07-08 Raptors Season

[octothorp]

First game of the season tonight, so I thought I would start a thread for Raptors discussion through the year.

Fairly easy one tonight, currently leading Philly by 19 in the 3rd quarter. I like what Sam Mitchell did, using all 12 roster players in the first quarter. Love the depth on this team, so much better than last year.

[KTown]

Raps win with Bosh on the bench the second half of the fourth quarter in a tight game. I'm guessing his conditioning isn't there yet.

[Dion_Iggy_Kipper!!!]

Woo Hoo!! Raps win with great job by Ford and Calderon.

[CaramonLS]

Be interesting to see how the Raps do vs. real competition this season, as Philly is going to be bad for a couple of years. Easily the worst team in the Atlantic. Knicks, Boston and the Nets have all improved (if only by the nets getting Kristic back), so we're in for a tough road ahead. I want to see Andrea take the next step this year.

[604flames]

I'm not sure which division is worse, the Atlantic or the Northwest..

[fredr123]

Originally Posted by KTown

Raps win with Bosh on the bench the second half of the fourth quarter in a tight game. I'm guessing his conditioning isn't there yet.

It's not conditioning, it's sportsmanship NFL style!

[moon]

Originally Posted by CaramonLS

the Nets have all improved (if only by the nets getting Kristic back)

If Seann Williams can stay away from the dope and other trouble he has gotten into in the past he could be a really good addition for them as well. HE would be a big upgrade from Collins.

[octothorp]

Absolute dismantling of NJ tonight... Good to see them not let up in the second half the way they did last game.

[Flames in 07]

So is Toronto supposed to be a team that goes deep in the playoffs this year? Who are the favorites?

[octothorp]

Originally Posted by Flames in 07

So is Toronto supposed to be a team that goes deep in the playoffs this year? Who are the favorites?

I don't think many people are picking them to go deep. Of ESPN's 18 'experts', only two pick Toronto to win the division, and none pick them to win the east. Detroit, Chicago, and Boston are the popular picks, and Toronto is the next group along with Orlando, Miami, Cleveland, and New Jersey.

For Toronto, a lot will depend on Bosh's health. If he's at 100% for the playoffs and the Raptors have a round or two with home court advantage, I really think they can hold their own against anyone. I'm worried that they might chose to live and die by the 3-point shot; early on, they haven't been getting to the line as much as I'd like.

[phaneuf_train]

I'm excited to see the Raps on CBC on sunday. I haven't been able to watch any games this year so far and I'm really excited for this season.

Raps won big time tonight in New Jersey 109-69. Franchise record for biggest road win.

How come the Nets aren't playing in the new building?

[604flames]

Originally Posted by phaneuf_train

How come the Nets aren't playing in the new building?

I thought the big rumour was that Jay-Z was going to move them across to Brooklyn..

[Potatoe]

The Raptors have no chance in the East this year. The Celtics whooped the Wizards by twenty tonight and get used to it, because it's going to happen alot this season!

In his first game with the Celtics, Garnett had 22 point and 20 rebounds.

In the entire history of the Raptors, has any player ever even come close to this?

[Super-Rye]

Originally Posted by Potatoe

The Raptors have no chance in the East this year. The Celtics whooped the Wizards by twenty tonight and get used to it, because it's going to happen alot this season!

In his first game with the Celtics, Garnett had 22 point and 20 rebounds.

In the entire history of the Raptors, has any player ever even come close to this?

I don't like basketball but it doesn't take a rocket scientist to realize the Celtics have no depth. 3 great players yeah but no depth. It'll be interesting to see what wins this year, individual play or team play.

[Potatoe]

No depth? Tony Allen is on the bench for the Celtics. He'd easily make the Raptor's starting five.

Kobe and Shaq won the league three years in a row with a cast of supporting characters that included the likes of Rick Fox, Devon George, and Derek Fisher. That should tell you something. The top three in Boston are better than any other top three in the league. Kendrick Perkins is not a true center but he's still better than any big man on the Raptors bar Chris Bosh. Toronto can't get big name free agents to sign there or big names to agree to trades there because all the best players (Americans) don't want to pay high taxes and live in a cold country.

[moon]

No depth? Tony Allen is on the bench for the Celtics. He'd easily make the Raptor's starting five.

No he wouldn't. He might have a chance to make the starting line-up if he could avoid blowing out his knee on stupid dunks, but no way would he easily make it.

Kobe and Shaq won the league three years in a row with a cast of supporting characters that included the likes of Rick Fox, Devon George, and Derek Fisher.

Kobe and Shaq are better than the "Big 3" in Boston and the supporting cast is miles ahead of the garbage that Boston has.

The top three in Boston are better than any other top three in the league.

Wrong again. Maybe if you took these guys five years ago they might have a shot, but Phoenix with Nash, Marian and Stoudemire are a much better trio. San Antonio with Duncan, Parker and Ginobili are also easily better.

Toronto can't get big name free agents to sign there or big names to agree to trades there because all the best players (Americans) don't want to pay high taxes and live in a cold country.

Unlike all the stud free agents that the Clippers, Supersonics, Trailblazers, Hawks, Cavs etc. are signing?

[moon]

Originally Posted by Potatoe

The Raptors have no chance in the East this year. The Celtics whooped the Wizards by twenty tonight and get used to it, because it's going to happen alot this season!

In his first game with the Celtics, Garnett had 22 point and 20 rebounds.

In the entire history of the Raptors, has any player ever even come close to this?

You mean like when Bosh scored 24 points and had 20 rebounds?

I can tell from your idiotic statements on the Off Topic board that facts really aren't you thing but I would think those numbers should fit your criteria.

[phaneuf_train]

Whens the last time Garnett sunk a 55 foot shot? Bosh seems to be 2 for 4 around that range if my memory is correct. Bosh got one of those buzzer beaters tonight.

[Potatoe]

I like how you chide Tony Allen for blowing out his knee and then go on to mention Amare Stoudamire as being part of a better "big three" than they have in Boston. I will concede, however, that the big three in San Antonio are better, but only because they've been playing together for so much longer.

Four of the five teams you've mentioned as not being able to attract big name free agents are having major ownership/relocation issues. The other is Cleveland - and who'd want to live there? Except of course for the best player in the league, Lebron James, who signed a long term extension.

[Cerebral]

Delfino looks like a great addition so far, he's solid at rebounding the ball from the guard position and that's something that the Raptors really need. It looks like they're going to play him at both the 2 and 3 which is interesting as he should make a really good substitute for Kapono throughout the season.

Needless to say, Barganani's play so far has really impressed me. I also knew he'd develop into an elite standstill shooter but I wasn't entirely sold on his play around the basket. He obviously still needs some work in this regard but it looks like he is going to develop into a big time inside-outside threat.

They really need to start attacking the basket and getting to the line though, their shooting has been solid so far but the shots won't always drop and you need to get to the line to ensure that poor shooting doesn't always result in lost games.