ESPN Mid-term grades

Post #1 » by **Yuri Vaultin** » Wed Jan 23, 2008 4:53 pm

Toronto Raptors (Grade: B-minus) -- The best is yet to come for the Raptors. They have dealt with injuries to T.J. Ford and Chris Bosh and still find themselves three games over .500, but they haven't played with the same sense of urgency or passion as last season.

http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/dailydime?page=dime-080123

Feel free to discuss...

Air Canada · Post #2 » by **Air Canada** » Wed Jan 23, 2008 4:58 pm

I think its fair. Theyve done a decent job so far this season but theres still room for improvement.

asif9t9 · Post #3 » by **asif9t9** » Wed Jan 23, 2008 5:00 pm

I'd say a C. Maybe C+ because they are above .500. But injuries aside, I think this team has been a disappointment. They are the defending Atlantic champs, and injuries notwithstanding, they haven't played with any kind of swagger this year.

whoknows · Post #4 » by **whoknows** » Wed Jan 23, 2008 5:03 pm

I kinda agree for Raps...
They also miss Garbo and a confident AB. Thinking about it, I would give them a B since the addition of JaMoon, Delfino & Kapono is an improvement.
Also, the great Jose leadership during TJ missed games, it is something to say "The best is yet to come for the Raptors".

However, I don't see the Cavs at B, I'd give them a C at best.
All they proved so far is that without LBJ they are one of the worst teams, don't see much improvements from last year.

whoknows · Post #5 » by **whoknows** » Wed Jan 23, 2008 5:08 pm

asif9t9 wrote:I'd say a C. Maybe C+ because they are above .500. But injuries aside, I think this team has been a disappointment. They are the defending Atlantic champs, and injuries notwithstanding, they haven't played with any kind of swagger this year.

...glass 1/2 empty, eh... :wink:

asif9t9 · Post #6 » by **asif9t9** » Wed Jan 23, 2008 5:11 pm

whoknows wrote:-= original quote snipped =-

...glass 1/2 empty, eh...

I know. But hey, it's about expectations. If a poor student gets a C, you give him props. If a normally good student only gets a C, you can't give props. Just the way it is.

Webstersweb · Post #7 » by **Webstersweb** » Wed Jan 23, 2008 5:29 pm

asif9t9 wrote:-= original quote snipped =-

I know. But hey, it's about expectations. If a poor student gets a C, you give him props. If a normally good student only gets a C, you can't give props. Just the way it is.

just shows how high expectations have gone up in just one winning season. It's pretty awesome to see what Colangelo has done not just with the team but with the attitude and expectations surrounding the Raptors.

Although to be fair, I respectfully disagree with your grade of a C. I would give them a B- too just because they are playing with 2 new players in the starting lineup. 3 of you count Andrea. jose and moon being the other 2.

In any case, I agree with the original assessment of the "best is yet to come for the Raptors"

bychai · Post #8 » by **bychai** » Wed Jan 23, 2008 5:50 pm

I can't argue with that opinion at all. Bang on!

DIEHARD_005 · Post #9 » by **DIEHARD_005** » Wed Jan 23, 2008 5:55 pm

Fair and accurate assessment. If TJ was still playing I easily see the Raps at 4th in the east right now.

rapstarr · Post #10 » by **rapstarr** » Wed Jan 23, 2008 6:12 pm

a B grade is about right. the injuries to our all-star and potential all-star in TJ merit that. People's expectations of the raps are too high. Coming from being a bottom feeder right to one great season, does not automatically make us elite. i'm just glad we're making some positive improvements.

The_Hater · Post #11 » by **The_Hater** » Wed Jan 23, 2008 6:16 pm

I think that between our record, our talent level, the schedule and the injuries, we're about a B.

Taking all those things into consideration and then giving us a C or C- as I've seen many people do isn't really fair IMO.

stash · Post #12 » by **stash** » Wed Jan 23, 2008 6:25 pm

Well, I don't really agree with the B grade...I think they are B grade or above team when you look at there talent, however they have not performed as such.

B grade is usually reserved for an average performance, and I would say their performance has been below average due to the fact that they are underperforming compared to everyone else's expectations. I mean some people actually had them winning this division, they haven't even been able to play a close game with Boston since the 3rd game of the regualr season.... NOW I know they have faced some injuries, but as for now, with the bench performing the way it is, they are only good enough to beat very mediocre teams on the road, and maybe slightly above average teams at home.

highlightstick · Post #13 » by **highlightstick** » Wed Jan 23, 2008 6:36 pm

I think a B is fair for the raps..

but Wizards get an A and Magic get a B+...

wtf?

Reignman · Post #14 » by **Reignman** » Wed Jan 23, 2008 6:46 pm

asif9t9 wrote:I'd say a C. Maybe C+ because they are above .500. But injuries aside, I think this team has been a disappointment. They are the defending Atlantic champs, and injuries notwithstanding, they haven't played with any kind of swagger this year.

Possibly because the "Swagger" has only played 17 games?

rapstarr · Post #15 » by **rapstarr** » Wed Jan 23, 2008 6:46 pm

stash wrote:I mean some people actually had them winning this division, they haven't even been able to play a close game with Boston since the 3rd game of the regualr season.... NOW I know they have faced some injuries, but as for now, with the bench performing the way it is, they are only good enough to beat very mediocre teams on the road, and maybe slightly above average teams at home.

that's what i mean. early in the season, people should have realized that there is no way the raps can realistically beat boston, let alone defend the division with boston's big three. With regards to talent, we dont really have that much ammunition than people think. we have players that are good at the same skillset (ie. shooting, or passing, etc.). and with alot of our players (bargs for example) cant do much else except for what's advertised. and we dont have a good to great rebounder (except for bosh).

whoknows · Post #16 » by **whoknows** » Wed Jan 23, 2008 7:31 pm

highlightstick wrote:I think a B is fair for the raps..

but Wizards get an A and Magic get a B+...

wtf?

sure they do...you remove a player like Agent0 and you got a different team.
Where do you think Raps would be without CB4?

Magic are for real, a true contender in the East, give them more time and a good PG.

bychai · Post #17 » by **bychai** » Wed Jan 23, 2008 7:44 pm

highlightstick wrote:I think a B is fair for the raps..

but Wizards get an A and Magic get a B+...

wtf?

Well if you've actually been watching the Wiz and Magic play, you'd realize that those grades are right on point.

The_Hater · Post #18 » by **The_Hater** » Wed Jan 23, 2008 8:05 pm

highlightstick wrote:I think a B is fair for the raps..

but Wizards get an A and Magic get a B+...

wtf?

You might notice that the Wiz are 7 games over .500 after losing their best player? And the Magic are 3rd in the east and on pace for 50 wins after finishing 8th last season.