Watch out for the Raptors

RoyceDa59 · Post #1 » by **RoyceDa59** » 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)

bstein14 · Post #2 » by **bstein14** » Tue Feb 5, 2008 3:58 am

I'll be watching out for them to make another first round playoff exit...

robertjanssen007 · Post #3 » by **robertjanssen007** » Tue Feb 5, 2008 4:01 am

Last 6 Games For Bargs:

18 points
5.2 rebounds
2.2 assists
36/75 FG (48%)
14/27 3PT (52%)
17/19 FT (89%)

Maybe there is hope afterall.

Rallyks · Post #4 » by **Rallyks** » Tue Feb 5, 2008 4:02 am

easily the best shooting team in the league

peralta · Post #5 » by **peralta** » Tue Feb 5, 2008 4:02 am

I'm a raptors fan and i will do my assesment of the team after the all star game...when TJ Ford gets more games under his belt...more games for Bargs it's good to see him come around but i need a few more games from him...although it's nice to see TJ back on the court...that dunk was nasty!

Triangle Theory · Post #6 » by **Triangle Theory** » Tue Feb 5, 2008 4:03 am

LA doesn't have any raptors.

PapeSowish · Post #7 » by **PapeSowish** » Tue Feb 5, 2008 4:04 am

Ya'll Raptor fans best stay on yer own board. We dun't like yer kind 'round here.

peralta · Post #8 » by **peralta** » Tue Feb 5, 2008 4:05 am

doulbe posted

peralta · Post #9 » by **peralta** » Tue Feb 5, 2008 4:05 am

---double posted--- my bad

Holmes · Post #10 » by **Holmes** » Tue Feb 5, 2008 4:05 am

Some how 5 decent games out of 6 games eradicates half a season worth of futility.

I'd watch out for the Houston Rockets. Coming on strong lately.

NetsForce · Post #11 » by **NetsForce** » Tue Feb 5, 2008 4:10 am

It's funny how 2 of your 3 reasons for "watching out for the Raptors" are reasons why I'm not scared of them.

I would however keep an eye on the Rockets though, they still have a lot of room to improve (McGrady and Yao aren't meshing that well in Adelman's system, it also doesn't help that Yao isn't given the shot attempts he deserves), which is kind of scary since they're playing pretty well right now.

Post #12 » by **Schad** » Tue Feb 5, 2008 4:13 am

Just as hovering around .500 while playing the toughest schedule in the league was not a reason to panac, winning 9 of 13 against primarily weak opposition isn't a reason to thump our chests.

Kosta · Post #13 » by **Kosta** » Tue Feb 5, 2008 4:19 am

NetsForce wrote:It's funny how 2 of your 3 reasons for "watching out for the Raptors" are reasons why I'm not scared of them.

I would however keep an eye on the Rockets though, they still have a lot of room to improve (McGrady and Yao aren't meshing that well in Adelman's system, it also doesn't help that Yao isn't given the shot attempts he deserves), which is kind of scary since they're playing pretty well right now.

Nets fans shouldn't be allowed to have opinions. :wink:

Rocky5000 · Post #14 » by **Rocky5000** » Tue Feb 5, 2008 4:19 am

There's no reason to fear a team full of jump shooters. The Raptors desperately need someone to go to work in the paint.

peralta · Post #15 » by **peralta** » Tue Feb 5, 2008 4:24 am

NetsForce wrote:It's funny how 2 of your 3 reasons for "watching out for the Raptors" are reasons why I'm not scared of them.

I would however keep an eye on the Rockets though, they still have a lot of room to improve (McGrady and Yao aren't meshing that well in Adelman's system, it also doesn't help that Yao isn't given the shot attempts he deserves), which is kind of scary since they're playing pretty well right now.

you are entitled to your own opinion...anyways can you elaborate more on which of the 2 out of the 3 reasons why you're not scared of them, also yes I do agree with the Rockets is a team to watch out for in the West....but in the East there is no other team to really look forward to...Im looking forward for the teams fighting out positions from Orlando down to the 8th spot...i dont think Boston or Detroit will budge out of their 1 and 2 spot

raps4life~ · Post #16 » by **raps4life~** » Tue Feb 5, 2008 4:32 am

NetsForce wrote:It's funny how 2 of your 3 reasons for "watching out for the Raptors" are reasons why I'm not scared of them.

I would however keep an eye on the Rockets though, they still have a lot of room to improve (McGrady and Yao aren't meshing that well in Adelman's system, it also doesn't help that Yao isn't given the shot attempts he deserves), which is kind of scary since they're playing pretty well right now.

you're not scared of them? who are you to not be scared of them? :lol:

honestly, what is the point of this thread? this is like an open invitation to bash the raptors.

LiquidFire · Post #17 » by **LiquidFire** » Tue Feb 5, 2008 4:37 am

LOL did i see title contender? not there yet buddy.
come playoff time there not with the cavs or washington.

Post #18 » by **King Roosk** » Tue Feb 5, 2008 4:43 am

raps4life~ wrote:-= original quote snipped =-

you're not scared of them? who are you to not be scared of them?

honestly, what is the point of this thread? this is like an open invitation to bash the raptors.

Bingo.

Huskies1947 · Post #19 » by **Huskies1947** » Tue Feb 5, 2008 4:49 am

NetsForce wrote:It's funny how 2 of your 3 reasons for "watching out for the Raptors" are reasons why I'm not scared of them.

I would however keep an eye on the Rockets though, they still have a lot of room to improve (McGrady and Yao aren't meshing that well in Adelman's system, it also doesn't help that Yao isn't given the shot attempts he deserves), which is kind of scary since they're playing pretty well right now.

Why would you be scared of any team? You're a nets fan...

Sub-Zero · Post #20 » by **Sub-Zero** » Tue Feb 5, 2008 4:57 am

they have a chance against everybody else not named detroit and boston