On Sunday the Toronto Raptors hosted a former player and tonight will be no different. Both former Raptors help the team reach the play offs. Public enemy number one, Vince Carter and the Orlando Magic were in town over the weekend and showed Toronto how a team goes about finishing a game. At one point the Raptors led by double digits only to see Carter heat up in the second half and lead his team to the 106-94 win. It’s pretty evident why the Magic traded for Carter, making Hedu Turkoglu expendable. Carter had 18 points in the second half when his team was down. Turkoglu had 4 points (all on free throws), two missed lay ups, and three fouls in the fourth quarter when his team was trailing and needed a spark.
Tonight the Raps welcome TJ Ford and the Indiana Pacers to the ACC. Ford was in the middle of the guard controversy in Toronto when team president Brian Colangelo chose Jose Calderone to be his man. Ford was traded to the Pacers and the rest is history. There’s more six degrees of separation between the Raps and Pacers. Jarrett Jack and Rasho Nesterovic were in Indiana last season. Nesterovic was part of the Ford trade. Pacer’s centre Roy Hibbert was drafted by Toronto, but was included in the Ford deal as well. Jermaine O’Neal, who ended up in TO as part of the trade, has since been jettisoned to Miami. Indiana comes into this game losers of their last three, but they sit a half game ahead of Toronto in the East. For the Raptors, tonight is the first of a back-to-back games. Tomorrow night they welcome the Charlotte Bobcats. A W tonight and tomorrow would go a long way. Their next six opponents include Boston, Phoenix, Atlanta, Chicago and Washington (twice).
Jack started last season as Ford’s back up, but eventually took the starters spot from the former Rap.
The Toronto Raptors announced today that Reggie Evans will miss the rest of the preseason with a left foot sprain. There is no specific target for his return – Hopefully he’s back for opening night.
In the meantime, the already soft Raps get a little softer. As outlined today by Scott Carefoot of RaptorBlog, teams rarely succeed when outrebounded on a nightly basis. Evans was one of the guys brought in by Bryan Colangelo to remedy that problem, but he’s headed to the sideline for a while. It’s bad news, but it also opens the door for another newcomer in Amir Johnson to step up.
Yes, technically Rasho Nesterovic and Johnson could both gain playing time, but in an ideal world, most of the minutes would go to Amir.
I say this because while Rasho will play a ton of minutes against big, lumbering centres, Johnson plays a more similar game to Evans. He makes hustle plays, he rebounds, and he even blocks shots (something Evans doesn’t do). Nesterovic will continue to play his expected role, but Johnson will have an opportunity to grab some of Reggie’s. As it stood before, I wondered how Evans and Johnson could possibly play enough – there just didn’t seem to be enough minutes to go around…But now, Amir will have his chance.
So far, Johnson has played better in extended minutes. He often takes some time to get going – a luxury I assumed he wouldn’t have during the season. Johnson still won’t play a ton of minutes, but he should have plenty more with Evans out. At the very least, he’ll have more than enough chances to prove himself throughout the rest of the preseason.
For Raptors fans, the second pre-season game was undoubtedly better than the first. That’s not saying much, based on Toronto’s pathetic performance on Tuesday, but there were certainly encouraging signs. One night after giving up 65 first-half points, the Raps played impressive defense and held Philly to 35% shooting in the rematch. The energy level was higher, despite using a depleted roster on the second night of a back-to-back.
Some specific thoughts on the game:
While he showed flashes of potential, DeMar DeRozan has a long way to go. Expectations for this kid had gone way up since the draft, but fans should remember that he was never supposed to make a huge impact in year-one. It’s pretty obvious why, after seeing the rookie in person. He needs to develop his left-handed dribble if he wants to be an effective slasher, and it’s something Jay Triano is trying to enforce. DeRozan was yanked for the second straight game after settling for jumpers, and had some trouble getting involved in the flow of the offense. Still, there were positives – He filled the lane and finished with a power dunk off a pass from Quincy Douby, and he scored on a finger-roll after stealing the ball. DeRozan also knocked down a three-pointer for the second straight game, but I wouldn’t expect that to be a trend just yet. Defensively, he struggled against Andre Igoudala and is still adjusting to the speed and athleticism of the NBA. On one play, Igoudala grabbed an offensive rebound right over DeRozan – How often do you think that happened at USC?
Jose Calderon rebounded (somewhat) from a brutal first game, finishing with six assists and zero turnovers. That was the good news, but Calderon still looked passive on the offensive end. Remember when Jose would turn the corner on the pick-and-roll, going all the way to the basket for lay-ups? We need that guy back. There’s no doubt that Calderon is more effective when he’s surrounded by talent, and I expect improvement once Chris Bosh and Hedo Turkoglu are in the lineup.
I really like Marco Belinelli. He was out of control at times, but the kid is skilled. Belinelli scored 12 points, while struggling from the three-point line. I’m not worried about his shooting – Instead, I was impressed with his ballhandling and passing ability. With more playing time and an elevated comfort level, Belinelli should be a valuable part of Triano’s ball-movement offense. I also think his shot selection improves when Bosh and Hedo are on the court.
Andrea Bargnani was quiet, but continues to prove he’s the guy we saw in the final third of last season. He still can’t rebound, but has developed into a very good offensive player. Bargnani’s baseline drive for a dunk was beautiful, but it hardly seemed like he was trying for most of the night. Again, I’m excited to see what he can do with Bosh and Hedo attracting attention from opposing defenses.
The real bright spots for Toronto were Sonny Weems and Amir Johnson. Acquired together in the Carlos Delfino trade, both players brought a ton of athleticism and hustle to the building on Wednesday night. Both were all over the court, forcing Philly into tough shots, while running the floor and showing a nose for the rim. Johnson might have the agility to play a little bit of small forward, while Weems treated the crowd to three huge dunks. After leading the team in minutes (and deservedly so), he’s making a case for playing time when the real games begin.
I really can’t talk about the defensive end without mentioning Reggie Evans. Like JYD, the fans have fallen in love fast. Evans was a beast, grabbing nine rebounds to go along with four steals. On the other hand, he forced tough shots in traffic and TWICE dribbled up the court. While his work ethic and determination are much appreciated, this needs to stop. There is no way Reggie Evans should be leading the break, and grabbing an offensive rebound shouldn’t entitle him to shoot immediately after. If he can control his game, Evans will be a fan-favourite all year long.
Jarrett Jack was fine. He made a few nice plays in the second half, including a sweet behind-the-back pass to Weems on a fast break. Jack didn’t really stand out, but he was solid. He stole the ball twice and played good defense.
Once again, Marcus Banks played better than expected. It’s hard to imagine him seeing much of the court this season, but I expected absolutely NOTHING from him. I guess it’s a case of lowered expectations, but I was impressed with his overall game on Wednesday. Put it this way – Calderon and Jack were no better, while Quincy Douby was worse. I still think Douby can be an effective scorer in limited minutes, but he didn’t show it last night. Meanwhile, maybe (it’s a long shot) Colangelo can find a way to trade Banks if he plays decent for any extended stretch. Don’t count on it.
Up front, Patrick O’Bryant and Rasho Nesterovic both played like…well, themselves. O’Bryant still hasn’t figured out how to use his 7-foot frame, but did block three shots. Still, he has a long, long way to go. Rasho was solid in very limited minutes, reminding us that yes, he only shoots from the baseline.
Overall, the Raps were much, much better on Wednesday, but it’s tough to say much without Bosh and Hedo in the lineup. Without say, Igoudala and Elton Brand, the 76ers would have plenty of problems. Defensively, though, Toronto challenged Philly to make difficult shots, improving drastically from Tuesday’s weak effort. At the shooting guard spot, both DeRozan and Belinelli have room to improve, while Antoine Wright has yet to play. Hopefully, the Raps are healthy in the near future, so we can see what this team will really look like on the court.
Leadership is crucial to success in any team sport.
Take a look at past championship squads and you’ll likely find “heart and soul of the team” players on each one. Kobe Bryant, for all his supposed flaws, brings intensity and passion to the Lakers every night, while Derek Fisher is undoubtedly a huge locker room presence for the defending champions.
In 2007-08, Kevin Garnett completely changed the culture of the Boston Celtics, heightening the level of intensity and getting his teammates to play suffocating defense on a nightly basis.
One doesn’t need to be the best player on a team to be the leader – It can (and should) be argued that Paul Pierce was actually Boston’s best player – But every great team needs somebody, or a collection of guys, to step up and keep the others in check.
When Vince Carter played here, Charles Oakley was the guy who held him accountable. This was the CBC story during the 2001 playoffs:
“Vince Carter has to stand up and be counted on, teammate Charles Oakley said Tuesday, pointing the finger at the Toronto Raptors star for deflecting criticism over his lacklustre playoff performance.
“You can’t shy away from it now,” Oakley told reporters Tuesday following the Raptors’ practice.
“This is the time you have to step up and be a man about it. When they made the Dream Team, he went, all 12 of us didn’t go.”
Ahh, gotta love Oak. And the fact is, it worked, if only for a short time.
So, who will take control of the locker room this season?
It has been assumed for the past few years that Chris Bosh is the leader of the Toronto Raptors. He’s the best player on a team that has been mostly devoid of veteran talent. Fans certainly expect a lot from Bosh, both at the end of games, and off the court. He’s been slowly growing into the role, though it’s a lot to ask from a 25-year-old, who is also asked to shoulder the bulk of scoring and rebounding. It’s also semi-unrealistic to give your power forward the ball with the game on the line – Garnett had the same problems before life with Pierce.
But now, as Arsenalist of Raptors Republic writes, things might be changing:
“The question of leadership often comes up and this year’s team appears to be very mature as Ryan pointed out in the interview. Jarrett Jack, Reggie Evans, Antoine Wright, Jose Calderon and Rasho Nesterovic are no-nonsense players that can keep this group in check when things start going south. We don’t have to look towards Bosh to be the leader anymore; if one of the above players can take charge of this team, maybe it’ll lift the pressure off of Bosh and he can perform in his contract year.”
I think he’s right, but with that said, it’s time to ask…Who will step up as the leader (or leaders) of this year’s team?
Who should step up?
And, if he’s really worth a max contract, should that guy be Chris Bosh? Or does Bosh need someone, like Oakley, to light a fire under him?
With so many new faces in town (and a few of the same), here is one wish for each Toronto Raptors’ player:
For Jose Calderon to turn the corner on the high screen. Instead of pulling up for the jumper, I’d like to see Jose go all the way to the basket, like he did consistently two years ago. The hamstring excuse was only good for one season.
For Andrea Bargnani to play hard, all the time. I could have said anything to do with rebounding, but that’s too easy. Yes, I want the Italian to crash the boards, but more importantly, he needs to stay focused, even after starting slow on any given night. Too many times, Bargnani seemed to shrink away after bad starts, and the Raps need him to continue progressing.
For Hedo Turkoglu to make big shots. So often, NBA games come down to the last second, and too often, Toronto had nobody to take the final shot. Yes, Chris Bosh was forced into that role, but how many power forwards (with the exception of Dirk Nowitzki) have the ball in their hands with the game on the line? Now, the Raps have somebody with playoff experience, who has made his share of game-winning buckets. Let’s hope it continues.
For Demar DeRozan to play within his game. The best part about the rookie’s summer league performance was his patience and recognition of each situation. The highlight reel dunks will be great, but DeRozan will need to remember what he does well during his early days as a Raptor. That means no forcing 3’s, Jamario-style.
For Antoine Wright to be Toronto’s Dahntay Jones. Sub in any defensive-oriented player here. In any case, the Raps have more than enough scoring and will desperately need ANYBODY to lock down opposing stars. One day, DeRozan might be the guy, but Wright will need to handle the task early on. And while DeRozan appears to have a great opportunity at the starting job, Wright will get his chance to play the part if the rookie struggles against elite talent.
For Reggie Evans to knock somebody down, early. The Raptors have long been called soft, and Evans can go a long way towards erasing that label. How many times have fans in Toronto watched an opposing player embarrass the Raps (see Bryant, Kobe), with absolutely no resistance. You can bet that Evans won’t hesitate to make a statement.
That Jarrett Jack will run the team efficiently when Calderon leaves the game. No more of Roko’s over-dribbling please. Instead, with Ukic out of town and Jack backing up the point, the Raptors should remind fans of the Forderon days. The former Pacer will be one of the league’s top backup point guards, and should provide toughness, defence and scoring when he enters the game. Most of all, he needs to involve the entire second unit, unlike anything Raps fans saw last season.
That Marco Belinelli will be instant offence off the bench. Jack is the team’s best backup, but Belinelli can flat out score. Let’s hope to see him shoot without hesitation (making him the anti-Jason Kapono) and give the Raps a boost when the stars are out of the game. Nobody really knows what the Raptors have with Belinelli, but he’ll earn his paycheck by scoring in bunches when he gets his chance. The same goes for Quincy Douby, to a lesser extent.
That Rasho Nesterovic will continue to be awesome. Sorry, but I have nothing bad to say about this guy. Let’s hope the big man resigns at the same dollar value next season.
That Amir Johnson improves as the season goes on. At only 22, Johnson should give the frontcourt a boost of energy off the bench, and has a chance to move up in the rotation. He needs to stay with his man on defence and maintain his focus throughout each game, something that has been a problem in the past. This guy has potential, but he needs to harness it.
For Sonny Weems, Marcus Banks and Patrick O’Bryant to play hard in practice. Fans are already sick of “money in the Banks” and POB, but hopefully they will keep a positive attitude and play hard against the starters in the practice gym. As for Weems, who knows. My wish is that he plays like “Good Joey” if he ever gets into a game.
For Chris Bosh to be a leader. As the so-called “franchise player,” it’s time for Bosh to prove his worth. Heading into a contract year, CB4 has every reason to be motivated, and he will have the chance to show that he belongs in the discussion with other elite players. If this team can’t succeed, a lot of critics will look at Bosh. If the Raps win, he’ll get tons of the credit.
And finally, for Jay Triano to put the pieces together. Triano has a tough job. Even with all of the great acquisitions, it’s never easy for a coach to work with this many new players. Triano will have to allocate minutes properly and find the right on-court combinations. There are a lot of guys who could deserve minutes with strong play, and the coach will have plenty of options throughout the season. Like Bosh, much of the praise or blame will fall on Triano.
There is no doubt that Toronto Raptors fans are passionate about their team. Even in bad years (most years), attendance is high at the ACC, while their online presence rivals and surpasses almost every other NBA community.
These fans are also quick to defend the Raps against criticism, usually from American news outlets (ESPN picking a 9th place finish, for example). The talk all summer has been mostly optimistic, with great expectations for the coming season.
But, this is nothing new.
Last year, Jermaine O’Neal was supposed to turn the Raptors into a legitimate contender, until the project blew up during another disappointing season. There have been plenty of other reasons for optimism in the past, most ending in failure.
In no way, shape or form and I saying this team will end up like last year’s edition. What I am saying, is that fans have their breaking point. And at that point, enough becomes enough.
That brings us to the 2009-2010 Toronto Raptors.
Outside of the Bosh-Andrea Bargnani-Jose Calderon core, it’s an entirely new team. And with the squad welcoming Hedo Turkoglu, Jarrett Jack, Demar DeRozan, Rasho Nesterovic, Marco Belinelli, Antoine Wright, Reggie Evans and Amir Johnson, the renewed enthusiasm is certainly justified.
My question to fans of the Toronto Raptors is this: How patient will you be with this team?
With so many new bodies, Jay Triano has the tough task of making it all work. How patient will you be with him?
Demar DeRozan is skilled but raw – Will you be frustrated if he struggles for 50 games?
Hedo Turkoglu will face the pressure of his high-profile signing – Will you worry if he struggles out of the gate?
Jose Calderon has yet to prove he can shoulder the starting point guard duties for an entire season – Will you (especially the old T.J. supporters) pine for Jack to start if Jose doesn’t cut it for the first 20 games?
What if Bargnani regresses in the early going? Will fans give up on him, again?
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I’m not saying fans should or should not do these things. Personally, I’m fairly patient with these things.
All I’m saying is that the Raptors open up with a very difficult stretch of games, with what is basically an entirely new roster.
With Bryan Colangelo finally finished for the summer (unless the meaningless Marcus Banks deal eventually gets done), we can finally look towards the season. Still, even with a full roster in place, the kind of team we’ll see in Toronto is anybody’s guess. With that in mind, I asked my friend and fellow-fan Paul a whack of questions about the 2009-2010 season. Feel free to disagree with different answers:
Q: Who is the most important player for the success of the 2009-2010 Raptors?
A: Jose Calderon
Q: Which Raptors’ deal is the best value?
A: Rasho Nesterovic
Q: Which player will be a pleasant surprise in 2009-2010?
A: Antoine Wright
Q: Which player will be the biggest disappointment in 2009-2010?
A: Can I say Patrick O’Bryant? No? *pause* Amir Johnson.
Q: Who will be the top 3 scorers in 2009-2010 (in order)?
A: 1. Chris Bosh 2. Andrea Bargnani 3. Hedo Turkoglu
Q: How many minutes and points per game will Demar DeRozan average?
A: 23 mins, 9.5 points
Q: Who will start and backup the 2-guard spot on opening night? At the end of the season?
A: Opening night: Wright starting, DeRozan backing up… End of season: DeRozan starting, Wright backing up
Q: What will the big man rotation look like off the bench on opening night? At the end of the season?
A: Opening night: Rasho first, followed by Reggie Evans, followed by Johnson… End of season: Same
“Are you (bleeping) crazy?? JOEY (bleeping) GRAHAM?!”
It’s true…He was maddeningly inconsistent and excruciating to deal with at times. His midrange jumper would come and go as it pleased, and he loved to channel his inner-Jamario and settle for those same jumpers.
He’s also extremely athletic and possesses some nice basketball skills. If only he could use them all the time (and he can’t)… Graham certainly didn’t earn the “Good Joey, Bad Joey” label for nothing.
But hear me out.
Look, the Raptors teams of the past few years have been pretty unique within the NBA when it comes to shooting guards and small forwards. And by unique, I mean shitty.
What that means is that aside from the point guards (Calderon, Ford) and the big men (Bosh, Bargnani), there’s been absolutely nobody to initiate offense.
The result was that players were now being asked to
a) play more minutes than they should (or deserved)
b) take on roles unsuited for their skill sets
Think about Jason Kapono for a moment – A bust of a contract, yes, but think about his role on the Raptors. Jason freaking Kapono was actually expected to be a scorer for an NBA team…Ya, I wonder why that didn’t work out.
This year, all he’ll be asked to do is shoot. The 76ers have plenty of slashers and need a guy like Kapono to come in the game, chill at the arc, and nail triples. It’ll work, just watch.
Joey’s in a similar sort of situation. Clearly, he’s a bust in terms of where he was picked and the expectations that were laid out. Still, he’s shown signs of improving, which is when the trouble happens.
Every time Graham began to play better, he would eventually get more minutes. And they would continue to grow as the Raps searched for somebody…anybody…who wasn’t pathetic scoring from the 2-guard or small forward spot.
The problem is that Joey isn’t made for 25-35 minutes a night. He just simply doesn’t posses the basketball IQ/drive/whatever to be a big part of a successful NBA lineup.
What he does have is the ability to positively impact the game over a short period of time, and that’s what I’m proposing. Screw Carlos Delfino, who wants $5 per season. He’s not even a small forward, and that’s the real position of need for Toronto – to have someone backing up Hedo Turkoglu for 10-12 minutes each night.
I’m telling you – Joey Graham would be perfect for this role. Don’t ask him to do more, and just enjoy the energy and toughness he’ll bring for short spurts each night. Yes, guys like Von Wafer and Flip Murray are better scorers, but the Raps have addressed those needs this summer. They need some size and toughness backing up the 3 and Devean George won’t cut it.
This is my official “Sign Joey 2009″ campaign. And he’ll be really, really cheap.
It sure beats the “Sign Carlos Delfino to a ridiculous contract” scenario that just might happen in the coming days.
Pops Mensa-Bonsu has gotten plenty of love from Raptors fans. Since joining the team in March, he gave the team a spark off the bench, something that was sorely lacking most of the season. Pops rebounded well, too, and that’s the kind of player that fits somewhere on most teams.
A lot of fans want him back, especially if Rasho Nesterovic signs elsewhere. Others might just rather take Pops (I wouldn’t but it’s close) and plenty of blogs have speculated that BC will, and should, bring him back.
Today (yesterday?) Doug Smith’s blog had this:
“Hold on to your hats, folks.
I heard the name yesterday when I was talking to Bryan after the Jack news conference.
Pops Mensa-Bonsu.
Really, I did. Was the first time I’d heard it in conversation with anyone remotely in charge of the team.
Now, before you all run out and grab up those Legend jerseys, consider this: At best – at the very, very best — he’s the 16th man on a team that can only have 15. That means unless Bryan finds someway to make a one for none trade (maybe Ukic) there is no room for the obvious fan favourite.
(Of course, Bryan could trade Marcus Banks for no one but that would signal the apocalypse had arrived and it wouldn’t matter because there’d be no future).
So, yes, they know Pops is out there (and apparently his agent calls about a dozen times a week just to remind people in Toronto that (a) his client likes it here and (b) the other offers are flooding in). But it’s a long, long way from knowing he wants back and bringing him back.”
It’s not like this is anything earthshattering – Still, it’s good to hear it from a source who if anything is extra careful. Obviously, it’s not just speculation at this point.
On the same theme, would Pops even be the next best option if Rasho doesn’t sign? He’ll be fairly cheap, that’s for sure, but are there other players the Raps should pursue? I actually have another recent ex-Raptor I’d be interested in – More on that tomorrow (later today – too many of these, I know…But I’m tired, it’s late).
Does Roko get moved? Should he? It’s still early in his career at this point and remember how bad Jose Calderon was in Year One?
Just some more thoughts to mull over and discuss in what’s been a busy, busy summer for the Raps.
Now that Jarrett Jack’s signing is official, it’s time to take a look at the implications.
First off, in my opinion, this signing had ZERO to do with Chris Bosh. Yes, Jack and Bosh were college teammates and best friends. Yes, I’m sure Bosh is thrilled to have his buddy around. And yes, I’m sure Bryan Colangelo is quite aware of this relationship.
Do I think Toronto committed $20 over 4 years to a player based on his friendship with Bosh? Hell no.
With Jack, the Raps get a guy that fits in nicely with their current team, and has potential to keep improving. He’s 25, can play either guard position, and brings some much-needed defensive skills to a pretty bad defensive squad.
His shooting numbers in Indiana were also very solid (35% 3FG and 45% FG), especially after beating out T.J. Ford in the second half of the season and starting at point guard. Jack also seems like a pretty smart player and won’t settle for that shot unless he’s open – expect to see him try and drive more often. He’s a strong guy and won’t back down from anybody on either side of the court.
Remember when the Raps were at their best? It was when they had two point guards (Calderon and Ford) and Colangelo has chosen to go back to that strategy. Really, it speaks more to the lack of confidence in Roko Ukic than anything – Obviously, the Raps are in a win-now (or win-soon) mindset, and they really don’t trust Roko. Hopefully, though, Jack can help both Ukic and Demar DeRozan, especially after mentoring Brandon Rush in Indiana. As a leader, there’s no doubt he’ll be solid.
Staying on the DeRozan theme, this signing also gives Toronto plenty of options while DD finds his game in the NBA. Jack and Antoine Wright can handle the 2-guard spot for now, and I truly believe JJ will be a great bench player/spot starter for the duration of his contract. Hopefully, DeRozan becomes a really good player, giving the Raps plenty of depth in the backcourt.
In all honesty, there’s not a whole lot of negatives to speak of in Jack’s game. He can be turnover-prone when asked to do too much, but that shouldn’t be a problem unless injuries strike. Really, the only issue with his contract is the amount of money given to a backup. Indiana has added Earl Watson for very little and it’s worth asking whether that would have been a better signing…
I say no, and that’s coming from a Watson fan. He’s 30, and far too small to play anything but point guard. Jack is truly a much better fit, and probably deserves close to what he’s getting when compared to other contracts around the league. Obviously, the drawback is that Toronto can no longer target a backup for Turkoglu at the small forward position (I don’t think Delfino’s much of a 3). The team is also still short a big, which will hopefully be addressed by signing Rasho Nesterovic. Still, looking at the big picture, Jack is a good signing.
He’s valuable off the bench, and even more important if injuries strike. Remember what happened when Jose was injured last season? Or maybe you’ve blocked it out…ya, it was that bad.
