Alright I'm not jumping off the ledge just yet, but I do have some concerns that I hope are just there out of caring a bit too much for my team. But I have to say something, and that is the following:
The Toronto Raptors have had a very, very sloppy preseason in 2008...
Now exhibition games are not basis to plan a parade or to even throw a team under the bus, but there are still some issues at hand that must be answered (back-up Point Guard, starting Small Forward, Jemaine O'Neal's in-game fitness). These issues should be resolved far quicker than their broadcast schedule has, I mean I don't see O'Neal taking more than a dozen games to get back up to game speed, and they'll also figure out how their bench works together. However what truly concerns me is the high expectations for this team, this year and last season, working against all the progress the Raps have made within the city.
From all reports there's a new coaching philosophy to be implemented, the team is moving away from the high scoring offence to a more half-court offence - slowing things down and making the game less than exciting for casual fans not really interested in the intricacies of the sport. It does work in Toronto's favour, with a couple talented big men down low it will help to maximize their abilities. But if there's a lack of wins early on, it can also work against attracting fans. With the disappointing end to last season, and a big offseason move to propell the team forward in the standings - yes, even in the much improved Eastern Conference - a result like that of last year may wear on the patience of the new members of the Raptors fanbase.
It's frustrating because really, in all regards, Chris Bosh SHOULD be the face of the Toronto sports market right now - he's a budding superstar with a cool, calm demeanour who leaves it all on the floor. He has a great personality and the media is starting to embrace him, seen thru the popularity of his blog and his spots on Jay Leno last season. The Raptors are a playoff contending team and are showing signs that there are even better years to come, and soon too! And yet Mats Sundin's indecisive nature STILL trumps roughly anything Raptor-related in the media. It almost seems that even a Leafs season which pretty much guarantees a rather dismal finish won't allow basketball to move up into the spotlight. So an off-year for the Raptors may warrant a brand new campaign to reignite interest in the round ball for the average Toronto sports fan.
Let me go on record as saying this: in no way am I giving up on the team this season, I still see them making it thru the first round of the playoffs. They have a lot of talent on their team, one of the best frontcourts in the game and a superstar trio (Bosh-Calderon-O'Neal) that can rival any other in the Association. However the preseason has not reflected this yet, in any way really! It will likely mean that a little more patience is required this year, especially off the start, so hopefully other fans in Toronto get the memo as well.
Or even better yet, they prove me completely wrong in my assessment!
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6 comments:
O'Neal will be fine. The team should be able to cruse to a 45-48 win season and the second round should be a given.
Moon, actually, has me the most worried. It's like he's believing his own clippings and as a result we are staring at Graham in the rotation...God love ya Joey, but...
The rule of thumb with the Raptors: Their progress is judged by how much time Bad Joey spends in a suit.
Moon can be flip-out frustrating to watch at times, but it was not a total shock that mostly on his defence, basketball-statistics.com's Jon Nichols ranked Apollo 33 as the 15th-best player in the league last season. Moon offers more, especially with team defence, which is hard to measure.
ESPN has the Raps pegged for 47 wins and fifth in the East but does not having them winning a playoff series.
There's many concerns about Moon as he apparently did not come into the season really improved, and it's a contract season for him!
And although I think my Croatian boy Ukic can do a decent job (he's a great slasher), his outside shot is hurting. And unfortunately Will Solomon has the "Mike James disease", if you will, so hopefully whoever is the back-up (still banking on Ukic) doesn't throw things away too badly.
If Joey Graham starts I will literally crap my pants - it's Kapono's job to lose right now.
The season really will depend upon the play of the starters, who should log big minutes. On a positive Bargs has looked a lot better! Should be a nice to see him off the bench and back at the 4 where he belongs
I still do worry a bit that if they don't start quick out the gates they'll lose the interest of many until the playoffs though, they can grab many fans with the Leafs troubles right now - golden opportunity!
Personally, I'd rather the puckheads did ignore the team--it makes it easier and cheaper for me to get tickets.
The Raps have a solid 40-50,000 hardcore fans in Toronto. That's fine.
Nice post, Mike. I'd like to see more attention on the Raptors as well, especially considering how rubbish the Leafs are at the moment. Think you're right on with a prediction of making it through the first round. The team still has a ways to go, but I like the addition of O'Neal. Should be an interesting year.
Good thing for the word called Pass, otherwise there'd be no way to see the Raps tonight at Rexall... nevermind the fact that fans in this city have been starved for basketball - going so far as to pay to watch the now folded (due to a thief) IBL team, which was fairly good too.
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