Around The Horn 1.03

Discussion in 'S2 Sports Bar' started by 808Hornetsfan, Jul 23, 2007.

  1. 808Hornetsfan

    808Hornetsfan BBW VIP

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    +5 GArenas+3 valo35Both of you guys stated why this team won't get very far and I agree with it, with mediocre coaching and a soft bench that won't be able to keep this team up in games is what's going to hurt them. We're going to close this topic and begin the Toronto Raptors preview in 30 minutes so make your final post.
     
  2. GArenas

    GArenas Wiz Fo Champz

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    <div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (808Hornetsfan @ Jul 27 2007, 03:46 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div><div class='quotemain'>+4 GArenas

    +3 valo35

    Both of you guys stated why this team won't get very far and I agree with it, with mediocre coaching and a soft bench that won't be able to keep this team up in games is what's going to hurt them. We're going to close this topic and begin the Toronto Raptors preview in 30 minutes so make your final post.</div>
    +4 for both posts? Isn't that kind of little?
     
  3. 808Hornetsfan

    808Hornetsfan BBW VIP

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    <div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (GArenas @ Jul 27 2007, 11:56 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div><div class='quotemain'>+4 for both posts? Isn't that kind of little?</div>You basically repeated yourself in the second post, I'll give you an extra point but that's it. We have to move on to the final team...
     
  4. 808Hornetsfan

    808Hornetsfan BBW VIP

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    valo35 leads 28-25 over GArenas, but it ain't over until we look at the best team in the Atlantic division last season... So here we go with the final team of the week.<span style="color:#FF0000">Toronto Raptors Preview</span>There has been a lot of arguing on BBW about how the Raptors will do this upcoming year, but frankly there has not been a side that's been able to make their point stronger. So let's look at a move that will indeed effect this team IMO. How does the loss of Morris Peterson effect this team, will both Jason Kapono and Carlos Delfino be able to fill the shooting void as well as be consistent from the perimeter, or will this move cost Toronto the division as well as a top 4 seed??Bonus: Looking at this Raptors team overall, have they improved at all over the offseason or is this still a relatively young squad that won't get far in the postseason?
     
  5. GArenas

    GArenas Wiz Fo Champz

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    Firstly, I do not believe that the Raptors will win the division again. The Atlantic has become much tougher over the off-season and now Toronto will have to beat out New York, Boston, and New Jersey for the division title.

    Losing Morris Peterson shouldn't hurt the Raptors too much. Jason Kapono is a solid shooter who is adept at hitting jumpers in the offense. Carlos Delfino is also another nice addition with his energy. Also, this past season, Morris Peterson didn't play a huge role in bringing Toronto to the playoffs. He was a solid bench player last season but Jason Kapono and Carlos Delfino will easily be able to fill the gap behind Anthony Parker.

    The Raptors certainly won't fall a step back after losing Mo Pete.

    --

    <u>Bonus:</u>

    The Raptors have certainley improved this off-season. Maceo Baston, Carlos Delfino, and Jason Kapono are all solid aquisitions who will continue to improve Toronto's already stellar depth. Toronto's young guns will continue to develop this next season and their core of TJ Ford, Chris Bosh, and Andrea Bargnani will grow tighter. However, their squad is still too young to make a run deep into the playoffs even in the weak Eastern Conference. They'll continue to grow better year after year and eventually becoming a potential championship team.
     
  6. 808Hornetsfan

    808Hornetsfan BBW VIP

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    +4 for GArenas, I agree with pretty much everything you said, as I have said in other threads this team is a replicate of the '04-05 Bulls, they have the talent but they're still about a year away from being a dominate team in the East. GArenas takes the lead now, valo35 should be very worried. [​IMG]
     
  7. valo35

    valo35 BBW VIP

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    After last seasons playoff appearance, and rushing off to 47 wins, I believe that the Raptors will be able to once again win the division this year, and make the second round of the playoffs. In the end, it will come down to New Jersey against Toronto in my opinion, for who makes it out of this division in first place and gets a higher playoff seed, and to me, I now believe it will be Toronto. First and foremost I want to use the fact, that the Raptors have a stud young big man on the court. Someone that is a very capable 24 point, 11 rebound or more per game player. He is the best rebounder in this division, as well as the best scorer from the big man spot. He can score from everywhere, and use every move. Back to the basket moves on the block, he can hit shots from 18 feet out, and he can create his own offense off the dribble. I always like to give the edge to the teams that run their offense through their big men, as the team with the best big men seem to always do better, and that's what the Raptors have superiority over the rest of the division in. They have the best young big man in the game.Also, the emergence of Andrea Bargnani over the course of last season, which eventually saw him playing very well down the stretch should translate over to this season. He got used to the physical part of the NBA game compared to the leagues he used to be in, and started being able to handle the pressure alot better. This season, we will see his rebounding and low post improve, with him getting better and more comfortable on the block. He won't be pushed around this season like he was last season, and that will most certainly help out with this team being even better than this past season. I also love the superior depth of this team, as that was often times a strength last season. With possibly the best backup point guard in the league in Calderon, backing up one of the best playmaking point guards in the league, they can dominate a point guard matchup. Carlos Delfino will be bring some toughness, and a decent jump shot. Jason Kapono brings a solid three point shot, that will help make Calderon and TJ Ford's jobs easier. They will have someone to hit on the kick out, that will make shots consistently. Rasho as a backup center will be good. He has playoff experience, can play solid man to man defense down low, and won't mess up to bad. He has won a title, and that will be where he is most valuable in my eyes. Mentoring the young. So I will take the superior play of the bigs for this team, the fact that Chris Bosh and Andrea Bargnani will only improve this season from last, and the superior depth to anything else that the rest of the division can bring to the table. They are my favorite to make it to the second round of the playoffs, and win the division this upcoming year.
     
  8. 808Hornetsfan

    808Hornetsfan BBW VIP

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    +4 for valo, he now has a three-point lead. GArenas is free to try and make another post to regain the lead...
     
  9. GArenas

    GArenas Wiz Fo Champz

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    I feel as though Toronto will be held back by their lack of playoff experience and young age. Playing 6 games in the first round won't give the Raptors the neccesary exposure to the playoffs to be able to instantly make a run. The Raptors depth is solid, as Valo mentioned, however their core isn't as strong as certain other Eastern Conference team's. Chris Bosh will be a dynamite big-men for years to come but after Bosh neither Ford nor Bargnani will be able to put up a ton of points yet.
    It's expected of Bargnani to become a player very similar to Dirk, however his transition to the American game will continue to take time. Ford is a great passer, I love this guy's up-side, but as I mentioned before: he won't give you a ton of points. I think the Raptors need a solid scoring option behind Bosh, Bargnani and Ford are the answer for the long run but they won't be ready this season.

    This leads me back to something I pointed out previousely, the Raptors have a great future ahead of them but they won't get past the first round next season.
     

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