Carnival of Previews

Great blog guys, love your balance and insight. One thing I don't see is the idea that the biggest strength is depth and the goal is to stay healthy? Of course depth also means great subs but I think the raps depth means they can weather injuries as good as any team in the L.

I think the goal has to be to increase point differential. The raptors had a tendency to relax on defence when they were clicking offensively. Then if the offense stalled, they lost. They need to learn how to shut teams down even when they're winning, to not be satisfied by wins, but look to shut teams down with defense and really blow them out of the gym whenever possible.

I also think overconfidence is their weakness. They had a tendency to take bad teams lightly but it's always going to be a struggle for the raptors. Parker's comment from last year that they can beat any team, but also be beat any team I think is going to hold true.

I think the win total will be about the same, but even with that an increased differential would signal a huge improvement for me.

Its easy to see why you have both earned your credentials - wil repeat a common - thank you for keeping our interest over the summer.
I think that because of our depth - injuries will affect our division rivals much more than us.
As a goal I think this team should aim for last season's total of 47 wins, but I really think we are in for a statement year declaring that we are ready to compete for a title, forget just the East. Key to that will be the improoved play by Barghani and TJ Ford being more comfortable with our offence. Anyone of our new additions are capable of having a big impact on our level of play as well. Who will step up? One guy, two(?) maybe all. Would that not be something!
While you didn't go into how you think the standings in the Atlantic will end up - I'll just say that I see no reason why the Raptor's should not be the favourite. Big three in Beantown(yawn) - they have yet to win a game and they are already being crowned the new kings of the East. With all the expectations they are being setup for a disappointing season. I think they will finish behind us and the Nets in the Atlantic - somehere around 5 or 6th in the conference.
As per our RAPS - second in the conference with 54 wins and another COY award for Sammy.

Nice job boys, I already read it when Ryan posted it on HoopsAddict.com yesterday. Couple of issues:

1. Maceo, while perhaps fond in Raptor fans' hearts given his prior time on the team and his friendship with AP from their Maccabi days, was NOT a "valuable role player" for the Pacers. If he was, they would have matched the Raptors' offer. 3 points and 1.6 rebounds in 8 1/2 minutes is pretty weak. He'll only get minutes in garbage time or if Bosh and Garbo get hurt (knock on wood).

2. In today's mailbag (http://www.thestar.com/Sports/article/263980), Doug Smith calls Kapono "a good defender, not a great one", and Grange in his blog (http://www.theglobeandmail.com/blogs/wbbasketball) states: "Kapono is not merely a standstill shooter. His understanding of spacing and his overall floor game is pretty impressive. With him and Parker on the floor together, the ball just flies around." Considering those writers are having direct exposure to Kapono's skills, this is very promising. To be honest, I think some folks may have a bias against his defensive skills because of his race. There, I said it, flame away.

3. As for offensive options, there's no reason why TJ and Bargs can't become 2A and 2B. Think of how unstoppable the Spurs were with Duncan passing out and Parker driving-and-dishing to bombers like Ginobili, Finley, Barry and even Bowen. Defensively, on the other hand....

I must also add my thanks to your must-read blog. Other than watching the actual games nothing else gets me more excited than waking up each morning to read your latest comments. I would be remiss if I didn’t mention the well written thoughts and comments of your readerships. I don’t know how you’ve been able to avoid the puerile trash that is so prevalent on other blogs but it’s much appreciated
Here’s a shout out to all of you. Much thanks to all your efforts and comments.

Now that I’ve gotten that out of the way please comment on the perception of many sports writers that Bargnani will be a starting center beginning of this season, especially since additional focus will be on rebounding and defense. From what I’ve sent Bargnani has shown to natural ability in these skills and should continue to develop them against second stringers. Early fouls is a concern remembering the last experiment at centre we all painfully witnessed. What’s the big rush?

I could learn a lesson from you all about well written comments in my above comment. Excuse me.

I must also add my thanks to your must-read blog. Other than watching the actual games nothing else gets me more excited than waking up each morning to read your latest comments. I would be remiss if I didn’t mention the well written thoughts and comments of your readerships. I don’t know how you’ve been able to avoid the puerile trash that is so prevalent on other blogs but it’s much appreciated
Here’s a shout out to all of you. Much thanks to all your efforts and comments.

Now that I’ve gotten that out of the way please comment on the perception of many sports writers that Bargnani will be a starting center beginning of this season, especially since additional focus will be on rebounding and defense. From what I’ve seen Bargnani has shown no natural ability in these skills and should continue to develop them against second stringers. Early fouls is a concern remembering the last experiment at centre we all painfully witnessed. What’s the big rush?

Oldschool - Mitchell basically said bargnani's play in the playoffs earned him the spot. Everyone else has gone from there. I think the match-ups will be an important factor for who plays, but now it's rasho who has to earn the spot back, and it sounds like he's in great shape this year so he just might if bargs struggles.

Took the day off work today as my kids have a PA day - so I got a bit of time.
I think OldSchool hit it right on the nose - whats the rush with Barghani? - maybe by mid-year have him starting, but last thing I wanna see is him picking up two quick fouls against our opponents starting five. Actually think it beneficial to both him and the team with him being our sixth or seventh man. Especially if Kapono gets the starters job.

Swirsky has been getting hammered lately here, and I agree the Salami and Cheese has been done to death and his blog dies in the offseason, but he is a face of this franchise. I think Leo is the antagonist(?)when the both of them work together. Much rather lose Leo and let him concentrate on our National team. Chuck and Jack should work more games together but I think it all depends on what network game is on. Chuck eats and breathes the Raptors and seems to of developed a fondness for the Great White North(believe he is now a citizen- way to go Chuck)- and always remember, he's not an impartial observer, he is employed by the Raptors.

I just realized the Raptors are the second incarnation of the Memphis Grizzlies from 2002-2005. Except not mostly crazy.

It's true.

... hope not, Mazel, at least the Raps have won 2 playoff games in the BC/Smitch era. The Grizz haven't won a playoff game in *their entire franchise history*.

Raps = Grizzlies - don't get it?

Raps = Grizz

In 2002 Jerry West was the saviour of that franchise. He came in and with Pau as their marquee quietly built the deepest team in the NBA. They went from 28 wins to 50 wins by wearing teams down in regular season games. They played fast and shared the ball.

But without a secondary scoring option they were killed every year in the playoffs.

Sure the Raps won two games aginst the Nets, but there are in the East. Memphis did what they did in the West.

Honestly, I don't think that will happen with the Raps. But it is a warning that a deep team doesn't really make for a good playoff team, in fact almost the opposite.

Unfounded premise, Mazel, that "a deep team doesn't really make for a good playoff team." After Pau, who else did the Grizz have on offense that the opposing D had to respect in the playoffs? Mike Miller? Posey? White Chocolate? An ancient Mighty Mouse? Battier's D is the only advantage the Grizz had on the current Raptor squad.

As I mentioned earlier, TJ and Bargs are *already* better 2nd options than anyone on those Grizz teams (and there's no reason why both youngsters can't keep improving by leaps and bounds, Hollinger's lame predictions notwithstanding).

Depth + 2 Superstars win in the playoffs. See: Spurs, and even the '05 Heat. This is why the Nets will be hard pressed to win it, and the jury is out on this years' Celts and the Suns because of their weak supporting casts.

Glad you added "Honestly, I don't think that will happen with the Raps". 'cause I don't really see the connction, whatsoever, at all, not a bit. This team does not lack scoring options, putting up points will not be a problem.
As per all these so called experts and their pre season rankings - their ignorance astounds me when it comes to the Raps.

Hello from Madrid...landed here early this morning and tried to catch up on some sleep. I´m heading to Portugal early tomorrow morning for a few days, then back to Madrid for the Raptors´games. I´m also hoping to have enough internet access to finish off the Bryan Colangelo interviews and get that up. If not, Howland will be holding down the fort till I return.

Zona - Your comment from the last article made me laugh - Much better than the "No, I didn’t do anything to prepare for the season" answers we used to get from Carter.

That was one of the best things about the media day as I mentioned in the first part. Guys just looked hungry and in-shape ready to get camp going.

Tinman - Also from the last post. Something that should be really interesting this year is to see what kind of heat Sam gets from the media, especially if this team doesn´t seem to improve that much. I guarantee the "is Sam the guy to get this team to the next level" questions will be out in full force. The same goes for the TJ-Jose debate, this is something the media will be on for sure, especially if TJ struggles at all.

That´s it for now, but I´ll try to touch base as much as possible about any Raps news I hear from this side of the world.

Sam will get no heat. None at all. This team will continue to get better, improoved competition and all.
I'm gonna remind you at end of season - (playoffs are a different story though, not ready to guestimate).