Kin
Active member
Yes, it's that magical time of year again. When millions of Torontonians say "Oh yeah, we have a basketball team" and watch a few games, provided the Leafs aren't playing(and boy howdy, are the Leafs not playing). So in that spirit I'll introduce the team to those of you who are saying "Yeah, I'll watch some basketball I guess" and may be unfamiliar with the young and promising Raptors.
It was a rough year for the Raps last year, going 25-41 in the strike shortened season, and a rougher off-season, failing in their dogged pursuit of Steve Nash. But despite that, many Raptors fans have quite a bit of optimism about their prospects for the coming year.
Here they are
PG Kyle Lowry:
What should you know: After failing to pick up Nash, Bryan Colangelo traded for Lowry, who spent most of last year as Houston's starting PG. He's not the shooter or distributor(and distinctly less Canadian) that Nash is but he's a dogged defender and showed flashes of terrific potential last year.
SG Terrence Ross:
What you should know: The Raptors first round pick, Ross was seen by many as a bit of a reach with the 8th overall pick. That said, most agree that he'll become a solid contributor, able to contribute defensively as well as a shooter. Wore a snappy bowtie at the draft. Can he become the athletic, scoring swingman Raptors fans have been desperate for? Eh.
SF Demar Derozan:
What you should know: After Bargnani's injury last season, the Raptors became Derozan's team in many ways. He's not much of a shooter but he can score on the drive, throw it down and play reasonable defense. It's a contract year, so many expect big things.
PF Andrea Bargnani
What you should know: In the early parts of last season there were signs of a break-out year for the Italian known as "Il Mago"(translated, roughly, it means "doesn't rebound"). He was scoring more from inside, working harder on defense and developing into a go to guy at the end of games. Then a calf injury happened that caused him to miss 35 games. Then he came back and looked a little tentative. As always, he remains an enigma wrapped in a riddle.
C Jonas Valanciunas :
What you should know: The savior! The Raptors first round pick a year ago, he stayed in Europe the past season and played for his country(...Lithuania?) at the Olympics. Most agree that he'd have been the #2 overall selection in this year's draft if he'd been eligible. Showed signs of growing pains at the Olympics but most think he can become a solid interior presence at both ends.
The Bench:
G Landry Fields
What you should know: Some believe that the Raptors only signed Landry Fields in an effort to make it difficult for the Knicks to make a competitive offer to Steve Nash. Oops. Well, anyways, Fields had a promising rookie season before a disappointing sophomore effort last year. He can defend and rebound though, so he does fill a need.
PF Amir Johnson:
What you should know: The Raptors big signing last off-season, in the eyes of many he still has the potential to start really earning his 34 million dollar deal. Will probably get the most playing time of the bench players as he'll probably come in when Valanciunas is in foul trouble.
PG Jose Calderon
What you should know: Yes, he's still on the team. Still a good passer, still takes care of the basketball, still an atrocious defender. His contract is expiring which may see him dealt before the end of the year. Seems to be eating a basketball in that picture.
F Linas Kleiza:
What you should know: By all accounts is a professional basketball player. Looked intermittently decent in the Olympics. Not a terrible scorer off the bench.
PF Ed Davis:
What you should know: The Raptors first round pick in 2010, opinion on him differs greatly. Personally, I think he provided good energy and rebounding off the bench last year. Will have to fight hard for minutes in a relatively crowded front court if he wants to have the break-out season I think he's capable of.
PG: John Lucas
What you should know: Not much. Until Calderon is dealt he's probably the third PG.
F Quincy Acy:
What you should know: The Raptors second round pick from this year's draft. Known as an energy guy.
C Aaron Gray:
What you should know: Qualified for the role of back-up Centre inasmuch as he's A) near seven feet tall and B) not dead. May not make the team.
Coach Dwane Casey:
What you should know: Known as a defense first guy, showed good results with the Raptors in his first season in increasing their defensive efficiency from dead last to 14th in the league. Generally looks angry, which I think is a positive for a coach.
Some links:
The Schedule
The Team Site
It was a rough year for the Raps last year, going 25-41 in the strike shortened season, and a rougher off-season, failing in their dogged pursuit of Steve Nash. But despite that, many Raptors fans have quite a bit of optimism about their prospects for the coming year.
Here they are
PG Kyle Lowry:
What should you know: After failing to pick up Nash, Bryan Colangelo traded for Lowry, who spent most of last year as Houston's starting PG. He's not the shooter or distributor(and distinctly less Canadian) that Nash is but he's a dogged defender and showed flashes of terrific potential last year.
SG Terrence Ross:
What you should know: The Raptors first round pick, Ross was seen by many as a bit of a reach with the 8th overall pick. That said, most agree that he'll become a solid contributor, able to contribute defensively as well as a shooter. Wore a snappy bowtie at the draft. Can he become the athletic, scoring swingman Raptors fans have been desperate for? Eh.
SF Demar Derozan:
What you should know: After Bargnani's injury last season, the Raptors became Derozan's team in many ways. He's not much of a shooter but he can score on the drive, throw it down and play reasonable defense. It's a contract year, so many expect big things.
PF Andrea Bargnani
What you should know: In the early parts of last season there were signs of a break-out year for the Italian known as "Il Mago"(translated, roughly, it means "doesn't rebound"). He was scoring more from inside, working harder on defense and developing into a go to guy at the end of games. Then a calf injury happened that caused him to miss 35 games. Then he came back and looked a little tentative. As always, he remains an enigma wrapped in a riddle.
C Jonas Valanciunas :
What you should know: The savior! The Raptors first round pick a year ago, he stayed in Europe the past season and played for his country(...Lithuania?) at the Olympics. Most agree that he'd have been the #2 overall selection in this year's draft if he'd been eligible. Showed signs of growing pains at the Olympics but most think he can become a solid interior presence at both ends.
The Bench:
G Landry Fields
What you should know: Some believe that the Raptors only signed Landry Fields in an effort to make it difficult for the Knicks to make a competitive offer to Steve Nash. Oops. Well, anyways, Fields had a promising rookie season before a disappointing sophomore effort last year. He can defend and rebound though, so he does fill a need.
PF Amir Johnson:
What you should know: The Raptors big signing last off-season, in the eyes of many he still has the potential to start really earning his 34 million dollar deal. Will probably get the most playing time of the bench players as he'll probably come in when Valanciunas is in foul trouble.
PG Jose Calderon
What you should know: Yes, he's still on the team. Still a good passer, still takes care of the basketball, still an atrocious defender. His contract is expiring which may see him dealt before the end of the year. Seems to be eating a basketball in that picture.
F Linas Kleiza:
What you should know: By all accounts is a professional basketball player. Looked intermittently decent in the Olympics. Not a terrible scorer off the bench.
PF Ed Davis:
What you should know: The Raptors first round pick in 2010, opinion on him differs greatly. Personally, I think he provided good energy and rebounding off the bench last year. Will have to fight hard for minutes in a relatively crowded front court if he wants to have the break-out season I think he's capable of.
PG: John Lucas
What you should know: Not much. Until Calderon is dealt he's probably the third PG.
F Quincy Acy:
What you should know: The Raptors second round pick from this year's draft. Known as an energy guy.
C Aaron Gray:
What you should know: Qualified for the role of back-up Centre inasmuch as he's A) near seven feet tall and B) not dead. May not make the team.
Coach Dwane Casey:
What you should know: Known as a defense first guy, showed good results with the Raptors in his first season in increasing their defensive efficiency from dead last to 14th in the league. Generally looks angry, which I think is a positive for a coach.
Some links:
The Schedule
The Team Site
