2010/2011 Toronto Raptors thread

[Wise Gamble]

I'm sure African Americans would rather live anywhere but up north in the cold. Yeah, I know cities in the East can get cold but it's in the USA.

Anyways, I'm hearing a lot of stuff from the NBA saying that Vancouver could get a team again...how sweet would that be?

[killer_carlson]

you know what is AWESOME????????????

The fact that with 6 minutes left in the 3rd quarter in the bosh vs raptors game tonight, Bustyawni has ZERO rebounds.

That's right, he's tied with two other players for highest minutes played (25) and has zero rebounds.

There isn't a better game for this to be highlighted in. This is too awesome. I'd say they should make an example of him, but he doesn't seem to give a damn in any event.

[octothorp]

Originally Posted by killer_carlson

you know what is AWESOME????????????

The fact that with 6 minutes left in the 3rd quarter in the bosh vs raptors game tonight, Bustyawni has ZERO rebounds.

That's right, he's tied with two other players for highest minutes played (25) and has zero rebounds.

There isn't a better game for this to be highlighted in. This is too awesome. I'd say they should make an example of him, but he doesn't seem to give a damn in any event.

Yeah, but he finished with 38 points, 5/6 on 3s, and a lot of those points in the fourth. I'll take 38 and 4 over Bosh's 26 and 6 in which he completely vanished in the fourth quarter. Rebounding wasn't the reason they lost this game; Bayless, Calderon, Weems, and Barbosa were a combined 3 for 21, and nobody (neither perimeter defenders or help defenders) was interested in stopping Wade's drives.

[secol]

i don't like bargnani but everybody knows the guy can't/won't rebound for you. if nick young can make a living in the NBA by scoring 17 points per game with little else, so can bargnani (albeit at a different position)

[killer_carlson]

they lost this game because weak side defence was atrocious at the rim. that falls to your two post players, one of which is Bargniani. It was non existant. It's like he's the Dion of the NBA.

[Wise Gamble]

Been very happy with Ed Davis...too bad he'll be gone in 3 years.

[octothorp]

Undefeated in the James Johnson era!

Really liked what he showed tonight, definitely has potential to be more than just a bench scrub. Nothing really stunning, but effort and hustle were huge. If he turns out to be even a decent bench player, that's a positive grade for them.

Actually today was easily the best that the whole team has played in months.

[killer_carlson]

interesting to hear Derozan's comments (a couple days ago) about Johnson. Apparently they were in the same draft year and Derozan thought that if the Raptors didn't pick him, they were going to pick Johnson.

I didn't see the game tonight, but where will he fit in the rotation?

[octothorp]

Originally Posted by killer_carlson

interesting to hear Derozan's comments (a couple days ago) about Johnson. Apparently they were in the same draft year and Derozan thought that if the Raptors didn't pick him, they were going to pick Johnson.

I didn't see the game tonight, but where will he fit in the rotation?

Mostly he got Weems' minutes early, although Weems finished the game down the stretch as he was a little more in synch (and at least offensively Weems actually played pretty well tonight). Worst case scenario, he's an energy guy, best case scenario (for him) he replaces Weems at starter for the rest of next season and possibly until Kleiza gets back.

I always liked Julian Wright on the floor at the same time as Bargnani - the thing Bargs really needs (other than an intravenous of adrenaline that he is hooked up to when underneath his own basket) is an aggressive perimeter defender who can prevent the entry pass and penetration, and who will help rebound. Johnson definitely has the upside to be that guy. The big knock on him (although I didn't see it tonight) is that he's turnover-prone and foul-prone. The coaches have done a good job of teaching Amir to foul less, so maybe they can do the same for Johnson.

[octothorp]

Four games in, Johnson looks great. Four games with Toronto, he's averaging 5 rebounds, 3 assists, 1.75 blocks, 1.25 steals, 9 points. Doesn't have a very good jumper, but everything else about his game is solid.

Great to see Calderon take on both Jack and Paul tonight and win that matchup by a mile.

[Machiavelli]

Is there a reason why the Raptors are playing in New Jersey on consecutive nights?

[Julio]

Originally Posted by Machiavelli

Is there a reason why the Raptors are playing in New Jersey on consecutive nights?

The games aren't in Jersey, they are in the O2 Arena in London.

[killer_carlson]

3 OT loss. Glad they pushed it that far. I thought Calderon would have come up stronger in the European games. Only 9 assists in 50+ minutes today, and I think he had 7 by half time.

Interesting to see Humphries #s in NJ. The guy might have finally figured it out.

[octothorp]

Originally Posted by killer_carlson

3 OT loss. Glad they pushed it that far. I thought Calderon would have come up stronger in the European games. Only 9 assists in 50+ minutes today, and I think he had 7 by half time.

Interesting to see Humphries #s in NJ. The guy might have finally figured it out.

Yeah, but man, the lack of clutch on this team is huge (no surprise). Three chances to take the last shot for the win, three contested long jumpers (Two by Bargs, one by DeRozan). It only makes sense to run a clear-out if guys are legitimately prepared to drive.

[Ziggy Lidstrom]

Originally Posted by octothorp

Yeah, but man, the lack of clutch on this team is huge (no surprise). Three chances to take the last shot for the win, three contested long jumpers (Two by Bargs, one by DeRozan). It only makes sense to run a clear-out if guys are legitimately prepared to drive.

I think it might be more a feature of NJersey and their New Acquisition really exposing JOse.

As far as the lack of clutch, it's been that way for a while, even with bosh, he wasn't really clutch. The last kinda clutch player I remember was TJ. He hit big shots on that intriguing team that really went south after his horrific injury. VC was too good at getting to the free throw line in the 4th quarter, which gave me a lot of hope, but he never asserted himself as a closer.

The last possession of the 2nd game was maddening I agree, but this season I'll take it, we need the higher pick if we want barnes, irving or kanter. If the two players who took the shots continue to develop as expected, then that buzzer beating experience may play a factor in a significant playoff game one day (one can hope). But both those guys have weaknesses they need to improve: Bargs obvious, DeRo needs a better handle. But with our pick this year and next we might have the makings of a solid team.

And Bargs isn't a bust, he was just a PR move that was forced on the team after an average draft year, kinda like this one. He doesn't defend well, but his potential is still NOwitzki high with his skill set, if he improves his rebounding and help-d (which has slowly improved, but from nil to minimal isn't much to write home about). I would love a pick like Kanter this year. He is international and would probably stay here LT, and irving would be a smart pick as he's already a better calderon, even with the cast recently coming off. Barnes and JOnes are plan C and D.

[SuperMatt18]

Originally Posted by killer_carlson

Interesting to see Humphries #s in NJ. The guy might have finally figured it out.

I would probably step my game up too if I got to go home to this every night.

NSFW!

[killer_carlson]

barngiani great game - 41 minutes 33 points. Wow.
Lets ignore that he had a total of 3 rebounds in that 41 minutes.

I'm sorry, it's driving me nuts.

[secol]

surprising w with calderon and bargnani out

[octothorp]

So Raps fans, what's your draft big-board?
Assuming all on-the-fence players declare, here's mine:

Irving (by far the best option)
Barnes (high upside, should compliment DeRozan well on the wing)
Williams (little concerned about his tweener status, but the talent is there)
Jones (great athleticism and stature, questionable motor)
Valunciunas (only if a plan to move Bargnani is in the works)
Walker (size is a huge questionmark, but heart isn't)
Kanter (see Valunciunas)

[Trojan97]

Irving, Barnes, Jones, Williams, trade pick. Such typical Raptors luck to be tanking in a draft year where the talent is pretty horrendous and the alot of the top guys are questionable to even declare.