Dinos Player Previews
Point Guards
#11 Justin
Krueger Contract:
2nd Year of 7 Years @ 8 Million Outlook: Kruger has yet to show the same
abilities he showed as a starter in Washington last season. He
may be a starter for the Dinos but if he does not improve fast he
may just be another Wesley Phillips. Juarez has looked better in
the exhibition so far and it would not shock anyone to see Justin
be pushed to the bench as a second point guard. But with the
flexibilty of Juarez and Caldwell to be able to play minutes at
shooting gaurd as well as point guard that should leave minutes
for Krueger to turn it around and get his starting role back. It
has to be a concern that at making 8 million for 5 more years
after this season that he get some minutes somewhere. If not than
the Wesley Phillips comment will be accurate. Another thing he
has for him is chemistry already devloped with Yee this may also
earn him some minutes if he can get same chemistry with Jackson
than he may have more floor time as he is more of a pass first
type guy where Juarez likes to shoot as much as pass. He has been
the one Dino that seems to have dropped in value in mangements
eyes. Future
Beyond This Season: With his contract he would be tough to move
so Toronto will look to get some kind of production from him one
whould have to think? But if a team came looking Toronto would
move him but the chances of that seem unlikely. What
Team Expects From Him: Passing and some scoring but without
question his main job is to help get good shoots for Yee and
Jackson especially. Also one of the better defenders in the
backcourt so he will also look to contribute with some defence in
key moments. Importance
to Teams Overall Success: (B) If Krueger can contribute than it will
definately help the Dinos Cause. If he doesn't it isn't the end
of the world as far as on the court. But of the court he is a big
money contract that the team must see some value out of. #34
Pat McDaniel Contract: Last Year of 2 @ 260K Outlook: Acquired from Oregon in a trade
last year McDaniel was brought in to be a leader for the young
talent. He has been better at the role than Wesley Phillips who
was released this past offseason. Pat may not play much at all
but may eventually become an assistant coach once his career
comes to an end. He already kind of is. With young talent like
Juarez and Caldwell he has great players to help guide. What Pat
McDaniel contributes will rarely be seen in his own stat line. Future
Beyond This Season:
McDaniel will be a free agent and likely will not be back in a
playing role. But as stated above Jack Armstrong would like to
still seem him on the bench in a coaching capacity. It all
depends on if Pat feels he wants to continue his WBA Career as a
player. Importance
to Teams Overall Success:(D+) As we said as far as contributing
on the floor it is unlikely unless injuries come up at the pg
position. But he is key in helping Caldwell and Juarez improve. #13
Felipe Juarez Contract: Year 2 of 3 @2.50 Million Outlook:Originally, Juarez was going to be
the 6th man off the bench to add some fire. But with his vast
improvement and Krueger still not looking right it may be Juarez
that will start at the point for Toronto. This is a change in
direction as before acquiring Emit Yee, Toronto had plans to make
Juarez a shooting guard in fact much in the same role as Yee a
scoring shooting gaurd. But the trade allowed them to keep him at
the pg postion and now he will probably be more like Buck Jones
was last year a pg that can score but still has the ability to
drop some dimes. He is without question the most improved player
on the team with Walt Jackson a close second. But Juarez is more
note worthy cause he seems to have jumped up a level to being a
guy who can start. He dropped 36 points in his first game on the
floor. WBA took notice. In fact unconfirmed sources say Toronto
had offers the next day to trade him. But I don't see them doing
that especially if coach Armstrong decides that Juraez will start
at the Point to begin the season. Future
Beyond This Season:Juarez
has one more year left on his contract after this year. Obviously
Toronto would like to be able to get his name on an extentsion
but that seems very doubtful given the teams current finacial
situation. Sources say that Juarez agent wanted 8.1 million for
his client to sign an extentsion this past off season. If this is
true one can expect that offer to go up given Juarez improvement
and the Dinos cash situation wouldn't allow them to have a chance
to extend him. So with an uncertain future the Dinos may eventual
have to consider trading Juarez or risk re-signing him via free
agentcy. But as a player Juarez stock is definately on the rise
just a question of where he will be when he peaks his potiental. Importance
to Teams Overall Success:(A-)However you cut it Juarez will be key. If
he is the starting pg than that seems obvious. If he doesn't
start he will be the 6th man and very important off the bench. A
streaky shooter that can make the 3 ball. He is a game changing
force. The third way he could have a impact is if management
decided to move him. With already receiving offers you can bet
there will be more and there might be one they can't pass on.
Short of Walt Jackson and Simeion Hill I can't think of anyone
more key than Juarez. Ok add Yee as well. But still Juarez is a
big piece of any Dino puzzle. Point
Gaurd/Shooting Gaurd #24
Geoffry Caldwell Contract: 3 Years @2 Million(Rookie
Contract) Outlook: Caldwell is the #9 pick from this
seasons entry draft. Toronto was so high on him the traded Buck
Jones in a Sign and Trade to Arkansas to acquire the pick to
select Caldwell. He has looked very respectable in pre season so
far. If he devlops at a fast rate he may see some quality
minutes. Being able to play both point guard and shooting gaurd
will also help him to find minutes. Unlike Walt Jackson the year
before the expectation level for Caldwell is not nearly as high
or as vital to the team success. He however could be a plesant
suprise and is one Yee injury away from being much more important
to the Dinos. Expect him to see limited minutes consistantly but
should he play well accpect them to rise. Future
Beyond This Season:
He is the Point Guard of the Future for this franchise. Expect
him to be around for a long time if he continues to grow his
game. If he does that he will be one of the key role players on
this team for years to come. Importance
to Teams Overall Success:(C+) If we are talking this year than he is not
a key part to the puzzle. If he were to play well he would
improve his importance as his role on the team was increased. But
we see him more as a guy who will be key later on as in maybe his
3rd Season. Shooting
Guard/Small Forwards #3
Emmett Yee Contract:
3rd Year of
5@ 4.75 million Outlook:Toronto after last season made
it's #1 Priority to improve it's scoring. That's what brought Yee
into the Dino Organization. He can flat out score. Tremendous
from the line a 90% guy. Defence and Health are major concerns.
He is a great value though not only to a teams offence but to
it's payroll as well. Many around the league say Yee is worth
much more than his contract. He will also now free up space for
Toronto's rookie star of last season Walt Jackson to get more
open looks at the basket. Teams will pay for double teams on
ethier Yee or Jackson. If Yee can stay reasonably healthy than we
could see a great duo being formed for the next several years.
That is what Toronto is banking on happening. So far so good as
Yee leads the team in scoring in the preseason. While after a
slow start Walt Jackson is second. Yee has had turnover issues as
well but in recent games has kept it under control. Future
Beyond This Season:
Expect Yee
to play out his contract in Toronto. Unless he and Jackson don't
work at all but so far that is not true. With his reasonable
salary it is unlikely he would be extended by management in the
near future with 3 years under contract remaining. Health will
always be an issue as well. Toronto would be crushed if Yee was
forced to retire from injuries. But he did show mild improvement
in his health and mangement hopes that in the atmosphere that is
Toronto Yee will become more relaxed and healthy. Importance
To The Teams Overall Success:(A)Obviously if you are picked up in
a trade than your value is high. But fact is Yee will be key to
any success Toronto is to enjoy.His ability to stay health or not
is perhaps the single biggest factor in the dinos season. It is
not to say that the dinos are dead without him but with him they
are deadly. He in the past has been suggested to be a greedy
player. In this situation he will need to be aware that he has
other capable people to score the ball as well. If it all works
out Yee and Jackson have the ability to be one of the best one
two punches in the history of the WBA. If it doesn't than people
will question this trade and Yee along with it. You only need to
look at Yee's former club and how they have struggled to
understand his value to a club. #22
Webster Hewlett Contract: 1st year of 2@1.25 Million Outlook:A late pick up by Toronto after
the release of Roy Golden, Webster adds an expierenced player to
what looks like a very young group. There is nothing exceptional
about Hewlett but nothing that bad ethier. He is a solid
contributor and will do what ever he is asked to do. Not to say
he is capable of replacing Yee or Jackson if they went down but
he would make a solid replacement more than what Toronto would
have had without him. He is an effective scorer and can add a
spark off the bench. He is a definate rotation player and will
see consistant minutes throughout the season. Future
Beyond This Season:
He signed a
2 year deal at a low salary and interest in him was not that
high. Although with a key role on this team that value could
change in two years. But by that time Geoffry Caldwell should be
ready to see more time as well as Pete Boyer. Boyer would also be
at the end of a contract and you would expect the dinos to keep
the younger player. So it may be a case of Hewlett having 2 years
in Toronto to audition himself for other teams or else his WBA
career may have found it's final stop. Given his small and short
contrach he also would be an attractive player to be moved in
possible trades. However given his play thus far Toronto would
not be the team looking to deal him. Importance
to the Team:(B-)As stated he gives Toronto a veteran to
come off the bench. He does some nice things on the floor and
doesn't hurt the team in any signifigant way. He is a good role
player that on some nights will be more important than other
nights. Given Toronto picked him up late he is a huge bonus for
this club. Toronto already has a good history of getting players
late as Buck Jones was claimed off waviers from Alaska last
season. We are not say Webster is as good as Buck but he may have
a similar effect on the team as a whole give them one final piece
that they didn't think they would have. When you consider what
the dinos gave up in Roy Golden I think Webster is much better
and more value than that so it is an upgrade of talent. With Yee
history of injuries it was important that Toronto find an
experienced guy that could fill in if need be. #2
Pete Boyer Contract: Year 1 of 2@ 750K Outlook:Boyer like Hewlett was a suprise.
After trading up to the #9 pick to draft Geoffry Caldwell and
than selecting Hans Bryson a big man out of Canada College,few
though Toronto would keep its second round pick and thought it
might be traded away. But they kept it and selected Boyer. They
wanted to keep Boyer some much it prompter the trade of last
years second round pick Sam Hickerson to Mexico City. Hickerson
was though of as a steal at 38 last season. Pete selected 5 picks
earlier was a nice pick at that postion but defintely not
reguarded in same way has Hickerson was by the media at least.
Having said that Toronto eventual would go on to get free agent
Simieon Hill so although at the time it seemed strange it makes
sense now in retrospect. Not to say wanting to keep Boyer wasn't
a factor as well but not as big as the fact dinos had eyes on a
young player as the same postion as Hickerson. Boyer is a project
and I don't know if we will see him get much of anything. He will
likely hardly see the floor this season. Future
Beyond This Season:Not
much of one. Like we stated he is a project and with all the
youth on this team it's hard to see where he will be able to
break through and prove he is worthy. He may end up as an add in
to a future trade or just play out his 2 years in Toronto and
hope that another WBA teams sees something in him. Importance
to Teams Success This Season:(D-) Like we stated he will be lucky
to see the floor much at all. Given that his impact on the team
will not be much of anything. No point in going on about it.
Unless Toronto gets overwhelmed with injuries I can't see Boyer
being any sort of a factor. Small
Forward/Power Forwards #44
Walt Jackson Contract: 1st year of 5 Year
extentsion@8.99 Million Dollars Outlook:It has been made clear that this
is Walt Jackson's team. So it will be important that he gets it
done this year.Coming off his Rookie of the Year Campain he looks
to have improved in a lot of areas and with the addition of Yee
this has all the chances of being another breakout year for Walt
Jackson. Jackson will be the face of this franchise and with the
edition of Hill he now has an coming of age big man to help him
for years to come. He has put his faith in management by signing
a 5 year extentsion and mangement have but there faith in him by
giving him a five million dollar raise. The debate on if Walt
Jackson will be good is over now it's a question of how good he
will be. This season may tell us a lot as relates to that
arguement. A new divison that is wide open provides Jackson an
oppurtunity to show that he is one of the leagues dominate
players. Future
Beyond This Season: Walt
Jackson as we said is the face of this franchise. He has signed
an extentsion and likely will be a Dino for his entire WBA run.
He has the tools and skills to lead this franchise for years to
come. It's not a stretch to say he is the future when you talk
about the Toronto Dinos. It is clear that Jackson will be the
constant in Toronto. It is now a matter of building a supporting
cast around the franchise player that Jackson clearly is. Importance
To The Franchise This Season:(A+) This and every season Walt
Jackson will be the most important piece to the puzzle in
Toronto. How he goes will directly impact how the team goes to
some degree. He is the center piece of the offence and takes the
most shots on most nights. A cold shooting night and the chances
of a Toronto win decrease greatly. He is also on of the better
rebounders and passers on the team basically you can say other
than foul shooting Jackson is on of the best players on his team
in every single stat you can think of. No one on the floor is
more key to whether his teams wins or loses than Jackson other
than Wayne Taylor or Seth on Colorado. #33
Craig King Contract: Resigned for 2 years@ 270k Outlook:King tried his luck on the free
agent market but in the end found little interest and decided to
re-sign with Toronto. King is a versatil bench guy but offers
nothing exceptional that will make you go "WOW". But he
can do spot duty and fill some minutes to give Jackson or Kramer
the occasional blow on the bench. Expect his minutes to be few
but consistant. King is a nice depth piece and has done a solid
job for the franchise since being claimed of waviers last year.
If he is willing to play for a near league minium contract than
Toronto will also have place for him deep on it's bench. Fact is
he can't really be much more on any other team in my opinion. Future
Beyond This Season:
King has at least guarneteed himself pay checks for the next two
seasons and if will to accept the roll he has along with the
salary he would be a welcome part of the Toronto franchise. If
ethier of those change than Toronto could find a player just as
good with more upside in the draft of through a trade. King's
Future is based on that if he can know his role and shut his
mouth like the Rock use to say he will have a place in Toronto.
King that is as for Dwayne Johnson no idea if he has any
basketball skills. Importance
To The Team This Season:(D+) Let's be honest if Craig King is a
important part of what Toronto is doing than this season will be
a disaster. Because for that to happen the team would need to be
plagued with injuries and likely would have little chance to
succeed. But if King gives his few spot minutes here and there he
will be a postive piece all be it a small one. King is a hard
worker and has some value to this franchise. If he didn't than
Toronto jusy would have let him go after last year. Power
Foward/Center #4
Quade Nash Contract: 2nd Year of 3@ 1.5 Million Outlook:Nash may be the most under rated
of the moves made by Toronto. He is still very young and has a
lot of poetiental to be good. Basically Quade could be part of
this teams future depending greatly on a couple of things. First
of all we need to seem him play well this season. Than if that
happens Harry Kramer whos future in the organization is up in the
air may be made expendable. Nash could make it easy on mangement
if he showed he can be a starter at the PF position. It would
make a lot of things easier as relates to dealing with thr Kramer
problem. If Nash does not perform than it will be hard to find
him minutes in a crowded back court that has no clear cut stars
with the exception of Hill who is a potiental star and the team
has invested in to a large degree with a big contract and long
term contract as well. What happens with Kramer will have a big
impact on Nash as far as minutes and his future with the team.
But being 23 years old he is worth giving a chance to succeed. It
also makes him an attractive player to be traded in a deal with
only 2 years left and a very reasonable price tag. Future
Beyond This Season:
If he sees Harry Kramer at training camp next season the future
for Nash will be not good at least not in Toronto. If he doesn't
than hew will have a legit shot at becoming a starter. Toronto
does have it's eye on a player currently in the GCBA to draft at
PF but without a first round pick it for now seems unlikely they
could get him. Also many scouts believe Hans Bryson will
eventually convert to playing Power Foward. Those facts aside
Nash would still be the front runner to start at the Power
Forward if Kramer was not back with the team. Nash has a lot
riding on how he plays this season especially early on. If he
shows promise look for him to get more and more minutes. If
things go badly with Kramer it would not be suprising to see Nash
get some oppurtunities to start. One other thing that may stop
Nash would be if the team decides to play Walt Jackson at the
power forward more going with a small line up. This has been used
a lot in the preseason has an experiment. Results of what coach
Armstrong thought of it could also limit Nash's minutes. He
really has his long term future up in the air and to some extend
out of his hands. Only thing he can and should do is play hard
and earn his minutes on the floor. If he does that than all the
side bar issues will not play as big a role in him seeing time on
the floor. Importance
To The Team This Season:(B) He may be very impotant depending on what
senierios should unfold. It is really uncertain how big a factor
he will be. Harry Kramer and Walt Jackson may have a lot to say
one way or the other on how important Nash will ultimately be.
Next Season may be the year he is very important one way or the
other. But whatever the case he is a key piece of a lot of
puzzles depending on what direction the team goes. #54
Harry Kramer Contract: Last Year@ 3 Million Outlook:It is rumoured that Harry turned
down a contract extentsion to stay in Toronto. This makes him
kind of a lame duck player. What that will mean is uncertain. No
doubt he will be giving it his all this year as it would seem
clear he wants to try the free agent market come the offseason.
But does Toronto want to run the risk of having him just walk
away? It's clear that Toronto has stated privately that they are
open to any offers teams may have in regurads to Kramer. The
trade to get Quade Nash although not has hyped as the Yee Deal or
even the Buck Jones Sign and Trade may have been a message that
Kramer may not last the season in Toronto. In fact a deal was
said to be in place that fell apart that would have seen Kramer
go to Oregon. It's clear with all this smoke there has to be a
fire somewhere. What will this do as far as the player on the
court that is the question. Kramer like Walt Jackson seems to
have steadily gotten better throughout the preseason. Toronto
Mangement was rumoured to be very unhappy about him not resigning
with an extentsion. In fact one inside source told me that the
organization considered it a slap in the face to all the hard
work they have done. How on earth can this guy stay on this team
the entire year if any or even some of this is true? The answer
may be that he can't. Future
Beyond This Season:
Likely won't have any with Toronto. It seems clear these two will
part company just a question of if it will be sooner or later. It
would be truly shocking to see a jersey with Kramer 54 on the
back at next seasons trainning camp. Importantce
To The Team This Season:(A) If he stays he is a starter and is counted
on to be on of the better defenders on a so so defence. If he
goes whatever that deal brings or does not bring with have a
large impact on the Dinos season one way or the other. The Kramer
Factor will be a big part of the story no matter how it plays
out. Centers #42
Hans Bryson Contract: Signed 3 Years@1 Million(Rookie
Max Contract) Outlook:Hans was the GCBA Defensive Player
of the year. So the fact a team with defence issues drafts him is
not a suprise. The fact he played college ball at Canada College
and ends up in Toronto again not a surprise. What his future in
the WBA will be thats hard to say. He really is a sound player in
all areas with one glaring exception. Turnovers, It is what kept
him from dominating the GCBA and likely will limit him to being a
role player in the WBA. His role is simply to come in play good
hard defence and try and stay out of the way on offence. Until he
gets a handle on his ball control that will always be his role.
If not for that he could be much more. Expect him to see limited
minutes and look for those minutes to be almost non exsistant if
he can not aviod turnovers to some extent. Future
Beyond This Season:
If he is able to get some control over his turnover issues he
could grow into a defensive stopper that gets quality bench
minutes behind Hill who also is a denfensive and rebounding stud.
Eventually he may even find his way to playing power forward
along side Hill some day. With a max rookie deal he will have 3
years to show Toronto that he can be a value to this franchise.
If in that time he can't his WBA future may be in doubt. Importance
To Team This Season:(D) Not really needed to do much other than try
to improve and be a contributior next season. Toronto has five
options to play center and Hans is number five in our opinion. He
really was a second round type player who was drafted higher to
fill a need rather than being the best player available. Hill
signing as a free agent made Bryson a non factor for this season. #49
Simeon Hill Contract:
Free Agent
Signing 7 Years (with NO TRADE CLAUSE)@8.4 Million Outlook: I'll give you 8.4 Million reasons
why this guy is important. Thats the amount of cash Toronto paid
and will pay for the next 7 years to Mr. Hill. It was no secret
that by moving Christbal Dasher to Arkansas that left a huge
whole that needed to be filled in the Dino front court. So it was
Vital that Toronto get a big man. The dinos passed on George Faup
in the draft and that made you believe the were looking to free
agentcy to find a replacement and that was the case. Hill is an
excellent rebounder and has upgraded his defensive skills. His
offence is behind those 2 areas but on a team with several
scoring options beyond Hill that is not a concern right now. For
now expect to see Hill give you 30-35 minutes off non stop
banging the glass and excellent defence in the post. Thats what
Torontos wants and needs out of him night in and night out. He
will also be used on offence in a lot of pick play situations to
free up Jackson Yee and Juarez to get open looks. This may not
seem worth the 8.4 Million Dollar paycheck and it probably isn't
but it is the belief that Hill can raise his offence over time
and become truely well rounded overall not unlike the teams star
Walt Jackson already is to a degree. Hill has a role for the
present but will have a larger role has he grows as a player. At
23 the best years of his career are ahead of him and with a 7
year deal they will be in Toronto. Future
Beyond This Season:
He is Robin
to Walt Jacksons Batman. These two players are the core of this
franchise for better or worse. It would take som strange set of
circumstances to see him leave Toronto. Most feel he is over paid
for his current talent level and a seven year contract makes it
unlike he would be traded. Than on top of it all he has a no
trade clause. Not that Toronto is complaining this was the guy
they wanted and now they got him for the long term. Expect him to
improve as time rolls on. Also expect the same people that say he
is over paid view him as a steal by year 3 or 4 of this deal. He
really is a post move or two from being the complete package
scoring rebounding and an excellent defender. Importance
To Team This Season:(A) Hill will need to care load as far as
rebounding most nights. He also will be counted on to provide key
defensive stops a lot of the dinos hope depend greatly on his
rebounding and defensive skills. Any offence he provides at least
for this season will be considered a unexpected plus. But his
main purpose is to rebound and defend. With a team that lacks in
both areas his performance is vital just for them to be an
average rebounding and defensive team. #50
Kris Calhoun Contract: Last Year@ 1 Million Outlook:Calhoun is likely to be out of the
mix now with the acquiring of Hill and Nash and the Drafting of
Bryson. Any "Garbage Time" will go to Bryson to help
him improve and devlop. While Hill will log the majority of
minutes and Nash will see minutes at center as well as power
forward. This leaves Calhoun with few chances to see the floor.
With no contract after this season he would obviously not be a
huge concern wheather he get minutes. If a team was desprate for
help at cent you could easily see him moved in a deal. It may be
a long frustrating season for Calhoun personally. Future
Beyond This Season:
Unlike he will be back at all. Dinos have stock piled this
position and you can expect Calhoun to be on the free agent
market if he is not dealt by Toronto. It is uncertain if he will
get any attention at all. Toronto has thrown his name out there
as trade bait and never got a bite not even a nibble. He is a
likeable guy and it has been rumoured that if he is unable to
continue his career on the floor he has been offer a job as
studio anyalist on WBA TV should he retire. Importance
To The Team This Season:(D-) Really other than to have people crack a
smile at practice Chris will have little to do with much of
anything this season. He will see very view minutes and he could
be at the end of line for his career. Go
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