The Many Faces of Jamaal Magloire.

Yours truly recently profiled Toronto's own and Miami Heat centre Jamaal Magloire for Sway Magazine. Aside from his commitment to giving back to his hometown and being a Caribbean culture activist, he recently re-upped with the Heat. Hopefully he can play next season like he did in the playoffs last year, if not I'll still have to write posts like this.

Marion & Banks-for-O'Neal plus one more?

Well as everyone has discussed the rumoured Jermaine O'Neal for Shawn Marion trade, I've decided to throw my two cents in. Due to on court chemistry with Bargnani and Bosh the experiment isn't working and while I like what JO brings (when he's healthy), it comes at a costly expense. As the aforementioned duo are the Raptors future, something's got to give.

I like this proposed trade for Toronto. While I understand the Raptors' need for size, defense and toughness hence the move for O'Neal, I was a fan of the rumoured TJ Ford for Gerald Wallace trade in the offseason, as we also needed a slasher that can rebound and defend. Since we're not going to make the playoffs anyway, we don't need to worry about having some interior size and toughness. We can slide Jamario and Joey back to the bench where they are more effective, and Marion will likely lead the team in rebounding, and become our defensive stopper.

Now for the other parts of the trade; as Marcus Banks is one of two players on the Heat's books past the infamous 2010, Riley will want to get rid of the journeyman point guard. Banks is an improvement over Will Solomon, and I say that with confidence as anyone is an improvement over Will Solomon.

However, here's the kicker... we need to get Joel Anthony in the trade. Not only because he rebounds, blocks shots, bangs and he's Canadian, but we've given up our best big man and still need a presence to compliment Bosh & Bargnani. Jake Voskhul and Kris Humphries are not going to do it for us, it's really just that simple.

You're thinking, "Why would Miami give up their starting centre when they're picking up injury riddled Jermaine O'Neal?" Because they already have big bodies in Udonis Haslem, Jamaal Magloire, Mark Blount and are awaiting the return of the heart or kidney, of the franchise Alonzo Mourning. Plus, Anthony's contract is negligible ($711,517), and comes off of the books this season, so it's not like the Heat are holding it to clear space. Unfortunately, the same can be said for Magloire, as he has a similar situation in terms of years and contract, ($797.581), but far less attractive in the production department. I'm sure Riley would like to throw Magloire in as the boobie prize.

Regardless the trade may not even happen, but the conjecture is always fun.

White Chocolate.

Admittedly, I have a sweet tooth, and no folks, the nickname Sweets didn't come from a traumatic prison stint. With that being said, I have long since been a fan of white chocolate, the richness, smooth texture and taste are beyond compare. Don't get me wrong, it's not better than milk chocolate, but easily superior to that of dark chocolate.

Ten years ago, Jason Williams entered the NBA, and it didn't take long for him to impress and amaze everyone with his passing, ballhandling skills and showmanship. He was so good, that people believed that there was a black baller trapped in this white man's body, so they called him "White Chocolate". Yes there was The Pistol, but he never played with the style, flavour and showmanship that J-Will had. He was a player created for the You Tube age.

Beyond all the highlight plays, he toned down his game to become more of a floor general while in Memphis, and got his championship ring in Miami. But J-Will has been hampered with injuries as his career progressed and recently left the Heat during the summer to play with the Clippers, backing up Baron Davis. Then out of nowhere to the surprise of everyone, including his agent, he decided to call it quits, retiring after a fruitful career.

Jason Williams brought streetball to the NBA before there was streetball. He made unbelievable plays that captured our imaginations, and had us trying to duplicate them out on the court moments after a few rewinds on the VCR, he was smooth, he was sweet, he was white chocolate.

"Paging Jamaal Magloire... Your career is on the line."

As a Toronto native, Jamaal Magloire turned the corner playing in the 2004 NBA All-Star Game, but since leaving the Hornets, Bucks, Blazers, Nets and Mavericks, he may have in fact jumped the shark. I saw Jamaal play garbage time in Dallas last season while the Mavericks were blowing out the Sonics. Yes he got his, but he didn't look anything like the player that averaged 13 points, 10 boards, and a block per game four years ago.

I've always discussed with my friends (pre-J.O. trade), that the Raptors should try and get Magloire. My logic was that he had something to prove, and possibly a new change of scenery and some West Indian home cooking would be the remedy. He would be a solid interior presence alongside Chris Bosh, and could provide that toughness that we have been longing for. He's a better defender than Rasho Nasterovic, (please disregard diagram to the right), and he could easily challenge for starter minutes, and would be available on the cheap. Unfortunately, for my aspirations, and likely the reason that Bryan Colangelo is the VP & GM, it never happened.

Now, the Miami Heat have come to terms with the free agent and he will be manning the pivot with Mark Blount, fellow Canadian Joel Anthony and Alonzo Mourning when he returns. Coming off of a league worst 15-67 season record last year, the Heat have only way to go this season. He won't be expected to score much, just rebound alongside some other capable boarders, (Haslem, Marion, Beasley), man the middle and play defence.

Personally, I feel this is a great opportunity for him to shine and really want this guy to make a comeback.

The real question is, does he?