2010/2011 Toronto Raptors thread

[octothorp]

We typically have enough Raptors discussion to justify a thread separate from the NBA thread. So here it is. Game 1 tip-off just moments away.

Early on it looks like the opposite of the preseason: Bargnani looks great, everyone else struggling to find their shots. If Bargnani could play every shift like his first one of the season (10 points 2 boards, 3 drawn fouls including a charge on Amare), he'd silence his critics pretty quickly. But consistency has always been his problem.

Defense looks pretty much like last year: not good at all.

edit: Raps lose by five, they just didn't have anyone converting at a high percentage. Amir Johnson was the only guy who shot above .500, and he took only one shot (to go with 4 fouls in 10 minutes). His fellow 'young gunz' Weems and DeRozan were a combined 4 for 13. Bargnani was great in the first half, but NY started keying on him in the second, and he struggled to find good shots. Still, that's what we can expect most games, it's up to others to take advantage of those double-teams. Jack had a solid game. Probably the best Raptor overall tonight.

[KTown]

It is going to be a long year. Nothing new being a Raptor fan.

[OzSome]

Wow, nothing changed on that first game. Some of these players still thinks they can win without the others. Barbosa did well in the pre-season and showed some promise BUT he is more like a ball hog. I've seen him do that in Phoenix and that really bugs me. Somewhere in the 3rd period, the Raps were ahead by 1 or 2 I think and Barbosa shoot the ball without even passing the ball to anyone. I am talking about shooting from 3 point range and noone were positioned for rebound. Problem is the Raps in the last few seasons always try to shoot the ball outside and very rare to go after the hard 2 points ie: going for hard layup. That's gotta change or else Raptor' fans will have another long winter.

[OzSome]

I was watching the Raptors-Sacramento game last night. I cannot believed the Raptors blew a big lead. For some reason, the Raptors still have this problem about the individuality. They have way too many jump shots while there is no rebounder nearby. I thought when they started doing that, they will end up losing the game. It's just so frustrating to watch them.
Evans played well last night with over 18 rebounds but on the other hand, Bargnani is way too soft rebounding and on his defense. It's funny to hear the announcer saying Raptors only went to the free throw 5 times in the 2nd half. Well, that's what happened when you don't go hard to the basket. It's tough to get a free throw chances when you constantly shooting jump shots. I am not saying they shouldn't go for the jump shot all the time, it's just that they have to choose their shot and not force them.
I really think the Raptors have the talent to make the playoff but they have to be smart.

[octothorp]

Yeah, I watched the first half then left, and was shocked to see that they lost a game that they seemed to be in control of in every way.

I really wonder if Evans is being showcased for a trade after Davis gets healthy. I can see him being an extremely valuable bench player on a contending team. He almost had a double-double last night in defensive and offensive rebounds.

[St. Pats]

I've liked what I've seen from them in all 3 games. Evans is banging and pulling down boards which was a missing ingredient from the team. They also have some hustle and are even trying on defense. Two upgrades right there from the last couple of years.

I don't see them winning many games but watching this group you feel good about the effort being put forth.

[octothorp]

Man, they came so close last night. That would have been a great win. But after losing a squeaker on the road to the defending champs and travelling and playing the next night, it adds up to what will probably be a blowout loss tonight. Best points about last night were Amir Johnson and Calderon. If Amir Johnson can figure out how to play without picking up fouls, as he did last night, he could replace Reggie as a starter, and that would vastly improve the starting offense. I'm seriously worried about Jack though. He definitely earned the starter roll in the preseason, but from game 2 onwards, he's shown little at either end.

The biggest issue that concerns me as a team is there are too many guys who shoot a low percentage and don't pass: Jack and Barbosa every night, and on some nights, Kleiza, Bargnani and DeRozan. They're not talented enough to take guys one-on-one, they need to be an above-average passing team.

Boards and points-in-the-paint were both big successes for Toronto last night. Maybe that will be something to build on.

[OzSome]

Barbosa is always a ball-hog and likes the shoot the ball even when he was in Phoenix. I don't question his talent just don't like the way he wants to play individually at times. Jack is a very talented PG but he tends to try too hard. If these two players just play like the way they supposed to, the Raptors will be a lot better.

The Raptors need to start making good shot selections. They need to stop forcing their shot. We have some good shooters in this team. We have Bargnani, Barbosa, Kleiza, Calderon,and even Andersen. The only problem is they tend to shoot the ball while there is noone (rebounder) under the basket.

[flames_1987]

The team at least seems to be putting in more of a work ethic then I've seen in a long time, especially on the road. I guess that has a lot do with the youth movement. But after watching them last night and part of tonight, if the youth of this club and keep growing and they get another high lottery pick this season, seems there could be a future with this team.

[octothorp]

Yeah, I'd rather see them have offensive schemes that start with their big guys under the basket. Bargnani and Andersen should be running to the baseline every time down the court, bang their guys and then turn back up to get open. Calderon and Jack are good enough offensively that they don't need centers setting screens for them every time.

Honestly this is a best-case scenario. Playing hard, learning, and probably setting themselves up for a good draft pick. As long as these guys don't get too burned out from losing, they'll get there eventually. And we haven't even seen Davis play in the regular season yet.

[I wanna be like Miikka]

This would be a good year for the raptors to tank. The draft has a few excellent point guards and I would be thrilled if the raps got one of them. John wall has been sick for Washington, I'm hoping the same will happen for the raptors next summer. Let this year be a learning process for the young kids, then draft the future franchise player.

[bluejays]

I haven't really watched many games this year, but I'm surprised DeRozan hasn't picked it up as much as he should given Bosh's departure. To me, DeRozan will always be undersized, but his athletic ability and speed is there to be really good and I'm very surprised he hasn't posted a huge number night yet, even this early in the season (though his PPG is much better). I expect more by way of steals from him as well.

[killer_carlson]

Bargniani is so disinterested in rebounding that's it tough to even watch right now.

He had 1 rebound in tonights game. I think TSN's Chisolm isn't far off when he dubs Bargniani one of the worst 7 foot rebounders in the league, and maybe even in recent memory.

He shows little interest in turning it around either.

DeRozan is missing far too many open jump shots. He'll be completely neutralized in the half court if he doesn't show he's able to hit the open jumper. (and it's not like he's missing deep threes either)

[octothorp]

Ouch. No matter how much you tell yourself that losing isn't a bad thing for the team this year, ones like that sting. If they can't beat Charlotte at home...

Amir Johnson has been playing pretty well, Bargnani was decent and rebounded well but had turnover issues (including in the last 12 seconds, down by three). Weems and Wright both had good games too. Calderon had good chemistry with Johnson, Wright, and Weems, but couldn't make his own shots. Still, I like the chemistry on the second unit.

[Caged Great]

The Raptors are not a very good team. However, with the fact this year's draft is apparently deep, and they have 2 1st round picks, they should be able to get a top 5 pick + whatever the other pick is.

Hopefully, they can get a couple of impact players for the future in the draft and build around them, because outside of Johnson, I don't really see any of the current Raptors being anything more than typical average bench players on a good team.

[secol]

fun fact....bargnani is only averaging one reb per game less than bosh (not counting tonight)

[Wise Gamble]

Raptors actually beat the Magic....? Heat, Wizard and 76ers ahead. Should go 2-1..

[flames_1987]

Where did the Raptors get their other first round pick from?

Derozan had a solid game tonight. I'd love to see them go play hard tomorrow and compete against the Heat.

[KTown]

What a shocking performance tonight, was not expecting that at all. Impressive to say the least, I was expecting them to collapse down the stretch yet they made clutch shots, clutch free throws and clutch steals down the stretch.

[secol]

not bargnani.....he choked as usual. his 4th quarter stats (last 5 mins, game within 5 pts) he has shot a measly 20% FG. but impressive nonetheless....main course tomorrow though!