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There are a variety of reasons why the Raptors are never going to be a upper tier team in this league. But I think one major reason is that they are just TOO DAMN NICE.

Colangelo did a great job of getting all these "character" guys. So what! big deal! Look, I'm not saying go out and get Ron Artest or Steven Jackson. But it wouldn't hurt to have 1 or 2 really mean, nasty, thugs on our team. Guys that play with a chip on their shoulder. Like hmm..the entire starting 5 or the pistons. All of those guys have a mean streak.

Example of how "nice" the raptors are. Moon had several very nice dunks today. He runs up the floor with a big smile on his face...happier than ever. It'd be nice if once in a while (after a nice dunk) he growled at someone or talked a little smack or got in someones face.

This team is filled with a bunch of great guys. But this isn't a nice-guy-competition. This is the NBA.

I think this team needs to develop a little attitude problem - it needs more A-holes (pardon the expression)


just throwing it out there...

Thoughts?

spurs

We don't need more a-holes, we need better defence and rebounding, and a player(s) who can be a reliable scorer in late, tight games. In other words, we need more talent.

The Notic wrote:spurs

bruce bowen

we need *sigh, for the millionth time* Charles Oakley!

Maybe you worry about adding some attitude when you're a 60-win caliber team like the Mavs or Suns and you're an ingredient away from competing for a title.

When you're a 45-win team destined to get eliminated in the first round by a team most likely destined to get eliminated in the 2nd, improving your talent base is your biggest priority.

Attitude doesn't make your interior defence any better. It doesn't make your interior offense any better.

jrask wrote:There are a variety of reasons why the Raptors are never going to be a upper tier team in this league. But I think one major reason is that they are just TOO DAMN NICE.

Colangelo did a great job of getting all these "character" guys. So what! big deal! Look, I'm not saying go out and get Ron Artest or Steven Jackson. But it wouldn't hurt to have 1 or 2 really mean, nasty, thugs on our team. Guys that play with a chip on their shoulder. Like hmm..the entire starting 5 or the pistons. All of those guys have a mean streak.

Example of how "nice" the raptors are. Moon had several very nice dunks today. He runs up the floor with a big smile on his face...happier than ever. It'd be nice if once in a while (after a nice dunk) he growled at someone or talked a little smack or got in someones face.

This team is filled with a bunch of great guys. But this isn't a nice-guy-competition. This is the NBA.

I think this team needs to develop a little attitude problem - it needs more A-holes (pardon the expression)


just throwing it out there...

Thoughts?

Could you give us an example of any players you think the Raptors could realistically go after that fit your criteria? I mean trades that would work for all teams involved.

I will admit, again.. the Raptors are VERY soft.

If you wanna make some money just bet against the Raptors.. Second half they had Cleveland -1 haha.. what an easy bet. Obvy Lebron is gonna actually try in the second half, when he's awake.

keon

We need some players that can hit some damned free throws.

Do "meaner" players shoot better at the line? If so, then by all means, sign them up.

Ruben Patterson is our answer

I didn't bother reading the post, but I so agree with the thread title.

Reggie Evans?

If someone eff's with Chris or Andrea, you'll know that Reggie will make sure that individual will not be able to produce semen anymore.

Plus, I hear the 76ers will literally move him for anything right now. Trying to free up cap space.

jrask wrote:There are a variety of reasons why the Raptors are never going to be a upper tier team in this league. But I think one major reason is that they are just TOO DAMN NICE.

Colangelo did a great job of getting all these "character" guys. So what! big deal! Look, I'm not saying go out and get Ron Artest or Steven Jackson. But it wouldn't hurt to have 1 or 2 really mean, nasty, thugs on our team. Guys that play with a chip on their shoulder. Like hmm..the entire starting 5 or the pistons. All of those guys have a mean streak.

Example of how "nice" the raptors are. Moon had several very nice dunks today. He runs up the floor with a big smile on his face...happier than ever. It'd be nice if once in a while (after a nice dunk) he growled at someone or talked a little smack or got in someones face.

This team is filled with a bunch of great guys. But this isn't a nice-guy-competition. This is the NBA.

I think this team needs to develop a little attitude problem - it needs more A-holes (pardon the expression)


just throwing it out there...

Thoughts?

I don't agree...there is a difference between "nasty, thugs" and a competitive athlete.
Just look at all known successful athletes in any game.
Character guys go a long way especially in a team game.
When did it pay to be "mean, nasty"?
Are Lebron, Duncan, Shaq, Magic, Tiger, etc mean?

It starts with coaching motivation, competitive edge, leadership & talent, not attitude.

Sure I didn't like the stupid smile of Moon's face after LeBron scored on him in the last minutes, but then Moon is no star or team leader.

We need guys who believe that they are the best in the game and leave it on the floor every game. And, yes, they are called character guys.

The Notic wrote:spurs

the thread should have been closed after this response.

Joker wrote:Maybe you worry about adding some attitude when you're a 60-win caliber team like the Mavs or Suns and you're an ingredient away from competing for a title.

When you're a 45-win team destined to get eliminated in the first round by a team most likely destined to get eliminated in the 2nd, improving your talent base is your biggest priority.

Attitude doesn't make your interior defence any better. It doesn't make your interior offense any better.

You're right, we don't need thugs on this team but it would help to have somebody who can fire this team up when we get sucked into lulls and stop playing defense. Somebody who can give a hard foul and remind the players that there are no easy baskets. Or maybe someone who can display a hard-nosed consistent effort on the floor which the team can look at as an example. I think Garbo last year provided a lot of that and we're missing the intangibles he brought to the floor.

But yes, you're right, we need offensive talent and rebounding ability before we need toughness.

what about intensity, toughness is one thing but the intensity factor is something we are sorely lacking...

sure we could bring in a reggie evans, a chris wilcox but i think we need more of a player that is so intense that it spills out over into the rest of the team, (ala KG but i cant think of anyone else in the league who is as intense as him or even close to it)


the raps seem more aloof than intense, we have tough guys on our team but their intensity level isnt there...

Mr. Perfect wrote:Reggie Evans?

If someone eff's with Chris or Andrea, you'll know that Reggie will make sure that individual will not be able to produce semen anymore.

Plus, I hear the 76ers will literally move him for anything right now. Trying to free up cap space.

Looking past his nut-hugging ways, I always liked his game. He's got a reasonably salary too:

http://www.hoopshype.com/salaries/philadelphia.htm

We definitely need some toughness and attitude on the team, but this is nothing new, we have needed it for many years now.

That's one thing I liked about Araujo, he would smack guys all over the place and piss em' all off including Shaq.

Not sure if this was mentioned, but what about Kurt Thomas? He is an aggressive defender, and since the Sonics aren't going anywhere this season, maybe they can move him? Unless he's a big expiring, i did not check.

In addition, BC has some history with Kurt Thomas, as he acquired him while he was still in Phoenix, so he must have caught BC's eyes somehow.