Before you go on to read this understand that I am a fan of Carlos, and do believe Carlos is a better overall player. But I will be looking at how Mensa Bonsu will make more sense to be on this roster then Carlos next season. Two weeks ago, I was on the Delfino bandwagon back to Toronto, but after many complications and roster changes, it just makes more sense for the team and the MLSE to go after Pops.
Ok first, let's examine Carlos for what he brings to this Raptors squad. Well he brings a jump shot, inconsistently of course, but he has a jump shot. He's a prime defender, no Bruce Bowen, but he can keep in front of his man, force the turnover and makes smart plays. The biggest asset he brings to the squad would have to be his rebounding skills. He is a SG who gets after it on the boards. Something every team needs and wants. So that all looks good on paper until you read the fine print of the contract:
Carlos will bring everything above every second game. He may bring to you a wild array of shot selection, or he may get frustrated with his lack of playing time if you don't utilize him. So keep him happy, and since Russian and Europeans teams want him we have a price tag of 5 million plus per year.
Ok, I'm sorry but AP left for a bit more than 2 mil a year and is everything you are with consistency and a way better jump shot. The price tag is as big as a turn off as walking in on your parents in bed. All joke aside. Let's be real here, if Carlos is going to push us up until luxury taxes, why take the chance. If I recall the plan is to keep Bosh here, not overpay players so then we will not be able to afford to keep Bosh.
Alright, so now then I am done breaking Carlos apart, let's looks what we have acquired that fill the voids. Well we have Antoine Wright, someone who everyone is seriously underestimating. He brings it with defence intensity. Last season Rick Carlisle said he was the best defender on the Mavericks squad who won 50 games. He guarded the likes of Kobe and Lebron night in and night out. When we already have a man who defends at that position, signing Delfino for that much doesn't make much sense, right? Well it gets better. We have DeRozan who has a promising future, and we don't want to take the Bargnani approach again and stunt his development. Anyone who hasn't seen him, just do a quick youtube search and he will blow your mind. This kids plays above the rim, and will become a valuable asset. Why stunt his growth. Oh, and another this we have a combo guard, Mr. Jack, who can play minutes at the two, and not to mention we brought in pure shooter in Marco.
So far we have all the holes that Chuckfino fills filled, so this is where Pops comes in. You want defence? You got defence. You want rebounding? You got rebounding. You want intensity? You got it! Pops is that guy who brings it night in and night out, regardless of how he feels. This guy has worked the offseason to fit into the Raptors rotation and has trained himself and his body to play the SF position. That's dedication. He rebound and plays defence at the SF of PF position something we drastically need. We do not need any more combo guards, or inconsistent players. We need a guy who will come in anytime of the game and completely change the tempo of the game. He get's after everything, and yes sure Delfino may be a better players, he doesn't have what this team is missing. We have lots of competition for the starting two position, What we need is that man who comes in brings that spark off the bench and gets after it on the boards. Unless of course, you think that Evan throwing some elbows around or Rasho with his soft lay ups will change the tempo of the game :P .
Personally, I would love to see this lineup in a game to change the tempo completely.
PG - Jack
SG - DeRozan
SF- Wright
PF - Pops
C - Bosh
Did I mention his price tag is closer to one million per year, Now doesn't that make you love Raptors basketball?
Cheers,
Dustin
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