by Vernon Nava

Created on: August 21, 2009

The NBA gets tougher and tougher each year. With each team trying to make a statement in the NBA, it's no wonder why GM's make very bold transactions during the off-season. This year is no different.

While the looming trades and bold signings are still in progress, the team I think made the biggest move in this year's off-season is none other than my entire country's team, the Toronto Raptors.

We all call Phil Jackson the Zen Master, so what do we call THE GM, Bryan Colangelo? Probably Allah or something. Putting the humor aside, Bryan has made some very veteran savvy transactions. He has added nine new players to the roster, which added athleticism, defense, rebounding, play making and scoring to the so called "soft" team.

The boldest move by BC by far is the Hedo signing. We all that he was going to be a Blazer this upcoming season, until BC finally pulled the trigger and offered Mr. T the BIG offer. I thought Hedo was already a done deal with Portland, but with BC landing him here in Toronto is absolutely crazy. And smart. Especially the way you obtained Hedo. He was in a 4 team trade, which also got the Raps Antoine Wright and Marco Bellinelli (traded from Golden State for Devean George).

I'll break down what each player brings. Hedo, is obviously an all-star caliber player. He can create his own shot, handle the rock like a point guard and he can be clutch in 4th Quarter situations. Antoine, in the other hand has given the Raps defense and athleticism. Marco has given us another shooter/slasher/play maker (which is good).

Those are just 3 of the players BC obtained. We also got Reggie Evans for Jason Kapono, which gives us a dirty post player with great rebounding skills.

We also drafted DeMar DeRozan, a athletic beast and a great defender. People are so high on this kid, they think he's a raw Vince Carter (those bring some memories). We also signed G Jarrett Jack from Indiana, which brings us a veteran back up shooting guard/point guard, which the Raps lacked. Another overlooked yet significant move was re-obtaining C Rasho Nesterovic. He's a great rebounder, point blank scorer and a very high IQ player.

The latest transaction BC did was trading Carlos Delfino and Roko Ukic for Amir Johnson and Sonny Weems. This was better on our part because we are getting another big to the team and another high flyer.

You guys think it's done? For now it is. However, people are saying the Raptors could trading G Marcus Banks for shooting specialist Matt Carroll. The deal is still in talks.

There you have it. NINE new players to the team, that will certainly improve us from last year (crossing my fingers...). Oh, and if you're wondering about the 6 remaining players that stayed with the Raps, they are Chris Bosh, Andrea Bargnani, Jose Calderon, Patrick O'Bryant, Quincy Douby and Marcus Banks (maybe Marcus).

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