August 2000: Mo Taylor backs out of deal with Raptors
If Toronto has one distinct advantage in attracting NBA free agents, it is Caribana (if you guessed ‘CHIN Picnic’, Bryan Colangelo—you’re wrong paisan!) Every year, this world-renowned event attracts millions of tourists looking to celebrate their roots, or just revel in rich Caribbean culture. The celebration is particularly popular with NBA players. So much so, that Vince Carter would schedule his annual Charity Games during Caribana Weekend, just to ensure maximum participation. In 2000, he invited Mo Taylor.
Three years removed from bunking with Louis Bullock, the wide-eyed free-agent forward experienced his first Caribana, and had the time of his life. The 24-year old woke up to the sound of steel drums pounding in his ears, the taste of dark rum licked from the tits of a thonged float performer soaking in his mouth…and the faint memory of agreeing to a contract with the Toronto Raptors lingering in his mind. The Blue Baller dreams of such hangovers. Enter Taylor’s agent to rectify the situation. The savvy rainmaker promptly cancelled Taylor’s verbal agreement with the Raptors, and found his client another deal with the Rockets—for less money.
Hypothetical question: which moment would rank higher on the Dubious Moment List: Taylor backing out of the 3-year $18M deal, or the Raptors actually signing him to it?
stumbling on this site is the best thing that I've done in days... OK minutes.. but damn. So good. Just so damn good. What do all Raptors fans have in common? That we will one day die and that we share a common shame. Eloquent rendering of the facts so far man, can't wait to read more.
Posted by: bellypelt | September 20, 2006 at 05:51 PM
Bellypelt, you are as kind as you are perceptive.
Brace yourself for the second half.
Posted by: The Blue Baller | September 21, 2006 at 04:24 AM