08-09 Toronto Raptors...

[SPTO]

Re: 08-09 Toronto Raptors...

Amen!

I have been saying this for quite some time. I used to call in to
The Fan 590 about this. The mindset of most media here is that
Bosh is the centerpiece and I could not disagree more. Bosh has
a history of not making that clutch game-ending shot. Just can't
do it. I wish Calderon took the final shot against Orlando game 1
of last years' opening round. I believe that until Jose starts taking
'those' types of shots, he'll never make it to upper echelon of
NBA point guards.

I also think that Jose doesn't take enough risks. The guy is WAY too careful with the ball which makes for great stats but with the way that Triano has looked at changing the tempo of the team Calderron at times slows them down a bit too much. If only Ukic had more seasoning as he plays with great enthusiasm but he makes a tad TOO many mistakes. I guess something will have to give, either Jose opens it up more or Ukic becomes a little less aggressive but still pushes the ball up the court.

[FORMULA316]

Re: 08-09 Toronto Raptors...

I also think that Jose doesn't take enough risks. The guy is WAY too careful with the ball which makes for great stats but with the way that Triano has looked at changing the tempo of the team Calderron at times slows them down a bit too much. If only Ukic had more seasoning as he plays with great enthusiasm but he makes a tad TOO many mistakes. I guess something will have to give, either Jose opens it up more or Ukic becomes a little less aggressive but still pushes the ball up the court.

Glad Calderon is back in the line-up. With Jose out, the Raptors could not win a game.
Ukic is just an insert-name-here player, as are most guys on this team. Ukic is old
news drafted close to 3 years ago. What the Raptors need are players to be drafted
and part of the immediate 12-man roster. Anything outside of that is a mistake.

Speaking of mistakes, I am not convinced (yet) that sending O'Neal to Miami is good.
Now while Marion would be the type of small forward to have for the long-term, his
asking price going into his free agent year will be high. He's current making $17 mil.
The only advantage to sending J.O. to Miami is off-loading next year's contract. But
with this we have to pick up Marcus Banks for not only this year but next as well
and that leaves us with $4 million less to spend for 2010.

The way I see this all started when BC trade Charlie V. for Ford, which spun to J.O.

[Vince]

Re: 08-09 Toronto Raptors...

Ukic is here to stay...He's already better than any point we have at breaking down the D and he goes to the rack hard.

And he can actually defend opposing points.

Ukic has a place on this team, no question. Will Soloman, get used to the bench with AP playing well at backup point and Ukic coming in as a change of pace point.

[Mason81Ballin!!!]

Re: 08-09 Toronto Raptors...

Really until the Raptors commit to playing good defense they wont win in the playoffs, look at the teams that won this decade.

San Antonio
Lakers
Boston
Detroit

All teams that play very good defense

[Mason81Ballin!!!]

Re: 08-09 Toronto Raptors...

Ukic is here to stay...He's already better than any point we have at breaking down the D and he goes to the rack hard.

And he can actually defend opposing points.

Ukic has a place on this team, no question. Will Soloman, get used to the bench with AP playing well at backup point and Ukic coming in as a change of pace point.

I agree wholeheartedly with you here Ukic is a fun player to watch and hope he continues to develop with Jose's help

[FORMULA316]

Re: 08-09 Toronto Raptors...

Ukic is here to stay...He's already better than any point we have at breaking down the D and he goes to the rack hard.

And he can actually defend opposing points.

Ukic has a place on this team, no question. Will Soloman, get used to the bench with AP playing well at backup point and Ukic coming in as a change of pace point.

I agree he goes to the rack hard but that's where it ends. I'd rather have an Aaron Brooks (Houston) as my 2nd PG behind
Jose.

[FORMULA316]

Re: 08-09 Toronto Raptors...

Really until the Raptors commit to playing good defense they wont win in the playoffs, look at the teams that won this decade.

San Antonio
Lakers
Boston
Detroit

All teams that play very good defense

No argument re: DEFENSE

The Raptors will also not win until they make a commitment to
going to the rim with players who can do this. How many times
has Jamario ill-advisedly shot from 3-point land only to kill
momentum when leading? And Bosh has settled for many a
jumper (and miss) and that's as good as a turnover.

[SPTO]

Re: 08-09 Toronto Raptors...

Really until the Raptors commit to playing good defense they wont win in the playoffs, look at the teams that won this decade.

San Antonio
Lakers
Boston
Detroit

All teams that play very good defense

True, but Triano is slowly getting the guys to buy into his defensive schemes. I mean the guy HAS to have some defensive coaching skills after coaching Team Canada. I dunno if he'll be the coach next year but at least we can thank him for making Bargnani the player he is now.

As for the JO trade speculation. If the Raps trade him to Miami there's no way BC will keep Marion beyond next year IMO. It would strictly be a "free up some cash" move so that they can get better pieces in FA this year and next.

I'm taking a "wait and see" approach but I kind have the feeling if the Raps play good basketball down the stretch and sneak their way into the playoffs that they're not going to go away so quietly.

[FORMULA316]

Re: 08-09 Toronto Raptors...

I like the enthusiasm however we're facing some tough road
opponents soon. While we might sneak in with a sub 500
percentage, not sure how we would even begin to win a
playoff round.

I also like Triano. I am afraid that we will hire a more
seasoned coach which in and of itself is not a bad thing
but Triano cannot be expected to be relegated to assistant.
The fantasy G.M. in me would have hired Avery Johnson and
Triano would be around as the Asst. Coach.

[Vince]

Re: 08-09 Toronto Raptors...

Ettore Messina...

We need a no nonsense coach who will make these guys accountable on defense.

As for Moon, I hope he and Kapono are with new teams next season.

[FORMULA316]

Re: 08-09 Toronto Raptors...

Ettore Messina...

We need a no nonsense coach who will make these guys accountable on defense.

As for Moon, I hope he and Kapono are with new teams next season.

I am Italian, and yet I would prefer a more domestic coach for us.

Agree re: Kapono and Moon. Again the fantasy G.M. in me would
have Kapono, Moon, Parker off to Houston for Artest & Brooks.

[FORMULA316]

Re: 08-09 Toronto Raptors...

Ukic is here to stay...He's already better than any point we have at breaking down the D and he goes to the rack hard.

And he can actually defend opposing points.

Ukic has a place on this team, no question. Will Soloman, get used to the bench with AP playing well at backup point and Ukic coming in as a change of pace point.

I just have to quote this again. With Calederon back, 3 straight
W's---------and that's the only stat that matters really.

[FORMULA316]

Re: 08-09 Toronto Raptors...

http://www.nba.com/standings/team_re...w_Std_Cnf.html#

No action since the J.O. - Marion trade?

Despite a miserable season, the Rap's are only five games behind
the Bucks. Even if Marion's stint is short-term, I am curious to
see what what Calderon can do with an athletic and offesively
gifted player at the small forward position. Can we make a run?
6th place Phily on down is a crap-shoot although I think the
Piston's will eventually stabilize and be a better team down
the stretch.

[buzzguy]

Re: 08-09 Toronto Raptors...

If Marion will indeed bolt after this season...what the hell is Colangelo going to do? We just wasted JO and Moon on Marcus Banks. Wow...nice job!
Let's hope they get another W tonight...that'll make me feel a bit better.

[Mason81Ballin!!!]

Re: 08-09 Toronto Raptors...

Cap Space.. alot of it