In addition to re-signing Antonio Davis, the Raptors have resigned PG Alvin Williams for 5 yrs/5 mill per, and Jerome Williams for 7 years/4.5 mill per, and reports are circulating that Vince Carter's signature on a contract extension is imminent, although the last part may just be speculation... ------------------
Those are some insanely long, huge deals for guys like the Williams, but I guess it makes since. It's hard enough for Toronto to attract big name free agents they might as well keep together a team that competed for the Eastern Conference Championship. ------------------ "Instruments are like women: After a while, you want to make love to another." - Nicolas Godin of the musical duo Air
I don't understand the facination with Alvin Williams, but the deal for JYD seems fair (though I might have given him 5 years instead of 7). He is just an incredible rebounder, when given the minutes. ------------------ I'm so amazingly cool you could keep a side of meat in me for a month. I am so hip that I have difficulty seeing over my pelvis.
Sam, Alvin's deal is pretty fair too... he can play either guard spot, plays good defense, is a good shooter, and has a lot of potential still left. He's one of the more clutch players in the league also-- I read a stat on him a couple of months ago that said over 40% of his points came in the 4th quarter. All of these deals are wonderful for Toronto, and they should convince Vince Carter today. If they could pull off that Charles Oakley and Dell Curry for Dale Davis swap that has been rumored with Portland, they would easily be one of the top teams in the East. Toronto has a very nice looking team, and while I wished Davis would go to the Rockets, it's good to see that Toronto does have a future. ------------------ Draftsource.net-- the premier source for draft info. Profiles, rankings, mock drafts, and more! The Mo Taylor Fan Site
If you watch Alvin Williams play you will see he deserves that money. in the knicks series when Vince was down he carried the team and he did a good job on Houston, he is good in the 4th quarter like Cat said. ------------------ ***FRANCHISE***
I feel kind of bad for all the Canadian teams...A couple missteps, losing seasons, and draft busts, and they are as good as gone. ------------------ The title will come to ClutchCity once again.
Reports are now saying that the Alvin Williams announcement was pre-mature, and while it is still expected to be done, terms have not been reached, and Chicago is still in the mix. JYD's deal has been confirmed, though... ------------------
To put this in some perspective: Vancover had a sweet deal. They never had a problem with attendence. They had a loyal following and Vancover is probably one of the prettiest cities in the world (not the country or the continent,folks,the WORLD). But the franchise had poor corporate sponsorship. A misunderstood comodity in professional sports. They had poor personnel management. The one thing that absolutely kills competitiveness. Toronto is a cosmopolitan city. Great corporate representation and large and diverse demographic population (read that as: marketing) base. Their management have had some difficulties and seem to have some strong leadership. they have put together an emerging team. I know it is easy and almost required by Americans (read that as: US citizens) to think no one would want to live or work anywhere else, but that is not the reality. If you are motivated to play in a professional sport where your criteria is - a successful program, a good comparable income, a safe and happy family environment and a comfortable lifestyle - well, other than being away from your extended family, what is preventing you from going to Toronto? I would rather play in Toronto (or Vancover for that matter), than over half the franchise cities in the NBA. ------------------
