If I had any regular readers, they’d probably be saying, “quit the video game and book BS, talk Raptors!” But there isn’t much to say right now. Our Olympians are getting their much-needed rest, and hopefully the rest of the team is starting to get back into shape, as training camp opens at the end of the month.
Here’s my quick-hit thoughts on each player at the end of summer:
Chris Bosh
Had a great Olympics, showed much-needed aggression on defence that hopefully stays in place, now that he’s got Jermaine O’Neal backing him up. I expect his usual solid offensive play, and I hope that, with O’Neal in there, it’ll ease the load on Bosh a bit and he’ll stay healthy for 80 games.
Jose Calderon
Had a mediocre Olympics, first with the Spanish coach yanking his minutes around and then with the groin injury. He should be fine by the start of the season. So the question will be if he can be the full-time QB of this team. I think he can, he’s a competitive player, he loves to win, and I think he’s the type to step up to a challenge - not the type to take it easy now that he’s got the fat coin.
Jermaine O’Neal
Apparently healthy and motivated, which is exactly what we need, O’Neal should be a major contributor this season. I expect he’ll miss some games, he’ll probably acquire a couple of minor injuries, but as long as he can stay away from the big ones, I think he’ll play 70 games. I’m most looking forward to his efforts on the glass and on defense, but also, I think he’ll be a big bonus on offense - there were too many times over the past couple of years where, if Bosh wasn’t in the game, the Raps had no where to turn to. O’Neal should change that.
Anthony Parker
I expect the vet to have another solid season. We need to get him more open looks - he’s money when he’s got an open shot, not so much when he has to create. He seemed to lose a step on D last year; hopefully with O’Neal and Bosh behind him, he won’t be hung out to dry so much on the perimeter this year.
Jason Kapono
Kapono’s a huge question mark, and it has more to do with Sam Mitchell than anything else. Kapono was disappointing last year, but I pin 99% of that on Mitchell. Can the coach devise any sort of scheme to regularly get Kapono shots? Can he have the patience to leave him in there even when he’s a defensive liability? Does he have the intelligence to recognize when he’s NOT a liability and get him back in there? Kapono can play, there’s no doubt of that. Will Mitchell let him?
Jamario Moon
Nice story last year, no doubt. But athleticism only gets you so far. Again, Mitchell is to blame for this; he left Jamario in through too many awful shooting nights, instead of getting him out of the game and trying to teach him when not to shoot. (He yanks Humphries as soon as Hump takes a bad shot. Why not Moon?). This year, Moon needs to stick to his abilities - slashing and playing D - and he needs to simply move that rock on offense. Unless he’s driving, the ball should NEVER stop with him.
Andrea Bargnani
A colossal disappointment last year, we’ve heard how he’s supposedly working hard this summer (including working out with O’Neal in Vegas). I hope those rumours are true because he needs it. In his first year, his lack of rebounding intensity and his poor footwork were hidden by his wicked shooting touch; he had no shooting touch last year and didn’t improve the other areas. He better have either gotten the touch back or improved his fundamentals, or better yet, both, otherwise he’s officially going to become a bust. I also hope he can accept his official designation as a bench player after starting much of last season.
Joey Graham
Well, what can you say about our man Joey. Possessed of one of the best NBA bodies you’ll ever see, topped off with a brain that is seemingly incapable of grasping the NBA game. I’ve rooted for him all along - he was the guy I wanted them to draft in that spot and I thought he’d be good. Will he finally get it this year? Who knows? I’ve just about given up on him. C’mon, Joey, prove us all wrong… please.
Kris Humphries
He’s got the energy and hustle, but like Graham, loses his had far too often. Unlike Graham, though, I think Hump has actually shown some improvements over the last couple of years. As long as he stays within himself - in other words, don’t force any shots, Hump - he can be a solid contributor to this team.
Roko Ukic
The great unknown. No one’s really seen him play although everyone says he’s a great young talent. He could be the next Jose Calderon or the next Vincenzo Esposito. Let’s hope it’s the former. Either way I’m looking forward to finally seeing him play!
Will Solomon
Transitioning back from Europe, essentially playing the part of the 06-07 Anthony Parker. Solomon’s put up some decent stats in Europe and college and seems possessed of the good all-around game the Raptors need backing up the one and two spots. Can he adjust back to the NBA, especially in a back-up role? It probably won’t be easy for him but I hope he can. I’m looking forward to seeing what he can bring to the table.
Hassan Adams
Played some decent minutes with the Nets a couple of years ago, hopefully he can bring something to the table in limited minutes. I don’t expect Adams to play too much, though obviously, I hope he does well when he’s in there. Like Solomon I think he’s a solid pick-up by Bryan Colangelo, a good all-around player who can help in more than just one way in the minutes he gets.
Nathan Jawai
OK, he’s probably even more unknown that Ukic. I don’t even think I have any analysis to give you. He’s a project, but hopefully, coming in and practicing against Bosh and O’Neal will help speed his development.
Sam Mitchell
I think if the Raps get off to another slow start Mitchell may be on the hot seat. Look, I like Sam - he can be very entertaining and he’s a good motivator, and as I’ve said many times, I value the continuity of having the same coach in place over the regular hire-fire-hire pattern of the NBA. But he was outcoached far too often last year. It is simply inconceivable to me that we had the best three-point shooter in the NBA barely attempt any threes between Christmas and the playoffs. The substitution patterns at the 2-3 spots were all over the place. Dwight Howard barely went to the foul line in the 4th quarter in the playoffs. Mitchell needs to settle on a rotation and make minute adjustments during games. Not the wholesale “well I think Jason’s got it tonight” or “we need Moon’s defense.” No. Find a rotation and stick with it. These are NBA players, not 12 year olds. Hopefully having a shortened roster does that for him…
Anyway, training camp is less than a month away! Can’t wait.
Tags: Chris Bosh, Jermaine O'Neal, Jose Calderon, Toronto Raptors
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