The 2008-09 Toronto Raptors
I really like this Raptors squad and it would be cool to see them win the East but this isn't happening. At the same time, if no one gets hurt and Bargnani plays like an authentic #1 draft pick, the team could pull off an upset come playoff time. Let's give them all awards. Thanks to Matt for the pop culture references.
Award to the Internet Fan-base That Most Exemplifies their Team Mascot
Go ahead. Try posting something negative about the Raptors on a message board or in the comments section of a blog. You are arguing with one guy and then you get attacked by the two you never saw coming. They range from intelligent to semi-literate but you got to respect their passion for their team.
Award for the Best European Former #1 Draft Pick To Now Be Coming Off the Bench
At least he's better than Darko. This is a big year for Bargnani. Bosh and O'Neil reduce the pressure on him to rebound. I didn't catch a ton of Raptors games last year but 4 rebounds a game at 7 feet on a team that only out-rebounded Miami's D-League squad screams "weight room". Enter Jermaine O'Neil and Bargnani can operate on the perimeter at more without the raptors relying on Moon's springs to hit the glass. Another mediocre season and Il Mago replaces Stevie Francis as the guy least deserving of his nickname. I've only seen Il Mago once but thanks to internet videos I can always relive the Franchise days.
Award for the Best Point Guard With Almost the Same Name as a Miami Vice Villain
Jose Calderon is perfect for this team. He's the ideal 10pt/10ast/1.5to point guard with high percentages and the patience to know when to slow it down and post someone up. Sleeper pick to sneak on the East All-Star squad.
Award for the Best Forward With a Twin in the NBA
Joey Graham is clearly better than Stephen but I went with "forward" instead of "front court" so as to avoid the inevitable Collins/Graham debate. Keep an eye on the Lopez brothers though.
Award for the Best Player Who Has A Sister Who Is Better Than Him
In a Parker sibling one-on-one game do you think Candace could beat Anthony? Do you think Anthony ever wants to cut someone off who is gushing about his sister's dunk and say "I dunked 23 times last year... against men." In all seriousness, Parker isn't going to take over games but him plus Jason Kapono equals a serviceable shooting guard.
Award for the Best 2-Time 3-Point Champ That Looks Like the Guy From Silk Stalkings
Jason Kapono can shoot the ball well enough to keep people from doubling Bosh/O'Neil recklessly inside. That's really all he can do and that's all they need him to do.
Award for the Player Who Looks Most Like Bubbles
Jamario Moon. Except he's not a heroin junkie and he has insane hops.
Award for the Best Name
Roko Ukic. Need I say more? I can't even find a youtube video on this dude. The euro-nerds need to step it up.
Award to the Internet Fan-base That Most Exemplifies their Team Mascot
Go ahead. Try posting something negative about the Raptors on a message board or in the comments section of a blog. You are arguing with one guy and then you get attacked by the two you never saw coming. They range from intelligent to semi-literate but you got to respect their passion for their team.
Award for the Best European Former #1 Draft Pick To Now Be Coming Off the Bench
At least he's better than Darko. This is a big year for Bargnani. Bosh and O'Neil reduce the pressure on him to rebound. I didn't catch a ton of Raptors games last year but 4 rebounds a game at 7 feet on a team that only out-rebounded Miami's D-League squad screams "weight room". Enter Jermaine O'Neil and Bargnani can operate on the perimeter at more without the raptors relying on Moon's springs to hit the glass. Another mediocre season and Il Mago replaces Stevie Francis as the guy least deserving of his nickname. I've only seen Il Mago once but thanks to internet videos I can always relive the Franchise days.
Award for the Best Point Guard With Almost the Same Name as a Miami Vice Villain
Jose Calderon is perfect for this team. He's the ideal 10pt/10ast/1.5to point guard with high percentages and the patience to know when to slow it down and post someone up. Sleeper pick to sneak on the East All-Star squad.
Award for the Best Forward With a Twin in the NBA
Joey Graham is clearly better than Stephen but I went with "forward" instead of "front court" so as to avoid the inevitable Collins/Graham debate. Keep an eye on the Lopez brothers though.
Award for the Best Player Who Has A Sister Who Is Better Than Him
In a Parker sibling one-on-one game do you think Candace could beat Anthony? Do you think Anthony ever wants to cut someone off who is gushing about his sister's dunk and say "I dunked 23 times last year... against men." In all seriousness, Parker isn't going to take over games but him plus Jason Kapono equals a serviceable shooting guard.
Award for the Best 2-Time 3-Point Champ That Looks Like the Guy From Silk Stalkings
Jason Kapono can shoot the ball well enough to keep people from doubling Bosh/O'Neil recklessly inside. That's really all he can do and that's all they need him to do.
Award for the Player Who Looks Most Like Bubbles
Jamario Moon. Except he's not a heroin junkie and he has insane hops.
Award for the Best Name
Roko Ukic. Need I say more? I can't even find a youtube video on this dude. The euro-nerds need to step it up.
Labels: raptors
posted by Gen at
8:49 PM
2 Comments:
10 ppg is a little low for Calderon, no? He played ~30 mins a game last year and put up 11.2 ppg. You'd have to believe that with T.J. Ford gone his minutes will be up in the 34-38 minute range. I'd expect 13-17 ppg from Jose this year.
Also 1.5 Ass/TO ratio is selling him way short. 8.3/1.54 last year = 5.4 ass/TO ratio. I'd expect more TOs going against the opposing starter from the get go, but I'd be comfortable predicting a 4/1+ ass/TO ratio for Sr. Calderon.
What I am trying to say is that outside of Chauncey Billups, Jose Calderon is probably the most efficient point guard in the Eastern Conference. The Raptors could have 3 legit All-Stars (assuming O'Neil is healthy) and be as dangerous as anyone outside of Boston in the East.
The post estimates his AST/TO ratio as 10 to 1.5 which actually exaggerates his efficiency. I agree his scoring will increase but Stockton did take the Jazz to the Finals with 12pt/9ast averages so it's not really necessary for him to score. 14 and 10 though would be great for Toronto. As for being as dangerous as anyone outside of Boston, I'd like to see it happen but I'm not sure the odds are in their favor.
Post a Comment
Subscribe to Post Comments [Atom]
<< Home