Raptors Can Win Fifty If They Stay Healthy And Make A Deal
By RaptorTalk:Its time for 2008-2009 predictions, so we'll get right to it:
The Toronto Raptors will win 50 games this year IF they can stay healthy and IF they acquire a swingman before the trade deadline.
That's a prediction loaded with two giant IF's! It all comes down to (1) the health of the core and then (2) Bryan Colangelo moving some bodies to land a solid scoring swing man to play the two/three spot.
In fact, the health of three players is paramount - with those being Chris Bosh, Jose Calderon and Jermaine O'Neal. Can they play 35 to 40 minutes a night and each stay healthy for anywhere from say, 72 to 75 games at least?
Now I've got to be honest. While making this bold prediction, I also know this could be a 40 win team just as easily. A few nagging injuries to a few key players and this team will struggle.
Worried by the lack of depth
One of the biggest concerns is the Raptors' lack of depth. This is one of the thinnest benches in years. In fact, overall team depth including two of their starters is a huge concern in my books. Anthony Parker and any one of Graham, Moon or Kapono are simply not individually talented enough as starters to take this team where it wants to go.
That's why Bryan needs to make a deal to solidify the two/three spot. This is something we've been saying for over a year now. The positive sign is that those who are near the Raptors everyday report that they sense that Bryan's plan includes bringing more depth to the swing positions. Right now, he's sitting back to see what he's got and then he'll make decisions.
Another key factor to the Raptors success will be the play of two former first round picks - Andrea Bargnani and Joey Graham. If these two players can turn it around and become legit NBA players, then the Raptors will be a force in the East.
This is a season unlike any other. Raptor fans have a reason to be cautiously optimistic simply because the combination of Bosh and O'Neal can make the frontcourt very dominant. That alone is enough to keep the Raptors competitive on most nights. Defensively, this team should show significant improvement. On the other hand, on many nights this squad will struggle to put points on the board.
The season opener is just days away and very soon we will get a feel for what the 08-09 edition of the Dino's is all about.
Chris Bosh is an overated useless BUM for who`s leadership is demised behind a Raptors team and a coach(not even in the same league as Sam Mitchell).Cannot even beat a suffocating team like the Thunder.I would be embarrased...
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