Official Toronto Raptors Thread.

For those of you who didn't hear the clip on the edge the morning of game 5, here it is

http://www.edge.ca/morning_show/audio_v ... 1517#video

The MVP Martin "theory" by benji, that goes back a long way.
Reminds me of another one from the old forums, the "penis defense". Can't quite remember what exactly it was.

I always want to beat-up persons who sport that, including those who have the swastika in their bags.

Wow, well Che and a swastika stand for completely opposite things.

The Che shirts are stupid because they cost so much and are made in sweatshops. Che would have been pissed that companies are making money off of his face and using deprived workers to make the shirts.

The main thing that pisses me off is that when I ask those people what those things in their shirts/caps/bags mean, most of them basically have no idea, which is then the moment my urge to beat them up starts.

yikes, big turnover by Calderon, not that the game was all his fault or anything. Nets win.

Sigh...they couldn't even get the shot off. Can't blame Calderon though, he played excellent this whole series. Bosh would have been right at the basket if Calderon's pass to him while he was cutting got to him, or got 2 freethrows. There was no way for NJ to stop him if he got the ball while cutting towards the basket. Either easy basket or foul. Atleast it wasn't a Carter buzzer beater I suppose.

What a huge difference a year makes...hopefully this is just teaser, as next year and beyond will hopefully mark many, many, MANY, long playoff runs.

That was a good pass - it gets picked off maybe 15% of the time I would say.

LEt's not lose sight year. We played a great game, we fought right until the end. We did everything we could and lost by one point. You can look to any play the entire game that didn't go our way, and boom the result is different. So close, yet so far has never been more true.

All in all, this was a FANTASTIC season. We surpassed even the most optimistic predictions or expectations this team had. We won our first division title, tied the record for wins in a season, and got our feet wet in the playoffs.

Now, instead of being years away from serious contenders, we are mere pieces. Times are great to be a Raptors fan!

All in all, this was a FANTASTIC season. We surpassed even the most optimistic predictions or expectations this team had. We won our first division title, tied the record for wins in a season, and got our feet wet in the playoffs.

Yep, nobody expected the raptors to finish where they did. They have the impact player of bosh, they just need to keep putting talent around him.

Ah well, it was a good season. Next year WE'RE GONNA KICK ASS!

All in all, this was a FANTASTIC season. We surpassed even the most optimistic predictions or expectations this team had. We won our first division title, tied the record for wins in a season, and got our feet wet in the playoffs.

Yep, nobody expected the raptors to finish where they did. They have the impact player of bosh, they just need to keep putting talent around him.

Your correct, but I'm a firm believer that they talent is already here. Guys like Ford,Calderon,Bargnani,Graham,Jackson,Dixon,Hump all know their roles, accept them, and are becoming better overall players and better team players as time goes by. We are only a piece here and there away from causing some serious damage imo

Yes, it's all good for the raptors. but what about coach sam mitchell? He's a COY, lead a team with little hope into the playoffs, and carried them to become atlantic division champions. And yet his contract with the raptors is in jeopardy when it expires on june 30. What do you think guys.. is he going to stay? Or will another coach come through the doors of the ACC? (good or bad?..etc)

Yes, it's all good for the raptors. but what about coach sam mitchell? He's a COY, lead a team with little hope into the playoffs, and carried them to become atlantic division champions. And yet his contract with the raptors is in jeopardy when it expires on june 30. What do you think guys.. is he going to stay? Or will another coach come through the doors of the ACC? (good or bad?..etc)

I think it's been proven that it is impossible to get in BC's head, so all we know is what he says the media. Recently on the Fan590, he stated that "extending Sam is our top priority".

Take it for what you will because he also said something along the lines of "Let's see how conversations go before we discuss this any further"

Finally....some worthy offseason news!

Raps acquire Carlos Delfino from Detroit for two future second round picks!

Great deal for us, I think Delfino has a lot of talent but just hasn't been given the time in Detroit to tshow it.

I hope Delfino will improve his shooting, though. I'm just glad there's a good defensive player for the Raptors now! Hopefully they can get someone useful to replace Mo-Pete.

It will probably take a while for Delfino to get a better shot. He was used primarily as a spot up shooter which is not his strength. He's pretty good on the baseline though! Anyway, he's shown a better shot off the dribble, although those opportunities were few in Detroit because Flop didn't utilise his strengths. If shooting is his weakness, that really shouldn't be a problem on Toronto given it's roster. Defence though is where he excels, and in the open court. Good deal for Raps, i'm happy for Delfino as i'll actually be able to see him on court instead of the bench.

The Raptors just got Jason Kapono, but at a high price—$6 million per year for four years. I like the signing but I think he's overpaid at this point. It makes sense to go for him, though, since there's a chance that the Raptors wouldn't be able to get the other coveted free agents. I like how the team's gonna look this coming season.

C - Bargs
PF - Bosh
SF - Kapono
SG - Parker
PG - Ford/Calderon

This allows the Raptors to be spread out across the floor, and with Ford/Calderon dishing it off to any one of those four guys, when open, they'll have a great chance of making the shot. Replace Ford with Calderon, and that lineup is probably the best firing squad in the NBA.

thing with the nba now is, everyone is really overpaid. the good teams can get players cheaper who want to win but unless you got a real chance of playing in the finals then you are gonna have to pay big to lure them. thats why i think in todays nba drafting properly is the best way to build up.

still i like kapono, if the celtics could have signed him, then like 7 others guys who know how to play this crazy game called basketball we might be able to play the raptors lol.

Goddamn this reminds me of that kapono guy from a couple years ago.

He will do alright i guess in toronto.

Aw, man. 6 mil for a guy who only has one year averaging over 10 points. Please. Are the Raptors that desperate for three-point shooters?

Miami seems to be a haven for shooters who blossom for a season and then move to another team. Damon Jones did it, now its Kapono. I hope he ends up a bust (highly unlikely considering the Raps offense).

Roughly MLE for a 3 point specialist is going rate, and Kapono is arguably the best one you can get. Donyell Marshall, Brent Barry, Stephen Jackson all make in that range.

IMO, the Raps really dont need a 3 point specialist (especially one that is overpaid like that) considering they pass the ball around to everyone effectively. And also Bargnani is developing quickly as expected. So, he will get more touches in the long run. Dont forget bosh's touches too.

Well, the reason he's brought in is because by forcing a man to cover Kapono, more space is created for Bosh. If Bosh gets doubled, he can kick it out to Anthony Parker or Kapono for an open 3, or even dish it inside to Bargs for an open dunk/layup. It creates problems for the defense.

Just watch. Thats all I'm going to say. Kapono is a great fit for this team. He is going to open up so many opportunities for Bosh,Bargnani, Parker, Ford, Calderon, hell, the entire team! The offense this team is g oing to have is going to be scary

It's all about the high screen and roll.

The Raptors' decision to shower Jason Kapono with free agent riches, while not addressing Bryan Colangelo's oft-stated intention of improving the club's overall athleticism, has to bring a twinkle to the eye of coach Sam Mitchell.

For the team's bread-and-butter play, a high screen set by Chris Bosh for T.J. Ford, Mitchell can now plant the NBA's most effective three-point shooter in one corner, the emerging Andrea Bargnani on the perimeter and Anthony Parker on another side, giving the Raptors three solid outside shooters to augment Bosh and Ford.

That was the allure of signing the 6-foot-8 Kapono to a four-year contract worth more than $20 million (U.S.) to open the NBA free agent market, just as it was the allure to Kapono.

"Having a point guard that distributes the ball like T.J. (Ford) does means there'll be a lot of open shots for him," said Bob Myers, Kapono's Los Angeles-based agent. "Jason knows it feels good to be wanted. This is a kind of a milestone for him professionally."

The 26-year-old Kapono, who led the NBA in three-point accuracy (51.4 per cent) last season, is Toronto's major off-season acquisition and while he's not guaranteed a starting position, it's easy to see how he'd fit in with the other four in the starting five.

The hope would be that either Kapono or Parker develops a style that allows them to slash to the basket, draw defenders and either get to the free-throw line or kick the ball to open shooters. It was one glaring weakness on the team last year and while neither have shown that ability yet, it will be something they work on extensively once training camp begins.

Mitchell could well move Jorge Garbajosa to the bench, using him to backup Chris Bosh at power forward and Kapono at small forward; there would be times when Toronto went with a big lineup of Bosh, Bargnani and Garbajosa, they could use Rasho Nesterovic, Garbajosa at power forward and Bargnani at small forward at times, giving Mitchell and his staff many more options.

"Having an opportunity to start is obviously a huge factor for him," said Myers.

While Colangelo had said all along he wanted to upgrade Toronto's athleticism at small forward, he didn't achieve that with Kapono, who is hardly an explosive athlete.

But defensively Kapono may not be Bruce Bowen but anyone who plays for Pat Riley, as Kapono did in Miami, has to be able to defend at least with effort and intelligence or else he won't be on the floor.

The additions of Kapono and Carlos Delfino, who the Raptors obtained in a trade with Detroit for the bargain-basement price of two second-round draft picks, does create more depth on the roster. As it stands now – and the Raptors don't have a lot of money left to throw at free agents – the team has 12 players with guaranteed contracts. The needs still to fill would be a third-string point guard, although some team officials think Juan Dixon or Delfino could fill that role

Holy crap, 51% from downtown? I knew he was good, but not that good. We'll see in the upcoming season whether or not Kapono can live up to his past season standards. Great news....err...I mean, article, for Raps fans!