IF I WERE US, I'D BE CHEERING FOR A SLIGHTLY SALVAGED MORALE FOR THESE YOUNGSTERS AND AN EIGHTH-SEED PLAYOFF BERTH FOR TORONTO. WE GET THEIR FIRST ROUNDER AS LONG AS IT ISN'T A LOTTO PICK, SO EVEN IF WE DON'T TANK IT ALL AND GET A TOP 5 PICK, NUMBER 14 WOULD BE A GREAT ONE TO HAVE IN COMBINATION WITH WHATEVER PICK WE DO GET. LOOK HOW NICELY THAT SCENARIO PLAYED OUT WITH EDDIE LAST YEAR. RUDY T AND CAROL AREN'T ROOKIES AT THIS, THEY DEFINITELY KNOW HOW TO WORK THEIR PROVERBIAL "JELLY." HAVE FAITH IN THAT AND CHEER FOR WHAT YOU REALLY WANT AT HEART: SOME MORE ROCKETS WINS.
Keep an eye on the caplock button dTown333. Does anyone know if Toronto doesn't make the playoffs, is the pick lottery protected next year, or do we just get squat? B
Here's a look at the rest of the Raptors schedule: Sacramento at Minnesota at Cleveland Washington Miami at Atlanta at Philadelphia Chicago at Chicago Indiana Charlotte at Indiana Atlanta New Jersey at Milwaukee Cleveland Out of their next 16 games, they have 9 games at home. They have two back-to-back series. I think the Raptors will be motivated and go 11-5 through the last 16 games of the season. The Raptors will end up at 41-41 for the season, which hopefully will be good enough to make the playoffs. Do you think we will get the draft pick? What are your thoughts?
Do we want the draft pick this year? Do we need another rookie this year, or would another pick say, next year be better? I dunno, just speculating. I feel sorry for Dream though . . . wants to go to "a winner/contender", and is no better off than last year.
Give me something in the here and now. Forget about two years from now, Rockets-wise. There's no way of telling if we're better off taking a pick now or later unless you're clairvoyant.
I rather have it this year. I mean we will have our own pick (probably around 9-11) and Torontos pick, if they make the playoffs should be around (14-17?) We can package those picks for a veteran or move up in the draft order. Either way, I dont want a young player. Even though Kelvin is playing well lately, we need a thuggy rebounding type of player in the middle.
I do frequently downtalk the idea, but the posibility does exist of trading the pick in a package if we do get it from the Raptors this year. There's always the idea of trading up, as well. Anyway, for what it's worth.
But remember, Rudy likes those 2nd rounders. The deal with Toronto is one first round or 2 second rounders. DOES ANYBODY KNOW WHEN THE CHICAGO PICK IS DUE (for bryce drew)? ALSO, I think Dallas owes us a 2nd rounder (or were even - langhi) for Glen Rice going down. Remember Les, holding out for that medical guarantee.
I'm sorry but the Raptors will not make the playoffs. Their only hope is to get the 8th seed past Indiana and I don't see that happening. PLEASE prove me wrong Vince!
bar-The deal with Toronto is for a first AND a 2nd rounder (from Detroit) the Chicago deal is a first or 2 2nds. It's a first if it's within certain requirements, and I think it becomes 2 2nds if it's not after the 20th pick next year. As for the Dallas thing...I dunno. I remember looking for more on that awhile back, and seeing only cash considerations. OMR-The 8th seed belongs to the under .500 Hornets, and the Raptors are only 2 games back, though they also have to leap frog the Heat, who are 1 game back. I definitely want that pick this year. 14th is the best possible pick we could get. Here's to Vince Carter sacking up and grow a pair, so that his team can slip into the playoffs. Anyone else looking forward to recalling some of those posts from Raptor Trolls?
Alright, lets go over all the picks again. Picks owed to us: Toronto's #1. Lottery protected 2002-2008, unprotected in 2009. (Olajuwon trade) Chicago's #1. Top-20 (or so) protected through 2004. If it is not paid by 2004, the debt becomes 2 #2s. (Drew trade) Detroit's #2 in 2002. (Olajuwon trade) Picks we owe to others: We owe Vancouver a #1 in 2002 or 2003. Which year is Houston's option. (Francis trade) We owe Milwaukee a #2 in 2002. (Willis trade) So, this draft we will probably have: Our own first-rounder (top-8?) Raptors' #1 maybe (14th or 15th) Detroit's #2
no. We traded the Hawks the pick that Detroit owed us through NY(?) from the Mirsad Turkcan trade. JV's information is correct based on everything I've seen.
The Raptors lose again...116-113. If they could've won, I think that might have given them the spark to rally to the finish, now they are 3 games out. However, they still control their own destiny. 4 Teams have a shot at the 8 slot-Raptors, Heat, Wizards, Hornets. The Pacers are only 1.5 games ahead of the Hornets for the 7 slot. I'll break down their schedules. "Gimme" Games: games against opponents in the tank-a-thon 2K2 Key Games: games amongst each other Tough Games: the rest #8: Charlotte Hornets 32-33 - games back 17 games left "Gimme" Games: @Cleveland, @New York, @Atlanta, Atlanta, Cleveland, Chicago Key Games: Miami, Washington, Toronto @Miami, Tough Games: Milwaukee, Indiana, @Orlando, @Indiana, Orlando, Sacramento, @Milwaukee Notable: No key injuries, but huge arena/moving questions loom over the team. Also, anti-karma of putting Bullard on the injury list. Can make or break themselves with 4 games against the teams chasing them. #9: Miami Heat 30-34 1.5 games back 18 games left "Gimme" Games: Atlanta, Houston, New York Key Games: @Toronto, @Charlotte, Charlotte, Tough Games: Philadelphia, @Philadelphia, Indiana, @San Antonio, Boston, @Indiana, Detroit, Milwaukee, LA Lakers, @Boston, Orlando, @Orlando Notable: Tough stretch coming up: Philly, @Philly, Indy, @SA, Boston, @Toronto. 6 very tough games in a row, alternating home and road. Only 2 "Gimme" Games, and the most games left on the schedule of all the teams. They also finish the toughest. #10: Washington Wizards 30-36 2.5 games back 16 games left "Gimme" Games: @Golden State, @Denver, Denver, Memphis, New York Key Games: @Toronto, @Charlotte Tough Games: @Utah, Milwaukee, Dallas, LA Lakers, @Milwaukee, @New Jersey, Philadelphia, @Philadelphia, Indiana Notable: No MJ? Big Problem. 4 game road trip coming up. They need MJ #11: Toronto Raptors 30-37 3 games back 15 games left "Gimme Games": @Cleveland, @Atlanta, Chicago, @Chicago, Atlanta, Cleveland Key Games: Washington, Miami, Charlotte Tough Games: @Minnesota, @Philadelphia, Indiana, @Indiana, New Jersey, @Milwaukee Notable: Fewest games left....advantage or disadvantage? They may catch a break with NJ and Milwaukee as 2 of their last 3 games, if those teams decide to rest some of their stars for the playoffs. Must win the head to head matchups, and all of the "Gimmes". Vince Carter must not be a baby.
The Barney's are tanking badly. They've lost 13 of their past 14. Vince is reportedly playing hurt. After Vince, they don't have that much talent, particularly athleticism, on that team. My bet is that they make a dash for the bottom of the league and try for a high draft pick, an athletic guard or a 3, to add some much needed depth.
