RealGM

these are realistic prediction. It's not like were better than the celtics.

Just adding the link for those who want to read the whole thing...

TSN's Raptors Second Half Roundtable

Don't really agree.

Raptors are 5 games above .500 with the 3rd hardest schedule in the NBA thus far. We have one of the easiest schedules for the remainder of the year. I see no reason why we won't preform better with the easy schedule then the hard schedule that we played above .500 ball with. Leo was speculating that TJ might be back after the ASG. Don't see any reason to think TJ won't be back sometime this year to make things easier at PG. Even still the majority of teams that could have an ankle sprain to their current 2nd best player would be fighting for the 8th spot.

This team could finish with the 3rd, or 4th spot imo. The only real compeition is Cleveland who's been coming on strong, and Orlando who have been coming back to earth. Don't see any way Toronto finishes below Atlanta, Indiana, or Washington barring major injuries given our schedule

KG1585 wrote:I think the Raps fans will be happy if he can be solid contributor. I don't think anyone expects him to light the NBA on fire. He'll be a lot better than Dixon and Martin.

I think that's Doug's point. If he's not considerably better than those 2, and as a young PG playing his first season at a new level it's quite possible he'll struggle, he's going to be considered a bust.

I agree with Doug Smith here. Far too many Raptor fans, since the minute this guy was drafted, have been expecting the 2nd coming of Manu Ginobili or something.

Hendrix wrote:Don't really agree.

Raptors are 5 games above .500 with the 3rd hardest schedule in the NBA thus far. We have one of the easiest schedules for the remainder of the year. I see no reason why we won't preform better with the easy schedule then the hard schedule that we played above .500 ball with. Leo was speculating that TJ might be back after the ASG. Don't see any reason to think TJ won't be back sometime this year to make things easier at PG. Even still the majority of teams that could have an ankle sprain to their current 2nd best player would be fighting for the 8th spot.

This team could finish with the 3rd, or 4th spot imo. The only real compeition is Cleveland who's been coming on strong, and Orlando who have been coming back to earth. Don't see any way Toronto finishes below Atlanta, Indiana, or Washington barring major injuries given our schedule

You're underestimating Washington here. It's going to be a pretty interesting battle between us, Orlando, Cleveland & Washington for the 3-6 spots. None of the teams below really seemed primed for a big run, but you never know.

Trilogy wrote:-= original quote snipped =-



You're underestimating Washington here. It's going to be a pretty interesting battle between us, Orlando, Cleveland & Washington for the 3-6 spots. None of the teams below really seemed primed for a big run, but you never know.

I have a feeling the Wizards are going to fall back too. They've been fortunate enough to play a very easy schedule thus far (2nd easiest in the league) and I'm not a huge fan or their depth.

I think they're a .500 team and will finish well back of the 3-5 seeds.

Seriously, if anything happens to Jose before TJ returns, then the team will be in some trouble. There is no way in hell the team can survive with Martin and Dixson running the point! And I'm pretty sure Stoudamire is going to the Celtics if the buyout goes through. Ukic ain't coming till next year and for God's sake people, he's not going to be the saviour!

Trilogy wrote:-= original quote snipped =-



You're underestimating Washington here. It's going to be a pretty interesting battle between us, Orlando, Cleveland & Washington for the 3-6 spots. None of the teams below really seemed primed for a big run, but you never know.

Possibly. But we have the same record as them. They've had the 2nd easiest schedule in the league, and We've had the 3rd hardest. We're going to have an easy schedule now, while they're playing a rough schedule. Really just don't think they'll stay on par with us through that stretch when we were able to stay on par with them when the roles were reversed.

photoWILD wrote:Seriously, if anything happens to Jose before TJ returns, then the team will be in some trouble. There is no way in hell the team can survive with Martin and Dixson running the point! And I'm pretty sure Stoudamire is going to the Celtics if the buyout goes through. Ukic ain't coming till next year and for God's sake people, he's not going to be the saviour!

Ya think..?!?

The_Hater wrote:-= original quote snipped =-



I think that's Doug's point. If he's not considerably better than those 2, and as a young PG playing his first season at a new level it's quite possible he'll struggle, he's going to be considered a bust.

I agree with Doug Smith here. Far too many Raptor fans, since the minute this guy was drafted, have been expecting the 2nd coming of Manu Ginobili or something.

i'm inclined to agree with you. welp, at least it'll take some of the heat off of bustnani.

if the raptors don't at least get 47 wins again, i'll be disappointed. I also think they can at least get that.

I do! It may seems like some simple ideas, but some poeple on this board have some grandiose ideas that make no sense whatsoever. You're pretty realistic from what I've read.
Take it easy,
PW

the TSN Round Table = their attempt to discuss more bball since their hockey schedule is weaker than Sportsnet.

Raps will finish one game shy of 50 wins. We'll get 49.

As for Ukic, I feel bad for the guy. Nobody drafted 41st overall has ever had any expectations placed on them, and if Ukic doesn't turn out to play at the same near-Allstar level as TJ and Jose, then he will be a bust (if 2nd round busthood is even possible, LOL).

If Jose gets injured then we have no hope... we might fall out of the playoff picture entirely... But that hopefully won't happen..

Imagine Dixon starting and D-Mart backing him up??!...ugh... The only way we could possibly get out of that would be to find a surprise starter in the D-League, or maybe Delfino starts at PG and suddenly becomes the next Jose...

Warya wrote:If Jose gets injured then we have no hope... we might fall out of the playoff picture entirely... But that hopefully won't happen..

Imagine Dixon starting and D-Mart backing him up??!...ugh... The only way we could possibly get out of that would be to find a surprise starter in the D-League, or maybe Delfino starts at PG and suddenly becomes the next Jose...

I don't even want to think about it.

photoWILD wrote:Seriously, if anything happens to Jose before TJ returns, then the team will be in some trouble. There is no way in hell the team can survive with Martin and Dixson running the point! And I'm pretty sure Stoudamire is going to the Celtics if the buyout goes through. Ukic ain't coming till next year and for God's sake people, he's not going to be the saviour!

Great, now I'm going to have nightmares of our PG going from one of the best assist men in the league to a black hole on offense.

Hey, you never know though, we could wind up in the lottery if that happened.

The 3-6 seeds can be taken by anyone in the East's 2nd tier (Toronto, Cleveland, Orlando, and Washington). I disagree with the whole Raptors will be one ankle-sprain away from missing the playoffs. That can be said for almost any team...The Cavs are one Lebron ankle-sprain or the Magic are one Howard injury away from...etc etc.

Doug is dumb.

Ukic is clearly a prototypical combo guard with a game resembling Billups, only difference being: Roko is tougher.