How much do you guys think our players have to the Raptor franchise? The players who I think really wanna stay (also who SHOULD stay) and are committed to helping this team turn itself back around are as follows; DeMar DeRozan - He seems to be making huge strides with his game, along with his role as a leader. This I feel needs to continue in order for the Raptors to become a legitimate contender. Amir Johnson- The contract pretty much speaks for itself, along with the commercial on NBA TV Canada. AJ is also playing some very good basketball, pretty much averaging a double-double in the last 10 games or so. Ed Davis- I can't stress enough my none homosexual love for this kid. I don't need to play 10 years in the NBA to be able to see a potential superstar PF. Davis has everything you want in a PF, along with being quick and defensive minded. With the right coaching and transition in to the line-up, we could have a 20-10 & 3 BLK guy. Leandro Barbosa- Injuries have hurt him, but Barbs is a great player and is as good as breaking someone off the dribble as anyone. Needs to be coming off the bench for many years. Jerryd Bayless- Battling injury, he still brings (with Barbosa) and lethal 1-2 punch off the bench that can run the gym no problem. His game seems to be improving every time he steps on the court. Andrea Bargnani- I've been very bi-polar with Il Mago, but the fact is - he can score and when he's on; he's almost impossible to slow down. His defensive needs work, and this summer I'm hoping he gets that down. Refined an offensive game as a C cold have, but his toughness to get boards and get down low needs to come more often and in spurts. Sonny Weems- Young player who is expandable, but if he stays; I don't find that detrimental to the team. His shot is getting better and if he continues to attack the rim - he'll be something special. Solomon Alabi- Can this kid get some playing time? As for Jose, LK, Julian Wright, Reggie Evans, Anjica, Joey Dorsey - KThnxBye. The Raptors need to do some serious work this off-season.
I've come to a conclusion that this team only has room for either Davis or Johnson. I think we all know where I stand...but Johnson's contract is pretty large. Hopefully he can put together a good statistic run; stay outta foul trouble and possible bring us a first round pick. Ed Davis is the shit, I would invest stock in this kid if I could.
I agree Davis is the shit but I wouldn't say he is a 20-10 guy. His offense is not great as he has no shot, bad ft shooter and haven't really seen any moves in the post. Could he improve and prove me wrong? Abso-fucking-lutly. But in my opinion majority of his points will come of putbacks, transition dunks and P&R. Is there anything wrong with that? Not in the slightest. He will easily be double-double guy (at the least) and the blocking and defensive potential is already on display. He is the one guy on the team i would keep at all costs because he can help change the culture and maybe get the team to be more defense orientated. I think a Bargs, Ed and Amir rotation is pretty good for now. I know a lot of ppl get upset with our loses but if you look through the games, we haven't really been blown out that much. We are generally in most of the games we play and are either too tired to finish (injuries play a part in this) or lose due to our inability to execute in the clutch (inexperience and shotty coaching). If we can couple a high draft pick (pls Irving) with our core of Derozan, Ed, Amir, and Bargs, i truly think we can be the next OKC.
20-10 is a stretch, I agree but I'm basing that on him possibly improving is jumper ( a la Amir Johnson) and his all around mid-range/FT game. However, like you pointed out And I co-sign with this too. He has good hands and his arms are always up. He's ready to receive the ball at any time, and is hustlin' like Rick Ross every time he's on the court. His defense is pretty damn impressive for a rook, and will only continue to improve as he adjusts to the NBA game. Most big men in College don't have the quickest footwork, which is why guys like Boozer & KG just blow by Davis. Not a major concern as he'll for sure be able to keep up in the next year or two. As for our C/PF rotation, I guess I can't say its horrible and if Bargnani can keep putting 25+ on the board, I'll be happy. Amir - Ed need to get in to a nice 50/50 rotation (IMO) and if one of them is hot, ride it out. This also makes Evans good as gone (YAY!) along with insuring one less fuck-up by BC so he can HOPEFULLY draft a PG!!!
I like Ed Davis, he reminds me of a young Jermaine O'Neal. I honestly believe that only he, Amir, Andrea and Demar are the only mainstays in Toronto. Demar has a lot of potential but has problems putting it all together when it matters, Andrea still needs to improve his rebounding and D, and Amir is a 7th man at best. And he will be if the Raps ever want to contend.
So I've come to read so far, we all agree DeMar, Ed Davis, Bargnani and Amir Johnson should stay. As a matter a fact, they WILL stay and be joined by a very good college player next year if BC can smarten up and use the fucking NCAA system as it continues time and time again to produce NBA caliber players.
BC has made some pretty good choices for the last few years (DD, Ed Davis). Admittedly, these were kind of no brainers. But he did turn down Jennings (played in Europe) and i believe that was a great decision. His only Euro draft choice was Bargs (correct me if i am wrong), others have been free agents.
Whatre the odds of Evans staying? he's a great rebounder who provides toughness and D. Every championship team needs a player like him.
