Official Toronto Raptors Thread.

[Andrew]

Now goodbye playoffs

I wouldn't be so sure just yet. Still four games to go and the Bulls are a team that find a way to waste opportunities. The Raptors hold the tiebreaker so as long as they match the Bulls' record over these last four games, they're in.

[Andrew]

Now goodbye playoffs

I wouldn't be so sure just yet. Still four games to go and the Bulls are a team that find a way to waste opportunities. The Raptors hold the tiebreaker so as long as they match the Bulls' record over these last four games, they're in.

And is if to prove my point, the Bulls lost to the Nets in double overtime today. Whoever wins the next game between the two is probably going to take the eighth spot (though could still potentially choke it away after that) and again, that comes down to the Bulls seizing the opportunity. They have a habit of letting these things slip through their fingers so if you're a Raptors fan, all hope is not yet lost.

(Hope can be abandoned in the first round, whichever team ultimately makes it.)

[john26]

Now goodbye playoffs

I wouldn't be so sure just yet. Still four games to go and the Bulls are a team that find a way to waste opportunities. The Raptors hold the tiebreaker so as long as they match the Bulls' record over these last four games, they're in.

And is if to prove my point, the Bulls lost to the Nets in double overtime today. Whoever wins the next game between the two is probably going to take the eighth spot (though could still potentially choke it away after that) and again, that comes down to the Bulls seizing the opportunity. They have a habit of letting these things slip through their fingers so if you're a Raptors fan, all hope is not yet lost.

(Hope can be abandoned in the first round, whichever team ultimately makes it.)

Yes. The Nets probably realized that a few years ago, they got Vincent Lamar Carter for free so they wanted to return the favour. Nevertheless, the Raptors have been very disappointing to watch since the All-Star break. I hope they get the important W on Sunday.

[NovU]

As much as I like the Raptors as they're the only one Canadian team at the moment, I like the Bulls more simply because I grew up watching Michael. So I'm rooting for the Bulls, but the fact that neither team wiill survive a first round of playoffs, it won't really make a difference that much. The Bulls I think has higher chance of giving CLE hard time though.

Anyways, both blew the big opportunity tonight. What a shame...

[john26]

Disgusting. White flag has been raised. It was fool's gold when the Nets beat the Bulls.

[Andrew]

I wish I had your confidence. The Bulls finish up with a home game against the Celtics and a road game against the Bobcats. All the Raptors need to do is tie them and they're in the Playoffs via the tiebreaker. I'd say the door is very much open.

[john26]

i guess the bulls are the hungrier team. it sucks that the raptors miss the playoffs by 1 game. Those losses from Denver and GSW really hurt their chances.

[Andrew]

Can't get much closer than that though and the Bulls very nearly threw it away. Both teams had some bad luck with injuries, unfortunately for the Raptors theirs came at a more critical juncture and the Bulls overachieved.

[Its_asdf]

HAH! After like 5 minutes of searching I have finally dug up this once glorious thread.

I'm unsure as to how many people in here are actual Raptors fans or care about the Raptors, but here are my thoughts so far regardless:

-Landry Fields is a pile of hot garbage and this signing made it clearly obvious that Colangelo was going all in for Nash with very little thoughts on the ramifications had the move not gone through. I really don't want to waste any more time talking about this signing as the mere thought of his contract infuriates me. He literally does nothing on the court that a D-Leaguer couldn't do.

-Kyle Lowry is just as advertised and more. It's amazing to see a point guard actually look to make plays on offence as opposed to Calderon's "let's pick up my dribble and wait 15 seconds into the clock to see where I can pad my assist stats" style of play. Defensively also a huge upgrade over Calderon as well. He's going to be an all-star this year for sure barring any injuries.

-DeMar Derozan looked god awful in the season opener but now that he's signed his extension it looks like his nerves have calmed down quite a bit. He's probably the Raptor with the most noticeable improvement from last season (although that's not saying too much). Unlike last year, he looks good absorbing hits when going to the rim. While he does sometimes have Corey Maggette syndrome trying to barrel into the paint with his head down towards 3 defenders in the paint, he's playing to his strengths more as a slasher/cutter to the rim which is promising. I think Kyle Lowry was a huge addition to enable this as he's able to make defenses shift and thus allowing DeMar's straight line drives to be much easier to come by.

-Andrea Bargnani is just bad bad bad. For being a one dimensional player who can only play offence, he certainly has been terribly inefficient these first three games. He's also been outrebounded by almost everyone on the team and until last nights game against Utah has been getting free passes for his god awful play. Let's hope Casey starts playing Amir or Ed a bit more if that's the case. A caveat to his awfulness and makes his poor play somewhat excusable (as opposed to Fields who is just dreadful and is known to be dreadful): Casey seems to be doing this bizarre thing of featuring him outside the three point arc like a guard this year which isn't his strength. He's at his best when he's operating in the high post/top of the key as he doesn't have the ball handling ability to blow by multiple defenders but he does have a quick 2-3 first steps that allow him to get by slower bigs to either get a layup or a short pull up jumper.

-Jonas is like the antithesis of Bargnani. It's relieving to see a 7 footer who actually goes out and competes on every possession on both ends of the court. He's raw as hell, but on some possessions he gives me a Tyson Chandler-esque vibe as a solid rim protector who has great hands to finish lobs thrown at him by the rim.

[rise]

I can't believe Derozan got a $40M extension.

[cavs4872]

From what I saw on the BKN-TOR game on NBATV, it looks like DeRozan has really improved his outside shot. After the slow start in the season opener he's been off to a pretty hot start.

[Abctest123]

Ah yes...I remember the days when I would post in this thread more often (or in the whole forum in general). I haven't followed the Raptors nearly as close the last 2 seasons because of school but still cheer them on. Haven't watched much of the games. Last year or 2 I've followed soccer/futbal closer than I have in recent years (partially due to the lockout) so I got to look closer at my soccer team Arsenal FC like I use to for the Raptors. Sucks that cheering for Arsenal is similar to the Raptors as there's constant let downs and defensive issues with both teams year in year out .

Anyways, Kyle Lowry has been seemingly awesome, a good pickup. Watched only the opening night game, but he was impressive and going also with his stats he seems to be absolutely monstrous. It's absolutely disgusting that Lowry is averaging more rebounds Bargnani. Just flat out sad.

Derozan struggled in preseason and the opener, but from all I've heard he seems to have improved with better showings in the other 2-3 games they've played.

Valunciunas is, as Its_asdf said, like the complete opposite of Bargnani. Dude doesn't have the best offense right now but is aggressive and has some great hands at catching those hard passes that are being thrown at him. Absolutely love the effort he gives.

Landry Fields is just...crap.

Calderon running the second unit will be good to see...he always does well as the guy running the offense off the bench in all the years he has that role. He just isn't starting material though. It's kinda odd reading what I posted in the past in this thread and still seeing Calderon playing for the Raptors. It seems like yesterday that he was a rookie along with Charlie Villanueva and Joey Graham back in the 05/06 season...back then he couldn't speak a lick of English (it's still not great but much improved) and had struggled to hit jumpshots. Fast forward 6/7 years and he's now the longest serving member of the team, a veteran. Like the guy but just isn't a starter and would be much more useful on a contender. I think once his contract is done at the end of this season, he's moving onto another team. Perhaps even be traded before the deadline.

[Its_asdf]

Calderon hasn't impressed me with the second unit at all. Collectively, they just stand around playing hot potato until the shot clock expires and have to be bailed out by some hail mary three by Alan Anderson or hope that Amir or Ed can finish over 3 guys packed in the paint. He's a really bad facilitator in terms of creating for others. Outside of a decent pick and roll entry pass and some jumpshots every now and then, Calderon really brings nothing to the table. Then again, I might be asking for too much considering the Raptors bench does indeed blow turd. Here's hope that Ross starts impressing during practices and can get some playing time, especially over someone shitty like Landry Fields.

Also the DeMar contract is pretty bad. Personally I would have waited until the season was over to assess how much he was worth but at the end of the day I can't really be upset because he's one of the few wing players in a long time to have some decent potential and he really is a high character guy who is passionate about the city. It's really hard to dislike the guy who has that much of a work ethic despite his shortcomings as a player.

[_Steve_]

Also the DeMar contract is pretty bad. Personally I would have waited until the season was over to assess how much he was worth but at the end of the day I can't really be upset because he's one of the few wing players in a long time to have some decent potential and he really is a high character guy who is passionate about the city. It's really hard to dislike the guy who has that much of a work ethic despite his shortcomings as a player.

I'd have done the same with DeMar as the Kings do with Tyreke: wait and see. Sure DeMar had some really good games against the Nets and the Wolves but I'm not sure if he's worth ~ $40 mio over the next 4 years.

[Its_asdf]

This team disgusts me. There is absolutely no reason to support this team, they do everything terribly. Zero depth from the bench, mediocre talent in the starting lineup and lackluster effort/hustle. An absolute disgrace to call this roster an NBA team. At least last season's team remained competitive through creative coaching via bogging down the offensive pace to force grind it out defensive games. Not to mention they also seemed to actually give a damn about trying to win games. This group is just.... bleh.

[volsey]

Yea I haven't been able to stand them for a while. They were at least interesting to watch when they had Garbajosa (who?), Calderon, other random guy, because they hustled, were run and gun, and were unpredictable.

Now it's just painful. Bargnani was a terrible pick. The Dirk Nowitzki comparisons coming into the league were a complete joke. DeMar would be a great 6th man or 3rd/4th option, he is very athletic, but isn't consistent enough to be anything more than that. I truly stopped watching or even caring about them after they drafted Bargnani. I mean their games used to air across Canada, on nearly every Canadian sports channel. Now nobody cares.

[moe szyslak]

It's weird, Calderon is taking so much attention the last two games.
For me, it shows how ruined are they.
Why is so difficult to rebuild the franchise?

[Jackal]

Who the fuck wants to play in Canada?

[Andrew]

Why is so difficult to rebuild the franchise?

If it were easy, the league would be much more competitive and championships would be shared a little more equally amongst all the teams.

[moe szyslak]

I know, but the raptors seems to be installed in the last places since...forever?

[Andrew]

They did make the Playoffs five times between 1999/2000 and 2009/2010, winning at least 40% of their games in four other seasons and last had a winning season (well, .500 season) in 2008. They lost their best player two years ago which was obviously going to set them back a bit.

[moe szyslak]

Maybe you are right. Numbers are talking by themselves.
I still have the impression that the team isn't going anywhere, and the best players of the team are never reaching 100% of the skills they are supposed to have. Bargnani is taking 4.6 reb per game in 34 min. Calderon has ups and downs..

[Its_asdf]

It's weird, Calderon is taking so much attention the last two games.
For me, it shows how ruined are they.
Why is so difficult to rebuild the franchise?

Initially I was a fairly strong advocate for BC since he was known to make some fairly high risk acquisitions/trades in order to better the team. I thought taking gambles were a necessary part of being able to build to a contender as the Raptors were probably bound to be stuck in mediocrity if all they ever did was sit around and twiddle their thumbs.

This season however has been the last straw. Colangelo has went from being a promising GM to one that tunnels hard on certain players or ideas without having any precautionary measures or contingencies. He has done way more harm than good ever since the 06-07 season.