Raptor Talk 2012-13 The New Broom

For the Umpteenth season in a row the Raptors face a tough early season schedule with 19 of their first 31 games on the road. Is this a coincidence? I think not. How can it be?

If we can weather the storm that means we have a more favourable schedule after Christmas. But we are young and losing early can definitely have a detrimental effect I just think that our market doesn't matter when the NBA is a USA-dominated league. Doing us dirt is a given!

In addition the U.S. networks are carrying only two of our games. That's tied with the Bobcats for the least coverage of any team! I'm sure American "experts" will pick us to be the worst team in the entire league.

I remember reading or hearing that: how a team performed in the previous season will depict how the NBA schedule favours them the following season... i.e. the weakest teams get the toughest schedules.

So Coach... this is why it's the umpteenth time we start off with a brutal sked.

From a Houston blog commenting on the decision to trade Lowry and the draft pick in exchange.

Interesting to see their perspective on the Raps future! They are described as "a team on the rise".

I hope so and I do think so!

"Now we turn the page, the decision having been made. Dragic will fill into the shoes of Steve Nash on a team destined for the 9th seed, structured by a management that seems to have no idea what it is doing. Lowry steps in on the Raptors as maybe its best player, a team on the rise that could make the playoffs and push back the receipt on the lottery pick assignment currently pending. The Rockets hope otherwise."

Coach, in the end doesn't the scheduling even itself out? There are teams that falter at the end, just as some teams do at the beginning. Every team plays the same proportion of teams relative to their respective divisions and conferences. There may be advantages to a tougher early schedule, or disadvantages to a tougher end schedule. Aren't team health and training/practice also primary factors to success? Some bubble teams make the playoffs playing well at the end of the schedule against all teams ...just some thoughts during the dog days...

Bernie

Good to hear from you Bernie!

What I am saying is the Raptors are a young team and struggling early may be a particular disadvantage due to that youth. But what you say is valid Bernie, the coaches need to keep them focused through difficult periods.

Hopefully come stretch time they are still in the hunt! I feel they will be!

Terrence Ross had two of the top ten dunks of Summer league. #10 and #2. I actually remember a third one that tops both of these! This young man is sooo athletic.

http://on.nba.com/T3fCyi

Our boy Jonas ain't doing too much thus far... with limited playing time.

Hope it's just match ups... being a pure center and not many teams out there have centers... except have Brazil and Spain and maybe USA.

I just feel this coach has never been in his corner from the outset!

I'm not overly concerned.

Ya I'm not too concerned either... just think it would've been nice for him to have a solid tournament and come to camp with that confidence... I guess there's still time for that to happen.

He'll outlast this coach for sure!

Hey Coach... what's up with this coach from Lithuania. Why do you feel this coach is not in his corner.

I just think he's very old school and simply not going to go with this young phenom he has! He was like give me an excuse to bench this guy and the foul situation was just that.

I predict he could lose a job when all is said and done. The team has been pretty underwhelming.

Here is an informative read on this subject:

http://www.ballineurope.com/countries/lithuania/jonas-valanciunas-olympics-2452/

thanks for the link

Yet another take on J-V's Olympic showing.

http://vancouver.24hrs.ca/Sports/othersports/2012/08/07/20074676.html

I hope the fans give the kid some space early on! There are many who are quick to criticize the Euro players. Patience will be needed but he has many assets that will help the Raptor cause even short-term.

A better effort today in a loss to Russia. 7 pts and 9 rebs in just 16 minutes of court time! Maybe the coach should have played him more earlier in the tournament!

Hey COach... I do think match ups had something to do with his PT.

Russia had a couple of true "5" men JV played against and he easily held his own.

Kleiza had a tough game... maybe the reason for the loss.

Hope someone can pull some magic and knock off the cocky US team.

petro wrote:Hey COach... I do think match ups had something to do with his PT.

Russia had a couple of true "5" men JV played against and he easily held his own.

Kleiza had a tough game... maybe the reason for the loss.

Hope someone can pull some magic and knock off the cocky US team.

Yes Good point about the bigs!

A lot of people consider a U.S. defeat impossible but you and I know differently. There are plenty of great teams out there!

Not sure if you saw foul by Batum. That can't be let go apology or not there have to be penalties for such actions!

What a suck of a player. That was purely intentional on his part and fines/suspensions should follow. Considering how FIFA is still investigating the Canadian girls soccer team for their comments after the loss to the USA... I think FIBA has a real matter to investigate and subsequently punish.

Glad Spain won - they have the best chance at beating the US.

Never been a fan of Batum.... something about him - he just looks deranged.

Yes Spain has the inside presence to give the USA huge problems!

Here's another article

http://ca.sports.yahoo.com/blogs/nba-ball-dont-lie/raptors-fans-worried-jonas-valanciunas-125331685--nba.html

Nice article. I agree its too early to cause worry about his NBA prospects. He'll be fine!

Good breakdown of the scrap for #8 in the East.

http://www.hoopsworld.com/who-will-battle-for-eighth-in-the-east/

Was hoping the Raps were going to make one more big signing/trade... guess we have to hope with this current roster... which is gonna be tough to do.

Not sure if they will have enough to crack the 8th spot... but if the defense improves like it did last year and everyone improves their individual game - and Bargs stays healthy... then maybe!

Perhaps this current roster emulates what the Bucks did two years ago and what Denver did last year.

Here's hoping but I'm not near holding my breath.