[OhCanada-Participant]

Heres the stats they wont show you on Raptors TV, TSN, ESPN, NBATV, or Sportsnet. Since Bayless has started for Calderon, and Evans, and Davis, have started for Bargnani (even Amir has been hurt some games), the Raptors from a statistical veiw have been a bit better. There hasnt been a huge difference but they have been better.

My point is not that they are doing sooo much better without these guys in the lineup. The point is they are definitely not doing worse. $30-Mil plus sitting on the bench and the Raptors arent playing any worse. If you take $30-Mil off of winnng young teams they start losing.

Try to sit down Gay, Conley, Allen, and Gasol in Memphis.Or Durant, Westbrook, Perkins, and Sefelosha. The fact that sitting out Calderon, Barbosa, Bargnani, and Johnson has not effected the team one bit tells me that they ae overpaid and overvalued. I know Bryan Colengelo see’s this as well, there is no way he actaully believes that these players deserve the money they get.

Scoring-Alot of people say with Bargnani, Barbosa, and Calderon out the scoring would take a drastic hit. They have averaged 102-ppg over the last six games and 99.5 on the season.  Derozan is averaging 25-ppg, Bayless is averaging 24-ppg, and Ed Davis who has found his mid range jumper has been a constant double double guy, and about every other night a 20-10 threat. Ed definitely needs consistancy, but its nice to see from a rookie.

Rebounding-The rebounding has improved. Season averages are 40.3-rpg which is good for 23rd overall in the league, and in the last six games they are averaging 42-rpg and have outrebounded their opponents in five of the six games for an overall +55 in rebounds over that stretch.

Assists- With the star players out particularly Calderon this stat is expected to plummet. The Raptors have really struggled to share the ball averaging 22-apg in the season and just 18-apg during this stretch. Although I will say over the last three games they have averaged 21-apg and are starting to figure out thier rythm, still they have alot of costly turnovers, and bonehead plays without Calderon managing the team.

Defense-Many people believed that if Bargnani did not play defense would improve drastically, but only due to a slower tempo and style of play which would also result int he offensive production being compromised. The Raptors offense actaully improved more then the Raptors defense during this stretch. On a season average the Raptors have been giving up a whopping 106-ppg, and during this stretch they have given up 104-ppg which is an improvement yet still horrible.

[BothTeamsPlayedHardParticipant]

The only difference in the defense was one game against a Nets squad that was without Deron Williams, Anthony Morrow, Kris Humphries, and Damion James. If you take out that 92 point game, Toronto was giving 108 PPG over the other five games.

[Anton123Participant]

 I think the Raptors are better off without their European guys – Calderon and Bargniani. 

I like their young players – Bayless, Derozan, Weems, Johnson (both) and Ed Davis. 

I thnk they should just trade Calderon and Bargniani, forget even getting the best players available, try getting expring contracts.

Maybe a trade like this 

http://games.espn.go.com/nba/tradeMachine?tradeId=3d23bku

Carter will expire after next season and Lopez is better than any centre on the Raptors team. If they can get a pick from PHX, I’d be very happy with the trade

[Tha_PrinceParticipant]

 A Vince Carter reunion in TO? I don’t think so. 

[OhCanada-Participant]

Thats about as likely as BTPH saying he likes Bismack Biyambo as a prospect.

[Anton123Participant]

 They can buy him out as soon as they get him, it’s really all about getting rid of Andrea and Jose and getting an absolutely clear salary for the 2012-2013 season.

I understand this will not be a popular suggestion, just thoguht I’d put it out

[Tha_PrinceParticipant]

Toronto could get A LOT more for Bargnani than expiring contracts.

He’s one of the highest scoring C’s in the league (although not much of a traditional C).

The least I would expect back from him is high picks, young players who will fit Toronto’s mold and a veteran player.

[Author]

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