Raptors Hoops

I’ve been away for a few weeks because I was busy moving in to a new apartment. Now that a majority of the moving tasks are done, I’m back to blogging about the Toronto Raptors.

What happened to the Raps in January? Here’s a quick list:

1. Main man Andrea Bargnani got injured and missed a lot of games late in January. In this shortened season, missing a dozen games means missing roughly 20% of the season.
2. The team kept losing. At one point, the Raptors went on an 8-game losing streak. Is it too early to say the Raptors are making a play at the top pick in the 2012 NBA Draft?
3. There was little personnel improvement. So much for the “organic growth” GM Bryan Colangelo was looking for. Coming into February, youngsters DeMar DeRozan and Ed Davis are far from being big time contributors.
4. On a positive note, the Raptors have shown glimpses of improved team defense.

I also caught a recent game against the Atlanta Hawks at the Air Canada Centre. The Raptors lost horribly, but it was surprising that the arena was 70% capacity— people seem to still support a team hovering below the league standings.

The Toronto Raptors looked impressive over the weak Cleveland Cavaliers squad in their 2011-2012 NBA season opener. The Raptors beat the Cavs 104-96.

What was looked impressive was the defensive effort by the Raptors, challenging shots and blocking a handful of them. The front line was active, with James Johnson, Amir Johnson, and Ed Davis got at least two blocks each.

The Cavaliers looked dreadful in the game. It’s clear that prized rookie Kyrie Irving needs more time to adjust to the pro game. The top pick of the last draft shot 2 for 11 but registered seven assists.

The Raptors face a stronger team in their home opener tomorrow. The Indiana Pacers visit Toronto and look to test the Raptors’ defense.

(Source: sports.nationalpost.com)

After getting Jamaal Magloire, the Toronto Raptors signed a handful of players:

• Rasual Butler (G/F)
• Anthony Carter (G)
• Aaron Gray (C)

Non of those names would sound familiar if you’re a casual NBA fan. But let me tell you this: those players are subs at best.

Rasual Butler is a fringe starter for the New Orleans Hornets and Los Angeles Clippers in the past and he spent most of last season sidelined. As a started, the scored 11 points a game and shot around 37% beyond the 3-point line. His specialty is primarily offense.

Anthony Carter is a back-up point guard who spent last season with the Knicks and he played sparingly. His best season was in 2007-2008, when he started for the Carmelo Anthony-headlined Denver Nuggets.

Aaron Gray is a slow-footed back-up center good for 10-15 minutes a game. He’s relatively young and could give Ed Davis a break in the center position.

The three are vets who will probably not see that much playing time. I don’t see the sense in signing older players who’ll just mentor the core of Andrea Bargnani and DeMar DeRozan.

What this rebuilding project needs are folks who play defense.

Jamaal Magloire, aka Big Cat, is going back home to Toronto.

Magloire just signed with the Toronto Raptors for an unspecified amount of time and money. With the signing, this makes Magloire the very first Canadian signed by the Raptors, the NBA’s lone team based in Canada.

What will Magloire bring to the Raptors? Well, defintely not a lot of minutes. The 33-year old is a shell of his former self— he averaged a meager 1.9 points a game in roughly 9 minutes of playing time.

He’ll probably spell Ed Davis on the center position and mentor the team’s big men. Magloire was an All-Star eight years ago and can teach the youngsters a trick or two in the low blocks.

Last season, the Toronto Raptors were forgettable. But in fantasy basketball, the team does have pieces that fantasy GM’s can nab at the middle to late rounds.

It’s almost a given that Andrea Bargnani, DeMar DeRozan, and Jose Calderon will be taken by teams looking for offensive numbers like points, assists, and threes. On defensive end, not so much.

Here are three Raptors that could be sleepers this season:

1. Ed Davis - Davis had shown that he’s a double-double threat last season and that will still be the case this coming season. I think he’ll get more playing time on the starting PF role so his production will go up. He could be tabbed for points, rebounds, FG%, and blocks.
2. Amir Johnson - If you’re looking for cheap defensive stats, Amir Johnson could be your man. Even with reduced playing time, Johnson will most likely get his rebounds and blocks.
3. Jerryd Bayless - Bayless could be the Raptors’ best two-way player— he plays well both on offense and defense. If he eats up Calderon’s minutes at the PG position, expect Bayless’ assists, steals, and points to go up. It doesn’t hurt that he’s a good free throw shooter.

Assuming the roster doesn’t change before the season starts, these three Raptors could give Fantasy GM’s good contributions.