Adios, Deflino; Kako Si, Roko?, Raptors 2008/9 roster takes shape Options

[RaptorsVictim]

I think Delfino should stay, he can play the PG for some batches, his defence is not bad, and if he concentrates on penetration he would be very efficient.

I know he was so inconsistent last season, but many were so in the team. I think if Delfino has a clear cut role in this team, we would really get something from him.

[raptors_887]

We need to sign Tony Allen to replace Delfino. He was averaging 20 ppg before he hurt his knee.

[toprow]

Looks like the "everyone on the team can play" experiment failed. The Smitch had too many options, and given too many options he frequently changed rotations. In hindsight, having too few players who suck, which not only robbed this forum of much needed content, didn't allow the Smitch to let players play through slumps, and was not helpful to team building.

I will miss Delfino, but it will result in more play from Kapono. This is a good thing.

I will miss Ford, but he will always be a career ending injury risk.

[sluggo]

I read that at work today, the first thing that I thought about was - if Roko and Bargnani don't carry the load with the 2nd unit the team isn't going to improve.

The starting line-up looks strong, as good as any in the East. But if those two don't step up and play well, the bench wil lbe fairly shallow.

[Kapono]

I read that at work today, the first thing that I thought about was - if Roko and Bargnani don't carry the load with the 2nd unit the team isn't going to improve.

The starting line-up looks strong, as good as any in the East. But if those two don't step up and play well, the bench wil lbe fairly shallow.

Yep, as good as any other starting 5 in the East. Well..excluding Boston Detroit Orlando Cleveland maybe NJ if everything really goes right for them, same goes for Atlanta and Philidelphia, and depending on how well Indiana meshes you may want to peg their starting 5 ahead of Toronto's as well.

Your right on base about bargs having to produce off the bench this year. I think that this is his season, where he is in the right position to really show what he can do offensively and what he has learned to do defensively.

[Mile H-Iverson]

Yep, as good as any other starting 5 in the East. Well..excluding Boston Detroit Orlando Cleveland maybe NJ if everything really goes right for them, same goes for Atlanta and Philidelphia, and depending on how well Indiana meshes you may want to peg their starting 5 ahead of Toronto's as well.

Your right on base about bargs having to produce off the bench this year. I think that this is his season, where he is in the right position to really show what he can do offensively and what he has learned to do defensively.

Are you serious? I would argue that the only 2 teams that definitely have stronger starters than we do are Boston and Detroit. The Magic might be slightly better but not by much. I would call that a push if we play/use Kapono well and O'Neal stays relatively healthy.

We have a better starting lineup than the Cavs IMO. Aside from LeBron and Ilgauskas they really dont have many scoring threats. I love how sound a player West is and Wally is a good shooter but they are both streaky, particularly Wally. And don't get me started on the offensive prowess of Wallace. We are the better team overall IMO.

NJ is in a rebuilding mode. Trading RJ for Simmons and Yi is a good move long term but right now Carter is their only real established offensive threat. I don't expect them to compete next year.

Atlanta and Philly had nice pushes at the end of the season, especially Philly, but I wouldn't say they have better teams overall, maybe even inferior starting fives. Atlanta, while quick, lacks a real go-to guy in the post. Horford is getting there but right now he feasts off penetration and second chance points.

Indiana is just not going to be very good next season. Simple as that. They traded O'Neal to get pieces for contention in the future. What is their starting lineup? Ford-Dunleavy-Granger-Murphy-Foster? What a low post tandem inside eh? They will rely solely on their 3-point shooting and as we know first hand 3-point shooting alone can't get you too far.

This post has been edited by Mile H-Iverson: Jun 28 2008, 10:03 PM

[TheFedExpress]

But the fact that Indiana's committed to a running system means that they'll get far more out of their shooters and be able to survive without a real post threat. I'll go out on a limb and say that they'll get the 7th or 8th spot in the East.

[Kapono]

But the fact that Indiana's committed to a running system means that they'll get far more out of their shooters and be able to survive without a real post threat. I'll go out on a limb and say that they'll get the 7th or 8th spot in the East.

My thoughts exactly. 7th may be pushing it but 8th sounds about right.

Im not too sure where people are getting that the Raptors have a fantastic team. With the drastic improvement in the East over the past two off seasons, I would not be surprised to see the Raptors miss the playoffs.

[NaHoM]

What happend to all the Calderclones.....your boy is the starting pg...surely that is enough to win games isn't it? I don't know I still think our team is a gaurd or two away from making the eastern cofernece championships... (ala New Orleans).

This post has been edited by ŋãħǿʍ: Jun 28 2008, 11:44 PM

[Kapono]

What happend to all the Calderclones.....your boy is the starting pg...surely that is enough to win games isn't it? I don't know I still think our team is a gaurd or two away from making the eastern cofernece championships... (ala New Orleans).

I dont have a problem with Calderon starting, but I believe it would improve our team if we could get a good perimeter defending guard to play along side of him (to help cover Jose's flaws). And in my opinion, we're more than a couple guards away from the Eastern Conference Championship

[DVS]

Bobman, "book it" is no longer in the lexicon in these parts. It has been shipped off to Chicago with the trash.

LOL nice line. That being said I'm really intrested in what Roko can do with the raptors. If healthy it looks like the raps will be tons more fun to watch

[Layman]

I dont have a problem with Calderon starting, but I believe it would improve our team if we could get a good perimeter defending guard to play along side of him (to help cover Jose's flaws). And in my opinion, we're more than a couple guards away from the Eastern Conference Championship

Right. We're a coach and a couple of guards away.

[Mango Kid]

Looks like the "everyone on the team can play" experiment failed.

So did the 100 "shats", so did...whatever is next.

[fly_guy24]

We should get Flip Saunders as our coach and sack SMitch, We need to bring Winners to our team

[snoochie boochie]

We should get Flip Saunders as our coach and sack SMitch, We need to bring Winners to our team

Actually, saunders would be a great coach of this current team but unfortunatley i can prove why it cannot happen mathematically.

MLSE - Money = never gonna happen

[Qdogg17]

So, it looks like we have 12 guys under contract so far:

C- O'Neal/Bargnani/Jawai
PF- Bosh/Humphries
SF- Moon/Graham
SG- Parker/Kapono/Adams
PG- Calderon/Ukic

Looking at the roster, I think they still need another PG for insurance in case of injury or if Roko has a slow start. Hassan Adams can defend the 1,2 and 3 but can only play the 2 and 3 on offense.

A combo forward would be nice as a third option at the 3 and 4. Graham would be the perfect fit if we had a clear cut back up for Moon.

Technically, Delfino is still under contract because we extended the qualifying offer at 2.something mil. He is restricted so we can match any offer, although it is said that we will not. But what if no-one offers him anything? What if he doesn't go to Europe to play? Does he remain on our roster?

I think there could be an outside chance that, after the trade goes through on July 8th, one of either Rasho or Maceo could be waived by Indiana and signed by the Raps for the vet-min. I think Rasho could get more from another team though.

This is all speculation of course but we could end up with a roster similar to this:

C- O'Neal/Bargnani/Jawai
PF- Bosh/Humphries/Baston
SF- Moon/Kapono/Graham
SG- Parker/Delfino/Adams
PG- Calderon/Ukic/? D-League,Vet,undrafted?

[I Represent Smit...]

So, it looks like we have 12 guys under contract so far:

C- O'Neal/Bargnani/Jawai
PF- Bosh/Humphries
SF- Moon/Graham
SG- Parker/Kapono/Adams
PG- Calderon/Ukic

Looking at the roster, I think they still need another PG for insurance in case of injury or if Roko has a slow start. Hassan Adams can defend the 1,2 and 3 but can only play the 2 and 3 on offense.

A combo forward would be nice as a third option at the 3 and 4. Graham would be the perfect fit if we had a clear cut back up for Moon.

Technically, Delfino is still under contract because we extended the qualifying offer at 2.something mil. He is restricted so we can match any offer, although it is said that we will not. But what if no-one offers him anything? What if he doesn't go to Europe to play? Does he remain on our roster?

I think there could be an outside chance that, after the trade goes through on July 8th, one of either Rasho or Maceo could be waived by Indiana and signed by the Raps for the vet-min. I think Rasho could get more from another team though.

This is all speculation of course but we could end up with a roster similar to this:

C- O'Neal/Bargnani/Jawai
PF- Bosh/Humphries/Baston
SF- Moon/Kapono/Graham
SG- Parker/Delfino/Adams
PG- Calderon/Ukic/? D-League,Vet,undrafted?

Our line-up right now (with the JO trade) is more like:

C- JO, Bargnani, Jawai.
PF- Bosh, Hump.
SF- Kapono, Moon, Graham.
SG- Parker, Adams.
PG- Calderon, Ukic.

So all I see us needing is a third string point guard.

[snoochie boochie]

^^mabey a combo guard that can also plat the 2 spot

[blueryder79]

I'd like to see them spend $5 million on a pure slasher. We would have 1) the Big-tandem (Bosh / O'neal); 2) the PG (Calderon); 3) the 3-pt. shot (Kapono, Parker); and potentially 4) a slasher (? - would be amazing if Moon improved his dribble-drive). I think we would be extremely formidable. We would contain the perfect arsenal of offensive weapons. We should be able to rebound, and hopefully the defense as a whole can at least hold. If our Defense improves, even a little, I think we'll destroy a lot of teams.
* To come to think of it, if either one of Moon or Bargnani makes significant strides in their game, I think we'll be very, very good.

[Paul L]

I'd like to see them spend $5 million on a pure slasher. We would have 1) the Big-tandem (Bosh / O'neal); 2) the PG (Calderon); 3) the 3-pt. shot (Kapono, Parker); and potentially 4) a slasher (? - would be amazing if Moon improved his dribble-drive). I think we would be extremely formidable. We would contain the perfect arsenal of offensive weapons. We should be able to rebound, and hopefully the defense as a whole can at least hold. If our Defense improves, even a little, I think we'll destroy a lot of teams.
* To come to think of it, if either one of Moon or Bargnani makes significant strides in their game, I think we'll be very, very good.

Base on Doug Smith calculation, we can only afford a minimum pay player. No more MLE.

http://thestar.blogs.com/raptors/2008/07/o...d-level-ex.html