In Toronto, JO has to be a big time player. In NY, he would only be a role player (an expensive one at that). He would be called upon to play defense and rebound and score in the paint. In our system, there is no focal point. Therefore, JO would not have to be the all-star he once was.

Make no mistake, Marbury would not be a factor on the court for Toronto. If dealt there, they can play him. After all, he is still very much talented and he will be playing for a new contract. But also, make no mistake that they have a lot to gain from bringing on Marbury……… 21 million coming off their books.

They made their big splash to win this year by getting JO and it hasnt worked. THey fired their manager and have played dismally since then.

I think (and the press reports confirm that) Colangelo would take a punt on this season in order to set himself up for another big splash in summer and try to make Bosh happy by making a run again 2009.. So they complete in the year before he is eligible to opt out.

Having the cap space this year — while not a great FA year like 10/11 gives them the opportunity to be the big dogs in free agency..

Similar to Miami going after Boozer in this offseason to placate Wade and his impending free agency..

now that Ive done no work today..

But back to Marbury, you have to ask yourself what does Toronto gain by doing that? Toronto wants to win now. Steph is not gonna make that happen, nor is he a Colangelo type of player…

With the Gallo connection and D’Antoni talking Italian to him how can he not be reborn?

The dude was a number one overall for a reason.. I mean he was a top 5 prospect at the least and has the talent. His previews say he needed to get in the right situation to blossom and clearly Toronto was not the place..

I think it is more low risk high reward.. Toronto is panicking right now and could lose Bosh in 18 months. If they lop off 20 mil from their cap in 09/10 they can make a play for a sign and trade to put some pieces around Bosh and make him think twice about leaving.. Them having cap space in 10/11 doesnt do them any good and that’s what they are set up for now with JO expiring next year..

Its a match made in heaven and can really set up up. Worst case you dont Qualify Bargnani in 10/11 and you have another 8 or so million in cap.

But he is shooting in the low forties from the field. For a seven footer… ouch.

What about Bosh and Millsap? Dare I say it, Lee and Bosh? Throw in a guy like Ben Gordon. This upcoming off-season is not loaded with FA, but there will be some out there. They are probably foaming from the mouth to lose this guy and not take any salary back for next year.

As far as the D’Antoni / Colangelo connection, friendships will not impede basketball moves. If anything, that relationship will facilitate any deal.

By the way, Big, you really love this idea of Bargnani. So do I, but you really seem to like it. In my mind, moderate risk, high reward.

They tried a bold move with J.O. and it didnt work.. All press points to them blowing that up and starting over again..

If you looka t youtube vids of the Raps there is plenty of clips of Bosh getting in Bargnani’s face a few times. Is there a problem between Bosh and Bargnani? I dont know for sure. But it is clear that Bargnni isnt meeting expectations in Toronto. He needs a change of scenery to try to reestablish why he was a number one over all pick..

My thinking is that Coach D’s relationship with Colangelo, il Mago’s Italian heritage, having Gallo on the roster and restarting in a heavily Italian NY market could be thing that propels him to reach his potential.