Flying solo today. I learned last night that you can’t go home again. The NEW 90210 was AWFUL. We are talking Raptor 16 win season awful. Now that I have that off my chest we can talk about a number of minor Raptor things tied to Pre-Season. So let’s get started.
Pre-Season
The Raptors last year were off to Europe for the pre-season. It was great for the global marketing of the Raptor brand but for the team I am not sure it was all that great. The NBA will point to last year’s Champions the Boston Celtics as proof of the bonding experience sending teams to Europe can be. I think Garnett, Allen an Pierce would have bonded just as easy be it in Boston, Beijing or anywhere they happened to be. I don’t buy into the NBA saying this helps team’s bond it helps the NBA sell product plain and simple.
This pre-season the Raptors have an odd schedule that will see them travel around North America. A training camp in Ottawa, back home to Toronto, A trip out to L.A for a mini-tournament and wrapping up in Edmonton. That is a lot of travel miles under their belts. They will also continue the tradition of playing some Euro-League opposition as well. I like the idea of that. You will have a team that is motivated to win when you play against a Euro team. It will challenge the Raptors to play up a level from the regular exhibition game or it should. Raptors have had some not so great moments vs non-NBA opposition. They dropped a game in last year’s Euro Live tour. Anthony Parker killed them prior to becoming a Raptor a few years back. It is just not a good thing despite the improvement of European club teams.
So the new crew of Raptors will get to know each other traveling around this preseason. If you buy into the NBA and the whole travel bonding theory that will be good for the Raptors. I honestly think it is over blown and overrated. Maybe I am wrong but I just don’t think a road trip for a pro sports team is the same as loading up the local kid’s basketball or hockey team and heading off to a tournament.
Here is my Raptor Check List of Things I am looking for in Pre-Season:
- How well does Jose Calderon perform after a not so hot Olympics and an injury. All eyes will be focused on Jose this season. That begins right from the start.
- J.O claims he is a man on two legs again. Well I am not sure how much in pre-season we will get to find out about that. But I will be watching and hoping to see a healthy and refreshed Jermaine O’Neal
- The post Gold Bosh Era will begin. Do we see that same defensive effort from him? We will get a small clue in the pre-season.
- Roko is no longer on You Tube highlights or playing in Europe. This is the NBA and we will see if Roko has the game to handle that. He has dreamed about it for years but the dream is going to become a reality. Finally we will see what Roko can truly do, or at least start to have a better idea.
- Andrea Bargnani, can he break on through to the other side? Will we see the improvement the Raptors have been hoping for? He is likely going to get a lot of time to show off what he has done in off-season be it good or bad.
- No more Bad Joey? Can Graham take his above average summer league and turn it into something? I am a doubter but the chance to prove me wrong is there for Joey Graham to take it.
- Jamario Moon wowed me in pre-season last year. Did same with Sam Mitchell and from their he would go from off the radar to the starting line-up. So what can he do now? Word has it he has been in the gym pumping iron. This will hopefully lead to rocking iron with more dunks and drives.
- D-Fence…Let’s see it.
- Post season Kapono or regular season Jason. Which guy do we see?
- Thunder from down under. Nathan Jawai is going to be this year’s Jamario Moon. I feel it in my gut. The experts I have talked with are not as willing to jump on board with me. But I just think Nathan Jawai is the big body Sam Mitchell has wanted in Toronto for a long time.
NBA Things on My Mind
I am concerned for Patrick Ewing Jr. based on his moving to the Knicks. When your dad is a legend with the franchise and you come to play there that can’t be easy. But he did same thing in college playing at Georgetown so at least he has experience at it. Not like the Knicks gave up much. But Spike Lee and New York Fans will expect a lot from that Ewing name on a Knick jersey.
S.O.S NOLA?
How will the Hornets be able to make it in New Orleans? The team should be very good but can they honestly last in a city that is struggling to just survive. I have mentioned it before in the blog, I was a Hornet fan before there were Raptors. I think a lot of folks this year will have the Hornets as their second favourite team. But despite all that good will can it be enough to keep this team alive in New Orleans? Sadly I think the answer is no. I hope that I am wrong on this one.
The Balance of Power Continues To Shift
The Eastern Conference is slowly starting to catch up to the West. Will this season be the year that it will actually take a winning record to make the Eastern Conference Playoffs. Will the West start to take a slide backwards? Not likely when you consider how good the team in Portland might be now. That is just another team in a large mix of talent in the Wild Wild West. But slowly the East is closing the gap.
Buy and Sell
This will be a little feature I will do once in awhile. It is like my NBA Stock Market Report. A team, coach or player that I see taking a step up or down in the NBA.
Buys:
T.J Ford…. Yes I know you are all shocked. But seriously as long as he stays healthy there is no reason to think T.J will not have a great bounce back season after a forgetable one here in Toronto last year.
Portland Trailblazers…. This is a long term investment that you can retire on. The Trailblazers should start to be contenders for years to come in the Western Conference.
Mo Williams… I am not his biggest fan by any stretch but playing with Lebron James should help him improve his numbers.
Sam Dalembert… Elton Brand should help Sam just like O’Neal will help Bosh. Sam also wants to prove that the things said about his bad Team Canada experience are 100% False.
Rodney Stucky… He is part of the young Pistons and you can expect him to play a big role and with Billiups and others rumoured to be on the move it only stands to reason if that happens it is good news for Stucky.
Sell
Dallas Mavericks- Unimpressed with both Dirk and J-Kidd in the Olympics and I think the Dallas Mavericks are in a free fall after making a silly trade for Kidd that was thinking way to short term. Mark Cuban in business is a smart guy with his basketball team he made a bad deal. If he pushed to get Kidd it was the wrong move and the effects start this year.
Vince Carter- Vince on a rebuilding mode team. Raptor fans have seen how this works right? So do not expect to much Vinsanity this year.
Richard Jefferson- Yeah I guess I am bashing the Nets. But does anyone think Jefferson is happy to be a Buck? He also doesn’t have a good point guard to set him up. Sorry Bucks but you blew it again.
Mike D’Antoni- Steve Nash made the Mike D’Antoni system work. Chris Duhon is in no way Steve Nash. The Knicks are not the Suns and the system will fail.
Yao Ming-Unhappy with Ron Artest and he looked like he was playing in pain for Olympics in China. Those do not seem like good signs for the Rockets.
Share your Buy and Sells for the NBA in the comments if you like. You can also share thoughts on these ones if you like.
So that is all for today folks. Count down to camp continues and stick with the Dino Nation Blog to get you ready. Thanks for Reading!!!
Tags: Andrea Bargnani, Boston Celtics, Chris Bosh, Chris Duhon, Dallas Mavericks, Dirk Nowitzki, Houston Rockets, Jamario Moon, Jason Kapono, Jason Kidd, Jermaine O'Neal, Nathan Jawai, New Jersey Nets, New Orleans Hornets, New York Knicks, Patrick Ewing Jr., Raptors 08/09, Rodney Stucky, Roko Ukic, Steve Nash, Vince Carter
September 3, 2008 at 5:35 pm |
I don’t know whether to admire your courage or question your masculinity for admitting that you watched 90210. I’m leaning towards the former but I reserve the right to change my mind on this ruling.
September 3, 2008 at 6:10 pm |
A 90210 explanation is in order I guess. I was around high school age and had a massive crush on Jennie Garth who plays the role of Kelly Taylor on the show. That is why I was watching and why I had a little not related basketball freak out.
So I hope that rules out option 2.
As a non related basketball note here is my list of Women I have been madly in love with and had no chance in hell with:
1. Trish Stratus ( Actually Interviewed her )
2. Jennie Garth
3. The Blonde Girl of The moment not Named Jessica Simpson
Hope you still respect me Scott. Thanks for the comment too.
P.S- I do not watch Dancing With Stars, American Idol or any othe female related programing that I am aware of.
September 3, 2008 at 6:40 pm |
niiice!
September 3, 2008 at 7:09 pm |
How come they added that one black guy in 90210?
September 3, 2008 at 9:25 pm |
The Jennie Garth crush is understandable. Also, full disclosure: I’ve been known to occasionally not immediately leave the room when my wife is watching episodes of American Idol late in the season when they’re down to the final 8 or so. So I’m not immune from scorn and ridicule myself.
September 3, 2008 at 9:29 pm |
Thanks for sharing Scott. This may be proof we need the season to get here fast.
September 3, 2008 at 9:43 pm |
Niice BloG!
Do you think Jermaine O”neal can play at an all-star level next season?
And Do you think the raptors can get the 3rd seed in the conference?
September 3, 2008 at 9:51 pm |
It all comes down to if O’Neal was telling the truth at the press conference. If he was indeed a man on one leg and is back to 100% i don’t see a reason why not. It boils down to if that is the truth
The answer to the first leads to the second if you have a healthy O’Neal you have a really shot at least at home court which would mean 4th. but Raptors could top off at 3rd if they get some breaks
September 4, 2008 at 1:43 am |
i think the knicks demise is all on dani, he’s no good, and in there “defense” no one was rly available, there was a huge gap in talent and junk between, DR, MB,OJ MAYO and like the lopez brothers. and i dont see why the Memphis and Minnesota and al jefferson isn’t a buy sure there not that good to be in the west but, ive been hearing things like there sales been going up and stuff, and al jeffersons such an amazing player given that he stepped up so much last year, and now he doesnt need to concentrate on scoring for he has, mike miller who can score, and they both work towards winning and working the ball and making plays other than having al jefferson having to clean up after idiots like corey brewer
September 4, 2008 at 7:16 am |
[...] – Dino Nation Blog addthis_url = ‘http%3A%2F%2Fwww.altraps.com%2F2008%2F09%2F04%2Ftoronto-raptors-linkage-sept-4%2F’; addthis_title = ‘toronto+raptors+linkage+%26ndash%3B+sept+4′; addthis_pub = ”; [...]
September 4, 2008 at 2:17 pm |
Buy – Bargnani
His stock is so low and really can’t be any worse than last year. He also played last year like Tractor Traylor (no hustle/energy always a step behind etc) and that may have been because of his severe adenoid/nasal issues that have been reportedly removed surgically. If so you may see a much more athletic/energetic Andrea. Literally the only possible weak link is learning/attitude as he should be in fine shape.
P.S. I am not a Bargs Homer. I am neutral on Bargs in every way and share the same hopes of other raps fans for his help in team success.
September 4, 2008 at 2:24 pm |
For the record I am not using Raptor player in the Buy and Sell feature but you are welcome to use Raptors in the comments. I’d agree with edgar in the sense Bargnani is definately at a low point and should improve to some extent. For fantasy players thinking of taking Bargnani that could be balanced by the amount of minutes Bargnani will play could be impacted by playing from the bench. However if O’Neal is not healthy Bargnani and his minutes would go way up. Anyway you cut it he is a nice pick up in a fantast draft based on his unique skill set. A big making 3’s is nice on any fantasy roster.
September 4, 2008 at 4:53 pm |
I think the European road trip training camps are useful for a team like Boston, a team with a huge number of new parts that don’t know one another. They’re forced to spend extra time together and get acquainted quicker. I don’t see any added value to squads that have been together for a period of time prior to the trip.
……………………………………
In preseason you’ll be able to tell one part of a two part question regarding Jermaine O Neal.
Last year it was as plain as daylight in just one quarter of basketball that the man was injured and wasn’t moving the way he used to … so you’ll be able to tell if he’s starting off healthy and if he’s recovered well from his previous injury.
The second part you won’t be able to tell, and that’s if healthy, how long will his health last. That’s just going to be an unknown.