Raptor rookie making a believer out of us all
Tuesday, November 27, 2007 | 04:20 PM ET
I drank the purple Kool-Aid and am now a full-fledged Moonie. And no, I’m not a member of the Unification Church that follows the doctrine of Sun Myung Moon. I’m not that kind of Moonie. I’m a convert to the doctrine of Jamario Moon - the Raptors starting small forward.
I was pretty skeptical at the beginning of the season about the Raptors signing a relatively unknown player like Moon to a roster spot, especially when I felt there were more established players with better credentials available. But he’s made a believer out of me.
He clearly believed in himself if you look at the circuitous route Moon took to make the NBA. He’s played for the NBA’s D-League, CBA, USBL, WBA and Liga Nacional de Baloncesto Professional (Mexico). And at least three NBA teams (Los Angeles Lakers, Cleveland Cavaliers and Milwaukee Bucs) took a pass on Moon before Toronto signed the 27-year-old rookie.
Moon’s start in Toronto didn’t look too promising either. He had three DNP CDs (did not play, coaches decision) in his first four NBA games. But he’s come a long way since then. He has started the past eight games for the Raptors and has been one of the team’s most valuable and consistent players since earning a starting role.
Moon leads the team in blocked shots and steals. He’s second in rebounds and, for a guy who has few plays run for him, he’s scoring a respectable 8.7 points per game. Moon is also, hands down, the team’s best defender. Outside of his steals and block shots, he usually guards the opposing team’s best small forward and has done a good job. Plus,
he fills up the highlight reel a la ex-Raptor Vince Carter.
I’m not sure how long Moon can sustain his good play but after his stat line against the Chicago Bulls yesterday (16 points, 9 rebounds, 6 blocks, 3 steals and 0 turnovers), I’m sure more Moonies will be surfacing in the city of Toronto.
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About the Author
Nick Davis is the senior producer of Metro Morning on CBC Radio One 99.1 FM. He's been involved in basketball since 1978 when he played the game for the first time as an eighth grader. He has covered basketball as a reporter from 1987 to 2001 including college and university basketball, the Canadian national team program and the Toronto Raptors.
An assistant with Sheridan College for the past 13 years, Davis still finds time to coach youth hoops in Toronto. Some of the players Nick has coached include NBAer Jamaal Magloire, European pro Wayne Smith, and Canadian national team members Sherman Douglas and Michael Meeks.
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Comments
Dara Anary
London
Some of the foul calls called on Moon should never have been called. The slow motion confirms it. The refs need to go back and take a look on the fouls called and in future they should have more respect for Jamario. He goes straight up, does not lean on the player he is guarding, but gets called for the foul. What a fantastic jumper, can jump like VC. Keep it up Jamario. What a cool calm and simple person he is. Do not let the whole atmosphere change you.
Posted December 3, 2007 05:50 PM
Matt
Toronto
Colangelo is a genius! No team wanted anything to do with Moon but Colangelo and his brilliant staff saw the potential and now if Jamario keeps playing the way he has been he is a legit contender for rookie of the year!
Congrats Jamario all the hard work you've done over the last 7 years has finally paid off, and you deserve it!!!
Posted November 30, 2007 09:26 PM
Paul
Calgary
Moon's a great athelete. The kind of player that can finish on the break and get some easy points in transition. He'll never be the centerpiece of the offense like bosh but I think he'll continue to fill the stat sheet with blocks, steals, deflections and dunks. He will need to continue to pick his spots on offence and let the game come to him. i.e. avoid taking tough shots or too many shots. He seems to make better decisions than the other guys competing for his spot (Graham, Delfino etc.)
Posted November 30, 2007 07:50 PM
Chris
Edmonton
This just goes to show you how well the organization is being run. They have depth like they never had before. It's hard to believe how this guy has gone unnoticed by other teams for so long. I think it's Colangelo ability to get players to fit within the organization. Moon has brought in the defense that the team really needs. It has been mentioned that he also has offensive game but Mitchell is just bringing him along slowly. I for one will be keeping an eye on this guy's growth because his potential is just sky high right now.
Posted November 29, 2007 08:44 PM
Argie
Canada
Wow. Just wow. Last year was AP and Garbo, and this year, Moon and Delfino. Impressive.
Posted November 29, 2007 06:02 PM
Chris Franco
Markham
Bryan Colangelo did an awesome scouting report on this guy and had great advisors at his helm......Raptors are starting to gel a pretty good team together.....
As for the Leafs.......Can Bryan Colangelo do hockey?????
Posted November 29, 2007 04:55 PM
Colton Brydges
Definetly a very inspirational story of determination and success. No other Raptors player works as hard as him, and considering how hard he's had to work for this chance, you know he is going to do everything in his power to take advantage of it.
Posted November 29, 2007 03:51 AM
Mark
Mississauga
Jamarion Moon. a poor mans shawn marion. looks a lil like Scottie pippen above the shoulders but has those jordan hops!!
GOTTA LOVE HIM
Posted November 27, 2007 11:07 PM
David Silver
Winterpeg
Is Bryan Colangelo really THIS good?
If so, are MLSE just plain hockey stupid?
Posted November 27, 2007 08:55 PM
Bre
I used to watch Jamario play in the CBA. In his first CBA season he was a horrible defender; he could jump out of the gym but he didn't seem to know how to play defense. But when he came back for the next season the growth was amazing. When he was on, he could shut the other team down. There would be stretches where the other team would only score a couple baskets in a quarter and he was in the middle of it all.
Posted November 27, 2007 06:42 PM