| Dixon Becomes Another Midas Touch From Colangelo Authored by Andrew Russell - March 12, 2007 - 4:22 pm
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Analyzing the immediate impact of the trade, Colangelo and the Raptors are the obvious winners. Juan Dixon’s improved play has left NBA analysts further enamored Colangelo. Displaying to the NBA world his best King Midas impression, the Raptors GM has struck gold with his latest move.
What makes 6’3 Dixon such a valuable acquisition? There are a number of reasons why Dixon improves an already strong Raptors squad. First, Dixon is a scorer and has the ability to get hot off the bench or as a starter. Shooting nearly 50 percent from the floor in his first seven games with Toronto, he is a reliable option scoring at 11.4 points per game. Another key element to Dixon’s game, setting him apart from many is that he is a winner and a former NCAA national champion with Maryland. While this is not quantifiable via percentages or stats, it is definitely a trait that should not be overlooked.
Perhaps the biggest value Dixon brings coach Sam Mitchell is a serviceable body that can play either guard position. This provides peace of mind and potential relief against the threat of injury to the efficient Ford and Calderon combination. With the exception of the Raptors rebounding deficiencies, guard depth was an issue.
Frankly, Darrick Martin, while an excellent ambassador to the franchise, is not an option backing up the point guard position in the playoffs. His non-existent shooting threat and lack of quickness collapses the middle rather than spread the floor.
Dixon has managed the opposite effect as of late. Moreover, Dixon at the 2 allows Mitchell to play small ball and create defensive headaches for zone defenses. Overall Dixon’s insertion in the lineup has significantly contributed to improved Raptor shooting percentages in recent victories.
Commonplace in most NBA deals, is an ideology that in order to get something you need to give something up. Despite this ubiquitous proverb, Fred Jones departure from the Raptors doesn’t exactly impede the progress a strong Toronto. In fact, Jones had been virtually invisible on the post-game box score sheets for quite some time, and had seen limited minutes even further reduced. But he’s the former NBA dunk champion, you say?
Please… Tyrus Thomas and Chris ‘Birdman’ Andersen have done well to ruin the prestige associated with that event. The dollars invested in Jones barely cracked the highlight reel this season, and a lofty 7.6 points per game and a less impressive 39% field goal shooting percentage had become easily expendable. Jones did not provide the explosive spark he was signed for, and as a result Dixon wasn’t exactly left with huge shoes to fill. That’s not to say Jones won’t bounce back in Portland, but he certainly wasn’t meshing well in a Raptors uniform, and Colangelo did extremely well to recognize this and move him.
While Dixon is not a marquee addition and certainly no franchise player, Raptors fans can continue to salivate over their new GM and the savvy transactions he’s made since landing in Toronto. |
