Michael Jordan syndrome from time to time and trying to score 1on1 when he should've passed.

[BoshFTL]

According to 82games, we're actually better with Kleiza on the floor.

[J-Roc]

According to 82games, we're actually better with Kleiza on the floor.

And even better with Julian Wright.

[Gordon Laurie]

i wouldnt be pissed off with a jj/linas combo at the 3 next year...better if it comes with a irving or rubio, if we manage to get barnes or perry...it be hard to move a linas contract anyways lol we stuck with the guy

Have you already forgotten about Hedo?

[Cool-Hand-Luke]

This thread reminds me of the classic TurboZone sig "Why do you suck?"

[wolfv]

same reason why i don't talk about a dump i took last month

[bigdirty]

i wouldnt be pissed off with a jj/linas combo at the 3 next year...better if it comes with a irving or rubio, if we manage to get barnes or perry...it be hard to move a linas contract anyways lol we stuck with the guy

Have you already forgotten about Hedo?

He has an undeserved reputation of being good after being carried by Dwight Howard in Orlando. Kleiza will also be coming off a serious injury.

[LodzBaluty]

I don't get this playing injured BS.

Why would he do that? Especially considering how horrible he played while having the injuries. So many times I was begging my TV so that Jay would bench him. Perplexed why he is out there when everything breaks down the minute he touches the ball.


Why would anyone put out a crippled SF? Now, he is gone for 2 seasons.. who knows how long it will take him to get back into game shape, so its just wasted money. How much more incompetence can out organization take? Why is it that I knew Kleiza SUCKED/WAS HURT and Jay did not?


Who's selfish idea was it to play him? Kleiza's? Jay's? Bryan's? Is our training staff that inept?

[666]

I don't get this playing injured BS.

Who's selfish idea was it to play him? Kleiza's? Jay's? Bryan's? Is our training staff that inept?

No one knew the extent of the injury. Kleiza missed games throughout the year. I think most of the blame has to go to the training staff. Kleiza probably thought he was playing through nagging injuries but it was obviously more serious. It is the doctors fault for failing to diagnose the issue.

Kleiza refuted this outrageous rumor that was published in the Greek media...

According to exclusive inside information obtained by the Greek media, Kleiza's serious injury was foreseen, and despite that Toronto Raptors, pushed him to the limits, with no disregard whatsoever for the player's health.

http://www.talkbasket.net/news/the-trut ... -4058.html

... but there's something suspicious about Toronto's medical staff. It's Portland Trailblazers 2.0. Why did Amir Johnson play through his back spasms, why did Sonny Weems return to quickly from his back spasms (couldn't even dunk on a fast break), why is Barbosa still playing when he needs surgery on his wrist, what about Reggie's broken leg, etc? Why do these guys risk playing during a abysmal, throw-away, rebuilding, season?

I'm interested to hear from Kleiza through the Lithuanian press. It is possible that Linas is being political about the situation. I doubt there was a sinister plot to intentionally play an injured Kleiza, but I do think the training staff dropped the ball. How can a player just need to have microfracture surgery out of nowhere? I think Kleiza is being too quiet on the issue considering it's only the first year of his contract and he doesn't want to harm his reputation with the club. We can only speculate.

[Comeatme_Bro]

I'm curious as to why Kleiza isn't with the team?

[LodzBaluty]

So basically, Jay did not see it. While the rest of us did.


...or someone was so emotionally attached their acquisition, that he needed to be played.


(So who is right? Kleiza or Management? BTW, Kleiza does not strike me as a pawn either. The player should know his body best. He should be the first one, to say "Wait this is not how I usually play. Something is more serious." )

[jrsmith]

I'm sure he will be on the long list of excuses brought up by colangelo in the offseason. Give it some more time.

[666]

I'm curious as to why Kleiza isn't with the team?

The rehabilitation after microfracture surgery is really demanding. Damage to the knee's cartilage is potentially a career ending injury. There's also a good chance the player will never achieve top form again. Hopefully it goes well as is it did with Amare.

After microfracture surgery you cannot put any pressure on your knee for 2 months. It would be difficult to travel. Does anyone know if he is doing rehabilitation with the Raptor's training staff? It's possible he's doing it elsewhere.

[666]

(So who is right? Kleiza or Management? BTW, Kleiza does not strike me as a pawn either. The player should know his body best. He should be the first one, to say "Wait this is not how I usually play. Something is more serious." )

He complained about the pain. It was reported more so in the Lithuanian media. I remember seeing a few articles on eurobasket.com about the swelling. He also missed several games throughout the season. Even when he played he would have ice packs on his knees when he was on the bench.

The signs were there.

[darth_federer]

I'm curious as to why Kleiza isn't with the team?

The rehabilitation after microfracture surgery is really demanding. Damage to the knee's cartilage is potentially a career ending injury. There's also a good chance the player will never achieve top form again. Hopefully it goes well as is it did with Amare.

After microfracture surgery you cannot put any pressure on your knee for 2 months. It would be difficult to travel. Does anyone know if he is doing rehabilitation with the Raptor's training staff? It's possible he's doing it elsewhere.

He went to Steadman in Vail Colorado. Hes a world leader in that kind of thing. Did hip surgery on A Rod and Andrew Raycroft to name a few. I think Kleiza has a house in Denver too.

[realball]

What do you think we'll get for him? BC turned Krapono and Turkeypoo into Reggie and Barbosa, I'm sure he can get something for Kleiza. Kleiza's the best of the three, and has the best contract.