Post by kmatrixg on Dec 22, 2010 19:51:25 GMT -5
The Raptors pulled a deadline deal on Tuesday that shipped off the last of the rookies GM Stephens was willing to deal. The main center piece of the trade was rookie forward Brandon Bass who was having a very solid year for Toronto so far, averaging nearly 11 points, 9 rebounds and 1.4 blocks in under 30 minutes as the team's 6th man. Bass showed a lot of promise after sliding all the way down to the 17th pick in the draft. However, Mr. Stephens decided it was "time to cash in the bonds", obviously referring to the 4 first round draft picks he stockpiled for last seasons draft. Overall, the team drafted Raymond Felton, Brandon Bass and Pavel Podkolzin, and have since traded the 3 of them for Chris Kaman and Shareef Abdur Rahim.
Mr. Stephens has also seemed to have broken his creed of never trading a future draft pick by dealing 3 this season alone in order to bring in a solid young core to grow around Dwyane Wade. The focus is obviously defense as Stephens publicly announced they needed to bring in a top-tier defender - and that is what they received in Shareef Abdur Rahim. Many remember the deal before the beginning of last year that sent Abdur Rahim to Detroit for Tayshaun Prince and 2 Pistons draft selection. Ironically, Brandon Bass was ultimately picked with that draft choice. It may seem like a confusing turnaround in just under 2 years, but others in the organization knew Abdur Rahim would come back at some point in the near future, including Mr. Stephens himself.
Since he took over the job almost 2 years ago, the team has been blown up and rebuilt from nearly scratch. Dwyane Wade was the teams only legitimate starter last season, and after a solid draft for the team, the Raptors now have one of the youngest and brightest lineups in the Eastern Conference. Starting next to 2nd year Center Chris Kaman down low, Shareef Abdur Rahim brings an incredible defensive intensity that can only be matched by Dwyane Wade. Abdur Rahim is currently averaging very solid numbers with 18 points, 8.7 rebounds, 1.3 steals, 1.2 blocks on respectable shooting percentages. His outside shot is still falling, and he's still able to beat his man off the dribble from the perimeter - something he excels greatly in.
There is no question Mr. Stephens was excited to introduce the former Raptor back to the organization, where he will be immediately inserted into the starting lineup. Many are overlooking the incredible depth the team now has in the post - with double-double machine Danny Fortson now becoming the teams first man off the bench after Brandon Bass held the position. It's not secret GM Stephens would love to bring Fortson back this offseason, as he is currently set to be a free agent after the season is over. Fortson continues to play around 30 minutes a contest, and continues to average his usual 20 points and 14 rebounds a game since becoming a Raptor.
That being said, Shareef Abdur Rahim made a huge impact for the Raptors in his first week with the team:
Day 100: Shareef squared up against one of the best PF's in the game today, Antonio McDyess. His first game as a Raptor, the coaching staff wanted to get him acquainted with the offense, and slowly worked him into getting shots and running plays. He did well, considering who was guarding him. He shot 6-14 from the floor, scored 13 points, grabbed 10 rebounds and did a respectable job on the defense end blocking 3 shots.
Day 101: His next opponent was promising 2nd year forward Chris Bosh from Houston. Shareef showed his incredible ability to get comfortable with any team he plays for, scoring 19 points, grabbing 7 rebounds and dishing 5 assists on 50% from the field. He was the teams leading scorer with Pac-Man, however also had 4 TO's. Abdur Rahim struggled on the defensive end, not recording and blocks, and allowing Bosh to shoot 7-13 and score 14 points.
Day 102: In probably his biggest test of the week, Abdur Rahim went up against one of the most skilled power forwards the game has seen in quite awhile. Amare Stoudemire ran all over SAR most of the game, scoring 30 points and adding 5 rebounds and 5 assists on top of an incredible defensive effort, with 2 blocks and steals and holding SAR to 5-13 shooting with only 14 points, 5 rebounds and 5 personal fouls.
Day 105: Abdur Rahim bounced back in an inspiring effort, matching up against Udonis Haslem, taking full advantage of the young bigman. Shareef scored a game high 34 points and was all over the glass, snaring 9 boards. While he didn't contain Haslem on defense as much as one would expect, the game was extremely high-paced as both teams scored about 100 points.
Day 107: The team went to visit Carlos Boozer, who played for the Raptors half the season. SAR had another nice game, scoring 21 points and grabbing 10 rebounds, and also added 1 block, 3 steals as he shot over 50% from the field. The Raptors ultimately lost, but Abdur Rahim did an incredible job making Boozer entirely ineffective, holding him to just 7 points and 5 rebounds while only taking 3 shots in 32 minutes.
Day 109: SAR and McDyess met for the 2nd and last time this season, this time the Nuggets coming north of the border. SAR was again dominated by McDyess, but the Raptors got the last laugh ultimately taking the W in a 3 point win over the high-octane Nuggest. Abdur Rahim was held to just 12 points on 4-12 shooting, and could not contain McDyess as he scored 33 points and grabbed 12 boards.
Overall, Abdur Rahim played excellent basketball and brough exactly what the team expected when they made the deal for him. Over his first 6 games with the Raptors, SAR averaged 18.8 points, 8.3 rebounds, 2 assists, 1.2 blocks and 1.3 steals on 50% shooting from the field - nearly the exact numbers he has been averaging all season. Welcome home SAR!
Mr. Stephens has also seemed to have broken his creed of never trading a future draft pick by dealing 3 this season alone in order to bring in a solid young core to grow around Dwyane Wade. The focus is obviously defense as Stephens publicly announced they needed to bring in a top-tier defender - and that is what they received in Shareef Abdur Rahim. Many remember the deal before the beginning of last year that sent Abdur Rahim to Detroit for Tayshaun Prince and 2 Pistons draft selection. Ironically, Brandon Bass was ultimately picked with that draft choice. It may seem like a confusing turnaround in just under 2 years, but others in the organization knew Abdur Rahim would come back at some point in the near future, including Mr. Stephens himself.
Since he took over the job almost 2 years ago, the team has been blown up and rebuilt from nearly scratch. Dwyane Wade was the teams only legitimate starter last season, and after a solid draft for the team, the Raptors now have one of the youngest and brightest lineups in the Eastern Conference. Starting next to 2nd year Center Chris Kaman down low, Shareef Abdur Rahim brings an incredible defensive intensity that can only be matched by Dwyane Wade. Abdur Rahim is currently averaging very solid numbers with 18 points, 8.7 rebounds, 1.3 steals, 1.2 blocks on respectable shooting percentages. His outside shot is still falling, and he's still able to beat his man off the dribble from the perimeter - something he excels greatly in.
There is no question Mr. Stephens was excited to introduce the former Raptor back to the organization, where he will be immediately inserted into the starting lineup. Many are overlooking the incredible depth the team now has in the post - with double-double machine Danny Fortson now becoming the teams first man off the bench after Brandon Bass held the position. It's not secret GM Stephens would love to bring Fortson back this offseason, as he is currently set to be a free agent after the season is over. Fortson continues to play around 30 minutes a contest, and continues to average his usual 20 points and 14 rebounds a game since becoming a Raptor.
That being said, Shareef Abdur Rahim made a huge impact for the Raptors in his first week with the team:
Day 100: Shareef squared up against one of the best PF's in the game today, Antonio McDyess. His first game as a Raptor, the coaching staff wanted to get him acquainted with the offense, and slowly worked him into getting shots and running plays. He did well, considering who was guarding him. He shot 6-14 from the floor, scored 13 points, grabbed 10 rebounds and did a respectable job on the defense end blocking 3 shots.
Day 101: His next opponent was promising 2nd year forward Chris Bosh from Houston. Shareef showed his incredible ability to get comfortable with any team he plays for, scoring 19 points, grabbing 7 rebounds and dishing 5 assists on 50% from the field. He was the teams leading scorer with Pac-Man, however also had 4 TO's. Abdur Rahim struggled on the defensive end, not recording and blocks, and allowing Bosh to shoot 7-13 and score 14 points.
Day 102: In probably his biggest test of the week, Abdur Rahim went up against one of the most skilled power forwards the game has seen in quite awhile. Amare Stoudemire ran all over SAR most of the game, scoring 30 points and adding 5 rebounds and 5 assists on top of an incredible defensive effort, with 2 blocks and steals and holding SAR to 5-13 shooting with only 14 points, 5 rebounds and 5 personal fouls.
Day 105: Abdur Rahim bounced back in an inspiring effort, matching up against Udonis Haslem, taking full advantage of the young bigman. Shareef scored a game high 34 points and was all over the glass, snaring 9 boards. While he didn't contain Haslem on defense as much as one would expect, the game was extremely high-paced as both teams scored about 100 points.
Day 107: The team went to visit Carlos Boozer, who played for the Raptors half the season. SAR had another nice game, scoring 21 points and grabbing 10 rebounds, and also added 1 block, 3 steals as he shot over 50% from the field. The Raptors ultimately lost, but Abdur Rahim did an incredible job making Boozer entirely ineffective, holding him to just 7 points and 5 rebounds while only taking 3 shots in 32 minutes.
Day 109: SAR and McDyess met for the 2nd and last time this season, this time the Nuggets coming north of the border. SAR was again dominated by McDyess, but the Raptors got the last laugh ultimately taking the W in a 3 point win over the high-octane Nuggest. Abdur Rahim was held to just 12 points on 4-12 shooting, and could not contain McDyess as he scored 33 points and grabbed 12 boards.
Overall, Abdur Rahim played excellent basketball and brough exactly what the team expected when they made the deal for him. Over his first 6 games with the Raptors, SAR averaged 18.8 points, 8.3 rebounds, 2 assists, 1.2 blocks and 1.3 steals on 50% shooting from the field - nearly the exact numbers he has been averaging all season. Welcome home SAR!
