3 In the Key – Toronto Raptors Game-Day Preview vs. 76ers

by RaptorsHQ - Archives on Oct 11, 2008 12:00 AM EDT in 3 in the Key

Same match-up, different uniforms.

I sincerely hope that the Raptors are out to destroy Philly this year.

I mean, this team stole our thunder!

Here we had perhaps the biggest move of the off-season under our belt, and then suddenly, an Eastern Conference foe, and divisional rival to boot, goes and grabs Elton Brand!

Suddenly, all the ESPN attention goes south of the border once more, and to a team that at one point looked to be headed to the lottery for years to come.

So is this going to be the beginning of a beautiful new rivalry, one that hearkens back to the days of AI and VC dueling it out?

It could very well, and mostly because both teams’ acquisitions happen to play similar positions on the court, and will likely be going head to head quite frequently.

And really, I can’t wait for that.

I mean, we rarely saw Brand vs. Bosh, but Brand vs. Bosh and JO? Throw in Samuel Dalembert and suddenly you’ve got a very interesting frontcourt battle! Which brings us to our three things to watch:

1) Minutes – Sam, after the last game, started talking about increasing Jermaine’s minutes and we should expect to see somewhere between 20 and 25 minutes from the Raps newest addition. It’s been hard to say at this point just how healthy O’Neal is because of the limited time on the court. Has he lost a step? Is he less explosive? This could be the first step. Of course on the flip side of the coin the same questions could be asked of Elton Brand. Despite the hype the 76ers took a big risk by throwing so many dollar bills at a player coming off a devastating injury. In reality who would you rather have given the contract situations, Brand or O’Neal? We may start leaning the answer to that question shortly.

2) Roles – One of the biggest differences between the O’Neal addition and the Brand addition is that in Toronto it’s pretty clear what the role of each player is. Bosh is option 1A followed by O’Neal and Calderon. What about the 76ers? Who is their main option? Is it Brand or is Iggy still their guy? It will be interesting to see what the pecking order will be under Maurice Cheeks. There is going to be a lot of pressure on both players to elevate their games and if Philli fans don’t like what they see almost immediately the boo birds could make an early season appearance in the City of Brotherly Love.

This guy could be one of the league's best back-up PGs.

3) PG Play – One of the big things the 76ers have in their favour this season is depth. They are strong at every position 1 through 12, but unlike the situation with the Raps last year their top talent really is "top talent". One of the biggest advantages the Sixers will have over the Raps this upcoming season is at the PG position. As between Andre Miller and Jose Calderon it’s a toss-up. Calderon is a better shooter but Miller played out of his mind towards the end of last season. It’s the back-up spot where the true difference lies. Coach Mitchell is still trying to determine what he has as between Ukic and Solomon while Coach Cheeks knows he has a weapon with Louis Williams.

Of course the Toronto Raptors PG situation was one that got some headlines yesterday with Steve Nash mentioning that once his contract expires that if he didn’t re-sign in Phoenix that Toronto would be likely be his next choice. By 2010 Nash will be getting up there in age and who knows what happens between then and now, but it is fun to think about.

In the meantime let’s see what Ukic and Solomon can bring to the table.

RHQ

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Comments

This website sucks.

by James on Oct 11, 2008 12:00 AM EDT reply actions

James,
Then I guess we won't have the privelege of your visits anymore? Truly, a dark day.

I have to disagree with one point of the article, that the Brand signing stole our thunder. Thank God! Stick us back under the radar! Thank you!There is a little less pressure under the radar. JO may take a half season to get up to speed. Sam even said something to the effect that he had all season to get him ready. Let everyone focus on Brand while JO comes along.

by EaseMyPain on Oct 11, 2008 12:00 AM EDT reply actions

James - Hopefully you're returning to realgm...starting now.

by fromlongrange on Oct 12, 2008 12:00 AM EDT reply actions

I thought these guys overacheived last year and that this might be a "regression to the mean" (a la hollinger)year for them. Plus now they have a bullseye, like the raps last year. But a healthy brand could offset that...

going to this game today, yay!

by axl on Oct 12, 2008 12:00 AM EDT reply actions

James -

We are looking to make some changes to the site. If there are things you don't like, (hell even if it's me and Franchise!) let us know and we will see what we can do. We are always trying to improve the site.

Our email is raptorshq@hooplife.ca

Looking forward to hearing from you.

by Howland on Oct 12, 2008 12:00 AM EDT reply actions

Howland,

There is nothing wrong with this site...believe me!

James probably wants to read posts about which Raptor has the biggest shoe size or who can the Raps trade to bring Vince Carter back.

James - if you want to read useless articles written by 12 year-olds, Real GM is your only hope!

by Assistant GM on Oct 12, 2008 12:00 AM EDT reply actions

Howland and Franchise, please ignore James completely, your site remains at or near the very top of the Raptor Blogosphere. I also agree with Easemypain that there is something to be said for flying under the radar, and I know my approach to JO is to view him as a work in progress. I think this is evident in his conditioning, but so long as he keeps improving he should be back to slightly below All-Star level in the second half, which would make this Raps fan overjoyed.

More importantly, can you imagine a Nash/Calderon backcourt? Unlike the TJ/Jose Fiasco, I think it could work, even though their games have more overlap than Ford and Calderon did. There would be little to no dropoff between the first and second unit, but most importantly there would be zero drama. Those two are both proffessionals to nth degree, and I'm sure they would be more than willing to share the court in whatever way is best for the team.

by RaptorsAddict on Oct 12, 2008 12:00 AM EDT reply actions

Forget the Nash nonesense. In 2 years Calderon/Ukic will be running circles around him. His only value would be in PR at the vet min,which I am sure he would have no interest in.

by Johnn19 on Oct 12, 2008 12:00 AM EDT reply actions

In my opinion, the best site for Raptors fans. The articles are well written, insitefull, and you still blow my mind how you keep coming up with good topics during the off season. Please keep up the good work!!

I say again, I'm not so worried about the backup production, but rather how Jose can/will hold up. Last year he was ok, but didnt play starter minutes. His first yera he was often injured. Every year he plays hard for the national team. I'm worried about him lasting (plus there is huge fantasy hype surrounding him...that is always a bad sign in my book. Call it a fantasy jinx)

by Scott on Oct 12, 2008 12:00 AM EDT reply actions

This is the best site. (period), not the only site, but the BEST....

one

by Grounded on Oct 12, 2008 12:00 AM EDT reply actions

I love this site. The articles are amazing and consistent. This is the first thing I look for before I go to school...

As for the aesthetic's maybe its no apple website but I don't see how that would make the info any better to read.

Great job guys.

by Oyster Boy on Oct 12, 2008 12:00 AM EDT reply actions

Mike James back in T.?

by D279 on Oct 12, 2008 12:00 AM EDT reply actions

Not gonna read too much into this loss. My thoughts on this early preseason.

Without looking at the stats, Bosh looks like the best player on the floor for both teams at all times. His confidence has grown and it's not as quiet. Just how good can he get?
O'Neal still sppears as a work in progress. After the first two game on TV cannot say I've seen chemistry between him and Bosh. It'll grow. He's getting his share of rebounds in limited minutes, which was one of my concerns.
Bargnani has looked good on offense(for the most part). I've seen some different moves. Seems able to get good looks when he wants. Lets hope his shots fall. Consistant D is still a concern, but he seems to be improving. He does appear more confident. Less mousse in his hair as well.
Jose will be fine. World class.
Solomon is a chucker.
In limited minutes that I've seen him play, I do think Ukic can play in the NBA.
Kris Humphries will make it very hard for Sam to keep him on the bench.
Jason Kapono will take more shots this year.

by Tinman on Oct 12, 2008 12:00 AM EDT reply actions

Is anyone else concerned that J'Oneal has not had one blocked shot yet? For all the talk on defence for the Raptors, and J'Oneal has averaged 2 blocks a game, it seems awfully wierd that he hasn't had a single block shot yet. Preseason or not, it should be natural for him to have a block shot. Just wondering, if there is any reason to be concerned.
(OH and by far and away this is the best Raptors site on blogosphere)

by BargsBust on Oct 12, 2008 12:00 AM EDT reply actions

went down to check the game out today (plat seats for crazy cheap prices being scalped at the doors.)

it was alright.

I went because I think this raps/76's rivalry is going to be a good one this year. lots of bigs battling for sure!!

I was pretty close to the action and let me just say first off that bargs is dang big. like big big.

also, neither J.O or bosh were making any effort to get to the basket, (understandable at this time of year no doubt, no need for banging yet) but they still looked pretty good together, especially with calderon running the show. both of the them are going to get plenty of touches. and it's going to be sick.

watching bosh and o'neal both setting and rolling off screens brought a tear to my eye. they're going to do some serious damage when they start going for real. trust.

also, as much as I love parker and moon, if the raps want to compete for real they're going to have to up grade one of them. right now calderon is the only threat one on one from the perimeter, and that's not a good thing.

can't wait for things to get going for real.

by papa on Oct 12, 2008 12:00 AM EDT reply actions