Fun With Line-Ups

As things stand, the Raptors current roster is as follows:

Point Guards: Kyle Lowry, Jose Calderon, John Lucas III
Wings: DeMar DeRozan, Landry Fields, Linas Kleiza, Terrence Ross, Alan Anderson
Forwards: Andrea Bargnani, Amir Johnson, Ed Davis, Quincy Acy
Centers: Jonas Valanciunas, Aaron Gray

While the roster certainly has some holes and could use improvements at a few positions, the Raptors are deep. Minutes won't be clear cut. Instead of your classic five 36 guys, one 24 guy, and a bunch of 10-15 guys, the Raptors are much more likely to have several players averaging between 15 and 25 minutes per game. This can be afforded to their versatility and aforementioned depth at all positions.

Dwane Casey is not one to stick to a strict rotation; last year he benched several players for seemingly worse ones, most notably Rasual Butler and James Johnson. He readily benches players to send messages, and understands that different opponents account for different line-ups and strategies.

So who does Casey start on opening day? If I had to guess, this fun, solid line-up:

PG: Kyle Lowry, SG: DeMar DeRozan, SF: Landry Fields, PF: Andrea Bargnani, C: Aaron Gray

This line-up is multifaceted. There's some offense, some defense, some athleticism, some shooting, and most importantly, some experience. While Valanciunas is undoubtedly better than Gray, I suspect that Casey will give Gray the nod simply because he's been playing in the NBA for several years. That isn't to say Val won't start by the end of the season, because I'm sure he will. Expect this line-up to both start and finish most games early on.

But hey, those guys won't play the whole game. What does the bench look like?

PG: Jose Calderon, SG: Terrence Ross, SF: Linas Kleiza, PF: Amir Johnson, C: Jonas Valanciunas

That's an interesting line-up, because it's better than some of the NBA's bottom-feeders' starting squads. While it can't win games on its own, this collection of players will probably see good minutes together for an array of reasons. The biggest one is the Calderon-Kleiza-Valanciunas connection. Calderon's patient pick and roll play and Kleiza's mentorship will be crucial for Val's development. It will help him acclimate to the NBA's style of play much quicker than it would with him starting over Gray.

Oh, there's a blowout. Who plays?

PG: John Lucas III, SG: Terrence Ross, SF: Alan Anderson, PF: Quincy Acy, C: Ed Davis

Don't hate me because I stuck Davis in there. Look, Davis is a good player and will undoubtedly contribute in minutes outside of garbage time. However, Casey enjoys playing young guys over vets when the game is out of hand. You know, developing them. There isn't a lot to rant and rave about with this line-up, but here's hoping we see it a lot.

You need to score? Let's roll these guys out...

PG: Jose Calderon, SG: DeMar DeRozan, SF: Terrence Ross, PF: Andrea Bargnani, C: Amir Johnson

This is a scary bunch of players. You have the best shooters and most athletic guys at every position. Scoring can come from anyone, and in a plethora of ways. Run pick and rolls with Calderon. Iso Bargnani or DeRozan. Kick out to anyone. Johnson, Ross, and DeRozan are known for crashing the rim when shots go up, so you'd see a bunch of putback jams as well. So much fun.

But it's not all offense. We need to lock down the opponent for a few minutes and close out this game. Hm. Let's send in the dogs.

PG: Kyle Lowry, SG: Alan Anderson, SF: Landry Fields, PF: Amir Johnson, C: Aaron Gray

Jeeze. This is just as scary as the last line-up. Everyone can hold their own one-on-one, and all of these guys are above average help defenders as well. They're savvy and tough. And knowing Casey's affinity for defense, this line-up will show itself more often than you'd think.

Let's have some fun though. Can we send out a team of athletes?

PG: John Lucas III, SG: Terrence Ross, SF: DeMar DeRozan, PF: Ed Davis, C: Jonas Valanciunas

DUNKS ON DUNKS ON DUNKS. So much speed. So much hustle. So much leaping ability. I'd probably faint if these guys saw time together.

Shooters?

PG: Jose Calderon, SG: Terrence Ross, SF: Alan Anderson, PF: Linas Kleiza, C: Andrea Bargnani

I guess the question here is who would win in a 3-point contest? But hey, I'm really bored. Can we just play a weird collection of players?

PG: Jose Calderon, SG: DeMar DeRozan, SF: Alan Anderson, PF: Andrea Bargnani, C: Aaron Gray

Wait a minute, that looks awfully familiar. Oh yeah, it's last year's starting line-up. Proof that the Raptors have improved at three positions.

All in all, this Raptors team is among the deepest I've seen since the mid-00s playoff runs with Chris Bosh. It may not win a championship, but it's very competitive and fun to watch. Several of the bloggers I've spoken to have told me that the Raptors will be among their League Pass choices, simply because every game should be dunks, 3-pointers, defense, and all around fun. I don't think I've been this excited for a Raptors team in a long time.

What line-ups would you like to see Dwane Casey employ?

By the way, give me a follow on Twitter!

Raptors Make Another Minor Move

Raptors announced yesterday that Alan Anderson has been given a contract for the upcoming season. Anderson finished the 2011-12 season on a couple 10 day contracts with the Raptors and did turn a few heads it some ultimately mealiness games down the stretch. This leaves the Raptors with 14 players under contract which would leave room for another meaningless signing of Jamaal Magloire if they so desire. After all he did promise us a playoff spot this season without having a contract to be back.

I found myself angry when someone referenced Anderson as a "good guy" on twitter. This is not to say that he isn't. In the limited interactions I have had with him I would not disagree that he is a nice person. That said, I have reached the point personally that I grow tired of someone being a "good guy" or a "nice guy" as a selling point on why we sign someone.

I honestly don't care anymore on if someone is a nice guy or not. Can he play basketball and does he make this team better are my only concerns. Nice Guys finish last is an expression we all have heard since we were children. There might be some truth to that. Honestly, what good has it done to have a group of nice guys that were marketable and for the most part a low risk to get in any kind of trouble. It has not exactly led to a parade of playoff performances and success has it.

While you can get yourself in trouble going in a complete 180 of this, I still am not worried about a person being a good or bad guy. Demarcus Cousins has a well documented history of being a bit of problem child in his time with Kings. I still would be happy to have him over a guy like Ed Davis who is a nice guy. In terms of basketball talent think most would agree that Cousins is the better talent. Thus my choice would be based on that. We seem to have this massive fascination with what a given player will do to the chemistry of the locker room. Every now and than maybe it isn't a bad thing to bring in someone that will turn things a bit upside down. When you have this peace and harmony that most feel makes for an ideal locker room that can also lead to complacency.

So it is the hope, that regardless of if he is a good guy or a bad guy, that someone like Kyle Lowry can shake things up a bit.  What the Raptors have seemed to lack is a leader to stand up and take this team by the throat and push it to be better. Casey can only do so much of that as a coach. Something I think we all learned from Sam Mitchell and his run in Toronto. It has to come from one of the guys in that room. 

However what I am ultimately sick of both as someone that covers this team and as a fan is this notion that it matters if a guy is a good dude or not. What matters is winning. That is all that should matter at the end of the day. While I do not want a team of thugs and problem child types both on and off the floor. I am fine with a guy that keeps his nose clean off the floor and may not be the nicest guy in the world. I am cool with a guy that might not have a chance of winning most popular Raptor. I am fine if he tweets stupid stuff or stuff I would not agree with. At the end it is about winning. It nice to be idealistic and think that can be done with a group of great guys. That seldom is the case though. Ask yourself if you honestly think Jordan was a great guy or was he simple a great player? Kobe Bryant is not a great guy either really? Lebron James is ultimately kind of a jerk. Sure I would love to see a guy like a Kevin Durant win a title and a team like the OKC Thunder. Even on a team like that, Perkins is far from being a nice dude and winning Mr. popular. I think we all get guilty of this, what a guy is like kind of thing from time to time. Ultimately, a person and how they act is only relevant to how it translates on to a basketball court. So let's all try and focus on that. If a guys signs autographs for kids and gets out and does stuff in the community that is great. Still I am ultimately concerned with basketball. This could be a statement about why the Raptors shouldn't bother resigning Magloire. Which indirectly it is, although ultimately it is more a general frustration with hearing about how wonderful various guys are. You know what isn't wonderful? The Raptors record the last 3 years or so. It isn't wonderful missing the playoffs year after year. If you doubt that ask a Leaf fan. If you are a Leaf fan you are already aware of this. Winning nothing more or nothing less is all that should matter at this point. 

WWE Not On The Kobe System

As some of you that follow on Twitter might have noticed I started blogging about wrestling. Little did I know the WWE would decide to make the crossover into my NBA world as well. The last time the WWE and NBA really made news was when Raw was forced to change venues over an NBA Playoff game in Denver. Ironically enough this latest news is based on Colorado as well. Last night on WWE Raw this line was said by a "heel" manager character named AW.

"Titus ONeal (WWE Wrestler) is like Kobe Bryant in a hotel room in Colorado....Unstoppable"

This prompted a rather quick apology from the WWE coming out of the next commercial break. This was of course in reference to the Kobe Bryant rape trial from years ago. While I don't know if Bryant could sue WWE based on the comment nor would even care to go there it still was at least in poor taste. Bryant of course was never ultimately convicted of rape and is thus innocent in eyes of the legal system. Still it did make me realize just how long ago that seems and how Bryant's image has been restored to it's previous state prior to the events in Colorado.

Bryant is current part of team U.S.A and will be in action today playing for the U.S. In terms of the WWE they would like to see this go away fast. Linda McManon is trying to run for a senate seat in Connecticut and this is not publicity they are looking for. Ultimately this would be another thing that people would throw at her in a long list of transgressions in the wrestling industry.

Normally the WWE is always happy to find a way into the mainstream and has always tried to use NBA Stars as draw to their relevance with the main stream. There was a plan that Shaq was going to wrestle at the last Wrestlemania that eventually fell through. In past we have seen guys like Dennis Rodman and Karl Malone make appearances in the former rival company WCW that has since been purchased by the WWE.

This may just all go away but TMZ jumped on this like vultures waiting to strike. In terms of Bryant even if he has a legal case it seems unlikely he would want to remind people of that incident in Colorado. Bryant has of late been having problems once again in his marriage within the last year. So the chances he would take legal action against the WWE would be minor and quite frankly he likely wouldn't have a case anyway.

It does make me wonder about how we all seem to just bury the past of athletes and praise them as long as they comeback and become a winner. Winning does in fact cure all in many cases. Including repairing damaged reputations. WWE announced they have taken actions against the performer who utter this line on a live mic on Raw. What those are remain to be seen. Given he is not a major part of their company it could easily see him be released or fired. WWE does not exactly offer main people guaranteed contracts and Vince McManon will not need to use an amnesty clause to send him packing.

What also will or could be awkward for the WWE is their next PPV ironically enough will be in the home of the Lakers and Clippers Staple Center as WWE Summerslam is going to be there in a few weeks. These are the moments I am glad that my regular job is to cover the NBA. It is moments like this that make you kind of humiliated to admit you like wrestling or are a fan of it. Not to the level of a trail where you could go to jail in Colorado but still even that has been forgotten by almost everyone. That is except for this soon to be unemployed WWE performer...Clearly he was not on the Kobe System.  

Feeling Olympic Today

So the Olympics are underway. Before we get to basketball let's just talk what are Raptors broadcasters have been up to with the Olympics going on. You have Paul Jones calling the action for women's basketball over in London. Canada did in fact qualify in Women's basketball and all most started the tournament with a huge shock beating Russia but fell short. The Men of course are not there, something Steve Nash will be looking to change for 2016 in Brazil. Paul's partner in crime on the radio Eric Smith is calling play by play on boxing with Russ Amber in London. Matt Devlin who in the past has worked for NBC covering wrestling at the last games in China has decided to take a pass on the Olympics this time. He is getting to know Canada as he was in Montreal and Calgary calling CFL Games for TSN. Matt in the past has worked covering college football in the U.S on the Big Ten Network. So everybody is doing some different things. Myself the Olympics turn DNB HQ in to Olympics HQ as my mom has always been a fan of the games. So if I seem like I haven't slept over the next two weeks it is probably true.

As for the Raptors at the Olympics Linas and Jonas got a good old fashion butt kicking as Lithuania who was a last chance qualifier was no match vs medal favourite Argentina 102-79. In terms of what the Raptors did in that effort:

Linas Kleiza 20 points, 7/11 FG's, 1-1 3pt Range, 7 Rebounds and 1 Assist and 1 Steal

I know you really don't care right? After all we have seen Linas go off for Lithuania before only to see no evidence of it when he returns to the the Raptors. What did Jonas do?

Jonas Valancuinas 6 points 5 rebounds going 3/4 from field in 14 minutes. 

Not exactly setting the world on fire but good performance in limited minutes against a tough team in Argentina.

Then of course we have Jose Calderon the Spanish Starter by default with no Ricky Rubio. Spain had little trouble taking care of China 97-81. Spain got into hot water in past for a photo shout make their eyes look Asian. They eye a finals match up with the U.S down the line. As for Toronto's soon to be back-up point guard:

Calderon 12 points 3/6 from field 3 Rebounds 3 Assists  2 Turnovers and a steal. 

Spain was led by Pau Gasol with 21 and Jeremy Lin is not playing for China or the U.S Dream Team in case you were wondering. Speaking of the U.S they had no issues smashing Tony Parker and France 91-78 led by 21 points from Kevin Durant. Raptors had interest at one time in Andre Kirilenko who went off going 14-17 for 35 points in a 20 point win over the hosts Great Britain 95-75.

Canada's Women take on the hosts Great Britain later today in their second game of the competition. So good luck to the ladies. That is about it from me it is back to watching some sports that I have not watched in 4 years. I can't wait for speed walking!!!  

Lucas and Gray added to the Roster.

As we mentioned this morning a John Lucas III was on verge of signing. That was made official today. Also as first reported weeks ago by Adrian Wojnarowski of Yahoo Sports Aaron Gray finally has been confirmed as re-signing with the Raptors. Lucas III played last season for the Bulls and saw time with injury to Derrick Rose. Gray after some medical problems to start his Raptor career had a decent season and was as I recall the only Raptor last season to get MVP chants from the ACC crowd.

Both are now on board for next season so go out and celebrate the weekend as the "People's MVP" Aaron Gray is coming back and John Lucas III becomes the source of the often debated 3rd point guard position in Toronto. Joking aside I have no issues with either signing as both will be content in reserve roles.

What Raps Sked Looks Like?

I have been doing this for 5 years now, so looking at the Raptors Schedule, as we go back to a regular schedule this year after Lockout shorten one, it looks like a pretty typical schedule. Raptors as they have in past years will spend a lot of time on the road for the remainder of 2012. They will see there longest road trip of the season at the start of December(@ Denver, Sacramento, Utah, Clippers, Portland). It will be a case of survival in 2012 and try to be still in the hunt when the calender turns to 2013. Once it does the Raptors will have a 6 game home stand. (vs Portland, Sacramento, OKC, Philly, Charlotte and Milwaukee) When you combine that long road trip and home stand it is roughly an 1/8 of the schedule and it might just be a reflection of the Raptors season. Although another thing will be key will be how the Raptors manage in their own division. I feel in general the Atlantic has improved. Those 16 games in division could tell the story. If the Raptors can be close to .500 they might stand a chance at being a playoff team. If they fail to do that I would not think they have much hope. You can also argue there are no longer any easy wins for Toronto in the division when you consider the improvements the Nets made. While no one in the Atlantic will be a challenge for the likes of Miami they all will be competitive teams and all would be expecting to make the post season with a legit claim to get there. It won't be easy.

One thing that really was not going the Raptors way was when they will face Chicago. The latest news says Derrick Rose could be out now until March. Raptors only see the Bulls once of the three times the teams will meet prior to March. An April 9th & 12th home and home with Bulls did the Raptors no favours. Also when you consider the Bulls will be charging hard to make up ground without Rose as they approach the end of the season. Just one of the unlucky breaks of the schedule. When you look at the first 10 games for the Raptors they have a chance to get off to a decent start. But they will have tests vs Pacers (2- 1 home 1 away) OKC, Dallas and Boston all on the road. They also will play the home opener for the Nets in Brooklyn which will be a tough road challenge. In the end the schedule is what it is. At the end of it you play all the teams and have 41 at home and 41 on the road. No team has every won or lost a championship based on a schedule that I am aware of. The schedule is dynamic as well. Sometimes you will catch breaks with injuries and other times you will have your own injuries to endure. To speculate full on the schedule now based on just dates on a piece of paper is a little bit foolish. It does give you an indication on what type of path faces your club though. This path is one that is pretty much what Raptor fans have come to expect.

In terms of T.V it is same old store. No ESPN or TNT for the Raptors. People saying winning changes that but even when the Raptors were good they never have been a part of TNT on Thursday Nights. Honestly I am not sure why this matters for Raptor fans in this country. I get why would for fans outside of Canada and why it does for the players. Charles Barkley told you a long time ago TNT is Bias against Canada. He was joking about it but in a way they are. If you put the Raptors on TNT it is not in their best interest. They are basically eliminating a market of viewers to watch their game. TNT is not available in Canada unless you have a satellite dish...just ask Chris Bosh. So they would rather have two main markets to draw from. It isn't as much bias against Canada or the Raptors as it is just simple business. MLSE is not likely to petition the league to be on TNT or ESPN either considering they hold a monopoly on the broadcast rights here in Canada.

Aside from the schedule it would not shock me if John Lucas III is a Raptor by the time we talk again on Monday. It seems things are just about done and some smart fans noticed the Raptors had starting following him on Twitter. A clear tip off he soon will be signed on to the roster. Yes Twitter once again breaking a story. It is just common place in this modern world. I think the media would grind to a stop if Twitter were down for 24 hours. Well perhaps not but people would actually have to do work and research like the old days. Imagine if Google went down at the same time. Oh mass panic would set in for sure. Olympics getting going today so good luck to our Canadian Athletes and especially the Women's basketball team who did something the Men have not done since Steve Nash played for them, that is qualify for the Olympics.

Barring anything earth shaking news wise I will see you all on Monday.

Raptors 2012-13 Sked

Raptors 2012-13 Scdedule

October/November

Home Opener: Indiana @ Toronto October 31st. 

Nov 3rd- Toronto @ Brooklyn
Nov 4th- Minnesota @ Toronto
Nov 6th- Toronto @ OKC
Nov 7th- Toronto @ Dallas
Nov 10th- Philly @Toronto
Nov 12th- Utah @ Toronto
Nov 13th- Toronto @ Indiana
Nov 17th- Toronto @Boston 
Nov 18th- Orlando @Toronto
Nov 20th- Toronto @ Philly
Nov 21st- Toronto @ Charlotte
Nov 23rd- Toronto @ Detroit
Nov 25th- San Antonio @ Toronto
Nov 27th- Toronto @ Houston
Nov 28th- Toronto @ Memphis
Nov 30th- Phoenix @ Toronto  

( 7 home dates, 10 away dates )

December

Dec 3rd- Toronto @ Denver
Dec 5th- Toronto @ Sacramento
Dec 7th- Toronto @ Utah
Dec 9th- Toronto @ L.A Clippers
Dec 10th- Toronto @ Portland
Dec 12th- Brooklyn @ Toronto
Dec 14th- Dallas @ Toronto
Dec 16th- Houston @ Toronto
Dec 18th- Toronto @ Cleveland
Dec 19th- Detroit @ Toronto
Dec 21st- Orlando @ Toronto
Dec 26th- Toronto @ San Antonio
Dec 28th- Toronto @ New Orleans
Dec 29th- Toronto @ Orlando

( 5 home dates 9 away dates )

January

Jan 2nd- Portland @ Toronto
Jan 4th- Sacramento @ Toronto
Jan 6th- OKC @ Toronto
Jan 9th- Philly @ Toronto
Jan 11th- Charlotte @ Toronto
Jan 13th- Milwuakee @ Toronto
Jan 15th- Toronto @ Brooklyn
Jan 16th- Chicago @ Toronto
Jan 18th- Toronto @ Philly
Jan 20th- L.A Lakers @ Toronto
Jan 23rd- Toronto @ Miami
Jan 24th- Toronto @ Orlando
Jan 26th- Cleveland @ Toronto
Jan 28th- Golden State @ Toronto
Jan 30th- Toronto @ Atlanta

( 10 home dates 5 away dates )

February

Feb 1st- L.A Clippers @ Toronto
Feb 3rd-  Miami @ Toronto
Feb 6th- Boston @ Toronto
Feb 8th- Toronto @ Indiana
Feb 10th- New Orleans @ Toronto
Feb 12th- Denver @ Toronto
Feb 13th- Toronto @ New York
Feb 19th- Toronto @ Washington
Feb 20th- Memphis @ Toronto
Feb 22nd- New York @ Toronto
Feb 25th- Washington @ Toronto
Feb 27th- Toronto @ Cleveland

( 8 home dates 4 away dates )

March

Mar 1st- Indiana @ Toronto
Mar 2nd- Toronto @ Milwaukee 
Mar 4th- Toronto @ Golden State
Mar 6th- Toronto @ Phoenix 
Mar 8th- Toronto @ L.A Lakers 
Mar 10th- Cleveland @ Toronto
Mar 13th- Toronto @ Boston
Mar 15th- Charlotte @ Toronto
Mar 17th- Miami @ Toronto
Mar  20th- Toronto @ Charlotte
Mar 22nd- New York @ Toronto
Mar 23rd- Toronto @ New York
Mar 27th- Atlanta @ Toronto
Mar 29th- Toronto @ Detroit
Mar 31st- Toronto @ Washington

( 6 home dates 9 away dates )

April 


Apr 1st- Detroit @ Toronto
Apr 3rd- Washington @ Toronto
Apr 5th- Toronto @ Minnesota
Apr 6th- Toronto @ Milwuakee
Apr 9th- Toronto @ Chicago
Apr 12th- Chicago @ Toronto
Apr 14th- Brooklyn @ Toronto
Apr 16th- Toronto @ Atlanta
Apr 17th- Boston @ Toronto


( 5 home dates 4 away dates )

16 back to backs
Longest Homestand- 6 games Jan 2nd -13th
Longest Road Trip- 5 games Dec 3rd - 10th