 |
by Mike Ball
--raptors.commentator
November 2, 2004 |
After a particularly eventful offseason in Toronto, not necessarily for the right reasons, the Raptors are set to begin their tenth campaign in the NBA.
The spring and summer months brought the winds of change through the front office. After a second-consecutive season of perceived underachievement spurred changes from top to bottom, the question remains: Will the changes in philosophy fans have heard so much about translate to success on the court?
Two new Raptors, Rafer Alston and Rafael Araujo, share a laugh during the preseason. (NBAE/Getty Images)
|
These changes have been seen, even before the team has played a single regular season game.
Last year under Kevin O’Neill, his drill-sergeant, all-business style just didn’t seem to work with the group of players he had. The results were sub-par, to say the least. Would a different philosophy last season have changed the results? Well, that’s just one of those unanswerable questions.
But I think back to last summer, when the new coach was getting his feet wet in the preseason and I asked the straight-shooting O’Neill if he had any team-bonding outings planned for his club. His answer was short and curt.
“I don’t believe in that stuff,” responded O’Neill. “These guys have families. These guys have friends and other commitments. That’s the last thing they want to be doing.”
Under GM Rob Babcock and head coach Sam Mitchell this fall, things have been a little different.
There have been such outings, including a team voyage on the Maid of the Mist into the liquid fog at the base of Niagara Falls, team meals and the now legendary rookie talent show that saw Matt Bonner strum a guitar and sing his favourite Pink Floyd track. Safe to say he didn't convert any of his teammates to Floyd fans, but just maybe it brought the team a little closer together.
Babcock continues to preach, not only playing the game the right way and conducting business in a responsible manner, but also involvement in the community and remembering that it is a privilege to work in the NBA whether it be as a player, general manager or lowly web writer.
The result of all this, at least for now, is a happier bunch of Raptors. Every event the Raptors have floored this fall has seen them interacting with fans more, interacting with one another more and genuinely having a good time. Sure we're comparing them to how they felt in the midst of last season’s troubles, but still, these guys are enthusiastic and, more than ever, seem to be enjoying one another’s company.
Is this the recipe for a championship? Well, not on its own, but it certainly is a big part of it.
Having looked at what’s going on off the court. Let’s step back and look to the floor at the squad the Raptors will head into the 2004-05 season with.
The Point Guard Spot:
Rafer Alston,
Alvin Williams,
Milt Palacio,
Roger Mason Jr.
Rafer Alston getting the ball upcourt in a hurry will be key to the Raps' success this year. (NBAE/Getty Images)
|
The Raptors big signing of the summer was unquestionably the re-acquisition of Rafer Alston. Alston is known for his mile-a-minute pace on the court and his friendly, engaging demeanor off. You’d be hard pressed to find a man in the NBA that loves to play the game as much as Alston.
The health of Alvin Williams played as much a factor in this signing as Altson’s play last season did. Williams looks to be headed for surgery that will shelve him for most, if not all of this season. However, if you know Williams though, he’ll be back in the gym shooting jumpers as soon as he can walk, if not before.
With Williams out, that leaves Roger Mason Jr. and Milt Palacio to back up Alston and it remains a mystery who has won that battle – if anyone has so far.
Mason unquestionably has the “upside” argument in his corner. Coaches know what Palacio can give them, but Mason hasn’t seen meaningful minutes in the NBA in three seasons, so hasn’t put it all together on the court yet. No one is doubting his skills or work ethic though.
That said, in the best case scenario, from what I’ve seen, Mason is more Rip Hamilton than Jason Kidd. He plays his best off the ball, running off screens and his best asset may be his spot-up jump shot. Turning him into a point guard may not be the best thing for Mason or the Raptors.
That leaves Palacio. For the most part, he owned the backup spot last season and his up-tempo style is well-suited to what Sam Mitchell is preaching, but he has been plagued with inconsistency. If he can improve his jumpshot this season, the job is his. Palacio appears to get ahead of himself sometimes and staying in control with the ball for him is key.
Projected Grade: C-: Without Williams it will be tough to fill 48 minutes at the point without moving Jalen Rose back there for some minutes.
The Two Spot:
Vince Carter,
Morris Peterson,
Jalen Rose,
Roger Mason Jr.
Vince is the the fuel that makes the Raptors run. (NBAE/Getty Images)
|
The two-guard remains the most solid position on Toronto’s roster. Vince Carter is obviously still the man and Morris Peterson, Jalen Rose and Roger Mason Jr. should all get time at the two.
Carter has taken a lot of hits in the fishwraps and across the internet for his trade request in the offseason. However his behavior and demeanor has not been that of a disgruntled star, but as a team player.
Carter remains the question du jour, but through camp and the preseason all reviews have been positive. He had a productive preseason, averaging 14.8 points in only 24 minutes per game, and appears to be ready to revive his reputation among the league’s top players.
The trade questions will continue, but don’t be surprised if Carter rescinds his request should things start turning in the right direction for the Raptors. There are a lot worse places to be than in Toronto.
Projected Grade: B+: Controversies aside, when healthy Vince Carter is still one of the most productive players in the league. His defence and passing have improved in each of the past two seasons and if anyone has something to prove, it’s Carter.
The Small Forwards:
Jalen Rose,
Morris Peterson
Jalen Rose will provide scoring and leadership once again. (NBAE/Getty Images)
|
Expect Toronto to start Jalen Rose at the three spot and, along with shooting guard, this is the Raptors strength.
Again, Carter, Peterson will contribute as well and versatile forward Donyell Marshall can play here, but will have trouble keeping up with the quicker threes in the league on the defensive end.
Peterson showed up in better shape than he
finished the season last year, so despite already landing his contract extension, the Raptors and Mo Pete himself are expecting big things. Peterson has noted that he has set a goal of being named to the league's all-defensive team or at least being mentioned among the league’s top defenders.
He has been the Raptors top perimeter defender for at least the past two seasons, so it’s an attainable goal and, for most players, defence has one main ingredient – effort. So if the desire is there, Peterson could be “Artest North” in 2004-05.
Projected Grade: B: To start Jalen Rose and have Morris Peterson as your backup here is a quality duo. The Raptors strength remains with their swingmen.
The Centre Spot:
Loren Woods,
Jerome Moiso,
Rafael Araujo
Once again the centre spot is the point of concern for Raptors fans, but for the first time in a long while, there’s help on the horizon.
Woods will need to produce consistently to stick in the starting five. (NBAE/Getty Images)
|
In a bold move, Rob Babcock selected Rafael Araujo with the eighth overall pick in the draft, when most had the gritty centre projected to go much lower. Babcock was very comfortable with his pick on draft night and explained simply that all the prospects he and his staff had ranked higher were gone by the time the eighth pick rolled around.
Will Araujo start on opening night? It would be a shock if he did, but, as most experts are saying he’s a season or two away, don’t be surprised if he’s starting by the end of the season. As has been said, with this kid’s size, if he can set solid screens, rebound, and make opposing centres earn their points in the paint, he’ll be as good, or better than what the Raps have in the middle now.
Starting on opening night will most probably be Loren Woods. Woods is another unproven commodity who will be expected to contribute more in the defensive end with shot blocking and rebounds. Woods has shown flashes throughout his career, but he’ll be the first to admit that he has no one to blame but himself.
Woods has something to prove and that bodes well for Raptors supporters.
Backing up Woods should be Jerome Moiso, but Bosh will see minutes at centre when the Raptors look to field a smaller, quicker lineup to run the fastbreak.
Projected Grade: D+: The Raptors pass in this department for now, but even in the Eastern Conference, you need a dependable big man who can at least defend the post. None of the Raptors centres have proven they are capable of this on a consistent basis.
The Power Forwards:
Chris Bosh,
Donyell Marshall,
Matt Bonner,
Pape Sow
How happy is Chris Bosh to find himself in this category this season?
Chris Bosh has shown he's taken strides since last season. (NBAE/Getty Images)
|
After a campaign that would have brought him home the Rookie of the Year honours in lesser draft classes, Bosh is ready for his sophomore season.
He was told to bulk up this summer and after heavy weight training didn’t result in adding a whole lot of beef to the slender big man, Bosh has become more comfortable in his own skin. People are starting to accept that this may be his playing weight and, if so, well, it seemed to work okay last year.
The rest of the minutes at the power forward spot will mostly fall to Marshall. D-Marsh can cause havoc for opposing big men with his shooting range out to the three-point line and ability to handle the ball. In a contract year, a lot of pundits are predicting a big season from Marshall. He is as important to the Raptors as anyone and players who are capable of starting at multiple positions are few and far between.
Projected Grade: B: Chris Bosh makes the grade here. Nobody doubts that this kid is something special. Marshall would start on a lot of teams in the NBA and could make a pitch for the NBA's sixth man award.
The Raptors season tips of Wednesday November 3, when they host Tracy McGrady, Yao Ming and the Houston Rockets at Air Canada Centre.
