SLAM on the Raps

[Jballer]

Originally Posted by kmart

The fact that you think the Raps took 2 steps back is a joke

Sorry i dont recall stating I think the Raps took two steps back.

I think I have consistently said the Raps are 2 years away and 1 key player from being a "persistent playoff contender".

I also said they improved but at best are 10th place because the improvement (while dramatic from a talent point of view) is based on rookie hopes not proven vets... and I dont feel its enough to honestly say this team will be anywhere near 8th place in the east come Feb. In two years and one key player we will know that Val is a monster and Derozan is a cornerstone or not

Other team improved more in terms of immediate impact with vet acquisition for the short term.

Yes Landry averaged 28 per game las season and 31 the season before... I was exagerating the negative to make a point ......sorry... but I believe he started behind someone named Melo most games.... really came in to his forte in last half season where they shifted Melo to small ball power forward.

[bokes15]

the improvement (while dramatic from a talent point of view) is based on rookie hopes not proven vets

It's funny to me that you are so negative that you are almost forcing me to defend a team that I don't really wanna defend.

You said that all we're depending on is rookies and unproven talent... Our biggest acquisition in my opinion is Kyle Lowry. Not only is he very understated but he is no rookie. He's already played 6 seasons in the league, he's a vet. I don't know if you've seen too much of him but IMO he's a game changer. He's not the passer that Calderon is but he's one of the new age guards that can rebound, defend, penetrate, etc... He will have to work on his efficiency, but i'd say he's a definite upgrade on Jose Calderon.

Worst case scenario if Val comes in with a huge learning curve, and has issues with foul trouble, even just having him on the team and playing 20-25 mins/game would be a HUGE upgrade on Aaron Gray. We have a real Center now so we don't have to play two PF's in the starting lineup (Bargs/Amir and Bargs/Davis). Only other significant rookie on the roster right now is Terrance Ross. And while he stands a chance at being a solid piece on this team, he's not someone we're depending on to carry us or anything crazy like that. And it can only help with him coming off the bench with a starting quality pass first point like Jose Calderon.

As I think Funk said, Lowry, Calderon, Derozan, Bargs, Gray, Amir, etc... the majority of our roster are vets. So we kept all the core pieces, plus added a couple of starting caliber vets (Lowry, Fields) and potentially starting caliber rookies (Val, Ross)

With all that said, i'm surprised you still came out and put us at 10th given that you had given a long list of teams that you thought were better than us with the exception of Cleveland and Charlotte.

[Jballer]

Bumping the thread....

Turns out 25 - 33 wins looks smart... not a joke...

Turns out Washington and Milwaukee are better than Toronto... at least right now... maybe even Detroit ....

Now putting us "at best" 10th was a shot in the dark being a fan but 11th or 12th is also possible... and the under 30 wins though not likely is also possible...

Next year will be better... there is always next year..

[Jballer]

Originally Posted by Jballer

Based on the typical record of a 10th place team in the east - that is 25 -32 wins a seaon - more probably < 30

So last 5 gamesin the schedule.

Bulls twice Nets Hawks and Celtics.

Just as predicted... touch back end.

I think in the thread I quoted "pro-rated" wins at 31.09 and range of 25 - 33.

If the above rest some vet guys we might get 2 -3 suprise wins with hustle. More likely as they all have 40 - 44 wins - all 4 teams will probably play vets with vet minutes to try to climb the seeding. I dont see Atlanta orreally wanting to play the Pacers 1st round... a match up verse the Nets maybe prefered.

Range of wins 29 - 34