Raptors' Rapid Recap - Toronto Raptors 111 - OK City Thunder 99

Agree with everything you said defensive rap.

I love this team. I just hope that they do not play so well that Colangelo decides to go all in this year.

The primary reasons for this team playing so well are heart, enthusiasm, chemistry and unselfishness. I think adding a proven player that is most likely not wanted by his current team could only mess things up.

I will let it out again that I predicted this team would win more games than we did last year. I was never a big fan of Bosh. I respected him,he seemed classy and came in and put up numbers for his entire Canuck career. He just didn’t help the team. I think the moment I gave up on Chris was after an old, out of shape Shaq called him the RuPaul of big men and there was no response, by Bosh or any of his team mates. Even when CB4 did put in effort, it seemed to be more about getting high fives than getting the rest of his team going. This site had a huge pro Bosh, anti Bargnani slant last year, but compare their stats and things look pretty even. Anyway, don’t want to rip on him too much, there is enough evidence out there and he has been having a tough enough season, sad to see and don’t want to kick a man too much when he is down.

I think Triano also deserves a lot of credit. Although rotations are what most fans will complain about, at least he and BC are singing off the same song sheet. That is part of the reason why he replaced Smitch, and JT certainly gives BC time to evaluate certain players. I’m not saying it is right or wrong, just that it does explain some of his personnel decisions. However, this team plays motivated and hungry, I credit that to Triano. This team is starting to click on D, I credit that to PJ Calisimo (who JT wanted to hire). This team is starting to actually out execute other good teams, that I have rarely seen from ANY Raptor team and I credit that to JT. No coach is perfect, but the Raps could be doing a lot worse than what they have in Triano.

There are a number of intriguing parts that could be traded to improve this team. Contributing vets like Kleiza, Evans and Barbosa could be moved for useful parts, just as Jack and Andersen were. Several contracts are appealing assets, hello Peja and TPE. We also have a lot of developing youth. Among Jerryd, Sonny, DeMar, Wright, Amir, Dorsey, Davis and Alibi, we may not have any all stars, but we have a base of youth that will hopefully give the identity to the type of player a Toronto Raptor is; athletic, plays both ends, attacks on Offence and able to turn D into fast beark points. Maybe one or two of these young parts will have to be offered up in part of a trade for higher tier player, but only if the incoming player still has those qualities and isn’t already over the hill.

We are in a pretty good position right now, even if BC does nothing, we have a lot of salary clearing, players developing, decent picks on the way. We can stand pat and develop from within (as most good teams do). If BC does do something, it will be to address a need, not to unload undesirable contracts (Hedo who?). One trade player I would like to see targeted is Iguadala. There was some talk between Sac and Phi based on Peja and Iggy. If those talks could be reignited in Toronto we might be able to throw in another asset or two without getting robbed, Iguadala fits the new Raptor mode pretty well. He is still young, defensive minded, a strong second option on O and addresses a need at the wing. But I’ll leave those decisions to the lego master.

I’ve been a little bitter at the HQ lately, too negative. In fairness, there has been a lot to be bitter about, last year’s team was soul destroying. But looking with fresh eyes shows a team that is well positioned going forward. You may not like a Bargnani type player at the 5, but when paired with Evans, Amir or Davis, things pretty much level out. Who cares if your PF is a defensive minded thug or the Centre. I think that Davis and Bargnani will compliment each other perfectly for a number of years and are the only two untouchables on the roster. Even the HQ has to be enjoying the turn around and I might stress again to use fresh eyes looking at the Raps. Bargs may not be peaked out, one dimensional player, but may actually continuing to develop into the team leader. Let go of the bitter, enjoy the ride, we are playing well and beating good teams, fresh eyes, ENJOY THE RIDE.

Random Notes:

Did you know, Raps lead the league in fast break points?

I thought the Raps were only supposed to win 12 games this year? 28 was the over under and I’m pretty sure most took the under. Woot… should I start spending my $1k?

Bargs may never live up to Brandon Roy, but I think of him much less the last week.

Harrison Barnes (NC)? We might still get him.. with the 9th pick! Boy has he struggled, and not impressive. He’s no where near at the McDonalds all american tourney that I saw. New flavour? Perry Jones (Baylor). Early in.. I’m a fan of Maalik Wayns (Vil).