<a href="http://bbs.clutchfans.net/showpost.php?p=7252028&postcount=53">Easy had the idea first</a>, but he's too shy to make the thread himself Not to say Lowry's news doesn't deserve it's on thread (like batkins highlight threads), but this gives infrequent visitors to the site a one-thread-catch-all update place. lock if unnecessary, cheers
Probably the most exciting part of the season. I think with a .500 team and a trade deadline move could get us in the playoffs. At the very least we saw the 6th pick get Gerald Wallace last season, though I think BKN gave up a little too much.
This won't be good Lowry looks in healthy, in shape and motivated so does Bargnani Derozan and Ross are very solid and competing for a position at 2 Calderon is probably the best backup pg in the league right now Valancunas is holding his own I think we need an injury in that team to even dream of a top 10 pick
yeah, they look solid. Valanciunas looks better than i expected. he does all the wrong things i thought he would, like tunnel vision on post ups, or trouble holding his ground defensively vs. strong bigs, or getting in foul trouble. But I never thought his energy would translate so well right away. I guess this just shows that you always bet on energy. If he stays healthy, which isn't a safe bet considering how recklessly he plays at times for a 7 footer, he will be their best player eventually and he'll be a positive player this year already. In spring, I thought he'd be just neutral. Lowry/Calderon/Lucas-3 point guard rotation is very impressive, nothing new there. Ross looks just as good as he did in the summer league. He's no future star (imo), but he'll be in the league for many years as a significant rotation player with defensive/shooting role, and he has stopper potential. He should start, imo. Bargani is back to his preinjury mode, meaning his D is better than his reputation. Landry Fields looked well. Just heady. Yes, he's overpaid, but this isn't like overpaying Josh Childress or Troy Murphy. It's more like overpaying Shawn Marion or Shane Battier. He'll help you win. He won't be someone who's despised for his contract, it's just that they could've used that cap space better. I don't know what to make of DeRozan. He was one of my least favorite players coming into the preseason, and still kind of is. But I think it's partly a fault of Toronto's previous coach. I like how Dwayne Casey uses him, stations him close to the basket and makes him muscle his way. That's how he should be played, instead of setting up screens for him like they used to. Sadly, he still reverts to his "i'm the best dunker in Toronto, therefore I must do what Vince Carter does" mode, which makes me dislike him again. I wouldn't start him, at least until he learns this new offensive role and learns to defend at least a little. But there are positive signs. Kleiza looked worse than I expected, but he's still a very solid bench piece. A great fit next to Ross. Not such a great fit next to Landry or DeRozan, imo. Overall, I was thinking ~10-12, early teens pick in mid summer. And while some things have changed, that still feels about right.
inb4 Lowry makes all star team, Lin struggles all season we get 14th pick cuz Toronto chokes at the end of the season I'm stocking up on popcorns for this thread.
Thanks, man. I was on the road all day. Got a sniff at CF at the airport before boarding. As for the pick, just hope that whatever-insanity doesn't happen like it did in NY.
Hollinger's forecast for Raptors: Dwane Casey and DeMar DeRozan are not impressed: <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p>Who the hell is John Hollinger!? <a href="https://twitter.com/search/%23Clown">#Clown</a></p>— DeMar DeRozan (@DeMar_DeRozan) <a href="https://twitter.com/DeMar_DeRozan/status/261317736519593984" data-datetime="2012-10-25T04:06:18+00:00">October 25, 2012</a></blockquote> <script src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
haha DeRozan must've get pissed at the "should really be backups" comment. Though it's true, DeRozan has a way to go to prove he's a legit starter on a solid team.
I don't see them finishing as high as people think. I think Lowry will get injured and I also think their rookies will experience a lot of growing pains. Now, in two years if they can keep this core group together they will easily make the playoffs.
I doubt Lowry gets injured, he's been pretty damn durable. The only reason he was because of a freak infection. The person most injury prone at this point on the Raptors is probably Barg-Nani
I find that hard to hope for if I'm a Toronto fan. His style of play welcomes injuries. He attacks te basket and hits the ground a lot. He hurt his knee 2 seasons ago and just recently pulled his groin.
The Raptors will be decent this year. I much rather them made the playoffs than be the 9th spot where the Rockets get the 14th pick. I much rather the pick be a top 8. But right now, Kyle Lowry looks really good and playing at a all star level right now. His play is contagious and makes his teammates work harder.
