Muted Expectations

In terms of the off-season it is almost over. In some ways with all that has happened it has flown by. In others it just seems like Chris Bosh has not been a Raptor for ages. Maybe it is the constant media blitz in which we have seen the former Raptor on everything from the Espys to Entourage. Despite a lot of change this summer it is a safe bet this will not be known as one of Bryan Colangelo's best. Having Bosh walk was just the start of a long summer for Colangelo. He went on the attack and questioned his former stars effort in his final days. Bosh would not let that go unanswered though and from an unbias point of view it sure seemed like Bosh won that battle. There was also a trade that never happened in which Jordan pulled the rug out from Colangelo. Matt Barnes was a Raptor of a second until it became obvious that they couldn't afford him and he ends up a Laker making far less. He did at least get rid of Hedo Turkoglu for Barbosa. At this time last year many were praising Colangelo for signing Hedo. I am happy to say I wasn't one of them. That being said is it stunning how bad and how fast things went with Hedo? Hell yeah. He also signed another euro product in Linas Keliza.

In a new season you always are suppose to feel optimistic. Hard to feel optimistic given the summer it has been for the Raptors. Even harder when you look south and see the monster in Miami that awaits the entire Eastern Conference. I guess for season it is about optimism in certain individuals for lack of having much for the team. Demar DeRozan is at the front of that list for me. A young Chris Bosh was given the responsibility of being the franchise player when Vince Carter was shown the door. No one his handing Demar the keys to the franchise. However they are on the table for whoever wants to take them. If the Raptors are to have any hope of surprising anyone it begins with Demar DeRozan. If Demar does not have a break out sophomore season the season for the Raptors will be even longer and more painful.

Andrea Bargnani should be thrilled that the Young Guns with DeRozan have in a sense as group taken over that spotlight that was left open with Bosh leaving. Bargnani has not exactly been a shining star in that spotlight. This is a make or break year for Bargnani. He is going to have all the chance in the world to be successful. If he isn't that will be it. Not that his career will be over but any delusions that is able to be a franchise player will be. Given how he has performed in the past when Bosh has been injured I am not all that optimistic personally.

The point guard situation remains the same despite attempts to solve it in the off-season. Jarret Jack comes in as the man at the top of the depth chart. Calderon comes in injured from playing for Spain yet again. Not to mention most people are not exactly thrilled to see him back. If he thinks that he was booed last season, something he didn't like to much, that will be nothing compared to this year if he fails to cut it. Jack showed more leadership in one season here than Calderon has in his entire career as a Raptor. Jack helped be somewhat of a mentor for Weems and DeRozan.

That is a question to be answered who exactly leads this team? For about 5 years the answer was pretty simple it was Chris Bosh. It will be a question that needs an answer and quickly. Jay Triano has a real job ahead of him if he is going to be able to keep the Raptors heads above water. The bar has been set very low in terms of expectations for this team. Triano will not have a team full of superstars like he currently has as an assistant on Team USA. He will have a lot of work to do to keep the Raptors offense productive and figure out a way to make this team not a defensive nightmare. In a sense the low expectations give Triano even more rope to save his job. It still seems hard to imagine he can do better than the 40 wins he had last year with Bosh.

The one unknown factor for the Raptors is what if anything can they do with the trade exceptions they acquired over the summer. Will they even use them this season or wait till next off-season to play that chip? That likely gets determined by how this team performs early on. If this team is so far from the playoffs it makes no sense to use it than the Raptors likely will not use it. However if the crowds at the ACC grow smaller the temptation will be there to use it.

Other things to keep an eye on is the players with expiring contracts. We already saw Reggie Evans almost be traded along with Calderon. Marcus Banks also has one of those expiring deals as well. However, Colangelo himself seems to want build some cap space for the Raptors heading into a new CBA that promises to be even tighter and make cap space even more valuable.

In the end the season is more about laying the foundation for the Raptors future. The results of this season are not as important as the results of the next 5-7 seasons. Which seems ironic when you have a coach and g.m coming to the end of contracts. What success for the Toronto Raptors will be measured by is more in the individual pieces and what they can do. While everyone would like to believe the Raptors could some how catch lightning in a bottle and make the playoffs. It really is about getting a foundation that can make the playoffs consistently. Something that Raptors have never been able to accomplish.

While everyone talks a good game about Raptors needing to rebuild and start over. It is another thing to endure a season in which it will not be measured as much by wins and losses. It is hard to get pumped up and excited when making the playoffs are a distant memory in January. It is hard to watch your team loss and look for improvement in a Demar, Ed or Sonny. This season is a season that will establish who the hardcore fans are and who are just fair weather fans. It will be tough for those folks to endure watch Chris Bosh win while they suffer waiting for brighter days. But ready or not training camp is only a few weeks away.

Raps Perfect Summer Season

So the Raptors finished off their Summer League schedule with 2 wins. On Friday they took care of the Kings 88-82 then on Saturday beat the 0-4 Hornets with no DeRozan or Weems 101-93. So the Raptors end up finishing summer with a perfect 5-0 record. They opened a lot of eyes and were on of the best teams in Las Vegas playing a very exciting brand of basketball. Demar DeRozan in 4 games had the 3rd best scoring average in the Vegas league with 21 points per game. Only John Wall and Reggie Williams were better. Wall lead the Summer league averaging 23.5 per game.

The Raptors as a team in Summer league averaged 98.8 PPG while giving up only giving up 84.8 PPG. Keeping in mind at Summer League they only play 4 Quarters at 10 minutes a piece. Basically the same totally game time as in the NCAA. Along with DeRozan his fellow Young Gun had a nice summer league. Sonny Weems averaged 17.5 PPG and had some amazing hi-lite dunks along with DeRozan. Weems has talked about wanting to work on his 3 point shot and based on Summer League still work to do going 3-13 ( 23.1%). DeRozan was great from the field shooting the lights out at 58% and was all about getting to the hoop and getting to the line (38 times in 4 games). Weems also was good in that regard getting to the line 24 times. Both need to do a better job in finishing it off with DeRozan making 24-38(63.1%) and Weems just 13 of 24(54.1%). But overall 2 thumbs up for the Young Guns performance.

Ed Davis the Raptors first round selection averaged 12.6 and 6 rebounds in 5 games of action. Davis had a brutal second game getting just 4 points and 4 boards. He also had a big defensive outburst with 5 blocks vs Sacramento which inflated his blocks average to 1.8 per game. I don't remember what Chris Bosh did in summer league. In fact, Summer League was not the huge deal it has been built into by some today. In terms of Davis he had good moments and bad moments. Which even though it is hard to remember I am sure was the same with Chris. But for anyone to expect Ed Davis to grow into another Chris Bosh you are hoping for far to much. He is a different type of player. He likely is ahead of Bosh at same point on defensive end. But his offense is far behind and likely never catches up. Still to make conclusions on this kid, good or bad, based on Summer League is just wrong. The fact he is playing for pretty much his first competitive basketball he has played since his wrist injury at UNC. So the bar should have been set low. I think he did more than what you might have realistically expected.

Solomon Alabi after his first game looked on track to be a star for the Erie Bayhawks the Raptors D-League Affiliate. That still could end up happening. But he did showed improvement along the way in his summer league. He ended up with 8.2 points with 5 rebounds per game. He unlike DeRozan and Weems was very good at the line making 15-16 at the line. He also averaged a block a game. He still looks pretty raw and that is why playing in the D-League seems to be in his future. If he doesn't get time with the Raptors he is better served being there at points during the season. Will see how it works out, but being 7ft 1 he could develop into a shot blocking presence, something the Raptors have always lacked.You can't teach height as they say. He like many from Africa looks at Hakeem as an idol and someone to be like. While Raptor fans memories of Hakeem are no dream, there is no denying that if Alabi could be half as good in his career as Olajuwon everyone would be thrilled. That being said Demar DeRozan's Idol is Kobe, admiring someone and being them is 2 very different things.

Others that made an impact for Raps in Summer League were Joey Dorsey who lead the Summer League Raps with 9.8 Rebounds. Dorsey was brought in late last season and should be on the roster for camp in the fall. The other guy that stood out was Bobby Brown. The basketball player not the guy that married Whitney. There was nothing cruel about Brown's performance as he looked good working with both DeRozan and Weems at the point. He averaged 12.4 points and 4 assists(tied for team lead) and 1.2 steals. If it was my prerogative, I would love to seem him get a shot and be brought in, if Jose Calderon does get moved. Here is all the stats on all that were a part of the undefeated Raptors in Vegas.

Some other things of note:

Mark Ivaroni has decided to take a job with Vinny Del Negro with the Clippers as reported by Doug Smith in The Star. The former Bulls coach has brought him in to work on his staff. With the addition of P.J Carlesmio it is really not a huge loss for the Raptors. Ivaroni was suppose to have been in charge of the defense for the Raptors in his one season on the job. Clearly he did not have much, if any success, good luck to him with the Clippers. Job security in Clipperland is never that good. If not for the hiring of Carlesmio the optics of this would look bad. To move to the Clippers from Raptors for basically the same job. But it is safe to assume, his role with the Raptors would be less with Toronto.

While some former Raptors have rejoined the Atlantic Division in the coaching ranks. Sam Mitchell the former Raptors head coach and former player Popeye Jones have joined the staff in New Jersey. Sam joining New Jersey had been reported awhile ago. While Jones has been an assistant with a number of teams over the years. Happy for both and they both should be great additions to Avery Johnson's staff in New Jersey.

Still a long way off, but Raptors Training Camp may be heading to Vancouver after a couple years in Ottawa. A clear sign this may in fact be the case is the Raptors will play the Suns in Vancouver on October 6th. The Nash Cup? The Hedo Bowl? Not sure what you would call it, but the Raptors vs Nash is good business. Suns were in Vancouver last year and packed the place for Nash and the Suns. It was a sell out. Note to NBA how is that team in Memphis drawing? Not sure if this will be a home or road game for the Raptors in Vancouver. Raptors like to call themselves Canada's team, but Nash is B.C's own (British Columbia not Bryan Colangelo). In any case should make for a fun environment for a basketball game. Cheer Nash Vancouver but BOO HEDO!!!

Good to be back at it. Sorry, I had a bunch of things to take care of and did not get a blog to you on Friday. It is the summer time so things are a little different for both me and for you as readers. But we will keep things rolling all year long.

Young Guns Heat Up Vegas

While Chris Bosh enjoys his new found home in Miami, the Raptors started life without him in Las Vegas on the right foot. The Raptors started Summer league with an impressive win over the Suns 103-69 . Toronto shot the lights out going 56.1% from the field and got 42 attempts at the free throw line. Weems lead the charge with 19 points and fellow Young Gun member Demar DeRozan had 16. Ed Davis had 15 points and 8 rebounds in his debut. Weems was making his own personal highlight reel. Here is the an example offering you some proof.

Hedo Gone In A Brazilian Blur?

Some off the court news late Sunday night that Hedo Turkoglu could be off to those same Suns. David Aldridge is reporting the Raptors will trade Hedo for Leandro Barbosa. This would be a huge move for Colangelo getting rid of the 4 years left on Hedo's contract for Barbosa, who is in the final year of his contract set to make 7.1 million for the 2010/11 season. In a sense he would have a 1 year audition with the Raptors and should be highly motivated to be successful in a contract year. Something that Turkoglu clearly wasn't in his one season with the Raptors.

If this turns out to be factual, this is a move that makes sense for the Raptors. It seems clear the Raptors in the "Post Bosh Era" are going to be a team that is looking to run. Barbosa will certainly help in that regard. He is able to play the point and can be an undersized 2 as well. This could pave the way for the Raptors to make a move to unload Calderon or Jack. I had felt things would move quickly once the Bosh drama played out. It would appear that is the case. Colangelo said to the media his goal is not to start a rebuilding project. This is a move that backs up those words. There is still a lot more work to be done.

A Show Worthy Of Hollywood Stage

The Toronto Raptors scratched and clawed to get a win over the Lakers at the ACC. Last night at Staples Center they did the same, the only difference is this time Kobe didn't miss. A late turnover by Hedo Turkoglu would force Raptors to need a 3 to tie. Chris Bosh in his second game back would step up to plate and nail a 3 to tie the game at 107. Unfortunately there was still 9.5 seconds left and that was more than enough time for Kobe Bryant to undress Antonie Wright and make a shot that few could make look so easy. Raptors would only be left with just over a second and no time outs. They would not have anything left in their bag of tricks.

There were a lot of calls that were questionable at best. A fan even interfered with a ball heading out of bounds. I personally hate going to the idea of the refs being a reason a team losing. I think a team can always over come it whatever it is. For example last night if Hedo doesn't make that turnover and if Jay Triano put Jarrett Jack and Bosh back in the game sooner the Raptors still could win. Ironically I watched the Bucks vs Celtics game prior to this game and made note of Bucks announcers constant moaning over calls. I thought to myself I am glad our announcers do not do a lot of that. So when Jack Armstrong is complaining about calls and makes a major point about it, I take notice. I feel that in comparison to around the league Toronto fans get a more balanced view on both Radio with Paul and Eric and T.V with ether Jack and Matt or Matt and Leo.

There was some bright spots for the Raptors in the loss. Demar DeRozan in his second trip back to L.A had one of his best games in awhile. DeRozan had 11 points and was 4 for 6 from the field. He did get himself into foul trouble with 4 fouls. However Demar was better and let's hope he can care all that hometown love and that performance with him for the rest of the trip. In fact the Raptors as a whole need to carry over the performance to tonight vs the Kings. Raptors have lost 7 of 8 and now sit a game and a half behind the Bucks for 5th.

Jay Triano in attempt to respond to his teams lack of performance on defense has been mixing in zone defense more and more. Sometimes with success and sometimes not. As Jack Armstrong said to me once the zone can be effective for The Raptors but it can only work for so long. Changing looks and trying to confuse the opposition can help somewhat. However the Raptors also have to bring the effort to go a long with it.

The Raptors still have never swept the Lakers in a season but they came very close last night. The Raptors have shown the ability to be good basketball teams. They are a good team but they need to work hard to be that good team. When we are this deep into a season the topic of effort really should not be a topic of conversation. The effort the Raptors showed last night must become the rule and not the exception regardless of who they line-up against.

Taking away the bias we all have as people that cheer for this team to do well. That game last night was the reason we all love basketball. There was excitement and clutch shots and everything that makes basketball the most exciting sport there is for me. The Raptors will look to rebound from a heartbreaking 109-107 loss as they take on the front runner for Rookie of the Year Evans and the Kings.

Starting 5 With Demar DeRozan

Was at the ACC last night and got a chance to catch up with Demar DeRozan and talk about his dunk off with Eric Gordon and his thoughts on that. We also talk about what his thoughts are just over half way home in his first NBA season. What is the biggest difference Demar sees in himself when he watches film from recently compared to the start of the season? It was a brief chat but hopefully a good one as Demar is looking forward to All-Star Weekend in Dallas and making his return to the Raptor line-up. He had tweeted that Sunday might be a possible return date and given how he was playing prior to going out the Raptor and fans will be happy to have him back in the fold. He has been replaced in the starting line-up by his good buddy or as he says in the interview "His Man" Sonny Weems who had his first career double double last night. Sonny also appears to be part of the game plan for the Dunk Contest as well.

Demar Derozan

DNB Production

Good luck to Demar in Dallas and more importantly for fans of Raptors in the post All-Star portion of the season. He really seems to have turned a corner and the fact he is not in the Rookie vs Sophomore game is a joke. But if Demar could win the Dunk Contest and be key for the Raps down the stretch he could very well have the last laugh.

Don't bet against him Evidence BELOW

Demar DeRozan Will Make History In February

It was just announced on TNT that Demar DeRozan will be taking on Eric Gordon of the L.A Clippers in an NBA first....a dunk off at halftime of the Rookie/Softmore game on NBA ALL STAR WEEKEND in Dallas. I recently chatted with Demar about the whole idea of being in the dunk contest in case anyone missed it here is a link to that- Double D back in DNB.

I have got to talk to Demar a few times through out the season and have got to watch him up in Ottawa at training camp. The kid can get up in the air and you have already seen some great stuff from him this season. The interesting thing is both Gordon and DeRozan are likely going to be playing in the game in which this contest will go down at halftime. Heir Canada will fly in Dallas and it should be fun to watch.

Likely have some more thoughts on this tomorrow but Demar DeRozan has a chance to be the first Raptor to be in the NBA Slam Dunk Contest since that guy named Carter. We all remember how that turned out. However he never did it in front of 90,000 people .Actually so was Jamario Moon how soon I forget (Thanks to a reader for reminding me). Demar ironically in his blog today on Raptors.com DeRozan talked about loving football and any team but the Dallas Cowboys. He will get his chance to enter the Dunk Contest in Cowboy Stadium in Arlington,Texas.

Not crazy about him hating on Chris Bosh and my Cowboys. But I think it is safe to say I will be, and Chris Bosh as well, cheering for Demar to bring the house down at the home of America's Team. Congratulations to Demar and best of luck. He is going against a Clipper so hopefully the Clipper Curse includes dunk contests.

Double D Is Back In DNB.

Demar DeRozan has already had some eye popping dunks in his young NBA career. There is some buzz on the Internet to have him compete in the Dunk Contest on All Star Weekend in Dallas. Heck there is even a website with that has a lone mission to "Let Demar Dunk". Demar is one of the first people I got a chance to talk with when I went up to camp in Ottawa. I have tried every time since when I have had access to check in with him and see how things are going. I thought I would ask him if he was aware of all this Internet interest in him being part of the dunk contest in Dallas.

Demar DeRozan-" You know it's big. But lately I haven't paid much attention to it. Everybody keeps bringing it up to me. Just the thought about it is exciting. But I really haven't grasped about everybody wanting me to do it. Probably when it gets closer it will hit me more."

One of the guys Demar was playing with in summer League was Brent Petway, who is a college and D-league dunk champion. Brent was a guest in the Dino Nation Blog back in his time with the Idaho Stampede. He talked about being a student of the whole dunk contest. I asked Demar if he was the same way?

Demar DeRozan-" I was more in high school. Ever since college, I haven't paid as much attention to it. It is still exciting to go back and watch old school dunks. Just try and think of new stuff. I think I am not into as much as I was before."

As far as 2010 goes what are Demar's hopes for the coming year? They are pretty simple.

Demar DeRozan-" Just to come out and have a better second half to the season overall. Just try to come out and make this push for the playoffs."

Sonny Weems and Demar DeRozan have become close friends and the joking between the two can be funny. If you follow both of them on Twitter they spend a lot of time together off the floor. The two have talked smack in a friendly way on who actually is the better dunker of the two. So I asked Demar who would win if the two faced off. Demar was more than happy to offer his two cents on the topic.

Demar DeRozan-" I would punish Sonny Weems in a dunk contest. Quote me on that."

Which of course we have. When I asked Sonny for a reply he said the following.

Sonny Weems- " Ask anyone in this locker room they all know I would win"

Anyone except Demar I guess. Did not take a straw poll of Raptors Locker room to solve this. In talking seriously with Sonny he was happy to have the fans support. He has gone from a guy that few knew in a trade in summer to a part of this rotation. He said he feels blessed to have the opportunity he has had and that he can provide for his family. Demar and Sonny along with Amir Johnson have been tagged as the Young Guns and all 3 have made an impact in the 2009 half of the season. Looking to keep it rolling in 2010. Who knows if Demar will get in this Dunk Contest this year but in having had the chance to watch him in practice and games he has the hops that someday make you believe he will be there eventually.

These guys are having fun and loving life but also have learned to work hard and keep their eyes on the prize of helping get this team to the playoffs. They have all carved out fans in the larger group of Raptor fan base. Playing Hard and having fun as you do it seems to be the motto of this group. Demar has got praise from the beginning on how much work he is doing to make himself into the best possible player he can be. Some nights it does not go so well but there are moments and flashes that you see that make you smile when you think of what the future might be. I have always found Demar to be a nice young man and always focused on doing what he can to get better. He in some ways reminds me of a young Chris Bosh. A bit on the shy side but learning more and more and building confidence in front of a mic and on the floor.

All the best to Demar in 2010 on growing into the player he wants to be.