Tag Archives: Tracy McGrady

by | May 16, 2013 · 6:22 am

Familar Faces Playing Pivitol Roles in Playoffs

As if Raptor fans weren’t feeling bummed out enough with the fact that once again we are all on the outside looking in when it comes to playoff basketball. Not only do we get to watch other teams competing for ultimate prize in basketball, but Raptor fans are witnessing a number of former teammates playing key roles on teams that may just win it all.

As always, there is a Raptor spin to this years post-season.  Players we gave up on, begrudgingly traded or didn’t appreciate enough at the time are playing key roles in this years playoffs.  In fact there are a number of players who may end up tipping the scale in their teams favour this year.

In no particular order here they are.

Ex Raptors in the 2013 NBA Playoffs

Marco Belinelli – On a Bulls team that seems to be put together by MacGyver (with duck tape and chewing gum) , Belinelli has been a key, unexpected contributor.  If you’re a Raptor fan, you’re likely as blown away by his presence as anyone.  He came up huge in game 7 of the first round series against the Nets and is continuing his clutch play in this second round matchup against the Heat.  Belinelli has always been a streaky shooter, but in these playoffs he has been someone his team can depend on late in games and at key points when the Bulls need a bucket.  Not something he showed much of in his Toronto days.  He has also held his own on the defensive end and at times has had LeBron James guarding him.

Belinelli has found his shooting touch just when the Bulls needed it most and helped the banged up Bulls advance to the next round. Bryan Colangelo, if he’s watching, is seeing the player he was hoping he acquired a few years back for the Raptors.  Only now, is he playing up to his abilities.

Jarrett Jack – Jack was originally brought in to Toronto to be a key backup combo guard for a team that was supposed to make many playoff appearances. He didn’t get that chance in Toronto, but he’s making  the most of the opportunity now with Golden State.

He has become a huge part of everything that is going right for Golden State.  He’s a veteran leader that is really helping take charge of this exciting young team.  When they needed clutch shots against Denver, Jack was there.  When they needed a veteran facilitator he was their man.  Jack has looked like a very valuable asset on this playoff team.  Against San Antonio he has been a strong veteran presence who knows where the ball needs to go.  He also isn’t afraid to take a tough shot when needed.  Don’t the Raptors wish they had him coming off the bench now.

Jarryd Bayless – When Bayless was in Toronto, everyone knew he had the potential to be something special.  It was simply hard to find a role on this Toronto team and they let him go in the offseason.  He’s found his role with Memphis, that is for sure.  In these playoffs he has been a spark plug for the Grizzlies off the bench.  He’s been the perfect mix of passer and shooter; exactly what you want in a combo guard.

The Grizzlies simply do not get past Denver without Bayless.  He was a classic clutch playoff performer.  He came in and hit big shots and came up with huge efforts when his team needed it most.  The Grizzlies bench looks a lot more scary now as they play a very difficult 2nd round opponent in the Thunder.  Watch out for Bayless again in this series.  He has the speed and ability to cause big problems for Oklahoma City. The Grizz are gonna need him if they hope to beat the defending Western Conference champs.

Bayless is showing Raptor fans what could've been as he has helped the Grizzlies during these NBA playoffs.

Bayless is showing Raptor fans what could’ve been as he has helped the Grizzlies during these NBA playoffs.

Chris Bosh – Once upon a time Chris Bosh was absolutely everything for the Toronto Raptors. He was the focal point of any and every opposing defense he faced and felt huge pressure in the playoff battles he had here in Toronto.  Fast forward to now and Bosh is still an amazing All-Star talent, but opposing defenses can’t always apply pressure on him because they are focused on stopping LeBron James and Dwayne Wade.

Bosh wasn’t a huge factor for the Heat in the first round against the Bucks, but then again, he wasn’t really needed.  If the Heat are going to beat the more troublesome Bulls and eventually the upstart Pacers,  Bosh is going to be a key part of any chance the Heat have to win. Joakim Noah and Carlos Boozer present huge issues for Bosh inside and if he handles them he has to face a Hibbert/West or Chandler/Stoudamire combo.  If this team hopes to beat either of those teams they will need major contributions from Bosh on both ends of the floor.  With Wade still not looking 100% and opposing defences ready to pounce on Lebron James, the secondary scoring from Bosh will be paramount to a championship repeat.  Look for him to heat up in this second round, if he doesn’t the Heat may face more difficulty than was originally expected.

Matt Bonner – Matt Bonner was a fan favourite in Toronto and an energizer off the bench for a bad team when he was here.  Since moving to San Antonio, he has become a very important part of the team off the bench and in spot starting duties over the years.  This year he, once again, finds himself in the role of energizer and a key three-point threat off the bench.

Bonner isn’t a major factor for the Spurs but he can be a dangerous player off the bench at various times.  He is a big body and can hit the three with consistency. Matt Bonner is to the San Antonio Spurs as Steve Kerr used to be to the Chicago Bulls.  Bonner likely won’t get heavy minutes, but he may come into the game late to take very important shots, especially if Danny Green keeps struggling with his three-point shot.

Tracy McGrady – Was once a building block in Toronto and was the best player for Toronto in the franchise’s first ever playoff appearance against the Knicks.  He was a star in Orlando and the major offensive threat when he was in Houston.

Now McGrady is relegated to the bench in a cheerleading role.  But what an intriguing player to have at the end of your bench.  I wouldn’t be surprised if Greg Popovich has something up his sleeve when it comes to McGrady.  He could provide some instant offense off the bench and he has been a solid defender his entire career.  If the Spurs get into trouble don’t be surprised to see a little bit more McGrady then you ever thought you’s see again.

Roy Hibbert – He never played for the Raptors, but is technically a former dino.  Traded as part of the Jermaine O’Neal deal, Hibbert has been a perennial All-star and looks like he might be the key to the Pacers playoff chances this year.

Hibbert is gonna have to step up to beat the New York Knicks who will send Tyson Chandler and Amare Stoudamire against him.  So far he’s answered the call and has been the difference for Indiana thus far.  He has been unstoppable inside and provided Indiana with much of their offense.

If the Pacers get to the conference finals against Miami, it may be Hibbert that provides the biggest challenge for the defending champs.  He is a tough matchup for Chris Bosh and plays a position that the defending champs have trouble with.  Miami has trouble inside all season and Hibbert, who is just hitting his playoff groove, may be too much for them to handle.

Once upon a time a Raptor floor general, now an upstart coach who is leading the warriors to a surrising playoff run.

Once upon a time a Raptor floor general, now an upstart coach who is leading the warriors to a surprising playoff run.

Mark Jackson – He wasn’t a Raptor for long, but this former PG great is now in charge of one of the most exciting teams in the playoffs.  He has this Warriors team playing the best basketball the franchise has ever seen.

Jackson may seem to be in over his head in a coaching matchup against the great Greg Popovich, but he’s held his own thus far.  He’s got this young team energized and believing in itself.  He is getting key contributions out of rookie (and almost Raptor) Harrison Barnes, journeyman Jarrett Jack and a returning Andrew Bogut, plus he has had to overcome injury issues to his star Stephen Curry.

Jackson, and his coaching decisions to come, will have a major impact on how the Warriors perform the rest of the way.  When Jackson was a point guard he was known for his ability to get steals, with any luck he may just be able to steal another series from the Spurs.

***

Kristoffer Pedlar
The Zan Tabak Herald

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by | February 27, 2013 · 11:07 pm

Learning to be Clutch

I’m sure I wasn’t the only one disappointed with the Raptors home loss to the Cavaliers on Wednesday night or the one to the Washington Wizards on Monday.  For the first time in, I don’t know how long, fans are scoreboard watching to see if other teams can help improve the Raptors playoff chances (yes, I said playoff chances).  The Raptors didn’t help themselves out turning in one of the uglier performances we’ve seen from them this year.  In a game that would’ve helped them keep pace with the other contenders for the 8th spot, they faltered.  Looked lethargic and did not capitalize on an opportunity.

Then last night in Cleveland they did the unthinkable and made the loss to the Wizards look like a clutch playoff performance. The Raptors gave the ball away, shot themselves into a hole and made defensive miscue, after defensive miscue.  They simply gave the game away.

In the end the Raptors missed an opportunity to make up key ground on the 8th place Bucks and are beginning to  watch their slim playoff hopes slowly evaporate in front of them.

But this is to be expected with a younger team.

Even with the addition of Rudy Gay, the Raptors are still a little ways away from truly competing for a playoff spot in the East.

Even with the addition of Rudy Gay, the Raptors are still a little ways away from truly competing for a playoff spot in the East.

Many of the young players on this Raptors squad haven’t had much of a sniff of playoff intensity basketball.  A number of the core players on this team have had some small brief playoff experience, but too many haven’t really truly experienced the importance of ‘must-win’ games this late in the season.

They don’t know how to close out games of this magnitude, they haven’t had enough experience being in a position to play for something meaningful.  Their play of late seems to indicate that the Raptors have a lot of growing up to do still.  These tough, excruciating losses are what help a young team learn what it takes to win when it matters.

You can’t look past the Cavaliers or the Wizards of the NBA in a stretch run.  There is no such thing as an easy victory.  Every game is an important game and needs to be closed out.

But there will be more important games to come.  Some will take place this year, but more will likely take place next year.

This is a team on the rise.  You can tell that this young Raptors squad is just beginning to scratch the surface of what they are capable of, but they’re still a couple of moves away from true contention.

DeMar DeRozan, Jonas Valanciunas, and Terrence Ross have never seen anything close to NBA playoff basketball in their short NBA careers, while others like Rudy Gay, Kyle Lowry and Amir Johnson have only had a brief sniff of that playoff type pressure.

For a young squad like the Raptors this year is serving more as a learning experience, a dress rehearsal for the real thing.  The young players on this team are beginning to see what it takes to close games out late in the season when there is something on the line.  Even games against teams that seem to be “sure shots” on paper, become tough tests of will.  Every possession is important, defense is king, mistakes come back to haunt you.

Case in point the last two games against Cleveland and Washington.  Games the Raptors should have won handily. Instead they looked out of rhythm and seemed to be forcing things on both ends of the floor, giving their opponents plenty of extra opportunities to score.

This is clearly a team that isn’t quite ready for playoff basketball.

But they’re close.

Once upon a time the Raptors had another group of young players on the verge of making a dent in the NBA playoff picture.  Young guns on the team in Vince Carter, Tracy McGrady and Alvin Williams were getting crowds in this city excited about competitive basketball for the first time in the franchise’s history.  While they clearly possessed talent and future upside, they were not able to make the playoffs right away.  They needed to go through some growing pains and needed savvy veterans added to the roster to teach the young stars what fighting for a playoff spot was all about.

Even with a wealth of talent during the "Vince years", the Raptors needed to learn how to lose before they could acheive greater heights.

Even with a wealth of talent during the “Vince years”, the Raptors needed to learn how to lose before they could achieve greater heights.

The Raptors of that time were all about Vince Carter, Tracy McGrady and Alvin Williams, but key additions in Charles Oakley, Antonio Davis and Dell Curry helped get that young Raptors squad over the hump and into the playoffs.

When they finally got there, they were schooled by a well oiled, veteran Knicks team and the upstart Raptors were sent packing in three straight games.  It wasn’t until the next season that this team showed enough maturity to actually win a playoff series.

They were able to succeed because they knew what defeat tasted like, they made mistakes and learned from them.  They learned first hand how important games, like the one on Wednesday night, are to being a successful franchise.

That is where the current edition of the Raptors hope to get to.  They’re close, but they lack the veteran leadership and discipline necessary to make the playoffs.

Rudy Gay, Kyle Lowry, DeMar DeRozan and Amir Johnson with Jonas Valanciunas are a nice young core going forward, but they’re going to need to learn how hard you have to work to get into the playoffs and if/when they finally get there they’ll have to learn how much harder it is to win a series.

There are signs that this young squad will get there, but games like the one against Cleveland on Wednesday night indicate that the fans may have to wait a little longer before this team finally breaks through.

***

Kristoffer Pedlar
The Zan Tabak Herald

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by | February 4, 2013 · 11:34 pm

Life Without Jose

Jose Calderon is no longer a Toronto Raptor.

That sentence hasn’t quite sunk in for a lot of people in the city of Toronto.  If you’re a basketball fan in this city, then Jose Calderon has been a part of your conversations, frustrations, high and lows for the last 7 and a half years.  He is as entrenched in the minds and hearts of basketball fans in this city as any player ever to wear the Raptors uniform.

And now he is a Detroit Piston.

On Monday night he officially joined the Pistons on the court after the three team trade that saw the Raptors acquire Rudy Gay.

You’d be forgiven if the sight of Calderon in a Pistons jersey made you shake your head a bit.  It didn’t really seem right.  For his entire career he’s been a Raptor.  On Monday night he was on another team.  Not the Raptor red that we were used to seeing, but still the same player.

Calderon shot the ball well, distributed, but did not show off high defensive ability and watched as his new team got beaten soundly by a much better New York Knicks team.  As Jerry Seinfeld famously quipped “we are all really just cheering for laundry” and there was Calderon plying his trade in different laundry.  But you couldn’t help but cheer for the guy wearing #8 in Pistons blue (as weird as it was).

The trade of five days ago, that once seemed so surreal, is now beginning to sink in.  Rudy Gay is tearing it up after two games with the Raptors and giving fans hope that we may be witnessing a new brand of Raptors basketball.  And the player once cheered loudly by Toronto fans is leading another rebuilding team a few hours south of the city he called home five days ago.

Jose, traded last week, will always be a fan favourite no matter what laundry he happens to be wearing.

Jose, traded last week, will always be a fan favourite no matter what laundry he happens to be wearing.

Calderon will always have a place in Toronto sports lore.  He was one of the good guys in a world of sports that has too few.  He always put forth his best effort on the court and took a huge amount of criticism from fans, bloggers and reporters for the shortcomings in his game.  He never wavered or fought back, he simply went on doing his best.

Calderon was brought here by Rob Babcock in 2005 to be a second or third string point guard.  He quickly emerged as a talented player worthy of so much more and quickly earned his backup minutes the following year playing an integral role in the Raptors Atlantic Division championship.  His real “coming out party” was during the playoffs in 2007 when he played some of the best basketball of his career.  He was, arguably, the best player on the Raptors team during all six games of that series.  Though the Raptors ended up losing that series to New Jersey, Calderon emerged as a potential starter.

Over the next few years he battled through various point guard tandems.  Every single tandem ended with another player leaving Toronto and Jose remaining.  Like a season of Survivor, Calderon stayed while others were voted off the island. TJ Ford, Jarrett Jack, Jarryd Bayless and for a period Kyle Lowry all couldn’t match Calderon’s production and team chemistry.  He simply proved himself to be too valuable to let go.  Hell, the Raptors even traded Jose to Charlotte with Reggie Evans for Tyson Chandler and Boris Diaw only to have the deal cancelled by Charlotte owner Michael Jordan.

Jose seemed destined to stay a Raptor forever.

Though his numbers slipped this year he just kept battling and seizing every opportunity that arrived.  When Kyle Lowry went down with an injury this year, Jose stepped in and led the Raptors to a season changing run that now has this team within striking distance.  The results of which, he will not be around to enjoy.

Jose has always had good offensive numbers highlighted by a high assist to turnover ratio and FG% every year and has helped other young players on this team emerge because of his great ability to get teammates involved often at the expense of his own production.  All aspects that make him a truly special player.

He will be greatly missed by his teammates, coaches and most of all the city.

In a sports world full of ego-maniacs, self-centred prima donnas and jerks, Jose was a breath of fresh air.  He was quiet, humble and happy to accept whatever role he was asked to fill.  He never complained, never shot back at reporters that called him a porous defender or fans that begged for him to be traded.  He took it all with a grain of salt and went on being the player that he is.

In a city that has been scorned by former stars like Vince Carter, Chris Bosh and Tracy McGrady, Jose embraced the city and the fans with open arms.  He embraced them on and off the court, was always happy to talk to fans, sign autographs or take pictures with them.  When he was criticised by fans or reporters he simply let his game do the talking.  He didn’t shy away from his critics.

Whether playing off the bench, in a starter’s role or as a cheerleader on the sidelines he embraced every role he was given.  He was a consummate professional and the very definition of a team player.

In typical Calderon fashion on his way to another team, his only wish was for the Raptors continued success. “”It’s been my home for eight years…I’ve done everything possible for this team…the fans have been with me since Day 1. It’s tough…Hopefully this team is back to the playoffs as soon as possible.”

Even on his way out he was gracious and thankful.  A true team player to the bitter end.

Players like Calderon are not a dime a dozen.  He was truly special player.  He will be greatly missed.  Unlike other former Raptors (most notably Vince Carter and Chris Bosh), Jose’s Raptor jersey will be worn with pride around the ACC, despite not being on the team anymore.  When word of the trade hit, his jersey was apparently sold out in the team shops around the ACC, something never before seen in these parts.

I’m not afraid to admit that he has been my favourite player since the 06-07 season and I proudly own a Calderon Jersey.  I will be honoured to wear it upon his return to the ACC on April 1st when he accompanies the Pistons to Toronto.

It’ll be weird, as it was on Monday night.  He’ll be wearing different laundry, but it’ll still be the same Jose.

***

Kristoffer Pedlar
The Zan Tabak Herald

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by | October 30, 2012 · 11:19 am

The Landry Fields Era Begins

The small Forward position, as it tends to be,  is filled with intrigue this year.  The Raptors went out this summer and added Landry Fields to the fold.  He provides defense, high basketball IQ and the ability to mesh with anyone you put on the floor with him.

His path to Toronto is well documented.  The short version of the story goes something like this.

The Raptors and Bryan Colangelo really wanted Steve Nash, but it looked as though Nash was going to head to the Knicks in a sign and trade deal that centered around Landry Fields.  The Raptors quickly moved to sign Fields to an offer sheet they knew the Knicks couldn’t match which effectively eliminated them from contention for Nash.  Toronto was then seen as the clear front-runner for Nash’s services until the Lakers entered the fray, stole Nash away from Toronto with promises of championship glory and the Raptors were left with a pretty large contract offer to Landry Fields which he was then signed to.

Some contend the Raptors contract to Fields was a huge mistake and will set the franchise back.  Others, myself included, feel that while they overspent to get Fields, he brings a work ethic and defensive presence that will markedly improve this team and will specifically bring tough wing defense, something the Raptors have not seen for a long time.  Though more expensive than he should have been, the Raptors are still likely to get decent return for their money.

Landry Fields has a lot of doubters in Toronto after signing a big contract. It will be interesting to see if his hard work and defensive intensity can win over fans the way he was able to in New York.

The Toronto Raptors haven’t really had a strong presence at the Small Forward since the days of Tracy McGrady.  Recent starters have included (in no particular order) Jason Kapono, Jamario Moon, Hedo Turkoglu, Shawn Marion and Sonny Weems.

While the small forwards for the Raptors have had varying degrees of success, a few (see Turkoglu) were cataclysmic failures, but  none made a significant impact for the club during their time as a starter.

Landry Fields may change that.

Fields is known around the NBA as a hard worker, a defensive presence and good teammate.  His his focus on the defensive side of the ball will certainly come in handy for a team that has had significant issues guarding the perimeter over the years.

Fields is a positive personality and will certainly endear himself to the Toronto media.  Truth be told, he already has.

But that contract….

Many pundits, bloggers and journalists choose to focus on the length and cost of the contract Fields has.  To be fair it is an expensive and longer term deal for a guy with only two years of experience under his belt, but certainly not a contract that is going to cause cap issues for a long period of time and it is likely flexible enough to become a tradeable asset if the situation presents itself.

Fields is an upgrade at the position and if he can improve on his woeful 3-pt shooting he could become a solid offensive piece to the Raptors game plan going forward as well.

If not, the Raptors have a host of solid pieces to back Fields up and offer the Raptors a number of different matchup possibilities.

Linas Kleiza is a pure scorer who brings instant offense off the bench.  There are some in the Raptors fan base that believe he should have been the starter to maximize Fields defense on the second unit with Jose Calderon, a noted deficiency on the defensive end.  Though Kleiza has had great success internationally, he has yet to put it together consistently for the Raptors.  He’s been injured and inconsistent in his time in Toronto, but still offers the Raptors great flexibility. He is a natural small forward and can also slide over to the 4 if need be and create a strong smaller lineup when Casey wants to go small.

If Kleiza can shoot the ball well and play the way he did in the World Championships then he may see increased minutes throughout the season, maybe even some time in the starting lineup.  Especially if Fields struggles on the offensive side of the ball where he has not been as effective.

Alan Anderson is another interesting option for Dwane Casey off the bench.  The journeyman really impressed the coach in limited time last season and continued his strong effort throughout the pre-season.  Anderson is a smart and savvy veteran who knows what his role is.  He provides strong defensive ability (like Fields) and can score, mostly because he has a knack for getting into great position to score.

Dwane Casey is going to have struggles at times finding enough minutes for everyone, but he has something a lot of coaches do not have: options. He can pull out an almost pure scorer in Kleiza or go for defense with Anderson and Fields.  If he wants to go small he can easily move Kleiza over to the 4 and both Fields and Anderson can slide over to the two if need be.

Casey has a great deal of depth at his disposal and can utilize it to exploit the matchups he wants.  The fact that these three players are versatile enough to play other positions and do not usually get into foul trouble could mean that we could see any of the three on the court in various positions.

The forward position is sure to be a strength for the Raptors and it is clear that with Landry Fields in the starting role the focus will continue to be on the defensive side of the ball.

Landry Fields will get his opportunity to prove fans and doubters wrong even if he isn’t a high scoring small forward in the mould of Tracy McGrady.

Hey, at least he isn’t Hedo Turkoglu.

***

ZTH

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by | August 16, 2012 · 10:43 am

Managing Expectations

So the Olympics didn’t show us what we wanted to see from Jonas Valnciunas.  After a very strong year in Europe with Lietuvos Rytas and a stellar Under 19 World Championships, Jonas spent most of his London Olympics stuck to the Lithuanian bench.  He finished the Olympic tournament averaging 4.2 Pts, 52.4 FG%, and 4 Reb.  This isn’t bad for a guy who only averaged about 11 minutes, but a far cry from his numbers in Europe (11.7pts, 7.6 reb).  And of what was hoped from his new NBA home.

Raptor fans were expecting more. Fans wanted to see him dominate the post, swat away competitors jump shots and show himself to be NBA ready.

Newsflash: He’s not quite there.

Valanciunas showed flashes of excellence in London, but Raptor fans are going to have to remember that his development will take time.

This is okay.  Jonas is only 20 years old and isn’t expected to come in and be the savior of the franchise right away (at least not by fans with a sense of realism).  Impatient Raptor fans need to give him some time to become familiar with the NBA and to work hard on becoming part of a system (under head coach Dwane Casey) that will maximize his strengths and minimize the weaknesses.

In London he seemed to have a problem with his interior defense and often got beaten to the rim by faster players. He wasn’t able to get proper positioning and often ended up accumulating fouls.   This is something he is going to have to learn to do better in Toronto, but Casey is the coach who might be able to help him.

Jonas fouls a lot.  Not a good habit to get into, but something that is not uncommon for young players.  There are going to be many nights in Toronto where Jonas has brief stints on the floor because of poor positioning or being too active with his hands.  He will learn.  Raptor fans will have to be patient.

Jonas is not Alexander Radojevic, he’s not Rafael Arujo.  Raptor fans have to give him some time to become more familiar with the NBA game and with Dwane Casey’s system before pushing the “bust button”.

If  Casey can implement a system that minimizes the defensive inefficiencies of Jose Calderon and Andrea Bargnani then I’m sure he can create one that keeps Jonas on the floor.  Especially when Jonas will now be surrounded with defensive stalwarts in Kyle Lowry and Landry Fields.

Jonas has shown that he is active on the boards.  In Lithuania he averaged double digits in rebounding and showed himself to be very active on the glass.  He’s got a big body and if he can bulk up and learn to position himself right, he’s gonna be active on the glass in Toronto.

Far too often Raptor fans over hype their own players and are also often quick to dismiss them completely after a couple of bad games.  Jonas is going to require much more patience than that. The “hype-machine” in Toronto has not helped set realistic expectations for Jonas and as a result we are currently setting ourselves up to be disappointed.

He is not going to dunk over top of French centers. He won’t win defensive player of the year and he likely isn’t going to average double digits in anything.

Disappointed Raptor fans who were watching the olympics and focusing on his stats were not watching the right things.  This kid showed he could hang with NBA calibre talent.  He ran the pick and roll well which will be a staple of Dwane Casey’s offense and something he’ll likely be running a lot with Jose Calderon off the bench.   He was frequently one of the fastest players up and down the court as well.  For a big man he is going to cause issues for whoever is guarding him and if he plays with Kyle Lowry there might be some unexpected fast break opportunities.

He will learn the defensive game, learn that the referees do not give the benefit of the doubt to rookies and that the whole is almost always better than the sum of its parts.  With a vastly improved perimeter defense in Toronto, he will be put into a position where he can be successful.

Raptor fans just need to chill.  Jonas’s lack of Olympic dominance is not a sign that he is a bust.  In fact, the Olympics showed us he has a great deal of skills that will benefit this young team and also reminded us that his progress will not happen overnight.

The fact that Jonas is developing his skills should be reason enough for Raptor fans to remain positive.  He’s getting better and although he may not end up being the immediate saviour we all were wishing for, he has and will continue to show flashes of the player we want him to be.  With every rebound, every alley-oop slam and every game he isn’t removed for foul trouble he gets closer to what we want him to be.

His performance and productivity will be heavily watched and appraised by Raptor fans, but in the end I think the city and its basketball fans are going to really like this kid.

He just isn’t there yet.  And that’s okay.

Like McGrady, Carter and Bosh before him, he will take time to develop. But also, like those players, fans will enjoy watching Jonas grow and develop before their eyes.

***

Kristoffer Pedlar
The Zan Tabak Herald

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by | May 23, 2012 · 7:37 am

Raptors Offseason Plan Beginning to Take Shape

It has been an intriguing offseason thus far for the Toronto Raptors, that is to be sure.  They haven’t even done anything yet and there has already been plenty of chatter surrounding the team and potential free agent signings since the day the season ended.  Whether these rumours are based in truth or conjecture remains to be seen.  Regardless of the eventual results, people are talking about the Raptors and fans are getting excited.

I’m not one to get caught up in rumours, but these rumours seem to have some weight to them and all of them could change the course of the Raptors hopes for next season as well as the  long-term status of GM Bryan Colangelo, who has one year remaining on his contract.

First came the Steve Nash rumours.  Now Steve Nash rumours are nothing new around these parts.  He’s Canada’s greatest basketball talent ever and would look fantastic playing for Canada’s only basketball team. Over the years Toronto has heard lots about Nash coming to town, but there wasn’t really any way to get a deal like that done.   But now the “Nash to Toronto” rumours have a certain weight to them.

He’s long been rumoured to be leaving the Phoenix Suns after this year and his recent appointment as President and General Manager of Canada’s Mens National Team would seem to indicate he wouldn’t mind spending more time closer to his homeland.

A Steve Nash arrival in Toronto would mean improved play on the offensive end and a whole lot of jerseys being sold at the ACC.

Nash would fit in swimmingly here in Toronto, despite the fact Jose Calderon already occupies the starting point guard spot.  Calderon has been quite willing and ready to share time whenever necessary and the depth at point guard could give the Raptors a leg up on competition in the Atlantic division.  Calderon seems better suited to the backup role anyway and could become valuable trade bait down the road with a large expiring contract.

The Nash rumours also have weight as his former Canadian National team coach, Jay Triano is employed by the Raptors and Bryan Colangelo, the GM that drafted and then re-acquired Nash in Phoenix is currently the Raptors President and GM.

Nash has a knack for bringing the very best out of his teammates.  Shawn Marion, Joe Johnson, Amare Stoudamire, Channing Frye, Jason Richardson all owe much of their success (and large pay cheques) to the point guard that gave them the ball.

Nash has always put himself second and his team first.  His teammates were the beneficiaries on and off the court.  How much could a point guard like Nash improve Andrea Bargnani’s game? or DeMar DeRozan’s?

Makes you wonder.

Nash makes good players great.  He brings the best out of his teammates and could certainly benefit some of the underachieving Raptor players.

And just imagine the jersey sales at the ACC.

Nash would therefore seem to be a perfect fit in Toronto.  Unless, of course Jeremy Lin is.

Jeremy Lin is a restricted free agent and there are now reports from a host of sources claiming the Raptors will be very much in the mix for his services, should the Knicks decide to let him go.

Lin is much younger than Nash, could be cheaper and may fit better into the core that is developing in Toronto.

Jeremy Lin is a rumoured Raptor target this offseason. His acquisition could be the spark this young Raptor team needs.

He is a restricted free agent, so how much stalk can we put into these Lin to Toronto Rumours?  It is very possible that the Knicks get out-priced for his services.  Lin is not a player that has  been around long and therefore may not have earned the lucrative deal he seeks in the eyes of NBA GM’s.  His stats are good, but the sample size is small, and he was never really able to mesh with franchise player Carmelo Anthony suggesting he may need to be a number one option. 

Lin, who missed the Knicks’ run to the playoffs, could be the odd man out in New York, making him very much available to Toronto.  A move for Lin would be very reminiscent of Colangelo’s other signing of a young point guard that changed his Phoenix Suns back in 2004.  That, of course being, Steve Nash.

Lin has shown he can be a game changer, a superstar, a go-to guy.  At the point guard position that is simply something the Raptors have never had.  

It is clear that Lin’s stats are a small sample size and his median numbers are not nearly as good as his 2011/12 stats, but he could be worth the risk.

He is explosive and can certainly shoot the ball with confidence.  He can drive the net and get his teammates involved in the offense. His defensive ability is weak but his deficiencies could be fit into Dwane Casey’s system.  If Calderon worked out, Lin likely could too.

He would also become a big fan favourite here in Toronto, a city with a large Asian fan base.  It could be a big marketing opportunity that the new owners at Rogers and Bell, simply cannot pass up.

Still the odds of landing Lin rest in the hands of Glen Grunwald and the New York Knicks and what they are attempting to do this offseason.  The Knicks maintain the right to match any offers the young point guard gets, meaning the Raptors will likely have to overpay to get him.

Lin presents an interesting option for the Raptors, but one that they ultimately dont have complete control over.

Then there are the murmurs about Nicolas Batum.  Now, none of these rumours are anything but pure and utter speculation, but he would fit very nicely into the Raptors lineup.  A small forward with that kind of ability has alluded the Raptors since the days of Tracy McGrady.  Batum would instantly become one of the best small forwards the franchise has ever seen.  A great fit for the short and long-term. Plus his European background would be a plus in the locker room. 

He certainly won’t be cheap and the Blazers are very unlikely to let him go for nothing.  Expect the Blazers to match everything and anything for Batum and then work out a trade with a team if they have to.

If the Raptors are serious about acquiring Batum, which they should be in my opinion, then they are going to have to put together a trade package that will make it happen.  That is much more difficult than just signing a player, but if anyone knows how to work out a complicated off-season trade it’s Colangelo.

So despite the fact the Playoffs are going on without the Raptors, there is plenty for a fan to sit and ponder.  This summer will be another chapter in the remaking of this Raptors team and it is exciting to imagine the possibilities.  So far three of the most solid offseason rumours would offer the Raptors definite upgrades in talent at two key positions.  All three rumoured acquisitions are big name players that would raise the talent level and profile of basketball in Toronto.

Like most Raptor fans, I can’t wait to see what happens on July first. Judging from the early offseason rumours, it is likely to be one of the more exciting ones yet.

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Kristoffer Pedlar
The Zan Tabak Herald

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by | April 16, 2012 · 10:01 pm

Raptors Run out of Magic Against Hawks

It’s been a great little run the Raptors have been on, but it was bound to end sometime and it made sense that Atlanta came back to exact some revenge on the raps after Toronto surprised them in Atlanta a night ago.

The Raptors looked pretty good for three quarters but simply ran out of gas against a better opponent.

 Still on the positive side it was nice to see Demar Derozan, once again, rise to the challenge of being a number one option and it was great to see Solomon Alabi playing meaningful minutes and contributing in some way.

This is the Raptor squad we were expecting these last few games.  A tough, competitive bunch that finds itself overmatched in most games. Despite the loss, the Raptors battled and had lots of positive to take away. 

Zan for Three

The Terrible Ivan

So Ivan Johnson is a really scary looking dude.  He’s also a huge pain in the butt for defenders under the basket.  Many times on Monday he was able to steal rebounds away from Raptor forwards and turn them into second chances or points.  He intimidates out there and plays the game fiercely.

The Hawks are going to need his toughness as they head into the playoffs without a proven big man.  Horford is out and they’ve also likely lost Zaza Pachulia for their first round matchup.  They are going to need someone strong to take on the likes of Brandon Bass and Kevin Garnett in the first round of the playoffs.

Ivan Johnson is their only hope.  He’s as tough as they come but he lacks the height.  Garnett and Bass will take advantage of that, but if Ivan plays with the toughness he did on Monday night he may give the Celtics front court more than they can handle.

James Johnson Back on Course

For a few weeks it seemed like whatever beef Dwane Casey and James Johnson had with each other was going to derail Johnson’s strong start to the season.  He wasn’t getting minutes and when he was he wasn’t very productive. He looked lost and like he no longer belonged in the Raptors plans.

A second strong effort in a row by James Johnson wasn't enough to prevent the Raptors from falling to the Hawks.

The last two night against Atlanta, Johnson has found his old form.  He’s filling up all areas of the stat sheet and contributing on both ends of the floor.

Early in the season it looked like Johnson might be a nice piece for the Raptors to hold on to as they look to the future and now it appears that way again.  Johnson is versatile, can play many positions and defends the ball very well.  He contributes with points, assists, rebounds and blocks.  He’s a multi faceted player and seems to be putting his name back into the off-season conversation.

Free Alabi

Tonight we finally got to see what happens when you release Alabi from the bench.  The results were as expected; mixed.  Alabi looked lost out there at times but occasionally found his way.  He was active in the paint and threw down a couple of nice dunks.  In the end he finished with 8 points and 9 rebounds.  Not a bad statline for someone who’s been getting only garbage time minutes all year.

Zan of the Night

Ivan Johnson

Active inside, defensive pain and ultimately the biggest difference in the game.  He worked the Raptors inside so that his more offensively gifted teammates could be open on the outside.  The Raptors had no answers to Ivan, he was simply too tough underneath the basket.

Not Zan of the Night

Tracy McGrady

Yes he was quite effective in his limited minutes and hd a pretty decent shooting night off the bench, but I just hate him so.  And apparently I’m not the only one who has never forgiven Mr. McGrady for leaving Toronto just before team embarked on its greatest run.  McGrady could have been part of a Raptor dynasty. Instead he left and now boos rain down on him every time he plays in the city.  One would’ve thought the fans would be over it.  Not likely ever to happen.

***

Kristoffer Pedlar
The Zan Tabak Herald

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by | February 1, 2012 · 12:14 am

Another Ugly Loss for Raptors without Bargnani

One game removed from Demar Derozan stepping up to fill the void of Andrea Bargnani, the Raptors and Derozan fell back to Earth at the ACC, getting absolutely obliterated by the Atlanta Hawks.

The Raptors had no answers for Joe Jonson who seemed to do what he wanted, when he wanted all night long.  The Raptors could not get any scoring from their starting lineup and need to start searching for an identity without Andrea Bargnani.

Bargnani is their best player, by far, and his absence only seems to be cementing how valuable he is to this team.  Without him the Raptors look lost on offense as no one seems able or willing to create their own shot or take over a game.

Demar Derozan was able to do it against the Nets, but he needs to find that effort  consistently if he is going to take that next step in his development.

Tonight Derozan and the Raptors were flat.

Zan For Three

Love and Hate

It was German poet Kurt Tucholsky who said; “those who hate most fervently must have once loved deeply…”  In the case of Toronto Raptors fans this rings true.  We see it every time Vince Carter, Chris Bosh, or Tracy McGrady come to town.  The entire stadium goes absolutely Roman on them.  There is so much venom and disgust it absolutely dominates the game.

Tonight Tracy McGrady was back in town as an Atlanta Hawk.  Make no mistake about it, his game is no where near where it used to be, but Raptor fans don’t seem to care.  They boo him every time he touches the ball.  

They boo because of the way he left this franchise and they boo his smug attitude.  On Tuesday they were also booing his mockery of our National Anthem.

McGrady jokingly sang the Canadian National anthem at the start of the game and shared a laugh with his fellow teammates about the incident.  As if this town needs more reason to dislike this guy.

He left Toronto right as he was about to explode into a superstar.  He could have had years playing alongside his cousin Vince as a potent one-two punch in Toronto.  He chose fame and fortune in Orlando and the Raptors never quite reached the height they could have if McGrady had stuck around a few more years.

Everytime the fans boo him it is with the image of what could have been in their minds.  They wanted to love Tmac, they wanted to buy his jersey and chant his name.  But he didn’t let them and he took away what was, seemingly an opportunity at Eastern Conference supremacy in his days in Toronto.

He will always be public enemy no. 1 in these parts, but I think he’s just fine with that.

Jose Calderon and Dwane Casey discuss strategies on how to stop Joe Johnson. I don't think they came up with anything.

Striving for Consistency

A game after igniting Raptor Blogs everywhere, Demar Derozan took a holiday.  He looked lost and discombobulated out there and not the same player he was one game ago.  Demar is a great player, there is no doubt about that.  He can shoot the mid range jumper well, drive with the best of them and is learning to hit that three-point shot more consistently.  What he hasn’t figured out yet is how to make his performance consistent each night.

Game in and game out you’re never sure what you’re going to get.  Will it be the confident high flyer who gets to the rim at will? or will it be the timid player that is content shooting low percentage jump shots?  We’ve seen both this year, but if Raptor fans are going to get excited about the future, he is going to have to start putting forth a more consistent effort.

We need this guy to be the player he can be on a more regular basis.

Alabi Time?

Come on! No Alabi in garbage time?  If not on a night like tonight, then when?  Coach Casey has to give this guy a look otherwise the fan base will never know what they have in him.  There is no time like the present when the team seems to be looking for some inside assistance.

Gotta give him a sniff sometime.  In a game like this, that is over quickly, it is imperative that guys like Forbes, Alabi and Ed Davis get an extended look.  It is integral to see what exactly the Raptors have on this team for the future and for the trade market.

Zan of the Night

Joe Johnson

The guy was lights out all night long.  He had 30 points at the beginning of the third quarter!  His performance was awe-inspiring and he could not be controlled.  He seemed to take full advantage of  the Raptors weak perimeter defense.  He manhandled them all night long and in the end was the key to the Hawks victory.

Not Zan of the Game

Amir Johnson

Would the real Amir Johnson please stand up? Amir is typically snagging rebounds and finishing beautiful passes from Jose Calderon.  Lately he has been all over the map, from non-existent to downright awful.  Tonight he was invisible. He just isn’t doing the things he needs to do on either end of the floor.  Hopefully for everyone, he picks up his game or the beneficiary will be Ed Davis who is starting to see more minutes.

***

Kristoffer Pedlar

The Zan Tabak Herald

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by | December 23, 2011 · 9:46 am

Moving Forward with Johnson

In the third part of our season preview we take a look at the small forward position.  Once upon a time this position was occupied by such Raptor greats as Vince Carter, TMAC, Tracy Murray, Jamario Moon and oh course Hedo Turkoglu.  Suffice it to say, there has been plenty of bad to go with the good.

The Small forward position on most teams is filled with someone who can score in bunches and has potential to be an All Star.  Think Lebron, Durant, Carmelo, Granger.  These are the types of players you want playing on the wing.

Th Raptors are still waiting for their Durant.  For now they have James Johnson.

Is he the Raptors Durant?  Not likely, but he could develop into something this year.  He’s going to be given plenty of opportunity.

The Players

James Johnson

Linas Kleiza

Gary Forbes

Demar Derozan

The Story

Basically James Johnson is being given the opportunity here to play heavy minutes.  He is a player that Colangelo has always liked and when he was acquired it was with an eye to the future.  Bryan think Johnson might turn into a serviceable role player, a consistent starter, a spark off the bench.  This year we get to find out.

This year we will find out where James Johnson fits in the Raptors future plans.

Of course, Linas Kleiza is still around.  After an impressive World Championships last year he did very little to endear himself to the Raptors faithful and now he is likely to be coming off the bench unless he can earn his starting spot back.  Although he had a rough year last year, I wouldn’t count him out.  He’s a scorer and still possesses the skills that were on display at the World Championships.

Forbes and Derozan will slide over to the 3 when Casey wants to play “small ball”.  Each possess speed and the ability to defend and will fill in admirably when Barbosa is at the 2.

In Our Dreams

James Johnson proves he is worth keeping around.  This is a kid that Colangelo was after in the draft two years ago and sees him as part of the future.  I’m, at this point in time, inclined to believe Colangelo.

The best case scenario sees Johnson playing heavy minutes, scoring lots of points and defending big time small forwards admirably.  Kleiza embraces his role off the bench and becomes a nice scoring threat when the starters are getting a rest.

Ideally the Raptors want their Small Forwards to be competitive.

The Reality

James Johnson is a good player, but he isn’t an elite forward.  He will have some nice games and then he will disappear.  The reality is that he is a nice player on a second or third unit, not a first unit.

Kleiza could be starting material, but he needs to learn to play with the intelligence that he played with during the World Championships.  He was a leader there, can he be here? Tough call.

This position is one to watch for Raptor fans, but I wouldn’t expect miracles.  Small progress here is still progress.  The Raptors are going to get murdered against the Durants and Carmelos but hopefully as the season progresses Johnson and Kleiza show the Raptor brass that they are worthy of a spot going forward.

***

Kristoffer Pedlar

The Zan Tabak Herald

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by | December 4, 2011 · 7:51 pm

Raptors Hoping to Bring the Thunder in “New NBA”

So it didn’t take too long to realize that this new Collective agreement in the NBA might not be that different from what was in place before the lockout.

The deal hasn’t even been ratified and already Chris Paul has demanded a move to a big market NBA team.  Dwight Howard, Deron Williams and who knows who else, are likely to follow.

Isn’t this what the lockout was trying avoid?  Or was I just drinking the Kool-aid with all the other fans who cheer for teams in smaller markets?

I thought the league and it’s owners wanted to avoid another Miami Heat situation.  I thought they weren’t going to let the big markets rob the smaller markets of their star power.

Here in Toronto, we are all too familiar with the process of stars wanting out of our city.  Damon Stoudamire, Vince Carter, Tracy McGrady and Chris Bosh all left when they finally had the opportunity to go to a big market team or demanded a trade elsewhere. These moves crippled the franchise during the years afterwards.

Amir Johnson and Demar Derozan offer the Raptors hope for the future. They help form a growing nucleus.

What’s to stop this from continuing?

The new CBA has a soft cap, meaning there are lots of opportunities to keep the rich teams rich. 

Teams like New York, Miami and Boston will continue to be allowed to stock their teams with multiple superstars while smaller markets feel the blow of losing stars they intend to build around.

The CBA does include  a higher luxury tax to try and disuade owners from overspending but it will only do so in a limited capacity.  The Mark Cubans of the world will pay what needs to be paid to keep their teams winning.

There are provisions in the new CBA which will allow teams like the Raptors to offer more money to their rookies if they perform the way that Derrick Rose did this past year. This CBA addition may actually help  teams like the Raptors keep their young stars longer. 

The amnesty rule is another interesting nugget that could help the Raptors as well.  Shedding the contracts of a Jose Calderon, Linas Kleiza or Andrea Bargnani may help clear capspace for the Raptors so they can spend money on the free agent market or make a smart trade. Hopefully they take advantage of this rule at the right time and don’t rush to make space for a Tyson Chandler or Nene.

The reality for the Raptors is that they are going to have to look to the Thunder for inspiration.  That franchise and it’s success should be the blueprint for smaller market teams like the Raptors.

The Raptors, like the Thunder, are not going to be able to draw players in with their big city media coverage or long basketball history the way a New York or Chicago can.

The Thunder have built a success by drafting smart and making smart decisions, not going after big free agent splashes.

The Thunder drafted well.  Kevin Durant, Westbrook, Ibaka, Harden are all draft picks that were rewards for finishing at the bottom of the league.  Those players have come together to form a strong nucleus.

The Thunder coupled those picks with smart trades and free agent acquisitions that added depth and character.  Guys like Kenderick Perkins, Thabo Sefolosha and Nate Robinson add character and depth to the core of young players.  They didn’t make ill-advised signings like Jason Kapono or Yogi Stewart.

The Thunder were a Semi Final team in the Western Conference last year.  They did this all without the glitz and glam to draw in a Lebron, a Kobe or a Howard.  They’ve done it largely through smart decisions and can now attract free agents by winning basketball games.

The Thunder are the model that the Toronto Raptors need to follow going forward.  Draft smart, sign role players to reasonable contracts, and avoid handing out bad contracts to players coming off one good year (just say no to Tyson Chandler at $10 million per season).

This is the way that it has to be for the Raptors.  Draft well and make smart use of capspace.

Colangelo and his team have a difficult task ahead, especially with the short leash of a two-year contract, but he needs to resist the temptation of a Tyson Chandler or Nene now to focus on building a core into the future.

Derozan, Ed Davis, Amir and Valanciunas all may be a part of the team moving forward (maybe even Bargnani).  Hopefully so will a couple of top five picks in the next two years.

The system will not allow the Raptors to build through free agent splashes, but the new CBA may help the Raptors build from the ground up.

Let’s hope the Colangelo, Stefanski and the rest of the Raptor front office are doing their homework.

Winning in this new NBA is not going to be easy, but winning means work.

***
Kristoffer Pedlar
The Zan Tabak Herald

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