Thoughts on Colangelo's Raptors?

[TestSubjekt]

Any thoghts on Colangelo's Raptors and how they will fare compared to last year's squad?

[LeafKing13]

Bugger...I wanted to be the first one to post here

Anyway...The team will probablly have a rough start to the year, but later on I think we'll see a possible playoff team forming.

[TestSubjekt]

What kind of a feeling do you get when looking at the Raptors with all the Europeans they brought in? Colangelo's a smart guy for bringing in the best talent from around the world...or these guys were playing in Europe and not the NBA for a reason...?

[mbow30]

I like what he has done. With Nesterovic creating space underneath the basket and giving support on the defensive end, Bosh is going to have a lot more room to maneuver out there. Factor in the addition of an immensely talented pass-first point guard and we may have the makings of a 25/10 power forward (not to mention improvements Bosh is likely to make, given his age). There is, of course, risk in signing Europeans, however it appears that it was the only route the Raptors could take in order to add the depth required for the team to be competitive for a playoff spot. It may implode but I don't think that it will--and if it does, Colangelo did not serve any exorbitant or untradeable contracts, so the team won't be stuck in a jam like they were when saddled with the deals to VC, AD, AW and JR.

I have noticed that two forgotten men over the summer have been Joey Graham and Morris Petersen. While MoPete will have a diminished role on the team with the additions of Parker and Jones, Graham would play an important role on the team should he perform consistently as he did when given increased minutes back in April. He has the athleticism, hops and shooting ability to be a good sixth man, especially if Bargnani struggles to adapt quickly.

[LeafKing13]

I'm really excited as far as seeing what Bargs can do in NA.

[axlsalinger]

I am really excited about the Raptors chances this year. The goal has to be playoffs or bust, it really is possible in the Eastern Conference, and the division title is also in reach.

We finally have a real center, and Bargnani and Tucker seem like great draft picks.

I also think Colangelo's under-the-radar signings will surprise some people, namely Parker and Garbajosa.

The wild card, however, will be TJ Ford.

I am a bit concerned about team chemistry, though. There are a lot of new faces, and it may take a while for them to gel.

[LeafKing13]

^^^That's going to be the key. The team has skill, but we need to get them to gel. It's the same reason the Rangers didn't win the Stanley Cup and for a while the Yankees didn't win a WS.

[satyr9]

IMO it's gonna be a very good year to watch Raps ball. I think it'll take some serious luck as far as chemistry goes to be able to translate it into wins right away, but compared to the last 3 seasons of watching a team trying to wait itself out of cap hell, this is gonna be great.

With so many guys who have to get acclimatized to the NBA we're gonna struggle, but at least they'll be progressing towards solid NBA players. That's a big jump from "hey if Loren Woods can magically become Ben Wallace, we'll be good this year." IMO with a year of geling this team is a legit 2nd scoring option (preferably at the 2 or 3) away from being a very competitive team in the east and there are possibilities on the roster for that to come from within. I think the Raps have made an improvement similar to what the Jays did their last offseason, but without the huge expectations weighing them down and the Nets are definitely not the Yanks/RedSox equivalent in the NBA. This team more than any other Toronto sports team can have some legitimate playoff aspirations in the coming years.

BTW, hi everybody.

[oilfan]

Can't wait for the season to start, should be an exciting group to watch.

[napperx]

There is no doubt in my mind that this team must and will perform better than last year. Playoffs should be eyed. If the team isn't performing to Colangelo's standards then there will be a trade and small possibility Mitchell being fired.