Raptor Talk 09-10 - Exciting If Nothing Else!

Sorry but I think Rasho would be a big mistake.
He wasn't a factor this season in Indiana.

He was definitely a tough player in his stint with the Raps, but now on the downside of his career for sure...2 years can make a huge difference. How much does he have left?

[quote="Coach Clement"]Starting a new thread.

What do you think so far?

Myself I like the direction. Hiring Ivaroni and trading for some toughness are both good moves.

JK was never my man. He passed up open looks and shot contested looks. He drove me crazy.

They want to get tougher, they want to get faster. They are moving in the right direction Reggie is tough, JK was slow!

Next up, the draft! Re-sign CB4! [/quote]


When did you honestly ever see JK pass up an open look? Seriously, because I missed a few games this year.

Are you asking me to cite a game or games? You can't be serious. I am honest in expressing my opinions.

In my opinion, it appeared he was trying to work on other aspects of his game such as post entry and dribble penetration. Maybe he was coached to do so but I thought his game outside the arc suffered.

He was 78th in 3-Pt shots taken. He ranked behind Kleiza, Anthony Parker, Charlie V, Matt Bonner, Radmonovic and he has one of the highest percentages in the league (12th). Is that not being too selective?

He has been touted as the best or one of the best 3-pt. shooters in the NBA and he ranked 78th in the league in 3-pts attempted. He should at least try to do what he does best.

What is that Vince Carter of the "no more dunking" school of basketball?

[quote="RealBall"]Sorry but I think Rasho would be a big mistake.
He wasn't a factor this season in Indiana.

He was definitely a tough player in his stint with the Raps, but now on the downside of his career for sure...2 years can make a huge difference. How much does he have left?[/quote]

Are you saying his NBA career is over? He would be the fourth of four or five bigs.

I think he could still contribute in that limited role but maybe you might want that role to go to an energy guy like Hump or Pops or even to develop a young player like O'Bryant. That may be a better option I guess.

I'm beginning to wonder if the Raps have given up on Roko Ukic.

They seem to have an inordinate interest in the PG position having worked out both Lawson and Flynn.

Is this part of the process or are they looking to bring in a young PG to back up Calderon?

Coach Bob... although I hope you're wrong... you maybe right!

I have that sense too... especially after hearing Colangelo speak at the seasons end news conference.

I don't think BC is convinced that Roko can handle the primary role as back up point guard. I think he will look for some assurance there.

This is a huge summer for Roko... in terms of his own skill development but also in representing Croatia at the European Championships. Croatia is putting together a very strong team and he is a big part of it. They are going into this tournament with the mindset of earning a medal. That would be huge for his confidence going into camp in the fall.

No doubt Roko will put in the hours to work on his jump shot... he's a gym rat with a huge passion to improve and succeed... just hope the capacity is there for him to improve and develop that sharp shooting eye.

I think Roko's performance last season is what you can expect from a young point guard. He had his moments - some shaky some promising.

Calderon was not far different in his NBA development.

I would not expect a Flynn or Lawson to be exempt from such growing pains.

We need to draft a wing with our first choice!

id keep roko. he has the size, skill set and passion that most players lack. he is also very young and "moldable"

I agree. I was not advocating getting rid of him.

I was just speculating on where Colangelo might be going with this.

I heard Balsillie is putting in a bid to move the raptors to Hamilton. Go Celtics!. Garnett is coming back hungrier than ever. Raptors are many years away from being a contender. Inexperienced coach, non-committal star player and a bunch of average guys as support. I try to like them but it is a management and coaching fiasco always trying to put a band-aid on a major wound. The worst part is the players who leave often do much better on their new teams.

I think Calderon would be adequate for now in a high tempo type of game.

But moving forward I think he would be phased out!

I do believe that's the plan! Next year would be a transition year.

Roko is quick with the ball and can definitely break down defenders he may be the man moving forward.

Draft a wing!

Dumping Roko would repeat a mistake the team has made in the past -- giving up on a young point guard who is learning and adjusting to the NBA (see Billups, Arroyo, Pargo). Ideally he could play 10 to 15 minutes a game. He needs to get stronger and upgrade his jump shot to do that. Calderon, with his five year deal, will play most minutes unless injured.

Evans adds toughness and rebounding but unlike Oakley he can't run and really doesn't need to be guarded. Oak could stick an 18 footer and did have to be guarded. Look for more doubling of Bosh when Evans is in the game.

Pops fits the running game better and was one of the few guys who played with great enthusiasm and energy last year. Perhaps they will cut him as those qualities are often undervalued by the guys in the suits.

Bringing back Delfino and Rasho would seem to indicate that they blew it by letting them go before last season. Rasho was the best interior defender on the team the last time he was here but he now appears to be in decline. He could back up Bargnani for 10 to 15 mintues a game without complaint. Deflino is more versatile than Kapono.

Not sure where this is heading - perhaps backwards again.

The Bosh issue hangs over their heads but I presume he will stay and take the big money. The Raptors could simply refuse a sign and trade and make him take $30 M less for leaving at the end of 09/10. He said he wants a max contract so the money is clearly a major issue for him.

This team refuses to really rebuild so is probably slotted for a mid pack finish -- a borderline playoff team if everything goes well and likely something less.

It will be tough to draft an impact guy at 9.

Will be interesting to see what other deals they make. They don't seem to have many assets to move.

"Will be interesting to see what other deals they make. They don't seem to have many assets to move."

They do have some younger players who teams might be willing to trade for.

Players like Pops Mensah-Bonsuh, Nathan Jawai, Patrick O'Bryant and Roko Ukic would fit into that category.

They also have a couple of older guys like Anthony Parker, Kris Humphries, Joey Graham and Shawn Marion on a sign-and-trade.

These guys may fit a specific need in another NBA city. Look how Matt Bonner fit in with the Spurs.

I'm assuming Andrea, Jose and CB-4 are untouchables along with newly-acquired Reggie Evans. Although Bosh may no longer be because of his contract status.

Again I am not advocating that we trade any or all of these guys, I'm just saying Colangelo might.