The New Raps Will Be A +0.500 Playoff Team

[Multipaul]

Lots of haters recently drinking the ESPN Kool Aid and crucifying our team before the season starts.

I would counter that and argue that this year we WILL be a +500 team, and we WILL make the playoffs.

Here is the Eastern Conf teams list:

Cleveland
Orlando
Atlanta
Boston
Miami
Milwaukee
Charlotte
Chicago
Toronto
Indiana
New York
Detroit
Philadelphia
Washington
New Jersey


Who are we really afraid of here? I would say Boston, Miami, Orlando, and ATL. Milwaukee is pretty tough too, so we should split the season series with them.
The Atlantic Div isn't stacked, and I think we match up with most of the other teams very well.

Playing vs the West is always a crap shoot, usually the teams we "should" beat, end up shellacking us.

That being said, I think considering the makeup this new squad I think we can do +500 no problem. Come on, are we afraid of Amare and the Knicks? Detroit? No way.

[MangoKid]

Ummm.. Chicago had a pretty good offseason as well adding Boozer, Brewer, Korver to Rose and Noah.

While your spirit is refreshing, I can't share that same rosy attitude, sorry brother.

[Multipaul]

Touche, Chicago is beefed up for sure. I am actually looking forward to seeing Booze in our conference this year, I think our games with Chicago will be pretty sick. Derrick Rose, meet Leandro Barbosa.

[MangoKid]

Touche, Chicago is beefed up for sure. I am actually looking forward to seeing Booze in our conference this year, I think our games with Chicago will be pretty sick. Derrick Rose, meet Leandro Barbosa.

Barbosa, while quick, isn't in the same league as Derrick Rose. Rose is a game-changer. Chicago has a solid team from top to bottom.

[TRX]

Being a sixth to eight seed in the East is a joke. You don't even have to be .500 to be one. If that's all you're arguing we can be, that doesn't mean much. Since the team as currently constructed isn't going to win a championship, why does it matter where they finish - as long as it's not with something ridiculous like ten wins? It's all the same unless you're making a championship run or trying to be terrible. I don't think the Raptors are doing either.

[Multipaul]

Being a sixth to eight seed in the East is a joke. You don't even have to be .500 to be one. If that's all you're arguing we can be, that doesn't mean much. Since the team as currently constructed isn't going to win a championship, why does it matter where they finish - as long as it's not with something ridiculous like ten wins? It's all the same unless you're making a championship run or trying to be terrible. I don't think the Raptors are doing either.

Being 6-8th seed in the East is something we HAVEN'T been in a long time dude, it WOULD be an accomplishment for us! I would much rather be watching the Raps on ABC in May/June than not!

[Doc]

I wish I could share the same sentiment as you Paul, but this isn't a playoff contending team. Clearly a rebuild now, the effort will likely be there (moreso this season compared to last), but the talent isn't there. I'm excited to watch the development of guys like Davis, DeRozan and Weems, but unless there are still more moves to come, we'll be near the basement of the EC next season.

[Multipaul]

I wish I could share the same sentiment as you Paul, but this isn't a playoff contending team. Clearly a rebuild now, the effort will likely be there (moreso this season compared to last), but the talent isn't there. I'm excited to watch the development of guys like Davis, DeRozan and Weems, but unless there are still more moves to come, we'll be near the basement of the EC next season.

I don't think it is "clearly" a rebuild team. What's the prose of choice right now...re-tooled?

[Doc]

I don't think it is "clearly" a rebuild team. What's the prose of choice right now...re-tooled?

Retooling? Retooling what? We missed the playoffs so we're retooling a roster to miss the playoffs once again? Maybe mediocrity sits well with most Raptors fans, but I'm getting tired of it now. Now I know how it feels to be a Leafs fan.

It's time to start from scratch and build it properly just as long as BC doesn't trade away our draft picks. And outside of a couple questionable contracts on our team now, the slate is almost clean.

[insight_tor]

Well, there is still a lot of time till the end of next season and BC still has some assets: expiring contracts (Evans/Banks/Belinelli), TPE, all Raptors first round picks + 1 first from Miami, Jose or/and Jack. If BC will turn part of these assets into something good, then yes, Raptors could be a .500+ team, otherwise is hard to believe Raptors as is right now will achieve that much next season. First part of the season is going to be the traditional "gelling" time ... Bargs to learn how to play while double teamed, the young gunz to play increased roles and with the defensive strategy still to be developed.

[Multipaul]

I don't think we need a clean slate to rebuild. We have lots of firepower here that will finally be able to flourish now that el ballsticker is with the el heat.

[Marz]

I don't see why everyone is so afraid of the playoffs. So what if we get swept? It's 4 more games of experience. And if we do it with a record greater than .500, I'd say it's a step in the right direction. "Rebuilding" involves two things: adding young talent, and growing as a team. You don't grow as a team when you have a losing mentality.

[MangoKid]

I don't see why everyone is so afraid of the playoffs. So what if we get swept? It's 4 more games of experience. And if we do it with a record greater than .500, I'd say it's a step in the right direction. "Rebuilding" involves two things: adding young talent, and growing as a team. You don't grow as a team when you have a losing mentality.

I don't think anyone is afraid of the playoffs. I'd love it if we made it - even if were were 4 and out. I don't think we'll get to .500 though..or make the playoffs.

[Multipaul]

I don't see why everyone is so afraid of the playoffs. So what if we get swept? It's 4 more games of experience. And if we do it with a record greater than .500, I'd say it's a step in the right direction. "Rebuilding" involves two things: adding young talent, and growing as a team. You don't grow as a team when you have a losing mentality.

So many haters out there eh, I think if everyone goes in with a winning mentality good things will happen this year. We have a good core of young talent that likes playing here and like each other.

[Mr.Grinch]

The raps are better than the knicks