Toronto Raptors Fanclub

[fleung22 1]

The season is getting closer and closer and deserves a new thread.Who's pumped?!

[Jadaki 0]

I don't recall seeing the Raps doing anything interesting this offseason, how much better do you think the Raps are gonna be?

[tskillz187 0]

As good as there Europeans + Bosh let them be. I actually like their squad a lot.

[fleung22 1]

I don't recall seeing the Raps doing anything interesting this offseason, how much better do you think the Raps are gonna be?

You're right, they haven't made a blockbuster trade or anything. The core of the team is the same but have added Delfino and Kapono who should fit in really well and both have lots of potential in the Raptors-style game.Consider this. The Raps started off losing their first 8 games and still won the division. They really didn't find the chemistry until half the season was over. With most of the team back together this year things are looking positive. Bosh is only 23 and still improving. Bargnani is looking huge after adding some serious muscle in the off season and TJ will still get better barring injury.

[InsanityCubed 0]

You're right, they haven't made a blockbuster trade or anything. The core of the team is the same but have added Delfino and Kapono who should fit in really well and both have lots of potential in the Raptors-style game.Consider this. The Raps started off losing their first 8 games and still won the division. They really didn't find the chemistry until half the season was over. With most of the team back together this year things are looking positive. Bosh is only 23 and still improving. Bargnani is looking huge after adding some serious muscle in the off season and TJ will still get better barring injury.

Don't forget Maceo Baston. (sw?)Bosh, Bargs, TJ, should all continue to grow, and Calderon has looked fantastic this summer from what I've heard. I like the other depth moves, even though we overpaid for Kapono.

[fleung22 1]

Don't forget Maceo Baston. (sw?)Bosh, Bargs, TJ, should all continue to grow, and Calderon has looked fantastic this summer from what I've heard. I like the other depth moves, even though we overpaid for Kapono.

Kapono is a bit of a question mark and if I'm not mistaken his contract is about the same as MoPete's was. Kapono just had a career year and can still get better. If he keeps up his 3-pt shot then that'll spread the floor more for the Big 3 players.I dunno...the Raps GM seems to make all the right moves so who am I to argue?

[InsanityCubed 0]

Kapono is a bit of a question mark and if I'm not mistaken his contract is about the same as MoPete's was. Kapono just had a career year and can still get better. If he keeps up his 3-pt shot then that'll spread the floor more for the Big 3 players.I dunno...the Raps GM seems to make all the right moves so who am I to argue?

I still like the pickup, don't get me wrong. If it came down to a choice between overpaying MoPete and overpaying Kapono, I'll take Kapono.

[Jadaki 0]

I forgot about the Kapono signing, I knew they did something I noticed earlier in the offseason I forgot about.And yea, I expect the Raps to have a good year if TJ stays healthy.

[tskillz187 0]

I forgot about the Kapono signing, I knew they did something I noticed earlier in the offseason I forgot about.And yea, I expect the Raps to have a good year if TJ stays healthy.

Am I the only one that likes Calderon much more than Ford?

[Jadaki 0]

Am I the only one that likes Calderon much more than Ford?

If Ford is healthy, he can be one of the top 5 PG's in the league.I like Calderon too, but if you want to compare overall talent and ability, TJ has him. He just needs to stay healthy.

[fleung22 1]

If Ford is healthy, he can be one of the top 5 PG's in the league.I like Calderon too, but if you want to compare overall talent and ability, TJ has him. He just needs to stay healthy.

agreed...for sheer speed there just aren't that many players in the NBA who can move with the ball that fast.however, I gotta admit I was thoroughly impressed with Calderson in both regular season and playoffs. that kid played his heart out and had great results. the point guard position is solid in Raptorland.

[tskillz187 0]

I guess I just like how the white international players play ball, cuz the US doesn't have many solid white players anymore! They have been crushing us in past international competitions and I find myself rooting for Spain and Argentina because they play so sound and gritty. So I like rooting for Calderon, Nocioni, Gasol, Rudy Fernandez, Delfino, Scola, Oberto. And Ginobili has been my fav player for sometime now, so I'm super biased.I like Calderon playing anywhere, I think Ford is fine I just love the tenacity and headiness of Calderon. Ford can't hit a jumper, but he's quick as hell obv. I dunno, I don't really like Parker and he's a less polished Parker IMO.

[Jadaki 0]

I like Calderon playing anywhere, I think Ford is fine I just love the tenacity and headiness of Calderon. Ford can't hit a jumper, but he's quick as hell obv. I dunno, I don't really like Parker and he's a less polished Parker IMO.

He has a very consistent 18-20 footer, he needs to work a bit on his 3 ball but he is a pass first PG anyway.

[fleung22 1]

I guess I just like how the white international players play ball, cuz the US doesn't have many solid white players anymore! They have been crushing us in past international competitions and I find myself rooting for Spain and Argentina because they play so sound and gritty. So I like rooting for Calderon, Nocioni, Gasol, Rudy Fernandez, Delfino, Scola, Oberto. And Ginobili has been my fav player for sometime now, so I'm super biased.I like Calderon playing anywhere, I think Ford is fine I just love the tenacity and headiness of Calderon. Ford can't hit a jumper, but he's quick as hell obv. I dunno, I don't really like Parker and he's a less polished Parker IMO.

like Jadaki said...TJ can shoot, he's just not great from beyond the arc. I mean, TJ hit a bunch of game winners last year with that jump shot so I think your statement is more from a fan's perspective than fact.I honestly think that the way the Raps are being built that they may actually get some attention from American viewers soon (and I don't mean the winning part). Winning alone doesn't get you airtime (except playoffs obv) but I betcha a successful team full of white guys will. Call me a racist but a good white team would be HUGE for the sport. Larry Bird was just the only one with enough balls to say it publicly. and Parker is freakin awesome! he is the soldier every winning team needs. 100% effort and intensity with a high basketball IQ.

[Jadaki 0]

like Jadaki said...TJ can shoot, he's just not great from beyond the arc. I mean, TJ hit a bunch of game winners last year with that jump shot so I think your statement is more from a fan's perspective than fact.I honestly think that the way the Raps are being built that they may actually get some attention from American viewers soon (and I don't mean the winning part). Winning alone doesn't get you airtime (except playoffs obv) but I betcha a successful team full of white guys will. Call me a racist but a good white team would be HUGE for the sport. Larry Bird was just the only one with enough balls to say it publicly. and Parker is freakin awesome! he is the soldier every winning team needs. 100% effort and intensity with a high basketball IQ.

I don't think it's about having a white team. Honestly if you think your average American viewer wants to watch a team with white guys the Raps are not it. You got Kapono... the rest aren't from the US which would draw more attention. White foreign players aren't huge attractions (aside from Dirk) in the US.Play an entertaining brand of basketball and that will get attention. The Raps should get more airtime this year.

[FoxwoodsPro 0]

I dissaprove of this thread...KG will own Bosh and the rest of the East

[Jadaki 0]

I dissaprove of this thread...KG will own Bosh and the rest of the East

The entire forum disapproves of you, we will get a mod to delete this thread if you delete your account... fair?

[tskillz187 0]

I don't think it's about having a white team. Honestly if you think your average American viewer wants to watch a team with white guys the Raps are not it. You got Kapono... the rest aren't from the US which would draw more attention. White foreign players aren't huge attractions (aside from Dirk) in the US.Play an entertaining brand of basketball and that will get attention. The Raps should get more airtime this year.

Yeah, I don't think the league needs a solid white team either, that's just more for personal satisfaction as I am white and played basketball. Also, as is pointed out here by Jadaki Americans want to see white Americans, a bunch of foreign dudes don't count. I doubt the Raps get much airtime, they are in Canada and don't have a headliner. They are Suns Jr. So they will be good and will be entertaining, but I just don't see Toronto eating up TV time. Like the squad a lot though.Oh, I also don't catch a ton of Raps games or highlites, mostly just see box scores and Ford used to be very inconsistent with his jumper. Maybe it's consistent now, I don't know. I just think they have to find more minutes for Calderon.I think they need a big man too, would have been nice to get a Joe Smith, Mikki Moore type player (no clue what their salary cap is like). Bosh, Bagnani, Garbajosa are all fine but they are more 3/4 players and Rasho is horrible bad. Going to be interesting to see the 2 guard time with Kapono, Delfino, Anthony Parker, Juan Dixon.

[InsanityCubed 0]

The Raps could have a roster made up entirely of white boys from NY and California, and still not get any US airtime. The vast majority of Americans do not want to watch a team that plays in Canada.I would love to see the Raps do something unique and use a true platoon at PG. I'm talking both Jose and TJ averaging around 24 mpg over the season. The change of pace between the two is an absolute nightmare for other teams defensively. Last year, it seemed like every time one was pulled for the other, the team would go on a nice run. Why not have both guys go full tilt for half of every game?AP is definitely awesome. I hope last year wasn't a fluke (offensively speaking, he's going to play good D no matter what), what with the high 3P% and almost 18 ppg in April.Rasho does not suck, he's not much on the offensive end, but he is a very useful defensive player against big guys like Curry, Shaq, Howard, etc. Bosh is just too light to handle those guys for 40 minutes a night. Don't count out Kris Humphries, he really impressed me at times last year, and I think he can be a Varejao-type energy guy.

[Jadaki 0]

The Raps could have a roster made up entirely of white boys from NY and California, and still not get any US airtime.

I don't buy that. I used to see plenty of Raps games on when VC and T-Mac played for them. It's all about star power, and really while Bosh is one of the best forwards in the league he doesn't pull in ratings. He isn't a personality, he gets little recognition.The could use a rough and tough type forward that can fill in 15-18 minutes a game that is a good defender, other than that I like their roster.

[Jadaki 0]

So with the Garnett to Boston deal I have been listening to all the experts on how they are immediately a top 3 team and have to contend with the Eastern powers for dominance.I decided to pick up the Raptors cause for a moment and drop the following e-mail to PTI...

With Garnett heading to Boston, why is it now when the balance of power in the east is mentioned by all the NBA analysts we only hear about is the old standbys (Detroit & Miami) and the two young up and coming teams (Chicago & Cleavland) but there is no love to the Toronto Raptors who were the 3 seed in the East last year, have added depth and now have a year of playoff experience under their belt. They have the best 1/2 combo at point guard in the East, a young star in Bosh and play well together.Can the Raps get some love?

I wonder if it will get on the air

[tskillz187 0]

So with the Garnett to Boston deal I have been listening to all the experts on how they are immediately a top 3 team and have to contend with the Eastern powers for dominance.I decided to pick up the Raptors cause for a moment and drop the following e-mail to PTI...I wonder if it will get on the air

Not bad email. I do think Boston will be a top 3 team now though, but I think the Raps will be too! Detroit and Miami are getting old and older fast. That's not to say one or the other will be a top 3 team but I don't see both those rosters making it through the gauntlet of a season. I like Toronto, Boston, Chicago, more than Cleveland, Miami, Detroit. (I like the 6,7,8 seeds in the West better than the 1,2,3 in the East).

[Jadaki 0]

I like Toronto, Boston, Chicago, more than Cleveland, Miami, Detroit. (I like the 6,7,8 seeds in the West better than the 1,2,3 in the East).

First part I agree, second part not so much. I don't see the Clips or Lakers or even Golden State being better than the top teams in the east.I'd even have trouble putting Houston above the top team in the east, at least until the supporting cast starts to prove themselves.

[tskillz187 0]

First part I agree, second part not so much. I don't see the Clips or Lakers or even Golden State being better than the top teams in the east.I'd even have trouble putting Houston above the top team in the east, at least until the supporting cast starts to prove themselves.

Nothing we could ever prove, just banter I guess, but I love the West. And Nuggets usually slip into the 6-7-8 slot and I think they'd crush East.

[Jadaki 0]

Nothing we could ever prove, just banter I guess, but I love the West. And Nuggets usually slip into the 6-7-8 slot and I think they'd crush East.

Denver is hard to figure out though, any given night they can beat the best teams in the league, then turn around and loose to a team who is winning 15% of their games.