Toronto Raptors 2010-2011 preview
The Raptors are going to be bad, much worse than last year and worse than the year before when they only won 33 games.
If you’re a Raptors fan you’ve got to admit things aren’t looking good. Losing Chris Bosh in free agency was a formality so at least sending him to Miami in a sign-and-trade and getting draft picks was a good return.
Just looking at how the Raptors played with Bosh last year – and they played pretty poorly despite finishing 40-42 – it’s going to be a long cold winter in Toronto. The loss of Bosh makes this team one of the worst in the NBA and you can be sure the Raptors will be competing for a lottery pick.
Add the embarrassment the front office suffered when leaking an illegal sign-and-trade with Orlando for Matt Barnes - sign-and-trades must be for at least three years not two like Toronto announced - and this is a franchise in turmoil.
Off-season moves
They drafted Ed Davis and Solomon Alabi to give them some athleticism and better defensive options in the team. Neither project to be superstars but both should be able to help a struggling team. Plus you never know how they will turn out, just look at Manu Ginobili who was drafted 57th overall.
They added Amir Johnson to a five-year $34 million deal, not a bad contract if Johnson manages to stay on the court. The two seasons before last he missed 20 games and last season although he played in every game he only managed an average of 17.7 minutes per game because he averages 6.1 fouls per 36 minutes played. The injuries and fouls mean that he’s likely to be coming off the bench and at $34 million that’s a hefty price. He is only 23 though so there is plenty of room for improvement.
Last year’s big summer signing, Hedo Turkoglu has been flipped for Leandro Barbosa and Dwayne Jones. Turkoglu was an absolute disaster, failing to adapt to Toronto’s system averaging five points less than the season before. Not only that but his rebounding numbers were down and so were his assists.
Jones has been cut so the Raptors are just left with Barbosa, who is at least better than Turkoglu. He’s faster, younger, shoots better and will give the team more energy. The Raptors must have been jumping for joy when the Phoenix Suns decided to agree to the trade.
Other moves : signed Linas Kleiza for four years, $20 million; traded for Julian Wright; and traded a conditional second-round pick to Houston for David Andersen.
Prediction
It might sound harsh but the Raptors are in the run for being the worst team in the league next year. They have rectified some issues, notably getting rid Turkoglu’s horrible play and contract. If they are as bad as projected and do get a high draft pick, the Raptors won’t be in awful position for that long.
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