The Toronto Raptors got a little tiny tinsy bit better today. Primo Brezec will do something that Juan Dixon could not do in the looming playoffs. He will be able to foul Dwight Howard six times in any game Toronto plays Orlando. Don't laugh. That might save Toronto anywhere between three and six points, and that savings is more than Dixon would contribute. One deal I still think the Raptors need to make is to buy out Darick Martin and go for an NBDL point guard for a 10-day contract or two. I just don't think Sam Mitchell is comfortable with Carlos Delfino as a part-time PG (although I would be).
Actually Bryan Colangelo did Dixon a decent turn here. Detroit is still my pick to win the East and wackier things have happened than having the Pistons somehow outlast the Western champ for the NBA title. That would give Dixon, a fine gentleman who comported himself extremely well this season, with a ring. Seems like a just reward. Truth be told, Dixon just was not going to get major playing time elsewhere at this stage of the season. He'll have to regain his tenth man role somewhere other than Detroit OR Toronto next year.
Brezec will give Toronto six more fouls to go with Rasho Nestorovic's half-dozen whenever Toronto meets Orlando. Combined with Howard's foul-shooting deficiencies, those are important fouls. He can also play a little. Only a little, and only when Andrea Bargnani isn't on his game (a 50/50 proposition these days). But enough to goose both Bargnani and Kris Humphries, the guy who's time he will really bite into. Brezec might be a little soft, but given the abandon that the Raptors will afford him, he might just boost into a contributor. His overall value might be the effect he has on Barney and Hump.
Elsewhere, the Cleveland pick ups are also a Toronto pick-me-up in the convoluted way I described in yesterday's post. Cleveland was reeling from injuries, the latest being Daniel Gibson's injury. Combined with various ailments that affected Gooden and Varajao and Hughes' continued now you see me, now you don't act, Cleveland is better now for being healthier. I don't think Ben Wallace has much of a game left, but Joe Smith and Wally Sczerbiak do. And Delonte West, as much of a backup as he is, actually represents an upgrade at the point for the Cavaliers. He's a good defender, which has unseen value. This might be good enough to boost Cleveland up into third and set up my fantasy Raptor Romp to the Finals.
Last point is a question. Did the Knicks ownership stop any future Zeke Thomas trading mistakes? Or has he accumulated such a dearth of talent value, that he couldn't move the bad ones, even by throwing in one or two of the three valuable ones? Either way, he's toast. Couldn't happen to a nicer guy. And what's this, the Raptors are in New York for the first of back to backs with the Knicks. Ahhhh, the good life.
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