The Toronto Raptors cut Ronald Dupree prior to the regular season. Only to have him resurface and bring him back in late December. Well now after an appearance last night game he has been shown the door once again. He appeared in 3 games apparently according to the Raptors. Funny that I have no recollection of the first 2 appearances. Many were puzzled by the move on December 26th. It was said with all the injuries he was brought in as much for an extra body for practice more than anything else. His departure may suggest that Sonny Weems could be close to returning or there could be someone else the Raps would like to bring in (Like A Big) that would be more usefully. It could even mean a trade might be in the works.
But what it likely means is there was absolutely no point in bringing him back to begin with. But hey at least Dupree got to collect a pay check for a couple weeks. Here is the post on the release from Raptors.com.
Stay turned for preview of Raptors and Cavs....some how I don't think this move will impact on that preview that much.
Showing posts with label Ronald Dupree. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Ronald Dupree. Show all posts
10/20/10
Bulls vs Raptors-The Pre-Season Sequel.
In this pre-season the Raptors have had 2 teams they have faced twice. The result in both cases was the same each time. The Raptors opened the pre-season with a win over the Suns and then beat those same Suns at the ACC. The Raptors lost against Boston on the road and then lost to them again at the ACC. Tonight the Raptors take on the Bulls for a second time. In the first meeting in Chicago the Raptors got beaten badly and were crushed on the boards. The next night they would bounce back with a much better effort and a double OT win over the Sixers.
Tonight will be in some ways like the last game of the pre-season even though it is not. Raptors will head up to Montreal to take on the Knicks who they will face 5 days later to open the regular season. So much like when 2 teams meet in the NFL the week before the playoffs knowing they will face each other, it promises to be a very vanilla contest. Do not expect a lot of plays to be run and maybe not even the actual starting line-up the Raptors will sport. So that makes tonight against Chicago a bit more important then your average 2nd last game of the pre-season.
The one question that needs an answer is, who is the starting point guard? Jarrett Jack has clearly won the job if we base this on performance in the pre-season. However, it at least looks like we may see Jose Calderon end up the starter. But as most basketball coaches will say it is not who starts it is who finishes and that has been Jack. The relationship between Triano and his two point guards will be something to watch this season. The Raptors heading into last off-season were not sure if the 2 point guards could make it work together for another season. The Raptors attempt to trade Calderon to Charlotte is proof of that to an extent.
What does seem clear is no matter what Bargnani is going to be your starter at Center. It also seems likely that Kleiza will start at the 3. Still up for debate is who will be the starting 2 and 4 in this roster. If we base it on the pre-season alone that would mean Barbosa would be the starting 2. At the 4 you could probably flip a coin between Amir Johnson and Reggie Evans. Ultimately based on the investment they have made you would expect the Raptors would want to see Amir take that spot. The same would be said about Demar DeRozan at the 2 spot. You have to hope that even if they don't start the season as starters that they will be by the end of it. Not based on their contracts but based on their play.
One thing that has been decided is the roster as a whole. Ronald Dupree was released yesterday and honestly that is not a shock. He played well in Summer League and that was enough to invite to camp but not enough to make the team. The odds were long for Dupree and it was the obvious choice. Wright, Dorsey and anyone else that thought they were on the bubble can breath easy. The Raptors are 15 and now look to focus on what to do with that 15, as the season starts a week from today.
I will be on the hunt looking for folks to talk to tonight at the ACC. It should be fun. The game may not be though as the Bulls should still be able to have an advantage on the glass. But win or lose the Raptors need a much better effort then they had in Chicago.
Tonight will be in some ways like the last game of the pre-season even though it is not. Raptors will head up to Montreal to take on the Knicks who they will face 5 days later to open the regular season. So much like when 2 teams meet in the NFL the week before the playoffs knowing they will face each other, it promises to be a very vanilla contest. Do not expect a lot of plays to be run and maybe not even the actual starting line-up the Raptors will sport. So that makes tonight against Chicago a bit more important then your average 2nd last game of the pre-season.
The one question that needs an answer is, who is the starting point guard? Jarrett Jack has clearly won the job if we base this on performance in the pre-season. However, it at least looks like we may see Jose Calderon end up the starter. But as most basketball coaches will say it is not who starts it is who finishes and that has been Jack. The relationship between Triano and his two point guards will be something to watch this season. The Raptors heading into last off-season were not sure if the 2 point guards could make it work together for another season. The Raptors attempt to trade Calderon to Charlotte is proof of that to an extent.
What does seem clear is no matter what Bargnani is going to be your starter at Center. It also seems likely that Kleiza will start at the 3. Still up for debate is who will be the starting 2 and 4 in this roster. If we base it on the pre-season alone that would mean Barbosa would be the starting 2. At the 4 you could probably flip a coin between Amir Johnson and Reggie Evans. Ultimately based on the investment they have made you would expect the Raptors would want to see Amir take that spot. The same would be said about Demar DeRozan at the 2 spot. You have to hope that even if they don't start the season as starters that they will be by the end of it. Not based on their contracts but based on their play.
One thing that has been decided is the roster as a whole. Ronald Dupree was released yesterday and honestly that is not a shock. He played well in Summer League and that was enough to invite to camp but not enough to make the team. The odds were long for Dupree and it was the obvious choice. Wright, Dorsey and anyone else that thought they were on the bubble can breath easy. The Raptors are 15 and now look to focus on what to do with that 15, as the season starts a week from today.
I will be on the hunt looking for folks to talk to tonight at the ACC. It should be fun. The game may not be though as the Bulls should still be able to have an advantage on the glass. But win or lose the Raptors need a much better effort then they had in Chicago.
9/17/10
Bits and Bites For A Friday
In case you missed it the Raptors announced the signing of Ronald Dupree. If you are one of those dedicated hardcore fans, that name will sound familiar as he was on the Raptors Summer league roster. He is now on the actual roster which stands at 16 as camp is set to open in 10 days. The Raptors will only be able to carry 15 players once the actual season starts so will see if Dupree can actually earn a spot on the roster. There was a lot of talk that Bobby Brown would have got a shot with the Raptors but that was based in Jose Calderon not being a Raptor which he still is.
Obviously signing someone off the summer league roster is not exactly exciting or changes your outlook for the Raptors for this season. In the previews for the upcoming season the projections for the Raptors are truly scary. The lowest number I have seen is 22-60 for the Raptors. That is challenging for the 1st pick in the lottery type stuff. It is epic failure almost to the level of New Jersey Nets like performance.
When you examine the Raptors early schedule it is hard not to see them being below .500 after their first 10 games. They play a lot of good teams early and only soft teams in the first 10 would include the Kings, Knicks and Cavs. So even if they get all 3 of those that is a 3-7 start. They have a 4 game west coast trip in that first ten games that could easily be 0-4 if they do not get a win over the Kings.
It is very hard to be optimistic when you look what lies ahead for the Raptors. I am not convinced yet that they will be the epic type failure like the Nets. That being said they are likely looking like a low 30 wins team and can not see them getting close to the 40 wins of the last season that left them just shy of making the playoffs.
I think it is no secret to anyone that the Raptors to be a playoff team, still would need to make more moves to even be in the hunt. Signing guys from the Summer League roster does do that. It is kind of a strange feeling to be heading into a season with everyone pretty much expecting the worst with a view people holding out hope for the Raptors to surprise.
Normally the start of a Raptors season is something to be excited about. This season, I think it is something that if we all are honest, we fear it. Some how for the people in this organization they need to find a way to believe in where not many outside of it will. the fact there was new buzzing on Twitter that Ed Davis had an MRI is not exactly inspiring. People don't just go have MRI's for the heck of it. Oh well, ready or not the season is coming and it is coming fast.
Have a great weekend and see you all Monday.
Obviously signing someone off the summer league roster is not exactly exciting or changes your outlook for the Raptors for this season. In the previews for the upcoming season the projections for the Raptors are truly scary. The lowest number I have seen is 22-60 for the Raptors. That is challenging for the 1st pick in the lottery type stuff. It is epic failure almost to the level of New Jersey Nets like performance.
When you examine the Raptors early schedule it is hard not to see them being below .500 after their first 10 games. They play a lot of good teams early and only soft teams in the first 10 would include the Kings, Knicks and Cavs. So even if they get all 3 of those that is a 3-7 start. They have a 4 game west coast trip in that first ten games that could easily be 0-4 if they do not get a win over the Kings.
It is very hard to be optimistic when you look what lies ahead for the Raptors. I am not convinced yet that they will be the epic type failure like the Nets. That being said they are likely looking like a low 30 wins team and can not see them getting close to the 40 wins of the last season that left them just shy of making the playoffs.
I think it is no secret to anyone that the Raptors to be a playoff team, still would need to make more moves to even be in the hunt. Signing guys from the Summer League roster does do that. It is kind of a strange feeling to be heading into a season with everyone pretty much expecting the worst with a view people holding out hope for the Raptors to surprise.
Normally the start of a Raptors season is something to be excited about. This season, I think it is something that if we all are honest, we fear it. Some how for the people in this organization they need to find a way to believe in where not many outside of it will. the fact there was new buzzing on Twitter that Ed Davis had an MRI is not exactly inspiring. People don't just go have MRI's for the heck of it. Oh well, ready or not the season is coming and it is coming fast.
Have a great weekend and see you all Monday.
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