3 in the Key - Raptors Game-Day Preview vs. Celtics
by Adam Francis on Nov 26, 2010 8:15 AM EST
in Game Day
Email
Print
Editor's Note: The HQ is expanding! Since about the end of last season it became clear to the team that they could use a few extra resources to help on the content side, so last month they put out the call to Ryerson's School of Journalism here in Toronto, seeking interns. They've narrowed their list down to a few final candidates, but want readers help in deciding who eventually rounds out the team. To that end, the HQ will be posting work from the finalists, and at the end of it, will seek feedback from you, the readers, as to who should get the gig!
We had our first intern submission earlier this week, here's our second courtesy of Charles Blouin-Gascon, contestant number two...
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Are we there yet?
After 4 straight wins, is it okay for Toronto Raptors fans to get genuinely excited about their team? Already?
A few months ago, Chris Bosh piggybacked on Dwyane Wade's back all the way to South Beach and seemingly left the Raptors in disarray in his trail. Early on this season, this sure seemed the case. At 2-9, the Raptors were more likely to win the lottery for Harrison Barnes in NBA's 2011 draft than a spot in the playoffs at the end of the season. Now with a record of 6-9, Toronto is just a half-game away from the final playoff spot in the Eastern Conference and playing its best game of the young season.
In both cases, I give a one-word advice: chill.
The NBA regular season is a long ride where every team will go through ups and downs; just ask LeBron James. The Raptors will most likely stay in the hunt for a final playoff spot until the end of the year and this should make for an exciting season for fans packing the Air Canada Centre. The point is that the season is still too young to draw any conclusions about the Raptors, especially after the acquisition of Peja Stojakovic and Jerryd Bayless.
That being said, the Raptors play with more confidence this season: the departure of the player formerly known as Chris Bosh has forced many of the Raps to step up because the star player of the team, the one who was most feared by opposing teams, is gone. Head coach Jay Triano has had no choice but to preach a team effort and give opportunities for new leaders to emerge.
Less is more, you could say. (Meanwhile, Bosh has learned the hard way that, in South Beach, more is apparently less.)
This season, Triano has established a reliable rotation where about eight players see significant action every game and contribute to the outcome. DeMar DeRozan and Sonny Weems have certainly opened the eyes of many with their strong play and it would not surprise me to see either player win the award for the league's most improved. That is, if they continue for the rest of the season.
This would start tonight, with a road game in Boston against the Celtics. If the rematch is anything like the first, five days ago in Toronto, fans should tune in. Here are the keys to tonight's game.
1) Going on the road - The Eastern Conference currently has six teams within less than two games of the 8th place Cleveland Cavaliers. If the standings stay this close throughout the season, the ability of any team to go to the playoffs might be tied to its ability to win games away from home.
While the Raptors have only two such victories since the beginning of the season, one was against the Orlando Magic; this should boost team confidence. At 6-1, the Celtics are definitely a team that plays well at home but so wasthe Magic. Therefore, Triano can tell his players that they are capable of pulling an upset.
2) Group effort - While the Raptors are capable of beating the Celtics and of winning games away from the ACC, they can't think that it is easy to do. Raptors fans no doubt remember that Sunday's win was contested until the final whistle and could have been a crushing defeat had Paul Pierce's jumper not missed. For that reason, Boston will definitely look to avenge last Sunday's loss and will likely open the game on a high note.
Meanwhile, the Raptors must offer a balanced effort similar to that of five days ago where five players scored in double figures, led by Andrea Bargnani's game-high 29 points. It is still unsure who Toronto's alpha dog is, who demands the last shot down the stretch of close games; this can be both a blessing and a curse. Obviously, for tonight's game to go well Triano must hope that it is the former.
3) Depleted Celtics - You should never use injuries as an excuse, but they are the eternal great equalizer. To think that Rajon Rondo would not have helped the Celtics, five days ago, is wrong because he would have. This is not to say that the Celtics would have won the game with Rondo available, but he definitely would have helped.
Early reports say that Rondo will sit out tonight's game and so will Delonte West and his broken right wrist. The Celtics, basically, are not only old but now depleted by injuries as well. You never want to play a smart, veteran and great defensive team like the Celtics but doing so while battling injuries is always a challenging proposition.
Going back to the question at the top of this article then, "are we there yet?"
Maybe not.
But a big win tonight would certainly continue things in the right direction.
114 comments
|
0 recs |
Do you like this story?
Comments
both rondo AND delonte wont play?
I have a good feeling bout this game if that’s the case.
by sherwin316 on Nov 26, 2010 8:30 AM EST via mobile reply actions
Athleticism and Hardwork
is what the Raps will need to pull out another upset over the aging and depleted Celtics. A little D and luck wouldn’t hurt as well.
No laydown please....
I would love for the Raptors to continue their recent run, but I will be pleasantly stunned if they do. In the past , this is a game where the Raptors would get smoked. Not to be too pessimistic, but I expect the Celtics to come out fast, get a few one-sided foul calls early and build a big lead. The question will be whether the Raptors can fight back and make things competitve. For me a Raptors loss by less than 10 points would show that the team has some fight in them. A win or nail-biter loss would greatly exceed my expectations.
Things I would like to see the Raptors to do tonight:
- Take advantage of Nate Robinson’s chucker tendencies. Lure him into taking bad shots and not distributing the ball to his teammates.
- Bargnani stands up to Celtics front court. He is the biggest guy on the team and he can’t let himself get pushed around the way Bosh used to do. No need to fight, just stand your ground and set an example for your teammates.
- Use athleticism to contain the Celtics perimeter players. Weems and DeRozan should be in constant motion on O and D to tire out Ray Allen and take away his late game shooting legs. When they sub out Barbosa and Bayless should keep up the intensity. If Pierce heats up, I would bring in Wright to use his length and athleticism to try to cool him down. If nothing else, Wright can use up a few fouls denying Pierce easy looks at the basket.
- Bring your work boots. This time the Celtics won’t be taking things lightly, so get ready work hard or get blown out.
- Concentration. The Celts, when in sync, can kill you with their well executed offensive sets. The Raptors are going to need excellent alertness to avoid getting picked apart.
- Balanced attack. The Cs are going to take things away from the Raptors, but fortunately their are a bunch of guys who can do damage. If say DeRozan is the guy the Cs are leaving open then he’s got to step up and make them pay.
Good luck tonight Raps. This game should be a good measuring stick to see how far the team has progressed since their early struggles.
by DW19 on Nov 26, 2010 9:38 AM EST reply actions 1 recs
Great breakdown DW19, all things I’ll be looking at tonight too.
I’ll add execution down the stretch to the list too. That’s one thing this team still needs a lot of work on (see the two Philly games and Boston last Sunday).
Also, really excited to see if this speedy second unit can wreak some more havoc on the C’s vets tonight.
Adam Francis - Publisher - RaptorsHQ.com
by Adam Francis on Nov 26, 2010 11:53 AM EST up reply actions
if they are going to have Garnett on Andrea "like a stamp"
I would hope we have enough guys with legs fresh enough to cut trough the C’s defense taking advantage of the lack of help at the rim. I believe there is where the game will be won or lost. However I do not believe Garnett can keep on Drea , for 48 min the kind of defence he applied on the 4th quarter.
I would also say (and hope) that also the Raps will have had the time to get prepared to the probable C’s focusing on Andrea.
Let the best man win
Yup
Expecting a blow out, but if some of DW19’s points are there and it’s a game within ten points, it’s a good sign.
But hey,
We were expecting a blow out last time they met too…
Fingers crossed for a pleasant surprise…
True
But the Orlando game was in Orlando…
by dhackett1565 on Nov 26, 2010 2:17 PM EST up reply actions
Now this game is a real test
It’s been said a few times already that certain games were test of what the Raps are going to look like with the new core…
I say this is easily the biggest one yet, here’s why:
- they’ve knocked off a few big dogs and teams will be taking them seriously from here on out
- the winning streak has allowed scouts to flesh out their reports as to what we are trying to do and how to shut down certain players (already happened to derozan, that spin move didn’t just stop working on its own)
- overconfidence killed the cat, nuff said
This game should be a better indicator of where the Raptors fall in the Eastern Conference. The four-game win streak is nice, but it’s been built on a terrible Sixers team (twice), underperforming Rockets squad, and a Rondo-less Celtics team in the “White Vegas” Classic (Sunday afternoon game, Celtics players are tired after a night of making it rain at the Brass Rail, etc). The Raps historically do well in those Sunday afternoon matchups.
That being said, if the Showtime Raptors continue to push the pace (1st in the NBA in fast-break points), control the glass, and light it up off the bench, it will be an exciting game… even with a loss. Added bonus would be a three-point duel between Ray Allen and Peja — but that’s probably asking for too much.
by RaptorsHQ - Defensive Stance on Nov 26, 2010 10:50 AM EST reply actions
Added bonus would be a three-point duel between Ray Allen and Peja — but that’s probably asking for too much.
Nah – asking to WIN that duel would be though ;)
by dhackett1565 on Nov 26, 2010 11:00 AM EST up reply actions
The fast-break points piece is huge – if the Raps can make Boston play up and down all night sans-Rondo, I like their chances.
Overall though this is just a good test as while the C’s aren’t in tip-top shape, they’re still an elite enough competitor that we should find out some more about the new-look Raps.
Adam Francis - Publisher - RaptorsHQ.com
by Adam Francis on Nov 26, 2010 11:54 AM EST up reply actions
the added bonus point of a win would be...
sending a few of the doom and gloomers in harakiri mode. We have already lost a few regular Andrea-perma-bashers (not all) . I look forward to the chance to be able to disagree with reasonable people rather than with some self appointed basketball oracles…..
Actually, I am starting to get worried that this year’s team is going to do “too well”. I’d like to add at least one more blue chip prospect to the current roster before we settle in as a 8-10th place treadmill team. If we start heading for another 40-42 season I might become a doom and gloomer. No disrespect to Ed Davis, but I’d like to add a Tyreke Evans/Kyle Irving/Deron Williams level of player to this team and see what it could do. If we aren’t going to win 50 this year then I’d rather win 30(fighting to the death in each and every loss, of course).
+1
This team (right now) is squeezing everything they can out of their young squad, which is very encouraging. However, agree with your treadmill point… Need another blue chip in the fold and I’d rather get a young one to grow with the team than overpay for one through free agency/trade. The most encouraging factor coming out of this early hot streak is that I’m more confident about Amir, Weems and DeRozan than I was on October 30th. hoping to see something out of Ed Davis soon as well.
+100 on this and was just browsing Draftexpress actually.
I’m not too worried yet though. Really, they won 4 games against bad to terrible clubs and so I expect the next week or so to get a lot tougher.
Now, if they keep reeling off wins…
Adam Francis - Publisher - RaptorsHQ.com
by Adam Francis on Nov 26, 2010 1:10 PM EST up reply actions
every bit is a bit of over statement
there is a guy who was supposet to be a 5 pick top who has yet to start play and you should believe that DD and Weems and Bayless and Andrea cannot give you anything more than what they are giving you now. Sorry to have to be the one who bring the “glass half full” point of view, but you guys, left alone, become too one sided.
Moreover There were al least other 4 games where they had the chance to win and they manage to loose and the big trip west is behind us….
Check the bottom of the page. Under Managers. Click on envelope graphic beside "Franchise"
No spam.
Happiness is that which gets lost in the details of its pursuit.
by HQ Interloper on Nov 26, 2010 11:38 AM EST up reply actions
Please give me a shout Mikthaniel at our gmail account – raptorshq@gmail.com
Adam Francis - Publisher - RaptorsHQ.com
by Adam Francis on Nov 26, 2010 11:50 AM EST up reply actions
Ummm
Didn’t the Celtics start that Sunday game with a big lead? Weren’t the Raptors up by double digits well into the 4th? Just saying, we really can’t discredit the win as lucky, team played well and still won despite missing a BUNCH of free throws.
Anyway, I do expect the Celts to come out with a “We’re going to show you” type approach and if the Raps can “punch back” and hold their own, especially in the early going, they might still be able to take this one. I think one of the least effective ways to approach this game is to say “let’s just not get blown out.”because subconsciously you are already conceding defeat.
Another thing – Bargnani has to be prepared to impact the games in ways other than scoring because I wouldn’t be surprised if Philadelphia’s late ball denial scheme is adopted by the Celts early and often in this one. Pattern for the Raps in the wins has been to try to establish Bargs early, and allow the other players to find themselves. This pattern is sure to be disrupted so the likes of DeRozan, Weems, and maybe even Kleiza should be prepped to take the lead on offence in the early going with Bargs as a decoy of sorts.
Garnett is going to try to get into Bargs head but luckily, the language barrier might prove useful in this respect. :)
Happiness is that which gets lost in the details of its pursuit.
This is a good game for Kleiza to step up. He’s trending towards “Bryan Colangelo fixes mistake signing with a trade” territory.
by RaptorsHQ - Defensive Stance on Nov 26, 2010 11:43 AM EST up reply actions
Ha!
What’s the over/under on him being swapped by the trade deadline at this rate?
Adam Francis - Publisher - RaptorsHQ.com
by Adam Francis on Nov 26, 2010 11:55 AM EST up reply actions
I think Kleiza continues to have value for the Raptors with their current personnel. At the SF you have options depending on need:
Weems – Athleticism, 2-way game
Kleiza – Size, inside-outside scoring
Wright – Defense, length, athleticism
Granted there are not minutes available for all three each night, but they all have their uses. The nice thing is that all three seem to have some grit and a decent attitude.
That said, if another team wants to make a ridiculous offer for him he is tradeable as of mid-December.
The thing with Kleiza...
He left the NBA because he wasn’t getting to play enough, or at least as much as he thought he should. I really wonder if he’ll be happy to three-way share minutes here, especially if Weems continues to improve…
I worry he is gonna look for a way out before too long…
As long as we get something for him that’s fine, but to lose him for nothing would hurt…
There might be offers out there that work
Say you could move Kleiza to Milwaukee for a project like Larry Sanders or even Ilyasova (sp?) someone young you might be able to groom into a decent backup defensive focused centre/PF longterm. This gives more minutes to Wright and alleviates some of the log jam at the wing spots.
I do think Colangelo will try to do him a favour by moving him to a place he could get some minutes, so Milwaukee might not be the best fit but it’s hard to find contending teams deficient at the SF position who might have something to offer.
One other aspect of this year’s team that is better than previous versions is that the Raptors actually have attractive assets to exchange in an effort to improve themselves. Kleiza is still not too far removed from his World Championship performance to not get a few inquiries when you consider his age and reasonable contract. Barbosa, Reggie, an improving Calderon – all of these pieces could be useful to a team looking to make one last push. Injuries might transform the Raptors into King Makers, at which point they can name their price.
Happiness is that which gets lost in the details of its pursuit.
by HQ Interloper on Nov 26, 2010 12:35 PM EST up reply actions
Love Sanders…and the Raptors worked him out pre-draft too.
Adam Francis - Publisher - RaptorsHQ.com
by Adam Francis on Nov 26, 2010 1:12 PM EST up reply actions
They just shipped Williams to the D League. I wonder what the issues are?
Here’s the Hollinger breakdown from ESPN:
+ Athletic wing with wayward jumper. Can get to the rim but doesn’t draw fouls.
+ Excellent rebounder for size. Has strength, athleticism to be a good defender.
+ Can pass and create but must make better decisions. A classic “point forward.”
Williams’ rookie season looked like a disaster until the final two months, when he made tremendous strides. Prior to the All-Star break, he shot 36.6 percent, but from March. 1 to the end of the season he morphed into a different player. Over those 22 games, Williams averaged 14.1 points, 7.1 boards and 5.6 assists, including a 27-13-10 triple-double against Chicago on April 9.
His full-season numbers were a mix of the great and the awful. He really can’t shoot, making only 24.1 percent of his long 2s and ranking 64th out of 67 small forwards in TS%, and he doesn’t draw fouls despite his athleticism. However, he ranked sixth at this position in rebound rate and ninth in pure point rating.
Finally, here’s one more weird data point: Only three small forwards blocked fewer shots per minute than the 6-foot-6 Williams. What’s up with that?
by RaptorsHQ - Defensive Stance on Nov 26, 2010 3:44 PM EST up reply actions
the kid has attitude issues
He seems to be leaning towards being a Jr smith type player..all kinds of skill and promise but to much bad attitude. This steams back from last year. You would think having a new coach and a fresh start would smarten him up but I guess it’ll take a stint in the d-league to wake him up..francise aint that your boy and wanted him on the raps?? If this is gonna be his M.O I’m glad we didn’t draft him.
by sherwin316 on Nov 26, 2010 5:04 PM EST via mobile up reply actions
The funny thing about JR Smith is that Denver’s offence performs way better with him on the floor. Perhaps Williams could be a similar player IF you find an organization and coach committed to dealing with the other nonsense. Williams’ last two months of the 2009-10 season were terrific.
by RaptorsHQ - Defensive Stance on Nov 26, 2010 5:09 PM EST up reply actions
I've said before...
We can solve Denver’s issues with the coach and J.R. Smith EASY…
We give them Triano, they give us Karl…
Done!
Hahaha. I could handle Karl running the show on the sidelines.
by RaptorsHQ - Defensive Stance on Nov 26, 2010 6:59 PM EST up reply actions
good point
It pisses me off reading shit bout players like Williams with all kinds of talent but seems to be a knuckle head. Like you said DS his last 2 months were amazing just smarten up a bit stop hanging out with the Nate robinsons of the league and be on time for practice..could u imagine a wing combo with him, demar, & weems? Wow
by sherwin316 on Nov 26, 2010 5:47 PM EST via mobile up reply actions
LOL
Racking my brain to think of a free agent signed by BC that wasn’t traded within 18 months…
I think Kapono’s the only one other than AP and Garbs, who got injured so doesn’t really count ha ha.
Adam Francis - Publisher - RaptorsHQ.com
by Adam Francis on Nov 26, 2010 1:13 PM EST up reply actions
You're right...
but Kapono (mercifully) was finally traded. I guess AP is the only on really as he stayed for his entire contract, eventually signing with Clevland. And you’re right about Garbs as he was injured, and while not traded, he was bought out…
Another point...
Should this make us nervous about Colangelo having cap room to spend this offseason?
Nice Post Interloper
I agree with you on most points – and am fascinated to see how the Celtics approach this game as far as defensive schemes. Bargnani lit them up (offensively) last time, so it will be interesting to see how they adapt. Garnett sems to me the kind of guy that takes Bargnani dropping 29 on him personally… Furthermore, interested in how teams start to change the scouting reports on the Raptors. While they’ve been playing really well of late, the pessimist in me can’t help but wonder what happens when the scouting packages start to evolve on the Raptors and teams adjust.
Excellent point about the scouting reports. Ideally, the Raptors develop a fastball-curve-change-up type of offense. What I mean by that is they have different looks and they can adapt based on what the defense is giving them. That is probably going to take more experience and familiarity than the team has at the moment. At least they have a smart point guard in Calderon who should be able to recognize the defense and run an appropriate play for that situation.
Really interested to see how KG comes out tonight too, and if Doc sticks Garnett on Bargs right from the get go, something they didn’t do last time.
Might be a nice coaching chess match ahead…
Adam Francis - Publisher - RaptorsHQ.com
by Adam Francis on Nov 26, 2010 1:14 PM EST up reply actions
KG was on Bargs at the beginning of the game, it’s just that Jay subbed out Andrea at about the 6 minute mark, while KG stayed in until the last minute or two of the quarter. As soon as KG subbed out, Andrea was brought back in.
This was huge because besides KG, there is NOBODY on the Celtics that can guard Andrea. As a result he had about 6 – 8 minutes in both half’s of free reign. Doc didn’t bother subbing out KG at the same time as Bargs last time, and it cost them the game. Tonight I would guess that he will.
WOW love that!
You know, at one point I actually debated that James had a chance, a chance, maybe, to be the greatest of all time. He had the tools, just needed to put it all together and to have the right team form around him. That was the cure on his development… But Mike can now rest easy. His legacy is safe.
Agreed. I was actually a Cavs fan years ago, in the Mark Price era, and HATED the Bulls because of it.
So I was so pumped when the Cavs got LeBron, even though at this point (2003), I had begun to convert to the Raps after moving to TO. I too thought that he had a chance to be the greatest ever but that bubble started to burst a few years ago and now…well…
Adam Francis - Publisher - RaptorsHQ.com
by Adam Francis on Nov 26, 2010 1:17 PM EST up reply actions
Ahhh old school Cavs!!
Price, Doaugherty, Nance… and Craig Ehlo LOL. Ehlo will forever be eched in my mind after Jordan hit the game winner over him that basically marked his assention to greatness. Magic.
I think the real key to winning...
Is to have Bargnani sit on the bench until the third quarter… and then for all of the fourth…
A few article criticisms
the departure of the player formerly known as Chris Bosh
Pretty sure he’s still known as Chris Bosh. I think you originally though CB4 and changed your mind part way through the sentence.
DeMar DeRozan and Sonny Weems have certainly opened the eyes of many with their strong play and it would not surprise me to see either player win the award for the league’s most improved.
There is no chance that DD will win the most improve award until he can consistently produce points and play defense. Yes, he has been better this year but its been a couple of games good followed by a couple of games invisible.
You never want to play a smart, veteran and great defensive team like the Celtics but doing so while battling injuries is always a challenging proposition.
I think you had two separate thoughts on this sentence and ended up mashing the two.
Thought 1
You never want to play a smart, veteran and great defensive team like the Celtics but doing so while they are battling injuries is an opportunity for a win.
Thought 2
Even though they are battling injuries, you never want to play a smart, veteran and great defensive team like the Celtics because they always a challenging proposition.
Yes, I’m picking nits, but overall, I liked the theme and direction of the article.
I think the Bosh bit was a dig that he’s no longer important enough to remember his name.
I've been looking at the sky
by Back In Black on Nov 26, 2010 12:19 PM EST up reply actions
Bingo – he was referring to Bosh’s play of late…and I screwed up that last sentence with some editing…my bad ha ha.
Adam Francis - Publisher - RaptorsHQ.com
by Adam Francis on Nov 26, 2010 1:18 PM EST up reply actions
I appreciate the feedback
I’m the author of this article, and I’m happy you liked it. I appreciate the criticisms as well, I think they are sound and will help me progress. I will definitely take them into account for future texts I write here hopefully. IF I do, of course.
‘Back in Black,’ ‘Mikthaniel’ and ‘Franchise’ touched on the first criticism already. Basically, I was trying to say that Bosh was not his former self; perhaps I could have used CB4 and this would avoided confusion.
As for DeRozan, I think that if he continues to gain in confidence, he might exceed the potential the Raptors saw in him when they drafted him. As for him winning the NBA’s most improved award, I believe it could happen. The league seems happy to reward borderline star and young players with this award like it did for Brooks, Granger and Ellis in the previous years. DeRozan certainly fits that description.
As for the last criticism, my point was that it is always hard to play a veteran and great defensive team like the Celtics, but it is easier to do so when they are battling injuries.
Thanks for the feedback, again.
On a random note...
…was looking through the mock drafts today and this made me laugh:
http://www.nbadraft.net/2011mock_draft
Look who is sitting at the Raptors’ spot…now look at his NBA comparison…
Adam Francis - Publisher - RaptorsHQ.com
Could you imagine
If a few Canadians were drafted in the first round? You’d hope the Raps would be one of those teams to take the BPA but the later pick (Miami’s) might present some interesting options to go in a direction this team has never gone before.
Happiness is that which gets lost in the details of its pursuit.
by HQ Interloper on Nov 26, 2010 1:32 PM EST up reply actions
Would love the Raps to take a good long look at Tristen Thompson or Kris Joseph wit Miami's pick
The oportunity for a feel good story is just too great to pass up… Plus hopefully they’ll be fine with TSN, The Movie Network and the CBC and resign ; )
I give the Raptors organization full credit for not jumping on the PR-type move earlier in their history (I’m looking at you Denham Brown). If it makes sense from a talent perspective, bring on some good ’ol Canucks!
by RaptorsHQ - Defensive Stance on Nov 26, 2010 2:15 PM EST up reply actions
Had a big talk with some of the Sun and Score media pre-game Wednesday about this. If the Raps don’t get a top 5 pick and they’re in that glut of “yeah, these guys are all about the same,” I’d pull the trigger on Tristan too.
We were saying that this team needs to build through the draft, forget all this emphasis on cap space for free agents, whom they’ll probably have to overpay, and if they can get a LEGIT quality guy who is ALSO Canadian, even better.
And Denham actually came up in the discussion.
3 of us were arguing that the Raps SHOULD have taken Denham considering they didn’t take guys like Gibson or Millsap anyways…not like PJ Tucker worked, or that anyone even thought he would!
Adam Francis - Publisher - RaptorsHQ.com
by Adam Francis on Nov 26, 2010 2:19 PM EST up reply actions
Early days...
But there is a difference between Thompson and denham Brown as I don’t think Brown was ever considered a first round candidate.
Nope, he was a second-round pick at best so yes, BIG difference. My point is more that if the Raptors pick late lottery and Thompson’s there and there’s no one else who stands above the crowd, why not?
Adam Francis - Publisher - RaptorsHQ.com
by Adam Francis on Nov 26, 2010 4:29 PM EST up reply actions
Totally aligned. Why the hell not!
Obviously don’t take him before someone who is obviously more talented… but come on.. First Canadian in the first round in a while… First Canadian to be drafted, play for the Raptors… sounds good to me. Plus gotta think it could possibly galvinize Raptors fans and Canadians more generally, to the cause…
I’m not sold on Kris Joseph, but I watched the Texas – Illinois game last week and Tristen Thompson dominated! He certainly has NBA athleticism, now he just needs to work on his offense; very limited there.
Only drawback to drafting him for the Raps is that he’s 6’9" – 6’10" and therefore playing the same position as Davis.
It’s like all the mock draft experts just look for a European player and assign him to the Raptors. It’s kinda like Utah and big white guys.
And for all the hype over Harrison Barnes, I’ve seen him play twice now and have been thoroughly unimpressed both times. He’s been very passive and hasn’t blown me away with his skills or athleticism. I suspect he’s listed #1 based on pre-season hype and not actual performance.
Yup
But both Utah and toronto have those reputations for good reason…
Regarding harrison Barnes, my preferance if we get a top pick would be Kyrie Irving. In today’s NBA it seems like having a uber athletic break down PG is a pre-requisite for success. Plus, i think he would match better with the Raptors talent base as it exists today.
I’ll be riding the Kyrie bandwagon hard this year, especially as a Duke fan.
However Kemba Walker might be a nice consolation prize, he’s playing out of his mind right now!
Adam Francis - Publisher - RaptorsHQ.com
by Adam Francis on Nov 26, 2010 2:20 PM EST up reply actions
ill be riding it right with you francise
I would love if the raps could draft him..come on everybody get on the kyrie b
by sherwin316 on Nov 26, 2010 4:13 PM EST via mobile up reply actions
ill be riding it right with you francise
I would love if the raps could draft him..come on everybody get on the kyrie bandwagon!!
by sherwin316 on Nov 26, 2010 4:14 PM EST via mobile up reply actions
I agree. We need an elite PG. I haven’t seen Irving play yet, but from what I’ve read he seems like a good fit.
Gotta see where...
Demar and Sonny end up taking their games by the years end.
We have passable PG talent right now, Jose could be upgraded though if the improvements aren’t more valuable elsewhere on the roster…
And we still need a Nasty Center… Some Fung to go with our Shway…
The Raps should no longer be considered a doormat anymore. celtics better be wary and play thier A game. that’s for sue.
by Jeffrey Thompson on Nov 26, 2010 2:30 PM EST reply actions
Why is everything so civil today?
Anyway, here is a multi-part question to consider.
With a new CBA pending, would it not make some sense for teams to ask for fewer trade restrictions (BYC, matching rules, etc.) going forward so that teams have a better chance of remaking themselves more quickly? If so, what type of New Trading rules would be interesting to see the league try?
Happiness is that which gets lost in the details of its pursuit.
Great question
I’d take a look at this rule:
Teams above the cap (or teams below the cap but would end up more than $100,000 over the cap following a trade) cannot acquire more than 125% plus $100,000 of the salary they trade away. There is no lower limit—teams may divest themselves of as much salary as they wish in a trade.
If you’re going to allow teams to exceed the salary cap and enter luxury tax territory anyway, who cares how much salary they take on? It could be 150% or 200% of what they trade away. Whatever. They just pay more tax.
I’ve never understood the base-year compensation nonsense. It just seems to overly complicate trading.
I think matching rules — and the ability to give your own free agent higher raises — is essential to bringing stability to the league. Look at the reaction to LeBron and Bosh switching teams. Can you imagine if that was widespread? I’d enjoy the league a helluva lot less.
by RaptorsHQ - Defensive Stance on Nov 26, 2010 2:45 PM EST up reply actions
You beat me to it on the league parity issue.
However, I think 125% plus $100,000 rule is important for the same purposes. Some teams can pay the tax, some can’t. It’s important that the Milwaukee’s, Toronto’s, Memphis’ etc. play in the same sandbox as the Knicks, Celtics and Lakers.
Very true.
It’s difficult to argue against a hard salary cap unless you are a player or agent. From an owner and fan perspective, it makes sense for everyone to play in the same sandbox.
I also like the minimum salary threshold for teams, so you don’t have the Memphis squads of the world going in the opposite direction.
by RaptorsHQ - Defensive Stance on Nov 26, 2010 3:07 PM EST up reply actions
Absolutely!
If you didn’t have a minimum salary requirement, you’d have owners like the evil, low-down-dirty, dispicable, convicted racist, philandering Donal Sterling playing terrrible players on minimum contracts and just living off the shared NBa merchandising and TV money.
If you are looking at creating a level playing field and ensure franchise survival then the best thing to do would be to go communist and increase the amount of revenue sharing. Hey, it works for those pinkos in the NFL ;)
Too civil?
Ok how ‘bout this. You’re 50 win prediction for this season was assinine! Your Bargnani logic is all f’d up! Even if he has been scorring lately he couldn’t get a rebound to save his life!! Arrrg!
That better? Just kidding with you man LOL
I think the trading restrictions are important because they are safe guards against teams making backroom deals or big market teams loading up. For example, the matching is important to protect against the New Yorks and LAs of the world trading Wilson Chandler or Derrick Fisher for Carmelo Anthony etc. (not the best example, but you get my point). These teams can afford to pay the tax so if there is a weak/soft salary cap we need these rules to protect parity. Although, that said, it didn’t stop the Lakers from getting Gasol for 5 cents on the dollar…
Hmmm..what about a "Good of the Game Clause"
Where the league can choose to rescind a trade because it suggest such an imbalance of talent and doesn’t seem to have been arrived at in a manner by which any other team might have been able to participate (i.e. the trades that made last year’s finals possible). I know that opens up a can of worms but it might be a way to counter the problems you’re suggesting
Happiness is that which gets lost in the details of its pursuit.
by HQ Interloper on Nov 26, 2010 2:50 PM EST up reply actions
Too subjective, too arbitrary.
That would be a nightmare. Imagine David Stern saying “No Lakers – you can’t have Carmelo”. It will open up debate and questions of conspiracies, fairness etc. etc. I think it has to be a hard fast rule that is not debateable related to cap dollars.
What if
And I’m just thinking out of the box here, teams could choose to block transactions citing a good of the game clause, but would have to present evidence that the transaction was not arrived at fairly? They would have 5 days. If the challenging team failed to do present such evidence, they forfeit draft picks to all teams involved in the transaction. Like a hyper-ized NFL challenge rule?
Happiness is that which gets lost in the details of its pursuit.
by HQ Interloper on Nov 26, 2010 3:10 PM EST up reply actions
Still comes down to someone making a “judgement” decision. Which if not in practice, optically will open the door to potential impropriety and/or subjectiveness. Plus you’re just going to piss fans off (those who are against the final determination). If there is a hard and fast rule, then you don’t have this problem
Finding an impartial moderator...
Someone who can’t be swayed by the cash that these powerful teams have to throw around…
We thought the refs had a degree of integrity too but then Donaghy-gate happened…
Well, who am I kidding, we never thought refs had integrity…
I think you avoid a “good of the game clause” specifically, but frame your financial rules and restrictions to the point where it becomes the unspoken goal. Give the power to one man and David Stern becomes the laughingstock that is Gary Bettman. Funny to think Bettman came from the NBA offices…
by RaptorsHQ - Defensive Stance on Nov 26, 2010 3:10 PM EST up reply actions
But that's all he's worth...
he’s tall and scores points sure but where’s the defense and rebounding?
Bench him…
Wait sorry, you said Gasol, I didn’t think we were allowed to talk about players other than the Demon-Spawn of Italy…
But seriously...
While you may get the occasional underdog, overachiever… we don’t want to end up where the Yankees buy all the talent because they have the deepest pockets…
We need to at least ensure some measure of balance between all teams, but who is best to determine what that balance is?
Because if you don't keep it civil you get asked to leave...
It’s in the Terms and Conditions we all agreed to…
That’s why it’s ALWAYS civil on here…
C's fan here. Good luck tonight.
Celtics have been known to “Mail it in” and play down to their level of competition during friday night home games. Celtics havent changed, and the regular season still is meaningless to them, I expect you guys to win tonight. Celtics only try when they face playoff teams I guess.
Humility or Self-Loathing?
Come on l’il guy, hold your chin up and smile. Your guys will give it their honest best, you’ll see…
LOL, honestly though, I hope both teams bring a hankerin for a fight and we get to watch the dust settle after being thoroughly entertained…
We shall find out in the 1st quarter. Thats where the C's win and lose their games.
If you guys are ahead after the 1st, it means the celtics didnt get up for the game, and youll probably take this one.
Franchise, next time you get a chance...
Try and find out who’s wife Julian Wright slept with that got him buried on the end of the bench…
I know he hasn’t been shipped off to the D-League but he seems to be under some sort of suspension almost…
He definitely has something useful to contribute to games and yet he never gets to take his warm-ups off…
Dorsey, I can understand a little more his limited play (to a certain degree), but even so, if he’s just gonna hand guys towels and waterbottles, can I wear his jersey and sit through a game?
If you get a chance to ask the right people that is…
A Wright To Play
It makes NO sense why he doesn’t get more burn, especially given how well he has played defensively. If he had a regular rotation spot he likely wouldn’t press as much by taking stupid shots AND HE CAN PASS. This is why I’m sort of hoping for a disgruntled Kleiza eventually asking to be traded, so that Julian might be unleashed. Imagine how the team might have wasted the Sonny Weems opportunity last year? This is where I have the biggest concern with the team going forward. They wait a long time for the anointed favourite to work out his problems at the expense of giving an undervalued piece a real chance.
Happiness is that which gets lost in the details of its pursuit.
by HQ Interloper on Nov 26, 2010 6:32 PM EST up reply actions
This is where I have the biggest concern with the team going forward. They wait a long time for the anointed favourite to work out his problems at the expense of giving an undervalued piece a real chance.
Amen.
by RaptorsHQ - Defensive Stance on Nov 26, 2010 7:13 PM EST up reply actions
I wanna see Bayless dunk on Garnett
Garnett taunted him during his rookie year:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IT8qLg2NjnQ
I’d love nothing more than to see Jerryd dunk on him.
Don't know if you caught this in the comments section of that video...
#
soulstice99
6 days ago
let’s hope this mofo can join the young gunz in toronto. they should call him .22
Comments For This Post Are Closed
Secondary Sidebar
User Tools
NBA Playoffs Content Module
Related FanPosts on Raptors HQ
Related FanShots on Raptors HQ
FanPosts
Community blog posts and discussion.
Recent FanPosts
In Association With
Ball Don't Lie - NBA - Yahoo! Sport
- Shaquille O’Neal is in a Chinese beer commercial, too (VIDEO)
- ‘Deep Thoughts’ and Cheap Thoughts: San Antonio Spurs vs. Oklahoma City Thunder
- C-a-C: This is probably as close to LeBron James working with John Waters as we’ll ever get
- Dwyane Wade’s hot pink pants: The kind of thing you can get away with when you drop 41
- Lamar Odom to New York? Dwight Howard on the move? For now, it’s all talk
