DeRozan Never Doubted Future With Raptors, Validated In Franchise Turnaround

[Knicks Universe]

You really think Raps are getting swept the first round? You really are an idiot

They have literally NO playoff experience, are playing way over their heads, and have no true superstar closer to take over the game. The fact people think they can get past the Nets, Wizards or Bobcats is laughable.

Please do tell, who do the wizards, bobcats have? I understand the Nets have playoff and championship experience, but the wiz and lolcats don't. Wall isn't leading any team to no ECF, same with al jefferson or kemba. Just because Al and Wall are getting paid like a superstar, doesn't necessarily mean they're one.

I didn't say they were going to the ECF I said they were going past the first round. John Wall and Al Jefferson/Kemba are capable of leading their teams past the Raptors of all teams.

[Merit]

Novak is around for a while at 3.5 million dollars. He'll be worth his contract as a shooter in select playoff matchups and is easy to move as part of a larger trade. Landry expires after next season. Raptors have 13 million in contracts (plus another 8 mil in team options for Valanciunas and Ross) so 21 million in guaranteed contracts in 2015. in other words, as things stand right now, they could have room for 2 max players in 2015 as well. Remind me what you have to offer in a trade for Rondo... Shumpert and Tim Hardaway Jr.? Boston laughs. Put it this way, we can trade your 1st round pick and some of our youth for Rondo and it would be a more appealing package.

I'm not saying that your team won't improve, but I'm saying that the Raps are doing well and have positioned themselves well for the years to come. Plus, we have a young nucleus that should continue to get better. Far from a disjointed or amateur team. At least come correct dude. You have Phil and the lure of a big market, but that's about all that's going right for you right now. I like Chandler and Melo too, but they need help. Melo needs to figure out how to win, not just how to be the best player on the team.

As a fellow raptors follower, no we dont want rondo for 1 year.. i'd still rather have lowry.. what works is lowry can shoot 3s.. DD drive and kick out works.. it wouldnt work w/ rondo cause he doesnt like shooting out there.. and rondo is going to leave after 1 year...

I'm not saying we should get Rondo. I'm saying we have better assets to offer the Celtics for Rondo than the Knicks do. One of those assets is the Knicks 1st round pick in 2016.

[Merit]

They have literally NO playoff experience, are playing way over their heads, and have no true superstar closer to take over the game. The fact people think they can get past the Nets, Wizards or Bobcats is laughable.

Please do tell, who do the wizards, bobcats have? I understand the Nets have playoff and championship experience, but the wiz and lolcats don't. Wall isn't leading any team to no ECF, same with al jefferson or kemba. Just because Al and Wall are getting paid like a superstar, doesn't necessarily mean they're one.

I didn't say they were going to the ECF I said they were going past the first round. John Wall and Al Jefferson/Kemba are capable of leading their teams past the Raptors of all teams.

What makes you think that? A hunch? Raptors have a winning record against them in the regular season and would have swept them if not for last second heroics by Kemba. Kemba + Big Al aren't enough.

[Knicks Universe]

Please do tell, who do the wizards, bobcats have? I understand the Nets have playoff and championship experience, but the wiz and lolcats don't. Wall isn't leading any team to no ECF, same with al jefferson or kemba. Just because Al and Wall are getting paid like a superstar, doesn't necessarily mean they're one.

I didn't say they were going to the ECF I said they were going past the first round. John Wall and Al Jefferson/Kemba are capable of leading their teams past the Raptors of all teams.

What makes you think that? A hunch? Raptors have a winning record against them in the regular season and would have swept them if not for last second heroics by Kemba. Kemba + Big Al aren't enough.

Alright say what you want, we'll see what happens come playoff team. Raptors fans will be sorry unfortunately.

[jlokine]

Novak is around for a while at 3.5 million dollars. He'll be worth his contract as a shooter in select playoff matchups and is easy to move as part of a larger trade. Landry expires after next season. Raptors have 13 million in contracts (plus another 8 mil in team options for Valanciunas and Ross) so 21 million in guaranteed contracts in 2015. in other words, as things stand right now, they could have room for 2 max players in 2015 as well. Remind me what you have to offer in a trade for Rondo... Shumpert and Tim Hardaway Jr.? Boston laughs. Put it this way, we can trade your 1st round pick and some of our youth for Rondo and it would be a more appealing package.

I'm not saying that your team won't improve, but I'm saying that the Raps are doing well and have positioned themselves well for the years to come. Plus, we have a young nucleus that should continue to get better. Far from a disjointed or amateur team. At least come correct dude. You have Phil and the lure of a big market, but that's about all that's going right for you right now. I like Chandler and Melo too, but they need help. Melo needs to figure out how to win, not just how to be the best player on the team.

As a fellow raptors follower, no we dont want rondo for 1 year.. i'd still rather have lowry.. what works is lowry can shoot 3s.. DD drive and kick out works.. it wouldnt work w/ rondo cause he doesnt like shooting out there.. and rondo is going to leave after 1 year...

I'm not saying we should get Rondo. I'm saying we have better assets to offer the Celtics for Rondo than the Knicks do. One of those assets is the Knicks 1st round pick in 2016.

so then why raise it if it clearly is a bad move.. it doesnt matter if we have michael jordan to offer rondo or not... rondo is not a piece we want, doesnt really matter what we have asset wise.. and i really hope ujiri trades for him in hopes of convincing him to stay.. that's something colangelo would do

[Knicks Universe]

As a fellow raptors follower, no we dont want rondo for 1 year.. i'd still rather have lowry.. what works is lowry can shoot 3s.. DD drive and kick out works.. it wouldnt work w/ rondo cause he doesnt like shooting out there.. and rondo is going to leave after 1 year...

I'm not saying we should get Rondo. I'm saying we have better assets to offer the Celtics for Rondo than the Knicks do. One of those assets is the Knicks 1st round pick in 2016.

so then why raise it if it clearly is a bad move.. it doesnt matter if we have michael jordan to offer rondo or not... rondo is not a piece we want, doesnt really matter what we have asset wise.. and i really hope ujiri trades for him in hopes of convincing him to stay.. that's something colangelo would do

Rondo to the RAPTORS? You dudes have got to be kidding me. He would only leave the Celtics for a BETTER situation and a BIGGER market, not a worse situation and smaller market.

[nikster]

Don't worry, after 4 games you won't either

You really think Raps are getting swept the first round? You really are an idiot

They have literally NO playoff experience, are playing way over their heads, and have no true superstar closer to take over the game. The fact people think they can get past the Nets, Wizards or Bobcats is laughable.

Thank god playoffs are coming soon so they can shut you up. But even when they do win, you'll just find another dumb reason to hate on them

[Merit]

As a fellow raptors follower, no we dont want rondo for 1 year.. i'd still rather have lowry.. what works is lowry can shoot 3s.. DD drive and kick out works.. it wouldnt work w/ rondo cause he doesnt like shooting out there.. and rondo is going to leave after 1 year...

I'm not saying we should get Rondo. I'm saying we have better assets to offer the Celtics for Rondo than the Knicks do. One of those assets is the Knicks 1st round pick in 2016.

so then why raise it if it clearly is a bad move.. it doesnt matter if we have michael jordan to offer rondo or not... rondo is not a piece we want, doesnt really matter what we have asset wise.. and i really hope ujiri trades for him in hopes of convincing him to stay.. that's something colangelo would do

Did you even read the thread? I am merely saying the raptors are in a better position than the knicks in terms of their assets moving forward. I didn't raise the idea of getting rondo, it was raised by a nyk fan. not sure why you're arguing that the raptors get/don't get rondo. I don't much care either way, but I do prefer lowry at the moment, in light of his great season. I believe Masai will do what is best for the team. Reading comprehension...

[Merit]

I'm not saying we should get Rondo. I'm saying we have better assets to offer the Celtics for Rondo than the Knicks do. One of those assets is the Knicks 1st round pick in 2016.

so then why raise it if it clearly is a bad move.. it doesnt matter if we have michael jordan to offer rondo or not... rondo is not a piece we want, doesnt really matter what we have asset wise.. and i really hope ujiri trades for him in hopes of convincing him to stay.. that's something colangelo would do

Rondo to the RAPTORS? You dudes have got to be kidding me. He would only leave the Celtics for a BETTER situation and a BIGGER market, not a worse situation and smaller market.

Tell me again, how is new york the "better situation"? It's definitely the bigger market.

[Merit]

I'm not saying we should get Rondo. I'm saying we have better assets to offer the Celtics for Rondo than the Knicks do. One of those assets is the Knicks 1st round pick in 2016.

so then why raise it if it clearly is a bad move.. it doesnt matter if we have michael jordan to offer rondo or not... rondo is not a piece we want, doesnt really matter what we have asset wise.. and i really hope ujiri trades for him in hopes of convincing him to stay.. that's something colangelo would do

Rondo to the RAPTORS? You dudes have got to be kidding me. He would only leave the Celtics for a BETTER situation and a BIGGER market, not a worse situation and smaller market.

As for the bigger market, here are the numbers - Toronto is the 4th biggest city in North America in terms of population. Since Toronto is the only team in Canada, it can be argued that Toronto's market is the entire country. Currently, that would mean that it has the largest market of any NBA team, based on population and on geographic square footage.

[nikster]

I'm not saying we should get Rondo. I'm saying we have better assets to offer the Celtics for Rondo than the Knicks do. One of those assets is the Knicks 1st round pick in 2016.

so then why raise it if it clearly is a bad move.. it doesnt matter if we have michael jordan to offer rondo or not... rondo is not a piece we want, doesnt really matter what we have asset wise.. and i really hope ujiri trades for him in hopes of convincing him to stay.. that's something colangelo would do

Rondo to the RAPTORS? You dudes have got to be kidding me. He would only leave the Celtics for a BETTER situation and a BIGGER market, not a worse situation and smaller market.

You have to be kidding me. Not only are the Raptors in a way better situaiton, but they are one of the biggest markets in the league

[Knicks Universe]

so then why raise it if it clearly is a bad move.. it doesnt matter if we have michael jordan to offer rondo or not... rondo is not a piece we want, doesnt really matter what we have asset wise.. and i really hope ujiri trades for him in hopes of convincing him to stay.. that's something colangelo would do

Rondo to the RAPTORS? You dudes have got to be kidding me. He would only leave the Celtics for a BETTER situation and a BIGGER market, not a worse situation and smaller market.

You have to be kidding me. Not only are the Raptors in a way better situaiton, but they are one of the biggest markets in the league

HAHA how do you Raptors fans feel losing to the Knicks which you say suck, yet got beat be TWICE in the last week. What does that say about how s*itty your team is. HAVE FUN GETTING SWEPT BY THE NETS!

[Knicks Universe]

so then why raise it if it clearly is a bad move.. it doesnt matter if we have michael jordan to offer rondo or not... rondo is not a piece we want, doesnt really matter what we have asset wise.. and i really hope ujiri trades for him in hopes of convincing him to stay.. that's something colangelo would do

Rondo to the RAPTORS? You dudes have got to be kidding me. He would only leave the Celtics for a BETTER situation and a BIGGER market, not a worse situation and smaller market.

Tell me again, how is new york the "better situation"? It's definitely the bigger market.

Raptors are riding the treadmill and only good this year because of the weak East, while the Knicks will ultimately be able to sign the big names and RETAIN them (key words: RETAIN STAR PLAYERS) so they will eventually be back at the top and ahead of the Raptors.

[Merit]

Rondo to the RAPTORS? You dudes have got to be kidding me. He would only leave the Celtics for a BETTER situation and a BIGGER market, not a worse situation and smaller market.

Tell me again, how is new york the "better situation"? It's definitely the bigger market.

Raptors are riding the treadmill and only good this year because of the weak East, while the Knicks will ultimately be able to sign the big names and RETAIN them (key words: RETAIN STAR PLAYERS) so they will eventually be back at the top and ahead of the Raptors.

If the raptors are riding the treadmill in the weak east, what does that make the Knicks? They didn't make the playoffs this year AND they have Carmelo who is supposed to be a superstar. To me that makes them a garbage team. Why would Rondo leave Boston who has better young talent to go to new york with crappy talent, except for carmelo - who has yet to prove he can win anything? for the hope that they sign better players around him? two max players and what bench?

I mean really is your only rebuttal the idea that historically the raptors haven't retained their star players? It's bogus, btw - both vince and bosh re-upped. Tmac left, but they changed the cba the next year to make sure it wouldn't happen again. Currently, the raptors have demar derozan, Terrence Ross and Jonas Valanciunas locked up. Patterson and Vasquez have gone on record saying they want to re-sign, with Vasquez saying that the Raptors "will be scary if this group stays together". Everything changes with winning.

Right now, I'd rather be the raptors than the knicks. The raptors have the reigning executive of the year who is likely in the running for the same award this year. They have their first rounder next year. they have the expiring contract of John salmons. Seriously dude. please please stfu, for your own sake. nothing you are spouting takes away from the fact that the knicks situation is horrible in comparison to the raptors at the moment. I hope for your sake that phil jackson helps change things.

[Merit]

Rondo to the RAPTORS? You dudes have got to be kidding me. He would only leave the Celtics for a BETTER situation and a BIGGER market, not a worse situation and smaller market.

You have to be kidding me. Not only are the Raptors in a way better situaiton, but they are one of the biggest markets in the league

HAHA how do you Raptors fans feel losing to the Knicks which you say suck, yet got beat be TWICE in the last week. What does that say about how s*itty your team is. HAVE FUN GETTING SWEPT BY THE NETS!

We are in the playoffs. the results didn't change the seeding. we played our bench extensively. we played dwight byucks for 22 minutes. nando decolo for 25. kyle lowry played the most minutes from any starter, with 26 minutes. Please bud, come correct. you have no legs to stand on now.

[Knicks Universe]

Tell me again, how is new york the "better situation"? It's definitely the bigger market.

Raptors are riding the treadmill and only good this year because of the weak East, while the Knicks will ultimately be able to sign the big names and RETAIN them (key words: RETAIN STAR PLAYERS) so they will eventually be back at the top and ahead of the Raptors.

If the raptors are riding the treadmill in the weak east, what does that make the Knicks? They didn't make the playoffs this year AND they have Carmelo who is supposed to be a superstar. To me that makes them a garbage team. Why would Rondo leave Boston who has better young talent to go to new york with crappy talent, except for carmelo - who has yet to prove he can win anything? for the hope that they sign better players around him? two max players and what bench?

I mean really is your only rebuttal the idea that historically the raptors haven't retained their star players? It's bogus, btw - both vince and bosh re-upped. Tmac left, but they changed the cba the next year to make sure it wouldn't happen again. Currently, the raptors have demar derozan, Terrence Ross and Jonas Valanciunas locked up. Patterson and Vasquez have gone on record saying they want to re-sign, with Vasquez saying that the Raptors "will be scary if this group stays together". Everything changes with winning.

Right now, I'd rather be the raptors than the knicks. The raptors have the reigning executive of the year who is likely in the running for the same award this year. They have their first rounder next year. they have the expiring contract of John salmons. Seriously dude. please please stfu, for your own sake. nothing you are spouting takes away from the fact that the knicks situation is horrible in comparison to the raptors at the moment. I hope for your sake that phil jackson helps change things.

Of course scrubs would say that, they want to get a new contract. If they say bad things a team may not sign them. At least this way, the Raptors might go for it and they get their contract.

McGrady and Bosh did resign but only because they were restricted free agents. They had no choice. Once the player is unrestricted, they leave. Unfortunately, trends continue and I don't see that changing. Sure, it would be nice to see the Raptors be able to keep their team together but based on what we've seen it just doesn't look likely.

Masai is great but what has he done? The Bargnani trade and the Gay trade. The Bargnani was pretty much a given because he wanted to leave, it just wasn't working out for him in Toronto. Steve Novak really hasn't done much for the Raptors and they had to eat the contracts of Camby and Richardson because they refused to report. Doesn't say much about how respected the team is. The Gay trade was MEANT to be a rebuild because he was also looking to trade Lowry at the time. Lowry ultimately didn't get traded. Masai got a bit lucky since the team went on a great win streak after that. Honestly, good for the Raptors that they did that and persevered, and I do think Masai is a smart man, but I don't think his intention with either trade was to make the team better, it was to try to tank by losing talent. But the team did end up playing better oddly. It's great that you're in the playoffs but unless you have that superstar talent from free agency or the draft, it's the mediocrity treadmill for eternity. I hope it's not the case cause it would be nice to see your team do well, just as I would like Phil Jackson to improve the Knicks, but it's the sad truth.

[Knicks Universe]

You have to be kidding me. Not only are the Raptors in a way better situaiton, but they are one of the biggest markets in the league

HAHA how do you Raptors fans feel losing to the Knicks which you say suck, yet got beat be TWICE in the last week. What does that say about how s*itty your team is. HAVE FUN GETTING SWEPT BY THE NETS!

We are in the playoffs. the results didn't change the seeding. we played our bench extensively. we played dwight byucks for 22 minutes. nando decolo for 25. kyle lowry played the most minutes from any starter, with 26 minutes. Please bud, come correct. you have no legs to stand on now.

The Knicks also played their bench extensively. Still means you lost to us.

[Merit]

HAHA how do you Raptors fans feel losing to the Knicks which you say suck, yet got beat be TWICE in the last week. What does that say about how s*itty your team is. HAVE FUN GETTING SWEPT BY THE NETS!

We are in the playoffs. the results didn't change the seeding. we played our bench extensively. we played dwight byucks for 22 minutes. nando decolo for 25. kyle lowry played the most minutes from any starter, with 26 minutes. Please bud, come correct. you have no legs to stand on now.

The Knicks also played their bench extensively. Still means you lost to us.

Once the 3rd seed was locked up, the raps benched all our players. yes we lost to you, congrats on that. we are going to the playoffs, you are not.

[Merit]

Raptors are riding the treadmill and only good this year because of the weak East, while the Knicks will ultimately be able to sign the big names and RETAIN them (key words: RETAIN STAR PLAYERS) so they will eventually be back at the top and ahead of the Raptors.

If the raptors are riding the treadmill in the weak east, what does that make the Knicks? They didn't make the playoffs this year AND they have Carmelo who is supposed to be a superstar. To me that makes them a garbage team. Why would Rondo leave Boston who has better young talent to go to new york with crappy talent, except for carmelo - who has yet to prove he can win anything? for the hope that they sign better players around him? two max players and what bench?

I mean really is your only rebuttal the idea that historically the raptors haven't retained their star players? It's bogus, btw - both vince and bosh re-upped. Tmac left, but they changed the cba the next year to make sure it wouldn't happen again. Currently, the raptors have demar derozan, Terrence Ross and Jonas Valanciunas locked up. Patterson and Vasquez have gone on record saying they want to re-sign, with Vasquez saying that the Raptors "will be scary if this group stays together". Everything changes with winning.

Right now, I'd rather be the raptors than the knicks. The raptors have the reigning executive of the year who is likely in the running for the same award this year. They have their first rounder next year. they have the expiring contract of John salmons. Seriously dude. please please stfu, for your own sake. nothing you are spouting takes away from the fact that the knicks situation is horrible in comparison to the raptors at the moment. I hope for your sake that phil jackson helps change things.

Of course scrubs would say that, they want to get a new contract. If they say bad things a team may not sign them. At least this way, the Raptors might go for it and they get their contract.

McGrady and Bosh did resign but only because they were restricted free agents. They had no choice. Once the player is unrestricted, they leave. Unfortunately, trends continue and I don't see that changing. Sure, it would be nice to see the Raptors be able to keep their team together but based on what we've seen it just doesn't look likely.

Masai is great but what has he done? The Bargnani trade and the Gay trade. The Bargnani was pretty much a given because he wanted to leave, it just wasn't working out for him in Toronto. Steve Novak really hasn't done much for the Raptors and they had to eat the contracts of Camby and Richardson because they refused to report. Doesn't say much about how respected the team is. The Gay trade was MEANT to be a rebuild because he was also looking to trade Lowry at the time. Lowry ultimately didn't get traded. Masai got a bit lucky since the team went on a great win streak after that. Honestly, good for the Raptors that they did that and persevered, and I do think Masai is a smart man, but I don't think his intention with either trade was to make the team better, it was to try to tank by losing talent. But the team did end up playing better oddly. It's great that you're in the playoffs but unless you have that superstar talent from free agency or the draft, it's the mediocrity treadmill for eternity. I hope it's not the case cause it would be nice to see your team do well, just as I would like Phil Jackson to improve the Knicks, but it's the sad truth.

Camby didn't report and didn't get another contract after doing that. Q-rich was signed solely to get the salaries to match. He got free money. Bargnani is talented, but all the talent in the world means nothing if you can't put it together. He has only ever shown flashes and at times he's dumb as a rock.

For example: http://bleacherreport.com/articles/1894 ... dumb-shots

His intention was to do what was best for the team. To me, it could have gone either way. It turns out that the chemistry was there. He definitely got lucky, I agree. That said, luck is made. About superstars: the raps have their targets in that respect too. I'd argue that they're developing "stars" maybe not "superstars". They would be more like Detroit of recent vintage - no superduperstars but above average players or "stars" at every position and great depth. I'd argue that melo is an example of a superstar failing to win. same with kevin love. I think that superstars are more likely to sign with a group that has a good core and good bench, like the raptors, instead of a group that has a superstar that has never won anything even with great players and no bench, like the knicks.

I wish you all the best though dude.

[nikster]

Rondo to the RAPTORS? You dudes have got to be kidding me. He would only leave the Celtics for a BETTER situation and a BIGGER market, not a worse situation and smaller market.

You have to be kidding me. Not only are the Raptors in a way better situaiton, but they are one of the biggest markets in the league

HAHA how do you Raptors fans feel losing to the Knicks which you say suck, yet got beat be TWICE in the last week. What does that say about how s*itty your team is. HAVE FUN GETTING SWEPT BY THE NETS!

God you are such an ass.
We get it, your angry about the **** situation your team is in, just keep it to yourself.
I will have fun watching my team in the playoffs.
You have fun watching the Knicks...oh wait. and keep latching onto the idea that NYKs big market will attract big free agents, despite the fact that that hasnt worked in a decade