Toronto Raptors Team Preview 2010-2011
By Anonymous
Fri, 10/08/2010 - 11:02pm
By Ryan Reed
If Raptors fans are feeling a sense of déjà vu heading into the 2010/2011 season, they should be forgiven. It feels that every few years Raptors fans have to pick themselves up off the mat as another of their drafted heroes heads for sunnier and brighter prospects. Damon Stoudemire, Tracy McGrady, Vince Carter, and now Chris Bosh have all slapped the Raptors in the face since their inception in 1996. So while some are feeling down about the Raptors chances this year I believe the departure of Bosh is actually freeing for the organization.
Chris Bosh was a wonderful player and one of the most talented players in the league. What he was not is a player to build your franchise around. With Bosh, there was this pressure that the team had to win now or else he would leave. This led to the Raptors making shortsighted signings (bringing in ex-college teammate Jarret Jack for way too much money) and trying to build around Bosh. The talented lefty proved he was a very good player but not a great player. The big problem facing the Raptors is not the departure of Chris Bosh but the 15-year problem of not being able to retain their most talented players. As far as the 2010/2011 season goes, things should be interesting.
The Bad
The Raptors were a horrible defensive team last season. Opposing players and fantasy owners salivated when they saw the Raptors on the schedule. With an undersized frontline, a coach who doesn’t communicate defensive principles effectively at the NBA level, and no lockdown defenders on the perimeter, defense will again be an issue this season. The offseason additions of Leandro Barbosa and Linus Klieza did not address these weaknesses. This team better be able to score.
Not only are the Raptors going to struggle defensively this year, they are going to have to work to put the ball in the hoop. Relying on Bosh for his usual 20+ ppg over the past few seasons has hidden some of their other offensive shortcomings. The time and opportunity has come for Andrea Bargnani to take the next step and becomes a consistent offensive weapon as a 22 – 24 ppg scorer.
The Good
What I like about the 2010/2011 Raptors is they know who they are. In years past they thought they could compete with the upper echelon in the East due to the presence of Bosh. Now, they are a young team who have no expectations and fans that are itching to support them, galvanized behind the departure of Bosh. While the wins may not come immediately, this year’s version of the Raptors should be entertaining to watch.
Individual Forecasts
Andrea Bargnani
Heading into camp the Rap’s have more question marks than answers. The only sure thing is the presence of Andrea Bargnani. This could be a big year statistically for Il Mago as he will be counted on to shoulder more of the offensive load for the Rap’s. Bargnani has reportedly been working on his back to the basket game, which could morph him into the Dirk Nowtizki clone many thought he could become when he entered the league. He better be good because the players surrounding him may not be. Amir Johnson, re-signed for 35 million this summer, will be asked to expand his role. Energy players like Johnson show great potential in flashes but as team’s begin to scout and prepare for him his effectiveness could be limited. Newcomer Linus Klieza will be looked to improved on his 13 ppg, 5 rpg season 2 years ago in Denver. Klieza is a wild card as he played last season in Europe. He is a solid talent who could really bloom in a larger role in Toronto; or, he could be a role player shoved into a larger role and fail to meet expectations.
What was supposed to be one of the best point guard tandems in the league has turned into a giant headache for the Raptor’s. When he wasn’t busy taking shots at Bosh this summer, Bryan Colangelo spent the rest of his time trying to unload one or both of his point guards. Obviously they are still on the roster. If trading the 2 isn’t successful maybe coach Traino could morph the 2 into 1. Combined Calderon and Jack would make a great point guard. Creative, tough, good court instincts, solid defender. Alone, they both have too many deficiencies to be a starter in the League. Calderon is too injury prone and Jack doesn’t have the high end skill to play big minutes. For Raptors fans the hope is for Calderon to be healthy and return to the form he showed prior to earning his multi-million dollar contract.
Apart from the questions up front and at the point guard spot, the Raptors do have some bright spots in other areas. Expect big things from 2nd year man Demar DeRozan. The best athlete since Air Canada to wear a Raptor’s uniform DeRozan showed flashes of stardom during this past summer league, with an improved jump shot and dribbling skills he may very well be the future face of the franchise. The addition of Leandro Barbosa will not only strengthen their bench scoring but will provide veteran playoff experienced leadership for the squad. Journeyman Sonny Weems, a great athlete, showed some potential last season and during summer league and with the continual development of his outside shooting should be a key role player off the bench.
ED Davis1st rounder Ed Davis has over the last year been injury prone and enters camp with a knee injury sustained in a pickup game. This is not good news for the Rap’s as Davis was just recovering from his wrist surgery and now must rehab from his minor knee surgery putting him behind other rookies in his class. Finally the Raptors traded for Julian Wright, a former lottery player of the Hornets, who coming out of college was viewed as a player with a load of potential but that needed some work in honing his craft. While expectations are low as a 3rd year pro and the change of scenery he has all the opportunity to validate his NBA abilities and spark his career north of the border.
Conclusion
All this being said we’ve seen surprise teams in the East before. Who would have thought the Bucks would make a run last year? The Raptors have a perfect “Ewing Theory” potential this year as they rally around the departure of the Chris Bosh. With a youthful squad they could make a push for the 8th playoff spot. More than likely they will end up out of the playoffs and back in the lottery. For Raptors fans patience is the key as this team undergoes another makeover in the Bryan Colangelo era.
Projected Record: 33 – 49
Training Camp Roster
50 Solomon Alabi C 7-1 Florida State R
13 David Andersen C 6-11 Frankston, Australia
3 Marcus Banks G 6-2 Nevada-Las Vegas
20 Leandro Barbosa G 6-3 Sau Paulo, Brazil
7 Andrea Bargnani C-F 7-0 Rome, Italy
8 Jose Calderon G 6-3 Villanueva de la Serena, Spain
32 Ed Davis F 6-10 North Carolina R
10 DeMar DeRozan G-F 6-7 USC
9 Joey Dorsey F-C 6-8 Memphis
12 Ronald Dupree F 6-7 Louisiana State
30 Reggie Evans F 6-8 Iowa
1 Jarrett Jack G 6-3 Georgia Tech
15 Amir Johnson F 6-9 Westchester HS (Los Angeles, CA)
11 Linas Kleiza F 6-8 Missouri
24 Sonny Weems G 6-6 Arkansas
14 Julian Wright F 6-8 Kansas
If Raptors fans are feeling a sense of déjà vu heading into the 2010/2011 season, they should be forgiven. It feels that every few years Raptors fans have to pick themselves up off the mat as another of their drafted heroes heads for sunnier and brighter prospects. Damon Stoudemire, Tracy McGrady, Vince Carter, and now Chris Bosh have all slapped the Raptors in the face since their inception in 1996. So while some are feeling down about the Raptors chances this year I believe the departure of Bosh is actually freeing for the organization.
Chris Bosh was a wonderful player and one of the most talented players in the league. What he was not is a player to build your franchise around. With Bosh, there was this pressure that the team had to win now or else he would leave. This led to the Raptors making shortsighted signings (bringing in ex-college teammate Jarret Jack for way too much money) and trying to build around Bosh. The talented lefty proved he was a very good player but not a great player. The big problem facing the Raptors is not the departure of Chris Bosh but the 15-year problem of not being able to retain their most talented players. As far as the 2010/2011 season goes, things should be interesting.
The Bad
The Raptors were a horrible defensive team last season. Opposing players and fantasy owners salivated when they saw the Raptors on the schedule. With an undersized frontline, a coach who doesn’t communicate defensive principles effectively at the NBA level, and no lockdown defenders on the perimeter, defense will again be an issue this season. The offseason additions of Leandro Barbosa and Linus Klieza did not address these weaknesses. This team better be able to score.
Not only are the Raptors going to struggle defensively this year, they are going to have to work to put the ball in the hoop. Relying on Bosh for his usual 20+ ppg over the past few seasons has hidden some of their other offensive shortcomings. The time and opportunity has come for Andrea Bargnani to take the next step and becomes a consistent offensive weapon as a 22 – 24 ppg scorer.
The Good
What I like about the 2010/2011 Raptors is they know who they are. In years past they thought they could compete with the upper echelon in the East due to the presence of Bosh. Now, they are a young team who have no expectations and fans that are itching to support them, galvanized behind the departure of Bosh. While the wins may not come immediately, this year’s version of the Raptors should be entertaining to watch.
Individual Forecasts
Andrea BargnaniHeading into camp the Rap’s have more question marks than answers. The only sure thing is the presence of Andrea Bargnani. This could be a big year statistically for Il Mago as he will be counted on to shoulder more of the offensive load for the Rap’s. Bargnani has reportedly been working on his back to the basket game, which could morph him into the Dirk Nowtizki clone many thought he could become when he entered the league. He better be good because the players surrounding him may not be. Amir Johnson, re-signed for 35 million this summer, will be asked to expand his role. Energy players like Johnson show great potential in flashes but as team’s begin to scout and prepare for him his effectiveness could be limited. Newcomer Linus Klieza will be looked to improved on his 13 ppg, 5 rpg season 2 years ago in Denver. Klieza is a wild card as he played last season in Europe. He is a solid talent who could really bloom in a larger role in Toronto; or, he could be a role player shoved into a larger role and fail to meet expectations.
What was supposed to be one of the best point guard tandems in the league has turned into a giant headache for the Raptor’s. When he wasn’t busy taking shots at Bosh this summer, Bryan Colangelo spent the rest of his time trying to unload one or both of his point guards. Obviously they are still on the roster. If trading the 2 isn’t successful maybe coach Traino could morph the 2 into 1. Combined Calderon and Jack would make a great point guard. Creative, tough, good court instincts, solid defender. Alone, they both have too many deficiencies to be a starter in the League. Calderon is too injury prone and Jack doesn’t have the high end skill to play big minutes. For Raptors fans the hope is for Calderon to be healthy and return to the form he showed prior to earning his multi-million dollar contract.
Apart from the questions up front and at the point guard spot, the Raptors do have some bright spots in other areas. Expect big things from 2nd year man Demar DeRozan. The best athlete since Air Canada to wear a Raptor’s uniform DeRozan showed flashes of stardom during this past summer league, with an improved jump shot and dribbling skills he may very well be the future face of the franchise. The addition of Leandro Barbosa will not only strengthen their bench scoring but will provide veteran playoff experienced leadership for the squad. Journeyman Sonny Weems, a great athlete, showed some potential last season and during summer league and with the continual development of his outside shooting should be a key role player off the bench.
ED Davis1st rounder Ed Davis has over the last year been injury prone and enters camp with a knee injury sustained in a pickup game. This is not good news for the Rap’s as Davis was just recovering from his wrist surgery and now must rehab from his minor knee surgery putting him behind other rookies in his class. Finally the Raptors traded for Julian Wright, a former lottery player of the Hornets, who coming out of college was viewed as a player with a load of potential but that needed some work in honing his craft. While expectations are low as a 3rd year pro and the change of scenery he has all the opportunity to validate his NBA abilities and spark his career north of the border.Conclusion
All this being said we’ve seen surprise teams in the East before. Who would have thought the Bucks would make a run last year? The Raptors have a perfect “Ewing Theory” potential this year as they rally around the departure of the Chris Bosh. With a youthful squad they could make a push for the 8th playoff spot. More than likely they will end up out of the playoffs and back in the lottery. For Raptors fans patience is the key as this team undergoes another makeover in the Bryan Colangelo era.
Projected Record: 33 – 49
Training Camp Roster
50 Solomon Alabi C 7-1 Florida State R
13 David Andersen C 6-11 Frankston, Australia
3 Marcus Banks G 6-2 Nevada-Las Vegas
20 Leandro Barbosa G 6-3 Sau Paulo, Brazil
7 Andrea Bargnani C-F 7-0 Rome, Italy
8 Jose Calderon G 6-3 Villanueva de la Serena, Spain
32 Ed Davis F 6-10 North Carolina R
10 DeMar DeRozan G-F 6-7 USC
9 Joey Dorsey F-C 6-8 Memphis
12 Ronald Dupree F 6-7 Louisiana State
30 Reggie Evans F 6-8 Iowa
1 Jarrett Jack G 6-3 Georgia Tech
15 Amir Johnson F 6-9 Westchester HS (Los Angeles, CA)
11 Linas Kleiza F 6-8 Missouri
24 Sonny Weems G 6-6 Arkansas
14 Julian Wright F 6-8 Kansas
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