Baseline Cut's

2009/2010 Team Review: Toronto Raptors September 28, 2009

Normally I reserve these reviews for the forums on which I operate but this year I’ve decided to post all my reviews on here. If this is your first time I hope you enjoy reading this review and the others to come and appreciate any/all comments.

Chris Bosh should spend less time on his image, and more time getting the job done

I’m going to start with one of the few teams that’s actually filled it’s roster, the Toronto Raptors. More moves may yet come, but they’ll probably be insignificant given the financial stance of the Raptors at present. Let’s begin with the depth chart:

PG: Jose Calderon, Jarret Jack, Marcus Banks

SG: Marco Bellinelli, DeMar DeRozan, Quincy Doubt, Sonny Weems

SF: Hedo Turkgolu, Antoine Wright

PF: Chris Bosh, Amir Johnson, Reggie Evans

C: Andrea Bargnani, Rasho Nesterovic, Patrick O’Bryant

All in all that’s not too shabby a lineup – on first inspection anyways. Look a little closer and you’ll see that this team is lacking in several areas – several areas that will have them floating in obscurity for most of the year.

Area #1: Defense. A quick look at who is the best defender on the team and you should say DeMar DeRozan. That’s not good as he’s fresh out of college and still getting a handle on the big-time. Not since Magic Johnson have we been able to not worry about our best defender being a rookie. DeRozan shouldn’t have to carry this responsibility in his rookie year especially given the last guy to try it – Corey Brewer – showed perfectly what happens when the defensive load is placed firmly on a rookie.

Area #2: Rebounding. The Raptors are one of the worst rebounding teams in the league (effectively, not statistically) because all their bigs are jump-shooters. It’s definitely handy to have your 4 & 5 out on the perimeter CAPABLE of hitting the 3 ball, but it leaves you rather slim for second chance’s if they miss. DeRozan will help in that area as will Reggie Evans and Amir Johnson who were acquired for their energy, but whether it will be enough will depend largely on how well they shoot.

Area #3: Chris Bosh. Sorry CB4 but this season there are no more excuses. You’ve now got Hedo who can clear room for you, you’ve had a summer off (though reports of that hamstring strain ALREADY are a concern), and you got a decent draft choice in DeRozan to help you get second chance points. If CB4 has indeed been working on his game this off-season then he’s never had a better group of players around him for his particular style. Turkgolu, Bargnani, Bellinelli, Calderon, DeRozan, Jack can all shoot the 3 ball and give him room to operate down low. If he gets into a 1-on-1 with the leagues other PF’s then he should go for 22 and 10. If he goes soft, then the Raps go down with him as does his chances of getting a max contract at a decent team next summer.

Will Hedo drive the Raptors further than last season or will he, like Peja did, wither to a shadow of himself?

Overall I think the Raptors have improved but I still think they lack pressure players. Jack and Derozan will play well under pressure but Turkgolu, for me, is the next Stojakovic… In an Eastern conference which has only gotten stronger, I see them in the tussle for 8th spot with Indiana, Detroit, Chicago, and Philadelphia. Problem is, I see a lot more to like in those other rosters than I do in Toronto’s. My advice to Toronto is to trade CB4 mid-season, get in someone worth keeping or some awesome picks, and re-build because this season is only going to bring silver linings, not blue skies.