NBA stuff - talk Raptors and other teams

[wingnut12]

Did you even follow them during the season or over the past several years? There was a lot accomplished this year and a lot to be happy about.

It's good to be a Raptors fan, makes going through the tough times (T-Mac leaving, VC traded, Lenny Wilkens, Kevin O'Neil, Rob Babcock) worth it. Let's Go Raptors! 2008 here we come.

I've followed them for years, and up til now, they sucked, plain and simple.

I was really hoping that this might be the year that they pulled out a series win after the great season they had. I hope they can build on the success they had during the regular season, and turn it into a better playoff run next year.

[TheProfessor]

There's probably going to be some serious interest in both Mitchell and Mo Pete. I have a feeling that Mo Pete is gone regardless of the offer that may or may not be made. I'm on the fence about whether Mitchell will stay or not.

[sp3GT]

I think Mitchell will stick around but Mo Pete is most likely leaving. He's not really part of the team, they didn't really include him in the re-building process.
His role is so limited now, he'll probably want to leave himself anyways.

[BLKOUT]

I am sad to see such an exciting season doen for the raps. But I am really curious as to what is going to happen in the off-season. Mitchell will stay, but I think Mo Pete is outta here. I wanna see what Colangelo has up his sleeves.

They need a BIG man! someone to grab the boards and block shots.

[Caz]

Great season, shitty why to lose.
The difference was they let game one slip away.

[SIM SIMMA]

The Raps don't even have a draft pick in the 1st round or even second round... someone correct me if I am wrong.

We don't have that much cap space to play around with either... I believe we have about the mid level exception at 5 mil per year.... that should be able to get a decent free agent at SF or perhaps another C...

I really believe the Raps will end up going overseas again to find another gem.

Mo will be missed but that's unfortunately the business.

[cyberscorpi0]

The difference was they let game one slip away.

I agree with you 100%. "If" the Raps won Game 1; we should have been in the 2nd round by now.

It's very painful for me to remember the last few seconds of Game 6, I just can't imagine how Calderon is taking it.

Overall, I will give Raps 8 out of 10 Stars. Great Season, crappy Playoffs.

[jedd999]

I agree with you 100%. "If" the Raps won Game 1; we should have been in the 2nd round by now.

It's very painful for me to remember the last few seconds of Game 6, I just can't imagine how Calderon is taking it.

Overall, I will give Raps 8 out of 10 Stars. Great Season, crappy Playoffs.

Yeah, I think that they peaked a little bit too early (in about mid-march) and they were just sort of on their way down - great teams can stay on a roll the entire season, but the raptors were just a "good" team this year

I think that Calderon is the best backup guard in the league, and I know that he is a UFA this season, so hopefully they will be able to lock him up long term, because I know that there are a LOT of other teams in the league who would love to have him coming off the bench or even starting for them.

Though Rasho did a decent job this season, the raps need a centerman who can move - I dont know who is available this season, but hopefully Colangelo will be able to bring in whats needed (this season was a year for learning) and that they will have more success next year!

[sauga_kid]

Yeah, it was definitely a tough loss. Not quite sure what Calderon was thinking making the pass into the lane, he should have pulled up and taken the shot in my opinion even though the play was most likely drawn up for Bosh, however if the play doesn't pan out, gotta go to plan B. In terms of off season, I beleive Colangelo has proven himself both in Pheonix and here in Toronto, to recongnize what a team requires and what pieces he can acquire to complete a team so it will be an interesting off season and I have complete faith in him to do so once again. As mentioned before, Mo Pete did his job while he was here, but unfortunately business is business and he's most likely on his way out, if not in the off season, I think his value will be close to none and we might as well keep him. Just my 2 cents.

[cyberscorpi0]

Raptors’ Bryan Colangelo Named Executive of the Year

ST. LOUIS, May 14, 2007 -- For the second time in his career, Bryan Colangelo, President and General Manager of the Toronto Raptors, was named The Sporting News’ NBA Executive of the Year. Colangelo also received the honor in 2004-05 when he guided the Phoenix Suns to the third-greatest turnaround in NBA history.

After 15 years with the Suns, Colangelo, 41, joined the Raptors on Feb. 28, 2006, and began building the roster around star forward Chris Bosh. With the top pick in the 2006 NBA Draft, Colangelo selected Andrea Bargnani. Under Colangelo’s first full season at the helm, Toronto won its first Atlantic Division title, earned home court advantage in the Playoffs for the first time in team history and won a franchise record-tying 47 wins – a 20-win improvement over the 2005-06 season.

For his outstanding work with the Raptors, his fellow executives gave him 20 of the 45 votes cast. Finishing second in the voting was Rockets General Manager Carroll Dawson who received nine votes. Seven other executives received votes for the award. Colangelo’s father, Jerry, won the award four times.

[BLKOUT]

I can't wait to see where the peices will fall in this off-season.

[sp3GT]

Looks like VC is crying after his Game 4 loss, Nets down 3-1 !! Hopefully the cavs will close them out.

[cyberscorpi0]

I was hoping it's gonna be 4-0, but 4-1 is good enough.

F U V C !

[sp3GT]

Mitchell has agreed to return!!! Woot!
http://sports.yahoo.com/nba/news;_yl...v=ap&type=lgns

[cyberscorpi0]

Toronto acquires Carlos Delfino from Detroit for a second-round draft pick in 2009 and 2011

[WLS ZMZM]

What's not to be happy with for this year?? Colangelo comes here... and in 1 season turns the team a complete 360... the man is a genius he built phoenix and hes gonna build the raps... finally Mitchell is getting the respect he deserves.. amazing what can happen when you have players who actually want to win.. and care about playing!! Next year will be great especially with the addition of Delfino... he didnt really fit in with the pistons.. but he's gonna mesh real nice here!!

GO RAPS GO!!!

[dr1ft3r]

I saw Chris Bosh at the airport yesterday where i work. His girlfriend is half his size!!

[jedd999]

I saw Chris Bosh at the airport yesterday where i work. His girlfriend is half his size!!

Im pretty sure that most people are close to half his size... at close to 7 feet a lot of basketball players look funny when they are walking near short people!

[cyberscorpi0]

2007 USA BASKETBALL ROSTER

[ptwonline]

Raps next season should be interesting. Signing Kapono means that it will be much of the same offense: spread the floor to create a 3-on-3 in the middle and then see if the other team's 3 can beat Bosh, Bargnani, and Ford. One difference: with Kapono in one corner and Parker in the other, the Raps should be devastating with the 3 ball and so there will be more space. Bosh is very quick for a PF, Bargnani is quick for a Center, and Ford is fast even for a PG, and so the open space in the middle should prove very useful.

Delfino adds some defense and slashing ability, and so while he can't shoot like Dixon he is still an upgrade as the backup SG and sometimes SF. Furthermore, he can take over Mo Pete's role of shutting down opposing wingmen on the perimeter (something Mo was poor at this season anyway).

Kapono's signing also means that Garbajosa can become the backup at PF, where he is far more suited than the SF spot. He simply wasn't quick enough to defend against other SF's or to get the basket against them.

Two real wild cards:
1. Joey Graham, assuming that he isn't moved. If he can continue the progress he showed at the end of last year before he got sick right before the playoffs, the Raps could be very dangerous in the East.
2. Bargnani's progress. If Bargs takes a big step up in improving his game--particularly in the post--then that will make the Raps that much more deadly. If he still can't do it in this upcoming season, then the Raps chances take a big nosedive...for now.

By the way, the signing of Jamario Moon (what a name! Swirsk is going to have a field day with that) and Maceo Baston dramatically improves the athleticism on the Raps and means they have some potentially terrific defenders to come off the bench to frustrate guys like Richard Jefferson and Vince Carter. It also means that the Raps have too many players, and so they will have to make a move before the season starts. Look for Luke Jackson to get bought out, or perhaps a package deal shipping out a couple of players--particularly Juan Dixon--for cash, a future pick, or an expiring contract.

[sp3GT]

Very well analyzed. I was unhappy that the raps didn't do anything to try to get a pick in this years draft.

[ptwonline]

Very well analyzed. I was unhappy that the raps didn't do anything to try to get a pick in this years draft.

They did. Apparently they had a deal in place to try to get a pick around 20th in case Bellinelli was still available, but he was picked just before that.

There was also talk of them getting a pick around 12th, but they wanted Calderon so no go. Similarly, there was talk of getting into the top 6 (for Yi?) but they wanted Bargnani, so again no way.

[WLS ZMZM]

hey good job with the analysis...... the Raps are going to be a pretty good team...but they really still haven't addressed their d issue.... unless colangelo has something up his sleeve which wouldn't surprise me... However I don't think we can expect the Raps to win the East again unfortunately, with all the signings... expect the Knicks, Celtics and Nets to really put up a good fight.... the only team we have the advantage over is that of the 76er's as they try to overcome the post Iverson era.

[sp3GT]

Did you guys hear the rumour of a possible deal for Yi? I don't think thats gonna go through since we have Bargnarni.

[WLS ZMZM]

really??? I know Yi isn't too happy about playing for the bucks..... and I heard he wants out.. but didnt hear anything about comin to Toronto... where did you hear that rumour?