Toronto Raptors Preview

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This blog thing is fun, and if you have feedback or opinions, I want to see those comments.

TORONTO RAPTORS

Key Additions: Kyle "killed my fantasy team due to a stomach infection" Lowry (Trade), Landry Fields (FA), Jonas Valanciunas (rookie), Terence Ross (rookie), John Lucas (FA), Aaron Gray (FA)

Key Losses: Jerryd Bayless, James Johnson, Gary "not a real loss but a former Nugget so he's worth mentioning" Forbes

Projected Starting Lineup:

PG: Lowry
SG: Ross
SF: Demar Derozan
PF: Andrea Bargnani
C: Valanciunas

Role Players: Jose Calderon (PG), Fields (SG), Amir Johnson (PF), Linas Kleiza (SF), Ed Davis (PF), Lucas (PG)

Comments: The Raptors coach, Dwane Casey, is an experienced and a defensive minded coach, but he isnt very interesting. Bryan Colangelo, the GM, however, is. He is the son of Jerry Colangelo, aka, the architect of the last two olympic squads for the U.S. I was surprised to see that Bryan has actually won two executive of the year awards, because he always seems to do a piss poor job of managing the Raptors. He was under the impression Chris Bosh was a loyal fellow, and let him go. Traded the pick that ended up being Roy Hibbert for an injured Jermaine O'neal in 2008, and drafted Andrea Bargnani with the #1 pick (we will get to him shortly).

One of Colangelo's moves this offseason was getting Kyle Lowry. This didn't take much GM acumen as Lowry requested a trade from Houston, feeling unappreciated (which I think he was). Lowry leads this deep group of PG's on the Raptors. He is a fantasy monster when healthy. His three point shooting has really improved, he is a great passer, and probably the best rebounding point guard outside of Rajon Rondo. His breakup with Houston aside (mainly caused by Goran Dragic's amazing play), this guy is just a solid professional. He should be in for a very nice season. Jose Calderon is the old and poor man's version of Ricky Rubio. He is all about passing, and has averaged double-digit assisting the last few years, but has little scoring skill. Unlike Rubio, no one is scared of Calderon's game, and he will never take over a game at any point. Which, in fact, is unlike the third string on this team- John Lucas. Whenever Lucas came into the game for the Bulls, on national TV especially, he would be on fire offensively. Lucas got unlucky by signing with the Raptors, as they got Lowry soon after, and he will be relegated to third string again. Unfortunately, we may not hear from Lucas for a while, but hopefully he will raise his game to surpass Calderon.

At SG, the Raptors drafted Terence Ross. I didn't see much of Ross at all, since he played for Washington, a team that didnt make the NCAA tourney. From the highlights I watched, he profiles for me as a defensive stopper with offensive upside. He is athletic and long, but struggles shooting the ball, which is a problem for a shooting guard. I see as a similar player to Iman Shumpert but shooting less. He has the chance to develop though into a Rudy Gay, or probably more realistic, Paul George, type.  It is pretty funny how the Raptors ended up with Landry Fields (a former Knick). The Raptors were attempting to sign Steve Nash, and believed their main competition was the Knicks (stupid Lakers, always sneaking in). To try and lure the Knicks into using their money on Landry Fields, they signed him to an offer sheet, forcing the Knicks to spend money to keep Fields. The Raptors forgot one thing in this master plan, Landry Fields isn't that good, and the Knicks had no problem letting him walk. Fields got the whole New York treatment as a rookie when he blasted onto the scene after nobody had heard of him. He hustled, played defense, and tried hard on offense. That's about where his game is now, which is certainly not worth the 7 mil he is getting paid this year. Another great Colangelo move.

DeMar Derozan is a really fun player to watch. He is super athletic, and should have won the dunk contest because of this ridiculous dunk (stupid Blake Griffin jumping over a car... again we have to wait to talk about him). http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8HPvkBGtHPc. Derozan has really improved his offensive game outside of his driving ability and athleticism, and has developed a nice jump shot. With good length, and clearly high jumping ability, he needs to keep improving on his defense and rebounding. He could be an all-star in the NBA very shortly if he takes more steps forward and doesn't plateau his game. Linas Kleiza, a former Nugget, is one of those players not meant for the NBA. He has really good offensive ability, when he plays for Lithuania, but just can't seem to match the athleticism and strength found in the NBA. It really is too bad... I liked Kleiza from his days on the Nuggets, but he could never reach the point of being an effective starter even though he was one of the best players in the Olympics.

The Bargnani move to power forward (and Valanciunas as center) could be a turning point for this franchise. Bargnani is an above average scorer in the NBA. At 7 feet tall, he can shoot 3's well, and while he is no Dirk Nowitzki, he seems to be getting closer every year. He wasn't a total bust in the really weak 2006 draft, but players like LaMarcus Aldridge, Rudy Gay, and Rajon Rondo were all drafted later. Why the move to PF is key for Andrea is that he is one of the worst defenders in the NBA. Seriously, he and Pau Gasol are the reasons that Americans think European basketball players are soft. Now that he won't be pushed around by strong centers, he can save more energy for offense, and could get up to a Nowitzki offensive level. Davis and Johnson are very similar players at backup PF. They are both good defenders and rebounders with streaky offensive games. I thought Davis (who has more potential) would step up to control the starting group, but his inconsistency left him on the bench.

Valanciunas is a rookie, but was drafted at #5 in 2011. He spent the last year in Europe maturing and refining his game. We got our first look at him in the Olympics and he disappointed. As one of the taller and stronger people at the Olympics, he should have dominated the post. However, he seemed tentative to use his size. The Raptors can't really afford to have that happen at center when the only other option is Bargnani. He will be one of the more interesting rookies, and I have seen articles where people expect him to compete with Anthony Davis for rookie of the year. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eyAB35Nm5o4 I won't go that far, but offensively talented 7 foot centers are difficult to find, hopefully his game translates to the NBA.

The Raptors will definitely be an improved team in 2012-13 due to Lowry, Valanciunas, and Bargnani's move to PF. The team is now deeper and more talented than the last few years. However, the Atlantic Divison of the Eastern Conference is very good with the Celtics, 76ers, Knicks, and Nets. Those 4 teams all have legitimate stars, so they will have a difficult time making the playoffs. Add the Heat, Bulls, and Pacers, I expect the Raptors to compete with the Bucks and Hawks for that last playoff spot in the East.

Detroit Pistons are up next