Before y'all go any further, Toronto is not trading Alvin Williams, unless it's for a reliable veteran PG that can contribute right away (How do I know? Toronto newspaper/Grunwald). The person they are looking to trade is JYD. We all know that VC is pretty much untouchable (unless for somebody better, and there aren't too many of those) if he stays somewhat healthy. AD has a huge contract for declining talent (15 million next year). Toronto already have a bunch of journey men guards that proves to be unreliable (Lamond Murray: injury prone, Chris Jeffries: yet to prove can play in NBA, MoPete: inconsistent). Williams is one of their most solid contributors. They are not gonna trade him for a Cat Mobley when they desperately needs a big man. Btw, many Houstonians have a habit overestimating the Rockets/Cat's talent. If you really want to get Alvin Williams we'd be better off packaging along with Cat, EG (questionable they'll take him, since they need big man NOW) or Cato and get JYD in return.
Btw, if Toronto drafts TJ Ford, he'll be playing backup behind Williams until he proves he can play in the NBA. I see them drafting Anthony instead, since Darko won't drop that low.
MFW2310 is referring to this article that came out two days ago: toronto roster choices article Alvin Williams could be moved but only for a starting point guard in return and there aren't a lot of them likely to be available. Without an adequate backup on the roster — Rafer Alston isn't under contract and Lindsey Hunter is not the answer — Williams is virtually untouchable. And don't for a second think Toronto is going to use the No.4 draft pick, or any draft pick as a matter of fact, on a point guard who they will expect to come and start right away. I don't know if we have what it takes to get him, but I would love to have Alvin as our point guard. He seems to have a great attitude (knows his role, knows when to step up) and can shoot the 3 too.
Toronto is drafting Ford. here's the poll on their web site : Who do you think the Raptors will take with the fourth pick? Chris Bosh, Georgia Tech TJ Ford, Texas Chris Kaman, Central Michigan Other Top three will be LBJ Darko Carmelo then Toronto. Toronto's 3 next year should be Lamond Murry, not Mo Pete. Not sure if they'll re-sign Voshon. They need Williams to start the season, but may not need him by mid-season. They could do well with a Keyon Dooling, Jeff McInnis, or Antonio Daniels. Maybe we can help broker something.
Jerome Williams, aka the Junk Yard Dog (JYD). Not known for offence, but grabs boards and plays great D. Also known to play his ass off every night, which is why I wouldn't mind getting him. He would show EG couple things about playing hard ass basketball.
Jerome Williams has a terrible contract, but does play very good simple basketball. Not great, but ok, like a very good backup. Unfortunately...that contract has several years to go. That's why Toronto wants to move him and why they can't.
Alvin Williams is actually the ideal type of player for Larry Brown to mold into a PG for this team assuming Brown lands in Houston. Larry Brown is very good at molding players into the roles that he wants as long as they play hard and are willing to learn. From all indications, Alvin Williams has both of these qualities. Eric Snow was barely even in the league when Brown acquired him from Seattle, but he was a tough hard working kid that Brown was able to mold into a very solid PG. Eric Snow isnt John Stockton or Magic Johnson, but he developed into an extremely solid PG that understands how to defer to his teammates and play a team game under Brown. Alvin Williams has better offensive talent than Snow but has similar work ethic and drive. I would definitely be open to this possibility as I could see Williams flourish under Brown.
I was all for this trade before Rudy stepped down, but now that Rudy has taken the fall for the team he built, I'd like to see it get one more year together with Larry Brown. I have a feeling he'll have the backcourt playing up to their potential.
Raptors guard undergoes surgery on ankle May 26, 2003 TORONTO (AP) -- Toronto Raptors guard Alvin Williams had arthroscopic surgery on his left ankle last week. The team made the announcement on Monday and said that the surgery was to remove bone spurs from the ankle. Williams had the same surgery done last June. He is scheduled to begin rehabilitation following a brief recovery period. Williams averaged a career-best 13.2 points and a team-leading 5.2 assists this past season. Hurt last year too so maybe he stays hurt a bunch.......
Maybe, if we can't move Taylor otherwise, a swap for JYD is a good deal for us. They get a scoring option for Ford to hit, we get a dirty work partner for Yao. Cat swap for Williams also ok, then. Cat/Francis together is a recipe to ignore Yao. That's what made us the laughingstock of the league last year. Some of you still haven't learned.
Now that Rudy's gone, I want to see what our cast of players can do with a new coach. It will be interesting to see how Cat, Steve, Griff, Cato, Yao, Mo Tay, and Moochie play with a sterner coach like Brown. We all know Rudy is a players coach, but that only seems to work when you have a team made up of veterans not rookies and young talents. Being kind and loose with young players gives the wrong impression of the game, they should be taught to respect it and learn the different aspects of the game. If Cat decides to play the two man show with Steve, then I think it's time for him to go, but you don't just trade away cheap talent like Cat.
Jerome Williams is a less talented Kenny Thomas with maybe a little more garbageman attitude (I admit a plus). He isn't worth Mo Taylor, except that his contract is a little better so that makes them pretty even on the market. MFW--you are off on Mobley. The guys is a legit 17-19 PPG scorer and solid all around player. He doesn't have good offensive discipline, which is compounded by playing next to a PG equally lacking in discipline, but still, more than half the teams would love to have him as their starting 2. He is in the same league as Williams, maybe even a tad more talented than Alvin--Mobley is also 1 year younger, has been heathier and more consistent heavy minute player. I agree Toronto won't trade Alvin unless they draft Ford or do the 3 way like I proposed (Cat + picks + filler to LAC, AW to Hou, Dre to Tor). It wouldn't make since to have AW as a bench player behind Ford (if he is worth the 4th pick, you expect him to start) when Toronto has other needs. Mobley would fill a lot of those needs with his production (better than any Toronto guard or SF save Carter) and durability/minutes (better than all Toronto players period).
You're absolutely right. Which is why I suggested to package Cato along with Cat. I look at this as getting rid of a bad contract for a slightly better one. I probably shouldn't say this after the best year of Cato's career. I think all Rox fans hope that Yao can eventually have enough stamina to go 35+ mins at peak level without looking like he's gonna die, so Cato's mins will be limited. I agree that Cato did pretty good in those mins this year but at what cost do we keep him? On the other hand, we have two 4's, EG and MoT, neither of which proves to be reliable. MoT doesn't have a clue how to play D, and EG is well... EG. Like I said, one reason I love JYD is his attitude. He doesn't think he's a star and plays his role. He also plays like there's no tomorrow. By getting him we could send EG a message: play your ass off or ride the pine.
