Colangelo Stays the Course and it Will Be Status Quo for the Toronto Raptors Down the Stretch
By Walter DubowecSince before the season began, I wrote that the chemistry on this edition of the Toronto Raptors was not as good as it was last year. On paper, the 2007-08 Raptors likely have more talent. However, they simply don't click like they were down the stretch last year. It was apparent even in the pre-season.
Before the opening tip at the end of October I also wrote that Bryan Colangelo needed to adjust the roster if this year's team was going to surpass what the team accomplished last season.
Clearly, the Brezec for Dixon trade is not the answer. Based on the team's inconsistent play this year, I don't expect they will do any better than 45 wins. If everything fell into place, I thought 50 wins was a stretch, but it was possible. Now I don't see it happening.
Sometimes the Raptors play like contenders and knock off an elite team. But, too often its the other way around where they lose against the teams they should handle easily. That kind of inconsistency is not good enough.
The number of times this year that the Raptors have lost to a sub-500 team, where their wing player hits his season high is off the charts. Elite teams don't let that happen.
I expect the Raptors will continue to play .550 ball and I don't expect to see any significant winning steak. Even though they are entering a stretch against weaker opponents, they will not put together a solid enough winning streak to really compete for the #3 seed as some suggest.
Cleveland solidified their team with the acquisition of Wallace, Smith, West and Sczerbiak. I think they could very well catch Orlando and take the three seed, with the Magic falling back to fourth. That leaves the Raptors sitting in fifth which is where they will likely finish.
Give Bryan credit for patience
Now I respect Colangelo for not pulling the trigger on a deal that has no long term benefits. He has a plan and he's sticking to it. Clearly he sees the draft and this summer as the best time to make a serious upgrade to the roster. Honestly, this team is only a couple of moves away from being an elite NBA team. The core is in place.
No doubt the Raptors need a more dynamic scoring option on the wing. They need to significantly tighten up their perimeter defence and their rebounding needs improvement. I don't believe those upgrades will occur through internal development. Bryan needs to be active on the trade front once the season ends if the Raptors are to make the strides we all expect in 2008-09.
So as we look to the final six weeks of the season, I think the Raptors will win a few more than they lose. However, the team's inconsistency will continue to drive Raptors fans nuts.
What it will come down to is how the team does in the post season. The way it looks now, another season of one-and-done in the playoffs could be a real possibility as they probably will face either Orlando or Cleveland without home-court advantage - both tough match-ups.
Colangelo is facing an important summer, because next season the Raptors can't be satisfied with a 45 win season. Changes will need to be made. Re-signing Calderon and Delfino and keeping the status quo won't be enough.
The good news is that the Raptors have a franchise player who cares a lot more about winning than did the team's previous superstar and Bryan has a strong vision for the future. That's why I remain optimistic over Toronto's long term outlook.
I think the moves will be made in the summer. You have Garbo coming back, a guard coming in from Europe and finally a first round draft pick.
So Juan has departed and Mr. Martin will retire. Who do you see leaving and what really needs to be done to get that extra 5 wins ??
Personally think AB's time may be running out ? Your thoughts ?
RaptorTalk: I see a lot of bargaining pieces, which could be traded. The only untouchables are Bosh and Calderon. It wouldn't surprise me to see Bargnani and TJ Ford (both who I really like) get traded in the off-season if the right deal presents itself. Rasho, Joey, Kris, AP and Baston could also be on the move. I'm not big on specualtion, but I think Bryan will make at least one very bold move once the season ends which will surprise Raptor fans.
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Will make for a very interesting 4 months. Got my fix of college ball yesterday and I can see why they are better prepared for the NBA style of play. Large crowds ,crazy fans and intense physical play. If BC goes with another player without the benefit of that experience (1st round) then the fans should really start to wonder.
Of course losing to the Knicks kind of reminds one of how far they need to progress. Presently working in West Chester, PA so the only games are local but watching what I can it seems TJ is really have a tough time. So I wonder how much trade value several of the players will have if they sleep walk the rest of the year.
Sorry to sound like a Leaf fan. Could be worse I used to work in Miami (only talking about sports
Whats the odds of Miami taking out the Raps ??
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No way is Colangelo going to trade TJ Ford or Andrea Bargnani. They along with Bosh and Calderon are the basis, and foundation of the team.
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we can only hope something happens in the off season. i am not looking forward to watching the raptors shooters get shut down, while the rest of the team gets out rebounded and hustled up front.
i could be wrong, but no reason to think otherwise at this point.
tj is probably gone, with bosh and calderon and bargnani making up the untouchable list. bc wont be moving bargnani unless we get back a serious-serious player in return.
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I'm not so sure that TJ will be traded.
The last few games he has showed why is so valueable to the team - especially when Calderon is ineffective. Calderon has a very deliberate pace to his game, but unlike TJ, he cannot consistently break-down defenders and truly take-over a game.
The point is that they are both valuable and key pieces to the Raptors. My concern in the off-season will be if another team throws the bank at Calderon and we simply cannot match - then do you trade TJ, or look to move Calderon?
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I'm optimistic with the way BC has positioned our team, especially the next two seasons following this one. I agree that last years team was a better team, chemistry wise, than this team... the fluidity on offence; making the extra pass was a staple to our Raptors offense. While I'm confident in our core, I couldn't help but feel a little iffy about Bargs even though he's turned it on the last few games. Your spot on in terms of our deficiencies on defense, both on perimeter and inside (especially rebounding). In terms of player movement, I could see Kapono moving and to a lesser extent, Joey, Humps or Maceo.
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yea, I also think that raptors will trade TJ Ford (who is a really good player), now that he was injured for the beginning of this season and the big play of Calderon down the stretch. Also, no offense to BC but the dumbest move he has made so far was signing Baston. And we NEED a really good wing player who can drive and make explosive moves. (maybe Ricky Davis,whom i have been a fan of ever since he made it to nba) if not some one like him. I have wanted Graham and Humphries gone, even though kris has been a good player. And the dumbest draft pick by Babcock was drafting slokar and graham, we could have had Granger! anyways i really dont like this team we have, even though they are great, they are inconsistant and never really make big moves that are really going to help this team out. Also i think that the Raptors never make splashing moves on the court a lot, the little is done thanks to Moon. Thank you Moon its because of you i have been watching all of the Raptors games now.
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