Watch out for the Raptors
Posted: Tue Feb 5, 2008 3:53 am
Homer Alert! Homer Alert!
Watch out for the Toronto Raptors. Why? I'll give you three reasons.
3) Jason Kapono - Kapono is still leading the league in 3pt %, but really hasn't played all too well with TJ Ford out of the lineup. Much of the Raptors success earlier in the season was due to his sharp shooting off the bench. He thrived off TJ's penetration and kick and he looked a lot better tonight with Ford back in the line up, droping 13 points on 6-10 shooting. His was playing terribly for a while but slowely started to find his roll again and now that TJ is back he should return to sharp shooter form. Kapono is quite simply one of the best spot up shooters in the NBA.
2) Andrea Bargnani - 22 points, 5 boards and 3 assists tonight in 34 minutes of play. He had 28 points on friday against LA and 19 points the game before that against Washington. He's looked a lot more comfortable the past 6 games and has really found his groove... and his shot. He has 14 treys in the past 6 games and the Raptors have won 4 of those games (losing in Washington and to LA). Most importantly Bargs really seemed to have found his confidence again and is breaking out of his softmore slump. When his shot is on Bargnani is a nightmare for defenders.
1) TJ Ford - Ford returned to the line up today against the Miami Heat (Ya, the Heat suck, but its besides the point). Ford gives the Raptors an exceptional backup PG, the best backup PG in the league behind Barbosa. He, much like Bosh, gives the Raps another player who can create his own shot and the Raptors' lack of PG depth over the past 20 games has been a glaring weakness. Ford will no doubt strengthen an already strong and deep backcourt and will become a player to fear off the bench. Ford put up 4 points, 4 assists and 2 steals in only 16 minutes 2night, and he even through down a sick baseline dunk. Ford is an incredible difference maker.
The Raptors will not jump from probable playoff team to championship contender, but I do expect them to turn the corner and leave teams like Washington and Atlanta in the dust. They will keep up with Cleveland and Orlando, and should finish 4th or 5th in the East (I'd put my money on 5th). None the less, this team is still full of underrated team players whos sum is greater than the individual parts and I expect them to finish with between 45 and 50 wins this season, and a legitimate shot at the 2nd round, with an outside chance the conference finals. Oh, for the record, they've won their last 2 games by a combined 71 points.
Thoughts? Comments? It's just a prediction, the Raps will turn the corner and go on a hot streak.
[Flame Shield]
Who do you think is a team to watch out for? (LA Lakers aside)
Watch out for the Toronto Raptors. Why? I'll give you three reasons.
3) Jason Kapono - Kapono is still leading the league in 3pt %, but really hasn't played all too well with TJ Ford out of the lineup. Much of the Raptors success earlier in the season was due to his sharp shooting off the bench. He thrived off TJ's penetration and kick and he looked a lot better tonight with Ford back in the line up, droping 13 points on 6-10 shooting. His was playing terribly for a while but slowely started to find his roll again and now that TJ is back he should return to sharp shooter form. Kapono is quite simply one of the best spot up shooters in the NBA.
2) Andrea Bargnani - 22 points, 5 boards and 3 assists tonight in 34 minutes of play. He had 28 points on friday against LA and 19 points the game before that against Washington. He's looked a lot more comfortable the past 6 games and has really found his groove... and his shot. He has 14 treys in the past 6 games and the Raptors have won 4 of those games (losing in Washington and to LA). Most importantly Bargs really seemed to have found his confidence again and is breaking out of his softmore slump. When his shot is on Bargnani is a nightmare for defenders.
1) TJ Ford - Ford returned to the line up today against the Miami Heat (Ya, the Heat suck, but its besides the point). Ford gives the Raptors an exceptional backup PG, the best backup PG in the league behind Barbosa. He, much like Bosh, gives the Raps another player who can create his own shot and the Raptors' lack of PG depth over the past 20 games has been a glaring weakness. Ford will no doubt strengthen an already strong and deep backcourt and will become a player to fear off the bench. Ford put up 4 points, 4 assists and 2 steals in only 16 minutes 2night, and he even through down a sick baseline dunk. Ford is an incredible difference maker.
The Raptors will not jump from probable playoff team to championship contender, but I do expect them to turn the corner and leave teams like Washington and Atlanta in the dust. They will keep up with Cleveland and Orlando, and should finish 4th or 5th in the East (I'd put my money on 5th). None the less, this team is still full of underrated team players whos sum is greater than the individual parts and I expect them to finish with between 45 and 50 wins this season, and a legitimate shot at the 2nd round, with an outside chance the conference finals. Oh, for the record, they've won their last 2 games by a combined 71 points.
Thoughts? Comments? It's just a prediction, the Raps will turn the corner and go on a hot streak.
[Flame Shield]
Who do you think is a team to watch out for? (LA Lakers aside)
