07-08 Raptors Season

[KTown]

Originally Posted by CaramonLS

Watching the game tonight, it is apparent that the Clippers have exactly what the Raptors need. Imagine Kaman + Maggette on the Raps?

/pipedream

The thing you got to love about the Raps is there age, if the Raps can keep there unit together they will be awesome. The core guys I talk about are

Bosh, Bargnani, Calderon, Ford.

The others are all replaceable.

I'm still not sold on Moon 100% for a long term solution, he's playing great but I want to see how he follows up this year, with next year.

[JohnnyFlame]

Still hope BC will pickup defensive help at the trade deadline. Otherwise yes their crappy defense especially in the paint will get them toasted in the playoffs. I worry all he is does is a pickup a spare part in case TJ goes down again.

[CaramonLS]

You know what, if it is a choice between Calderon and Ford, I think I'm choosing Calderon long term. I think the Raps might have to consider moving one of them in order to get some more pieces for their ballclub.

[CaramonLS]

And damn, watching the Spurs it is pretty clear why they are one of the top teams in the league. They make you work on every single possession. Nothing easy from these guys - they push you on the defensive end and they don't take a lot of bad shots.

[JohnnyFlame]

Originally Posted by CaramonLS

You know what, if it is a choice between Calderon and Ford, I think I'm choosing Calderon long term. I think the Raps might have to consider moving one of them in order to get some more pieces for their ballclub.

I'd trade Kapono for defensive help. He provides nothing but shooting which they have in abundance.

[octothorp]

Just came across this Hollinger article on ESPN. I like Hollinger's methodologies, because he doesn't have these obscure judgemental ranking systems that most sports sites have; yet sometimes he's guilty of focusing too much on the stats and not enough on the results. The praise he gives the Raptors here is a bit over the top. What do others think? Is margin of victory really a useful predictor for future results?

http://insider.espn.go.com/nba/insid...lid%3dtab3pos2

[bluejays]

Originally Posted by octothorp

Just came across this Hollinger article on ESPN. I like Hollinger's methodologies, because he doesn't have these obscure judgemental ranking systems that most sports sites have; yet sometimes he's guilty of focusing too much on the stats and not enough on the results. The praise he gives the Raptors here is a bit over the top. What do others think? Is margin of victory really a useful predictor for future results?

http://insider.espn.go.com/nba/insid...lid%3dtab3pos2

Fair enough, but he completely overlooked their terrible defence. They may just be the worst in the league at that, and that simple omission is huge. In the playoffs, they're not going to outscore their opponents in a 7 game series. Simply put, it's nice that they got this attention south of the boarder, but this is not a team that's ready to make a significant push deep into the playoffs this year.

[CaramonLS]

Originally Posted by fleury

Fair enough, but he completely overlooked their terrible defence. They may just be the worst in the league at that, and that simple omission is huge. In the playoffs, they're not going to outscore their opponents in a 7 game series. Simply put, it's nice that they got this attention south of the boarder, but this is not a team that's ready to make a significant push deep into the playoffs this year.

And not to mention as a jump shooting/3 Ball team, you're going to have ups and downs - hot and cold streaks.

After Moon putting up a solid defensive effort early during the season, I think he has become a bit more of a liability - not taking it to the net enough with his incredible atheliticsm and just making a lot of "pretty" help blocks.

I wonder what it would take to get a guy like Nocioni out of Chicago? Love the way that guy plays at both ends of the court and he'd definitely be the right personality for this team - could be the element missing from this team.

[bluejays]

Originally Posted by CaramonLS

And not to mention as a jump shooting/3 Ball team, you're going to have ups and downs - hot and cold streaks.

After Moon putting up a solid defensive effort early during the season, I think he has become a bit more of a liability - not taking it to the net enough with his incredible atheliticsm and just making a lot of "pretty" help blocks.

I wonder what it would take to get a guy like Nocioni out of Chicago? Love the way that guy plays at both ends of the court and he'd definitely be the right personality for this team - could be the element missing from this team.

Agree completely, but Nocioni is one of those players again who are inconsistent. Personally, I think a tandem of Nesterovic/Dalembert would be fantastic down the centre and then finding a solid aggressive two-way bigger forward in the offseason (like Gerald Wallace) would be something that could turn this team around. I love what Moon has brought to the team, but he's not something they need long term (or in the starting lineup), and right now he's basically a marketing tool on this subpar flash team. Although Kapono has been inconsistent with his points, I think he's a keeper just because of his 3%, and packaging a 1st in 2009 along with Moon after this year's draft could possibly net the Raps a good two-way player like Wallace for the future.

[Ziggy Lidstrom]

y'all know who would put the raps over the top? Corey Magette. Man that guy would fit in nicely. Him and one more positionally sound big, with a lil nastiness a la Oak. I don't think Nocioni is what they need. They need athleticism and rebounding from the 2/3 and Magette would provide that in spades along with other qualities. I think BC was trying to get Petrius this past Trade Deadline, who is like a less talented Magette. If they had Magette now, then they would not have lost those last three.

What I don't like about Wallace is his durability and he is a streaky shooter who can become passive. Not Corey MaC.

[moon]

Originally Posted by Ziggy Lidstrom

y'all know who would put the raps over the top? Corey Magette. Man that guy would fit in nicely. Him and one more positionally sound big, with a lil nastiness a la Oak. I don't think Nocioni is what they need. They need athleticism and rebounding from the 2/3 and Magette would provide that in spades along with other qualities. I think BC was trying to get Petrius this past Trade Deadline, who is like a less talented Magette. If they had Magette now, then they would not have lost those last three.

What I don't like about Wallace is his durability and he is a streaky shooter who can become passive. Not Corey MaC.

I think that Magette's laziness would fit in well with the other guys on the team who don't want to work for rebounds. I guess his lack of ability to shoot would be made up with all the supposed great jump shooters the Raptors have as well. Add in the fact that he is American and he doesn't seem to be a guy that BC would want. Pietrius being French fits BC's desires, I doubt that he would want to add an American.

[Ziggy Lidstrom]

He's a pretty good rebounder for the 2/3 and he sure can get to the foul line and that is what I find the most tantalizing, since aside from bosh, the raps have trouble getting to the line. Thus, I said a big like Oak and a 2/3 like Magette would put them over the top. The big? Reggie Evans like, all position no ego.

[JohnnyFlame]

Originally Posted by CaramonLS

And not to mention as a jump shooting/3 Ball team, you're going to have ups and downs - hot and cold streaks.

After Moon putting up a solid defensive effort early during the season, I think he has become a bit more of a liability - not taking it to the net enough with his incredible atheliticsm and just making a lot of "pretty" help blocks.

I wonder what it would take to get a guy like Nocioni out of Chicago? Love the way that guy plays at both ends of the court and he'd definitely be the right personality for this team - could be the element missing from this team.

Moon sure put on a good display last night. Shuts down Marion while scoring and yanking down board after board. Yeah it was only the Heat but Marion ain't chopped liver.

[bluejays]

Originally Posted by JohnnyFlame

Moon sure put on a good display last night. Shuts down Marion while scoring and yanking down board after board. Yeah it was only the Heat but Marion ain't chopped liver.

Moon looked great defensively last night, but the more I personally look at the guy, he's a flash in the pan a lot like Keon Clark. The guy certainly has great leaping and shot blocking ability, but everytime he jacks up a 3, or a long 2, how can you not shudder? I love the way he plays, but he is definitely not a starter. It's great for the team to have guys like him to sell jerseys and promote the team, but I'm really doubtful he'll be any more than he is at the moment. In fact, next season, I think he'll drop a bit when scouting reports catch up to his tendencies. For the sake of a good team, hopefully this offseason Colangelo puts a creative package together to find a real starter. Just making one off the top of my head, but do you think Memphis would take the hometown Moon in a package along with Kapono and Graham for Mike Miller? So technically speaking, 2 "all-stars" and a "potential" star (potential star used loosely) for a solid starter, though Mike Miller for some reason bugs the hell outta me, but he plays hard.

2 players that have impressed the hell outta me from the Raptors recently have been Nesterovic and Parker. If those two guys put up consistent numbers like they have recently, this team would be real good.

[JohnnyFlame]

Originally Posted by fleury

Moon looked great defensively last night, but the more I personally look at the guy, he's a flash in the pan a lot like Keon Clark. The guy certainly has great leaping and shot blocking ability, but everytime he jacks up a 3, or a long 2, how can you not shudder? I love the way he plays, but he is definitely not a starter. It's great for the team to have guys like him to sell jerseys and promote the team, but I'm really doubtful he'll be any more than he is at the moment. In fact, next season, I think he'll drop a bit when scouting reports catch up to his tendencies. For the sake of a good team, hopefully this offseason Colangelo puts a creative package together to find a real starter. Just making one off the top of my head, but do you think Memphis would take the hometown Moon in a package along with Kapono and Graham for Mike Miller? So technically speaking, 2 "all-stars" and a "potential" star (potential star used loosely) for a solid starter, though Mike Miller for some reason bugs the hell outta me, but he plays hard.

2 players that have impressed the hell outta me from the Raptors recently have been Nesterovic and Parker. If those two guys put up consistent numbers like they have recently, this team would be real good.

I think Moon is exactly what's needed on the starting lineup. Moon that is with 25 extra pounds. Moon who drives to the basket strong as his main offensive move. Moon who plays tougher defense more consistently.

I'm not sure at his age he is up to improving but they don't need another offensive player as a starter. They need that guy who will do all the dirty jobs. Rebound and play defense and set screens and hammer a guy on a layup. They need a young Bruce Bowen.

[CaramonLS]

Originally Posted by JohnnyFlame

I think Moon is exactly what's needed on the starting lineup. Moon that is with 25 extra pounds. Moon who drives to the basket strong as his main offensive move. Moon who plays tougher defense more consistently.

I'm not sure at his age he is up to improving but they don't need another offensive player as a starter. They need that guy who will do all the dirty jobs. Rebound and play defense and set screens and hammer a guy on a layup. They need a young Bruce Bowen.

Shane Battier?

[CaramonLS]

Watching the Raps get rolled up on defense again... Yikes. This team needs a couple Bruce Bowens.

[Johnny 99]

It's funny to look back at some posts in this thread, especially the ones about Boston not having depth. They just rested their big three against Charlotte on the weekend and still blew out the opposition. They also have far and away the best record in the NBA!

[killer_carlson]

I think what this team needs is this alleged "development coach", aka John Lucas, needs to spend his summer with Bargiani teaching him big man skills, not the least of which is footwork (offensive and defensive).

If Lucas is incapable of teaching anyone not a guard or named Ford, then can him and bring in Kareem to teach Bargniani.

The kid - and his is a kid - has the entire tool set and needs to polish things up and put himself in the position where he can use his dominant skill set to its full potential. Whatever the Raptors did or let him do last summer has failed miserably. I read somewhere that all he did was play in a summer league and work on his shooting.

not the answer.

Leaving his development up to him at this point of his career means he is more likely to turn into Big Country Reeves than he is Dirk Nowitzki.

Damn is he frustrating to watch.

(I've also had it with Ford but that is another story).

[Ziggy Lidstrom]

Man the Raps were an exciting team b4 TJ's injury. Now, they are so soft. I think CB4's PR stuff kinda shocked his teammates; How else can it be explained?

They are such a regular season team that needs to be in the west so they can get dominated due to the talent discrepencey and then get bosh some serious help via the lottery. How else is this team gonna be anything but a mediocre squad? Only in the east, but now that has changed with Boston coming over and Ferry getting Bron Bron some talent to assist him with. We got screwed with the Bargnani at the 1spot. The only first pick we've got and we have to do the PR move and draft Gheredini's boy. I wanted BRoy so bad, he would look sick with the raps and would nullify the need for TJ. My team woulda been Bosh, Charlie, Garbo, Calderon, Roy and change. BC's team is soooo soft and is just a little different. Bosh, Bargs, Moon, Calderon, Ford. I don't know what I would rather have. Bargs is okay, i'll reserve judgement for later, but i'm just sour at what coulda been.

Trade Calderon for a lottery pick and try to get Mayo, Bryan. Mayo and Dorsey would be a dream draft for this team. They could solve a lot of problems with that draft. But that's a dream scenario.

The topic (in this thread) came up about who the raps would like and could use, I said Magettee, but someone said Battier and I was watching the Rockets/Jazz match and Battier would be perfect. Character, pedigree, perimeter game, size for the 3, defence, will and athleticism-not like Moon. He and Magette would put them into dynasty status.