Spurs Acquire Matt Bonner And Eric Williams From Toronto For Rasho

[Supergirl]

I'm sad to see Rasho go. I also think he was highly underrated for his D. But his departure, and Pop's decision to go small in the playoffs this year, signals a change in the plan for the Spurs. Pop has always honored TD's request to be a "power forward" and thus have another 7 footer playing alongside him. This has meant having a big guy who can bang in the paint with other bigs, like Yao or Shaq, and keep TD out of foul trouble.

However, Yao has shown that he isn't much of a banger, and Shaq's years in the league are numbered. There just aren't a lot of big men who we need Rasho to defend against, and what we need instead, it appears, are versatile athletic (smaller) big men who rebound well and spread the floor. Bonner may fill that role. I wonder what Pop and RC are thinking about Oberto and NAzr right now - do they have role? Do they forsee Javtokas or Scola coming over next year and making an immediate impact? Or, as other people have predicted, are the Spurs not done revamping their 4/5 spots?

[timvp]

Here's a short interview with Rasho. Click

It's in slovenian, so I translated it. Here's what Rasho had to say:

"This is NBA. If you fill the needs of the team, you are part of that team. If not, you sit on the bench. I'm already used to that.
After the season there was a lot of rumours about trading me. I told my agent to keep an eye out for potential interest in my services. Yesterday they called me and told me I'm going to Canada."

Rasho also said he hasn't talked to his new employers yet about his role:
"We'll see about that. It's hard to say anything right now. It's a fact that this is going to be a new challenge for me. I just wanna play, that's all."

Unless something was lost in translation, it sounds like Rasho wanted to be traded. He wanted to go to a team that would actually play him. I guess sitting on the bench come playoff time got old.

I can't blame him.

[bigbendbruisebrother]

This puts the Raptors over the top.

The balance of power has shifted.

[mardigan]

Now if we could only bring back the Rifleman.....

[T Park]

If you thought Van Exel was out of shape..... whew....

[mardigan]

You dont think a lineup of Charlie Ward, Chuck Person, JR Reid, Moses Malone, Ming Battier and Terry mings off the bench could win us a le? I sure do

[jman3000]

You dont think a lineup of Charlie Ward, Chuck Person, JR Reid, Moses Malone, Ming Battier and Terry mings off the bench could win us a le? I sure do

You had me at "Ming Battier"

[mardigan]

You had me at "Ming Battier"

Best mongolian to ever step foot on a court

[miss paxton]

He's going to hate those winters, though, but fortunately he has one of the finest collections of sweaters I have seen.

I really don't mean to make fun of Rasho, but when I read this I got this image of him wearing some of those awful 1980s-Bill Cosby patterned sweaters. As a girl who loves good clothes, I'm hoping you're referring to some solid 4-ply cashmere sweaters.

On another note, from what's posted in the Rasho goodbye thread, it really does seem like he is happy to have been traded. I wonder if he was truly unhappy about his uneven playing time, and if he felt like he could have contributed more. If that's the case, hopefully he'll do well in Toronto.

[Spurs Dynasty 21]

yeah guy that shoots threes that well, and averages 7.6 points a game is "trash"

more genius observations.

I seriously hop you're not dumb enough to think he'd do the same in SA

[T Park]

seriously hop you're not dumb enough to think he'd do the same in SA

Yeah cause players that post good numbers on bad teams, play HORRIBLY the next year for the Spurs...





Keep diggin chief.

[Spurs Dynasty 21]

Yeah cause players that post good numbers on bad teams, play HORRIBLY the next year for the Spurs...





Keep diggin chief.

when someone gets traded for Raaaaaaaaasho it shows what kind of value they had



you prob didn't watch many Spurs games.......at all

[ChumpDumper]

I seriously hop you're not dumb enough to think he'd do the same in SA

I don't see why he woudn't in time. Put in some good work this season then take over Horry's role as bench defense stretcher. Remember Big Shot has only averaged about 5 and a half points per game as a Spur.

[Spurs Dynasty 21]

I don't see why he woudn't in time. Put in some good work this season then take over Horry's role as bench defense stretcher. Remember Big Shot has only averaged about 5 and a half points per game as a Spur.

we'll see

[ChumpDumper]

5 and 4 off the bench is too much to expect?

[Spurs Dynasty 21]

5 and 4 off the bench is too much to expect?

no, but who knows who else the Spurs sign





why did you edit 4rbs to 3rbs? 4 was too much? HAHAHAHA

[T Park]

you prob didn't watch many Spurs games.......at all

Nah, I only watched all 95 games....

[polandprzem]

Nah, I only watched all 95 games....

Well maybe it's not enough

[picnroll]

5 and 4 off the bench is too much to expect?

As long as he isn't giving up 10 and 8 at the other end.

[Spurs Dynasty 21]

ChumpDumper, why did you edit your posts from 4 to 3 to 4?

[ChumpDumper]

no, but who knows who else the Spurs sign





why did you edit 4rbs to 3rbs? 4 was too much? HAHAHAHA

Eh, Horry's first year rebounding average here was 3.4 -- I guess that is really funny.

LYAO

[bdictjames]

Rasho has been a part of the team.. no matter how he acts in the court.. we will surely miss him

[MannyIsGod]

True, the guy has a shot and is pertty long. If he can hustle and be scrappy, I can see Danny Ferry all over again.

Spurs fans should be celebrating in the streets. I've watched Matt Bonner play a lot and this guy is damn good. He will be a fan favorite in no time. Think Malik Rose in his prime with an outside shot and like four inches taller.

I know he played in the NBA outpost north of the border, but if we were naming players that we'd want to fill what the Spurs need, Matt Bonner would be high on that list.

Another thing is this guy is tough as nails. When he was a rookie, he put a cheap shot on KG after KG was showing up the Toronto crowd. Bonner got ejected and the crowd gave him a standing ovation.

So in recap, the Spurs get an young active bigman who can shoot and his hard ass.

Got damn what a good trade.

Bump.

[T Park]

Bonner has been as advertised no question.

[ShoogarBear]

Bump.

Well, you sure as weren't going to bump one of your weather forecasts.