Hackett wrote:What really bothers me is that the way the announcing crew and tv crews hype RJ is as if Toronto fans are just morons. As if none of us have the internet and here comes this star that will save us. I think this is quite insulting to those of us that follow basketball.
This team needs a lot more than RJ and IQ. To act like this was worth loosing a talent like OG, is straight out lying to the fans about where this squad is heading. It's overhyping what RJ brings to the table. IQ I see the potential in, he actually looked good as a defender, and did not turn the ball over once.... but if you were new to basketball and relied on what our TV hosts are saying, you would think that RJ is the best part of the trade, and to me the message they are pushing is grade A propaganda and insulting to anyone who actually follows basketball.
I wish they would just be honest and say, that OG most likely wanted out of Toronto. He was our best 2 way player, with skills that are difficult to find in this league and the Raptors did their best to get something for him rather than be stuck with nothing. Our team most likely has gotten worse overall. However, there is light at the end of the tunnel, as IQ looks like a player that will break out if given sufficient playing time, and may end up balancing this trade. Also, the pick from Detroit is a high 2nd rounder, one spot out of the 1st round. Considering how good Masai has been at spotting talent, it is possible that we will find a very capable player at the position. This of course is not going to be easy, but, if our scouting puts in the maximum effort that they are capable of, I have a feeling that we can turn that pick into something worth while, maybe even great.
So in short, unless you are new to basketball or a teenager, this team did the best back-peddling it could do with what was about to happen in free agency, knowing what we know about OG's mindset and his desire for change, we made the best move we could make to keep our heads above the water.... but we are not making the playoffs! Anyone that thinks this team just needed to dump OG and Precious and replace them with RJ and IQ to be successful is smoking some seriously good stuff.
This is sad, especially the last paragraph.
I’ve been a fan since ‘95, I can only wish to be a teenager at this point.
It’s almost like you never experienced the Rudy Gay trade. Not comparing OG to Gay, as far as I know OG never banned scoresheets, but the impact that fit, skills, and depth can have on a team.
I suggest you smoke some serious good stuff. So negative despite a good trade in a difficult situation.
