Looking Forward To An Exciting Raptors Season With The Top Ten Questions
By RaptorTalk My travels over the past weeks have taken me from Los Angeles to New York with a few stops in between. While my summer has been a bit of a whirlwind, it is nothing like what Bryan Colangelo has gone through as he remade the Toronto Raptors. I still have to pinch myself to think that what seemed so bleak a few months ago now looks so promising today.
To be honest, I have not been this pumped about a Raptors season since before the Hakeem Olajuwon era was supposed to begin. Of course, that season was a major letdown that became the first step in dismantling the Carter-led Raptors, instead of the start of a projected Raptor dynasty.
Visiting other NBA cities has only made me more excited about what promises to be a fun season for fans of the Toronto Raptors.
Listening to Laker fans earlier this month speak so nonchalantly about ‘another’ NBA championship had me dreaming about someday savouring the Raptors first NBA ring. Am I expecting a parade down Bay Street next spring? Of course not. But there is no doubt the Raptors are finally headed in the right direction.
The Big Apple
Last week I stopped by Madison Square Garden and remembered that this is where new Raptors assistant coach Alvin Williams nailed the dagger against the Knicks that resulted in the franchises only playoff series victory. Today I drove past the new Air Canada Centre, now fully hidden by the new Maple Leaf Square towers. If only the NBA training camps could open now. I can’t wait.
In the NBA Store on 5th Avenue in Manhattan they had a brand new red Raptors Hedo Turkoglu #26 jersey on display along with a stunning authentic Marco Belinelli Warriors jersey on the clearance rack. Again, seeing these jerseys belonging to two new Raptor stars had me wishing the season could start now.
Top Ten Raptor Questions
What am I looking forward to the most in 2009-2010? What will be the most pressing questions we need answered? Here’s my list in no particular order.
DeMar DeRozan: Might this kid be the real deal? If so, the Raptors could very well have a future star on their hands.
Hedo Turkuglo: Can Hedo spark the offence in a big way? The offensive arsenal initiated by our new point forward along with Bosh and Bargnani should be poised to do some real damage.
Jarrett Jack: Can Jack contribute point guard depth like TJ, but without the 'me first' attitude? The Raptors finally have legitimate depth at the point which is crucial to the team’s success. I expect Jack and Calderon to complement each other perfectly in ways that are better than the Ford/Jose combo.
Antoine Wright: Can Antoine shut down the other team's best wing player? Not much is expected of AW this season. In watching replays of Dallas games from last season, it is clear that Wright is a better, grittier perimeter defender than anyone the Raptors suited up last season. He could surprise all of us if he plays within himself and focuses on lockdown defence.
Marco Belinelli: Is he the off-season steal many observers feel he is? Did the Warriors make a mistake in letting him go for next to nothing? Will the Marco/DeMar combo finally provide the Raptors with meaningful offensive production from the two spot they have been so desperately lacking?
Amir Johnson: Is he Bryan’s new ‘Boris Diaw’? Could Amir the ‘underachiever’ now become Amir the ‘player we knew he could be’ playing in an environment that better suits his skill set?
Andrea Bargnani: Will Il Mago take the next step and improve upon his breakout performance in last year’s second half? I think he will.
Reggie Evans: Can Jay find enough minutes for him to make a difference on the boards and inside on defence? If so, Reggie and his toughness will be an important part of the rotation.
Marc Iavaroni: Can Marc get the Raptors to play improved defence? If he can, expect this squad to make a lot of noise in the Eastern Conference.
Chemistry: Will this team mesh? Early indications are that chemistry should not be an issue. There seems to be a good balance on the roster that we have not seen for years in Toronto.
Now let's get this season started!
Posted by RaptorTalk at 8/23/2009 9:43 PM 
Categories: General Raptor Talk
Tags: DeMar DeRozan Andrea Bargnani Toronto Raptors Jarrett Jack Hedo Turkoglu Antoine Wright
Categories: General Raptor Talk
Tags: DeMar DeRozan Andrea Bargnani Toronto Raptors Jarrett Jack Hedo Turkoglu Antoine Wright
Nice article. Good to see some excitement in town. Gotta say though, I'm not getting my hopes up too much in terms of wins. I remember that Olajuwon experiment all too well...
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