Do we still have trust in Masai?

[Primer]

We've all convinced ourself that JP can play the 4 because he is a mobile centre.

I think that's quite hopeful. And we obviously hope it's the case because we have a big hole at the 4. He's a 7'1" centre. Never seen him listed as a power forward anywhere. How many 7'1" centres are currently playing PF in the NBA? How many players do it straight out of college?

I think the far more realistic scenario is him being a back up and hopefully in time a quality back up so that our 5 is totally locked down. And perhaps given the opposition utilizing a twin tower approach we could maybe match up with both of them (if that was the plan though I think I would prefer a defence first shot blocker - why not Noel?) But I think the idea that we could see a lot of JV and JP playing together is a bit fanciful.

I of course hope It is possible.

Dirk, Duncan, Towns, Porzingis, Aldridge, Bosh, Frye, Davis, Favors, Ibaka, Kanter, Anderson, Powell, Olynyk, Vucevic, Pau....

The list goes on and on. Lots of 7' to 7'+ PF in the NBA.

[Sinbad]

And how much cap space does Miami have? Or the Clippers?

I can understand the basketball reasons for GSW, OKC and SA being ahead of us, but we were just indirectly told by the best UFA that we are still below teams like Miami, Boston and the Clippers when it comes to championship aspirations.

Miami and Boston have the recent history of competing for championships on their side, top-flight coaching staffs, and highly competent front offices that have shown they will do whatever it takes to chase a ring, given the right circumstances. The Clippers have two bonafide superstars in CP3/Griffin, the LA market to offer, and an owner that has no qualms about spending big money to improve the team, so of course they get a seat at the table. The Raptors can't compete with them just yet. And it's not getting much attention, but that the Raptors have never paid the luxury tax in history of the franchise might plant doubt in players/agent's minds about how far MLSE is willing to go.

[big boi]

Yep quite a few for sure. But Serge is 6'10", LaMarcus Aldridge ... Sure 6'11" same with Bosh, Davis is 6'10". But your point is taken they're big guys at the higher end of what I would expect at PF 6'8" to 6'10" ish.

Gives me a bit of hope that he can. He seems quite mobile in running down the court but I wonder if he is as mobile as porzingis or Dirk. Or as strong as some of the other guys you mentioned. But that can be helped. And he's not a 3 pt specialist like Frye.

Does Towns play PF and not C? I could actually see JP having his mobility getting down the court tho obviously not his athleticism.

[MACK11]

Yep quite a few for sure. But Serge is 6'10", LaMarcus Aldridge ... Sure 6'11" same with Bosh, Davis is 6'10". But your point is taken they're big guys at the higher end of what I would expect at PF 6'8" to 6'10" ish.

Gives me a bit of hope that he can. He seems quite mobile in running down the court but I wonder if he is as mobile as porzingis or Dirk. Or as strong as some of the other guys you mentioned. But that can be helped. And he's not a 3 pt specialist like Frye.

Does Towns play PF and not C? I could actually see JP having his mobility getting down the court tho obviously not his athleticism.

Towns plays both just like Dieng,I dont know who plays C or PF when they play together.

[Puffer]

Yep quite a few for sure. But Serge is 6'10", LaMarcus Aldridge ... Sure 6'11" same with Bosh, Davis is 6'10". But your point is taken they're big guys at the higher end of what I would expect at PF 6'8" to 6'10" ish.

Gives me a bit of hope that he can. He seems quite mobile in running down the court but I wonder if he is as mobile as porzingis or Dirk. Or as strong as some of the other guys you mentioned. But that can be helped. And he's not a 3 pt specialist like Frye.

Does Towns play PF and not C? I could actually see JP having his mobility getting down the court tho obviously not his athleticism.

I'm betting Peoltl comes into training camp a lot stronger than he left college. Even given just the four months of June to the end of September, a 20 year old guy can gain a lot of strength. Especially if he has the attention of NBA quality strength and conditioning coaches. Time for Alec to work his magic. Looking forward to seeing him in Summer League.

[golden]

Boston has cap space without a flurry of trades. We don't.

That's what it shows me.

Not a cap guru, but then why are the Raps chasing Pau Gasol at $20M/yr range if we don't have cap space (according to multiple sources)?

[Sam17]

Not a cap guru, but then why are the Raps chasing Pau Gasol at $20M/yr range if we don't have cap space (according to multiple sources)?

We'd have to trade players to sign Gasol

[DanH]

Not a cap guru, but then why are the Raps chasing Pau Gasol at $20M/yr range if we don't have cap space (according to multiple sources)?

If we got him, it would likely be in the range of a 18M per year offer. That's the most we can easily clear without starting to gut our team entirely. If we wanted to get to 27M to afford KD, it means probably losing all of Ross/Pat/CoJo, plus possibly prospects to grease wheels. The Gasol thing is just losing Ross plus some grease. That 8-10M difference in cost is a very big one for the Raps.

[3inthekeon]

And how much cap space does Miami have? Or the Clippers?

I can understand the basketball reasons for GSW, OKC and SA being ahead of us, but we were just indirectly told by the best UFA that we are still below teams like Miami, Boston and the Clippers when it comes to championship aspirations.

Durant snubbed the Raptors and the Cavaliers because those teams will never win a championship.

[BobLoblaw]

And how much cap space does Miami have? Or the Clippers?

I can understand the basketball reasons for GSW, OKC and SA being ahead of us, but we were just indirectly told by the best UFA that we are still below teams like Miami, Boston and the Clippers when it comes to championship aspirations.

Yep, not surprised tbh. It's residue effect, Miami and Boston (and SA) have both recently won championships and proven they can attract major players and are perceived as great organizations.

It's Durant saying 'you don't have great players but you are proven organizations so I'll listen to what you have to say.'

[Scraptor]

Dirk, Duncan, Towns, Porzingis, Aldridge, Bosh, Frye, Davis, Favors, Ibaka, Kanter, Anderson, Powell, Olynyk, Vucevic, Pau....

The list goes on and on. Lots of 7' to 7'+ PF in the NBA.

Here is a list of seven footers in the NBA last season. http://www.basketball-reference.com/...t=&order_by=ws

Maybe 85% of them play centre.

It's just wishful thinking to hope Poeltl can play the four at the NBA level (read all the scouting) and is no different than other failed experiments like Gay at the four or Acy at the three. We need to cater to our player's strengths, not turn them into things they're not.

[Axel]

Here is a list of seven footers in the NBA last season. http://www.basketball-reference.com/...t=&order_by=ws

Maybe 85% of them play centre.

It's just wishful thinking to hope Poeltl can play the four at the NBA level (read all the scouting) and is no different than other failed experiments like Gay at the four or Acy at the three. We need to cater to our player's strengths, not turn them into things they're not.

Haha I still remember when Acy was going to be our "Power 3".

[DanH]

Here is a list of seven footers in the NBA last season. http://www.basketball-reference.com/...t=&order_by=ws

Maybe 85% of them play centre.

It's just wishful thinking to hope Poeltl can play the four at the NBA level (read all the scouting) and is no different than other failed experiments like Gay at the four or Acy at the three. We need to cater to our player's strengths, not turn them into things they're not.

Agreed. Which is why we shouldn't shoehorn our recently drafted PF/C into purely a C role.

[big boi]

Agreed. Which is why we shouldn't shoehorn our recently drafted PF/C into purely a C role.

I'm all for him having the opportunity to play the 4 if he demonstrates the aptitude for it. But when you say our recently drafted 'PF/C', where have you seen him referred to as a PF?

I think many of us want to shoe horn him in as a PF option or a PF/C because that is what we want and it is our position of greatest need. But he hasn't played an NBA game yet or a summer league game let alone a pre season game. So I'm not sure how he's being considered, just by fans mind you (that I'm aware of at least), as an NBA PF.

[Miekenstien]

I'm all for him having the opportunity to play the 4 if he demonstrates the aptitude for it. But when you say our recently drafted 'PF/C', where have you seen him referred to as a PF?

I think many of us want to shoe horn him in as a PF option or a PF/C because that is what we want and it is our position of greatest need. But he hasn't played an NBA game yet or a summer league game let alone a pre season game. So I'm not sure how he's being considered, just by fans mind you (that I'm aware of at least), as an NBA PF.

i do think peoltl himself said he was supposed to be a 4 this year but an injury to the starting 5 happened. i think, not sure, casey also said he could do everything we ask our 4s to do except the range.