Pieces to the Puzzle

by RaptorsHQ - Archives on Oct 22, 2007 12:00 AM EDT in General

Franchise and Howland put their collective minds together to come up with their biggest questions and their best answers.

1. Who should start at the five?

Howland: It seems like everyone has pencilled in Bargnani as the Raps starting centre this season. Is this the best move? Once last season came to an end I, like everyone else, thought with an off-season of conditioning and training from Bars, that Rasho would in some ways become a second thought. Right now I am not so sure. Rasho has had a great summer and is in great shape. No he’s not jumping out of the gym, nor is he looking to dunk on anyone’s head, but he looks spry and ready to go. For a team who looks to have rebounding problems this season starting Rasho and hooking him up with some minutes may not be a bad course of action. Andrea has shown flashes on the boards but Bosh is going to need some consistent help. That being said I still favour starting Bargnani. The future of this team is Bargnani and Bosh and these two guys need time on the floor together. They need time to gel, develop chemistry and learn to play off each other. The quicker these guys grow, not only individually but collectively, the better off this team will be. Provided Bargs is assertive and doesn’t float, the long term benefits seem to outweigh any potential gain to be realized from playing the big Slovenian.

Franchise: Let’s start this off with a good disagreement. I think Bargs should still come off the bench and here’s why. First of all, I don’t think he’s physically ready. Not just in terms of size, but in terms of rebounding prowess, something that’s not a natural attribute of Andrea’s. Secondly, with the additional size in the Atlantic, I think Toronto is REALLY going to struggle on the boards some nights. Starting Bargnani, who just can’t compete yet in that area (he was regularly man-handled by inferior bigs in the games in Europe) is going to make it tough for Sam later in the game. With Nesterovic starting and providing some girth, Il Mago can come off the bench and switch things up with his outside shooting. But if he starts, do you want to switch things up by bringing in Rasho? I think not. At this point in time, I’d like to see Bargnani as the team’s sixth man, able to play the 4 as well when Bosh moves to the 5.

2. Who should start at the three spot?

Howland: So far no one has exactly grabbed the opportunity to prove that they should be the starting three. Kapono has been hot and cold, Delfino has not shown much more than he did in Detroit and in the last pre-season game Joey Graham had more fouls than points, rebounds or assists. So what’s the answer?

To me the answer to this question is directly related to the last one. If Bargnani starts than Graham is the answer because of his rebounding ability and defense. If Rasho starts I’d like to see Kapono for his shooting. Of course the easy answer is "whoever is playing better" and that may very well be one of the approaches that Sam Mitchell takes. Or, maybe it will come down to match-ups. Looking at the Atlantic Division alone there are some really tough match-ups at the three. Vince. Pierce. Iggy. Making these guys work on both ends of the court will be essential to getting W’s. Is Kapono going to take on these types of assignments and get a passing grade? Unlikely. Joey may not be perfect but he’s the best suited for the job.

Delfino has an outside shot at taking the starting spot but it may take him a while to get comfortable. It’s possible that later on in the season he pushes for starters minutes but right now he’ll be outside looking in.

Franchise: I’m going to agree with you on this Howland. Of the three options, Kapono has impressed me the least and right now I think I’d prefer to see him come off the bench with Joey starting. Yes, I can’t believe I said that. Delfino has been playing better with each game and while I think he’d be a great option to help at either the two or three, I’m just not sure about him starting at this point. At least with Joey we can hopefully get a few hard fouls. The other thing that’s been forgotten to a certain degree is that Garbo manned this position quite well last year. Perhaps when all is said and done Mitchell throws his arms up in despair and gives Garbs the job. Right now though my money is on Kapono starting, but not getting the bulk of the minutes at this spot.

3. Who ends up getting the team’s final roster spot?

Franchise: Nice, I get to play high school coach. Here we go. I think Darrick Martin stays on the club in his usual "point guard/mentor/comedy relief/guy who’s around to make sure the consecutive games with a 3-pointer record stays intact" role. That leaves the 15th spot to either Luke "Stiffler" Jackson, or Jamario Moon. I’m personally hoping it’s Moon simply because I think this really is a player who can help the club. I’m not talking in a raw, Pape Sow type way either. I really think this guy could contribute during the season, especially on the defensive end, and he’s my pick. More than anything though, I just think that Jackson’s skill-set is duplicated by the Kapono’s and Parker’s of this team already so he’s not really bringing anything new to the table. I wish him the best of luck but I think strategically it makes more sense to keep Moon.

Howland: Agreed. Despite Moon’s nice performance on Friday I still would have argued that Jackson was the guy to go and considering the limited minutes he has been given I think the writing is on the wall. What does Jackson bring that the other swingmen don’t other than a resemblance to an American Pie character? There is enough 2's and 3's on this team already. Moon is much more versatile and we all know how much BC like versatile players. It’s disappointing for Jackson who did show some things late last season and really has had a tough career injury and minutes wise, but don’t tell Moon that cause you will get no sympathy there.

4. Who’s the X Factor for the team this season?

Franchise: This one’s easy for me. Il Mago is my top pick as another big season from him probably means that this team becomes very difficult to stop. It also means the questions surround the 5 spot calm down and the Legomaster can focus his resources on other areas that need improvement etc. However, I also think Joey Graham is a big X Factor for this club. The team still desperately needs someone who can get to the rim and he’s the best candidate. I can’t even contemplate how good this team would be if Graham even started to morph into an Eddie Jones circa the Lakers type - ie a player who’s perhaps not the most adept at getting past his man, but uses his physical tools to get the job done. This would open things up wide for the rest of this team-mates and Toronto would be one of the top offensive clubs in the league by a long shot.

Howland: I actually think the biggest x-factor this season is TJ Ford. When we were at Friday’s game it was amazing how much support Calderon was getting. In fact, I almost felt a little bad for Ford. He has been solid since he got here and clearly has worked on his game but it’s like no matter what he does there is going to be a call for Calderon. How will Ford react? We have seen him less than happy on the bench at times and he (despite what is said in the press) wants the lion share of the minutes. Who wouldn’t? How he deals with being second fiddle in the eyes of the fans and with another year of time sharing will have a huge impact on the team this season. Add in the fact that Calderon is in a contract year and this could (underline could) get ugly. Looking ahead, how these guys play, and how much they play, will be a huge factor in deciding whether Calderon re-signs and at what price. Would Ford even want to continue the time sharing? Has he deserved the right to carry the load?

Who know’s, this is all just theory and conjecture but it will be the thing I watch the most closely this season and the one thing that could really determine how high or how low this team goes.

The HQ

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Comments

Starting 5 - Agree with Franchise -Rasho. Think he is in better shape than he has been in years. Just don't see the point in rushing AB. By year end he will be starting, but think he adds more at the moment being the 6th or 7th guy. Another drawback for AB starting is quick fouls, playing against the starters from tipoff he's two quick fouls away from being on the bench for the half. Rather give him the odd start at the 3 than start him at the five right away.
Starting 3 - Jorge Garbarosa - he earned the position last year and no-one's taken it away from him. He is best suited to start against our opponents best. Do not underestimate what he brings to this team.
Who's out - well we all agree that Sam will probably keep Martin so it was nice knowing you Luke.
X FACTOR - Agree with Howland - TJ Ford. If the RAPS are to take the next step to becoming an elite team,TJ has to elevate and control his game more. I stated before, he is our point guard of the present and future and as soon as his brain catches up to his heart - watch out. He does not have to be our second leading scorer - look for him to average 10+ assists this year. And we still have the best back up point guard in the league to boot!

by Tinman on Oct 22, 2007 12:00 AM EDT reply actions

Starting 3 - I’m in agreement with most of Tinman’s comments except for his choice at this position. Although Jorge Garbajosa did an admirable job last season, his still partially healed ankle has slowed him a step and I don’t think he’ll have the necessary quickness to contend at this position. I’ve lost patience with Joey and Kapono is a defensive liability. My pick is Delfino by default.

by OldSchool on Oct 22, 2007 12:00 AM EDT reply actions

Starting 5 - Agree with howland. Bargs flat out earned the spot in the playoffs by not choking. He's been very aggressive in the preseason in offense, defense, and rebounding while sharing the ball plenty. You just have to give the kid a chance because the one-two bosh-bargs punch could be that deadly. If he starts floating or picking up quick fouls, he'll be getting the quick hook anyways. We know that already.
Starting three. I'd like to say garbo, but we're going to need garbo at pf when bosh sits, which will be plenty this year I predict. So it has to be Kapono, I thought he showed a nice team game, clearing space for bargnani a couple times, drives to the hoop albeit awkward and not finishing but something to hope for there.
Who's out - agreed jackson. Lots of potential, but a "noah's ark" team, as Hubie Brown puts it, is pointless and could lead to disruption on the bench. He's better than moon floor wise, but moon is apparently just as good a shooter and has those crazy hops.
X-factor- normally wouldn't say TJ or Bargs because they're good enough to be "factors" rather than "X-factors". But I think Howland makes a great point. TJ often doesn't look happy, he gets frustrated and he was amazing to start last year but never got fully back into form imo, shooting or otherwise, following the "bulls game injury" when jose came in and impressed so well for a number of games. I don't think there's real friction there yet, but could see it happening.

by axl on Oct 22, 2007 12:00 AM EDT reply actions

Franchise - Really interesting comments on JG. To take it further, do you ever just wish graham would commit himself to being a defensive specialist a la Ben Wallace or Rodman? You know, take the gimmee dunks/shots if they're there, but otherwise focus on the ball like a rabid dog? Or do you see an all-around game for this guy as his best hope? Would mitchell play a rodman/wallace type much? With all our scoring, I think one guy like that could really be effective off the bench in certain siutaions. To bad we can't afford varejo... Also it's undertandable why players don't want to be that guy, because the stat sheets would be fairly empty and like varejo now, it's hard to get paid your worth without those numbers.

by axl on Oct 22, 2007 12:00 AM EDT reply actions

Interesting thought on both the starting pivot and 3 spot. Why not start Bargs @ the 3? True he could be a liability on the defensive end against much smaller players but the up side is the mismatches on the offensive end. This could work at least until Garbs is fully healed and it would allow the Raps to put their best starting players on the floor. Like I said, just a thought.
Realistically I think you have to start Joey. Kapano is going to take some time to get into the flow offensively and defensively and even though he might be the eventual starter, for now you have to put Joey in until someone else takes the job from him. In some ways I think BC may have outthought himself on this one. With the glut of players at the 2/3 spot and the limited minutes available he should be considering a trade. Not that there would be a lot available but if Moon is as good as advertised shouldn't the raps being trying to unlog the jam so he can get some minutes?

by McGateway on Oct 22, 2007 12:00 AM EDT reply actions

McGateway -

I don't think you will get an argument from Franchise or I re: giving Moon any minutes at this point. Pre-season is after all, pre-season. Maybe down the road but trading JG, Delfino or anyone else in order to give minutes to Moon just (shouldn't and won't) happen.

by Howland on Oct 22, 2007 12:00 AM EDT reply actions

Axl buddy, stop beating up on TJ. "TJ often doesn't look happy"? Unless you have courtside seats and seeing something the rest of us aren't, that's an exaggeration. There was one very overblown look when he went to the bench during the playoffs didn't seemed to indicate he wasn't happy with the decision. But really, he could have been upset at his own performance. He has been a great team player so let's not suggest he is not.

As for the final spot, why is it between Jackson and Moon? Sam has made enough comments to suggest Moon will be sticking around. I think what we should be discussing are the merits of Jackson vs. Baston. I’d rather keep Jackson and let Baston spend his 2.1 minutes elsewhere.

by Erezona on Oct 22, 2007 12:00 AM EDT reply actions

Interesting questions which make for a nice debate:

Starting 5 - I'm not sure about 3 this. Maybe start Rasho now, but have Bargs play more minutes progessively and get him to start at mid-season.

Starting 3 - ABJG (Anybody But Joey Graham)!!! I like what Delfino can potentially bring to the table but so far he hasn't earned the starting spot.

15h roster spot - Jamario Moon

X-Factor - Bargnani is the obvious choice, but i wouldn't understimate Kapono's potential. If he is indeed deadly at the 3p line, the Raps will surely improve their last year records and make some (more) noise.

by Sergi P on Oct 22, 2007 12:00 AM EDT reply actions

Erezona -

Baston has a guaranteed deal. Moon and Jackson do not.

by HOWLAND on Oct 22, 2007 12:00 AM EDT reply actions

I do believe that Jackson's deal is guarenteed; 720,000 or so.

I'm cool with starting Delfino actually. He can hold his own on D, and hit the boards well.

I think Moon will make it. I went to the Bulls game, and we ended up sitting right beside Colangelo and Maurizio. (you know that tunnel where they watch every game.) BryCol was very complementary of Moon in speaking to the rest of the brain trust.

It was unreal listening in on their convo's! Maurizio and I briefly dicsussed our summers in Italy, and some Italian players. Then I gave daps to many of the players.

by TJ Caino on Oct 22, 2007 12:00 AM EDT reply actions

Rasho is from Slovenia, not Serbia.
Joey Graham wouldn't start for any (other) team in the NBA.
Kapono gets to start, and there are $24 million reasons why - plus the fact that he stretches the defense for CB4 to operate.
Rasho starts. The first substitution sees Bargnani and Garbjosa come in for Rasho & Al Kapono.
Moon gets the last roster spot and plays only in garbage time in blowouts.

by kidk on Oct 22, 2007 12:00 AM EDT reply actions

axl - Yep, I DO wish that. He's not a terrible shooter, but with all the supposed athletic ability, he just can't get to the rim the way you'd think he'd be able to. So yes, I wish Joey at times would focus only on rebounding or locking down his man.

PS - Watching Raptors Today...I thought it was bad enough with Paul Johnson hosting...but without him it's just Sherman Hamilton and man, it's 10 times as bad...

by Franchise on Oct 22, 2007 12:00 AM EDT reply actions

Howland, that has exactly 0 impact on my life. The only thing a guaranteed contract impacts is the bottom line, not the team on the floor. The decision to keep Jackson vs. Baston can't come down to $700K and change. That's not even worth mentioning.

See ya Baston

by Erezona on Oct 22, 2007 12:00 AM EDT reply actions

First NBA.com Power Rankings have the Raptors 9th in the league, and behind only Detroit (5), Boston (7), and Chicago (8) in the East.

Impressions? Agree/disagree? I'm pretty happy with it; still not sold on Boston though.

by Frank on Oct 22, 2007 12:00 AM EDT reply actions

Axl, I'm in complete agreement: 1. Bargs may not begin the year as the starting C but you better believe that, barring injury, he will take the spot at some point.
2. Kapono will start at SF and be given an opportunity to succeed. He may poo the bed, but he'll get his shot.
3. TJ is gonna have a great year, but he does often look pissy, like an impudent child. And when he gets that look, he makes poor decisions. But I've been impressed with him so far.
4. X Factor will be Juan Dixon. He's a bit hot and cold but he always brings the intensity and swagger. I really think he's in for a good season.

by Commentatador on Oct 22, 2007 12:00 AM EDT reply actions

nothing to add but a lot to ponder - just scrambled the pieces of the puzzle a little bit more for me.
Good stuff.

by ZoneD on Oct 22, 2007 12:00 AM EDT reply actions

Starting Five
Center-Bargs
Power Forward-Bosh
Shooting Forward-KapOne
Shooting guard-Parker
Point Guard-TJ Ford

Thats it, i mean if y'all think that either JG or Rasho have a chance, are smoking something.

TJ is naturally pissy, i mean come on, we are talking about a guy who didn't want to go to Venice!!
Jose is not going to sign with the Raptors.
Becuz some stupid team-(Orlando-type)-is gonna throw alotta money at him!

X-Factor-is going to be Bosh.
Only because he's gonna have to prove himself, when everybody writes him off and focus on Garnett.
Deservedly, cuz we all know what Garnett brings to the table.
Every time Boston plays against the raptors, i wont care who wins!!
Love Garnett!!

by JenniFer on Oct 23, 2007 12:00 AM EDT reply actions

Howland, what's with all the love for Joey freakin Graham?!?!? Why not trade him, "just to give Moon more minutes". Trade him to get extra room where his locker is for a Gator Aid machine. Trade him to free up a parking spot for June Carter when the Nets are in town. Trade him for the identities of those masterminds behind the Raptor ticket forgery scheme. Trade him to Miami for David Caruso’s sunglasses or to the Celtics for a box of those cool overseas jerseys. Need I remind everyone we are talking about Joey freakin Graham here?!? He averages more turnovers than assists, cannot create his own shot, and routinely gets lost on defence! I mean I love calling a Joey graham charge 5 seconds before it happens, just as much as the next guy, but that does not justify keeping this guy on a professional basketball squad. Joey is not a basketball player. He is a person with three or four basketball skill sets that he can sometimes string together in a cohesive fluid structure, but more often than not cannot. If you’re going to waste court time with an incomplete player, waste it on Moon. Does anyone think Moon can do worse than Joey Graham? Has any below mediocre player had more minutes to prove himself on an NBA squad than Joey freakin Graham? Yah, uhm, in closing I don’t like Joey Graham.

by Hope on Oct 23, 2007 12:00 AM EDT reply actions

Amen...Hope...amen

by OldSchool on Oct 23, 2007 12:00 AM EDT reply actions

You guys are much too down on Joey - way too much. He's here for this coming season, albeit its his last chance to prove himself. I am pulling for him to step up this year and all this negative energy before the season starts is unwarranted.

by Tinman on Oct 23, 2007 12:00 AM EDT reply actions

Hope, that was hands down my favourite comment of the preseason.

by Commentatador on Oct 23, 2007 12:00 AM EDT reply actions

seriously, the joey bashing is sick around here sometimes. his salaray is tiny - meaning the raps aren't going to get anything back for him right now, and, for all the trash talk, he's probably still our best one on one defender along with parker against the vince's of the world. kap-one is going to look stupid if he manages to get switched on by vince. delfino? apparently all signs point to a lack of heart. can't teach that.

joey? he may do stupid things but he's trying. he wants to make mitchell happy. I'm sure he has it written on his fridge somewhere. if anything, he tries too hard. (hence the offensive fouls.)

give him a break. LEAVE JOEY ALONE! (sniffle) don't you think he has feelings too?? (sniffle) LEAVE POOR JOEY ALONE!

okay...sorry. I couldn't resist.

by papa on Oct 23, 2007 12:00 AM EDT reply actions

Papa - great point about his defence.
Don't know why Delfino heart is being questionned. I know Buffery wrote an article after Sam said he's got to pick it up in practice and the heartless label got attached. I'll make my own judgment.
Coming from someone who knows about "heartless".
Tinman

by Tinman on Oct 23, 2007 12:00 AM EDT reply actions

commentador - thanks, I truly think tj can be an all-star within a couple years if he can get over himself and just play. Sorry erezona that's harsh, but just my opinion anyway.

Hope - excellent, hilarious comment, but I think most people on this board, when they talk about joey g, they know very well his position on the totem pole so consider that when people talk about him. The thing about joey, is that when the team is already playing well, he plays well, but when the team needs a spark, he's the last guy to provide it.

It seems to me, from what very little we've seen, that there's also a good carlos and a bad carlos, so if we can just get them to alternate our sf problem is solved! easy peasy

by axl on Oct 23, 2007 12:00 AM EDT reply actions

Hope, that was awesome. papa, the reason posters are back to ragging on Joey is that the HQ was smoking the giggly weed when they posited that Joey could (should?) start. To reiterate kidk:

Joey Graham wouldn't start for any (other) team in the NBA.

But hey, don't take our anecdotal evidence for it. Check out 82games.com:

http://www.82games.com/0607/0607TOR.HTM

Compared to the opposition, Joey offers the 3rd WORST net production (-5.3) in 2006-2007, coming "ahead" of only PJ Tucker and Stiffler. Which means, papa, that his defence (or at least, his contribution to the overall defence), was simply piss poor.

Other than that, I don't disagree with whatever else was considered, though I do hope Bargs is made starter (except against C beasts like Howard and Curry) because like Howland I have him as a (12th round) keeper on my fantasy team and the more minutes the better. Viva Il Mago.

by jjdynomite on Oct 23, 2007 12:00 AM EDT reply actions

Just read in Doug Smith's mailbag that Kanye West's Stronger is the pre-game intro song. I hope they don't make the Raps dance in a video again, watching Matt Bonner bust-a-move was not a high point in Raptors history.

by Sam Bowie on Oct 23, 2007 12:00 AM EDT reply actions

I always figured that Colangelo had the idea we should be able to run two full sets of five with different abilities to match up against opponents and wear them down.

1st Unit:
PF: Bosh
C: Bargnani
SF: Kapono
SG: Parker
PG: Ford

Unit2:

PF: Garbo
C: Rasho
SF: Deflino (Go Flipper Go!)
SG: Dixon
PG: Calderone

And unlike last year, there are now lots of bodies to fight it out for the 2/3 spots on both units.

I figure we can split the difference between Howland and Franchise and suggest that Bargnani will have more time as the teams top centre than elsewhere.

Moon will get the final roster spot. Jackson has been duplicated by the arrival Flipper and the shooting of Dixon, so I suspect despite the hard-luck story, he's the odd-man out.

I too find the love for Graham mysterious. Few such talented athletes have ever demonstrated less aptitude for the game than Graham. Colour me among those who think he should be converted into a pure defender (everybody needs a Bruce Bowen). If he could perfect the ankle snapping kick slide moves of Bowen, or even just get his knee up into someone's jewelry once a game, he might be worth while. Otherwise, I think it's time for Kilo-Graham to move on to whatever league his twin bro is playing in.

X-Factor: Bosh and Bargnani's ceiling. Can one of these guys start to prove they belong among the top 50 all-time?

by Bedhead on Oct 23, 2007 12:00 AM EDT reply actions

Hope, you sure sound like a Blazer fan of years past talking about O'Neal. The fact of the matter is that his defence is one of the better on the team, he is cheap and he had a coming out party late last year. In my books that earns him another chance this year if not the starting job. Apparently BC and Sam agree.

By the way, Joey's brother is in the league.

by Erezona on Oct 23, 2007 12:00 AM EDT reply actions

Lets all just remember that this is year 3 for Joey. There are many cases of players looking like jokes in their rookie & sophmore seasons before the light coming on in years 3 and 4. A great example of this is everyones speculative free agent love child of a year ago, Gerald Wallace. Guy was nothing more than a slam dunk novelty when he came into the league. I still think Joey possesses Wallace type potential with his D and slashing. Not that I'm holding my breath, I just have no problem with him as the second or third SF or even PF as game by game matchups may determine.

by Briggs on Oct 23, 2007 12:00 AM EDT reply actions

Bowie - Saw that today too about "Stronger" and we'll be discussing on Thursday...and like you, I'm hoping that we don't see any Raptors dancing...even if it's Garbs doing the Kanye dance...

Hope - Comment of the week status ha ha, made me laugh out loud. I do agree with you Briggs though in terms of it being year 3 and this is his last shot. The problem comparing him to Gerald Wallace is that Wallace was always an athletic slasher who could dunk on anyone with ease, he just hadn't rounded out his other basketball skills. Joey's the opposite in my books...someone who looks like he SHOULD be able to dunk on anyone with ease, but instead shoots jumpers. I've never thought there was any difference between Joey and his twin bro in terms of NBA potential and at least his brother has tried to become that Bruce Bowen type (without the kicks or 3 point corner shot.) So maybe Joey this year hones into one of those qualities...after all, his Version 1.0, Kirk Snyder is still in the league...

by Franchise on Oct 23, 2007 12:00 AM EDT reply actions

here is a thought - given that Graham can do things on the court that no one on the Raptors can and few in the L do ( according to SMitch ) and Joey is trying to make the transition from C in college to SF in the bigs and the short leash has not turned Graham into a steady contributor, why not give Graham all the PT that he can eat for a month. Let him play through dumb mistakes and brain farts. Tell him its his position to loose. Tell him the team's success depends on his effort. When thrust into a position of resposibilty last spring he certainly proved worthy of the challange after Garbo's injury.
Graham is too much of an asset to loose without giving him every opportunity to succeed. Even MG was hyping Graham during their Euro tour.
Play him tell he drops and if he is still left wanting than Graham can be released after the season without that "if only..." factor.

by ZoneD on Oct 23, 2007 12:00 AM EDT reply actions

Stil think Sam will start Garbarosa. He knows what he can bring and think his defence can be best used against opponents starters. Do not see him being as effective coming off the bench.

by Tinman on Oct 24, 2007 12:00 AM EDT reply actions

I think Kap-One is a dumb nickname. How about Al Kapono?

by LAs Only Raptor Fan on Oct 24, 2007 12:00 AM EDT reply actions

al kapono..like it!!

Anybody realize Moon is freaking 27 year old! Who has ever heard of a 27-year old project..this is like Dennis Quaid in the movie "Rookie". So he gets it together in a couple of seasons, fine, then he is 29 with 3 more good years to go..

From that standpoint, why not let Graham play the Domi role for the Raps and headbutt the opposing all-star..

by Rubik on Oct 24, 2007 12:00 AM EDT reply actions

I like Kap-One...it's what I'm expecting from him this year. I like Al Kapono too, but I feel like it's something we're going to hear Chuck pull out this year...

"Call the police, Al Kapono has the mojo going?"

See what I mean?

PS - Like the Dennis Quaid reference ha ha.

by sheriff on Oct 24, 2007 12:00 AM EDT reply actions

The Heat trade Antoine Walker,Michael Doleac and Wayne Simien to Minny for
Ricky Davis and Mark Blount.

In other news, both teams still suck.

Also, I can't help but think that too many Raptor fans are drinking the "toronto maple leaf" juice. Why do some of you continue profess love for JG, who has shown NOTHING except for an amazing ability to commit offensive fouls and generally look retarded on the court, while simultaneously you write TJ off? Why do we have to create strife at the point? We have arguably the best PG combo in the league...sit back and enjoy it because nothing lasts forever. Remember Milt Palacio? Andre Barrett? I do.

by the styling assassin on Oct 24, 2007 12:00 AM EDT reply actions

styling, see comments above as to why JG sees some love. He finished off pretty well last year.

Interesting developments in Atlanta. I hope that maybe we can trade a resigned Jose to Atlanta for Josh Smith. If we can pull this off BC is a genious!

Atlanta gets the PG it needs (way better than Law will be) and also clears some room in the front court. We get the SF we need for a small price. Dare to dream...

by Erezona on Oct 24, 2007 12:00 AM EDT reply actions

A Week and a Half to go Before the season Starts!!
Go Raptors!!
Go CelTics!!

Hope, you are a funny dude.
One more thing...
..Bargs would make a better center when it comes to Curry and Howard. I believe becuase he's a small forward and a power forward in a center's body, it would be hard pressed
for either of those bruisers to plant a tent under the rim.
They wont be able to guard his quick moves to the bucket or block any of his shots.

Make sense??
JJ?

by JenniFer on Oct 25, 2007 12:00 AM EDT reply actions

No question that as an Argie supporter Carlos DELFINO should be given a starting role.

He was fantastic for Argentina during the FIBA Americas

John
Please visit my blog @ http://mundoalbiceleste.blogspot.com

by John on Oct 25, 2007 12:00 AM EDT reply actions

RAPTV has an NBA preview prior to tonights game in an hour. SUNTV @ 11PM(opposite game in an hour)has an hour of bball talk with Jack, Paul and Sherman. Season can't be far away!
Go RAPS !
F - the Celtics!
Question - if in recent GM's poll the chose Barghani and Calderon as #1 and #2 in the category of International player most likely to have a breakout season - how in the hell could they rank us 4th in the Atlantic?

by Tinman on Oct 25, 2007 12:00 AM EDT reply actions