***Basketball Club of Toronto: 2006-2007 thread***

[Vince]

Well, since we have so many Europeans, we might as well call ourselves a club team now.

This my projected depth chart:

PG:Ford/Calderon/Barrett
SG:Parker/Jones/Mo Pete
SF:Mo Pete/Graham/Tucker/Garbajosa
PF:Bosh/Garbajosa/Humphries/Bargnani
C:Rasho/Bargnani/Bosh

2 spots are left: Alvin will be cut soon and Derrick Martin won't be back.

Pape Sow won't play this year and that's a huge loss. He was an athletic center that had potential to be a decent defender. I'm sure BC will adress the last few roster spots in the coming weeks.

We might se Tucker play some at Power Forward as he was a rebounding mad man at Texas. I think with this team, we can run a lot of different people at a low of positions. Don't be surprised to see Fred Jones defend some of the bigger point guards as TJ and Jose will have trouble against them.

Bosh's rebounding should go up with Rasho doing some dirty work. Humphries as well will help on the boards as he's a strong player who rebounded well when given minutes in Utah.

Just looking at the lineup from last year and now this year, this team is miles better than what they were. Gone are the useless Eric Williams and Hoffa, the overrated Matt Bonner and the horrible defense of Charlie V. Loren Woods won't be back, but that's irrelevant as well.

If this team doesn't win 35-42 games, I will be shocked. I think the worst they will finish will be 10th in the East. I won't say playoffs yet because the season is still a ways away, but with the obvious upgrade in talent, and being in the unpredictable East we have a solid chance...

Thoughts from fans and non-fans of the Raptors???

[tenth]

Re: ***Basketball Club of Toronto: 2006-2007 thread***

Looking forward to the season. There were so many changes made, I have no idea what to expect from this team. I like the euros because even if none of them pan out, none are locked up for too long and they're all relatively cheap. It's a nice change from past summers, where the biggest roster changes were usually either draft picks or letting FAs walk (other than signing and getting rid of Alston).

When does the Raps pick being sent from the Lamond Murray acquisition become unprotected? I'm still a little worried the changes don't pan out this season, and we'll have a high pick again next year

btw, the Raps waived Barrett, so I'm not sure if he'll be back.

[Vince]

Re: ***Basketball Club of Toronto: 2006-2007 thread***

I've never understood the Bobcats situation in regards to our pick. It may be that if we make the playoffs next season, we forfeit our 1st rounder.

[SPTO]

Re: ***Basketball Club of Toronto: 2006-2007 thread***

Vince I agree with your assessment in the OP. I heard a VERY interesting interview on the FAN a while ago where a writer who has covered Gerradini(?) (you know the asst. GM) in europe. The writer says he'll be serving in much the same capacity as Colangelo did for his father when he started out.

In effect the reason why we're seeing such a huge European influence is because Gerrardini has Colangelo's ear. In fact, the writer said that Gerrardini may end up being the GM within 3-5 years as Colangelo will work himself upstairs to become the full time president of the ballclub.

I'm sure Colangelo is fully on board with this experiment tho and it'll be VERY interesting to see if the melting pot philosophy will work. I also have a feeling that if the team starts off poorly that Mitchell will be fired and be replaced with a coach who's had extensive time in Europe.

[tenth]

Re: ***Basketball Club of Toronto: 2006-2007 thread***

I've never understood the Bobcats situation in regards to our pick. It may be that if we make the playoffs next season, we forfeit our 1st rounder.

from nbadraft.net:
"Charlotte receive a future conditional Toronto first-round pick (lottery protected thru 2008). (Pavlovic trade 062204) via Cleveland receives a future Toronto first round pick (Lamond Murray trade 092502)"

yup, you're right. hopefully we do make the playoffs before it becomes unprotected. not sure if "through 2008" means the 2008 or 2009 draft...

[SPTO]

Re: ***Basketball Club of Toronto: 2006-2007 thread***

(based on the events tonight)

How scary is it that the Raptors are the most well run and professional sports organization in Toronto?

[Perceptor]

Re: ***Basketball Club of Toronto: 2006-2007 thread***

Does anyone know if the Raps got new jerseys (home). I was looking at screenshots of NBA 2K7 and saw TJ Ford with the home jersey with red accents instead of the purple. That would be cool if that's the case but I wanted confirmation

I gotta say - I love the team that Colangelo is building...a nice start and hopefully, the new additions will play well.

[Vince]

Re: ***Basketball Club of Toronto: 2006-2007 thread***

Man, I can't wait till season tip's off.

[bad_philanthropy]

Re: ***Basketball Club of Toronto: 2006-2007 thread***

Didn't realize the Raps were going to be wearing new uni's this year. Looks like Perceptor's question is a yes.

http://www.nba.com/raptors/news/jerseychanges_pr_092706.html

[y2dan]

Re: ***Basketball Club of Toronto: 2006-2007 thread***

Here's a little clip of TJ Ford from today's team scrimmage, if anybody's interested:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=caF4975-hGc

[SPTO]

Re: ***Basketball Club of Toronto: 2006-2007 thread***

TSN article on the Raptors Intrasquad game

Now what got my interest was this:

All-star forward Chris Bosh led scoring in the 40-minute game with 28 points for the black team, debuting a new weapon in his arsenal - the three-point shot. Bosh knocked down four threes in the game, something he's been dilligently working on since returning to Toronto a few weeks ago.

"Coach told me I could shoot them if I practised them every day so I've been working on my form," Bosh said. "I think it will stretch out the defence a lot more, and those threes add up. But I can't shy away from the things I'm good at, which is driving the basketball, getting my teammates involved."

The thinking is, if Bosh can score from beyond the arc, opponents will be forced to venture out to guard him.

"So I either have a wide open shot or a wide open lane - pick your poison," Bosh said.


All I have to say is WOW!

If Bosh can indeed develop a decent long range game then it's going to cause all kinds of match up problems for the other teams.

[Vince]

Re: ***Basketball Club of Toronto: 2006-2007 thread***

nice little recap of the scrimmage from the realgm boys.

http://realgm.com/boards/viewtopic.php?t=570106&sid=2c30492b9799542ce4a46ba142c75c26

BTW, Vanier College here in montreal organized a trip to Toronto for the November 26 game vs the Pacers. I can't wait!

[SPTO]

Re: ***Basketball Club of Toronto: 2006-2007 thread***

Raptors edge Celtics 118-112 in OT

Nice to see that Garbajosa and Calderron are working so well together as it sounds like they took over in OT. Calderron seemed to have confidence issues at times last season but it sure seems like having his old teamate with him has given him newfound confidence in his game.

[Vince]

Re: ***Basketball Club of Toronto: 2006-2007 thread***

Anyone else hate Bosh's new haircut?

[Perceptor]

Re: ***Basketball Club of Toronto: 2006-2007 thread***

TJ Ford is going to be a great addition for the Raps this year. It's the first time in a while that they have a PG who passes first and tries to set up his teammates a la Steve Nash. Charlie V is gone, but with Andrea, Parker, Fred Jones, and Ford, the Raps could make a play-off charge if they stay healthy and have a few breaks fall their way. I believe in Colangelo and look forward to this season along with the Suns