Rasho Nesterovic is a nice piece. He's a pro, he hits over half his shots, etc... but he has his drawbacks too. He probably can't even jump high enough to dunk anymore, he can't defend the pick and roll very well, and he's not someone that will be crashing the offensive glass with reckless abandon (or any kind of abandon).
So here's my idea of the day: Forget Rasho, use the bi-annual exception to get Ben Wallace under contract.
Let's break this down pro/con style:
CONS
- Redundant?: You could make a case that he's too similar to Toronto's other big off the bench, Reggie Evans.
- Backboards and rims will take a beating: Wallace shot just 18% on jumpers, and made just 42% of his free throws last season
PROS
- Board-crasher: Along with Evans, would give the Raptors two of the top 20 offensive rebounders in the game last season. Toronto's best last season was Chris Bosh, who ranked 87th
- Underrated passer: His 16.8% assist rate was 9th among NBA power forwards last season (just behind Pau Gasol)
- More points = more wins: Cleveland outscored their opponents by an average of 16 points per 48 minutes with Wallace on the floor. Why's that impressive? It was the highest mark on the team. With Lebron on the floor, the Cavs outscored their opponents by 14 pts per 48 mins.
- Quiet impact: Though the last thing you'd call Wallace is "savvy" on the offensive end of the court, he is a "savvy" basketball player overall (kind of the way I'd describe myself as a ball player). Consider: He draws more fouls than the man he's covering, outrebounds them, turns the ball over less, and blocks more shots. That's a winning basketball player
CONCLUSION
Yes, Wallace is similar to Evans, but that's the type of player I want on the bench. No matter what, you'll always have scorers on the floor with this team. I can't envision a scenario when all three of Turkoglu, Bosh, and Bargnani will be on the bench together.
Here's the clearest way I can put it: Nesterovic, for the most part, won't negatively impact a game, but he won't really impact a game positively either. He's a "passive" player.
On the other hand, Wallace--as I've pointed out--won't negatively impact a game either, but he can impact a game positively with his ability to defend, block shots, and rebound. He's an "active" player.
15 comments:
wow are u kidding me? wow u are a fucking dunce. do u honestly think that ben wallace would come to the raptors? for only the bi-annual exception? are u out of your mind??!!!
He wants to leave...
this is the dumbest post ever.. five minutes of my life i will never get back
Yea, it'd be a nice option. But Wallace has stated his desire to retire. He left a lot of money on the table to leave Phoenix and, even though I think we're a better team than the Suns, we're certainly not a championship contender. I don't think he's available.
In the perfect world this would be a great idea. But unfortunately I don't see Wallace either playing with the same grit he once did, and I don't know if ending his career on Toronto's bench is his idea of fun. I see Wallace joining a contender maybe mid season if injuries happen in either LA or Boston, otherwise, I think this is the last of Big Ben.
Ben Wallace is 1,000 years old, and is completely useless at this point of his career. The Sun's paid him $10 millino to go away!!! 2009 Ben Wallace has not resembalance to 2006 Ben Wallace. Your post clearly shows that you still think 2006 Ben Wallace exists.
To the 1st anonymous, thanks for your comments.
Do I honestly think he would play for the bi-annual exception? The Pistons are reportedly offering him the veterans minimum ($1.3 million), so, in my mind (though I may be out of it, if you are correct), I believe he would consider the bi-annual exception.
Chutney,
Based on reports, Wallace is interested in playing for one more year. Just google him under the news tab.
4th Anonymous,
You are probably right, he might only want to play with teams he sees as "legitimate" title contenders and Toronto probably doesn't fit that mould.
However, he might look at Toronto's rotation and see a chance to be the third big (behind Mago and Bosh, ahead of Evans), whereas in Boston or LA, he would be the 4th.
Billy Bee, thanks for your comments. Before I respond, let's correct the grammatical errors in your post:
"Ben Wallace is 1,000 years old, and is completely useless at this point of his career. The Sun's paid him $10 millino to go away!!! 2009 Ben Wallace has not resembalance to 2006 Ben Wallace. Your post clearly shows that you still think 2006 Ben Wallace exists."
1. No apostrophe in Sun's
2. "Million" not "millino" but we'll chalk that up to a typo
3. "Resemblance" not "resembalance"
Ok, now to respond:
1. The Suns didn't pay Wallace $10 million to go away. Their cheap owner bought out Wallace's contract in order to save money and hopefully avoid the luxury tax.
2. In no way did I ever imply that the Raptors would be getting a player at the level of Defensive Player of the Year. I said, at the prices we are talking about, they would be getting a good player.
I can see Wallace as a defensive rebounder type, but not as a starter for Andrea, in case of injury to him or Bosh.
That person will be required to fit in the offense and score and create in the post, as well as rebound, and defend in the post.
I think Rasho is an ideal fit for that role, as he has done it in the past, or if not him someone with that skill set.
he won't really impact a game positively either. He's a "passive" player.
On the other hand, Wallace--as I've pointed out--won't negatively impact a game either"
So you're saying he won't impact a game... so what's the point in paying him anything?
black,
what's with your readers becoming complete fucking idiots/jerks all of a sudden...it's the off-season fellas - with nothing set in stone it's a journalist's job to make predictions/offer possible solutions...the comments section has always been a forum for debate, not a spot for you to verbally assault the dude taking time out of his busy schedule to keep you entertained...
to anonymous #1 and billy bee - go fuck yourselves!
Ben Wallace would have been an excellent signing. Good idea ... pity it didn't happen.
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