The Toronto market is unique in many ways when it comes to sports, the fans are fickle, they are passionate, and they are tough, especially on superstar players in their respective sports. The Toronto sports landscape is littered with examples of players with all-world talent at the top of their sport and somehow are made out to be villains for either their lack of passion, toughness, or love for Toronto. The most popular athletes in the annals of Toronto sports history are the men that embody those aforementioned traits.
The Toronto Raptors are especially known for this. At one point during the end of the Vince Carter era, when his spell was beginning to rub off he joked that Matt Bonner, a rookie forward that looked more like a medical specialist working in a lab then a 3 point specialist working on the hard, was the most popular Raptor on the squad, he could probably run for Prime Minister. Carter was probably right on one of those proclamations.
Many publications and websites have been doing "Best Ever Raptors" polls to try and determine which Raptor was the "best" Raptor of all time. From a a statistical standpoint it would have to be either Vince Carter or Chris Bosh given that they lead almost every statistical category in franchise history. This has not been the case, players such as Alvin Williams, Morris Peterson and Charles Oakley usually top the lists. This is because they embody what Toronto sports fans truly value, toughness, passion for the city and the sport and a love for the game and community.
It is strange that for such a white-collar city, there is such a blue-collar longing towards the fans sports heroes. For these reasons, and for his play on the court one of the off-seasons newest acquisitions will undoubtably be amongst the "best" Raptors of all time mentioning in years to come.
Jarrett Jack has embodied those characteristics throughout his career in the NBA and now with a guaranteed contract of approximately $20 million over the next 4 years and entering true veteran status by heading into his fifth season in the NBA he has the confidence and security to put those characteristics together along with his strong leadership and developing talent on the basketball court to be one of the biggest acquisitions and arguably most important of the off-season.
The Good
It is tough to describe what is so good about Jarrett Jack. At first thought there are so many positive attributes to the 25 year old from Fort Washington, Maryland. Though at first glance nothing would seem to jump out at you. His career averages of 10.4 ppg, 4.0 apg and 2.7 rpg while shooting a very average .446 field goal percentage and .339 3-point field goal percentage do not excite you. Sometimes what is on paper, and the statistics are misleading and one must read between the lines. The attributes that Jarrett Jack brings to the Raptors are what turns average teams good, and good teams great: intangibles.
To start with, many people envision the tandem of Jose Calderon and Jarrett Jack to be what Jose Calderon and TJ Ford never could be. The two headed monster with a pass first, uber-efficient point guard starting with a change of pace, shoot more often (not first) point guard that can/will create his own offense. The biggest change between TJ Ford and Jarrett Jack is attitude.
When Jack speaks you cannot help but believe every word he says. He is well spoken, he listens to a question, thinks about it, then answers honestly. So when he says like so many other athletes that he wants to do whatever he can to help the team, whether it is coming off the bench or starting, you can't help but believe him.
The key to this Raptors squad that will allow them to win more games, and play longer into the extended season based will be chemistry and the system that is implemented, rather then pure talent. Make no mistake, the Raptors have talent but are not at the level of the Spurs, Lakers, Celtics, Magic or Cavaliers. For the Raptors to be an upper-tier team they will have to inherit the same type of approach and attitude that Jarrett Jack brings, and Jack although only 25 and a first year Raptor will be a leader on this team and impose his will in the locker room.
On the court Jack is coming off his most impressive season statistically. He averaged 13.1 ppg, 4.1 apg and 3.4 rpg shooting .453% from field goal range and .353% from 3 point field goal range in 2008/09. While Jack is not overly tall at 6 foot 3 inches, he has the strength and weight at almost 200 pounds to play both the point guard and shooting guard position. Many times he and Calderon will be on the floor together with Jack guarding the opposing shooting guard and playing the point on offense allowing a more efficient shooter in Jose Calderon to spot up for open jump shots off of Jack's creation at the offensive end.
Jack is also a good rebounding point guard that has said in the past he takes pride in rebounding especially at the point position. For a team that has in the past, and will continue to be starved for rebounds, this is a very welcomed change from guards in previous years that would rather leak out on the break then mix it up for rebounds.
Many thought coming into the league that Jarrett Jack would be a solid professional with a very low ceiling, insinuating there would be very little potential at age 21. Well Jack has worked hard at improving his game to the point where he was a starter last year on Indiana and would be a capable starter on most teams. Now at age 25, there is still room and potential for Jack to develop even further with the Raptors.
The Bad
Jarrett Jack is not TJ Ford. Based on pure talent and athleticism, TJ has the edge on Jack and most point guards in the NBA. So while what has been deemed "Forderone" blazed bright for a year and flamed out, "Calderack" or "Jackeron" depending who you talk to, will burn like an old oil lamp, long and steady, maybe even a bit boring and smelly at times. It will be a strength to the team, but not a nightly game changer that the last pairing was.
Jack's numbers have been average and at times underwhelming throughout his career. A career average of only 4.0 apg takes some time to get used to especially when you are used to a prolific passer like Calderon. While his 3 point percentage is respectable at almost .340%, it is not great and for a team that most nights will have to rely on out-shooting the opposing team, especially from behind the arc, you'd like to see those statistics raised this year.
Jack has been lauded for his defensive intensity ever since he has been signed. Intensity is all well and good but unfortunately defensive talent is an entirely different animal. Jack, much like Calderon lacks the lateral quickness to keep up with most point guards in the league, especially the new young breed that pride themselves on an up-tempo running game. He is one of the rare guards that is better defending out of position (shooting guards) then in position (point guards) and that will help offset his liabilities guarding point guards.
At $5 million a year, the Raptors may have overpaid for a back up. $5 million is below the league average and Jack is an above average player, so one can make the case that he is underpaid. This however does not take into account when a player gets paid, the economic landscape at the time, and what the market would bare. There were no real indications that another team was in any real pursuit for Jack, therefore the Raptors may have been able to land him at a cheaper price. Also by signing him to a 4 year deal, along with Caleron's contract running for another 4 years, you ultimately give up on a young point guard with potential in Roko Ukic.
The Outlook
The Raptors will be going back to what made them successful and one of the best stories in the NBA in 2006/07. A team that can shoot the ball well, and has depth especially at the point position. Jarrett Jack is a great compliment to Jose Calderon in a back up point guard role as well in his ability to play with Jose.
What Jack will bring to the table that will be of most importance are his intangible skills. Jack will no doubt be one of the leaders on this team on and off the court and if he is able to rub off on his teammates this team has a real shot of making some noise in the playoff season for the first time in 8 years.
Grade: B+
- J.Moore
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