08-09 Toronto Raptors...

[Vince]

Pumped for the season to start. I think if we can get a solid contribution from, Joey Graham...Yes That Joey Graham, we can be a solid team. We have our own big 3 with Bosh, Caldy and JO'N. Parker is solid at the 2. The 3 spot is awful. Jamario Moon has played so uninspired and flat out bad. He's losing minutes to Graham.

The bench is also a bit of a concern with Delfino gone. I'm gonna miss his 3pt shooting and rebounding. Kapono MUST look for his shot this season and not try to drive the ball, lol. He has money vs the Magic.

This is it for Sam in my opinion. A first round exit in 5 or 6 games will lead him to looking for work.

BTW, I think Bargs is gonna have a fine season. Have you guys seen him? He looks enormous!

[SPTO]

Re: 08-09 Toronto Raptors...

Yeah Barney looks like he's a prime candidate for comeback player of the year if he plays half as good as he looks right now. IMO he's the key to the Raptors season. If he can be a strong prescence inside then the Raps will have one of the best frontcourts in the league.

The perimeter defense is lacking though and teams that will be able to use speed and hustle will give them fits. That's why Philly worries me tomorrow.

[SPTO]

Re: 08-09 Toronto Raptors...

Hah, shows what I know as the Raptors had a good game based on the highlights I saw.

[Tmacattack]

Re: 08-09 Toronto Raptors...

Really liked the way O'Neal was in the game. He's smooth and fits in with us well. Our interior defense didn't look as horrible as it has in recent years but our defensive rebounding was atrocious. I love Calderon and am very glad he gets all the playing time he wants now. Disappointed in Bargnani though, the guy seems to miss the easiest gimmes. I really wish this guy comes into his own, and hopefully we can make good progress this year. Excellent start to the season with a road win against an improved Phily team, and with the offense only getting better this is looking like a good season, without injuries hopefully.

[bad_philanthropy]

Re: 08-09 Toronto Raptors...

Bosh really looks like he's taken his game to another level, and O'Neal has impressed with his presence on the floor in the first two games as well. It's early but, dare I say that the Raps might be a formidable team in the East this year?

Here's a question, if Bosh keeps up this play all year can he be the MVP of the league? I know there is the challenge of being in Toronto, but you never know, he keeps this up the U.S. media might take notice.

[Tmacattack]

Re: 08-09 Toronto Raptors...

High 20s in points, double digit rebounds, good all around numbers and a 55 win season would make it very possible yeah.

[SPTO]

Re: 08-09 Toronto Raptors...

I'm really liking the "new" Chris Bosh. The guy was the unquestioned leader on the team before but now he's actually truly taken it to the court. I saw him on OTR and he was saying how he has to be more aggressive and step up his game. I truly believe this is the season that Bosh breaks out and averages 28 or so points a game.

[Dawz]

Re: 08-09 Toronto Raptors...

I'm really liking the "new" Chris Bosh. The guy was the unquestioned leader on the team before but now he's actually truly taken it to the court. I saw him on OTR and he was saying how he has to be more aggressive and step up his game. I truly believe this is the season that Bosh breaks out and averages 28 or so points a game.

I think 28 is too high, especially since I fully expect JO to eventually get into the flow more and take some of those shots away from Chris... But I think 25 is definitely within reach if he keeps bringing this kind of intensity night after night...

the thing I love most about his offensive game is how efficient he usually is... He doesn't need alot of shots to get his points, especially with his free throw shooting so damn good and his ability to consistently get to the line 6-10 times a night.... He is a very special offensive talent and I agree this is going to be a break out year of sorts for him....

[Bird006]

Re: 08-09 Toronto Raptors...

Impressed with Bargnani last night. He was really agressive and got his buckets.

I agree on Bosh as well. This team is going as far as he takes them, and the guy's only 24(!!) years old.

[Vince]

Re: 08-09 Toronto Raptors...

What a game...

[Dawz]

Re: 08-09 Toronto Raptors...

What a game...

At the risk of sounding like i'm drinking kool-aid, considering we're only three games in, there are some good things happening with this team right now

This is the classic kind of game they would have found themselves right out of last year after they hit that snag for the first 6 minutes or so of the second quarter... It actually began to look alot like their early season game last year at Milwaukee where CB was held to one point and they got blown out early... But they are playing much more aggressively on defense and this is what gave them the chance to stick around in this one and pull it out .... and even though JO has yet to hit his stride offensively he is making a huge difference inside the paint on the defensive end...

And what more can be said of Calderon, playing the kind of minutes he did in the back to back and still nailing that three pointer at the end of this one...

Feeling oddly good for once going into a game against Detroit

[Vince]

Re: 08-09 Toronto Raptors...

I can't believe how many blocks we have already...I think it's like 22 or 24. Andrea has had at least 2 blocks in each of his games I believe.

What do you guys think about Devlin?

I prefer him over Swirsky already.

[Dawz]

Re: 08-09 Toronto Raptors...

I don't mind Devlin... It was odd watching the Bulls on opening night and seeing Swirsk in the background calling the game... and he was exciting to listen to at times... but I'm already starting to think Devlin calls a better game, even if it is much more laid back...

[SPTO]

Re: 08-09 Toronto Raptors...

Devlin puts me to sleep....

That being said I think Smitch's days are numbered. Anyone agree?

[Dawz]

Re: 08-09 Toronto Raptors...

I think i'm in the minority, but I don't have any major problems with Smitch... It's obvious listening to him talk that he has a very high basketball IQ... but it seems like the players either don't get it or have shut him out

This is going to be a big test for him... if he continues to start Moon thinking that he's the best option and it will click, then Smitch may not last through this off season... I think he needs to get a bit more creative with his rotation... Kapono is fine rotating with AP, and AP may even be the best option at this point to giving Calderon rest, but he needs to do something different at the 3... Maybe start Joey and switch Bargnani in with him, and then also at the 4 to give Bosh a bit more rest... 42 a night for Bosh is too much, and 25 a night for Bargnani is too little, and even JO could use a few more minutes then he's generally getting at this point... Just using those three at the 4 and 5 is not going to get them enough minutes, so I think Bargnani needs to spend some time at the 3...