The Raptors may cut Roger Mason, a combo guard but who is 6-5. Here is what Draftnet said about him just before the 2001 draft. NBA Comparison: Eric Snow Strengths: Extremely skilled combo guard with the size to play the 2 and ball handling and passing ability to man the 1. Was thrown into the point guard position at Virginia and played very well. Has very good ball handling ability. Creates well off the dribble and has an excellent jumpshot. Shoots close to 90 percent from the free throw line which will be among the elite on the next level. Very heady player with great vision and strong fundamentals. Has great consistency, does everything well, but nothing outstanding, Weaknesses: Not a phenomenal athlete but very solid. Wont bring down the house with rim rattling dunks but his passing ability can raise some eyebrows. Could Mason be a stopgap answer for the Rockets' need for a taller PG with offensive firepower, passing ability and defense as well?
http://www.nba.com/playerfile/roger_mason/index.html?nav=page Most of his highs are against Houston. . . which doesn't mean anything! But maybe this is just odd..and we sign him..and he becomes our Eric Snow or Alvin Williams. I wish
He has had injuries which have limited his chances. I remember Hubie Brown mentioning him being a player like Trenton Hassel. If he is fit and a better player than either Moochie or Wilkes then he might be worth a look.
Here's another capsule on Mason I found on the web: SPORTSTICKER NBA DRAFT NOTE +Roger Mason Draft Capsule+ --------------------------- VITALS: 6-5, 199, junior, Virginia OVERVIEW: Mason made a surprising decision to leave Virginia after his junior season, a year that he averaged 18.6 points and drained 81 3-pointers. He finished his career with 1,231 points to rank 25th on the Cavaliers' all-time list. Mason was a second team All-Atlantic Coast Conference selection last season and is an 87% career foul shooter, the highest in Virginia's history. Mason is not a noted ballhandler or a defender and had just 27 steals a year ago. LIKELY DRAFT POSITION: Late first or early second round. An injury prevented Mason from working out with clubs, and that probably caused his stock to slide. Originally considered a first-rounder, there is talk now that Mason will fall into the second round. There was some speculation that he would return to school, but instead Mason decided to take his chances. COMPARATIVE UPSIDE: Derek Anderson COMPARATIVE DOWNSIDE: Rodney Buford, Tony Dumas ROLE PROJECTION: Key reserve, future spot starter POSITIVES: Mason’s the prototypical modern-day NBA 2-guard. He’s a good athlete, has 6-5 height, and can do damage with his dribble or outside shot. Mason’s versatility adds to his game. He is capable of being used at the point and will create mismatches with his size there. Defensively, his potential is huge. In a draft weak at both backcourt positions, Mason’s skills are at a premium. SHORTCOMINGS: There’s nothing really wrong with Mason; it’s what isn’t right. In the NBA, shooting guard is a position where you have to be either an outstanding shooter or an outstanding athlete to star. Mason is neither. Sometimes good isn’t good enough. He looks like a safe pick with some limitations.
Man, Charvo, saleem and topfive: I don't think the rest of the board considers Mason a "big splash." However, my feeling is that if we are going to go with a scrub as backup, we need to give up the "short and can't shoot" types. At least Mason is tall and has a reputation (or at least the "p" label) for defense, passing and shooting.
I don't think of him as a big splash but if he can be a good backup PG it wouldn't hurt us but I would rather try to get Mark Jackson or Tim Hardaway instead.
