Well this was a disappointment. Not much else to say, Howland’s last point basically says it all. The Raptors took a sh*t on the court

there is potential in the young players , but I don’t see this team making it out of the 2nd round (if they ever get there), as long as Hedo, Jose and an under achieving Bargnani are the core of this team.

These three have a combined 30 million salary next year which is more than half of the estimated cap. It’s hard to believe they are the highest paid players on the roster next to Bosh while others on the team have contributed nearly as much yet are paid far less (Johnson, Wright, Jack, Weems, now Reggie)

Defense is still the largest issue. Hedo and Jose are weak defenders and they are not going to improve. Everything that they are now, is as good as they can be. Bargs on the other hand has stretches where he plays really well, and then he seems to regress, looking lost, forgetfull and tired. He gives up his ground way too easily and fails to block out his man on the glass. I’m not sure what the exact issue is, mabe he lacks resolve and motivation, but if he doesn’t become more consistent with those good stretches this team will not break out of mediocrity.

Jose does make the offense run more efficiently and gets the team to score when it needs to, but no more so than other guards in his pay grade could. Yet his on the ball defense is significantly below average and honestly, what he does contribute to the offense is not as great as it could be if he took a few more risks and manufactured plays rather than taking the safe route by mostly using what the defense gives him. At some point the raps will have to bite the bullet and get rid of Jose even if in the short term that means a less effective offense. He’s a useful player to have off the bench, but at 9 million a year the price is far too steep.

hedo - what can I say… this signing will haunt for years. I was taken aback this past summer when I read reports of him being offered 50 million + over 5 years by Portland and Toronto. Ridiculous. Hedo is all of the things wrong with Jose and Bargs combined

So.. yeah. I’m not surpirsed by this losing streak without Bosh now that the Raps are playing decent, hard working teams and not cannon fodder like New York, Washington, New Jersey and Philadelphia. And I won’t be surprised if Bosh leaves this summer for greener pastures.

So.. yeah. I’m not surpirsed by this losing streak without Bosh now that the Raps are playing decent, hard working teams and not cannon fodder like New York, Washington, New Jersey and Philadelphia. And I won’t be surprised if Bosh leaves this summer for greener pastures.The raps front office has been saying this core of guys is a great team to build around Bosh, but if I were him I’d be thinking “THESE are the guys we have for 3+ years?!”

So.. yeah. I’m not surpirsed by this losing streak without Bosh now that the Raps are playing decent, hard working teams and not cannon fodder like New York, Washington, New Jersey and Philadelphia. And I won’t be surprised if Bosh leaves this summer for greener pastures.The raps front office has been saying this core of guys is a great team to build around Bosh, but if I were him I’d be thinking “THESE are the guys we have for 3+ years?!”This being said, with Bosh back in the rotation and a possible injury or continued plummet of Boston it’s possible the Raptors could get out of the first round this year. No way they make it beyond that though.

Here is an interesting tidbit. Michael Finley was released by the Spurs. Can Finley provide some help at the 2 spot that this team is currently lacking? Even if his numbers are declining, his veteran leadership could really help this team’s focus.