Tip-In: Two More Inches

Big up's to the Raptors...I'm already looking forward to what next season brings, the T-Dot has come a long way and what the future has in store is exciting...

RJ

I only watched the second half, but I credit the Raps with leaving everything on the floor tonight. I think everyone agrees they would have liked to see the effort sooner.

However, seeing their star hit the floor, the points playing at all, and MoPete play perhaps the game (or at least half) of his life allowed this season to end on a good note for me. I wish I could have seen Rasho on the floor for a few minutes to add some vet presence, and I don't think TJ sniffed court in the fourth quarter. I also wasn't crazy with coach reacting to Frank's lineups, rather than having his guys out there. Minor quibbles all in all.

I won't be sad to see Mo gone though, his shot selection and decision making in general annoyed me during the season. I'll lump him in with the Dee Browns of Raptors past.

Watching the game the one big difference was oreb nets 7 to Raptors 3
Nets out rebounded the Raptors by 10
4 on the offensive glass Don't know how many points they scored but I do remember at least 5
A rebounder is needed like they needed rebounding all season long.

Question around 7 min mark a jump ball happened, why did nets not get called for a 24 shot clock violation?

Thanks

I'm sure it's hard to swallow right now, but this team has put together a remarkable season...one in which they overachieved in the eyes of most 'experts' and fans. In the end, they did lose to the cagey veterans.....(don't worry, Carter and Kidd will be too old to walk in a couple of years). No worries..TDot has a bright future ahead with basketball. Colangelo has done a lot of hard work to make this organization respectable once again. With a bit more experience next year and a few tweaks with the roster, this could be a team that contends for the title in the very near future. Franchise, I feel for ya buddy. I just hope you don't sit around in your stuffy apartment drinking orange juice and feeling sorry for yourself. Good work on the articles boys, I really enjoy reading them.

That was a very good effort by the Raps yesterday, of course it wasn't enough but i thought overall they gave it their best shot, with notable perfomances from Calderon, Mo Pete, Bargnani, Ford... Even a struggling Bosh at least had a much better attitude, he tried going to the rim a lot more and helped the team in blocks and rebounds. Now if only the Raps had actually showed up for games 3 and 4... Anyway, it was a great season overall and the future looks bright!

So, who stays for 2007-08? I'd keep Bosh, Bargnani, Calderon, Ford, Parker, and Garbajosa (if not on the IL all year). Humphries is cheap and has a year left on the contract, so I'd keep him too.

Gone: Peterson, Graham, Sow, Jackson, Martin, Slokar, Dixon. I would also trade Nesterovic so that Bargnani can be the starting centre next year--even if it means a .500 record, Bargs needs to learn the position. Also, Rasho's big contract needs to be partially cleared somehow so we can go after a real slasher (or get that guy in the trade).

Of course, guys like Slokar and Sow are a dime a dozen, so they might end up staying, but that would still mean AT LEAST 6 new players next year.

Unfortunately, we still need a star scorer (20 points+) to have the ball at the end of the game with Bosh as option #2. These are pretty tough to come by, although I would go after Rashard Lewis with a vengeance this year if I were Colangelo. Please tell me I never have to see Graham in a Raps uniform again!!!!!

A good season, but the nature of sports is disappointment. They could have beaten the Nets, but they didn't because Kidd-Carter-Jefferson are stars who demand the ball in the big moments, and we just don't have those kinds of players.

Oh yeah, I would bet Mitchell is still gone despite the coach of the year trophy.

I would have like to have seen a surprise at the end, maybe calderon or bargnani for the game winner. But this is the NBA and your franchise player HAS to win or lose the game for you or the universe splits in half. It was just so obvious, it's unbeleivable, RJ was fronting him because he knew the ball was coming to bosh, everyone knew the ball was coming to bosh, not to mention jose had a bunch of those passes picked off this game and this series.

Glad to see bosh get his feet back under him, as late as it was that he did. And the defense, reffing and suckiness of VC were all quite enjoyable.

I'm such a bargnani fan now, it's unbeleivable, can't wait till next year when he can demand the ball a bit more. They left him open at three point a number of times and I would have liked to see him shoot a couple more of those.

Great basketball game in the end and amazing year to be a raps fan.

GO RAPS!!!!!!!!!

Very well written article Franchise. You and Howland have evolved and grown just like our beloved Raps. Raptors HQ definitely provides some insightful news.

I think Peterson will be back if he is willing to accept less than 5 million a year over 3 years or less. If the Raps do not bring him back, look for them to bring in another quality swingman. Then we'll probably see Joey Graham's minutes or playing days with the Raptors come to an end. Rasho is who they'll be looking to dump. I think they like there point guard platoon, but they are there most tradable players (given that Bosh and Il Mago are fixtures).

Great game and a difficult one to lose. How come Andrea didn't get more touches in the second half. I saw him flailing desparately to get his team mates' attention on many ocassions. Imo, Bosh's poor shootingin the first 3 quarters and miss free throws did us in. RJ was huge though. Great game.

Very proud of the team. Hope to see the core intact next year.

#1 concern. BC still needs to add a swingman who can slash to the hoop and play some D. Gerald Wallace would be such a good fit provided he's healthy. Maybe BC can find some international player like Ginoblli or even Nachbar who will fit in with this team.

CB4 must learn to deal with and fight through double teams. Bargnani needs a post game. TJ needs better decision making. Garbo needs a more consistent outside shot. Jose needs to work on taking care of the ball. Humphries needs more PT and a consistent midrange J. Rasho needs to learn to use more dunks instead of always finessing things. I like Slokar's game but he needs more PT to see what he can do. Mo won't be back and the rest of team I am not sure will be returning.

Great game, and a great overall season. I am very proud of this team and their accomplishments. In the last couple of games we got a great opportunity to see just how great this team is going to be in the years to come. Bargnani is going to be a monster (big-ups to the Swirsk for standing by his decision for ROY).

I don't know why TJ was sucking out at the end of the game. I called for Sam to pull him out, and he must have seen what I was seeing because 15 seconds later he got taken off in favour of Jose. Not to put TJ's game down, he was a warrior and had a great game, but for some very bizarre reason, an open Bargnani doesn't seem like a viable option for him (and I mean wide open at the three point line on more than a few occasions). I don't want to question his heart or grit because he came out firing, he just needs to realize that there are other options other than Bosh and himself. I look forward to reading all of your thoughts regarding the offseason, and I want to personally thank Franchise and Howland for giving us regular and consistent in-depth analyses regarding our beloved Raptors. HQ it was only a few months ago that we finally met.... and in all honesty…. you had me at Hello!

I wanna give it up to the Raptors and to Franchise & Howland. It's been a long season and you guys never slipped at any point.

I think if someone had taken my pulse last night in the final minute of the game I would have been rushed to emerg because it was racing! WOW! That was a great game. Bargs definately needed to get the ball more, Bosh came to play and I gotta give Sammy his props on a great job of coaching. (Wish they had figured it out sooner though!)

Franchise and Howland, gotta give you 2 props as well for running a fantastic Blog all season long and I am officially a Raptors HQ devotee. I have enjoyed conversing with all of my fellow bloggers and I honetly feel that we sometimes have a better idea of what is going on than the media.

Well done boys....keep it up. Go Raps for '08!

mmmm....wondering what BC is thinking of right now!!!

Thanks Mo Pete for a great final push.

I'm out!

Fresh 1

calderon said it best, when he said they lost the game because of that one play, but lost the series because of games 3 and 4.

it's been a long long season. I almost fee like it's been continuous since BC worked feverishly in the busy off season, through the pre-season with the game in waterloo, right up until that last missed pass to bosh from calderon. it's almost like I get a chance to relax a little bit now too!

there's nothing bad to say, that's for sure. and I still say that facing new yersey instead of a weak washington team was the best thing for this young raps team. they're going to come back much better for it.

it should be another relatively busy off-season, so looking forward to that, but I guess now it's time to get out from in from the TV and computer for a little while and go enjoy the summer!

I'm going to throw my hat into the ring as well and say you guys here at the HQ have done an awesome job all season and I thank you for it!

ps you guys should get a podcast going!

The season went much better than I ever expected - including making it to a game 6, and then having a shot at winning it with less than a minute to go.

Just awesome

As for next year:

- Will Bargnani be groomed to be the teams centre?

- I disagree with the poster above who suggested Rasho be moved along. He's a solid defensive specialist who fills a gaping hole at the 5 spot (one that Bosh hated having to take on) and allows Bargnani to develop. Plus, Rasho is a proven winner with great team chemistry. He's expensive, but worth every penny.

- I totally dig Mo Pete - totally. But is he really a good fit for the Raptors? I have mixed emotions about letting him go - or re-signing him. I'm at a loss. Should we pay Mo Pete?

- I'd like to take a run at Gerald Wallace (who wouldn't), but I believe Nocioni is a possibility as a free-agent signing as well, and while he lacks the outrageous athleticism that Wallace has, he'd be a perfect fit for the team with his perimeter skills.

- Is their another swingman available who would fit in with the Raptors?

- Does trading either Calderone or Ford make any sense (like say for a high 1st rnd draft pick?)

- Having seen him for a full year, what is Bargnani's eventual ceiling?

Great work Howland, Franchise - see you in the off-season!

Go Raptors!

Bedhead, you're right on target about Nocioni, he'd be a great signing. Not only on skills alone (a slashing SF who can bomb from the 3p and defend aggresively) but also on his fiercely competitive attitude which would bring a degree of toughness and nastyness that the current squad probably lacks (only Rasho and Garbo have some of it).

I like the Nocioni idea - he'd give you the hustle of Humphries but with far more skill. I haven't really formed an opinion of him as a defender, but he seems pesky even if he's not the quickest guy out there.

It looks like major changes, if they are going to come, will have to come through free agency or trade - no first round picks this year, and I doubt it will be easy to acquire one as this is a deep draft. Curiously enough, Brandon Rush is rated as a high second rounder. Am I missing something here? He seems like a solid two guard to me, and potentially a target for the Raps.

Haven't really looked at who and who isn't a free agent this year. Someone mentioned Gerald Wallace, but I think he's going to be out of the Raptor's price range.

As for the game, what can you say? It was a gutty performance, especially from their banged up point guards. Even Charley Rosen was impressed. The most heartening thing for me was the play of Chris Bosh down the stretch, particularly compared to VC's total choke job. I'm sure we all had a lot of questions about Bosh's ability to dominate in the clutch, but he answered.

I can't wait for next season to begin. Will that be the year that the Raptors overtake the moribund Maple Laughs as Toronto's team?

Damn you Skywalker- now your going to give me fantasy dreams about Gerald Wallace in a raps uniforn....too bad we'll never see it.

Interesting letters, but some of the thoughts are off-base, unfortunately. Yes, Wallace will be out of the price range, but so will Nocioni. He'll get about 2.5 more than he's worth because people will pay more for his grit and 3 point ability. Wallace will be a better value in the end, though he'll cost more.
To get the funds, Rasho would have to go, and he isn't going anyway this year. No one wants an 8 million dollar back up center. Next year when his contract is an expiring one and he can play a valuable role on a winner, he'll have some more trade value.
we won't get into the draft b/c it will cost too much, especially when we have a lot of young guys to take up the court time. Both PG's are still young. As are Graham, Bosh, Humph, Bargnani and Slokar. All need time. Yes, I think Slokar should get some - the dude can shoot. and don't forget that we have a 10th overall pick in Luke Jackson who has a lot of potential to become a valuable 3 with a great shot. He needs time and comes a lot cheaper than a first rounder. BC has already started.

As much as I love the Raps to death, I had to figure this fairy tale season was over as soon the the first round match-ups were decided. I'll say it again but the Raps rarely won a game this past season against a quality team that didn't have one of their top two players injured, including the Nets. As good as their record was, it was a bit deceiving though great step forward nonetheless.

First off, Great job with the site guys. I've been coming here since the old days of the purple format and you guys have put a ton of work into the site, added great perspective and brought together lots of knowledgable fans.

It is still hard to believe this season is over. It has been an awesome season and it is hard to let it go. Although we were clearly outclassed by a better playoff team this year, I can't help but think that we could have taken this series with very little tweaking.

So long to Mo Pete, he showed his value this series. I don't think he will be back and that is a shame. I think all Mo was missing this season was consistent PT. He should have been starting all season - even ahead of Garbs, but definitely after he went down. I think there must have been something personal with Smitch there, maybe MoPete was the snitch in that goofy Marty York article questioning Sam early in the season.

Bargs will be out starting C next season, and Rasho is an expensive backup. He will be hard to trade. With Bargs starting I would much prefer a tough rebounder backing him up. Rasho is a smart defender, but is SOFT. That is why the spurs let him go. If we can find a taker for Rasho, it might open a chance for Magloire to sign at a pretty decent price.

The main target for the offseason will be a SF though, and he will have to be good because we will need a lot out of them. He will have to be a slasher that can attack the rim. He will have to be an above average scorer, but still fit in with the way this team shares the ball. Ideally he will also be an above average rebounder, to make up for Bargnani's main flaw.

I agree Wallace would be amazing but very difficult to sign. Nocioni sounds like a good choice and might sign for the full MLE. I think Grant Hill is an interesting possiility and might also come for the MLE.

As for our 'end of the benchers', I think most will stay. Most are cheap, know their roles and have contributed to the character of this team. I think Joey, Luke and Hump will be back because there is nothing out there with their potential out there at their price tag. Slokar will be back, backing up Bargs like he has his whole life. I think Garbs becomes the first big off the bench. The players I do see leaving are Sow and Martin, sow replaced by the new SF and maybe we bring Roko in to play in the NBADL with Martin's roster spot.

I am looking forward to the offseason, there never seems to be a rest! I hope it isn't too tacky to start thinking about next year. I feel a little bit like I am planning my next wedding at my wife's funeral!

Well, it was a fun 88 Games this year! Most fun in 5 years I'd say.

Is this the first season ever that the Raps aren't directly looking for a guard and Centre?!?!

So we get a mid-level $5M exception huh? That doesn't leave room for much.

BUT if there was anyway, I'd love to work in Ruben Patterson of the Bucks!!

A Matt Carroll from the Bobcats would be another good young guy to add another deep threat.

Let the fun begin.

we could increase the salary range,aern't we the 4th lowest in the league at 53 mill? The Leafs suck, give us more money MLSE!

The problem with free agency is that Bosh's and Ford's contract extensions kick in next season, which pretty much negates any savings from MoPete leaving and the expiry of Mourning's contract. The other problem is that this isn't a particularly deep free agent class, so GMs are going to overpay.

Too bad MoPete won't be back, as he's probably their best defender after Parker. Luke Jackson is being groomed to take over his scoring role but he's not the defender MoPete is. Ruben Patterson is the kind of player that the Raptors should be looking for, although I wouldn't want him specifically. He carries too much baggage. I wonder what's going on with Ron Artest?

Tough loss. With Bosh figuring things out a bit in the fourth, if we could've squeaked this one out, I felt pretty confident about game 7. Coulda, shoulda, woulda, though.
Agree about Kidd as MVP. Ford and Calderon played great in the series and had great combined numbers, especially on the scoring side, which was a bit unexpected for me (though, as hot as Ford was in game 6, could you really play him at the 2 with Calderon as 1? Think it might have screwed up the defence too much myself.) Kidd wasbetter than those two though. In fact, as happy as I was to see the Raps bounce back in games 5 and 6 and compete, I was just as happy to get the opportunity to see Kidd play over a two week period, and appreciate all the things he does. He's just so smart at all aspects of the game, not just points, rebounds and assists. He knows to crush a Raps run by bombing up the court and trying to get a foul while going to the hoop, instead of allowing the possibility that his team might miss another J. He runs the offense in a way that was always creating mismatches, with some help by some nice NJ picks (our guys ran into walls, Kidd on D always seemed to run under our less than perfect picks). Less impressed with VC. Yes, he's still got some amazing ability, but I still don't get why he doesn't use his smarts. He drove the lane more after games 1 and 2, of course, but even in game 6 he got away from that which was the only thing he had working. Around the 8 or 9 minute mark of the 3rd quarter, he got the Raps to make three fouls in a row on one 24 second posession, putting them in the bonus so early, by driving, driving, driving. VC could've got foul shots the rest of the quarter by driving the lane, as he could get the fould easily even with MoPete playing him hard. But what does he do? Tries a couple contested three point attempts. I don't get him, I don't.
Anyways, I look forward to next year, especially to see the continued progression of Bargnani (imagine when he figures out to drive the lane after setting the pick and expect a pass from the PG); Bosh's teammates learning to cut to the net when the pass is made to Bosh so he can immediately pass down low out of the double team (which will always be there from now on); seeing if Colangelo finds a slashing swingman or a rebounding SF; finding out who our coach will be.

Patterson is the perfect skillset, but the wrong head space. Nocioni is not signing for the mid-level, though that might be a fair number. Someone will give him 7 million and it won't be us. He's not enough of an athlete for that kind of dough. I'm not sure what Europe has to offer. I saw a guy named Siskauksas playing for Panathinaikos who is a 2-3-4, but I don't know what his contract status is like. Seems like the big body wingman, best player in Europe this year, that Raps are looking for. I'd love to see that Slokar get a few minutes next year.