Official Toronto Raptors Thread.

What's bothering Ford anyway?

That question's been haunting me since that one Wizards game.
He's been playing 1-on-5 lately. AP got pissed at him during one game.

Perhaps he's quietly miffed that he's got competition at point guard. He's playing less than 20 minutes per game when he comes off the bench.

Does the "J" in T.J. Ford's name stand for Jack, because he jacks too many shots. [/lame]

Does the "J" in T.J. Ford's name stand for Jack, because he jacks too many shots. [/lame]

It actually stands for Jerod.
But yes, I agree with you. I'm pretty sure Calderon just took over the starting job permanently.

OMG. I'm watching the Raps game as we speak.
The Raps have a 3 point lead with 11 seconds left..
..Mike Bibby gets the ball..
..DAMN IT! He hits the three with .5 seconds left,..
..On the other end, it seems as Bosh will go for the game winning alley-oop..
..WHAT THE, TJ Ford gets the ball..
..goes for an alley-oop layuup..
..IT'S IN! IT'S IN!! RAPS WIN! RAPS WIN!..
..wait a minute, the refs review the play..
..it appears that the ball was still on TJ's fingertips after the clock expired so..
..it's counted as no good! WTF!..
..what the, The Score shows an instant replay..
..it shows the clock starting before it reaches TJ's hands..
..THAT'S JUST GREAT!..
..it's overtime..
..fast forward: Josh Smith hits a clutch three putting the Hawks up by 4..
..on the other end, CB4 goes for a tip-in..
..IT MISSES!..
..as time expires, Hawks win 127-120..

Awesome play by Bibby. The Raptors were robbed, but I was rooting for Atlanta anyway, so I was happy.

Awesome play by Bibby. The Raptors were robbed, but I was rooting for Atlanta anyway, so I was happy.

You prick . Refs started the damn clock early, TJ Ford didn't even touch the damn ball when the clock began. By the time TJ had caught the ball, there was only 0.3 seconds left. That extra 0.2 seconds would have been enough for Ford to let go of the ball because even with only 0.3, as the red light went on, the ball was basically only touching Ford's fingernail.

Ford needs to go. Ever since he arrived, I've noticed that he just doesn't play as if he's looking for the open man, he looks to score and kicks it out if he doesn't have a good look. That kind of mentality doesn't work in the Raptors selfless chemistry.

Ford needs to go. Ever since he arrived, I've noticed that he just doesn't play as if he's looking for the open man, he looks to score and kicks it out if he doesn't have a good look. That kind of mentality doesn't work in the Raptors selfless chemistry.

Uh, kind of a bad time to make this post, isn't it? He's played well since being re-inserted into the starting line-up and he was great tonight. I know he struggled after coming back from injury, but still, you can't doubt his good play prior to injury and last season.

On RealGM, it's unbelievable of how unfair the judgement is of this team's two point guards. TJ struggles, they call for his head. Calderon has a quiet game and struggles, no one makes a peep and leaves him be. Some even tried to justify this by saying how when Calderon struggles, he doesn't hurt the team. My counter to that suggestion is this: Calderon is a big part of this team and when he is not producing, is he not hurting the team by not producing and helping the team win?

Oh, and to note, I'm BOTH a TJ Ford AND a Jose Calderon fan.

On RealGM, it's unbelievable of how unfair the judgement is of this team's two point guards. TJ struggles, they call for his head. Calderon has a quiet game and struggles, no one makes a peep and leaves him be. Some even tried to justify this by saying how when Calderon struggles, he doesn't hurt the team. My counter to that suggestion is this: Calderon is a big part of this team and when he is not producing, is he not hurting the team by not producing and helping the team win?

It's a double standard for sure, but it probably comes down to people perceiving Calderon as having a style of play that's beneficial to the team when he's "on" while viewing Ford's style of play as being detrimental whether he plays well or not, win or lose. Or perhaps it's just a case of a player having an off-night being more acceptable than a player whose approach to the game is seen as detrimental to his team, win or lose.

The last two seasons, Calderon has assisted on 39.7% and 41.9% of the Raptors baskets while he was on the court.

Ford has assisted on 44.8% and 44.1%.

Calderon is the better shooter, but Ford is pretty great at creating his own shot, something I wouldn't have thought a couple years back. For assist fetishists, it's not a tough decision.

I heard on the news that the Raps are debating with the NBA for starting the clock early.
Anyway, looking at this website.. it says that the Raps can't afford to have TJ and Jose at the end of the season.
Why? TJ's monster contract + Calderon a free agent this offseason.
One of them is going, but who?

Ford. Calderon gets to become the most overrated player in the league.

For sure you say that because of Arenas words, isn't it? hahaha... Yo didn't hear what analysts said about Jose? Please read this called "The truth about Jose Calderon"

http://accuscore.com/articles/nba-artic ... alderon--/

Then...how many games with Calderon playing are you watched? Maybe when he plays versus the Supersonics only?

I can't believe how people can say that when stadistics say quite the opposite.

-Assists: 5th (oh, and he's playing for Raptors, not for L.A. or Boston).
-Assists/Turnovers: 1st (he always finds the open man and the right decission.

How many players in NBA make their team mates better? Probably not more than 10 and Jose is one of them.

-3 Point: 11th with a great 48.3%

And all of this playing less minutes than TJ, and improving his game each year.

Jose Calderon is a future All Star if you like it or not.

I wanted to revive this thread, but I was too lazy to scroll down to look for it.

Too bad there's not much groundbreaking news on the Raptors since the O'Neal trade was already talked about.

Probably the most significant thing other than that trade to happen to the Raptors this offseason was the signing of Roko Ukic. People were raving about this pick up years ago, so hopefully he can give some productivity as a combo guard off the bench.

The last two seasons, Calderon has assisted on 39.7% and 41.9% of the Raptors baskets while he was on the court.

Ford has assisted on 44.8% and 44.1%.

That doesn't tell the whole story, though. How much more does Ford have the possession of the ball over Calderon? The way I see it when I watch the games, is that Ford always has the ball and tries to score with it, and as a last resort would only pass if he can't create his shot.

Also don't forget that Calderon is the one who makes the "extra" pass. It sounds like a cliche, but Calderon really knows how to get the ball moving around the perimeter and get everyone a touch on the offensive posessions.

So, with Jermaine and CB4 Raptors have a powerful duo in the paint. A good point guard like Ukic on the bench should give quality minutes and I think Bargnani will improve his game much more than last season.

Raptors are better team this season. They should pass first round of playoffs and even get more objectives

It's gonna be a really interesting team to watch. I would have liked Delfino to stay and keep improving in the NBA since he dida pretty decent job off the bench for the Raps last season.

Actually,eddyjay, I doubt they'll give Ukic quality minutes of the bench. I think they'll take him slowly this season. Maybe I'm wrong, that's my guess. Is Ukic NBA-ready?

So, with Jermaine and CB4 Raptors have a powerful duo in the paint. A good point guard like Ukic on the bench should give quality minutes and I think Bargnani will improve his game much more than last season.

Raptors are better team this season. They should pass first round of playoffs and even get more objectives

Straight up. A lot of people are talking about the Sixers now cause they got Elton Brand. WHile I think he's good, If they play the Raptors is ass is getting in a lot of foul trouble. They might have to put him at the 3 lol

So, with Jermaine and CB4 Raptors have a powerful duo in the paint. A good point guard like Ukic on the bench should give quality minutes and I think Bargnani will improve his game much more than last season.

Raptors are better team this season. They should pass first round of playoffs and even get more objectives

Straight up. A lot of people are talking about the Sixers now cause they got Elton Brand. WHile I think he's good, If they play the Raptors is ass is getting in a lot of foul trouble. They might have to put him at the 3 lol

The Raptors remain just the sixth best team in the East. If they face Philly, they would lose. Elton Brand is better than Jermaine O'Neal at this point, and Chris Bosh will probably meet his defensive limits guarding Dalembert. And don't forget that the Raptors have no answer for Iguodala. I hate to say it, but the Raptors are still only a little above average.

Is Ukic NBA-ready?

He better be. Everyone was raving about the pick back in 2005, so fans are pretty anxious to see him contribute.

If it doesn't work out, I guess the Will Solomon signing is a short-term fix up. Played for the same team as Parker and is a pretty important piece on the team, so I'm hoping for another Parker-esque diamond in the rough. I'll keep my expectations to a minimum as usual when it comes to the Raptors though.

Well we got JO, but there's still something missing in order for the Raps to become championship contenders.
According to the people at realgm.com, a majority agree that this guy is the Raptors' final piece of the puzzle. Surprisingly, I agree as well.

VC when he's on his A-game is pretty much exactly what the Raptors need; a slashing, scoring wing. Problem is that he doesn't exactly do this enough. Yes he has a decent shot from the outside but with his athleticism and ability, too many times he settles for jumpshots. If he ever does come back, it would be awkward; but all will be forgotten if he performs.