This evening’s game between Toronto [11-16/.407, 2nd Atlantic] and Orlando [18-6/.750, 1st Southeast] marks the first occasion for the “Turkish Michael Jordan” to make a return visit to his old haunt in the Magic Kingdom.
As the former “go-to, clutch time” performer for last season’s squad in Orlando, which played its way to the NBA Finals …
What did it really say about Hedo Turkoglu [at 30 years of age] that he was actually willing to forego the opportunity to win a NBA championship with the Magic this season, in order to sign a $50.0 M contract to play the next 5 seasons for the Toronto Raptors?
Perhaps, that he really does care more about being content and comfortable in his own personal life than he cares about doing what’s necessary to win a NBA championship.
Doing what’s necessary to win a NBA championship?
For example:
* Getting back in defensive transition to prevent easy opposition baskets.
* Defending one’s individual check with consistent tenacity.
* Defending, in a half-court team context, with thorough responsibility.
* Rebounding with an absolute commitment to recover the ball.
* Discriminating readily between an open and a contested shot attempt.
* Physically standing up for a fallen/vulnerable teammate, when need be.
* A willingness to play within an assigned role for the good of the team.
* A willingness to sacrifice oneself [i.e. the physical body, as well as, personal wants and desires] for the benefit of the team.
In their 16 losses this year, Bryan Colangelo’s Raptors have succumbed by margins of:
|
OCTOBER
|
OPPONENT
|
RESULT
|
MARGIN
|
|
Fri 30
|
@ Memphis
|
L 107-115
|
-8
|
|
NOVEMBER
|
OPPONENT
|
RESULT
|
MARGIN
|
|
Sun 01
|
vs Orlando
|
L 116-125
|
-9
|
|
Sat 07
|
@ Dallas
|
L 101-129
|
-8
|
|
Mon 09
|
@ San Antonio
|
L 124-131
|
-7
|
|
Sun 15
|
@ Phoenix
|
L 100-101
|
-1
|
|
Tue 17
|
@ Denver
|
L 112-130
|
-18
|
|
Wed 18
|
@ Utah
|
L 91-104
|
-13
|
|
Sun 22
|
vs Orlando
|
L 96-104
|
-8
|
|
Wed 25
|
@ Charlotte
|
L 81-116
|
-15
|
|
Fri 27
|
@ Boston
|
L 103-116
|
-13
|
|
Sun 29
|
vs Phoenix
|
L 94-113
|
-19
|
|
DECEMBER
|
OPPONENT
|
RESULT
|
MARGIN
|
|
Tue 01
|
vs Washington
|
L 102-106
|
-4
|
|
Wed 02
|
@ Atlanta
|
L 115-146
|
-31
|
|
Wed 09
|
@ Milwaukee
|
L 95-117
|
-22
|
|
Fri 11
|
vs Atlanta
|
L 89-111
|
-22
|
|
Tue 15
|
@ Miami
|
L 95-115
|
-20
|
|
Legend: Red Text – Away Game.
|
Considering that the acquisition of Hedo Turkoglu/SF:
Career Stats, Hedo Turkoglu
was one of the two major personnel moves made by the Raptors this past summer …
along with the $50.0 M, 5-yr extension of the ‘rookie contract’ for former No. 1 [overall] Draft Pick, Andrea Bargnani/C:
Career Stats, Andrea Bargnani
it should be of little wonder to the Raptors faithful that Toronto is mired in the lower half of the Eastern Conference, in a quest for the last playoff position.
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|
|
ORLANDO MAGIC
2009-2010?
|
TORONTO RAPTORS
2009-2010
|
|
|
STARTERS
|
|
|
Jameer Nelson, PG
|
Jose Calderon, PG
|
√
|
|
√
|
Vince Carter, OG
|
DeMar DeRozan, OG
|
|
|
|
Hedo Turkoglu, SF
|
Hedo Turkoglu, SF
|
|
|
|
Rashard Lewis, PF
|
Chris Bosh, PF
|
√
|
|
√
|
Dwight Howard, C
|
Andrea Bargnani, C
|
|
|
KEY SUBS
|
|
-
|
Anthony Johnson, PG
|
Jarrett Jack, PG
|
-
|
|
√
|
JJ Redick, OG
|
Marco Belinelli, OG
|
|
|
√
|
Mickael Pietrus, OG-SF
|
Antoine Wright, SF
|
|
|
√
|
Ryan Anderson, PF
|
Reggie Evans, PF
|
|
|
√
|
Marcin Gortat, C
|
Rasho Nesterovic, C
|
|
|
RESERVES/EXTRAS
|
|
√
|
Jason Williams, PG
|
Marcus Banks, PG
|
|
|
-
|
Matt Barnes, SF
|
Sonny Weems, OG-SF
|
-
|
|
|
Adonal Foyle, C
|
Amir Johnson, PF
|
√
|
|
|
Pops Mensah-Bonsu, PF
|
|
|
|
Patrick O’Bryant, C
|
|
Shame on those who actually thought that Otis Smith [GM, Orlando Magic] may not have known exactly what he was talking about …
Orlando Magic GM dissing Hedo Turkoglu?
in his alleged conversations with Kevin Pritchard [GM, Portland Trail Blazers], in the aftermath of Mr. Turkoglu’s decision to sign on with the Raptors, and that Hedo Turkoglu’s priorities might actually include winning a NBA title.
Caveat Emptor!