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  • Toronto lands Turkoglu

    It's official: Raptors land Turkoglu

    The Toronto Raptors confirmed their acquisition of coveted free agent forward Hedo Turkoglu on Thursday.

    Financial details were not released, but it's believed Turkoglu has signed a five-year deal worth $50 million US.

    Several media outlets reported last week that Turkoglu, fresh off a run to the NBA final with the Orlando Magic, had been negotiating with the Raptors.

    Thursday's announcment means one of the most sought-after free agents this off-season is landing in Toronto, making his signing a huge coup for the Raptors.

    The Turkish-born Turkoglu turned a lot of heads during Orlando's playoff run.

    He averaged 18 points, 4.6 rebounds and shot 43.8 per cent from three-point land in the NBA final against the Los Angeles Lakers, though the Magic fell in five games.

    The six-foot-10 forward averaged 16.8 points and 5.3 rebounds, 4.9 assists and shot 35.6 per cent from three-point range in the regular season. Over his career he has averaged 12.3 points and 4.2 rebounds per game, and 38.5 per cent from behind the arc.

    Earlier this month Turkoglu opted out of the final season of his contract with Orlando, worth $7.3 million US a year, as the Magic traded for veteran Vince Carter to replace him. Toronto was keen to land him, along with several other teams.

    But it didn't look like the Raptors would get their man various news outlets were reporting that Turkoglu was in Portland last Friday and had a verbal agreement to sign with the Trail Blazers. However, the deal fell apart hours later.

    Toronto then swept in for a late bid to grab Turkoglu, who favoured that move because he's reportedly drawn to the city's cosmopolitan and multicultural flair.

    The big Turk has spent nine seasons in the NBA, splitting time among Sacramento, San Antonio and Orlando. He was selected in the first round, 16th overall, by the Kings in the 2000 draft.

    By signing Turkoglu, the Raptors are now forced to clear a lot of cap space - meaning it's likely Shawn Marion, Anthony Parker and Carlos Delfino won't be in Toronto uniforms next season.

    All three players are free agents, and the Raptors have until Tuesday to renounce their rights to them.

    Toronto president and general manager Bryan Colangelo had been keen on the big Turk for a while. He tried hard to sign Turkoglu back in 2004 while he was in the front office of the Phoenix Suns.


    http://www.cbc.ca/sports/story/2009/...tors-turk.html
    "Nobody can give you freedom. Nobody can give you equality or justice or anything. If you're a man, you take it." ~Malcolm X

  • #2
    Re: Toronto lands Turkoglu

    Hedo is Turkey's Michael Jordan ... this is normal

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    • #3
      Re: Toronto lands Turkoglu

      TORONTO'S TURKISH COMMUNITY HELPS LURE TURKOGLU

      TORONTO - Toronto's ethnic diversity has helped lure Turkish forward Hedo Turkoglu to the Raptors.

      The six-foot-10 free agent is expected to sign a five-year contract worth a reported US$53 million as early as Wednesday, after spurning the Portland Trail Blazers.

      Turkoglu's agent Lon Babby said Turkoglu and his wife Banu, both from Istanbul, were intrigued by the city and what it had to offer.

      "At the end of the day, Hedo simply decided that Toronto was a better fit for him and his family," Babby told reporters on a conference call Saturday evening. "He wants to remain in the East and Toronto is, of course, a uniquely cosmopolitan and international community and it suits him and his family best.

      "The community level was just best in Toronto."

      The 30-year-old Turkoglu, who helped Orlando to the NBA finals last season, appeared poised to sign with the Blazers, but ended contract talks with them Friday.

      "Toronto's offer was better (financially) than Portland's was, but that wasn't the driver here," Babby said.

      Under the rules of the NBA's collective bargaining agreement, the Raptors can't comment on the deal until Wednesday, the date teams can officially sign free agents.

      Turkoglu opted out of his Orlando contract last week when the team acquired Vince Carter from New Jersey. Turkoglu was due $7.3 million next season, the final year of his $36-million, six-year deal with Orlando. He averaged 16.8 points and 5.3 rebounds last season.

      Turkoglu is a nine-year NBA veteran. He played for Sacramento and San Antonio before signing with Orlando as a free agent in 2004.

      He has averaged 12.3 points and 4.2 rebounds over his career and is 38.5 per cent shooter from three-point range.

      Turkoglu will join a team that already has a distinctly international flavour, with Jose Calderon of Spain, Croatia native Roko Ukic, and Italian centre Andrea Bargnani.

      Azerbaboon: 9.000 Google hits and counting!

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      • #4
        Re: Toronto lands Turkoglu

        We finally got that guy out of the country... now we have to focus on ridding ourselves of Mehmet Okur

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        • #5
          Re: Toronto lands Turkoglu

          Originally posted by ArmSurvival View Post
          We finally got that guy out of the country... now we have to focus on ridding ourselves of Mehmet Okur
          You damn Americans, sending your trash to Canada
          Azerbaboon: 9.000 Google hits and counting!

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          • #6
            Re: Toronto lands Turkoglu

            Originally posted by ArmSurvival View Post
            We finally got that guy out of the country... now we have to focus on ridding ourselves of Mehmet Okur
            Good news ArmSurvival, cheer up! I remember reading somewhere that Ersan İlyasova will play in NBA next year.
            (You will never learn not to hate individuals, will you?)

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            • #7
              Re: Toronto lands Turkoglu

              I am sure there are plenty of Armenian eateries there to provide him with authentic Turkish cuisine.

              Comment


              • #8
                Re: Toronto lands Turkoglu

                Originally posted by Federate
                You damn Americans, sending your trash to Canada
                We have to deal with your singers. Taking care of our trash is the least you guys can do.



                Originally posted by Yakamoz
                (You will never learn not to hate individuals, will you?)
                Apparently you will never learn many things, humor being amongst them.

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