Toronto Raptors 2012/2013 season - Page 3 - Calgarypuck Forums - The Unofficial Calgary Flames Fan Community

Joborule · 10-31-2012, 07:37 PM

Lack of finish there.

Hockey_Ninja · 10-31-2012, 07:37 PM

Raptors blow the lead and lose.

The Big Chill · 10-31-2012, 07:38 PM

Well that sucks. Still, a much better team to watch this year.

TitovFTW · 10-31-2012, 07:45 PM

So many swear words and desire to break my tv. Such an annoying way to finish off such a solid game. Just a total collapse at the end. Calderon passing up the 3 to swing it to Derozan, Derozan missing that layup and the shot selection on the last two possessions (not counting Bargs last second shot) So freaking frustrating with how tight the East is going to be.

That being said, so many positives to take away and this team is going to be incredibly exciting to watch.

TitovFTW · 10-31-2012, 07:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Machiavelli

Again with the jumpshots...

It's a shooting team to be fair. You don't have anyone to really pound the ball inside, and you stretch the court with your #4 and #5 able to knock outside shots down.

Saint Troy · 10-31-2012, 07:52 PM

That DeRozan contract is awful, just awful, the guy just isn't an upper echelon talent. Lowry is a hell of a player but the Raptors wing play will kill them all year. Ugly gag tonight, reminded me of my days as a Grizzlies ticket holder...

bluejays · 10-31-2012, 08:05 PM

As bad as Bargnani's last shot was (the guy refuses to take it inside where he risks getting elbowed), the worst part was Bargnani's 4th quarter defence against West. When he was one on one against him, he was slow to react (fair enough given Bargnani's size), but he was also far away from him rather than sticking to him like a glove. Bargnani's such a puss, it drives me crazy. He wasn't the only problem in the 4th quarter, but he was their main problem. DeRozen's not the go-to player in crunch time, so I really wish they didn't let him have the ball for stupid shots. Calderon and Lowry are my guys if anything, so to see these guys take lousy shots consistently makes me annoyed.

As for DeRozan's contract, I don't like it. I know it's Toronto and to get players to commit, they need to somewhat overpay, but at this point I see him as a rich man's Fields. Nothing much really, but I don't see him as much more than a $7M/year player.

As for the outlook on the season, I'm cautiously optimistic. I really like the coaches use of having Calderon and Lowry on the court together. They're creative, and Calderon is at peace with second fiddle when Lowry's on the court, and they have some initial chemistry. If either get injured, the team is screwed bigtime. In the future, I'd like to see more play from Kleiza. He has some nice finish around the basket, is a banger, and I really think he's under utilized. If he's injured, fair enough, but if not, tonight he shouldn't have been on the bench.

TitovFTW · 10-31-2012, 08:07 PM

This team has two legit all stars with incredible upside at the two most key positions IMO and then a whole lot of crap everywhere else and stupid bloated contracts. Mind you I do still think Ed Davis can be a strong player and Calderon is really good and really underrated. But they just handicap themselves with such dumb contracts and no real #3. Beyond frustrating.

I still really like this team and there's not another coach I'd want for this Raptors team then Dwayne Casey but frack is this team frustrating.

TitovFTW · 10-31-2012, 08:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by fleury

As bad as Bargnani's last shot was (the guy refuses to take it inside where he risks getting elbowed), the worst part was Bargnani's 4th quarter defence against West. When he was one on one against him, he was slow to react (fair enough given Bargnani's size), but he was also far away from him rather than sticking to him like a glove. Bargnani's such a puss, it drives me crazy. He wasn't the only problem in the 4th quarter, but he was their main problem. DeRozen's not the go-to player in crunch time, so I really wish they didn't let him have the ball for stupid shots. Calderon and Lowry are my guys if anything, so to see these guys take lousy shots consistently makes me annoyed.

As for DeRozan's contract, I don't like it. I know it's Toronto and to get players to commit, they need to somewhat overpay, but at this point I see him as a rich man's Fields. Nothing much really, but I don't see him as much more than a $7M/year player.

As for the outlook on the season, I'm cautiously optimistic. I really like the coaches use of having Calderon and Lowry on the court together. They're creative, and Calderon is at peace with second fiddle when Lowry's on the court, and they have some initial chemistry. If either get injured, the team is screwed bigtime. In the future, I'd like to see more play from Kleiza. He has some nice finish around the basket, is a banger, and I really think he's under utilized. If he's injured, fair enough, but if not, tonight he shouldn't have been on the bench.

I think Bargs is a waste of skin but didn't mid his D. He was in great position against West and I thought drew a charge. West just heated up and the Raptors didn't double him once. Imagine if Bargnani had some presence rebounding, the incredible tandem the Raptors would have down low.

bluejays · 10-31-2012, 08:20 PM

^ I agree that West heated up, but he's also not Kobe - he's a puggy boy who got decent feet, but should not have got shots off that easy. Granted the charge wasn't called, but Bargnani needs to learn how to hard foul to get some respect.

TitovFTW · 10-31-2012, 08:22 PM

He's not gonna learn. He is what he is. The one thing I took away from this and thank god, Lowry > Nash a 100000x times. Raptors got lucky getting Lowry over Nash.

Machiavelli · 10-31-2012, 08:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by fleury

^ I agree that West heated up, but he's also not Kobe - he's a puggy boy who got decent feet, but should not have got shots off that easy. Granted the charge wasn't called, but Bargnani needs to learn how to hard foul to get some respect.

I don't think it's a matter of learning, but rather inability/refusal to change. His softness is his greatest weakness and why he'll never be that true star player....IMO.

Vinny01 · 10-31-2012, 09:46 PM

This team needs a #1 scoring option on the wing and then I think they are a legit playoff team. If Memphis struggles I think they should try and trade Calderon and Ross for Gay if they could? Might be a tough sell but they would be taking on a big salary sending back a recent top 10 pick and useful expiring contract.

Lowry-DeRozan-Rudy-Bargs-Jonas wiht Fields, Amir, Davis, off the bench is an intriguing team that could be dangerous in a year or 2 if Jonas develops as they hope.

St. Pats · 11-01-2012, 12:33 PM

Bargnani's hopeless pick and roll defense cost the team down the stretch. He was hopeless on offense as well. DD should have just sat on the bench all night long. His man was not covered and he didn't take the ball to the rack with any authority so no trips to the foul line.

JV was great. Lowry is a fabulous addition

Calderon was hit and miss but better than Fields, Ross or DD. Anderson was actually the best guy they could put out at wing which is sad. Kleiza never got a chance which is puzzling. He is a dufus most of the time but can shoot. Gray was good in his few minutes as well. Davis as well was good in limited minutes.

Bargnani and DD / 25 million in salary and you get at best inefficient offense and mediocre defense. Those two need to play a lot better for them to win.

moon · 11-04-2012, 06:11 PM

As only a casual Raptors fan I have found that it might be tough to listen to Matt Devlin all season long.

Is basketball like Baseball where all local announcers are huge homers or just this clown? Either way tough to listen to him constantly talk about the Raptors like they are a better version of the Dream Team.

TitovFTW · 11-04-2012, 06:11 PM

Kyle Lowry is awesome. Thank god the Raptors got him over Nash. 1-2 with 2 very close and entertaining games. An optimistic view would be that with a lot of new faces at important positions, this team will only get better, especially with their age. Fingers crossed. Tough match up next game vs OKC on the road.

TitovFTW · 11-04-2012, 06:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by moon

As only a casual Raptors fan I have found that it might be tough to listen to Matt Devlin all season long.

Is basketball like Baseball where all local announcers are huge homers or just this clown? Either way tough to listen to him constantly talk about the Raptors like they are a better version of the Dream Team.

All local guys are homers in basketball, more the any other sport. I don't really listen much to the play by play in any sports though, Raptors are at least really exciting this season that the games alone are fun to watch.

Hockey_Ninja · 11-04-2012, 06:14 PM

Lowry is officially my favorite Raptor right now. The guy is an excellent point guard. I agree, thank god the Raptors didn't get Nash. Both him and Derozan have combined for 97 points over the last two games.

The Big Chill · 11-04-2012, 06:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hockey_Ninja

Lowry is officially my favorite Raptor right now. The guy is an excellent point guard. I agree, thank god the Raptors didn't get Nash. Both him and Derozan have combined for 97 points over the last two games.

And equally as important, they are doing it without being chuckers. They are scoring efficiently and still using teammates. Adding to that, they are also rebounding and getting steals. Very impressive so far.

If we can get some consistent play from others we can have a pretty decent season. The early schedule is very tough though.

bluejays · 11-04-2012, 08:09 PM

I was really happy tonight with the coaching. Casey played the matchups to a tee. Sure there was a bit of a third quarter meltdown, but that was just poor execution. I'm still loving the play of Lowry and Calderon, and tonight Ed Davis impressed as well. DeRozan's shooting well. I still wish he could dribble and take it in more often, but that's probably not in his plan. It's still hard to believe Lowry was given up on for that price. Wow.