This topic contains 8 replies, has 6 voices, and was last updated by AvatarAvatar Lipstick 11 years, 5 months ago.

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  • #43726
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    TomShoe
    Participant

    So, it turns out "Mr. PER" John Hollinger is putting up his updated player profiles for this year. I know many people want to look at them, but ESPN can be a real B- when they’re putting up paywalls and shoving the benefits of insider in your face every other article. So, for sh*ts and giggles, also because I’m pulling my hair out waiting for Oct. 30 (start of the regular season), I might as well post them here, for nbadraft.net and the whole internet to enjoy.

    Yup, they’re the Raptors. I know no one talks about this team very much, and that they watch Sportscentre instead of Sportscenter, but to be honest, this might just be the most talented Raptors team that Canada’s fielded since the Vince Carter era. They had a rollercoaster of an offseason, with some ups (Kyle Lowry, Valanciunas), some straights (Alan Anderson), and some downs ($8 million for Landry Fields? Ugh.) This team is talented, and the rebuilding is about to finally pay off. This team is a serious playoff contender, look for them to snag a 6-8 seed.

    Anyway, Raptors up, Nets tomorrow, and the team that could be the first to have 5 white guys on the court at the same time since the 60s, the Minnesota Timberwolves, coming Thursday.

    Enjoy.

    -TomShoe

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  • #719530
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    Pyron
    Participant

     thanks.. i hope the raps make the playoffs but if they don’t i won’t be surprised. 

    i still think they’re a player or 2 away and more development from within to become a consistant playoff team.

     

    regardless.. i’m excited for their season. 

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  • #719555
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    eazy_peaches
    Participant

     I guess it will take a few years until we can evaluate him, but I disagree about Ross. I think he was a solid pick and predict he will be a solid starting SG in the NBA. Time will tell.

    As for the rest of the player profiles, pretty much dead on, IMO. Hopefully the Raptors can compete for an 8th spot this season, but I agree with Pyron in terms of this team needing more development from within. 

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  • #719560
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    Lebron’s Hairline
    Participant

     If the raptors plan on making the playoffs, they need valincuinas to come in a make an immediate impact. The guys crazy talented but we’d rather see him produce now rather than later

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  • #719629
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    HotSnot
    Participant

    LOL at John Hollinger’s breakdown of DeRozan.  "Few players score an emptier 20 than this guy."  I’ve been saying this for 3 years now.  Don’t get blinded by DeRozan’s athletic ability.  He really can’t do anything else worth while to contribute.  Pray Colangelo trades him for a 1st… or at the very least doesn’t throw a contract at him and lets him walk instead.  Shakey defense, non existant passing, poor shooting (although its improving), poor handle… seriously.  I don’t understand what all the fuss is about with DeRozan. 

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    • #719675
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      eazy_peaches
      Participant

       I think that this has been more or less the general consensus on DeRozan. Every year he says he is working to improve his shot, but it is improving at a very slow rate. Every year people have said that his ball-handling is below average (true), his defense is below average (true) and his passing/playmaking is terrible (true). His athleticism and ability to use it to get baskets at the rim have always been his strength. 

      Maybe you’ve read a lot of ‘Toronto hype’ about him, but I think most intelligent Raptor fans have been saying this for as long as you. The only difference might be that some had more hope that he could improve in some of these areas. 

      I would take Terrence Ross over DeRozan right now. Not because Ross is better right now (although he is a better shooter and probably defender already), but because Ross has more room to grow and DeRozan could very well struggle to improve his deficiencies much from here on out. He is solid, but not as a 1 or 2 option like the Toronto has used him. Especially considering his drawbacks.

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      • #720320
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        HotSnot
        Participant

        Agreed.  I think DeRozan’s best shot at making a living in the NBA is in a Bowen/Sefolosha type of role.  DeRozan’s athletic ability should allow him to be a lockdown defender if he would channel everything he had into it.  DeRozan lacks the creative instinct necessary to be a 1st or 2nd option on offense… Tor should stop trying to make him one.  There is no way DeRozan has a chance at being a starting caliber 2 or 3 on a playoff team, let alone a championship team playing the game the way he doesn now.  Its time for him to reinvent himself.

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  • #720326
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    Lipstick
    Participant

    Very interesting matchup should they get the eighth seed. Of course, every matchup against Miami will be intriguing, but any team with a go-to big man can exploit the Heat and they’re quick on the perimeter with Ross-DeRozan-Lowry. Throw in a great season from Bargnani and it’s no easy out for Miami. By not easy I mean at least snagging one game.

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  • #720327
    AvatarAvatar
    Lipstick
    Participant

    Very interesting matchup should they get the eighth seed. Of course, every matchup against Miami will be intriguing, but any team with a go-to big man can exploit the Heat and they’re quick on the perimeter with Ross-DeRozan-Lowry. Throw in a great season from Bargnani and it’s no easy out for Miami. By not easy I mean at least snagging one game.

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