Let Landry Fields’ play, not his contract dictate his reception

Considering the backlash after the Toronto Raptors missed out on the Steve Nash sweepstakes, newest Raptor Landry Fields is likely not to receive a warm welcome in his first regular season game with the team. The boos that will rain down from the Air Canada Centre crowd will have much less to do with the player himself, and more to do with the size of his contract and what it represents — and that's just not fair.

It's not Fields' fault Bryan Colangelo signed him to a $20 million three-year offer sheet that New York didn't match. He was a pawn (albeit a highly paid one) in Colangelo's attempt to throw a wrench into the Knicks failed plan to sign Nash.

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Can you really blame Fields for accepting Toronto's deal? Toronto was not only offering the most money, he's also a great fit. He's an upgrade over James Johnson and likely to be the opening day starter a small forward. His game fits perfectly with what head coach Dwane Casey is trying to do with his young team - instill a willingness to do the little things that helps win games.

With DeMar DeRozan, Ed Davis, and Andrea Bargnani, there's no lack of raw talent on the Raptors roster. In Fields, the newly-acquired Kyle Lowry, second-round pick Quincy Acy, and Jonas Valanciunas, Bryan Colangelo is slowly collecting players who fit Casey's tough-nose, defensive-minded style.

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Colangelo hardly deserves much flack either. With Nash and Fields, he took a risk and that risk backfired. General managers have to gamble, it's the only way to improve your team unless you're one of the few that attracts superstars. After swinging and missing, Colangelo is still left with is a pretty good, but overpaid player.

Overall Toronto has had a pretty good off-season After a single Summer League game, the Terrence Ross pick is looking less and less like the reach it was once considered and the Lowry deal could end up being a steal. On top of that, the Raptors still have the financial flexibility to make additional moves. Not to mention Jose Calderon, a productive player with an expiring deal, is now a valuable trade chip or very good back-up.

So save your jeers for when someone worthy of them comes to town.

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