Announcement

Collapse
No announcement yet.

2012 Off-Season Report Card

Collapse
X
 
  • Filter
  • Time
  • Show
Clear All
new posts

  • #16
    3 pt. shooting : Bargnani, Fields (his first year stats were not bad...hope he reverses from last year), Ross (rookie but has a good shot). Anderson was 39% from the 3pt. but with a smaller role. Lowry can be a threat and so can Kleiza.

    All in all we dont have a proven specialist but again this is a team in flux so as I had indicated providing an assessment right now of moves made is premature....but I think we have a few threats for spacing the floor....they just have to prove it or BC shall have to improve it by trade deadline time.

    Comment


    • #17
      Maybe the summer is done after all? I really respect Alex Kennedy at HoopsWorld.com for his insights and 'sources'. He is by far the best there. Here are his views on Toronto.


      Raptor Fanatic

      I like the moves Toronto has made. I believe Ross will make many eat their words soon enough. Toronto is no doubt improved but it seems like one major move is left to be made. Do you see any trade on the horizon for an upper tier wing? How do you feel about the Raps making the playoffs?

      Alex Kennedy

      I love the addition of Kyle Lowry. Even after last year’s breakout season, he’s still extremely underrated. He’s going to make the Raptors a much better team, on both ends of the court. I think he’s going to make everyone around him better and I think that was a steal for Toronto.

      I’m excited to see what Jonas Valanciunas does as well. I’ve heard great things about him and he could make an immediate impact.

      I’m a big fan of Terrence Ross too. I spent some time with him out at Impact Basketball in Los Angeles and I was very impressed with his game. I agree with you, I think he’ll make people eat their words.

      I think the Raptors would love to make one more major move and acquire a top-tier wing, but I don’t think it’ll happen this summer. They tried to pursue guys like Rudy Gay and Andre Iguodala, but neither team was willing to part ways with their star forward. After missing on those guys, the Raptors did a great job upgrading their roster in other ways and I think they could compete for a playoff spot next season. I’m not sure if they’ll get in, but they’ll be in the hunt. Talking to the players and coaching staff in Toronto, that’s definitely their goal entering the season.

      http://www.hoopsworld.com/nba-chat-w...-kennedy-72512

      Comment


      • #18
        75%.

        Took a step in the right direction while being relatively risk free (taking Ross was a little risky), and not hampering our future. We added tons of outside talent, and maybe see some players who were on the team last year improve (Demar). Getting an 80 or 90 would have been getting Gay/Iggy.

        Comment


        • #19
          I put 80 Landry still needs to prove himself! I think Lowry can be an all star in this league still young still room for improvement and one of the best PG defenders. And ross looks good!

          Comment


          • #20
            Matt how often do you hear tell of a significant move at the end of July and heading into August? I graded the off-season as a 70%. There were a lot of interesting young free agents that the Raptors could have went after. This was the off-season I think they should have capped out.

            Comment


            • #21
              I gave them a 70. Positive moves, but no real breakout. And JV was last years move :-)

              Room for them to make a move at the trade deadline with Jose, if an upper tier contender loses a PG or needs insurance. But that won't be the off-season.

              Comment


              • #22
                I say 70%. But only because I think the "tanking" of last year should have produced a higher pick, but that is not really part of the off season. So, working with what they had, I would give it 80%.

                But to be clear, I hope that the Raptors never try to tank again.
                Walking like I'm already there.

                Comment


                • #23
                  Apollo wrote: View Post
                  Matt how often do you hear tell of a significant move at the end of July and heading into August? I graded the off-season as a 70%. There were a lot of interesting young free agents that the Raptors could have went after. This was the off-season I think they should have capped out.
                  I wonder if they're waiting to see how JV does first. I think making such a big move without knowing how JV will adapt and perform at the NBA level is a tad premature. Because if he over-performs (fingers crossed) maybe Toronto doesn't need to add another "big-time" player.
                  Walking like I'm already there.

                  Comment


                  • #24
                    10 000 Hours wrote: View Post
                    I wonder if they're waiting to see how JV does first. I think making such a big move without knowing how JV will adapt and perform at the NBA level is a tad premature. Because if he over-performs (fingers crossed) maybe Toronto doesn't need to add another "big-time" player.
                    Its a good point, but I still think we could use an elite-level wing player to really allow us to take that next step. However, I feel that Lowry is that player that I've read everyone say we need. I truly believe he could be an all-star PG and I'll be looking for him to have similar number to Rondo, with less assists, but more points/3's. I am that high on him. Perhaps I am hyping him a bit too much and maybe it was the system he was in last year...but I think he has better players/weapons at his disposal in Bargs, Demar and Fields/Ross. Not to mention Casey is, imo, a MUCH better coach than Mchale.

                    I also have an exceptionally high view of Ross. I have this feeling that, although I know I cannot justify it with any proof or examples, he's going to be something good. So between his drafting, JV being signed this year (still counts as an off-season move as he was signed this year...technicality maybe, but I'll let the Raps have it lol), Lowry and Fields, I gave them a 90. In hindsight perhaps I was too excited to be excited for the upcoming season, but screw it. Its not like my vote has any merit anyways haha

                    Comment


                    • #25
                      70%. I like the moves but there are A LOT of if's going into the season.
                      Deadallus

                      Comment


                      • #26
                        Quito wrote: View Post
                        Its a good point, but I still think we could use an elite-level wing player to really allow us to take that next step. However, I feel that Lowry is that player that I've read everyone say we need. I truly believe he could be an all-star PG and I'll be looking for him to have similar number to Rondo, with less assists, but more points/3's. I am that high on him. Perhaps I am hyping him a bit too much and maybe it was the system he was in last year...but I think he has better players/weapons at his disposal in Bargs, Demar and Fields/Ross. Not to mention Casey is, imo, a MUCH better coach than Mchale.

                        I also have an exceptionally high view of Ross. I have this feeling that, although I know I cannot justify it with any proof or examples, he's going to be something good. So between his drafting, JV being signed this year (still counts as an off-season move as he was signed this year...technicality maybe, but I'll let the Raps have it lol), Lowry and Fields, I gave them a 90. In hindsight perhaps I was too excited to be excited for the upcoming season, but screw it. Its not like my vote has any merit anyways haha
                        agreed I think Lowry has the ability to be an all star in this league! His defense is superb and he can distribute! needs to work on his jump shot if he wants to reach the next level but in saying that rondos jump shot is still iffy and he is one of the Best PG's in the league!

                        Comment


                        • #27
                          LAST SEASON

                          PG: Calderon, Bayless, Carter
                          SG: Derozan Barbosa
                          SF: Johnson, Klieza
                          PF: Bargnani, Amir, Davis
                          C: Gray, Magloire


                          COMING SEASON

                          PG: Lowry, Calderon, Lucas 111-IMPROVED
                          SG: Derozan, Ross-IMPROVED
                          SF: Fields, Klieza
                          PF: Bargnani, Amir, Davis
                          C: Jonas, Gray-IMPROVED

                          While we are more or less even in two areas, we've improved in three. It's reasonable to expect a significant improvement in PG play while although there is improvement in SG and Centre positions, it's difficult to say how much. Could be anywhere from moderate to vast. It's in these two areas that the season for the Raptors depends. How much impact Jonas and Ross have will determine where we finish. Barring future moves.

                          I may have missed some names but I think I got the ones that matter.
                          Last edited by Eric Akshinthala; Sat Jul 28, 2012, 05:57 AM.
                          Attitude Is A Choice.

                          Comment


                          • #28
                            Apollo wrote: View Post
                            Matt how often do you hear tell of a significant move at the end of July and heading into August? I graded the off-season as a 70%. There were a lot of interesting young free agents that the Raptors could have went after. This was the off-season I think they should have capped out.
                            How often do you hear of significant moves at the end of July and heading in to August? Rarely and this year with the Dwight Howard soap opera is certainly not helping and likely creating a bottle neck type of effect. But outside of just after December 15th, leading in to the trade deadline, and draft night, trades are usually fairly rare any time of the year. However do trades happen in late July/early August? Absolutely. 2011 does not qualify due to lockout but BC does have a history of roster tinkering in to late July/August and other significant trades have gone down:

                            August 11, 2010:

                            • Indiana acquired guard Darren Collison and forward James Posey from New Orleans. Traded forward Troy Murphy to New Jersey, who traded guard Courtney Lee to Houston. Houston traded guard/forward Trevor Ariza to New Orleans.
                            • Toronto trades guard Marco Belinelli to New Orleans for forward Julian Wright.

                            http://www.nba.com/news/transactions/2010_11/
                            August 18, 2009:

                            • Milwaukee acquired guard/forward Carlos Delfino and guard Roko Ukic from Toronto for forward Amir Johnson and guard/forward Sonny Weems.

                            http://www.nba.com/news/transactions/2009_10/
                            July 30, 2009:

                            • Toronto traded guard/forward Devean George and cash to Golden State for guard Marco Belinelli. Signed center Rasho Nesterovic to a one-year contract.

                            http://www.nba.com/news/transactions/2009_10/
                            July 28, 2009:

                            • Charlotte acquired center Tyson Chandler from New Orleans for forward/center Emeka Okafor

                            http://www.nba.com/news/transactions/2009_10/

                            As for the young free agents Toronto could have gone after, it takes 2 to tango. Did any of those young free agents want to come to Toronto? Who was worth pursuing and at what cost? Batum at 4 years and nearly $50M? They did add 2 young players at PG and wing - Lowry via trade and Fields through free agency - to go along with 2 incoming rooks. Outside of Steve Nash it really is tough to know who the Raptors were interested in or inquired about (Batum was rumoured initially).

                            As for capping out this summer, I thought that as well but it was always with assumption/hope of acquiring a younger, top tier SF. This was probably unrealistic, wishful thinking on my part that continues. Given the Raptors do not appear to have that alpha-dog, first option, All-Star calibre player, capping out the team might not be in the best interests.

                            At this time, I think BC has set the team up well for that final piece. On the trade front, the team has a large expiring contract, a rookie contract, role players on reasonable contracts. The downfall is they have no 1st round pick to offer but they do have 3 second round picks over the next 2 drafts. If no trade happens before the trade deadline, they have $10M in cap space (cap/luxury tax threshold might go up as has been reported so could be more) for next summer with DD's qualifying offer plus the amnesty is still at their disposal (Amir or Kleiza most likely). If they renounce DD they have enough for a max contract and via a trade they could use their cap space and then resign DD if they wanted. Even with this flexibility, the roster is still in tact with PG, SG, PF, and C all reasonably manned over the next 2 seasons.

                            The timing of this flexibility with a young roster is also advantageous considering the new CBA tax rates are coming in to effect after this season and luxury tax teams being limited to mini-MLE and minimum contracts (i.e. no sign and trades).


                            Despite the fact the Raps have not capped themselves out, they still are a better team in my opinion (younger, deeper, better). In the end though, we've heard all about this flexibility for over a year now and nothing has come of it. I remain skeptical but it is certainly better to be positioned to acquire a major talent than to not have that ability..... and the fact the team has improved despite not capping themselves out only makes it an added bonus.
                            Last edited by mcHAPPY; Sat Jul 28, 2012, 09:06 AM.

                            Comment


                            • #29
                              I think there are two significant milestones that need to be reached before we can say that this off season is truly over. Dwight and the Olympics. Once those are over, I can see some last minute trades being done - and Bryan possibly getting in on the action.

                              Comment


                              • #30
                                Eric Akshinthala wrote: View Post
                                LAST SEASON

                                PG: Calderon, Bayless, Carter
                                SG: Derozan Barbosa
                                SF: Johnson, Klieza
                                PF: Bargnani, Amir, Davis
                                C: Gray, Magloire


                                COMING SEASON

                                PG: Lowry, Calderon, Lucas 111-IMPROVED
                                SG: Derozan, Ross-IMPROVED
                                SF: Fields, Klieza
                                PF: Bargnani, Amir, Davis
                                C: Jonas, Gray-IMPROVED

                                While we are more or less even in two areas, we've improved in three. It's reasonable to expect a significant improvement in PG play while although there is improvement in SG and Centre positions, it's difficult to say how much. Could be anywhere from moderate to vast. It's in these two areas that the season for the Raptors depends. How much impact Jonas and Ross have will determine where we finish. Barring future moves.

                                I may have missed some names but I think I got the ones that matter.
                                I'd say fields is an improvement over JJ. He'll end up being the much better player

                                Comment

                                Working...
                                X