07-08 Raptors Season

[killer_carlson]

I agree with the TSN analysis on the raps, especially the point on how much this team misses Garbo.

He was the grit, he was the guy setting tough screens, he was the guy with the hard fouls, he was the guy pushing his teammates around him.

I really, really hope he makes it back next season. He's the personality this team needs.

If not.....what about Shawn Marion?

[Iggy's Forehead]

They're showing up at home, go figure.

[bluejays]

Originally Posted by Iggy's Forehead

They're showing up at home, go figure.

More of a flash in the pan if anything. When they're hot, they're hot, when they're not, they're definitely not. Simply a streaky team. This afternoon I think will be a closer affair, but Ford will get rocked somehow, and the 3rd quarter will be their demise (did I ever mention I don't like Ford).

112-94 Orlando. Heard it here first.

[Iggy's Forehead]

Originally Posted by fleury

More of a flash in the pan if anything. When they're hot, they're hot, when they're not, they're definitely not. Simply a streaky team. This afternoon I think will be a closer affair, but Ford will get rocked somehow, and the 3rd quarter will be their demise (did I ever mention I don't like Ford).

112-94 Orlando. Heard it here first.

Yup. Close prediction too, pretty much spot on as to what happened.

[bluejays]

Originally Posted by Iggy's Forehead

Yup. Close prediction too, pretty much spot on as to what happened.

Guess I'll have to buy tonight's lottary ticket! Complete luck. In fairness to the Raps, they lost it in the last 2 minutes primarily due to not having a real second scoring option available to bank it.

Prediction time: Tonight I think it'll be all over for the Raps simply because psychologically, these guys for the most part aren't fighters, and they see the writing on the wall. I predict a lacklustre game by both teams when it comes to scoring, with both teams below the 100 point mark in this game with Orlando taking it with 8 minutes to go. Rashard Lewis will be the player who'll make more of an impact than Howard in this game. Calderon and Bosh will lead the way for the Raps while Ford cries like a baby on the bench after early foul trouble and selfish play.

97-87 Orlando...book it.

[killer_carlson]

My offseason Raptor wish list (in order of preference)

1) Moving Me-J out of town. The sooner the better.
2) Replacing Sam Mitchell. Anyone who fails to make adjustments after getting out rebounded by 20 important game after important game needs to be moved. His love for Me-J cost this team games. His failure to implement any type of offense is also a failing.
3) Aquisition of a rebounder
4) Bargiani spends 2 months straight, then off for a month, then back for another month with John Lucas the development coach.

[Iggy's Forehead]

Originally Posted by fleury

Guess I'll have to buy tonight's lottary ticket! Complete luck. In fairness to the Raps, they lost it in the last 2 minutes primarily due to not having a real second scoring option available to bank it.

Prediction time: Tonight I think it'll be all over for the Raps simply because psychologically, these guys for the most part aren't fighters, and they see the writing on the wall. I predict a lacklustre game by both teams when it comes to scoring, with both teams below the 100 point mark in this game with Orlando taking it with 8 minutes to go. Rashard Lewis will be the player who'll make more of an impact than Howard in this game. Calderon and Bosh will lead the way for the Raps while Ford cries like a baby on the bench after early foul trouble and selfish play.

97-87 Orlando...book it.

They won by 10...not bad, Watson.

BTW, this wasn't Colangelo's fault at all. This was the fault of, in order:

1. Sam Mitchell
2. Andrea Bargnani
3. TJ Ford

[CaramonLS]

Originally Posted by killer_carlson

My offseason Raptor wish list (in order of preference)

1) Moving Me-J out of town. The sooner the better.
2) Replacing Sam Mitchell. Anyone who fails to make adjustments after getting out rebounded by 20 important game after important game needs to be moved. His love for Me-J cost this team games. His failure to implement any type of offense is also a failing.
3) Aquisition of a rebounder
4) Bargiani spends 2 months straight, then off for a month, then back for another month with John Lucas the development coach.

Time for Mitchell to go - both the offensive/defensive strategies need a heap of work. Love the intensity from Mitchell, but the technical skills aren't there. It might be kind of tough to fire last years coach of the year though.

Bargs needs some serious development work - get him to come into next season with a gameplan and roll with it from there. Concentrate on finding him a low post game and getting him to drive to the basket more often.

The 3 from the top of the key should be more of a secondary option or late trailer play rather than a primary one he makes it uses it for. He needs to learn he is 7 feet tall again.

I'd like to see Ford traded for some offensive help at SF/SG - either that or trade Calderon for the same thing, but holds TJ accountable. TJ is the more talented player, but Calderon is the much more efficient one - however, we need to move one to get this team moving forward.

Calderon would probably be the easiest to move and you could probably get a great return in a sign+trade deal this off season if you are interested.

[Machiavelli]

Who/what on earth is Me-J?

Edit: TJ Ford, okay.

[bluejays]

Originally Posted by CaramonLS

Time for Mitchell to go - both the offensive/defensive strategies need a heap of work. Love the intensity from Mitchell, but the technical skills aren't there. It might be kind of tough to fire last years coach of the year though.

Bargs needs some serious development work - get him to come into next season with a gameplan and roll with it from there. Concentrate on finding him a low post game and getting him to drive to the basket more often.

The 3 from the top of the key should be more of a secondary option or late trailer play rather than a primary one he makes it uses it for. He needs to learn he is 7 feet tall again.

I'd like to see Ford traded for some offensive help at SF/SG - either that or trade Calderon for the same thing, but holds TJ accountable. TJ is the more talented player, but Calderon is the much more efficient one - however, we need to move one to get this team moving forward.

Calderon would probably be the easiest to move and you could probably get a great return in a sign+trade deal this off season if you are interested.

Mitchell...not sure about one way or another. Strategy-wise, the guy is really out to lunch, but his attitude is perfect for the team. Really if I were a player, he's the perfect coach who knows how to push buttons and then hold back. I really like him when it comes to his attitude and how he handles players, but you really can't overlook his deficiency when it comes to drawing up plays. I think at the end of the day Colangelo will let the guy go (I was reading that when Colangelo was with PHX he had something like 7 coaches in 12 years?!). It'll be a sad day when he does get the hook because despite his aggressive shell, he seems like a really decent guy in a lot of one on one interviews.

Bargs, it may go one way or another. If anything, I think Colangelo will give him a few months to work on his game down South, but it would not surprise me at all to see Colangelo cut his ties with the guy if he does not see any development over the summer. The funny thing is that last year, all the writers in the T.O. media were raving about Bargs' work on his low post game and how he's going to be a force this year. What a crock that turned out to be as we all know the only times he was under the basket was when he was waiting for a freethrow rebound. I don't think all hope is lost on the guy, but he has to shoot from all areas of the court and dart to the basket. The only thing I think will prevent Colangelo from dealing the guy is the Italian connection, but at the end of the day, Colangelo has shown he doesn't have that much patience with draftees (see Kidd/Nash PG combo years back), so there is definitely a chance he can get dealt.

PG situation. For most of the season I thought that having the duo would be perfect for the franchise, but at the end of the day I've come to realize that working as a combo is best for both of them, and if one were to be dealt, the other is really not good enough to handle the fulltime duties on his own. I'd trade Ford while his value is still relatively high, but having Calderon play the point full-time is not quite the answer IMO. He's definitely an above average starter, but I'm not so sure if he were the man running the point fulltime he could handle it. We really witnessed him tire when he was overused this year. Could a Calderon/Delfino PG combo work? I wouldn't mind exploring that. I would not be interested in having TJ as the starter simply because his upside is looking less likely to ever happen, and if he were put in as the fulltimer, you can rest assurred he'll have all the clout to do whatever he wants to do without a real force to challenge the coach to benching him.

Personally, as much as I really like the attitude and athleticism of Moon, his range stinks and his basketball IQ isn't always up to par (though better than most on the team). If they can get a starting Centre in a package involving him (say Kapono and a 2nd rounder) for Dalembert, I'd do it in a heartbeat. Then Colangelo could deal Ford and an expiring contract such as Rasho for a guy like Mike Miller, which would make some good dealings on both ends and perhaps have a starting lineup as such:

PG - Calderon
SG - Parker
SF - Miller
PF - Bosh
C - Dalembert

Looks damn solid to me inside and outside...but alas, probably just a pipedream.

[CaramonLS]

Perhaps they package TJ or Calderon to move up in the draft to get a SG/SF?

Maybe Miami wants to trade the #1 pick and you can draft Beasley? They really, really need a PG and maybe they decide Rose isn't the way to go and instead opt for a starter/depth?

Depending who is on the board where the Knicks pick, I could see them really wanted to trade down for one of TJ/Calderon. Someone like Gordon or Mayo could probably start for the Raptors next year and could have the potential to take them to the next level.

If Chris Douglas Roberts or Chase Buddigner manages to still be available in the 17 spot, either of them could be good picks for the Raps.

[bluejays]

Originally Posted by CaramonLS

Perhaps they package TJ or Calderon to move up in the draft to get a SG/SF?

Maybe Miami wants to trade the #1 pick and you can draft Beasley? They really, really need a PG and maybe they decide Rose isn't the way to go and instead opt for a starter/depth?

Depending who is on the board where the Knicks pick, I could see them really wanted to trade down for one of TJ/Calderon. Someone like Gordon or Mayo could probably start for the Raptors next year and could have the potential to take them to the next level.

If Chris Douglas Roberts or Chase Buddigner manages to still be available in the 17 spot, either of them could be good picks for the Raps.

That's the great thing about basketball...players almost always have an immediate impact. It wouldn't surprise me at all if the Raps dealt Ford to move up in the draft, but I don't think they have a chance in hell in dealing Ford or Calderon for the #1 overall. Perhaps #4 or #5, but doubt any higher just because of the supposed lottary talent in this draft (though, admittedly, I don't follow college ball). Gordon is intriguing though (I think you're referring to Ben), but he's pretty frustrating for the most part to watch. He's not the consistent force the Raps \need to complement Bosh. As for Mayo, I have no idea, as again, I don't watch college ball, but isn't the guy supposed to go top 3? Do you really think the Raps have a chance at the guy?

[moon]

Originally Posted by fleury

The funny thing is that last year, all the writers in the T.O. media were raving about Bargs' work on his low post game and how he's going to be a force this year. What a crock that turned out to be as we all know the only times he was under the basket was when he was waiting for a freethrow rebound.

For the most part the TO media is such enormous homers for anything TO that you have to take what they say with a huge grain of salt. This is the same bunch that were pretty much all predicting a Raptors win in the first round.

Hell, you, me, Caramon, killer and Bingo could be the starting five and Swirsky would probably have us winning the East at the start of next season.

Originally Posted by fleury

Gordon is intriguing though (I think you're referring to Ben), but he's pretty frustrating for the most part to watch. He's not the consistent force the Raps \need to complement Bosh. As for Mayo, I have no idea, as again, I don't watch college ball, but isn't the guy supposed to go top 3? Do you really think the Raps have a chance at the guy?

I think he is talking about Eric Gordon combo guard out of Indiana.

Mayo has fallen off since his highschool days and his year of incredible selfish/bad shooting/ballhog season at USC. He will most likely still be taken 5-7 based on upside and athletic ability. I think Gordon, Rose, Beasley, Brook Lopez will surely go ahead of him.

[killer_carlson]

I like Calderon a lot as a PG. It's his assist to turnover ratio that really excites me. He doesn't have the flash of Me-J, but he doesn't throw the ball away either.

Me-J has to go. Plain and simple. Colangelo will talk him up here to increase his value, but he has to go. The ONLY thing that might save him is that I recall hearing that he and Bosh are tight.

I was actually quite impressed with Kapono is close games. Man - that guy can shoot clutch shots. Unfortunately Me-J would be sure to avoid getting him the ball when he showed any signs of getting into a rythem and Mitchell certainly seemed to design plays to endorse Me-J's antics.

Moon - meh

Parker - is he really a starter? I'd keep him I guess.

Delfino I like, but he has to get his eyebrow waxing under control. He looked like an extra from Desperate Housewives half the time out there.

Rasho I love as a depth player, but you've got to get the guy on the floor more than Mitchell plays him.