Toronto Raptors Season Preview
Last Year’s Record: 33-49
Key Losses: Joey Graham, Nathan Jawai, Jason Kapono, Shawn Marion, Pops Mensah-Bonsu, Anthony Parker, Roko Ukic, Jake Voskuhl
Key Additions: Marco Belinelli, DeMar DeRozan, Reggie Evans, Jarrett Jack, Amir Johnson, Rasho Nesterovic, Hedo Turkoglu, Sonny Weems, Antoine Wright
What Significant Moves were made during the off-season?
My favourite quote from the Raptors media day was when Bryan Colangelo joked he would have made more roster moves but he ran out of players.
All kidding aside, Colangelo did a great job of getting rid of parts that weren’t working and exchanging them for players that have a lot of promise. He had a busy summer as he dealt Nathan Jawai, Jason Kapono, Shawn Marion and Roko Ukic, while he allowed Joey Graham, Pops Mensah-Bonsu, Anthony Parker and Jake Voskuhl to find homes elsewhere. He then filled out the remaining roster spots by bringing Marco Belinelli, DeMar DeRozan, Reggie Evans, Jarrett Jack, Amir Johnson, Rasho Nesterovic, Hedo Turkoglu, Sonny Weems and Antoine Wright into the mix.
With nine new faces in training camp that means a lot of minutes are up for grabs during training camp. Not only that, but on paper this is the deepest roster in the history of the franchise.
Will all these moves work out? Time will tell, but for the time being fans are excited about the moves that were made over the past few months.
What are the team’s biggest strengths?
It’s a combination of the new depth combined with a few players becoming free agents next summer. Both situations are the ideal way to get players playing hungry and at their highest level during practices and games.
While reading through some articles this past week something that jumped out at me was a story about the 2004-5 Seattle SuperSonics who many had neglected after going 37-45 the previous season. What fans and writers failed to take into account is that Ray Allen and a ton of the players were on the verge of becoming free agents so they had a lot to play for that season. Throw into the mix that the team had a deep and balanced roster and it helped the Sonics enjoy a successful season (52-30).
Could the Raptors enjoy this same level of success this season? Sure, I think 50 plus wins is possible. Not likely, but possible. I think the team will finish with somewhere between 45 and 50 wins and have the chance to make some noise in the playoffs.
What are the team’s biggest weaknesses?
I’m going to sound like a complete homer here but the team doesn’t really have a weakness heading into this season.
Do they have a franchise player playing hungry with a sense of urgency because he’ll be a free agent next summer? Check.
How about a starting point guard who is finally healthy and one of the top assist men in the NBA? Check.
What about a deep roster in case the injury bug strikes? Check.
How about throwing into the mix the addition of one of the top free agents from last summer? Check.
And, for good measure, a general manager willing to pull the trigger on a deal if needed at any point during the season? Check.
Unless this teams star players get completely ravaged with injuries I don’t see what could prevent this team from having a strong season.
What are the goals for this team?
They just need their core group of players – Andrea Bargnani, Chris Bosh, Jose Calderon and Hedo Turkoglu – to stay healthy while successfully merging in all of the new faces into Jay Triano’s system. If that happens look for the team to have a successful season and have a chance to cause some noise in the playoffs.
If any combination of those players goes down for an extended period of time due to an injury or Triano’s offensive and defensive philosophies doesn’t mesh with the current group of talent the team could be in for yet another long season.
If the team struggles this season look for talk of Bosh leaving Toronto to reach epic proportions.
Projected Finish
Man, I really hate projecting a number of wins. If I pick too high of a number I’m a homer and unrealistic but if I pick a number that’s too low than I’m a bitter and jaded writer. So with that in mind, I’m going to predict the team finishing a respectable 45-37.
20 Comments on “Toronto Raptors Season Preview”.
Have Your Say:
How about a lack of a true center as a major weakness? Or a lack of a post player? Or any ability by the projected starters to be able to play defense? The five most talented players are all offensively talented, while the bench is made up of defensive-only type players that offer little offensively. There’s also a big question at shooting guard. Marco Belinelli looks good on paper and has shown some flashes, but he’s never started for a season. Demar DeRozan’s never played an NBA game and while Jack can and will play at the 2 this season, he is ultimately too small to start there. While I think this team has a shot at 45-47 games, a lot of things will have to go very right. Seeing as how they have no post presence, and their best rebounder has zero offensive ability and is 6-7 (evans), this team will be jacking up a lot of jumpshots and not grabbing a ton of boards…not the best recipe for sustained success. They’ll be more like Golden State East, but with solid management behind them and no Don Nelson.
October 4, 2009 » 2:02 AM »
Jordan – Few NBA teams go with a “true” centre any more. Besides Cleveland (Shaq) and Orlando (Dwight), how many teams have bruising big men? I think the addition of Rasho will help in those games. Even the Lakers – who are coming off an NBA Championship – lack a bruising post player as they rely on Gasol and Bynum. Why can’t the Raptors do something similar with Bosh and Bargnani? Granted, that combo isn’t as talented as the Lakers, but I think they are comparable.
As for a shooting guard, I think the combination of Jack, DeRozan, Belinelli and Wright will suffice. Besides, with Bargnani, Bosh and Turkoglu accounting for most of our scoring I don’t think the team will look to their two guard for a huge scoring punch. I think the positions contribution will come on the defensive end for the most part. Hence why the team is excited about Wright being a defensive presence so far in training camp.
No post presence? C’mon now, that’s a little too bitter and jaded. I think Bosh, Bargnani, Johnson and Nesterovic provide at least a mild post presence.
October 4, 2009 » 9:05 AM »
[...] Hoops Addict They just need their core group of players – Andrea Bargnani, Chris Bosh, Jose Calderon and Hedo Turkoglu – to stay healthy while successfully merging in all of the new faces into Jay Triano’s system. If that happens look for the team to have a successful season and have a chance to cause some noise in the playoffs. [...]
October 4, 2009 » 9:55 AM »
Ryan – must say have enjoyed your work throughout the years.
I think its a good assessment – ok no weaknesses might be revised after 10 games. On paper this team has got talent and depth to compete with the bigger boys. Do not want to go crazy and predict 50 plus but if things go as right this year as they did wrong last season, this team can surprise.
Contract year for Bosh, Bargnani growing into a presence, Turk fitting in well, Jose quieting all the fools who have somehow dropped him to top 15 PG. When healthy, easily top 10 and could argue higher. DeRozan, Jack, Johnson, Wright, Belinelli, Evans and Rasho adding quality minutes. Maybe a surprise from Douby, Weems or dare a say it, a healthy Marcus Banks.
Question. Which one of the big three of Celts, Cavs annd Magic are most likely to falter? Do not rule it a lock that these 3 are 1-2-3 in East. Afew teams will disappoint and a couple of teams will surprise. Look for Raps to be a surprise,
The onus falls to the coaching staff. Early preseason everyone is positive, it seems to be stressing on much neeeded defense which will be key.
October 4, 2009 » 3:07 PM »
Tinman – Thanks for leaving the comment and the kind words. Both are greatly appreciated.
Fair enough, I can see how you and Jordan have a good point about the no weakness argument was weak. I guess I was a little too excited yesterday afternoon while writing this article.
Of the big three I think the Cavs are the most likely to hold course. I think Orlando will also hold course but if Shaq or LeBron miss a big stretch of games that would cause the team to stumble. Right now I’m hearing reports out of Boston that KG’s knee isn’t where it should be so I would peg Boston as a team that could be slow out of the gate.
However, I still think Boston, Cleveland and Orlando are the cream of the crop in the east. I would also put Atlanta ahead of Toronto due to the nice additions this summer (Crawford, Joe Smith and their rookie PG) coupled with the chemistry the team has formed over the past few seasons.
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