Shaazzam wrote:-= original quote snipped =-
If you don't have decent guard play, it doesn't matter how good your bigs are, because the defence can sag on them, or in Bargs's place, smother him.
He needs the space created by penetration.
We are talking about the Raptors. TJ and Jose are already pretty good. We know what guys like TJ, Jose, and Bosh are going to bring to the table. The only one that hasn't brought it is Bargnani. So if you talk about guard play, TJ and Jose can continue to do their thing, but until Bargnani improves, develops and starts playing better, this team can't take the next step.
Wouldn't you agree that Bargnani has the most improving to do out of all the Raptors' players? Truth is, Bargnani is the key for the Raptors make the jump to elite level. You can't tell me that the Raptors can just waste a number one pick and still be able to take it to the next level.
Guard play has always been consistent for this team. Even going back to last season, they were pretty consistent all season long. But the Raptors didn't start to make their second half run until Bargnani started to play better.