Post by doc on Oct 14, 2008 13:00:31 GMT -5
RaptorTalk did their Top10 positive signs coming out of pre-season. And they are as follows:
Source - Click here
#1. Chris Bosh appears to be as good, if not better than the Bosh who has led this team over the past few seasons. Great news!
#2. Andrea Bargnani looks like he can step up and provide much improved scoring, rebounding and defence as he enters his third year. A breakout year from the big Italian means that Bosh and O'Neal don't need to play massive minutes for the Raptors to win.
#3. Will Solomon is a legit back-up to Jose Calderon who has the length and speed to defend the 'one'. He scores well, but needs to lower his turnovers.
#4. Kris Humphries is bringing energy and maturity at levels we have not seen before. Kris might very well earn himself a consistent 15 - 18 minutes per game and be part of the rotation.
#5. Jermaine O'Neal's minutes have been limited so far. Nonetheless, his 265 lb frame and veteran smarts provide the Raps with a great complement to CB4 on both the defensive and offensive sides.
#6. Anthony Parker seems to be as good as he was last season. The concern was that he may have lost a step in the off-season, but that doesn't seem to be the case.
#7. Jose Calderon looks like he is 100% ready to be the Raptors' #1 point guard. No surprise really.
#8. Roko Ukic needs to work on his shot, but he certainly does not look out of place on an NBA court. If Raptor fans are patient, Ukic could develop into a solid NBA player. At 6'5" he reminds me a little of my all-time favorite Raptor - Alvin Williams.
#9. The front court of Bosh, O'Neal and Moon may be as strong as any in the NBA. All signs are that this team will win the battle on the boards most nights.
#10. Matt Devlin appears to be the perfect follow-up act to Chuck Swirsky. Granted its only been one game, but Devlin's smooth delivery doesn't distract from the game itself. The days of catch phrases and announcer self promotion are over and that's a good thing!
#2. Andrea Bargnani looks like he can step up and provide much improved scoring, rebounding and defence as he enters his third year. A breakout year from the big Italian means that Bosh and O'Neal don't need to play massive minutes for the Raptors to win.
#3. Will Solomon is a legit back-up to Jose Calderon who has the length and speed to defend the 'one'. He scores well, but needs to lower his turnovers.
#4. Kris Humphries is bringing energy and maturity at levels we have not seen before. Kris might very well earn himself a consistent 15 - 18 minutes per game and be part of the rotation.
#5. Jermaine O'Neal's minutes have been limited so far. Nonetheless, his 265 lb frame and veteran smarts provide the Raps with a great complement to CB4 on both the defensive and offensive sides.
#6. Anthony Parker seems to be as good as he was last season. The concern was that he may have lost a step in the off-season, but that doesn't seem to be the case.
#7. Jose Calderon looks like he is 100% ready to be the Raptors' #1 point guard. No surprise really.
#8. Roko Ukic needs to work on his shot, but he certainly does not look out of place on an NBA court. If Raptor fans are patient, Ukic could develop into a solid NBA player. At 6'5" he reminds me a little of my all-time favorite Raptor - Alvin Williams.
#9. The front court of Bosh, O'Neal and Moon may be as strong as any in the NBA. All signs are that this team will win the battle on the boards most nights.
#10. Matt Devlin appears to be the perfect follow-up act to Chuck Swirsky. Granted its only been one game, but Devlin's smooth delivery doesn't distract from the game itself. The days of catch phrases and announcer self promotion are over and that's a good thing!
Source - Click here