|
Rival Report: Raptors.com’s Mike Ulmer
By: Jim Eichenhofer, Hornets.com November 5, 2009 Throughout the 2009-10 regular season, Hornets.com will be interviewing writers from other NBA websites to obtain unique insights on the Hornets’ opposition, prior to home games at the New Orleans Arena. With the Hornets hosting the Toronto Raptors at 7 p.m. Friday, we caught up with Raptors.com senior writer Mike Ulmer.
Ulmer: One game isn’t much of a sample group but a win over Cleveland in the Raptors’ season opener never hurts confidence. Clearly, this is a much deeper team than in the last two years and the Raptors kept even in rebounding with a Cavs team that featured Shaq and LeBron James. Hornets.com: Toronto’s depth appeared to improve tremendously this summer with moves such as the acquisitions of veterans Hedo Turkoglu (from Orlando), Jarrett Jack (Indiana), Reggie Evans (Philadelphia) and Marco Belinelli (Golden State). What elements will these players be able to bring to the Raptors that may have been missing in recent seasons? Ulmer: Evans is nursing a foot injury but he was counted upon to bring some rebounding and make playing the team a little less pleasant. Turkoglu, of course, bring a pretty dynamic offensive game. Belinelli gives the team another perimeter shooter and Jack brings a bit of grit. A lack of depth at point guard behind Jose Calderon killed the Raptors last season and they really value Jack, who can play both guard positions when the team needs extra ballhandling. Hornets.com: Raptors 2006 draft No. 1 overall choice Andrea Bargnani made a major step forward individually in 2008-09. What are some of the aspects of his game he’s been working on to improve and implement now in his fourth NBA season? Ulmer: I am in the minority but I think his biggest improvement has been in his ballhandling. He is a very mobile seven-footer but when he put the ball on the floor in past years, he fouled. Now he is getting to the basket. The team has been working with him on getting more points with his back to the hoop and I get the need for some low-post moves, but this guy’s real strength is an impeccable jump shot and the ability to run the floor. He won’t get you more than eight rebounds most nights, but Chris Bosh is a prodigious rebounder and when Evans comes back he will help there too. Hornets.com: Raptors head coach Jay Triano took over the job a little over a month into the 2008-09 regular season, but began the current campaign at the helm. How much of a difference might that make in terms of the team’s play and start to this season? Ulmer: I see differences. I think it’s his team. This team is the linear opposite of what Sam Mitchell started with last year. It is balanced with a nice supporting cast. Hornets.com: What’s one thing we might be surprised to know about the Raptors? Ulmer: Bargnani can run. Belinelli can take the ball to the hoop with authority. |
|
