Raptors Drop a Spot to 26 on ESPN.com's "Future Power Rankings" List

by Adam Francis on Feb 8, 2012 3:00 PM EST in Media Watch

Not exactly a rosy day for Toronto Raptors' fans.

First, the news regarding Ed Davis, who apparently was not invited to play in the NBA's upcoming Rookie-Sophomore game at All-Star Weekend. (Tiago Splitter appears to have gotten the nod.)

Maybe no surprise there based on Davis' play this season, but disappointing nonetheless considering his rookie campaign, which seemed to have him poised to be on the sophomore squad this season.

On top of this, ESPN.com just posted the latest update on its NBA Future Power Rankings...

...which the Raptors finished 26 in, even dropping a spot from last time. (ESPN Insider)

From the piece:

Virtually nothing has changed since we checked in on them last March. The Raptors are still a long, long way from coming together in a coherent fashion. Overall, they slipped another spot in the rankings to No. 26 as they continue to idle at the bottom of the East standings.

But there are reasons for optimism. For starters, many NBA scouts are very high on last year's draft pick, Lithuanian big man Jonas Valanciunas...and (the team) is also in line for a high pick this June in what looks to be a very strong draft.

On the downside, much of their young talent is still a work in progress. After a terrific sophomore season, DeMar DeRozan has regressed quite a bit this season. The team also still has gaping holes at both the small forward and point guard positions going forward (Jose Calderon is solid, but he's not the point guard of the future). And even with the cap room, will it really matter? Lots of teams are poised to have major cap space the next few years, and Toronto hasn't really been a marquee destination for top free agents.

Yikes.

OKC comes out on top with Miami, Chicago, the LA Clippers and Indiana rounding out the top five.

The Raptors are now ahead of only New Orleans, Detroit, Phoenix and Charlotte, a fairly motley crew.

Unfortunately ESPN.com's assessment, based on various factors from current talent level to NBA market, is a fairly accurate one I'd argue, and the club really is going to be stuck in the mud until current youngsters like DeRozan and Davis take big steps forward developmentally and the team brings in some additional blue chip talent.

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They Have Remained and Changed The Format of What Used To Be Rookies vs Sophmores

NBA Names 2012 Rising Stars Roster Pool
By HOOPSWORLD

NEW YORK, Feb. 8, 2012 – Reigning Rookie of the Year Blake Griffin of the Los Angeles Clippers, the Cleveland Cavaliers’ Kyrie Irving, the No. 1 overall selection in the 2011 NBA Draft, and Minnesota Timberwolves rookie Ricky Rubio, who ranks third overall in assists, lead a list of 18 players selected for the 2012 BBVA Rising Stars Challenge to be held on Friday, Feb.24, in Orlando during NBA All-Star 2012.

Joining Griffin from the Sophomore class are: DeMarcus Cousins (Sacramento Kings), Landry Fields (New York Knicks), Paul George (Indiana Pacers), Gordon Hayward (Utah Jazz), Greg Monroe (Detroit Pistons), Tiago Splitter (San Antonio Spurs), Evan Turner (Philadelphia 76ers), and John Wall (Washington Wizards).

Irving and Rubio are joined by fellow first-year players MarShon Brooks (New Jersey Nets), Brandon Knight (Detroit Pistons), Kawhi Leonard (San Antonio Spurs), Markieff Morris (Phoenix Suns), Tristan Thompson (Cleveland Cavaliers), Kemba Walker (Charlotte Bobcats), and Derrick Williams (Minnesota Timberwolves).

The participants in the BBVA Rising Stars Challenge were selected by the NBA’s assistant coaches, with each team submitting one ballot.

This year, a new format is being implemented to a game that has historically featured NBA rookies facing off against sophomores. For the first time, rookies and sophomores will be mixed together on teams. TNT analysts Charles Barkley and Shaquille O’Neal will serve as the general managers of the two opposing teams – TEAM CHUCK and TEAM SHAQ – each with nine man rosters, drafted from the aforementioned pool. TNT’s Kenny Smith will serve as the honorary Commissioner and Ernie Johnson will host the live BBVA Rising Stars Challenge Draft on Thursday, Feb. 16, on NBA TV at 7 p.m. ET.

by Buddahfan on Feb 8, 2012 4:20 PM EST reply actions

I Guess The NBA Assistant Coaches Don't Consider Ed "A Rising Star" At This Time

by Buddahfan on Feb 8, 2012 4:21 PM EST up reply actions

I think he's currently more "plateaued" than "rising"...

"the Truth"

by Mikthaniel on Feb 8, 2012 4:32 PM EST up reply actions

agreed

Davis hasn’t done much to prove he deserves to be in that game this season.

I like the new format. Could be fun.

by Posterized on Feb 8, 2012 4:45 PM EST up reply actions

Yeah, you’d really struggle to make an argument that Ed Davis deserves to play in that game over the other players.

by RaptorsHQ - Defensive Stance on Feb 8, 2012 5:16 PM EST up reply actions

+1

Adam Francis - Publisher - RaptorsHQ.com

by Adam Francis on Feb 8, 2012 6:28 PM EST up reply actions

woulda, coulda, shoulda

but he didn’t and so Ed doesn’t deserve to go.

by defensive rap on Feb 8, 2012 6:43 PM EST up reply actions

I Think The Difference Is Casey

and his style of basketball.

Ed’s game is better suited to a running game rather than a half court grind it out game. Other than Bargnani and maybe Barbosa no other Raptors players has shown consistent good offense this season.

by Buddahfan on Feb 8, 2012 5:27 PM EST up reply actions

Jose has shown good offence this year

by defensive rap on Feb 8, 2012 5:58 PM EST reply actions

Quantum Physics

Really, the raptor have the 26th best future? how far in the future are we talking? because miami doesn’t last forever, wade is 30 already.. Yes they will be hardcore for another 5 years but after that it gets merky. Raps however will be a top team potentially in 5-7 years… Val, Derozan, Davis, Bargnani, Number 1 pick next season, and depending a lot of free agency. etcc

by scarx on Feb 8, 2012 8:21 PM EST reply actions