Media Watch for September 28, 2007 - Media Day Edition

by RaptorsHQ - Archives on Sep 28, 2007 12:00 AM EDT in Media Watch Comment 13 comments

"The evolution of Chris Bosh will be the best gauge of where we go as a franchise..."

Those words were spoken earlier today by Toronto Raptors’ GM, Bryan Colangelo, as he addressed the media at the Raptors annual media day.

A big thanks to the Raptors for allowing us access to what was an especially enlightening event. The mood today was upbeat, light, and very positive. All the players except those currently overseas (Jose Calderon, Jorge Garbajosa, Rasho Nesterovic, Andrea Bargnani etc) were in attendance, and besides Chris Bosh, who was tied up with Raptors and NBA TV, I got a chance to speak with each and every one.

Even Chuck Swirsky...

The one thing I noticed above anything else however, was in spite of the excitement of a new season, the players seemed extremely focused already. Bryan Colangelo spoke of certain players coming back to Toronto in the past few weeks with "their game faces on" and you could sure see it.

-TJ Ford expressed his desire to line-up against Jose in training camp and let the battle for the number one point guard spot get under way,

-Joey Graham spoke about being called upon to guard the Kobe’s and Lebron’s of the league,

-Carlos Delfino expressed his excitement to play his style of game with the Raptors,

-Anthony Parker talked about getting back to the playoffs and past the first round,

-Jason Kapono discussed his experience playing with Team USA’s program and how he feels this Raptor team has a chance at being special,

-And we heard that Juan Dixon approached Sam Mitchell and stated "I’m going to be part of your regular rotation this season," before promptly going through drills knocking down every shot he took.

Yes, it’s a good time to be a Raptors fan.

Just talking to the players, from the TJ’s and Anthony Parker’s down to the Luke Jackson’s and Jamario Moon’s, you got the sense that this team knows just how dangerous it can be this season with its outstanding depth.

A few of the Raptors even went so far as saying that the Dyno’s now had the deepest team in the league.

On Monday I’ll have the full interviews with each player transcribed for the site and we’ll get into some more detail regarding the upcoming Euro-camp. I’ll actually be in Spain/Portugal during that time and attending one of the games so by the time the season kicks off, we should have a good idea of how things like lineups are going to shape up.

Right now it sounds like it’s one big question mark. Today Sam Mitchell commented that as opposed to last year’s camp, when he pretty much knew where everyone fit in the lineup, this year, he has no idea.

Compounding things is the fact that Rasho Nesterovic had such a good Euro tournament and according to Maurizio Gherardini, looks to be in the best shape he’s been in years. This means that what many thought was inevitable in Andrea Bargnani becoming the starting center, is no longer etched in stone. In fact this topic may have been the talk of today’s event as Colangelo, Mitchell and other expressed their intrigue as to what Rasho could possibly bring to the table this year that he couldn’t in seasons past.

The Legomaster is anxious to see how his new pieces obtained in the offseason fit...

Colangelo acknowledged that there seemed to be a lot more parity in the East this year and the team would be relying on internal development from each player to get to that next level.

What is the next level? Well, Colangelo wouldn’t get into expected numbers of wins, but he did say that anything less than 47 wins and getting past the first round of the playoffs would be a disappointment.

Just looking around at the attitude and demeanor of the players in attendance today backed that up and after a long and tedious off-season, Raptors’ fans are ready to see just how far this new team can go.

FRANCHISE

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Yay Franchise. Can't wait for the interviews. Beyond that, can't wait for the season to start. I hope Juan Dixon's, Joey Graham's and Delfino's words translate into deeds during actual games.

by jjdynomite on Sep 28, 2007 12:00 AM EDT reply actions

One thing that I've noticed with B. Colangelo is how much more media savy and smooth he is than Babcock/Jp Ricciardi/John Ferguson Jr. it really impresses me, it seems like those other toronto (ex)horse riders shoot themselves in the foot so often, and it's not like Colangelo gives the media all the politically correct crud either, really amazing imho

by gottywhat on Sep 28, 2007 12:00 AM EDT reply actions

Sahweeeeet!!!

Very nice article, keep up the excellent work. This sounds very postive. I like the tid about TJ lining up with Jose.....can't wait to hear more...

This one two punch with these two guards may become terrors, and I said it before, if they sharpen each other this twoedged sword will cause fits for those in the league....

I agree with BC, settle for nothing short of last years accomplisments....

peace

by Grounded on Sep 28, 2007 12:00 AM EDT reply actions

It was great seeing you at media day today Franchise. Do what you gotta' do to get credentials for the season - it would be great to sit in media row with you this season!

by Hoops Addict on Sep 28, 2007 12:00 AM EDT reply actions

Nice work Franchise, excellent to hear some actual Raps news. I am ready for all the speculation to stop and the games to begin.

Good to hear that the Raps are actually starting to have a bit of swagger. You need that swagger if you want to be good, like when the Blue Jays brought Dave Winfield in all those years ago.

This swagger ain't just all talk either. Love the part about being the deepest team in the league! That could be true. I was sad to see Slokar and Sow go, but the reality was that they were both just roster filler. Our number 15 guy this year figures to be D-Mart, Luke or Moon. Martin jokes aside, everyone on this team can ball.

by Robert Archibald on Sep 28, 2007 12:00 AM EDT reply actions

Bring this season on! For all the good intentions, most vets perform as they have usually performed. Let's hope the younger guys develop a bit more. Bargnani may be a bit bigger, but he needs to be a whole lot bigger to defend the Randolphs and Currys and Garnetts. He's the key. Rasho being a serious battler would be great. In a suddenly big division, our lack of rebouding hasn't improved with any of the acquisitions. We need more from our bigs, and we are not talking about Bosh! Sure, none of the centers, with the exception of Garnett, can come out to guard our deep shooting big men, but none of our big men seem to be up to pushing Curry off the post. It is easier to beat a team around the hoop than it is from the 3 point line.

by EaseMyPain on Sep 28, 2007 12:00 AM EDT reply actions

damn I love this blog... and this team

by axl on Sep 28, 2007 12:00 AM EDT reply actions

Like Axl says::

damn I love this blog... and this team

by Davl on Sep 28, 2007 12:00 AM EDT reply actions

axl says:
September 28th, 2007
damn I love this blog... and this team

Davl says:
September 28th, 2007
Like Axl says::

damn I love this blog... and this team

Like Davl and Axl said..

damn I love this blog... and this team

by Aaron on Sep 28, 2007 12:00 AM EDT reply actions

TJ's comments...interesting.

According to National Post article, point guard is 1 of 2 positions already set with TJ as starter. I think position should also be up for grabs.

by OldSchool on Sep 29, 2007 12:00 AM EDT reply actions

I find TJ's comments interesting as well. Every comment coming from the organization seems to have TJ as the starter and Jose seems to of accepted his current role on the Raptors, judging by interview he recently gave.
We all talk about Barghani's growth and maturation as being a key to Raptors success but I think the bigger key is TJ's growth as well. We all saw a lot of good from him last year but at times he seemed to want to carry the load all by himself. Even in his interviews he seemed to indicate that this was his and Bosh's team - but last year his heart got ahead of his brain. He is not quite there yet and I'll cut him some slack. He missed a whole year and is still a relatively young PG. He needs to realize that this team can score and he does not necessarily have to be the number two option. Look for a breakout year from Ford.
Lets hope that it all clicks for "Last Chance" Joey Graham - he has shown glimpses of his ability and when he is on he adds another dimension to this team.

by Tinman on Sep 29, 2007 12:00 AM EDT reply actions

If Joey G. can become that dominating power swingman, a role that he is still learning after spending his college days playing the four, then he goes a long way to solving our need for more rebounding on the floor. Kapono solves a different problem, the need for a 3 point shooter consistent enough that teams can't sit back in a zone like Jersey did in the playoffs (though I still argue that if the refs called the fouls, the Raps would have won that series). As for the others, Moon and Jackson are very intriguing, but probably won't see the floor anyway with Delfino also around. It will be interesting to see what kind of package BC can put together if some guys are expendable.
And I love this blog, too.

by EaseMyPain on Sep 29, 2007 12:00 AM EDT reply actions