2010/2011 Toronto Raptors thread

[killer_carlson]

any word on whether Bargniani is working on his game or is he pulling a Big Country Reeves type offseason?

[octothorp]

Originally Posted by killer_carlson

any word on whether Bargniani is working on his game or is he pulling a Big Country Reeves type offseason?

You didn't hear about him purportedly signing with the newly rebranded Ashley Madison Roma basketball team? The rumour was that everybody's favorite infidelity website was going to sponsor an Italian Div 1 basketball team, and as part of the deal, they'd sign Bargnani as their star player during the lockout.

Sound too good to be true? Apparently it was, as Bargnani has denied all of this via twitter. And now it sounds like the Pope might step in and block the whole Ashley Madison deal too (the basketball team plays right by the Vatican).

http://www.thestar.com/sports/basket...ashley-madison

http://www.ballineurope.com/us-baske...n-rumors-5505/

So, other than that juicy but untrue rumour, no, I've heard nothing about Bargnani's offseason. Did look pretty good in the euro tournament despite Italy sucking overall.

[killer_carlson]

no, I hadn't heard that. Thanks for posting it.

[octothorp]

An update on the Raptors players, if anyone is interested:

Valanciunas is doing pretty well, pretty much where he left off last year. He's dominating in his team's Lithuanian league games (16.8 pts, 5.6 rbs, 2.8 blks in 25 minutes) and is solid in his team's Eurocup games (8.5 pts, 8 rbs, 1 blk in 25 minutes). His stats in the VLB league games (mid-level competition, mostly against Russian teams) are a bit lower (7.2 pts, 6.4 rbs), but that was before he was getting starter minutes. Best news is that his fouls have gone down significantly, as he's averaging around 3 per game in each league.

Weems is doing very well with his Lithuanian team as well. He signed a full-year contract, so he's over over there regardless of whether the lockout gets settled, which is starting to look like a very good choice. He'll be a restricted free agent whenever basketball resumes. Anyway, in Euroleague (the highest level of play), he's averaging 17 pts and 4.6 rbs in 30 mins, and has become the primary scorer on his team. Hopefully he'll get a lot of confidence and learn to play at both ends of the court.

Kleiza is once again healthy, and will begin playing in Europe in the next two weeks. He's narrowed his choice down to Lietuvos Rytas (and Valanciunas) or Zalgiris (and Weems).

Raptors have a team option on Ajinca for next season. Hard to say whether he'll be back - personally I doubt it. He's playing on a very low-level French team (not in any Euro-league competition), but is at least getting a chance to play, and in his first (and so far only) game, had 19 pts, 13 rbs, 2 blk, 2 ass, in 33 minutes. Also took three 3-pointers, which is the #1 reason why I don't want him back on the Raps.

Barbosa is playing for Flamengo in the South American league. In 3 games, he's averaging 17 pts, 4.6 rbs, 4 ass, in 26 minutes. Raptors have a team option on him for next year. Though it's not Euro-league, he's still playing at a pretty high level.

As far as guys staying in North America:

Bargnani is in Toronto, working out and getting back into game shape. Rumours persist about him signing in Italy, if the lockout does cancel the full season.

Haven't heard much on Calderon, but might consider both Europe or China.

Derozan is playing in various charity games and getting lots of highlight real dunks, but I'm not even going to bother looking up the stats, because these are less competitive than the all-star game. Rumours are that he might be bringing a charity game to Toronto. Meh. Also playing flag football around LA with other NBAers.

Amir Johnson has played in a charity game as well, although with far less fanfare than Derozan. Not much else to report.

Jared Bayless has obviously been busy as the team's player's association rep. Haven't heard anything about him playing or planning to play during the lockout.

Ed Davis has been purportedly working out a lot and working on adding weight. His dad says that he expects Davis to be 15-20 lbs heavier when basketball resumes.

Solomon Alibi has been working out with noted development coach David Thorpe, who was absolutely raving about him over the summer. Still not sold on him being anything but an end-of-the-bench player.

I think that's everybody. I left off guys I think have no chance to be back with Toronto (Wright, Evans, Dorsey etc.)

edit: forgot James Johnson. Can't find anything on what he's doing.

[St. Pats]

Only real thing that interests me about the Raptors is how the upcoming draft is going to be run if there is no season. The draft being easily the most important part of the Raptors season these years.

[The Big Chill]

Originally Posted by St. Pats

Only real thing that interests me about the Raptors is how the upcoming draft is going to be run if there is no season. The draft being easily the most important part of the Raptors season these years.

Agreed, especially since this upcoming draft is supposedly so good. I was kind of hoping for a shortened season just so we could suck and get a top 5 pick. I think we have a good chance at a top 5 pick whether there is a season or not though.

[moon]

Originally Posted by St. Pats

Only real thing that interests me about the Raptors is how the upcoming draft is going to be run if there is no season. The draft being easily the most important part of the Raptors season these years.

With Drummond and/or Sullinger available if the Raptors get the 3rd pick as their record from last season would suggest they should get it could really be an important draft as even with the big stiff from Lithuania/latvia/Poland that they drafted last year a big man with toughness and who can rebound would seem to be just what the Raptors need.

If Coangelo would have taken Brandon Knight instead of the crappiest Euro available as is his MO the Raptors could have really benefited from a possible quick turnaround thanks to the lockout.

Although I guess if they did play this season the Raps would have a solid chance at finishing last and getting a chance at the Davis kid that everyone seems to love.

[The Big Chill]

Originally Posted by moon

With Drummond and/or Sullinger available if the Raptors get the 3rd pick as their record from last season would suggest they should get it could really be an important draft as even with the big stiff from Lithuania/latvia/Poland that they drafted last year a big man with toughness and who can rebound would seem to be just what the Raptors need.

If Coangelo would have taken Brandon Knight instead of the crappiest Euro available as is his MO the Raptors could have really benefited from a possible quick turnaround thanks to the lockout.

Although I guess if they did play this season the Raps would have a solid chance at finishing last and getting a chance at the Davis kid that everyone seems to love.

I'm going to take a wild guess here and say you know exactly nothing about Valanciunas.

[St. Pats]

Originally Posted by moon

With Drummond and/or Sullinger available if the Raptors get the 3rd pick as their record from last season would suggest they should get it could really be an important draft as even with the big stiff from Lithuania/latvia/Poland that they drafted last year a big man with toughness and who can rebound would seem to be just what the Raptors need.

If Coangelo would have taken Brandon Knight instead of the crappiest Euro available as is his MO the Raptors could have really benefited from a possible quick turnaround thanks to the lockout.

Although I guess if they did play this season the Raps would have a solid chance at finishing last and getting a chance at the Davis kid that everyone seems to love.

The scary X-factor is the new coach might actually get them to play some defense and they might move up a couple of places. Might be better for them if it's just the draft repeated in the same order after a missed season. Or some draft order that heavily favors the teams that were not in the playoffs.

I'm not sure what the plan is for the draft if there is no season or if they even have a finalized plan in place.

[moon]

Originally Posted by The Big Chill

I'm going to take a wild guess here and say you know exactly nothing about Valanciunas.

I know about as much as you can with following him and other draft picks on the Internet.

I admit I haven't seen him play in person but have read reports of many guys I like and respect and the reports aren't overt favorable, even from a guy like Chad Ford who loves Euros.

[d_phaneuf]

Originally Posted by moon

I know about as much as you can with following him and other draft picks on the Internet.

I admit I haven't seen him play in person but have read reports of many guys I like and respect and the reports aren't overt favorable, even from a guy like Chad Ford who loves Euros.

PLAYER EVALUATIONS BY CHAD FORD


PLAYER EVALUATION
Projection Cleveland Cavaliers
(No. 4 Pick)
Positives
Talented big man with a big wingspan
Makes a living around the basket
Soft touch around the basket
Solid rebounder and shot-blocker
Runs the floor well for a big man
High basketball IQ and motor

one negative he gives him is his lack of perimeter play, basically the opposite of a 'soft' Euro

[The Big Chill]

Originally Posted by diane_phaneuf

one negative he gives him is his lack of perimeter play, basically the opposite of a 'soft' Euro

Exactly. He is the opposite of the European stereotype. He also has dominated at every level he has played at. His major downside was that he wasn't going to be able to play in the NBA this year, which obviously has no affect now with the lock-out.

He has a WAY higher ceiling then Knight (who is also a player I like).

[octothorp]

Larry Coon tweeted that he thinks that the draft age will be raised a year as part of the negotiations. It would really suck for the Raptors if Davis, Drummond, and the other freshmen are removed from the draft this year; even if those guys aren't the best fits for the Raptors, it means someone like Barnes probably goes #1 overall rather than #3 or #4.

[alan21]

Originally Posted by octothorp

An update on the Raptors players, if anyone is interested:

Haven't heard much on Calderon, but might consider both Europe or China.

I say China as he's tried to fit in already.

[moon]

Originally Posted by diane_phaneuf

one negative he gives him is his lack of perimeter play, basically the opposite of a 'soft' Euro

I may have typed it in wring but i am pretty sure I didn't ever say he was a soft euro.

My c0ncern with him is more of a stiff, one dimensional useless euro than him being soft. I think he is set up to be 7'0 tall and about as useful as a cedar tree.

based on Coangelo's crap record of running a team that seems about right right.

[PeteLFan]

Go lakers. Kobe for ring 6 the best there ever was Kobe.

[Suave]

Well looks like the season is on, so here is who the Raptors currently have under contract.

Bayless
Calderon
Barbosa
Derozan
Klieza
Johnson
Johnson
Bargnani
Davis
Alabi

Looks like a vet center is needed, hopefully someone who plays solid D.

I say let the young guys play to see what they can do and learn Casey's system.

[d_phaneuf]

Originally Posted by moon

I may have typed it in wring but i am pretty sure I didn't ever say he was a soft euro.

My c0ncern with him is more of a stiff, one dimensional useless euro than him being soft. I think he is set up to be 7'0 tall and about as useful as a cedar tree.

based on Coangelo's crap record of running a team that seems about right right.

ya I wasn't pointing you out for saying he was a soft euro, just that he wasn't one

[killer_carlson]

I am really curious what kind of shape Bargniani shows up in. For some reason I keep thinking he'll pull a Big Country Reeves and show up 80 pounds overweight (or out of shape to a large degree)

[St. Pats]

Originally Posted by Suave

Well looks like the season is on, so here is who the Raptors currently have under contract.

Bayless
Calderon
Barbosa
Derozan
Klieza
Johnson
Johnson
Bargnani
Davis
Alabi

Looks like a vet center is needed, hopefully someone who plays solid D.

I say let the young guys play to see what they can do and learn Casey's system.

Well the rumour today is the Raps are chasing Chandler again. Though looks just like posturing to get a better deal from the Mavs. Likely they amnesty Haywood and keep Chandler.

They could grab a BIG stiff like Aaron Gray and let him patrol the 5 with a bulked up Amir Johnson.

Otherwise they can watch the amnesty thing and grab a defensive center. That they will do so is obvious with Casey as coach. So it's only a matter of which one they go after.