If you haven't already seen parts 1 and 2 on how the Toronto Raptors can become a playoff team, you may need to check them out before you read on.
In my previous post, I've talked about the teams in the Raptors conference that pose a threat toward them achieving a playoff spot.
New York Knicks
I've mentioned them a few times concerning a trade for Laundry Fields and the New Jersey Nets moving to Brooklyn. The Knicks have the potential to become a great team in Amare Stoudemire, Carmelo Anthony and Tyson Chandler, but have never lived up to there hype. Some addition pieces they recieved were Raymond Felton, Marcus Camby and Jason Kidd. These players maybe past there prime, but still hold experience to teach their team.
Compared to the Raptors: This is a "do or die" situation as it can go ether way, ether the chemistry of the Knick click together early or they have a early playoff exit, which the raptors need to be ready for regardless.
Chicago Bulls
This team was one of the favorites to win the NBA Championship in the 2012 playoffs, but there star point guard Derrick Rose tore an ACL, sidelining him from finishing their playoff series. They are still a decent team to compete in the NBA, but without Derrick rose, their future is back tracked. Some additions they received were Kirk Hinrich, Nate Robinson and former Toronto Raptor Marco Belinelli. These players are primarily used to replace their star point guard.
Compared to the Raptors: If you were to ask me who was better last year, no doubt it would be chicago, but with Derrick Rose gone temporarly, I'll give the win to the Raptors because with Kyle Lowry as Toronto's point guard, he can take advantage of the exposed Bulls.
Charlotte Bobcats
This team needs a lot of improvement from last season since they did the worst in NBA history with a record of 7-59, despite a shortened season. Some additions they received were Ramon Sessions, Ben Gordon and Micheal Kidd-Gilchrist. The first two players have been around the league to know what it takes to win. As for Kidd-Gilchrist, the No.2 pick of the 2012 NBA Draft, can be that impact guy to improve this team.
Compared to the Raptors: I still believe that the Raptors have the edge over the Bobcats because despite the talent the Bobcats have, the Raptors are a much better team with the positions they filled out.
Sunday 30 September 2012
Saturday 29 September 2012
Can the Toronto Raptors become a playoff team pt. 2
If you already haven't checked out my earlier post on the Toronto Raptors becoming a playoff team, you should do so before you read on.
As I've said before in my blog post in part one, I have talked about each player's ability that would contribute for the team to become successful to make the playoffs. Now, I will talk about the competition whom the Toronto Raptors must deal with and compare them.
In this off season, not only did the Raptors make some big moves, but also some big teams made some moves that make the "rich, richer and the poor poorer".
Brooklyn Nets
For those of you that haven't heard of this team, you haven't gone crazy. The team just moved there from New Jersey to New York, making two teams in New York. The Brooklyn Nets recently signed free agent Joe Johnson, that may increase the scoring for the team. With the team they already have in Deron Williams, Gerald Wallace, and Brook Lopez, their future is promising.
Compared to the Raptors: Toronto will have their hands full, since we're dealing with players of an all star caliber and experience against the young, potential of the Raptors.
Boston Celtics
This team, since the beginning of time has been an elite team, winning countless championships. Just recently, the Celtics lost their best shooter in Ray Allen, which is a huge blow since it was him along with Kevin Garnett and Paul Pierce that won a championship in 2008. Some recent additions they received are Jared Sullinger, Fab Melo and Jason Terry. The first two players were arguably the steals of the 2012 draft with the 21st and 22nd picks respectively. Jason Terry is a vital piece to this team because they lost Ray Allen, but now get back a shooter that won a championship in 2011.
Compared to the Raptors: Boston might have the upper hand here because of championship experience.
Philadelphia 76ers
To most, this team was a surprise team that knocked out the number one seed in Chicago Bulls in the 2012 playoffs. The bad news about the 76ers is the player they lost in the Dwight Howard trade in Andre Iguodala, one of there most athletic players. Recent additions they received in the off season were Nick Young, Jason Richardson and Andrew Bynum. The additions of the last two players are significant toward them pushing into the playoffs further.
Compared to the Raptors: I would say its dead even because both teams last year were battling it out to become the 8th seed in the 2012 playoffs, but with the additions both teams got, its a close one.
On my next post, i will be talking about the next set of teams in the Toronto Raptors conference.
As I've said before in my blog post in part one, I have talked about each player's ability that would contribute for the team to become successful to make the playoffs. Now, I will talk about the competition whom the Toronto Raptors must deal with and compare them.
In this off season, not only did the Raptors make some big moves, but also some big teams made some moves that make the "rich, richer and the poor poorer".
Brooklyn Nets
For those of you that haven't heard of this team, you haven't gone crazy. The team just moved there from New Jersey to New York, making two teams in New York. The Brooklyn Nets recently signed free agent Joe Johnson, that may increase the scoring for the team. With the team they already have in Deron Williams, Gerald Wallace, and Brook Lopez, their future is promising.
Compared to the Raptors: Toronto will have their hands full, since we're dealing with players of an all star caliber and experience against the young, potential of the Raptors.
Boston Celtics
This team, since the beginning of time has been an elite team, winning countless championships. Just recently, the Celtics lost their best shooter in Ray Allen, which is a huge blow since it was him along with Kevin Garnett and Paul Pierce that won a championship in 2008. Some recent additions they received are Jared Sullinger, Fab Melo and Jason Terry. The first two players were arguably the steals of the 2012 draft with the 21st and 22nd picks respectively. Jason Terry is a vital piece to this team because they lost Ray Allen, but now get back a shooter that won a championship in 2011.
Compared to the Raptors: Boston might have the upper hand here because of championship experience.
Philadelphia 76ers
To most, this team was a surprise team that knocked out the number one seed in Chicago Bulls in the 2012 playoffs. The bad news about the 76ers is the player they lost in the Dwight Howard trade in Andre Iguodala, one of there most athletic players. Recent additions they received in the off season were Nick Young, Jason Richardson and Andrew Bynum. The additions of the last two players are significant toward them pushing into the playoffs further.
Compared to the Raptors: I would say its dead even because both teams last year were battling it out to become the 8th seed in the 2012 playoffs, but with the additions both teams got, its a close one.
On my next post, i will be talking about the next set of teams in the Toronto Raptors conference.
Sunday 16 September 2012
Can the Toronto Raptors become a playoff team?
Its true the raptors are still recovering from the post "Bosh Era" after he left the team to join the Miami Heat at the end of the 2009-2010 season, but the teams luck looks like its about to change.
After another disappointing record (23-43) in the 2011-2012 season, the Toronto Raptors have made some interesting moves this off season that can bring them back in the playoff picture.
Rookie stars like Terrence Ross, Jonas Valanciunas and Quincy Acy are some promising players that can give a needed lift for the raptors. Other significant additions include Kyle Lowry and Landry Fields.
Another positive to look out for is the return of Andrea Bargnani. Before he got injured, he was putting up near all-star numbers averaging 24 points, 6 rebounds that could of eventually got him his first all-star appearance.
The No. 8 pick Ross, during the 2012 NBA Draft was a terrible pick to most because analysis projected him to be a mid round pick, anywhere between 15-20. Toronto's Head Coach Dwyane Casey thinks that this pick was necessary because of his defensive background, his shooting form and is very athletic. With Casey's "defense first" mentality, it was a no brainer to pick Ross so high.
Valanciunas, coming from the 2011 NBA Draft with the No. 5 pick, is a great add for the raptors. Analysis projected him to go as high as the No. 2 pick. Mostly the reasons feared to pick the 6'11 Lithuanian was because of his locked contract with his former team that would skip the 2011-2012 season. Valanciunas fills a need the raptors desperately need, a true center. The Toronto Raptors do have a 7 footer in Andrea Bargnani, but doesnt play like a center.
Landry Fields and Kyle Lowry can really change the dynamic of the raptors. Fields, coming from the 2nd round in the 2011 NBA Draft, had a break out season with his former team, the New York Knicks. Toronto originally try to lure Canadian native and all-star Steve Nash by taking away trade assets such as Fields, so the knicks would not pursue him. After the knicks received Carmelo Anthony via trade, Landry's numbers started to decline. With Landry on the team, he has a chance to a fresh start and play like he did in his rookie season.
Lowry can be the deciding factor on whether the raptors can have a successful season. Lowry was traded from the Houston Rockets via trade. In the past, the raptors have always had a logjam at the point guard postion that have been experiments for years. Pairs such as T.J Ford with Jose Calderon, Jarrett Jack with Calderon, Jerryd Bayless with Calderon...there is a pattern, isnt there? Calderon has been with the team for awhile now and is still putting up decent numbers, but the raptors are not successful with him winning games. Lowry will be starting over Calderon at the beginning of the season.
All in all, the Raptors look ready to become a playoff team this season because of these significant young pieces that will make them successful in the future.
After another disappointing record (23-43) in the 2011-2012 season, the Toronto Raptors have made some interesting moves this off season that can bring them back in the playoff picture.
Rookie stars like Terrence Ross, Jonas Valanciunas and Quincy Acy are some promising players that can give a needed lift for the raptors. Other significant additions include Kyle Lowry and Landry Fields.
Another positive to look out for is the return of Andrea Bargnani. Before he got injured, he was putting up near all-star numbers averaging 24 points, 6 rebounds that could of eventually got him his first all-star appearance.
The No. 8 pick Ross, during the 2012 NBA Draft was a terrible pick to most because analysis projected him to be a mid round pick, anywhere between 15-20. Toronto's Head Coach Dwyane Casey thinks that this pick was necessary because of his defensive background, his shooting form and is very athletic. With Casey's "defense first" mentality, it was a no brainer to pick Ross so high.
Valanciunas, coming from the 2011 NBA Draft with the No. 5 pick, is a great add for the raptors. Analysis projected him to go as high as the No. 2 pick. Mostly the reasons feared to pick the 6'11 Lithuanian was because of his locked contract with his former team that would skip the 2011-2012 season. Valanciunas fills a need the raptors desperately need, a true center. The Toronto Raptors do have a 7 footer in Andrea Bargnani, but doesnt play like a center.
Landry Fields and Kyle Lowry can really change the dynamic of the raptors. Fields, coming from the 2nd round in the 2011 NBA Draft, had a break out season with his former team, the New York Knicks. Toronto originally try to lure Canadian native and all-star Steve Nash by taking away trade assets such as Fields, so the knicks would not pursue him. After the knicks received Carmelo Anthony via trade, Landry's numbers started to decline. With Landry on the team, he has a chance to a fresh start and play like he did in his rookie season.
Lowry can be the deciding factor on whether the raptors can have a successful season. Lowry was traded from the Houston Rockets via trade. In the past, the raptors have always had a logjam at the point guard postion that have been experiments for years. Pairs such as T.J Ford with Jose Calderon, Jarrett Jack with Calderon, Jerryd Bayless with Calderon...there is a pattern, isnt there? Calderon has been with the team for awhile now and is still putting up decent numbers, but the raptors are not successful with him winning games. Lowry will be starting over Calderon at the beginning of the season.
All in all, the Raptors look ready to become a playoff team this season because of these significant young pieces that will make them successful in the future.
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